Onsen Musume (japanese: 温泉むすめ) is a Japanese multimedia project featuring anime characters within the theme of onsen (Japanese hot springs). The characters anthropomorphize onsen as entities in anime, manga, and video games about them. The project began in November 2016, with an accompanying music video by Doga Kobo in 2017. They also have live concerts and events with the characters' voice actresses.[1]
Summary
Onsen Musume are minor goddesses who live in every onsen. During the day Onsen Musume go to school in Odaiba, Tokyo to learn how to help more people learn about each Musume's respective onsen, and also to learn special arts that help guests relax and smile.
One day they receive a proclamation from Sunahiko, the god who rules over all of the onsen, commanding them to become idols. The Onsen Musume form idol groups in order to compete in the newly-created idol tournament.
The main character of the series is Yuina Kusatsu, the Onsen Musume for Kusatsu Onsen. With eight other Onsen Musume, she forms an idol group called "SPRiNGS". In school the nine members are known as the "weird ones", but as idols they aim to become the best Onsen Musume idol group in Japan.[2][better source needed][3]
SPRiNGS's strongest rival. Other groups simply can't compare to their performances. Each member performs so well that they could easily become the centers of other groups.
LUSH STAR is the rival group that SPRiNGS gets along best with. Members of both groups were friends long before Sunahiko's proclamation. Their specialty is making everyone watching their performance feel more energetic.
Since April 24, 2017 Onsen Musume has been broadcasting a radio show every Monday titled "Onsen Musume: Present-ish web radio! Mimipoka!! YOU should come and play, yo!~".[5] It is hosted by each of the characters. Once a month they broadcast the show live from Haneda Airport's International terminal's TIAT Sky Hall. On April 2, 2018 they began broadcasting a second Monday radio show, the "Onsen Musume Public Relations Department". Each episode is accompanied by a simple video. It is hosted by Seitaro Mukai, and Onsen Musume characters appear as regular guests.[citation needed]
Manga
Onsen Musume 1-panel manga theater
Starting January 25, 2017, manga by Erika Ragunoha were published on the Onsen Musume Twitter feed.
Onsen Musume 4-panel manga theater
A 4-panel manga by Eku Kamikura was published on the Onsen Musume Twitter on November 30, 2017. After that, on March 29, 2018, they began publishing weekly 4-panel manga by Watanon.
Web manga
On April 24, 2017 a web manga by Mikura Chikage was announced.[2][better source needed] It was expected to start in May 2018, [6] but the first chapter was released in September instead.[7]
Video game
"Onsen Musume Yunohana Collection" was released on August 3, 2018 for Android and iOS. It uses the player's location data to find onsen near them, and also includes original stories and over 100 characters.[8]