WARNING! THIS POST IS OUTDATED AND IS IN THE MIDDLE OF BEING REPLACED! YOU CAN STILL USE IT BUT A BETTER VERSION IS BEING WRITTEN AT @cg-starlight-stage. So you decided you wanted to play THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS STARLIGHT STAGE, and went through all the trouble of downloading it onto your device. Now the question is “This game is in Japanese how do i play?”

Well I’m here to answer that question, starting with the basics:

How do I play?

playing is pretty easy actually, if you’ve gone through the in-game tutorials you may have already figured it out. Its’s a lot like Love Live! School Idol Festival if you’ve played that, notes come falling down the screen and it’s your job to touch the corresponding circles at the right time. If there’s a bar connecting notes it means touch both at the same time. Sometimes notes will have long tails which simply means to hold your finger there until it ends. Additionally, some notes may have little arrows on them. That means to swipe your finger in the direction the arrow is pointing. Basics, done.

At the top of the screen there are two meters, the one on the left is your Life. If you mess up the timing on a note, you’ll lose a little life. If you lose all of your life you’ll be given a choice to continue (the blue one) or quit (the grey one). Continuing costs some of your Star Jewels so I wouldn’t really recommend it (you’re probably just going to fail again anyways). There is also a score meter at the top, with corresponding grades. The better your team and the better you play the higher your score will go.

underneath the cut is a full breakdown of almost everything in the game so keep reading. Be warned, its long

alright so before we go much further i recommend you take a look at this and maybe keep it around. Words in katakana are usually words you already know, just spelled differently, for instance アイドル is literally “Idol”. This game uses lots of katakana and knowing them can really help you out because even this list can’t cover everything

The Main Menu

The main menu is divided into a couple of different tabs on the bottom: Home, Idols, Communication, LIVE, Room, Gatcha, and Menu

Home

When you open up the game two things will usually happen

your assistant Chihiro will give you your Login Bonus for that day (usually one of the games several currencies)

a small black window will open up detailing any news or upcoming events



then you’ll be brought to the home screen which contains many things

in the top left is your Producer Level, or PLv and how much experience you need until the next. also here is your Stamina , the energy you use to play songs. The small plus next to is how you can refill your stamina without waiting for the timer (on top of the bar). If you tap it, you are able to refill it using Star Jewels (the middle) or an item (the right) Underneath, with the gold coin is your Money , and to the right of that is your Star Jewel count

and how much experience you need until the next. also here is your , the energy you use to play songs. The small plus next to is how you can refill your stamina without waiting for the timer (on top of the bar). If you tap it, you are able to refill it using (the middle) or an item (the right) Underneath, with the gold coin is your , and to the right of that is your Star Jewel count Underneath those bars, there is a circle that says place inside, this is showing what the current background is

In the top right are two circles, one turns your phone portrait ways to get a better look at the current idol on the screen. The other gets rid of the menu boxes to only show the current idol and the background

Below that Chihiro may be there notifying of what you need to do progress in the game

In the bottom left corner is a small box scrolling through various images. These are various promotions or updates for the game. The important one is bluish and says パネルミッション or Panel Missions . Basically panel missions are small tasks the game offers little rewards for you to do. If you complete all the missions on one panel, you get a new song (this time at least). All of these panels are in Japanese and do change, however if you tap on them, the game will direct you where you need to go (this may be where katakana may be helpful) Thank reddit user KeroWolf for translating all three sets

. Basically panel missions are small tasks the game offers little rewards for you to do. If you complete all the missions on one panel, you get a new song (this time at least). Thank reddit user KeroWolf for translating all three sets In the middle will be one of the idols you’ve collected and to the right is a text box of what they have to say as well as their name. To arrows to far sides of the screen actually let you scroll through a team of five idols (that you can build from the Idol screen)

The light bulb in the bottom right opens the news menu you saw when you started the game

The middle button leads to you Friends menu. Inside the friends menu is your Friends List, Sent Friend Requests, Received Friend Requests, Met Producers, and Comments . Your Friends List is just a list of the other producers (players) you’ve added as friends. Sent and Received should be obvious. Met Producers are other players that have helped you during songs, you can look at their profile, leave a comment, or send a friend request. Also here, in the op right corner is the ID Search where you can search for other people by their ID numbers. Comments are comments that other producers have left on your profile

menu. Inside the friends menu is your . Your is just a list of the other producers (players) you’ve added as friends. should be obvious. are other players that have helped you during songs, you can look at their profile, leave a comment, or send a friend request. Also here, in the op right corner is the where you can search for other people by their ID numbers. are comments that other producers have left on your profile Finally in the very bottom right corner, are your Presents . You earn presents by playing songs and completing objectives or really just doing anything. Tap the pink button next to the item you want to claim it or use the large pink button in the bottom right to collect all of your presents

