Music Girls

Music Girls, or Ongaku Shoujo, was produced by Studio DEEN and aired as a television anime series in 2018. The project originated as an original video animation released by the studio in 2015, which explored the behind-the-scenes dynamics of an idol group. The series was designed to delve deeper into the narrative, shifting the focus to a struggling, low-popularity group striving to make it in the competitive idol industry, ultimately centered on the introduction of a new, talented member named Hanako Yamadaki.

The character designs and animation direction sought to balance the high-energy aesthetic typical of the idol genre with the character-driven storytelling Studio DEEN is known for. While the series provided a dedicated look at the complexities of the idol landscape, it was received as a niche addition to the genre, noted primarily for its specific focus on the internal bond and professional growth of its ensemble cast rather than the broader spectacle often found in mainstream idol media.