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{{short description|Japanese manga and anime series}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header|
{{Infobox animanga/Header
title_name = Lucky ☆ Star
|image = Lucky Star logo.png | name = Lucky Star
|size = 250px | image = Lucky Star vol 1 manga cover.jpg
| caption = Volume 1 '']'' cover, featuring Konata Izumi (left), Tsukasa Hiiragi (top right), and Kagami Hiiragi (bottom right) playing a ]
|caption = This is the logo to the series
|ja_name = らき☆すた | ja_kanji = らき☆すた
| ja_romaji = Raki☆Suta
|ja_name_trans = Raki ☆ Suta
| genre = ], ]<ref>{{cite web|title=Lucky★Star Vol. 1|url=https://www.comixology.com/Lucky-Star-Vol-1/digital-comic/148335|publisher=]|access-date=July 16, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618125659/https://www.comixology.com/Lucky-Star-Vol-1/digital-comic/148335|archive-date=June 18, 2018}}</ref>
|genre = ], ]
}} }}
{{Infobox animanga/Manga {{Infobox animanga/Print
|title = | type = manga
|author =] | author = ]
|publisher = {{flagicon|Japan}} ] | publisher = ]
| publisher_en = ] <small>(formerly)</small><br>]
|serialized = ], ]
| demographic = '']''
|first_run =January 2004
| magazine = ]<br>]<br>From Gamers<br>Ace Momogumi<br>]<br>]<br>Mobile Newtype<br>Comp H's<br>Saitama Shimbun<br>]
|last_run =
| first = December 10, 2003
|num_volumes = 5
| last =
| volumes = 10
| volume_list =
}} }}
{{Infobox animanga/Game {{Infobox animanga/Video
|title = Lucky ☆ Star Moe Drill | type = tv series
| director = ] (1–4)<br>] (5–24)
|image =
| producer =
|developer = ]
|publisher = ] | writer = ]
| music = ]
|release_date = ] ]
|genre = Homework drills | studio = ]
| licensee = ]{{efn|In ] and ] only.}}<br>{{english anime licensees|UK=]}}
|ratings = ]: All Ages
| network = ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]
|platforms = ]
| network_en = {{English anime network|SEA=]|PH=]}}
| first = April 8, 2007
| last = September 16, 2007
| episodes = 24
| episode_list = List of Lucky Star episodes
}} }}
{{Infobox animanga/Anime| {{Infobox animanga/Print
title = | type = light novel
| author = Tōka Takei
|director = ] (1-4)<br>] (5-24)
|studio = ] | illustrator = ]
|network = ] | publisher = ]
| demographic = Male
|first_aired = ] ]
|last_aired = ] ] | imprint = ]
|num_episodes = 24 | magazine =
| first = September 1, 2007
|list_episodes = List of Lucky Star episodes#Episodes
| last = October 1, 2008
| volumes = 3
| volume_list =
}} }}
{{Infobox animanga/Game {{Infobox animanga/Video
|title = Shin Lucky ☆ Star | type = ova
| title = Lucky Star: Original na Visual to Animation
|image =
|developer = ] | director = ]
| producer =
|publisher = ]
| writer =
|release_date = ] ]
|genre = Mini games | music =
|ratings = ]: All ages | studio = ]
| licensee = {{english anime licensees|NA=]}}
|platforms = ]
| released = September 26, 2008
| episodes = 1
| episode_list = List of Lucky Star episodes#Lucky Star OVA (2008)
| runtime = 42 minutes
}} }}
{{Infobox animanga/Game {{Infobox animanga/Video
|title = | type = ona
|image = | title = Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku
|developer = ] | director = ]
| producer =
|publisher = ]
| writer = Tōko Machida
|release_date = ] ]
| music =
|genre = ], ]
| studio = ], ]
|ratings =
|platforms = ] | network = ]
| licensee =
| first = April 29, 2013
| last = July 1, 2013
| episodes = 10
| episode_list = List of Lucky Star episodes#Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku (2013)
| runtime = 5 minutes
}} }}
{{Infobox animanga/Novel {{Infobox animanga/Other
| title = Other manga
| light = yes
| content =
| title = Lucky ☆ Star Lucky ☆ Star Satsujin Jiken
*'']''
| author = ]
*'']''
| artist = ]
*'']''
| publisher = {{flagicon|Japan}} ]
*'']''
| first_run = ] ]
*'']''
| last_run =
}}
| num_volumes = 1
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title = Other light novels
| content =
*'']''
*'']''
*'']''
*'']''
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title = Video games
| content =
*'']''
*'']''
*'']''
*'']''
}} }}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}} {{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{Nihongo|'''''Lucky Star'''''|らき☆すた|Raki Suta}} is a ]ese ] ] ] by ]. The strip has been serialized in ]'s '']'' magazine since January 2004. Cameo strips were published in other magazines such as '']'' and others. It was not originally meant to be serialized, but when ''Comptiq'' suddenly had pages to fill, ''Lucky Star'' was there.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} As it was popular, it was decided that the strip was to be serialized. Like many four-panel comic strips, it has no real plot, and typically focuses on the daily lives of the characters. {{Nihongo|'''''Lucky Star'''''|らき☆すた|Raki Suta|lead=yes}} is a Japanese ] ] series by ]. It has been serialized in ]'s '']'' magazine since December 2003. Cameo strips were published in other magazines such as '']'' and others. ''Lucky Star'' focuses on the ], there is little in terms of an ongoing ].


