The Love Live! series stage musical School Idol Musical is returning for a special 2026 production to commemorate the franchise’s 15th anniversary. The show will run from September 19 (Saturday) to September 26 (Saturday) at the New National Theatre Tokyo’s Middle Theatre in Shibuya. For this milestone edition, the rotating stage that was used in the original 2022 performance is being revived, promising a visually spectacular and high-energy experience.
The production features both returning and new cast members. Continuing from previous runs are Asai Nanami as Yuzuha and Anju Julia as Yukino. Joining the stage for the first time are Miyamoto Karin as Takizawa Anzu and Murayama Yuika as Harukaze Sayaka. In a recent interview, the four actresses discussed their thoughts on the upcoming production, the atmosphere in rehearsal, and what this 15th-anniversary performance means to them.
Returning and New Faces: The Cast Reflect on the 2026 Production
When asked how they felt upon learning they would be part of the 2026 performance, Anju Julia expressed sincere joy: “I was happy that the show was happening, and even more so that I was asked to play Yukino-chan again. In theater, cast changes are common, so hearing ‘please play her again’ was a genuine thrill. As soon as it was decided, I read the script and started thinking about how to make Yukino-chan even cuter and bring out more of her charm than last year.”
Asai Nanami, who also returns, said, “I’ve felt the passion of the audience through all the previous performances, and it made me realize how beloved this work is. I really wanted to be in it again, so when the 2026 performance was announced, I was overjoyed. My first thought was ‘I need to build up my stamina,’ so I’ve been dancing almost nonstop.”
Miyamoto Karin, a newcomer to the production, admitted to a mix of excitement and nerves: “I was honestly happy when I heard I passed the audition. But then I thought, ‘Can I really play a high school student?’ (laughs). I played a high schooler last year too, but I’m 27 in real life. I wondered if it was okay for me to do that again. But then I saw posts on social media saying, ‘Miyamoto Karin is in it? That’s great!’ and I felt honored that the School Idol Musical fans knew who I am. That gave me the motivation to really embody Anzu-chan and satisfy those expectations.”
Murayama Yuika, also a new addition, said, “My first feeling was pure happiness. I had known about this work because my senior colleague Tomita Nanafumi had appeared in it, so I was thrilled when I learned I’d be part of the 2026 production. At the same time, because this is a work with such history, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to properly carry on the baton that the predecessors have passed down. I’m committed to bringing the brilliance of School Idol Musical to as many people as possible.”
About the rehearsal progress, Anju Julia noted, “We’re moving at an incredible pace — we’ve already run through Act 1 faster than ever before. Each year the musical gains more songs, so for the new members, there’s a lot to learn. The fact that we’ve gotten through the first act at the fastest speed yet shows how focused everyone is.”
Murayama added, “The sheer number of songs is surprising. Since it’s a story about idols, there are naturally a lot of numbers, and right now I’m overwhelmed by the choreography (laughs). But each tune has a different feel, and the lyrics are wonderful. Practicing is a joy, and my excitement to share this with everyone keeps growing. It feels very rewarding.”
Miyamoto commented on the challenge of making the role her own: “The cast members who have been in this work multiple times are already fully in character. I still feel I have a long way to go before I truly become Takizawa Anzu. The choreography, of course, needs to be precise, but beyond that, I’m constantly thinking about how to bring out ‘Anzu-chan’s color.’ That’s actually more difficult than memorizing lines or dance moves.”
The Rotating Stage Returns – A Spectacular 15th-Anniversary Show
One of the biggest draws of the 2026 production is the return of the rotating stage, which was last used in the original 2022 staging. Anju Julia explained, “The power of the stage is immense! From the moment you enter the theater, you’ll be struck by the scale of the set. The lighting is incredible, and the entire school literally moves — it rotates more than you’d expect (laughs). It’s luxurious, and I hope everyone looks forward to it.”
She added, “The School Idol Musical has grown stronger year after year thanks to the support of so many people. For the 2026 performance, we’ve powered up even further, so delivering it on the same rotating stage as the first performance is definitely a highlight.”
Asai Nanami noted, “With the rotating stage, the way the audience sees things changes. There are moments that can only be achieved because of the rotation, so I hope everyone can experience that in person.”
Miyamoto, who has never performed on a rotating stage before, said, “I’m really looking forward to the actual performance. We haven’t seen the full setup yet during rehearsals, so I’m curious to see how it will look on stage.”
