UlasanAnime.com – The mobile rhythm idol gacha game IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE: Theater Days (MLTD) is currently holding its second voting round for new outfit SR cards, a process that began on December 22nd. This election mirrors the one held in 2019, allowing players to earn ballots and vote for one of five distinct outfit choices to be implemented in the game. Each idol now has four choices, as one option has already been implemented from the previous election.
The five outfit choices remain the same as in the 2019 election: a spring “one-piece” dress, a “china outfit” dress, a swimsuit, a waitress or “maid” outfit, and a “sexy spy” outfit. The voting is separated by each idol, and while the choices are identical to the previous election, the implementation of these outfits took approximately a year after the voting concluded. Furthermore, it took another year for these “Closet” cards to be added to the medal pool, accessible to free-to-play users. While there have been a few support ticket opportunities to acquire them since, the voting process itself remains a significant part of the game’s engagement.
A key difference in this year’s election is that players now have a visual reference for the outfits and card art, as well as an understanding of the associated commus obtained upon pulling the card. This increased transparency has somewhat lowered the stakes of the voting “game.” However, the considerable wait time since 2019 still provides a strong incentive for Producers (MLTD players) to rally behind their preferred outfits. For many players, collecting the diverse range of outfits is a core aspect of the IDOLM@STER experience, making this event consistently relevant without the high-pressure competition seen in events like the annual Cinderella Elections, where no player is ultimately left without something important.
Early impressions of the voting, based on data from Fleur of an MLTD Discord server, offer insights into potential outcomes and meta undercurrents. These are preliminary observations, and the landscape is expected to shift.
The breakdown from the 2019 election was as follows:
- Spring One-Piece: 14 votes
- China Dress: 21 votes
- Swimsuit: 2 votes
- “Maid”: 10 votes
- Spy: 5 votes
Several close battles from the first election are likely to see the losing factions push for a repeat victory. It’s anticipated that most of these will succeed, particularly the second-place outfits that were deemed “on the right side of history.” A significant lesson learned from 2019 was that not every idol’s Spring Dress or China Outfit was equally appealing. The swimsuit and waitress outfits were significantly under-elected, partly because their final appearance was unknown. While these categories offer a wide range of possibilities, the current election provides clarity on their actual designs. Nevertheless, the author notes that it’s debatable if any idol could look as striking in that specific swimsuit as Karen.
The prevailing trend for this year’s election is predicted to be a contest between the Maid and One-Piece outfits, forming a default template that players will adapt based on their preferences for each idol. This prediction is influenced by the dynamics of the 2019 election and the reduced number of choices now available.
The following are individual projections for each idol, including the author’s personal pick and their projected winner, based on very limited and potentially unreliable early data. These are preliminary impressions and subject to change, especially for outfits projected to be the One Piece dress.
Haruka: In 2019, Haruka’s votes overwhelmingly favored the One Piece dress. The author’s pick is Maid, and the projection is also Maid.
Chihaya: A running joke suggests the maid outfit, in an Anna Miller style, accentuates certain features. The author’s pick is Swimsuit, with a projection of Maid.
Miki: Miki’s overwhelming win for the One Piece dress in 2019 was attributed to her photogenic nature. The author believes this logic still holds, with their pick being Swimsuit and the projection being Spy.
Yukiho: The 2019 election saw a close race between Maid and One Piece for Yukiho. The author predicts the One Piece dress will win this time, with their pick being Swimsuit.
Yayoi: While the China outfit was a surprisingly good combination for Yayoi in 2019, the author anticipates she will continue to receive “service garments.” Their pick is Swimsuit, projecting Maid.
Makoto: The author personally voted for China in 2019, believing One Piece wouldn’t suit Makoto, which proved correct. However, the player base seems inclined towards Maid Makoto this round. The author’s pick is Spy, projecting Maid.
Iori: Iori’s choice in 2019 was Maid, but the author observes a leaning away from One Piece this year. Their pick is One Piece, projecting Maid.
Takane: Takane was noted for her “Sexy Spy” outfit in 2019. The author aligns with Takane Producers’ taste, projecting a Swimsuit win, which is also their pick.
Ritsuko: The 2019 election for Ritsuko was between Spy and China, with China narrowly winning. This year, the contest is between Spy and One Piece, with Spy projected to win. The author’s pick is Maid.
Azusa: After a close win for Sexy Spy in 2019, Azusa is expected to receive the One Piece outfit this year, despite some support for the China dress. The author’s pick is One Piece, projecting One Piece.