In August 2005, a ] based on the series was released, and in December 2005, a ] ] entitled ''Lucky Star Moe Drill'', was released. A sequel, also playable on the DS, called ''Shin Lucky Star Moe Drill'' was released in May 2007, and a ] ] will be released in November 2007. In September 2006, it was released to the press that ] would be animating an ] based on the series; it contains twenty-four episodes. The anime aired on the ] Japanese ] between ] ] and ], ]. A ] was released in September 2007. An ] CD based on the series was released in August 2005, and the series spawned four video games released between 2005 and 2009. A 24-episode ] adaptation produced by ] aired between April 8 and September 16, 2007. The anime was licensed in North America by ] and distributed by ]; six DVDs have been released between May 2008 and March 2009.<ref name="luckystarvol6" /> An ] (OVA) episode was released on September 26, 2008<ref name="OVA delayed" /> accompanied by a drama CD. ] released the OVA in an English-sub only version on August 4, 2009. The anime is currently licensed by ], formerly known as ]. ] acquired the rights to publish the manga digitally in 2014.


A spin-off manga, ''Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku'', began serialization in January 2008 in Kadokawa Shoten's ''Comp H's'' magazine. An anime adaptation by ] and ] began airing on ] in April 2013.
==Plot==
''Lucky ☆ Star'''s story portrays the lives of several girls attending a Japanese high school named Ryōō with a very loose sense of humor. The setting is mainly based on the city of ] in ].<ref name="newtype">{{Citation|title={{Nihongo|"Lucky ☆ Star" Holy Ground Sightseeing|『らき☆すた』的聖地探訪|"Raki ☆ Suta" Teki Seichi Tanbō}}|newspaper=]|pages=Centerfold|date=]}}</ref> The main character is Konata Izumi, an athletic and intelligent girl who, despite these attributes, is not in a sports club and has low grades. Her laziness at school is due to her love for anime and video games and lack of interest in anything else. The serialization began with the four main characters in their first year of high school: Konata Izumi, Kagami Hiiragi, Tsukasa Hiiragi, and Miyuki Takara. As the story progresses, they move on to their second and third years.


==Synopsis==
==Principal characters==
{{main|List of Lucky Star characters}} {{main article|List of Lucky Star characters}}
] ]
;{{Nihongo|Konata Izumi|泉 こなた|Izumi Konata}}
:''Voiced by:'' ] (drama CD), ] (anime)
:Konata, nicknamed "Kona-chan" by her friends, gets bored easily when something does not interest her. She can be smart, but she hates studying so her grades are a bit uneven. However, she is an expert in pulling an "]" to study before a test. In contrast to her studying habits, she loves ]s to the extent that she can compete against Kagami even in trivia games. Konata plays many, if not all, kinds of games. Some games she plays include ''Lucky ☆ Star Moe Drill'' (a knowledge game based on ''Lucky ☆ Star''), '']'', ]s, and even ]. Her love of video games, as well as ] and manga, is often attributed to her father's influence. Her father buys adult games for himself, so she is able to play and enjoy them as well (another example of her father's influence). In fact, when she turned eighteen, Konata was overjoyed that she could now buy and play adult games legally.


