The TV anime Love Live! Season 1 — all 13 episodes broadcast in 2013 — is available for unlimited streaming on three Japanese services: DMM TV, U-NEXT, and dAnime Store. Per-episode rental options exist on Amazon Prime Video and FOD, while TSUTAYA DISCAS offers DVD delivery rental. As of the time of research, no free streaming via services such as TVer was confirmed.

Unlimited Streaming (Subscription)

DMM TV — Top Pick

DMM TV carries all 13 episodes of Love Live! Season 1 under its unlimited plan at ¥550/month (tax included) — the most affordable option among the three unlimited services. New subscribers receive a 14-day free trial and 550 welcome points. The platform’s anime catalogue spans new releases through popular titles from the 2010s.

U-NEXT

U-NEXT also streams all 13 episodes without restriction. At ¥2,189/month, it is the priciest option, but it bundles films, dramas, anime, and digital magazines in one subscription. New members get a 31-day free trial and ¥500 worth of points for rental content (valid for 30 days after issuance).

dAnime Store

dAnime Store is an anime-focused streaming service offering all 13 episodes of Love Live! Season 1 at ¥660/month. The first month is free (through the end of the calendar month of sign-up), making it a cost-effective choice for fans who follow multiple idol anime series.

Rental and DVD Options

• Amazon Prime Video — Per-episode rental at approximately ¥220/episode (at time of research). Not included in the standard Prime membership, but ideal for viewers who want to pay only for specific episodes.
• FOD — Per-episode rental at 200 coins per episode.
• TSUTAYA DISCAS — DVD delivery rental via the “定額レンタル8ダブル” plan at ¥2,200/month (up to 8 discs per month). A good option for watching on a TV with a DVD player without needing an internet connection.

Story and Highlights

Love Live! follows Honoka Kosaka, a second-year student at the traditional Otonokizaka Academy, which faces closure due to declining enrolment. Determined to save her school, Honoka convinces her friends to form a school idol group called μ’s, hoping to attract new applicants through their performances. Starting from a trio — Honoka, Kotori Minami, and Umi Sonoda — the group gradually grows to nine members as they aim for the prestigious Love Live! competition stage.

Key highlights include the organic growth of nine members with distinct personalities across different school years, and the in-show live performances. The opening theme “Bokura wa Ima no Naka de” and ending theme “Kitto Seishun ga Kikoeru” are performed by μ’s — a real unit formed by the voice cast — who would later go on to hold a sold-out final concert at Tokyo Dome.

Main Cast

• Honoka Kosaka — Emi Nitta
• Eli Ayase — Yoshino Nanjo
• Kotori Minami — Aya Uchida
• Umi Sonoda — Suzuko Mimori
• Rin Hoshizora — Riho Iida
• Maki Nishikino — Pile
• Nozomi Tojo — Aina Kusuda
• Hanayo Koizumi — Yurika Kubo
• Nico Yazawa — Sora Tokui

Production Details

• Original work: Hajime Yatate / Original concept: Sakurako Kimino
• Broadcast year: 2013 (13 episodes)
• Director: Naohiko Kyogoku
• Series composition: Jukki Hanada
• Character design: Yuuhei Murota
• Music: Yoshimasa Fujisawa
• Animation studio: Sunrise

FAQ

Is Love Live! available for free?

No free streaming was confirmed at the time of research. To watch all 13 episodes, DMM TV, U-NEXT, or dAnime Store are the recommended options.

Is Love Live! on Netflix?

Season 1 was not confirmed on Netflix at the time of research.

Are Season 1, Season 2, and the film the same work?

No. This article covers only TV anime Season 1 (2013). Season 2 (2014) and the theatrical film Love Live! The School Idol Movie (2015) are separate follow-up works.