Ami: The One Piece outfit narrowly beat the China dress for Ami in 2019. The author predicts a return to the China outfit this year, or possibly Swimsuit, with a projection of Swimsuit/China.
Mami: As the only other idol to receive a Swimsuit in 2019, Mami is likely to get the One Piece outfit in 2022 to match. The author’s pick is Maid, projecting One Piece.
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Hibiki: Last year, Hibiki’s race was between China and One Piece. This year, there’s a strong push for the Maid outfit, possibly due to its synergy with the song “Shiawase no Recipe.” China is still a contender. The author’s pick is Maid, projecting Maid.
Mirai: Similar to Haruka, Mirai’s votes heavily favored the One Piece dress in 2019, and now there’s a push for the Maid outfit. The author’s pick is Swimsuit, projecting Maid.
Shizuka: Shizuka also chose the One Piece dress last year. The author finds it difficult to pair her with the remaining options but notes the current voting trend favors Maid, which works. Their pick is China, projecting Maid.
Tsubasa: Tsubasa easily won with the China dress in 2019, and Maid was a close second. Now, there’s a strong push for Maid. The author’s pick is Swimsuit, projecting Maid.
Kotoha: The One Piece dress came in second to China for Kotoha in 2019, but Maid is now a strong contender. The author projects One Piece will still pull ahead, especially considering the predictability of Japanese Producers. Their pick is Swimsuit.
Elena: The One Piece dress narrowly won against China for Elena in 2019, likely due to art and model fit. The current trend favors Maid, with China being abandoned. The author’s pick is Swimsuit, projecting Maid.
Minako: The China dress was the most obvious choice for Minako in the last election, but it’s now off the table. The author expects a close match between One Piece and Swimsuit, with their pick being Swimsuit and projecting One Piece.
Megumi: The China dress was a popular choice for Megumi in 2019, appealing to characters with ambiguous popularity and style. The author believes One Piece will likely achieve similar results in 2022, possibly due to a split vote among the other three options. Their pick is Maid, projecting One Piece.
Matsuri: The author’s main idol, Matsuri, wasn’t particularly invested in any options last year, as long as it wasn’t the One Piece dress, which she already has a better version of. With a decent swimsuit outfit also acquired in 2020, the author projects Maid Matsuri, with their pick being Spy.
Serika: Serika is described as a troublesome idol. The author was pleased with the China Serika win in 2019 for its uniqueness. This year, the focus is on “hard cute” with either Maid or One Piece, projected to be a close race. The author’s pick is Spy, projecting Maid.
Akane: Akane’s duality is showcased by her win for the One Piece dress in 2019, edging out China, and now a strong push for Maid in 2022, focusing on “pure cute.” The author’s pick is China, projecting Maid.
Anna: Anna secured the One Piece dress in 2019, leading back to square one in 2022. The China outfit would also suit her well, making it a close race between that and the more traditional Maid outfit. The author’s pick is Maid, projecting Maid.
Roco: Roco, the creative idol, won with the Maid outfit in 2019, fitting into a “China-obsessed” world. Now, the trend is shifting towards the One Piece dress, likely due to the limited core China dress fans. The author’s pick is Swimsuit, projecting One Piece.
Yuriko: The One Piece dress won handily for Yuriko in 2019, indicating a sensible player base. This year, it’s a Maid versus China contest. The author believes either is acceptable, given the disappointment with the One Piece Yuriko card. Their pick is Spy, projecting Maid.
Sayoko: Sayoko’s typical choice was the China dress in 2019. This year, the decision will be between Maid and One Piece, both of which suit her well. The author’s pick is Maid, projecting Maid.
Arisa: Arisa’s Maid outfit in 2019 was a highlight for the author. While they see returning to the One Piece dress as a regression, they respect the choices of Arisa Producers. The runner-up Spy outfit is personally more interesting. The author’s pick is Spy, projecting One Piece.
Umi: Umi chose the Maid outfit in 2019, narrowly beating the China dress. While she still looks good in the China outfit, the One Piece dress seems to be the favored choice this year. The author’s pick is China, projecting One Piece.
Iku: It’s challenging to predict outcomes when existing card overlaps with choices are considered. Iku received a waitress outfit despite having cards for it. One Piece Iku was overwhelmingly favored in 2019, with Spy as the next contender. Iku’s votes are still too early to call definitively. The author’s pick is One Piece, projecting One Piece.
Tomoka: The “Holy Mother” chose the China dress in 2019 but is expected to gain the One Piece outfit this year. The author believes Tomoka’s strong personality and visual appeal work with any outfit except perhaps One Piece, making it a statement vote. Their pick is Spy, projecting One Piece.