. You earn presents by playing songs and completing objectives or really just doing anything. Tap the pink button next to the item you want to claim it or use the large pink button in the bottom right to collect all of your presents That’s it for the home screen

Idols

This page is where you’re going to do all of your managing, training, leveling, etc

First are your Idol Teams . In the game you can have up to 9 nine teams, but first an explanation of how all of the idols work. Each idol (represented as cards) has 7 important traits Rarity, Type, Life, Vocal, Dance, Visual, a Center Ability , and a Passive Ability (here’s a big spreadsheet for all that). Again this is very similar to SIF. Rarity is how rare a card is. There is Normal (N), Rare ®, Super Rare (SR), and Super Super Rare (SSR). Cards are sorted into Cute, Cool , and Passion idols. Life determines how many mistakes you can make while playing a song before you fail out. Vocal, Dance, and Visual are all stats that determine how you will score while playing a song. Center Abilities are traits belonging only to R and above cards that will give you a bonus if the card is in the center position. A passive skill will occur even if the idol is not in the center and usually will provide a boost in life or points during the Live



. In the game you can have up to 9 nine teams, but first an explanation of how all of the idols work. Each idol (represented as cards) has 7 important traits a , and a (here’s a big spreadsheet for all that). Again this is very similar to SIF. Rarity is how rare a card is. There is Normal (N), Rare ®, Super Rare (SR), and Super Super Rare (SSR). Cards are sorted into , and idols. Life determines how many mistakes you can make while playing a song before you fail out. Vocal, Dance, and Visual are all stats that determine how you will score while playing a song. Center Abilities are traits belonging only to R and above cards that will give you a bonus if the card is in the center position. A passive skill will occur even if the idol is not in the center and usually will provide a boost in life or points during the Live Set up a team by first picking a name by touching the pencil icon towards the top right. Then there are two ways to pick a team, the first is to simply do it yourself by touching each space and picking an idol, however a more efficient way may be to use Auto-pick. in the bottom right part of the screen there is a button that will open up a smaller black menu. The first part of the menu is for picking what type of team you want: Cute, Cool, Passion, or All Types . The lower portion is what kind of team you want to make: General Appeal (a combination of all three stats), Vocal, Dance, Visual, or Life. Then hit OK or cancel

in the bottom right part of the screen there is a button that will open up a smaller black menu. The first part of the menu is for picking what type of team you want: Cute, Cool, Passion, or . The lower portion is what kind of team you want to make: (a combination of all three stats), Vocal, Dance, Visual, or Life. Then hit OK or cancel Its worth noting the auto picker may put cards without a center ability in the center, so you may want to manually double check (Normal cards don’t have center abilities)

Also, the middle button here will set a team as your main, and the left button will clear a team

However another important function is also on this screen, in the very tippy top right corner. This is where you can decide what idols will appear on the home screen and in you room. The button underneath each idol will also change what outfit they appear in. and the button at the bottom will clear all 5 slots

another important function is also on this screen, in the very tippy top right corner. This is where you can decide what idols will appear on the home screen and in you room. The button underneath each idol will also change what outfit they appear in. and the button at the bottom will clear all 5 slots Now all the way back the first idol screen is Lesson , with a microphone. Lessons are like training is SIF. Idols consume other idols in order to level up. Its worth noting there is an auto-picker here as well. But make sure only the first and third boxes are checked in order to not consume anything valuable. Alternatively you can earn training tickets by playing, which are accessible in the top right corner, and work similarly to idols.

, with a microphone. Lessons are like training is SIF. Idols consume other idols in order to level up. Its worth noting there is an auto-picker here as well. But make sure only the first and third boxes are checked in order to not consume anything valuable. Alternatively you can earn training tickets by playing, which are accessible in the top right corner, and work similarly to idols. Now the next button on the idol screen i cant read so I’m going to tentatively call it Idolize , or Awaken . Here you can use items you earn in order to awaken your idols, increasing their stats and giving them a new outfit. In order to do this you must have Max Bond with that idol

, or . Here you can use items you earn in order to awaken your idols, increasing their stats and giving them a new outfit. In order to do this you must have with that idol Next is the magic wand, or Star Lesson . This works like Special Practice in SIF. By consuming more of the same cards, you increase an idols star level, which will yield you more money and items when they are your center

