The non-idol staff of the unnamed production agency in the Mobile Game and 346 Production in the Anime. They're the people who actually oversee the careers of the Idols featured in Cinderella Girls.
Go here for the main character index of THE iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls.
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Debuted in the Mobile Game
The Producer
An up and coming producer of an unnamed production company controlled by the players in both Cinderella Girls mobage and Starlight Stage, as well as in Drama CD skits. As an avatar of the player he is voiceless, faceless, and nameless: known only as "Producer" to everyone. The Yonkoma version is a sociable individual who tries his best to maintain a professional relationship with the idols. For all incarnations, he has a sharp eye for scouting unpolished musical talent, and unwavering dedication to ensuring those under his wing achieve success.
- The Ace: At being a music producer. He can turn social outcasts, the mentally unhinged, and street bums into superstar idols.
- Balanced Harem: The 4-koma manga has been aiming for it.
- Canon Welding: The 10th anniversary animation for the game shows the anime, Wild Wind Girl, and U149 Producers together, implying that 346 Production is so big that they and their stories could all feasably exist independently of your Producer without continuity errors.
- Celibate Hero: Almost all the idols from Cinderella Girls have a crush on him in varying degrees. Nonetheless, the Producer maintains a strict business relationship with the idols and is uncomfortable when any of them show romantic advances.
- Chick Magnet: All 180+ idols would do anything to be his girlfriend.
- Cloudcuckoolander's Minder: A reason why Hilarity Ensues in many of the Drama CD skits, is because the Producer is absent from stopping the eccentric idols from causing havoc or indulging in their unusual interests.
- Clueless Chick-Magnet: Most likely to be Obfuscating Stupidity.
- Dude, Where's My Respect?: One would think since he's centrally responsible for creating over 200 successful idols, the entire music industry would react with uncontrolled anticipation or fear (i.e. rival studios) anytime the Producer takes new talent under his wing. Only the idols and Chihiro seem to directly acknowledge the Producer as an almighty force in the entertainment world.
- He Who Must Not Be Seen: The Yonkoma and most manga adaptions follow this plan. They have the Producer's face obscured by an object, an idol's body, cut off by the panel, or only show the back of his head. Averted in the anime, where the Producer's face is unconcealed, as well as the Wild Wind Girl and U149 spinoffs, which show their respective Producers in full.
- Let's Just Be Friends: The current status quo.
- Not a Date: Idols will try to arrange time alone with the Producer, on the pretext of discussing plans for her music career, but spend the majority of the meeting to make romantic advances on him. Due to his Clueless Chick-Magnet reaction to these attempts, the incidents become Flavor 2.
- Office Romance: Their game card quotes highlight it.
- Parental Substitute: Several idols have such a relationship.
- Ship Tease: Each of the Image Song Drama CD focus on it for the idol in question.
- This Is Your Song: Each idol is implied to be thinking of the Producer when singing her Image Song. A few call out to him in the lyrics.
- Unwanted Harem: All of the idols have affectionate feelings for the Producer. Some media has him navigate the Let's Just Be Friends route.
- The Voiceless:
- From time to time the Producer is featured in the radio show interviews of the idol's Drama CD. Just like Staff-san, he usually indicates approval or displeasure at the idol's comments with a sound emitting speaker. To differentiate him from Staff-san, the Producer's makes a lighter toned "pin pon" sound effect.
- During Koume's Drama CD the Producer is the Zombie co-host. He uses unintelligible undead grunts with the sound effects.
- Weirdness Magnet: The multitude of idols. Each has a unique persona or trait that defines her individuality from the others, many of them being highly unusual.
- When You Coming Home, Dad?: The idols will loiter in the workplace, waiting for the Producer to return from his office assignments. They also get sad when he's too busy to attend their office parties or have fun with them.
Chihiro Senkawa
Chihiro Senkawa
Voiced by: Rina Sato
Age: ???
