To mark the 15th anniversary of the Love Live! Series, the School Idol Musical (スクールアイドルミュージカル, commonly known as Sukumiyu) is set to return for a new run from 19 to 26 September 2026 at the New National Theatre Tokyo, Middle Theatre. An official rehearsal report has now been released, offering fans a first look at preparations for the upcoming production.

A Production Built on Innovation

Since its premiere in 2022, School Idol Musical has distinguished itself by bringing the world of Love Live! to the stage through a series of bold theatrical choices: a rotating stage that shifts scenes like turning the pages of a book, a W-Cast system in which multiple actors share a single role across different performances, and a special Cultural Festival & After-Party show format centered on live performance segments. The production has won over audiences across multiple runs.

The 2026 edition marks a significant milestone: the rotating stage will return for the first time since the original 2022 premiere, designed to deepen the sense of immersion for everyone in the audience.

Inside the Rehearsal Room

The rehearsal day marked the first time the principal cast had gathered together. Horiuchi Marina, who plays Tsubaki Rurika of Tsubakisaka Girls’ High School, shared her excitement: “I want to deliver the brilliance of school idols and the sparkling world of Love Live! Series to everyone alongside the whole cast.” Miyamoto Karin, taking on the role of Takizawa Anzu of Takizakura Girls’ Academy, said she still has much to learn and is eager to absorb advice from her fellow cast members to help shape a wonderful production.

Once the script read-through began, the atmosphere in the room shifted noticeably. Every actor delivered their lines with genuine emotion, and the energy of the ensemble exchanges felt close to a live performance. Returning cast members moved naturally with their lines as if the stage were already in their minds, while newcomers held their own and kept the pace flowing without a hitch. Observers noted that the level of polish was already remarkably high for such an early stage of rehearsals.

The vocal rehearsal focused on fine-grained detail. For the theme song “Mikansei Dream!” (未完成ドリーム！), the cast was directed to enunciate the final syllable of “dream” with full clarity. Similarly, in “Yume no Rashinban” (ゆめの羅針盤), the instruction was to sing “school idol” all the way through to the last syllable. The cast responded to each note immediately, and the improvement in their singing was audible in real time.

Director’s Vision: Make the Audience Forget the Outside World

Director Kishimoto, who also handles the script and choreography, spoke about his guiding philosophy for the production: “I place enormous importance on immersion. I want the audience to forget everything going on in their daily lives and genuinely feel like they are part of the world of Love Live! Series.” Whether audiences are discovering School Idol Musical for the first time or returning after previous runs, the team is committed to delivering the energy of school idols at full power in 2026.

Production Details

Key Staff

• Original Work: Yatate Hajime
• Original Concept: Kimino Sakurako
• Script / Direction / Choreography: Kishimoto Koki
• Music Composition / Arrangement / Music Director / Vocal Direction: Kojima Ryota
• Stage Design: Matsuo Hiroko
• Lighting: Kusaka Yasunobu (ASG)
• Sound: Endo Hiroshi (Acolto)
• Costume / Hair & Make-up: Sato Arizuka (Osare Company)
• Stage Manager: Sawa Reina (Obligato)
• Producer: Wakabayashi Yuki
• Produced by: Project Love Live! School Idol Musical / Bandai Namco Filmworks / Bandai Namco Music Live / Arcs International

Cast

Tsubakisaka Girls’ High School

• Tsubaki Rurika — Horiuchi Marina
• Sumera Yuzuha — Asai Nanami
• Hojo Yukino — An Julia
• Amakusa Hikaru — Shimizu Masako
• Mikasa Maya — Yura Aki
• Tsubaki Madoka — Aono Yuki

Takizakura Girls’ Academy

• Takizawa Anzu — Miyamoto Karin
• Wakatsuki Misuzu — Yasumoto Ayaka / Minamino Hana
• Kurusu Toa — Nakamura Yuna / Oikawa Yui
• Suzuka Rena — Inoue Oto
• Harukaze Sayaka — Murayama Yuka
• Takizawa Kyoka — Okamura Sayaka

Ensemble Cast

• Ikeda Juri, Kato Io, Kato Rinoa, Kanai Hitomi, Kurimoto Ayami, Misaki, Natsume Momoka, Murata Kazusa

Dates & Venue

• Dates: 19–26 September 2026
• Venue: New National Theatre Tokyo, Middle Theatre

Ticket Prices (tax included)

• SS Seat: ¥14,000
• S Seat: ¥11,000
• A Seat: ¥8,000
• Student Support Seat: ¥3,000 (same-day exchange at venue upon presentation of student ID)

Note: No admission for pre-school children. Maximum 4 tickets per person per performance (multiple performances permitted). Some seats may have partially obstructed views.