Heroines Run the Show first began airing as part of the packed Spring 2022 anime season. While it may have seemed new to some viewers at the time, it's actually the latest Honeyworks anime installment in a much bigger universe. So big, in fact, that it's been around for more than ten years.
Here's a quick run-down of the world spun by Honeyworks, and how newcomers and veteran fans alike can get started with each area of the sprawling anime, manga and music franchise.
Who and What Is Honeyworks?
Honeyworks is an independent music circle comprised of three core members: composers Gom and Shito and their illustrator, Yamako. They got their start by producing music through the popular vocal synthesizing software, VOCALOID. They first started producing music in 2010 and released their first full album in 2011. In 2014, the trio collaborated with the singer CHICO and formed the new unit CHICO with Honeyworks. They would go on to perform several opening and ending themes for a number of popular anime, including Haikyuu!!, Gintama and Magic Kaito.
Honeyworks' Connection to Famous Anime Voice Actors - and Hatsune Miku
Honeyworks have released numerous music videos since their debut, but their best-known works are part of a large, ongoing continuity titled Confession Executive Committee ~Love Series~. The series details the love lives of several different teenagers who all happen to attend the same high school. It brings focus to different kinds of love: romantic, platonic and even unrequited. The core cast consists of six characters: Miou, Haruki, Natsuki, Yuu, Souta and Akari, as they stumble through awkward confessions and first dates up to their graduation ceremony.
There is a proper order to watch the videos, and they can all be viewed for free on Honeyworks' official YouTube channel. Be warned, however: not all the available videos have English subtitles. Each main character has at least one song centered on them, starting with Love's Picture Book. The songs were initially performed by virtual singers, including GUMI, Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Len and vFlower. As the series gained more popularity, Honeyworks eventually switched to using human singers more often, managing to get well-known talents in the voice acting industry like Yuki Kaji, Haruka Toumatsu and Natsuki Hanae.
Confession Executive Committee ~Idol Series~ is both a spin-off and a sequel that takes place roughly a year after the cast of Love Series have graduated. It focuses on several up-and-coming idols as they juggle celebrity life with their own personal drama and a dash of romance. Characters from the Love Series make frequent appearances and while knowledge of their origins is recommended, it isn't necessary to fully enjoy this follow-up. Unlike its predecessor, there isn't a very clear starting point for the ~Idol Series~ music videos. While it's generally recommended to start with LIPxLIP's Romeo, most of the songs can be watched in any order.
Where to Watch & Read Honeyworks' Anime & Manga Adaptations
There have been two film adaptations and an eight-episode anime based on Confession Executive Committee ~Love Series~. The first two films, I've Always Liked You and The Moment You Fall in Love, can be watched in release order followed by the anime, Our Love Has Always Been 10 Centimeters Apart. While the anime is available for streaming on Crunchyroll and Funimation, both films were removed from the Crunchyroll library in May 2021 and are currently unavailable for streaming or purchase.
As for the Confession Executive Committee ~Idol Series~, there has been a film adaptation that focuses on the idol unit LIPxLIP titled Kono Sekai no Tanoshimikata: Secret Story Film (How to Enjoy This World: Secret Story Film). The film has yet to be picked up for streaming by any platforms. Finally, the latest anime adaptation that started airing this Spring, Heroines Run the Show, acts as a direct sequel to the film and focuses on the idol unit's manager, the plucky country girl named Hiyori. It is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
Many of Honeyworks Novel and Manga Haven't Been Translated Outside Japan
In addition to all the anime adaptations, there have also been a number of novel and manga series, some either acting as direct adaptations of the source material or chronicling entirely new side stories. There are even a number of audio drama CDs, albums featuring all-new music performed by the anime's cast, and a mobile phone game that's still currently in service.
Unfortunately, none of these supplemental materials have been officially licensed and translated outside of Japan. But possibly the most impressive piece of official media to have come out of this franchise would be the live concerts. The idol units created by Honeyworks appear on stage and perform via hologram projection, not unlike a typical Hatsune Miku concert.
Honeyworks has created a lovable shojo universe that seems to be growing bigger every year. There's a lot to dig into here. This is just scratching the surface, but if one has the time and an insatiable hankering for something sweet and fluffy, then by all means, dig deeper.