Height: 154cm
Weight: S-e-c-r-e-t
Birthday: November 28
Blood type: A
Three sizes: 82-58-84
Hobbies: Cosplaying, partying
Secretary to the Producer of Cinderella Girls, and serves as the game's tutorial guide and information woman. She's essentially an Expy of Kotori Otonashi, and does not have an active idol career or in-game card.note
- Breakout Character: Despite not being a winnable idol or having an official card, she has been assigned a voice actress and got a Drama CD skit. Rumors of an Image Song are now abounding. She's also featured in the anime as a support character.
- It culminates in Starlight Stage on April Fools' Day, where we are treated to her performance of "Onegai! Cinderella", complete with her own unique 3D model!
- Depending on the Artist: Chihiro's physical appearance is somewhat variable. Some media present her as a woman just out of her teens, while others portray her as a bit older. The outfits she wears can also alter the impression of her maturity and age.
- Dodge the Bullet: In an unlockable minigame the Producer brings a water gun to work and tries to shoot Chihiro with it. She pulls this to avoid most of the shots. The goal of the minigame is to tire out Chihiro and hit her before running out of ammo.
- Exposition Fairy: Explains the rules and features of the game to new players. In-universe she's the person who explains to new idols, what their career will be like in detail.
- Expy: Of the main series Kotori Otonashi.
- Genki Girl: Very upbeat and positive about things. Even if the Producer fails at a task, she's confident he will recover and succeed at it eventually. When really happy she can be extremely excitable and expressive.
- Just Friends: Unattainable for the Producer to support as an idol, but it doesn't prevent Ship Tease. The Yonkoma occasionally features moments like the Producer placing his jacket around an overworked Chihiro who falls asleep in the office. She also has hidden events for Valentines Day. If the Producer gets no chocolate from his idols, she'll appear and claim that no matter how unpopular he might become, she'll always remain at his side. On the other hand, if the Producer gets the maximum amount of chocolate from his idols, she'll appear and hint concern there's too much competition.
- Knowledge Broker: She runs the tutorial and gives gameplay hints.
- Mission Control: Gives out the Producer's mission objectives and game events.
- Number Two: When the Producer isn't around she's in overall charge of the office and the idols respect her authority.
- Out of Focus: Chihiro will ask fans to vote for her to become a Cinderella Girl in the Yonkoma, but a
disclaimer stating she can't actually be voted for is always shown at the bottom. - The Scrooge: The common fan explanation for her not giving the Producer game items for free.
- Sexy Secretary: She's the Producer's secretary, handling all the mundane paperwork and phone calls. She generally dresses conservatively but has an excellent figure that can get attention if she wanted it.
- Undying Loyalty: No matter what happens in the game, if you collect more idols or lose them, Chihiro will always be there for the Producer. Of course, if the player loses too much, they might need to make Microtransactions for continuing, in which case this begins to share elements with The Scrooge.
Trainers
Trainers
While categorized under Passion Type, the Trainer sisters are collectively a fourth color set: the green cards. They are not actually idols, but trainers who teach them dance routines and staying in physical shape. Trainers have ridiculously low attack and defense stats, making them useless in card battles, but increase reward experience for the idols they accompany. Fans have noted that all four siblings, despite the different height and measurements, claim the same weight. This leads to the ironic idea they are lying about it.Master Trainer (Rei Aoki)
Voiced by: Ayumi Fujimura, Ayane Sakura (2022 onward)
Age: 28
Height: 166 cm
Weight: 45 kg
Birthday: December 10
Blood type: AB
Three sizes: 82-56-83
Hobbies: Making sports drinks
Eldest of the Trainers.
- Everyone Calls Her "Barkeep": Her actual name, according to the New Generations manga, is Rei Aoki.
- Experience Booster: Unlike her sisters the Master Trainer is 100% guaranteed to provide a level boost to idols.
- Magikarp Power: Not the Master Trainer by herself, but when she's paired with an idol.
- Shown Their Work: Her blood type. Given the blood type of other Trainers, their parents are A and B. It's possible for such a pairing to have a child with AB.
- Strong Family Resemblance: Almost to Inexplicably Identical Individuals level.
Veteran Trainer (Sei Aoki)
Voiced by: Ayumi Fujimura, Ayane Sakura (2022 onward)
Age: 26
Height: 163 cm
Weight: 45 kg
Birthday: September 10
Blood type: A
Three sizes: 83-56-84
Hobbies: Daytrading
Second eldest of the Trainers.
