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In their recent Nicovideo Livestream, THE iDOLM@STER SideM announced the cast for units “W” and “S.E.M”, and revealed that they will be releasing two new unit CDs. The cast of W and S.E.M will also be performing in the first THE iDOLM@STER SideM live concert.

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W comprises of Yusuke Aoi and Kyosuke Aoi, brothers who were formerly professional soccer players. The older brother Yusuke will be voiced by Takeru Kikuchi while the younger brother Kyosuke will be voiced by Yoshitaka Yamaya.

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S.E.M consists of ex-teachers Michio Hazama, Rui Maita and Jiro Yamashita. The serious Michio will be voiced by Kento Ito, the playful Rui by Junya Enoki, and the sloppy Jiro by Yoshiki Nakajima. Fun fact: the first letter of the subjects they teach – Science, English and Mathematics, make up their unit name “S.E.M”.

Their unit CDs, titled “THE IDOLM@STER SideM ST@RTING LINE – 05 W” and “THE IDOLM@STER SideM ST@RTING LINE – 06 S.E.M” will go on sale 21 October 2015. Each CD, just like the format of the previous four, will feature 2 unit songs, 2 drama parts and unit versions of the titular song “DRIVE A LIVE”.

It has also been announced that W and S.E.M will be joining the four other previously-announced units in their first live concert, “THE IDOLM@STER SideM 1st STAGE ~ST@RTING~”, which will be held on 6 December 2015 at MAIHAMA Amphitheatre. The current list of performers include:

  • Jupiter [Takuma Terashima (Touma Amagase), Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Shouta Mitarai), Daichi Kanbara (Hokuto Ijuuin)]
  • DRAMATIC STARS [Shugo Nakamura (Teru Tendo), Yuma Uchida (Kaoru Sakuraba), Taku Yashiro (Tsubasa Kashiwagi)]
  • Beit [Yuichiro Umehara (Kyoji Takajo), Shun Horie (Pierre), Tomohito Takatsuka (Watanabe Minori)]
  • High × Joker [Shou Nogami (Shiki Iseya), Shoya Chiba (Hayato Akiyama), Yusuke Shirai (Haruna Wakazato), Takuma Nagatsuka (Jun Fuyumi), Hiroshi Watanabe (Natsuki Sakaki)]

The first press release of the CDs will include more balloting tickets for the first live. Additionally, it will also include a limited in-game card and an application ticket for the W and S.E.M CD release celebration event happening on 15 November 2015. The event will feature not only the members of the two units, but also Shugo Nakamura, who plays Teru Tendo, as the emcee too. As for the limited in-game card, it will be given out via a serial code. The card’s rank is SR+, and players can choose one idol from the unit of the respective CD they have purchased.

Also announced during the livestream: THE iDOLM@STER SideM is currently having their second general elections in-game, and the mid-way results are out!
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  1. Shiki Iseya (High×Joker)
  2. Natsuki Sakaki (High×Joker)
  3. Jun Fuyumi (High×Joker)
  4. Haruna Wakazato (High×Joker)
  5. Hayato Akiyama (High×Joker)
  6. Ren Kizaki (THE Kogado)
  7. Toma Amagase (Jupiter)
  8. Kyosuke Aoi (W)
  9. Hideo Akuno (FRAME)
  10. Asselin BB II (Café Parade)

Interestingly, the top 5 spots are dominated by the members of High×Joker. They have proved to be extremely popular among fans, with all five idols placing in the top 10 spots during the first general elections. Voting will take place till 16:59 JST on 8 September 2015. If you’re a player of the THE iDOLM@STER SideM mobile game, why not show some love for your favourite idol by giving them a vote?

THE iDOLM@STER SideM has been on a roll this year with lots of new developments in both the game and music aspect of the series, and I can’t wait to see which units will get their cast next!

THE iDOLM@STER SideM Official Homepage: http://www.lantis.jp/sidem/

THE iDOLM@STER SideM Official Twitter account: https://twitter.com/SideM_lantis

THE iDOLM@STER SideM Game Official Homepage: http://side-m.idolmaster.jp/