. This works like Special Practice in SIF. By consuming more of the same cards, you increase an idols star level, which will yield you more money and items when they are your center After is the green arrow button which will Sell cards for money

cards for money Lastly, is (tentatively) your Idol Inventory, a list of all of the cards you currently have. You can look at stats and check their profiles and stuff. Every idol has two pages of info. One is their game stats, like Voice, Dance, Visual, etc and the second page has things like their height, birthday, and dominant hand

Communication

For non speakers this is probably the least useful tab. Unless you’re pretty decent at your reading and listening, or you really care about what that a character has to say, you won’t spend a lot of time here

The first button is for the Story , which is how you’re going to unlock most of the songs to play. These are very very long and can be very hard to understand, so i recommend skipping them by starting the chapter, then tapping the arrow in the top right, then the fast forward arrows (it will ask if you’re sure, hit the pink). Then it will ask if you want to try the new song. It will be on the easiest difficulty so its up to you

, which is how you’re going to unlock most of the songs to play. These are very very long and can be very hard to understand, so i recommend skipping them by starting the chapter, then tapping the arrow in the top right, then the fast forward arrows (it will ask if you’re sure, hit the pink). Then it will ask if you want to try the new song. It will be on the easiest difficulty so its up to you The other part of the communication menu is the Idol Communication . These are specific stories you unlock for each character. You’ll earn more by getting them more fans and upgrading them. The idols are sorted by Cute (pink), Cool (blue), and Passion (yellow)

. These are specific stories you unlock for each character. You’ll earn more by getting them more fans and upgrading them. The idols are sorted by Cute (pink), Cool (blue), and Passion (yellow) You earn friend points or star jewels for completing stories (so just start them and skip through)

(so just start them and skip through) Note that getting max bond with an idol that has already been idolized will not yield a new story, but they will get a stat boost

yield a new story, but they will get a stat boost An idol’s number of fans (which is the same for different cards with the same character) can be seen near the top of their communication page

LIVE

Here is where you’ll be playing songs in the game. Each song is displayed with its own album art and information.

Around the image will be a border denoting its type. If its a yellow/pink gradient its for all types. Also here is your score, combo, and clear (number of times played) grade. Also here is your PRP or Producer Rating Points , which you accumulate by playing new songs. PRP simply takes the two digits from the ten-thousands place. 10,000 points = 1 PRP. And if you go back to an old song and do better (12 -> 16) you’ll get the difference (4). PRP is used to earn items like Star Jewels and even new songs

or , which you accumulate by playing new songs. PRP simply takes the two digits from the ten-thousands place. 10,000 points = 1 PRP. And if you go back to an old song and do better (12 -> 16) you’ll get the difference (4). PRP is used to earn items like Star Jewels and even new songs Slightly underneath are the song difficulties, from Debut (easy) to Master (very hard). If you manage to complete a song on Master you’ll earn the PV for that song

To the left of that are 3 icons.The crown goes to the Rankings . The ribbon to that song’s Rewards , and the musical note leads to Song Info

. The ribbon to that song’s , and the musical note leads to Underneath is the name of the current song, the difficulty level (shown as stars) and the cost to your stamina to play. The pink button on the right starts the song

In the top left corner are current events occurring in the game, such as bonus passion items or extra training tickets. Trainer Ticket Time is a minor event that occasionally occurs, and during it you will receive extra trainer tickets

In the top right is your current PRP, and a toggle for regular songs and Special Songs which includes the daily songs, and probably others in the future. Sometimes to the right of that will be an event song

which includes the daily songs, and probably others in the future. Sometimes to the right of that will be an event song Also up there is an icon with gears this is your graphics mode. These range in order from maximum 3D to minimum 2D. Phones and other lower-end devices may have trouble with the 3D graphics and cause stuttering and lag (as well as heating problems)

Once you have selected a song you pick a Guest to help you by supplying more points. They can be sorted in the same was as your own idols

to help you by supplying more points. They can be sorted in the same was as your own idols Now its time to pick which group is going to perform. The bar at the bottom shows how close you are to the minimum recommended appeal. Its broken into your raw unit power, your support (which is somehow based on your idols not in the group), your guest, and a type bonus (for having members of the same type as the song). The more that bar is filled, the more likely it is you will get a high grade. Also try to take into consideration how your center skill may help your score

In the top right is a wrench to adjust your Live Settings and graphics. You can adjust the speed of the notes as well as timing, effects and 2D or 3D