- Ascended Extra: Has an appearance and voiced lines in the anime's second episode.
- Everyone Calls Her "Barkeep": Her actual name, according to the Cinderella Girls anime, is Sei Aoki.
- Experience Booster: Has a random chance of providing level boosts to accompanied idols when used in a card battle.
- Magikarp Power: Not the Veteran Trainer by herself, but when she's paired with an idol.
- Strong Family Resemblance: Almost to Inexplicably Identical Individuals level.
Trainer (Mei Aoki)
Voiced by: Ayumi Fujimura, Ayane Sakura (2022 onward)
Age: 23
Height: 160 cm
Weight: 45 kg
Birthday: June 10
Blood type: B
Three sizes: 84-56-85
Hobbies: Running in the morning
Second youngest of the Trainers.
- Buxom Beauty Standard: Has the largest bust of the four sisters. They become jealous whenever it is apparent.
- Everyone Calls Her "Barkeep": Her actual name, according to character credits in the Cinderella Girls anime, is Mei Aoki.
- Experience Booster: Has a random chance of providing level boosts to accompanied idols when used in a card battle.
- Magikarp Power: Not the Trainer by herself, but when she's paired with an idol.
- Sibling Rivalry: When it was suggested that she could get the Producer to compliment her looks, the other Trainers jealously picked on her. The other sisters consider her to have the ideal body measurements among them, and thus the best chance of getting his attention if wearing something revealing.
- Strong Family Resemblance: Almost to Inexplicably Identical Individuals level.
Rookie Trainer (Kei Aoki)
Voiced by: Ayumi Fujimura, Ayane Sakura (2022 onward)
Age: 19
Height: 157 cm
Weight: 45 kg
Birthday: March 10
Blood type: B
Three sizes: 77-56-82
Hobbies: Going to the gym
Youngest of the Trainers.
- A-Cup Angst: Comments about "lacking" when compared to her sisters.
- Everyone Calls Her "Barkeep": Her actual name, according to the New Generations manga, is Kei Aoki.
- Experience Booster: Has a random chance of providing level boosts to accompanied idols when used in a card battle.
- Magikarp Power: Not the Rookie Trainer by herself, but when she's paired with an idol.
- Older Than She Looks: In the New Generations manga, Mio and Rin mistook her to be around their age to the fact Uzuki calls her as Trainer-chan.
- Strong Family Resemblance: Almost to Inexplicably Identical Individuals level.
Only Present in Audio Dramas
Staff-san
Staff-san
Featured in the idols' Drama CD interviews (Titled "Mezase! Cinderella No.1") and Magic Hour specials, Staff-san is the radio show co-host who indicates approval or displeasure at the idol's comments with a sound-emitting speaker. The more eccentric idols tend to get the "negative buzz" a lot, causing hilarious reactions. In general, the idols have a strictly professional relationship with Staff-san, making him a non-romantic male character for them to interact with.
- Chuck Cunningham Syndrome: Invoked then averted. Didn't make an appearance in the sixth batch of CD drama interviews, being replaced by the Producer instead. Fan outcry lead to his grand return during the seventh batch.
- The Comically Serious: Best way to describe his personality.
- Dude, Where's My Respect?: The radio shows go a long way in improving an idol's fan base, yet he doesn't get anywhere near the amount of fawning appreciation the Producer does. Several of the Drama CD skits have revealed the idols constantly "borrow" Staff-san's interview equipment for personal fun.
- Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": It's rather unlikely his real name is Staff-san.
- He Who Must Not Be Seen: There isn't official artwork of him, face hidden or otherwise. However Kanade Hayami claims he's not a bad looking guy.
- In-Series Nickname: Idols who constantly get the "negative buzz" call it the buu-buu speaker for the sound it makes.
- Mission Control: Staff-san's overall purpose is to ensure the idols stay on topic during the radio show. He does not always succeed.
- Not So Above It All:
- Some of the ad-lib challenges he gives to an idol are rather Trollish. For example, making Miku Maekawa pretend to be a puppy.
