Aikatsu on Parade! (ONA)

Aikatsu on Parade! was produced by Bandai Namco Pictures as a celebratory crossover project, debuting in late 2019 and concluding with a specialized web series format in 2020. It was designed to commemorate the franchise's ongoing legacy by integrating protagonists from the original Aikatsu!, Aikatsu Stars!, and Aikatsu Friends! series into a unified narrative. The series centers on Raki Kiseki, a new idol who uses the Aikatsu Passport to travel between dimensions, allowing for a nostalgic showcase of various idol styles and performances that fans of the long-running property had followed over the preceding years.

The animation direction sought to maintain the distinct aesthetic identities of the three predecessors while ensuring consistency within the Bandai Namco Pictures house style. By leveraging the existing character designs, the production team aimed to facilitate a seamless transition between different eras of the franchise's lore. The ONA was received by the community as a tribute to the series' history, serving as a bridge before the transition to the next iteration of the Aikatsu idol simulation game and accompanying media, and is recognized for its ambition in synthesizing years of episodic world-building.