The wildly popular male idol training game "Ensemble Stars" is set to be adapted into an anime in July 2019, and we're already excited! We're sure we'll get to see their charms in a way that's different from the game. Many idol units appear in the game. Each unit is unique and charming, but in this article, we'll introduce the idol unit "UNDEAD" ahead of the anime's release.
A free-spirited, wild, beast-like unit!? What is UNDEAD?
UNDEAD is said to be the most radical and immoral idol unit at Yumenosaki Academy. These self-proclaimed "Demons of the Night" are wild and dark. They're one of the most popular "Ensemble Stars" units, and they're incredibly unique and charming.
What kind of unit are they?
The group is led by Rei Sakuma, one of the "Three Eccentrics." Their performances are radical and immoral, making them a truly "beast-like" unit. The members are free-spirited and highly individualistic, and none of them like to be tied down. Perhaps because of this, they rarely participate in live performances, and there aren't many performances where everyone can fully utilize their abilities. Their theme colors are black and purple. Incidentally, they also serve as the main personalities on the official "Ensemble Stars" radio show, "Radio 'Ensemble Stars!' ~A Kitten Scared of the Night's Demons~."
Introducing the UNDEAD Members! Sakuma Rei
He's the captain of the light music club, a "vampire countermeasure" (?) for those who are sensitive to sunlight. He's a member of the unit "UNDEAD" and serves as its leader. He's a self-proclaimed "vampire" who doesn't like sunlight and collapses when exposed to it. This alone makes him quite unique, but he's also considered one of the "Three Odd People." Having studied abroad for a year, he's the oldest third-year student. He speaks and acts somewhat like an old man, and is well-versed in the academy's history. He dotes on his younger brother, Ritsu, very much, but Ritsu seems to dislike him.
What does he look like?
He has shoulder-length black hair and distinctive red eyes. He also has pierced ears, giving him a truly vampire-like appearance. He's also tall, at 179 cm, 9 cm taller than his younger brother, Ritsu, who is one year younger than him. However, he's relatively light, giving both brothers a slim build. He usually wears a brown cardigan under his school uniform blazer. Incidentally, this has been a point of much criticism from fans, but when wearing his unit costume, he wears a rosary. It's tempting to think, "He's a vampire!", but it suits him so well, so it's probably fine.
What's his personality like?
He has a distinctive, old-fashioned way of speaking. He's friendly for a vampire, but he doesn't reveal his true intentions, making him a rather mysterious character. He's a member of the light music club and serves as its captain, but he doesn't behave like one. In fact, during club activities, he sleeps in a coffin in the club room. According to him, the coffin has temperature control, keeping him cool in the summer and warm in the winter. However, he seems to love his juniors, calling them his "beloved children."
What is a vampire?
Because Rei is a vampire, he hates sunlight. His younger brother, Ritsu, also hates it. However, unlike Rei, he hates blood. It makes him dizzy, and he says it makes him "cough." On the flip side, his favorite food is tomato juice.
Actually a Sister Complex?!
Speaking of Rei, he's also known for being a sister complex. He showers Ritsu with affection and never gives up, even when Ritsu finds him annoying. He dotes on his brother, calling him "Ritsu♡," "Ritsu," "Richu," and "my beloved little brother." Ritsu calls him "big brother," but he seems to be making an effort (?) every day to be called "big brother."
Other Profile Information
He repeated a year to study abroad, and perhaps because of that, he's quite knowledgeable about the academy's history. He appears to know about the time when the strangers were known as the "Five Eccentrics." For more details, check out the game's story! He's also nicknamed "Grandpa" by fans.
Detailed Profile
Unit: UNDEAD, Class: 3-B, Club: Light Music Club (Captain), Height: 179cm, Weight: 61kg, Blood Type: B, Birthday: November 2nd, Favorite: The Academy Garden, Dislikes: Noisy Things, Family: Parents and Younger Brother, Hobbies: Walking in the Garden, Special Skill: Jazz Dance, Catchphrase: The Demon King Who Rules the Darkness, Voiced by: Toshiki Masuda
Introducing the UNDEAD Members! Otogari Adonis
He is a quiet, beautiful, half-Japanese young man. He is a member of the unit "UNDEAD." He was born to a foreign father and a Japanese mother. Having experienced discrimination for being half-Japanese, he has a habit of caring for people who appear small or weak, and encourages them to eat nutritious foods like meat. He often hangs out with Kanzaki Souma, and they seem to get along well.
What does he look like?
She's the tallest in her grade. Her physique is well-trained through daily diet and club activities. Being half-Japanese, she has an exotic, charming appearance. Her second sister is a hairdresser, so she apparently keeps a strict daily check on her hairstyle.
What's her personality like?
She's a member of the radical and immoral unit "UNDEAD," but she doesn't really have that personality. She's quiet and hardworking. As mentioned above, she also has a kind heart and likes to help the small and vulnerable. However, she's troubled by the fact that people avoid her because of her appearance. He's also Adonis' only friend, the human-hating Ogami. He's also not good at talking, which Rei says is Adonis's only flaw. However, he tries to make up for it with singing and dancing.
What do you like?
