This page contains all the information on the history of the Love Live! project that is outside of the anime and discography, mostly gathered from magazines and live events. For Love Live! Sunshine!!, check here.
Note: Dengeki G's Magazine is a monthly magazine that is part of the Love Live! and Love Live! Sunshine!! multimedia projects. As it is usually the first source of news for all major projects under these titles, its monthly sections will detail how the project has progressed over time. The issues are usually published a month ahead of time. For example, the July 2010 issue would've been released on 30th May 2010.
2010 (January - June)
July issue
First notice of Love Live! published.
1/1
August issue
Prologue story and character introductions released. A brief project description was also provided.
1/7
2010 (July - December)
September issue
Prologue story part 2, and a message from each character released.
The first popularity vote was announced, and held from August 13 to August 31 using the Dengeki G's mobile website.
Messages from each character after the release of their first single, accompanied by full-body illustrations of them wearing new costumes were released.
News on future plans for the project were also announced.
1/5
November issue
Voice actress line-up was released.
Features on Honoka, Kotori and Nozomi were released, comprising of character diaries as well as interviews with their voice actress.
The results of the first popularity vote were announced.
Group name vote results were released, the name is determined to be ฮผ's.
Features on Eli, Rin and Nico were released, comprising of character diaries as well as interviews with their voice actress.
1/4
February issue
Illustrations of Snow halation were released, including an illustration replicating a scene from the radio drama that came with the single.
Messages from each character after the release of their second single.
Second popularity vote was announced, and held from December 27, 2010 to January 13, 2011 using the Dengeki G's mobile website.
1/2
2011 (January - June)
March issue
A four-page mini-novel with illustrations was released.
Mini idol unit activities were announced. Honoka, Eli and Umi are pre-determined as leaders. Five different configurations were offered to be chosen from:
Pattern 1: Honoka with Nozomi and Kotori, Eli with Nico and Rin, Umi with Maki and Hanayo.
Pattern 2: Honoka with Hanayo and Kotori, Eli with Nico and Maki, Umi with Nozomi and Rin.
Pattern 3: Honoka with Maki and Nico, Eli with Kotori and Nozomi, Umi with Rin and Hanayo.
Pattern 4: Honoka with Maki and Rin, Eli with Nozomi and Kotori, Umi with Nico and Hanayo.
Pattern 5: Honoka with Nozomi and Nico, Eli with Hanayo and Rin, Umi with Maki and Kotori.
Voting could take place either through the Dengeki G's mobile website, or through emails where comments could also be attached. Voting was held from February 1 to February 14.
The results of the second popularity vote were announced.
From first to last: Nico, Kotori, Nozomi, Honoka, Umi, Rin, Hanayo, Maki, Eli.
1/3
April issue
A new 3-part special gravure series began, starting with Nico. Each of them was a two-page illustration with a story.
Mini idol unit configurations were announced, along with member comments.
The results of the polls were from first to last: Pattern 2, Pattern 3, Pattern 4, Pattern 5, Pattern 1.
Submissions for mini idol unit names were opened until March 14.
1/2
May issue
Mini idol unit names were announced, along with other noteworthy entries. Printemps, BiBi and lily white.
The 3-part special gravure series continued with Kotori this issue.
The third popularity vote was announced, and held from August 24 to September 14 through either Dengeki G's mobile website, mail or email.
1/2
August 5 to August 14: Akihabara's Cure Maid Cafe held a Love Live! collaboration event.
October issue
A story with the characters discussing their progress so far was published.
ฮผ's 4th single announced.
Solo CDs announced for the top three winners of the ongoing popularity vote.
1/2
September 3: ฮผ's held a live-streamed event at event hall INAMON in BIGBOX Takadanobaba to commemorate the release of their 3rd single. They announced their first live concert on this day.[1]
1/26
November issue
The results of the third popularity vote were announced.
From first to last: Honoka, Kotori, Umi, Nozomi, Nico, Maki, Eli, Rin, Hanayo.
First live concert is announced.
Illustration for the Cure Maid Cafe collaboration is published, featuring Umi.
1/3
December issue
Solo debut feature.
Umi's special interview regarding her solo debut was published.
ฮผ's Christmas Girl vote is announced, held from October 29 to November 11.
More details on first live concert released.
Manga adaptation's pre-story released.
1/2
January issue
Kotori's special interview regarding her solo debut was published.
The results of the Christmas Girl vote were announced.
From first to last: Eli, Umi, Nico, Nozomi, Kotori, Maki, Honoka, Hanayo, Rin.
Honoka's special interview regarding her solo debut was published.
