"Love Live!" tells the story of nine girls who try to prevent their school from closing by becoming school idols, and many of the songs featured in the series are inserted into the story. Not only are they symbolic of each episode, but they are also catchy masterpieces. This time, we'll be introducing some of the best scenes and memorable songs from μ's' live performances that were also performed in the series. We've selected 10 of the best, so be sure to check them out while looking back at each episode.
Famous Live Scene 1: START:DASH!!
"START:DASH!!" was the first song sung by the three-member μ's group, consisting of Honoka Kosaka, Kotori Minami, and Umi Sonoda, as school idols from the defunct Otonokizaka Academy. This song was performed in Episode 3 of the anime, and in Episode 2, a piano arrangement featuring lyrics by Sonoda Umi and music by Nishikino Maki also appeared. As the song's title suggests, this is where μ's' story truly began, and as the lyrics suggest, it conveys a strong passion that connects to setbacks, hope, and the future.
μ's Origins Performed in Front of a Small Audience
μ’s first step in their school idol career did not start smoothly. At the venue, Otonokizaka Academy, only a handful of spectators stood. Shocked by the sight, Honoka Kosaka performed to the best of her ability, displaying her characteristic cheerfulness. While the performance ended in failure, it undoubtedly touched the hearts of the members who would later join μ’s, making this song truly worthy of being called the starting point of μ’s.
Famous Live Scene 2: Wonder Zone
"Wonder Zone" is an insert song that aired in episode 9 of season 1, and is said to have been written by Minami Kotori. Minami Kotori has become a legendary maid in Akihabara, but she started working part-time because she felt she lacked individuality compared to her childhood friends, Honoka Kosaka and Umi Sonoda. While Minami's determination to change herself is palpable, the lyrics also convey the message that the three of them can move forward together.
Minami Kotori's center song performed on the streets of Akihabara
This song features Minami Kotori as the center. On the CD single, the entire group sings the intro, but in the anime, Minami Kotori performs it solo. While "Wonder Zone" was an original song exclusive to the anime, a secret live concert was suddenly held the following Sunday at Bellesalle Akihabara, the same venue where μ's held their live concert. While the venue was kept secret, many fans were thrilled to see it take place at the same venue as in the anime.
Famous Live Scene 3: No Brand Girls
"No Brand Girls" was featured as an insert song in episode 11 of season 1. The impressive guitar riff at the beginning conveys a powerful feeling, true to its concept. Love Live! The song is set to accelerate as they prepare for their performance. Love Live fans will likely be familiar with "No Brand Girls," which is also performed towards the end of the live show. Since μ's is still unknown in the anime, the title of this song conveys the kind of idol they are, while also making their presence known.
They managed to save Otonokizaka Academy, but...
In the anime, the main goal of keeping Otonokizaka Academy afloat was becoming a reality, and the possibility of participating in Love Live! was also raised. While performing at the school festival would ensure the school's survival, the event was held on the school rooftop, and torrential rain fell on the day. Despite this, they performed with all their might, but the price was that Kosaka Honoka collapsed on stage. While the school was ultimately saved, Ayase Eli heartlessly announced that, as student council president, they would have to give up on participating in Love Live!.
Famous Live Scene 4: Door to Dreams
"Door to Dreams," created for the 2nd Love Live! Preliminary Tournament, was a collaboration between lyrics by Umi Sonoda, music by Maki Nishikino, and costume design by Kotori Minami. In the anime, each song is sung by a different unit: Printemps, Lily White, and BiBi, making it interesting to follow their individual roles. This song was also first performed live in the second season of the anime, marking the beginning of the new μ’s.
A song from the Love Live! preliminaries where they faced off against A-RISE
At A-RISE's suggestion, μ's performed together on the rooftop of UTX Academy. Despite their stunning performance, μ's sang with all their might. Students from Otonokizaka Academy also showed up to support them, and the combination of the starry sky and their costumes created an unparalleled atmosphere. This memorable scene ultimately led to a final qualifying round against two other groups, but A-RISE's Kira Tsubasa was left breathless by μ's' boundless power.
Famous Live Scene 5: Love wing bell
"Love wing bell" is a song performed in episode 5 of season 2, featuring Hoshizora Rin as the center. It is μ’s' first wedding song. In the anime, there's an episode where the second-year students are unable to participate in a live performance due to a school trip, and acting leader Rin Hoshizora suddenly takes on the center role. This song is also played in episode 4 of Season 1, when Koizumi Hanayo joins μ's. Comparing the two episodes will bring tears of emotion to your eyes.
Rin Hoshizora decides to overcome her complexes
Hoshizora Rin is a boyish and energetic girl, but deep down she desires to act like a girl. Understanding her feelings, Koizumi Hanayo, as a way of repaying the support she received as her best friend, pushed her to become the center of "Love wing bell." This allowed Hoshizora Rin to behave like a girl, and from the next day's practice, she began wearing a skirt.
Famous Live Scene 6: Dancing stars on me!
