Lapis Re:Lights is a Japanese mixed-media franchise co-produced by KLab and Kadokawa Corporation. Launched in 2017, the project is built upon the concept of "Magic x Idols," blending elements of fantasy world-building with the tropes of the Japanese idol industry. The franchise spans several mediums, including an anime television series, a mobile video game, manga, light novels, and music releases.
Setting and Premise
The narrative is set in a world where "witches" utilize a specialized form of magic powered by "Mana," which is gathered through song and dance performances known as "Orchestras." The story primarily follows Tiara, a girl who enrolls in Mamkester Academy, a prestigious institution for aspiring witches, to form a group and achieve the rank of "Tiara."
Media Components
- Anime: An animated television series produced by Yokohama Animation Laboratory aired from July to September 2020. The series focuses on the daily lives and training of various idol units within the academy.
- Video Game: A mobile role-playing game titled Lapis Re:Lights ~Kono Sekai no Idol wa Mahō ga Tsukaeru~ (Lapis Re:Lights: The Idols in This World Can Use Magic) was released in Japan on December 14, 2021. The game featured a mix of rhythm mechanics and RPG elements. Following a period of operation, the game's service was officially terminated on October 31, 2022.
- Music: Central to the franchise are several distinct idol units, each with a specific musical style and aesthetic. These units include LiGHTs, IV KLORE, Konohana wa Otome, Sugar Pockets, Sadistic★Candy, and Super Nova. The music was released through the Victor Entertainment label.
- Literature: The project includes a manga adaptation illustrated by Hiroichi, which began serialization in Kadokawa's Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh in 2019, as well as light novel adaptations.
Production
The franchise features character designs by the illustrator U35. The project was designed as a multi-platform experience, a common strategy in Japanese media to cross-promote music sales, television viewership, and mobile game microtransactions. While the mobile game has ceased operations, the anime and musical discography remain the primary records of the franchise's creative output.