1/2
2012 (January - June)
March issue
ฮผ's 4th single feature.
The fourth popularity vote was announced, and held from February 15 to March 10.
1/1
February 17 to February 26: Akihabara's Cure Maid Cafe holds another Love Live! collaboration event. A vote was held on site to determine ฮผ's Chocolate Girl. February 19: ฮผ's holds their first live concert, ฮผ's First Love Live! at Yokohama Blitz.
March 10: ฮผ's performed at Bushiroad Card Game Live 2012.
May issue
The results of the fourth popularity vote was announced. 5618 votes were counted.
From first to last: Kotori, Nico, Maki, Hanayo, Umi, Honoka, Nozomi, Rin, Eli.
Details on the duo-trio single series were released.
The results of the ฮผ's Chocolate Girl vote was announced.
From first to last: Hanayo, Kotori, Umi, Nico, Nozomi, Eli, Honoka, while Maki and Rin tied for 8th place.
An event report of ฮผ's First LoveLive! was published.
1/2
June issue
A Maki feature was published, for being 3rd in the fourth popularity vote. This comprised of an illustration, her personal data and an interview with her voice actress.
More details on the duo-trio single series were released.
1/2
July issue
A Nico feature was published, for being 2nd in the fourth popularity vote. This comprised of an illustration, her personal data and an interview with her voice actress.
A special interview was published, which asked the duos and trio about their singles.
5th single was announced.
1/2
August issue
A Kotori feature was published, for being 1st in the fourth popularity vote. This comprised of an illustration, her personal data and an interview with her voice actress.
ฮผ's appearance at Animelo Summer Live 2012 announced.
ฮผ's 5th single feature with character comments.
1/5
August 26: ฮผ's makes an appearance for Animelo Summer Live 2012 -INFINITYโ-, and sing Natsuiro Egao de 1,2,Jump!.
October issue
ฮผ's 5th single feature with PV breakdown.
Live events in Fall announced.
Dengeki G's Magazine Cover Girl vote was announced, and held from September 15 to October 5.
1/3
September 23: ฮผ's made an appearance at Tokyo Game Show 2012 and held a mini-live, they sang 5 songs in total including duo and trio songs. Yoshino Nanjo was absent.
1/16
November issue
Anime adaptation feature, with character designs released.
An event report on their Animelo Summer Live 2012 appearance was published.
ฮผ's second live concert is announced with details.
1/1
October 21: ฮผ's holds an event on the second day of the Dengeki 20th Anniversary Festival. A "election by darts" was held at the venue, which decided the ฮผ's Darts Girl to be Kotori.
1/36
December issue
TV anime feature, with cast interview published.
The results of the Dengeki G's Magazine Cover Girl vote were announced.
From first to last: Honoka (616), Umi (609), Nico (491), Kotori (490), Eli (447), Maki (398), Hanayo (321), Rin (315), Nozomi (314).
January 6: Anime adaptation begins airing. January 25 to February 11: Akihabara's Cure Maid Cafe and Misato's Wondercafe in Saitama holds a "Love Live! Cafe" collaboration event. (Wondercafe's event ended on February 3.) Votes were held on-site to determine image pairs.
March issue
The cover for this issue featured Honoka as a result of the Cover Girl vote.
Anime adaptation synopsis up to the 4th episode was published.
A illustration of Kotori was posted for winning the Darts Girl general election.
The cover for this issue featured Umi and Nico as a result of placing 2nd and 3rd respectively for the Cover Girl vote.
Anime adaptation synopsis up to the 8th episode was published.
The results of the image pair voting from the "Love Live! Cafes" were announced.
An event report of Love Live! ฮผ's New Year LoveLive! 2013 was published.
A new corner, ฮผ's Member Q&A session was started. This month featured Umi.
1/4
March 10: A secret event, "ฮผ's in Wonder zone" was held in Belle Salle Akihabara. The event was announced beforehand but not the location, and only those who had managed to obtain tickets were allowed in. The event was also live-streamed on the internet.
1/9
March 24: ฮผ's made an appearance at Bushiroad Card Game Live 2013, and sang three songs including Bokura wa Ima no Naka de and Snow halation.
1/17
May issue
TV anime feature.
An event report of "ฮผ's in Wonder zone" was published.
A Q&A Session with Nico was also published.
1/3
June issue
A chapter of Honoka's Love Live! School idol diary was published.
TV anime feature.
ฮผ's 6th single was announced.
A second set of mini idol unit singles was announced.
The manga adaptation goes on hiatus in order to prepare for publication as a separate volume instead of monthly serialization.
A Q&A Session with Kotori was also published.