Emily: Emily’s win for the China dress in 2019 was fittingly “British weeb.” The author anticipates Maid will be the second choice for Emily Producers in 2022, acknowledging the appeal of a Westerner in an Anna Miller outfit for the demographic. Their pick is Swimsuit, projecting Maid.
Shiho: Shiho heavily favored the One Piece dress last time, making her a bit of an outlier. Shiho Producers are seriously considering the Maid choice, which makes sense. The author notes the disappearance of China dress votes seems odd, as it would not be a bad match. Their pick is China, projecting Maid.
Ayumu: The returning idol Ayumu secured the Maid outfit in 2019, narrowly beating the China dress. This year, there’s an equal push for One Piece and China, reflecting the character’s duality and her producers’ preferences. The author’s pick is China, projecting One Piece.
Hinata: Hinata’s 2019 race between Maid and One Piece, with Maid winning, is expected to mirror many races in 2022. The author sees no scenario where One Piece loses this year but believes other outfits could better expand Hinata’s character. Spy is a good second option. Their pick is China, projecting One Piece.
Kana: Maid convincingly won for Kana in 2019, and One Piece has taken a significant lead in 2022. The author considers this a likely win, questioning whether anyone would prefer Kana in the other three outfits. Their pick is China, projecting One Piece.
Nao: Nao’s China outfit win in 2019 was unsurprising, and a follow-up with a Maid outfit is also predictable. The author expects the choice to come down to One Piece and Maid. Their pick is Spy, projecting Maid.
Chizuru: The 2019 election for Chizuru was between Maid and China. This year, the contenders are One Piece and Spy, with the author open to any outcome. Their pick is China, projecting Spy.
Konomi: Konomi’s China dress in 2019 was somewhat redundant due to an existing SSR China dress, leading to a Spy choice. For 2022, the options have narrowed to Maid versus One Piece. The author doesn’t foresee a better outcome for this matchup. Their pick is One Piece, projecting Maid.
Tamaki: Tamaki is following the One Piece to Maid pattern from 2019 to 2022. The author finds Spy or Swimsuit more interesting choices. Their pick is Spy, projecting Maid.
Fuka: Fuka chose Spy in 2022, similar to Azusa and Takane, but is likely to go with One Piece this time, which the author believes is for the best. Their pick is One Piece, projecting One Piece.
Miya: Miya chose the China dress, and now the decision is between One Piece and Maid. The author’s pick is Spy, projecting One Piece.
Noriko: Noriko’s China dress was an easy pick in 2019. Now, One Piece is up against Maid and Spy, illustrating a “split vote” effect. One Piece Noriko would be a slight variation to her usual style. The author’s pick is Swimsuit, projecting One Piece.
Mizuki: Mizuki is largely returning to the One-Piece trend after electing China in 2019. The author notes this is another case where Producers must decide between a Maid/One Piece race or another option. Their pick is Spy, projecting One Piece.
Karen: After a daring swimsuit card last time, Karen might have a more interesting dynamic this year. The swimsuit choice paid off, and she might achieve a great One Piece outfit this year, or any other card. The author’s pick is Spy, projecting One Piece.
Rio: Spy Rio was well-received, but One Piece is likely to prevail in 2022, as she doesn’t have many outfits of that type. The author’s pick is Swimsuit, projecting One Piece.
Subaru: Subaru Producers appear united on “Cute.” After winning in 2019 with One Piece, narrowly beating the China trend, the author questions if anyone will vote against Maid Subaru, despite the potential for “gap moe” with other options. Their pick is Maid, projecting Maid.
Reika: In 2019, Reika strongly favored the China dress. In 2022, she faces the same Maid/One Piece choice, which is still unsettled. The author’s pick is Spy, projecting Maid.
Momoko: Momoko’s 2019 race saw her One Piece choice lose to Maid. One Piece is likely to win supreme this year, though it’s not a done deal. The author’s pick is Spy, projecting One Piece.
Julia: The rocker Julia had the One Piece dress in 2019, with Spy as the runner-up. Currently, Maid and Spy are the leading contenders. The author expects the race to tighten, with Maid likely to prevail. Their pick is Maid, projecting Maid.
Tsumugi: After being on the China bandwagon last time, One Piece is expected to win this year after taking second place previously. The author finds it difficult to imagine other options for Tsumugi but doesn’t rule out something orthogonal like Spy gaining traction. Their pick is Swimsuit, projecting One Piece.
Kaori: Kaori had a similar 2019 to Tsumugi but will see a different 2022 between Spy and
