We’ll start off the list with an obvious pick. Spanning up to 3 seasons with an upcoming 4th season in the future, we can’t deny that Utapri paved the way for male idol anime. It’s a fairly famous show that started off being an Otome game that got an anime adaptation which was a huge success. The story revolves around our heroine, Haruka Nanami, who dreams to one day write songs for her favorite Idol, Hayato Ichinose. Determined to make her dream come true, she enrolls in Saotome Academy, where she encounters different kinds of people that will one day become famous.

The overall premise of these two anime is the same. To start off, B-project is made by the same creators who made Uta no Prince-sama. They have been produced by the same studio, which is A-1 pictures. Both also feature girls who have a unique talent when it comes to music. Haruka of Utapri is gifted with exceptional composing skills while Tsubasa Sumisora of B-pro has keen hearing that can detect the slightest wrong note/ tone in any music. These two girls are also surrounded by talented young males who would like to get their attention. As the show progresses, Haruka and Tsubasa learn something new about each male character that will help these talented idols to work together as a team and reach their full potential. The similarities between these two shows are endless! In terms of atmosphere, characters, and music, you can never go wrong with Utapri!

Tsukiuta has gained wide success and an anime adaptation through wonderful music made by Vocaloid producers. Initially having female idols as well, it seems the anime will only be focusing more on the male idols that form Six Gravity and Procellarum. Each episode features one character at a time and they each represent and are themed around the 12 months of the year. With well known Seiyuu and talented Vocaloid composers, Tsukiuta will never disappoint!

Tsukiuta. The Animation is another ongoing anime that is currently airing alongside B-pro. Just like some selections in this list, Tsukiuta and B-pro revolve around handsome male idol singers. The songs, the characters, even the dance moves and the overall vibes will remind you of B-pro. In Tsukiuta, the groups Six Gravity and Procellarum are often paired together to perform. Each character’s interaction with the other team ranges from friendly rivalry to sibling-like relationship. Just like in B-pro, the group Kitakore, THRIVE, and MooNs perform together as one team under the name B-project. Though they are essentially rivals, they bicker, help one another, work together as a whole, and treat each other like a family. Watch this along with B-pro and be amazed at Tsukiuta’s jaw-dropping visuals during their performances which are done by Studio Pierrot by the way.

During his 2nd year in middle school, Yuuta Hoshitani was dazzled at the touching performance of a certain high school student. Dreaming of one day performing alongside that unknown student, he uses the performer’s uniform as a hint to where Yuuta can encounter the person in question. He then enters Ayanagi Academy and applies in the musical department. There, he was paired with 4 other potential candidates under the team of Itsuki Ootori.

Yet another anime that has a great remembrance to B-project is Starmyu. Much like B-pro, Stamyu offers talented, good looking males with wonderful music to boot. 5 unlikely males are paired together to work as a team in order to be accepted permanently in the musical department section of the school. As they train hard to become future idols, each individual’s own back stories are revealed, showing how these people are heavily connected by music. They don’t start off well, but as the show progresses, they reveal their closeness to one another and make a great team. The improved relationship of team Ootori reflects the amazing relationship within B-pro. Like some of our other selections, Starmyu has an upcoming new season for its fans! So while waiting for it, why not go on your way to watch it and its ongoing OVA this season.

Shounen Hollywood was originally a novel that revolves around the 1st generation of the group of the same name. This anime, however, tells a newer story. It starts 15 years after the original ending of the novel where it now shows the 2nd generation of Shounen Hollywood.

If you want something that is a bit realistic when it comes to the world of male idols, then Shounen Hollywood is your best bet. Shounen Hollywood exhibits not only the bright side of being an idol, but it also presents us with the darker side of the industry. You will literally see them being upset at things that male idols must uphold for the media and realize that the great competition in the industry is not at all fun and games. Just like B-pro, the viewers are given the chance to know each male character and why they chose the path of being an idol. You will see them work hard and train hard just to give the perfect performance for their fans. Shounen Hollywood is more than attractive male idols who just sing and dance, it is a slice of life anime that will show you what it truly takes to become an idol, despite their sparkling image. If you want to see more of Shounen Hollywood, then watch Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49 and maybe help them in their crowdfunding for new animation.

Cyan Hijirikawa is a cute shy girl who has a hidden talent when it comes to music. One quiet night, she was sucked in her favorite game and turned into a catgirl in a place known as Midi city. She is then recruited by Branded Rocking Labels where she becomes the leader of Plasmagica. Along with her new found friends, she defeats evil with her music in hopes of getting back home. Show by Rock!! Short!! Is currently airing as of now with an upcoming season 2 Show by Rock!! # is on the way.

Similarly, Show by Rock!! and B-project are both music anime about idols. Show by Rock!! has a fair share of male and female idols for viewers to watch. Though, unlike B-pro who mainly sing and dance as a way to entertain their fans, Show by Rock!! uses only the harmony of their instruments to touch the hearts of their fans. They may differ overall when it comes to plot progression, but one thing is for certain for these two shows. They aim to be the very best in their field as they give the magic of music to their beloved fan base. Much like B-pro consists of 3 different idol groups, Branded Rocking Labels consists of 2 different groups which are Plasmagica and ShinganCrimsonZ. Being a music anime, Show by Rock!! Also gives off the same feel that B-pro has. It’s an unpredictable Kemonomimi anime that you definitely don’t want to miss!

Miki Ishimoto, an art student graduate, received the great news of her life when Holbein Entertainment Co. Made her the manager of “The Rockies”. However, upon meeting the Idols, she is in shock to discover that “The Rockies” are indeed hard rock. They are statues that have feelings and personality. The boy band features 4 well-known sculptures, St. George, Medici, Mars, and Hermes. Follow along with Ishimoto as she ventures into the world of entertainment!

This is one of those shows that will make you question yourself, “What am I even watching?”. Despite the weird funny roller coaster that this anime has to offer, you just can’t simply take your eyes off of it as you watch along. Sekkou Boys has a lot of base elements that B-pro has, the trials of becoming an idol, the hardships of being a manager, handsome men (in these case statues), the quirkiness of each character, and the comedy. Oh the comedy! In B-pro you are left breathless because of how handsome they are with their magnificent music, in Sekkou Boys, however, it will leave you breathless because of their hilarious comedy. Sekkou Boys’ comedy centers around funny puns and good old parodies about idol anime. And just like Tsubasa Sumisora who acts as a manager for B-pro, Miki Ishimoto takes on this role for Sekkou Boys. They do their job very well in supporting their assigned male idols for their respective companies. Sekkou Boys doesn’t showcase any music unlike our selections above. But hey, if you want to hear them sing, then listen to the anime ending song as it was sung by the same Seiyuu of the Rockies. It’s a rare hidden gem and a good short watch for the fans of this genre.