1/2
July issue
A new series of illustrated mini-novels, "secret short cuts" began with cut 1.
Another chapter of Honoka's Love Live! School idol diary was published.
The results of the fifth popularity vote were announced.
From first to last: Maki, Eli, Honoka, Rin, Nico, Hanayo, Umi, Nozomi, Kotori
June 22: ฮผ's (minus Yoshino Nanjo) made an appearance at JAM 2013's Anisong day. They sang Bokura wa Ima no Naka de, Bokura no LIVE Kimi to no LIFE, Natsuiro Egao de 1,2,Jump! and No brand girls.
August issue
"Next Project" announcement, concerning future plans for the franchise.
"secret short cuts" continued with cut 2.
A chapter of Umi's Love Live! School idol diary was published.
A ฮผ's figurine by Niitengo were announced, specific character yet to be decided.
A Q&A Session with Maki was also published.
1/2
2013 (July - December)
September issue
"secret short cuts" continued with cut 3.
A chapter of Kotori's Love Live! School idol diary was published.
Second set of mini idol unit singles featured.
An event report of the 3rd live was published.
Passenger-seat Queen election results were released, with an illustration of the winners: Kotori and Nozomi.
A swimsuit figurine was announced, character yet to be decided.
1/2
August 23: ฮผ's made an appearance on Day 1 of Animelo Summer Live 2013 -FLAG NINE-, and sang Bokura wa Ima no Naka de and START:DASH!!.
October issue
"secret short cuts" continued with cut 4.
A chapter of Maki's Love Live! School idol diary was published.
TV anime fan-disc was announced.
Niitengo figurine was announced to be of Kotori.
A Q&A Session with Hanayo was also published.
1/3
November issue
A chapter of Hanayo's Love Live! School idol diary was published.
Submissions were opened for suggestions for unit names to be used in the manga adaptation.
Swimsuit figurine was announced to be of Eli.
1/1
December issue
"secret short cuts" continued with cut 5.
A chapter of Rin's Love Live! School idol diary was published.
ฮผ's 6th single feature.
More information on the PS Vita game, the fan-disc and live concert discs were released.
1/8
January issue
"secret short cuts" continued with cut 6.
Another chapter of Rin's Love Live! School idol diary was published.
ฮผ's 6th single feature.
More information on the PS Vita game was released.
The illustration to be used for the swimsuit figurines was released.
A Q&A Session with Maki was also published.
1/3
February issue
"secret short cuts" continued with cut 7.
A chapter of Nico's Love Live! School idol diary was published.
PS Vita game feature.
A Q&A Session with Maki was also published.
1/4
December 23, 2013 to January 5, 2014: JR's Yamanote Line in Tokyo had its trains covered in Love Live! livery.
2014 (January - June)
December 23, 2013 to January 5, 2014: JR's Yamanote Line in Tokyo had its trains covered in Love Live! livery. January 4:RADIO Animelo Mix Love Live! ~NozoEri Radio Garden~ begins airing, hosted by Nanjou Yoshino and Aina Kusuda. January 26: ฮผ's made an appearance at "LisAni! LIVE 4 SUNDAY STAGE" in the Budokan, and sang 4 songs.
March issue
"secret short cuts" continued with cut 8.
A chapter of Nozomi's Love Live! School idol diary was published.
A chapter of Eli's Love Live! School idol diary was published.
TV anime season 2 was announced.
An event report of the 4th live was published.
PS Vita game feature.
1/2
March 20 to April 16: Yurikamone's new Tokyo Waterfront Coastal Line had its trains wrapped in three different kinds of livery featuring each of the mini idol units. March 22 & March 23: ฮผ's made an appearance at AnimeJapan 2014, hosting a talk show.
1/10
May issue
"secret short cuts" concluded with cut 10.
Another chapter of Eli's Love Live! School idol diary was published.
Love Live! School idol diary was announced to continue after finishing the initial 9 diaries.
National school idol unit names announced. These were the results of a poll where readers could submit school idol group names for their own prefectures.
1/2
April 18:Nico Production Love Live! Hour Emitsun Fight Club begins airing with Emi Nitta as the main host.
April 25 to May 12: Love Live! Cafe Campaign in Akihabara was held, and voting was done on-site for ฮผ's Picnic Girl. 28546 votes were casted, with Nico coming in 1st, Kotori and Hanayo taking 2nd and 3rd respectively.
A feature on the new song was published, focusing on the costume. There was a short story focusing on Hanayo.
Voting for the short-listed costume themes was opened to the public.
A special story of School idol diary was posted, Chapter 5 featuring Nozomi.
Kotori's alarm voice for Dengeki G's app was given as this issue's appendix.