Performing a live concert on the final day of the Halloween event in Akihabara, μ’s performed "Dancing stars on me!" with Nozomi Tojo in the center. Just before the performance, μ’s was struggling to figure out how to make an impact, and they showed off a variety of cosplay outfits. Also, at Sonoda Umi's suggestion, each member had the opportunity to imitate a different μ’s member. While they seemed lost, imitating the outfits and tone of voice and personality, they delivered a stunning performance during the live performance.
A song perfect for Halloween, with fun call-and-response moments.
"Dancing stars on me!" features different costumes for each member. The heroine team is played by Minami Kotori, Hoshizora Rin, and Koizumi Hanayo; the pirate team is played by Kosaka Honoka, Ayase Eli, and Sonoda Umi; and the witch team is played by Nishikino Maki, Tojo Nozomi, and Yazawa Nico. Since it's Halloween, the costumes are similar to cosplay, making it a song that perfectly matches the story. Above all, the call-and-response part in the chorus is just fun, and even if you're not at a live performance, just listening to it will have your hands moving naturally.
Famous Live Scene 7: Snow Halation
Commonly known as Snow Halation, "Snow Halation" is one of Love Livers' favorite songs. It was performed in episode 9 of the anime's second season. Love Live! The illuminations, which were the setting for the final qualifying round, left rivals A-RISE, the top school idol group, with no choice but to succumb to μ’s's stellar performance. Though unable to accept their defeat, they sent a heartfelt cheer, telling μ’s to "definitely win."
μ’s 2nd single, with Nozomi Tojo as center
"Snow halation" is μ's second single, and many Love Livers felt a deep emotional response when it was played in episode 9 of the anime's second season. While Nozomi Tojo essentially serves as the center of the song, the highlight of Snow halation lies in the light-up scene at the end, as seen in the music video. At live performances, the glow sticks, which are white to represent snow, suddenly change to Honoka Kosaka's signature orange color during the final chorus, creating a breathtaking sight that's truly breathtaking for even the most discerning Love Liver fan.
Famous Live Scene 8: KiRa-KiRa Sensation!
"KiRa-KiRa Sensation!" was played as an insert song in episode 12 of the second season of the anime, and it was the last song μ’s performed live. Love Live! This song was also performed at the finals, and despite it being the climax of the story, the image of μ's's parents and A-RISE was painted on screen, so it didn't really feel like it. μ's embraced each other backstage in tears over their success and having seen it through to the end, but the audience called for an encore, and they returned to the stage to perform "Bokura wa Ima no Naka de."
The 2nd Love Live! μ’s culmination as the finale of the series
"KiRa-KiRa Sensation!" was created as an answer song to the anime's second season opening song, "Bokura wa Ima no Naka de," and the costumes were designed as an upgraded version of "START:DASH!!," which was performed in episode 3 of the first season. It also incorporates elements from μ's' debut song, "Bokura no LIVE Kimi to no LIFE," making it a song worthy of being called the culmination of μ's's entire career. "KiRa-KiRa Sensation!" embodies everything from the story from start to finish, and there could be no better song for the final performance.
Famous Live Scene 9: Angelic Angel
"Angelic Angel" was featured as an insert song in "Love Live! The School Idol Movie," released in 2015. It's also featured in TV commercials and trailers, making it a familiar Love Live song to many. μ’s performed a concert in New York’s Times Square, hinting at μ’s worldwide presence even within the anime. The title of the song, “Angelic Angel,” was kept secret until the movie was released, and was first revealed during the ending credits.
A song from the movie featuring the cute kimono costumes
Perhaps because "Angelic Angel" was performed at a concert in New York, the costume motif is kimono, giving μ's a unique feel in the anime. It was also used as the key visual for the film, and since it's also the song with Eli Ayase as the center, it's a song that remains etched in the memories of many Love Live fans. It was also first performed at a concert in 2016, the same year μ's announced their hiatus, and the choreography for the chorus features a heart effect on the back monitor.
Famous Live Scene 10: We Are One Light
"We Are One Light" is the final song in the Love Live! anime series, and it's featured in the movie. It essentially became the ending song, and Nishikino Maki wrote it to mark the end of μ’s activities. It was sung as the final song at μ’s Final Live in 2016, and it brought tears to the eyes of many Love Livers as they parted ways with μ’s, a group filled with various emotions.
The names of all nine members appear in μ’s final song
"We Are One Light" is a distinctive song that includes the names of all μ's members, each singing their own part. While "START:DASH!!," the song in which μ's began their school idol activities, sings of the beginning of their school idol career, "We Are One Light" is about the downy birds setting off on their grand journey. This is μ's final song in the anime, and it's played in the scene where Yukiho Kosaka and Arisa Ayase explain μ's history, making it a truly memorable song.
These memorable songs are truly "μ'sic forever!"
Love Live!, the series in which μ’s flourished, ended with the group's disbandment. Their real-life hiatus also left many feeling "μ’s loss." Their journey has touched so many hearts, and each of their moments remains a memorable one. The 10 songs introduced here are just a few examples, and there are many more, including classic songs, songs that symbolize famous scenes, unit songs, and solo songs. Please listen to them and feel μ's' presence forever.