- Outright confirmed in Nao's interview, where the following exchange occurs:
Nao: Is it really so fun to tease me?Staff-san: *ding-do—BUZZBUZZBUZZBUZZ*Nao: Ahh, I heard that ding-dong just now! I won't forgive you if you make fun of me again!- The ending shows that it was actually Producer doing the interview, and Nao chases him out after one too many teasings.
- For a brief instant he breaks under Kanade Hayami's endless flirting and reveals she's getting through his defenses.
- Obstructive Bureaucrat: The idols who refuse to follow the script believe this. He's actually not. A secondary role for Staff-san appears to be an authority figure the Cinderella Girls can openly disagree with or ignore since they love and trust the Producer too much for that to happen to him. However, it varies from idol to idol since the nicest don't defy or get upset with Staff-san.
- Out of Focus: Only appears and mentioned in the various Cinderella Girls Drama CD.
- Talking with Signs: Whenever Staff-san wants to directly tell an idol something, he writes the message on a card. She will usually read aloud what's written on the card, so the listener can know. The idol will then either agree to the instruction or vocally reject it.
- The Voiceless: Never actually says anything.
Debuted in the Anime
The Producer (Anime version)
Voiced by: Shunsuke Takeuchi
The Producer as conceptualized for the anime, here he is a man in his mid-twenties who is put in charge of the Cinderella Project. He is noted for his perpetually serious demeanor and somewhat intimidating appearance.
As intimated by the aftermath of the New Generations unit debut episode, he wasn't always like this. When he started out, he was far more enthusiastic in publicizing the idols under his wing, but a string of disappointments (symbolized by the three Cinderella silhouettes running away from him) turned him into the man he is today — still supportive, but keeping remote and unemotionally involved as possible.
- Analogy Backfire: He inflicts this on Mishiro in Episode 23 by punching a big hole in her comparison between stars and idols.Mishiro: Think of idols as stars. You should know if the starlight is going to fade. A star that's hidden by clouds is worthless. If you can't see it, it's just darkness. Nothingness.Producer: All clouds clear up. And the stars are still there.
- Animals Hate Him: It's repeatedly shown dogs find him threatening and won't stop barking when he's around. Except for Hanako, Rin's yorkie.
- Armor-Piercing Question: Gave one to Rin, as part of his attempt to erode her resistance against becoming an idol: "Do you enjoy your life right now?"
- Character Development: Following Episode 7, he progressively starts behaving less formally and stoically. The results of this is shown at the end of Episode 13, where he poses for a photo with the idols after refusing to do so in Episode 2, and also flashes a smile at that, the result of a prompt from Mika at the end of Episode 10.
- In Episode 23, he agrees to give Rin the address to Uzuki's dance school after the latter skips out on work for several days due to her emotional issues, indicating that he trusts Rin to be able to talk to Uzuki. Contrast that with Episode 7, where he refused to tell Rin where Mio lived after she quit in the previous episode, electing to speak to Mio himself.
- Character Tic: Given that the Producer rarely emotes, at times he'll put a hand on the back of his neck as an indication of expression. Sometimes he does it when he receives compliments, at other times he does it as a sign of exasperation.
- Contrasting Sequel Main Character: The 346's Producer has many contrasting traits towards 765's. 346's has produced many idols before starting the Cinderella Project while 765's is just starting his producing career. 765's looks youthful and non-threatening while 346 looks older and scary looking. Their personality is also very different with 765's being more relax but with 346's being more serious. Also, while 765's is afraid of dogs, dogs are afraid of 346's.
- Determinator: Towards Rin, who kept repeatedly rejecting his offer to become an idol in the first episode.
- Face of a Thug: He's so frightening, Uzuki screamed out for her mother when he approached her.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Tells Mio that it's only natural for debuting idols not to get that many audience members in their first concert. The blunt statement drives her to quit the idol business.
- Not So Stoic: When Mio said she was going to quit being an idol, he is in utter shock and horror.
- He reacts this way again when Mishiro scouts out Rin and Anastasia for Project Krone over his protests.