After finishing a song, you get a score and a grade, and if you’ve beaten your previous PRP score it will show a bonus at the bottom

The next screen shows how much exp, money, and fans you got, as well as your Producer Ranking (which increases with your fans). You also get some new cards and possibly some items needed for upgrading idols. At the very bottom is the ability to add your guest to your friends list

(which increases with your fans). You also get some new cards and possibly some items needed for upgrading idols. At the very bottom is the ability to add your guest to your friends list By playing lives with your idols you also gain bond points with them. Occasionally an idol will deliver some dialogue after gaining a certain number of points (not necessarily the max). Once an idol’s bond is maxed they can be awakened, and you get a new side story. Idols will also gain fans for lives

Room

One of the more charming parts of Starlight Stage is the room, where your idols will wander around and interact with things that you can buy for them

By tapping on furniture you can choose to move it, get information on it, upgrade it, or put it away. Occasionally furniture may yield items by tapping it.



The sound booth (jukebox) will play music you’ve unlocked

Upgrading or buying certain furniture can give you bonuses like extra money and fans

The top button on the bar to the right opens a menu for people who have liked your room, rooms you’ve liked, and your friends’ rooms . You can like other players rooms by accessing them from their profile.

and . You can like other players rooms by accessing them from their profile. The next button down lists the upgrades and special items in your room

The cart-looking button is a list of all the furniture you own, but is not currently placed in the room

Last is the shop, where you can spend in-game money on new furniture and decorations for your room (if some items don’t show up, here’s why)

Gatcha

The gatcha system is how you get lots of idols using the resources you’ve collected playing the game

The left tab is the Platinum Gatcha . Where you try your luck to get more rare cards like R, SR, and SSR. This gatcha takes Star Jewels and you can roll for 10 or just 1. There’s actually two Platinum Gatchas. One costs 250 for one and 2500 for 10 and takes any kind of Star Jewels. The other only costs 60 jewels but will only take Premium (purchased) jewels.



. Where you try your luck to get more rare cards like R, SR, and SSR. This gatcha takes Star Jewels and you can roll for 10 or just 1. There’s actually two Platinum Gatchas. One costs 250 for one and 2500 for 10 and takes any kind of Star Jewels. The other only costs 60 jewels but will only take Premium (purchased) jewels. The image on the left displays the current featured cards. For a period of time these will have an increased drop rate in the platinum gatcha

On the right is the Local Gatcha which is where you spend friend points for signifacantly less rare cards and items. Once a day, you get a free roll from the local gatcha



Menu

Here are many options to look at things and manage data from left to right



Shop - buy things with your credit card which probably must be Japanese. I’ve seen reports that you actually do not need a Japanese credit card if you are playing on Android but you must be using the Google Play version of the game (not QooApp)



I’ve seen reports that you actually Items - look at your items. There’s Stamina Drinks which fills your stamina a certain amount, items for upgrading your idols, Gatcha Tickets for free spins, and Training Tickets for leveling your cards



which fills your stamina a certain amount, items for upgrading your idols, for free spins, and for leveling your cards Album - Keeps a record of all the idols you’ve ever had. The top right corner has rather detailed search function. Not only by name and attribute, but height, age, birthday, blood type, and their three sizes. Of note, awakened idols count as separate from their regular counterparts

Idol Topics - the short comics that show up in loading screens, sorted by who appears

Producer Rank - how close or far you are from ranking up as a producer

Achievements - What you’ve done of note (for Android this uses Google Play)

Profile - Displays your main idol, as well as your name and your description (which can be edited). Most importantly is your Game ID which is a unique code just for your account. If you’re claiming your preregistration bonus this is where you get the first box

which is a unique code just for your account. If you’re claiming your preregistration bonus this is where you get the first box Support - Probably not going to do you much good because its all Japanese

Help - Same reason

System Settings - unfortunately I can’t understand a lot of this. But there are volume settings and the second from the bottom controls downloads to limit data

LIVE Settings - Same as in LIVE mode

Data Transfer - If you have to move your account to another device use this to get a temporary transfer code

Clear cache - if your device’s memory is full or the game is running slow, selecting this will delete all of the voie and song data on your device. You can re-download them when you use them again

Exit to Title Screen

Sign out

That’s as much as I can help with I tried to cover everything I could in the game (and this post got huge). Feel free to first check the Resources page, then send me a message on this blog if you need help, or honestly just fiddle with things to see what happens, you wont do catastrophic damage (most of the time)

And let’s be friends in game! my code is 119993703 (you can also find it in my about page), just make sure to send me a message here first