A Q&A Session with Maki was also published.
1/6
January issue
A feature on the new song was published, focusing on the lyrics. There was a short story focusing on Eli.
The chosen lines to be used as part of the lyrics for the new song were announced.
ใใฎๅบไผใใฏๅฅ่ทก (Kono deai wa kiseki,This meeting is a miracle)
ฮผ'sic
ๅใจๅใฎ่ถณ่ทก (Kimi to boku no ashiato,Our footprints)
็ฉใฟ้ใญใๆ้ (Tsumikasaneta jikan,The times we shared)
A special story of School idol diary was posted, Chapter 6 featuring Kotori.
A 6-part series on the N students of other schools in Love Live! School idol festival started, featuring Seiran High School.
This month's "Shine! ฮผ's Number 1" poll was for "One-Day Train Station Master", which Honoka won. Eli and Kotori came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
A Q&A session with Nico was also published.
1/3
February issue
A feature on the new song was published, recapping all the areas that been decided up to date.
A special story of School idol diary was posted, Chapter 7 featuring Hanayo.
The 6-part series on the N students of other schools in Love Live! School idol festival continued, featuring Chitose Bridge High School.
This month's "Shine! ฮผ's Number 1" poll was for "The Girl You Would Like To Cook With", which Kotori won. Nico and Hanayo came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
A Q&A session with Honoka was also published.
Love Live! Chibi stationery set (pen and pencil) was given as this issue's appendix.
1/2
2015 (January - June)
March issue
A feature on the new song was published, focusing on the choreography. There was a short story focusing on Rin.
Voting for the short-listed choreography ideas was opened up to the public.
A special story of School idol diary was posted, Chapter 8 featuring Eli.
The 6-part series on the N students of other schools in Love Live! School idol festival continued.
This month's "Shine! ฮผ's Number 1" poll was for "Snow Festival Girl", which Eli won. Rin and Honoka came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
A Q&A session with Eli was also published.
A Niitengo Honoka figurine was given as this issue's appendix.
February 16: ฮผ's made an appearance on NHK E-TV's educational variety program "R no Housoku" and sang Snow halation, START:DASH!! and Sore wa Bokutachi no Kiseki.
An event report on the 5th live concert was published.
A feature on the new song was published, focusing on the choreography. There was a short story focusing on Nico.
Submissions for ideas for merchandise was opened to the public.
A special story of School idol diary was posted, Chapter 9 featuring Rin.
The 6-part series on the N students of other schools in Love Live! School idol festival continued, featuring Tooh Academy.
This month's "Shine! ฮผ's Number 1" poll was for "Most Spoiled Girl", which Nico won. Kotori and Honoka came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
A Q&A session with Nozomi was also published.
1/5
May issue
A feature on the new song was published, focusing on the costume. There was a short story focusing on Honoka.
The chosen costume theme was announced: "angel".
A special story of School idol diary was posted, Chapter 10 featuring Nico.
The 6-part series on the N students of other schools in Love Live! School idol festival continued.
This month's "Shine! ฮผ's Number 1" poll was for "Girl Who Goes On Walks", which Rin won. Nozomi came in 2nd, while Kotori and Hanayo tied for 3rd.
A Q&A session with Rin was also published.
1/6
June issue
A feature on the new song was published, focusing on the choreography. There was a short story focusing on Maki.
The chosen pose to be used was announced.
Voting for the ideas for merchandise was opened to the public.
A special story of School idol diary was posted, Chapter 11 featuring Honoka.
The 6-part series on the N students of other schools in Love Live! School idol festival concluded, featuring Y.G. International Academy.
This month's "Shine! ฮผ's Number 1" poll was for "Most Skilled With A Calligraphy Brush", which Umi won. Eli came in 2nd, while Nozomi and Maki tied for 3rd.
A Q&A session with Umi was also published.
1/4
May 9 & 10: A Kanda Shrine x Love Live! collaboration is held for the Kanda Festival, one of Tokyo's three largest festivals. Aina Kusuda makes a special appearance at the shrine itself for the live-stream broadcast.
July issue
Honoka was the cover girl for this issue.
School Idol Movie feature, with cast comments.
ฮผ's Fan Meeting Tour 2015 feature.
School idol festival Thanksgiving Festival feature, with news of the exhibits and merchandise on sale.
A feature on the new song was published, recapping everything that had happened to date.
An event report of the Kanda Matsuri x Love Live! collaboration and the Love Live! Collaboration shop was published.
This month's "Shine! ฮผ's Number 1" poll was for the "Hotpot Magistrate"[3], which Nico won. Umi and Hanayo came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
A Q&A session with Maki was also published.