Murayama added, “We saw a model of the set during rehearsal, and I was astonished that I would get to perform on something like that. When I see it at full scale, I’m sure I’ll be overwhelmed. I can’t wait to be on that stage.”
Discussing what has changed in the 2026 production, Anju Julia said, “I want to show the interpretation of Yukino-chan that I’ve developed through continuous reflection and performance. Because I’ve devoted myself to understanding her, I believe I can offer even more energy to the audience. I hope they feel that in the theater. Stage performances are live, so each viewing brings a different perspective. Even if you’ve seen it before, I urge you to come again — I promise a different kind of emotion this time.”
Asai echoed that sentiment: “Since we’re returning to the same roles, we’re all determined to deliver something even better than last year. With the stimulation from the new cast members, we’re pushing each other to new heights. Even though rehearsals only started a few weeks ago, I already feel confident that we can present the best version of this musical yet. I believe the audience will feel that, so please come to the theater.”
Regarding character development, Anju Julia said, “Yukino-chan is described as relaxed and gentle, but on stage, if I don’t have energy, nothing gets across. Just because she’s calm doesn’t mean I can lower my voice — otherwise her charm would be lost. So every year I think about how to express that ‘easygoing’ atmosphere on stage. This time, I particularly want to focus on her actions and movements in scenes without dialogue. Those subtle moments can carry a lot of her character. I’m researching every detail to present an even better Yukino-chan.”
Asai spoke about Yuzuha: “In addition to the main performance, the musical also includes a ‘Culture Festival & After-party Special’ where we see the characters after becoming school idols. That part has added depth to Yuzuha-chan — new songs and drama scenes reveal new aspects of her. I want the audience to see her as the wonderful person I’ve come to know. It’s not enough for me to just admire her; I have to convey her charm so that others can talk about her in their own words.”
Miyamoto found common ground with Anzu: “I actually share a lot with Anzu-chan. She’s the center, and I was also the center in my former group Juice=Juice. I understand the unexplainable weight that comes with being in the middle. Also, we both started singing and dancing as children. There are days when we love it, and days when we strangely dislike it — those parallels are strong. But even with those similarities, Anzu-chan is not me. I tend to rely on naturalistic acting, but I want to arrive at a performance that makes her look cute and appealing as the character she is. I want to go beyond simply conveying her — I want to make people fall in love with her. Having been an idol myself, I’m determined to pursue that both as an idol and as Anzu-chan.”
Murayama noted, “I’m the opposite of Sayaka-chan. She’s outgoing and strong-willed, while I’m more reserved. Playing her is an opportunity to express something I don’t have inside and discover a new version of myself. I want to fully embrace her confident, a bit gal-like personality and expand that within me. I hope the audience feels ‘Sayaka-chan is like this’ and takes away her charm.”
Warm Teamwork: The Bond Behind the Musical
When asked about the current team atmosphere, Anju Julia praised it: “It’s wonderful. We don’t often have lengthy discussions about acting, but each person finds their own challenges and goals, and they keep evolving every rehearsal. Seeing that is inspiring. When I watch someone’s performance and feel ‘that’s really good’ or ‘that moved me,’ it comes back to me and drives me to do more. We’re pushing each other forward in a positive way.”
Asai agreed: “Absolutely. During choreography practice, people naturally ask each other for help, regardless of seniority. That sort of cooperative culture is natural here. I love School Idol Musical so much, and I’ve been through the experience of wanting to be in it, so I hope the new cast members grow to love it the same way. I often say, ‘Let’s do it together!’ and dance along with them. Everyone supports each other, and that’s what makes the team strong.”
Miyamoto felt the warmth immediately: “Everyone is so kind! If someone said the casting was based on personality, I’d believe it (laughs). They’re all approachable, and when I don’t understand something, I ask the seniors even before the instructors. I’m the type who likes to be the funny one, and I was worried about getting an awkward silence when I make a joke. But instead, everyone laughs enthusiastically! That alone makes me grateful. It’s because they’ve built this warm atmosphere that School Idol Musical has continued for so long. Being part of it, I’ve truly felt that.”
Murayama added, “The distance between us closed quickly. After the first meeting, we had an acting workshop where we did exercises like colliding with each other saying ‘Why?!’ or declaring ‘I love you!’ Everyone was fully committed, and that helped melt away my shyness. Even when I say something silly, they look at me warmly, and I feel comfortable asking for help. That supportive environment gives me peace of mind.”