He loves small creatures, of course, but he also enjoys playing the ocarina he inherited from his father. However, he has a negative reaction to the harmonica, saying it's "too small and I'm afraid I'll break it." He also loves bean buns, and says he could eat them every day without getting bored.
Other Profile Details
He has three older sisters, but as a child, he couldn't stand up to them. So he ate a lot of meat, hoping to grow bigger and stronger. He often recommends meat to others.
Detailed Profile
Unit: UNDEAD, Class: 2-A, Club: Track and Field Club (Vice-Captain), Height: 178cm, Weight: 64kg, Blood Type: A, Birthday: August 29th, Favorite Things: Animal Huts: Dislikes, Machinery, Family: Mother, Older Sister, Older Sister, Hobbies: Watching Small Creatures, Special Skill: Ocarina, Voiced by: Wataru Hatano, Catchphrase: Protecting Small Things to the End
Introducing the UNDEAD Members! Koga Ogami
Member of UNDEAD. She has a very wild and bold personality, and is confident, believing herself to be the best. She calls herself a "wolf" and will bite anyone. She also has a keen sense of smell, and apparently dislikes strong smells.
Surprisingly serious!?
She appears free-spirited and quite outrageous, but she also has a kind side. While the members of UNDEAD are all unique, she is quite sensible and has even been described as "surprisingly serious." Indeed, she is diligent in all her work, both as an idol and on duty. He is seen doting on his junior club members and caring for the first-year students. He also proactively teaches Adonis, who is half-Japanese and unfamiliar with Japanese culture. Considering his dislike of people, it seems he has built a very good relationship with them.
What are his relationships with others?
He's good friends with Adonis, but what about his relationships with other students? He often calls his classmates and juniors by nicknames, calling his classmate Ritsu "Richie." He seems concerned about Ritsu's health. He and Natsume don't seem to get along, and they don't get along. They call each other "damn redhead" and "dog-cat." He also competes with Sakuma Rei, a third-year student in his unit, calling him "a vampire bastard," but always ends up being used against him. Incidentally, he has a pet corgi named "Leon." He's good friends with Daikichi, the dog owned by second-year student Akeboshi Subaru.
Does he have a good nose?
Being a wolf, he has an extremely keen sense of smell, able to distinguish the scent of the female transfer student, Kaoru's perfume, and even the scent of a vampire. Furthermore, in the collaboration event story, he demonstrates his wild powers even in the other world. Perhaps due to his keen sense of smell, he also suffers from hay fever, a condition that Trickster's Mao Isara also suffers from.
Other Profile
The guitar he uses was given to him by Zero. It has also been mentioned in the event story that he may be in charge of songwriting.
Detailed Profile
Unit: UNDEAD, Class: 2-B, Club: Light Music Club, Height: 174cm, Weight: 58kg, Blood Type: A, Birthday: July 18th, Favorites: Bells and Noisy Sounds, Dislikes: Cute Things and Strong Smells, Family: Dogs, Hobbies: Card Games, Special Skill: Electric Guitar, Voiced by: Yuki Ono, Catchphrase: The Rough and Solitary Wolf
Introducing the UNDEAD Members! Kaoru Hakaze
A laid-back, kind-hearted feminist. He also has a gentle manner of speaking. He grew up in a strict household, but was free-spirited and uninhibited. He's generally unserious, but he's popular, and whenever he takes to the stage on a whim, he draws a huge crowd. His hobby is surfing.
What does he look like?
He has ochre-colored, semi-long hair that's the same length as Sakuma Rei. He's the fifth tallest character. He doesn't wear the uniform tie; instead, he wears an open chest and a silver pendant. Surprisingly, his shirt is tucked in. He also wears a dog tag around his neck when wearing his unit costume.
What's his personality like?
He's in his final year of high school, the same year as Rei. He's a huge womanizer, and can't help but flirt with any girl he sees. He has a carefree demeanor. On the other hand, with a few exceptions, he seems completely uninterested in guys. He's therefore not serious about unit practice, participating only when he feels like it. He says he finds it more fun hanging out with girls. He's also a member of the Marine Biology Club, but only because he feels like he can skip it. Despite this, he has impressive idol talent and is extremely popular. However, he grew up in a very strict household, and his family members' personalities don't match up, so things don't go well at home. He cares for his older sister, but they're constantly fighting, and he sometimes finds himself lost in thought on the rooftop.
What's his relationship like with everyone else?
He says he's not interested in guys and doesn't have any hobbies he shares with others, but he and Souta Fukamui are good friends in the same club, and they consider each other friends. Perhaps because of their serious nature, Souma and Koga also seem to have trouble getting along with their juniors. However, they gradually began to act more like seniors and take better care of their peers.
Relationship with Family
Because his family is quite prominent in the local area, his father once entrusted him with the area around a live music venue where local delinquents gathered. It was there that he met Rei Sakuma, the student council president at the time. Furthermore, his mother inspired him to become a womanizer, and he says he "was looking for someone to be a mother to him." His mother was often sick during his childhood, but when she was feeling well, she would take him to the aquarium.
UNDEAD Summary!
That concludes our introduction to the idol unit "UNDEAD"! While many of the members, including the leader, seem to have rather strong personalities, they are one of the most popular units in "Ensemble Stars." We can't wait to see them in action in the anime!
