Japanese Idol Club Becomes Reality at Nagano Nihon University High School

In the first two Love Live! anime series — the original and Sunshine!! — the girls form an idol club to save their school from closure. Now, this concept is becoming reality in Japan.

Nagano Nihon University High School, located in Nagano City, has announced the creation of an official Japanese Idol Club starting next school year. Members will act as school-approved idols during their three years of study.

The school is currently recruiting new first-year students interested in joining. During the upcoming open school event on November 8, there will be a dance trial lesson and an informational session about the club.

The Idol Club will operate as an extracurricular activity, with practice sessions held after classes and on weekends. Members will receive professional singing and dance lessons, produce and distribute original music, and perform in live events, TV shows, and radio programs.

The school aims to place the Idol Club on the same level of importance as its strong baseball and soccer teams, recognizing it as one of its “elite clubs.” Students with prior experience in singing or dancing may be eligible for recommendation-based admission, but even beginners are welcome to join regardless of their academic course.

Principal Yoshihisa Soetani (49) explained the purpose of creating the club:

“We want to provide an opportunity for students who love singing and dancing to shine without having to move to big cities, while also contributing to the local community.”

Elsewhere in the region, Saku Chosei High School launched a performing arts program in 2023 and formed its own idol group, but the recruitment of new members has since been suspended.