Love Live! at 15: What the Series Means to the Cast
For Anju Julia, Love Live! has been a special presence since childhood: “I first encountered it in sixth grade, via the game Love Live! School Idol Festival. I started watching the anime properly around 2020. It was the series that introduced me to the appeal of 2D female characters, so it holds a unique place in my heart. I tend to forget things easily — I’d even forget what happened in episode one by the time episode two aired a week later (laughs). But with series I love, I re-watch them many times. Each time, I notice different things depending on my own experiences and emotions at the moment. That’s fascinating. The stories are uplifting and full of both precious and cute moments. Watching it gives me energy. I’m truly grateful to have encountered it.”
Asai Nanami shared a personal connection: “I discovered Love Live! during a time when I was feeling a bit lost as an idol. The series taught me that even without a special talent, if you have the desire to do something, anyone can shine. That message gave me courage back then. My favorite character is Sakurakoji Kinako from Love Live! Superstar!! She’s not athletic — she gets passed by her grandma when running. But as the story progresses, she ends up overtaking her grandma with ease. That depiction of growth through effort is what I love about the series.”
Asai also mentioned being moved by the voice actors’ dedication: “I was inspired by how the seiyuu carry their characters onto the stage. When Suzuhiro Minami, who plays Kinako, performed her first solo song, she said she ran every day because she wanted to support Kinako and make her shine. That really touched me. Since then, whenever I play Yuzuha-chan, I remember those words. Love Live! has taught me a lot about the responsibility and determination involved in representing a character on stage.”
Miyamoto Karin recalled her first encounter: “I’ve always loved anime, and Love Live! was on my ‘to watch’ list for a long time. Before I even saw the anime, I went to karaoke with a friend who loves Love Live! immensely — she even goes to the lives. She taught me when to change penlight colors for each song. I thought it was wonderful how the fans and the series feel so connected. Then when I actually watched the anime, I understood. It’s not just about choosing your favorite color; each song and each member has meaning that fans hold dear in their hearts.”
She continued, “Most of all, the series reminded me of the importance of ‘doing things because you want to do them.’ As a child, you’re often told that wanting alone isn’t enough in the adult world. But now as an adult, I think there’s nothing more important than that pure desire. When singing and dancing become work, you can sometimes lose sight of the joy. Watching Love Live! made me remember that the root is ‘I want to sing and dance because I love it.’ It felt like it returned me to my childhood self, and I’m just thankful.”
Murayama Yuika reflected on growing up with the series: “For me, Love Live! has always been part of my life. When I heard about the 15th anniversary, I thought back: 15 years ago, I was still in elementary school. I’ve been hearing the name Love Live! for as long as I can remember, so being able to stand on stage as part of the series now is truly moving. The anime shows the process of creating a school idol group from nothing, and each character finding their own brilliance. The efforts of past cast members have connected to the next generation and story. Being a part of this long history is very meaningful to me.”
She added, “School Idol Musical brings characters from the anime to life on stage, performed by actual actors. I hope fans of the anime enjoy that sense of meeting the characters in person, and the stage offers its own unique impact. To all Love Live! fans, I encourage you to experience this special work in the theater.”
Performance Details
Venue: New National Theatre Tokyo, Middle Theatre (1-1-1 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Run: September 19 (Sat) – September 26 (Sat), 2026
Show Times: Matinee doors 12:15 / start 13:00; Evening doors 17:15 / start 18:00 (except final day)
Main Performance: Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes (includes interval and curtain call)
Culture Festival & After-party Special: Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes (no interval)
Schedule (all times local):
- Sept 19 (Sat): Matinee – Main Performance; Evening – Special
- Sept 20 (Sun): Matinee – Main Performance; Evening – Special
- Sept 21 (Mon, holiday): Matinee – Main Performance; Evening – Special
- Sept 22 (Tue, holiday): Matinee – Main Performance; Evening – Special
- Sept 23 (Wed, holiday): Matinee – Main Performance; Evening – Special
- Sept 25 (Fri): Matinee – Main Performance; Evening – Special
- Sept 26 (Sat) [Final]: Doors 11:15 / start 12:00 – Special combined performance (Main + Special)
Ticket prices, performer lineup, and additional details are available on the official website. Please note that opening times and performance content are subject to change.