''Lucky Star''{{'}}s story mainly portrays the lives of four girls attending a Japanese high school. The setting is mainly based on the city of ] in ].<ref name="newtype">{{Cite news|title="Raki ☆ Suta" Teki Seichi Tanbō|script-title=ja:『らき☆すた』的聖地探訪|trans-title="Lucky Star" Holy Ground Sightseeing|newspaper=]|pages=Centerfold|date=2007-07-10}}</ref> The main character is ], a lazy girl who constantly shirks her schoolwork and instead uses most of her time to watch anime, play video games, and read manga. Although she is lazy, she has also proven to be very intelligent and athletic.
:To help support her massive video game and ] expenses, Konata was lucky enough to get a part-time job at a ]. Konata spends a lot of time playing an ], where she plays a male character who is, ironically, married to a male gamer using a female character. She often plays online games late into the night which is why she tends to fall asleep in class, making her the frequent victim of her teacher Nanako's fists. Nanako also plays the online game, and pesters Konata to get to her homework (Nanako is a serious game player, however).


The serialization began with the four main characters in their first year of high school: Konata Izumi, ], ], and ]. As the story progresses, they move on to their second and third years. However, the anime starts the story with them beginning their second year, and the other high school girls that are seen in the opening are only introduced halfway through the series. The storyline usually includes numerous references to popular past and present manga, anime, and ] series.
:Ironically, despite the fact that she is an extreme otaku and quite short, Konata is a surprisingly athletic individual, running faster than most people her age.


The spin-off manga, ''Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku'', focuses on the daily lives of two sisters, Hinata and Hikage Miyakawa, who live an impoverished life due to Hinata's wasteful habits.
;{{Nihongo|Kagami Hiiragi|柊 かがみ|Hiiragi Kagami}}
:''Voiced by:'' ] (drama CD), ] (anime)
:Kagami is Tsukasa's older ] sister and is occasionally referred to as "Kagamin". In school, her grades are excellent because she studies very hard. She was even the class president in her first year. She is in a different class than Konata and Tsukasa, but she frequently comes to their class during lunch time to eat with them. Kagami is often shown wishing she could be in the same class as everyone else. Kagami chose the humanities course in her second year so that she could be with her friends, but she was separated into a different classroom; the same thing happened in her third year. Kagami is also a bit egotistical, and is somewhat weak in cooking.

:Kagami is a stereotypical '']'' character, however, she is prone to becoming shy and emotional at times, making her appear as a ] character as well. Much like Konata, Kagami likes ]s, but plays a different genre than Konata; Kagami likes to play scroll-shooting games. She loves to read ]s, but she feels lonely because no one around her shares this interest.

;{{Nihongo|Tsukasa Hiiragi|柊 つかさ|Hiiragi Tsukasa}}
:''Voiced by:'' ] (drama CD), ] (anime)
:Tsukasa is the younger ] sister of Kagami and lives in a six-member family household with her parents. She is in the same class as Konata. While she is not good at studying or sports, she excels in cooking. She is portrayed as the stereotypical friendly, good-natured but clumsy person. She is often portrayed as an ] who is unreliable and is always compared to her twin sister, who generally does better than her in most areas. It is often implied that Tsukasa is unable to follow the gist of complex conversations. Tsukasa will often ask her older sister for help on her homework, though it usually does not make much of a difference. She is also known for having her hair in the same style as ] from '']'', something hinted at frequently in the series.

;{{Nihongo|Miyuki Takara|高良 みゆき|Takara Miyuki}}
:''Voiced by:'' ] (drama CD), ] (anime)
:Miyuki is a young lady from a wealthy family who is beautiful, smart, and well-mannered. She always uses extremely polite Japanese, even when talking with her closest friends. She was the class president for her grade level in her first year, at the same time that she became good friends with Kagami. Now Miyuki is in the same class as Konata and Tsukasa. Miyuki's classmates often rely on her for help with their studies, and she is often shown giving impromptu but highly-detailed, encyclopedic definitions or explanations on diverse and obscure matters.

:She is described as a stereotypically friendly '']'', or glasses-wearing girl. Her vision is less than 0.1, though it had been good until elementary school, when she began reading books in the dark after her mother dozed off while reading to her in bed. She likes to read books, but does not read ]s. Miyuki loves to sleep, and she always goes to bed fairly early. She hates visits to the dentist, but frequently has to go to fix a loose crown or because of tooth decay. On the rare occasion that she plays video games, her personality changes. Due to her embodying such a large number of ] archetypes, Miyuki is the frequent-victim of Konata's playful bouts of verbal sexual-harassment.