1/3
May 31 & June 1: ฮผ's began their Fan Meeting Tour 2015, starting in Tokyo's Nakano Sun Plaza.
1/9
June 2: ฮผ's Best Album Best Live! Collection II reaches #1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts[4] June 6 & June 7: The first School idol festival Thanksgiving Festival was held in Sunshine City, Ikebukuro, Tokyo.[5]
1/53
August issue
New project announcement for Love Live!'s 6th year. A new serialization by Sakurako Kimino will begin in the next issue, where reader participation is possible.
Recap of Love Live! history and list of publications.
School Idol Movie feature, with cast interview.
LL Event Report in Early Summer, covering ฮผ's Fan Meeting Tour 2015 and the SIF Thanksgiving Festival.
This month's "Shine! ฮผ's Number 1" poll was for the "Flower Viewing Girl", which Hanayo won. Umi and Honoka came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
A Q&A session with Hanayo was also published.
1/1
2015 (July - December)
September issue
School idol QUEST begins, a monthly series where three members will be featured per chapter. A question is posed to the readers at the end of each chapter, correct answers submitted will be entered into a lottery where they can win illustrations by Murota-sensei.
School idol QUEST sample story and quiz, Chapter #00 featuring Hanayo, Umi and Nico.
School Idol Movie feature, with a focus on the insert songs.
School idol festival feature, recapping the incoming new features as well as promotional cards available from purchases.
This month's "Shine! ฮผ's Number 1" poll was for the "Girl Most Fit To Be Secretary", which Eli won. Nozomi and Umi came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
School idol QUEST Chapter #01, featuring Nico, Rin and Hanayo.
School idol festival feature, detailing:
3rd collaboration single to be released October 28
The new features in version 3.0
Results of Summer Fruits Girl Poll & Second Transfer Students Poll
An event report of the Love Live! collaborations at both the Hirosaki Neputa Festival and the Sendai Tanabata Festival.
This month's "Shine! ฮผ's Number 1" poll was for the "Doctor at the Infirmary", which Kotori won. Nozomi came in 2nd, while Nico and Honoka tied for 3rd.
A Q&A session with Nico was also published.
1/4
September 17: School idol festival was featured at Tokyo Game Show 2015 with a giant game stage for a nine-player life-size version of the game.
November issue
Honoka was the cover girl for this issue.
Main feature on the movie.
New poll to collect information on the movie:
What was the "greatest" scene in the movie?
Tell us what you thought about the movie.
Official book to summarize both seasons of the anime announced.
New poll to collect information on the first two seasons of the anime:
Favorite scenes of all nine members separately.
Favorite insert song from the anime
Favorite costume from the anime
School idol QUEST Chapter #02, featuring Kotori, Honoka and Umi.
Love Live! Board Game announced.
School idol festival feature with details of campaign to celebrate 20 million users.
This month's "Shine! ฮผ's Number 1" poll was for the "Most Suitable Magical Girl", which Nico won. Nozomi came in 2nd, while Kotori and Umi tied for 3rd.
Dengeki Love Live! Magazine Semester 1 (January 2013)
Dengeki Love Live! Magazine Semester 2 (February 2013)
Dengeki Love Live! Magazine Semester 3 (March 2013)
LisAni August 2013
NyanTYPE September 2014
Megami Magazine September 2014
Dengeki Love Live! 2nd Season Magazine September 2014
Seiyuu Animedia August 2015
Cut Magazine August 2015
LisAni August 2015
Cut Magazine June 2016
Lantis Catalogue 2016 Winter
Lantis Catalogue 2016 Winter
Lantis Catalogue 2016 Winter
LisAni December 2016
Polling History[]
The voting contests in Love Live! History started out as being general popularity polls, but later on started to have a theme. This section will only include the major polls with a significant influence on project direction or merchandise, and not the monthly polls inside Dengeki G's.
2010[]
First Popularity Poll for second single: Honoka
2011[]
Third Popularity Poll
Cure Maid Cafe Image Girl
ฮผ's Christmas Girl
1/3
Second Popularity Poll for third single: Nico
Third Popularity Poll for fourth single & solo debuts: Honoka, Kotori and Umi
โMusic Japan is a show for artistes that top Japan's music charts, not just the anime industry, so this was considered their first real sign of having broken out into the mainstream music industry.
โHotpot Magistrate refers to the person who handles the most cooking during communal hotpot meals.
โThe Oricon charts measure sales across all of Japan, and are not limited by genre. Love Live! is the second anisong single/album to ever reach #1 in history, with the first being K-On!.