- Perpetual Frowner: Always seems to have an expression of vague disapproval his face.
- Poor Communication Kills: Keeping information from the idols and his blunt and ambiguous manner of speaking is what leads Miku to go on strike in Episode 5 and Mio to quit the Cinderella Project in Episode 6. Not being forthcoming about Mio's situation to Rin also leads her to quit in Episode 7. He does make a conscientious effort to improve after these mishaps, though.
- Running Gag: The Producer getting questioned by the police. Could you blame them, though?
- Stealth Insult: Delivers one to Mishiro in Episode 22 at the end of the concert when she tells him that he managed to salvage the Cinderella Project from disbandment. Considering the fact that he prevented Project Krone's debut from going awry after Fumika's nerves kept her from initially performing, while Mishiro was in the skybox the whole time and did not lift a finger to assist, his response is pretty telling.Mishiro: It seems you saved your division.Producer: I just did what I could as someone who was there.
- The Stoic: Always serious and seldom smiles. He also has some signs of The Quiet One, using as few words as possible to answer an idol's questions.
- When He Smiles: In the anime, he has a strong preference for ladies who exhibit this trait, making it the main factor his scouting of Uzuki, Rin, and Mio. This goes even further in the second season as he proposes "the power of smiles"; in which an idol's personality shines more when they smile.
- As for the trope itself, when he actually cracks a smile of relief as opposed to his usual serious demeanor, the viewer knows things are going to be okay. Behold!
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- As for the trope itself, when he actually cracks a smile of relief as opposed to his usual serious demeanor, the viewer knows things are going to be okay. Behold!
Imanishi
Imanishi
Voiced by: Fuminori Komatsu
The director of the Cinderella Project, and the Producer's direct superior.- Benevolent Boss/Reasonable Authority Figure
- Canon Foreigner: Created specifically for the anime.
- Mr. Exposition: A subtle example in Episode 7, where he gives the idols a thinly disguised story regarding the Producer's past.
Mishiro
Mishiro
Voiced by: Atsuko Tanaka
The executive director of 346 Pro's idol division, introduced in the second half of the anime. She is a no-nonsense woman with a strong attention to detail and daughter of the corporation's President. Though an antagonist to the Producer and many idols, she's not a Corrupt Corporate Executive or straightforward Mean Boss. Mishiro believes the current way of things are wastefully inefficient and too time consuming. She wants to focus on established methods that guarantee success; not experimental projects that might succeed. However, her authoritative personality and anti-creativity mentality go against what 346 Pro had been successfully doing before she arrived.
- Canon Immigrant: She was origininally created for the anime to be an antagonist, but was later added to Starlight Stage as a cameo before she was added to the mission panel for event missions.
- Can't Tie His Tie: Fixes the Producer's tie within seconds of their first encounter.
- Contrasting Sequel Antagonist: To Kuroi. While Mishiro and Kuroi do have contrasting ideals on what an idol is that go against the protagonist's own views, their approach is very different. The former would use very low tactics like digging up dirt and sabotage and nearly ruin Chihaya's life. He also gets very frustrated when his plans fail and doesn't think Jupiter's talents can carry them to stardom. The latter, as noted in the Fair-Play Villain below, gives the Producer a chance to prove himself but won't help him in any way and does hinder his progress. She does believe in the idol's talent and wants them to reach stardom, but when it happens it will be on her terms. Also, when things don't go as plan for an idol she has her sights on, she doesn't dwell on them and move on to the next one.
- Control Freak: While she avoids micromanaging the idols that she sets her sights on, most of the time she gets the final word on a unit's direction. See how she shuts out any kind of input from Natsuki or her contemporaries with regards to the rock band unit.
- Creative Sterility: She cares of nothing but profiting and results, to such an extent that she disapproves of experimental projects that might have a chance at succeeding, causing her to be accused of promoting this.
- Distaff Counterpart: Of Kuroi.
- Executive Meddling: Her actions in the company to date can be seen as an In-Universe example of this.