==Media== ==Media==
]
===Manga=== ===Manga===
The ] ] ] version of ''Lucky Star'' started serialization in the Japanese magazine '']'' on January 2004 and is still currently running. There are currently five ] of the manga, published by ]. Volume one was released on ] ], volume two on ] ], volume three on ] ], volume four on ] ], and volume five on ] ]. Besides ''Comptiq'', the manga was also featured in other Kadokawa publishings including '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']'' for various lengths of time. The ] ] ] version of ''Lucky Star'' started serialization in ]'s magazine '']'s'' January 2004 issue sold on December 10, 2003. The first '']'' volume of the manga was published on January 8, 2005, and as of October 26, 2013, ten volumes have been released. Besides ''Comptiq'', the manga was also featured in other Kadokawa magazines including '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', ''Mobile Newtype'' and ''Kadokawa Hotline'' for various lengths of time. The manga went on a lengthy hiatus beginning in 2014, later returning to regular serialization in Kadokawa's ''Mitaina!'' magazine on November 10, 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-09-02/lucky-star-manga-returns-transfers-to-mitaina-magazine-on-november-10/.189270|title=Lucky Star manga returns, Transfers to Mitaina! magazine on November 10th|work=]|date=2022-09-02|access-date=2022-09-04}}</ref> The manga was licensed by ] for release in English in North America,<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-24/bandai-entertainment-licenses-lucky-star-manga|title=Bandai Entertainment Licenses ''Lucky Star'' Manga|work=]|date=2008-07-24|access-date=2008-07-24}}</ref> and the first volume was released in June 2009. Following Bandai Entertainment's closure, the manga has been licensed by ].


A spin-off manga titled ''Lucky Star Pocket Travelers'' (らき☆すた ポケットとらべら〜ず, ''Raki☆Suta Poketto Toraberāzu''), which has the four main characters waking up one morning to discover they have shrunken to doll size, was serialized in ''Comp Ace'' between the January and August 2008 issues. A single volume of ''Pocket Travelers'' was released on October 10, 2008.
===Video games===
====DS====
A video game, entitled {{Nihongo|''Lucky ☆ Star Moe Drill''|らき☆すた 萌えドリル|Raki ☆ Suta Moe Doriru}}, was released on ] ] on the ]. A limited edition game with many extras was sold called the "DX Pack" along with the regular version. A sequel, with the title of {{Nihongo|''Shin Lucky ☆ Star Moe Drill ~Tabidachi~''|真・らき☆すた 萌えドリル~旅立ち~|Shin Raki ☆ Suta Moe Doriru ~Tabidachi~}} has been released on ] ].


Another spin-off manga, based on the ''Lucky Star Moe Drill'' video games and titled {{nihongo|''Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku''|宮河家の空腹|The Miyakawa Family's Hunger}}, began serialization in the January 2008 issue of Kadokawa Shoten's ''Comp H's'' magazine. The magazine transferred to ''Comp Ace'' with the June 2009 issue,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-10/lucky-star-yoshimizu-to-restart-miyakawa-ke-no-kufuku|title=''Lucky Star''{{'}}s Yoshimizu to Restart ''Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku''|work=]|date=April 10, 2009|access-date=December 31, 2012}}</ref> and has also been featured in ''Comptiq''.<ref name="ANN-Miyakawa-anime">{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-12-31/lucky-star-spinoff-manga-miyakawa-ke-no-kufuku-gets-anime|title=''Lucky Star'' Spinoff Manga ''Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku'' Gets Anime|work=]|date=December 31, 2012|access-date=December 31, 2012}}</ref> The first volume of ''Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku'' was released on June 26, 2012.
The genre of the first game is homework drills. It tests the player on various subjects and memorizations. The player's main objective is beating other characters in quizzes. There is also a "Drama ☆ Mode" where the game plays like a mini-] as you make your way to ]. Math quizzes and mini games (about five in all) pop up as you play along.


