Anime Central 2026: The Idolm@ster Stars Prepare to Make History in Chicago!
Great news for The Idolm@ster fans from Chicago! Anime Central (ACen), one of North America's largest anime events, has announced that it will host the series' legendary voice actors for its 2026 edition. This massive concert, taking place on Friday, May 15, 2026, will bring together both the series' long-standing 765PRO cast and the popular Cinderella Girls members on the same stage in America for the first time.
The event's star-studded lineup has already created great excitement. From the 765PRO ALLSTARS side, Asami Imai (Chihaya Kisaragi), Akiko Hasegawa (Miki Hoshii), and Yumi Hara (Takane Shijou) will take the stage. They will be joined by Ayaka Fukuhara (Rin Shibuya), Ayaka Ohashi (Uzuki Shimamura), and Minami Tsuda (Miho Kohinata) from the Cinderella Girls brand. Additionally, Akiko Hasegawa will perform a special solo show titled "THE FUTURE SPOTLIGHT" on the same day, promising fans an unforgettable night.
This concert marks a historic milestone for The Idolm@ster legend, which began as an arcade game in 2005 and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025. Organizers describe this event as the "series' first standalone concert in North America." As it also holds the distinction of being the first performance by the original 765PRO members in America, the concert proves how much the series has grown globally. As will be recalled, last January, the character Chihaya Kisaragi made history in the gaming world by holding a solo concert at Japan's iconic Nippon Budokan.
The concert, to be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, will be free for all attendees with a valid Anime Central 2026 badge. With over 36,000 attendees expected, this is a rare opportunity for fans in the role of "Producer" to see their idols live. This grand gathering could open new doors for the future of the series in the West and go down in history as an unforgettable moment for the community.