- Fair-Play Villain: At first. She initially allows the Producer a wide berth to prove to her that his Cinderella Project is a viable alternative to her Project KRONE, with the caveat that he gets no additional financial support from the company aside from the resources already allocated to the Cinderella Project. However when more and more of her subordinates and idols start to resist against her management, and the Cinderella Project continues to prosper, she starts applying additional pressure to ensure that she wins out in the end. See how she goes back on her promise to not directly interfere with the Cinderella Project by poaching Anastasia and Rin, leading to the effective break-up of their Cinderella Project units and orders the Producer to fire Uzuki, who was in the middle of a Heroic BSoD despite the fact that Uzuki is an important cornerstone of the Producer's "Power of Smiles" plan.
- I Lied: She promises to not directly interfere in the Producer's Cinderella Project. This doesn't last.
- In-Series Nickname: "Jou", short for "ojou", as she's the daughter of the company's president.
- Mean Boss: In the first executive meeting she holds after returning from overseas, she declares all current idol projects be disbanded to start anew. She never quite sheds this image for the rest of the season. But we do see that her reforms have resulted in a boost in profits. Her ultimatum for the Autumn Festival proves to be the motivation that drives a lot of idols, even the ones reliant on gimmicks, to do their best.
- Meaningful Name: In addition to her name corresponding to 3-4-6; the "shiro" in her name means "white", much like how Kuroi's name means "black".
- "Krone", the name of her idol project, is Danish for "crown", indicating her position as head of the company's idol division.
- Motive Rant: She gives a subdued one in Episode 25 to the Producer, which highlights the different focus of their management styles — she has always had the "castle" (the company itself) in mind, as a distant and unreachable goal for girls to strive for (meaning that the feelings of the girls themselves were an afterthought), while the Producer instead focused on those who had "ash-colored dreams", the girls themselves who wanted to become Cinderellas. It is for this reason that she claims that she could never see eye-to-eye with the Producer.
- My Way or the Highway: She wants to enforce this, but is finding that the idols and her subordinates are rebelling against it. Despite the pushback, she has no intention of fully giving up, and decides to tackle it by making an example of the Cinderella Project Producer. If he fails, it will justify her methods.
- Only in It for the Money: She doesn't care about the bond between producers, idols, and fans creating a magical experience of joy and happiness. She doesn't care about music making memories and friendship. All she cares about is the profit margin.
- She does show she understands the value of those things, but feels they are secondary to results.
- Raven Hair, Ivory Skin: Her skin tone is the lightest shade for characters revealed in the series so far, and shown to have flowing black hair.
- Refusal of the Call: She has been repeatedly refused by the idols to join her plans into becoming world-class superstars, because of her zero creativity and pure profit motivation.
- The Rival: Despite being his boss, she and the Producer are this. They both seek success in the idol industry, but have an opposing ideology on how it's achieved. She proposes a challenge, testing his conviction and the truth to his methods.
- She never drops her rivalry against the Producer but it becomes quite clear in Episode 25 that their talk about their motives and methods has changed her outlook at a bit. Ultimately, we see her lend her support to the Producer when it comes time to recruit a new set of girls for the Cinderella Project because she has Chihiro deliver the profiles to him. She doesn't retreat from her own ideals but understands that the Producer's methods have good results as well.
- Shoo Out the Clowns: Her ultimate management goal at 346 Pro is to cut out most of the idols whose acts are based on quirkiness or personality such as Suzuho Ueda or Nana Abe, canceling the company's variety shows and focusing purely on singing ability.
- Villain Has a Point: The Producer privately confesses to Imanishi and Chihiro that this is the reason he wasn't more firm in opposing Mishiro when she invited Rin and Anastasia to join Project Krone, as it could potentially bolster said idols' careers.
- The Producer later admits to Mishiro at the Cinderella Ball that she genuinely saw potential that he could not, though he adds that the true scope of the idols' potential are beyond what the two of them can see.
- Xanatos Gambit: She sees the Cinderella Ball as this; if it fails, she use it as a leverage for people who question her decisions, if it succeeds, it's more profit for the company.
- You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: In Episode 23, after Uzuki's prolonged absence from work consequently affects Rin's performance in Triad Primus, she orders the Producer to fire Uzuki.