An official parody manga titled {{Nihongo|''Boo Boo Kagaboo''|ぶーぶーかがぶー|Bū Bū Kagabū}} by manga artist Eretto was serialized in ''Comp Ace'' between the July 2008 and December 2009 issues. A single volume of ''Boo Boo Kagaboo'' was released on March 18, 2010.
There are two different types of one-person games: "Hitasura ☆ Drill" and "Drama ☆ Mode". The player can also link the game with another person. When this occurs, the player can use the character that is built up in Drama ☆ Mode as a choosable character. Additionally, if the player wants to use a special battle skill against his or her opponent while in link mode, the player must shout out the name of the skill into the microphone. In Drama ☆ Mode, the player partners with one of the characters, and tries to increase her parameters and have her learn new battle skills. There are five different types of "drills". One of the quizzes called "Ondoku" requires the player to shout out the answer into the microphone. Several mascot characters of large anime and dōjin shops (like ]'s ], ]'s ] and ]'s ]) make cameo appearances.


Another spin-off manga, based on the ''Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku'' manga and titled {{Nihongo|''Miyakawa-ke ga Mampuku!?''|宮河家が満腹!?}} by manga artist Tsubomi Hanabana and cuisine supervisor Etsuko Ichise was serialized in ''Comp Ace'' between the November 2013 and May 2014 issues. A single volume of ''Miyakawa-ke ga Mampuku!?'' was released on July 10, 2014.
====PlayStation 2====

] will produce a ] game for the ] entitled {{Nihongo|''Lucky ☆ Star: Ryōō Gakuen Ōtōsai''|らき☆すた ~陵桜学園 桜藤祭~}} which will go on sale in Japan on ] ].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/2007/07/03/104,1183399019,74384,0,0.html|title=Lucky Star PlayStation 2 visual novel announced|publisher=]|date=] ]|accessdate=2007-07-29|language=Japanese}}</ref>
In November 2022, shortly after returning from its 8 year hiatus, a new spin-off tentatively titled {{nihongo|''Konata 31''|こなた 31}} was announced. It is to be set 15 years after the original series.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hodgkins |first1=Crystalyn |title=Lucky Star Spinoff Manga About Konata 15 Years Later to Launch Next Spring - News - Anime News Network |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-12-04/lucky-star-spinoff-manga-about-konata-15-years-later-to-launch-next-spring/.192550 |website=] |access-date=2022-12-21 |date=2022-12-04}}</ref>


===Anime=== ===Anime===
{{see also|List of Lucky Star episodes}} {{see also|List of Lucky Star episodes}}
The ''Lucky Star'' anime, produced by ], aired between ] ], and ] ], containing twenty-four episodes.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=9548|title=Anime News Network news article|accessdate=2006-12-24}}</ref> The animation director was changed after episode four from ] to ]. The reason given was: "Our company has determined that the director of ''Lucky Star'' &mdash; Yutaka Yamamoto &mdash; has not reached the standard of director yet, therefore we have changed the director."<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-04-30/lucky-star-changes-director-after-four-episodes|title=Lucky Star Changes Director After Four Episodes|publisher=]|date=] ]|accessdate=2007-09-14}}</ref> Near the end of every episode, there is an additional segment called ''Lucky Channel'' co-hosted by ] and her assistant Minoru Shiraishi. This segment mostly covers either information on characters in the anime, or deals with the ongoing work-relationship Akira and Minoru form overtime. <!-- Is Lucky Channel really the only major difference from the manga form? --> The ''Lucky Star'' anime, produced by ], aired between April 8, 2007, and September 16, 2007, containing twenty-four episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=9548|title=Anime News Network news article|access-date=2006-12-24}}</ref> After the first four episodes, series director ] was ] from his position and was subsequently replaced by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lineblog.me/yamamotoyutaka/archives/13163917.html|title=I was director who need care. I have never directed my anime by myself.|publisher=]|date=November 30, 2017|access-date=2017-11-30|archive-date=2018-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410135605/https://lineblog.me/yamamotoyutaka/archives/13163917.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The reason given was that: "Our company has determined that the director of ''Lucky Star''—Yutaka Yamamoto—has not reached the standard of director yet, therefore we have changed the director."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-04-30/lucky-star-changes-director-after-four-episodes|title=Lucky Star Changes Director After Four Episodes|work=]|date=April 30, 2007|access-date=2007-09-14}}</ref>


Near the end of every episode, there is an additional segment called {{Nihongo|''Lucky Channel''|らっきー☆ちゃんねる}} co-hosted by ] and her assistant ]. The humor of this segment takes on a decidedly darker, mean-spirited, more cynical and mature tone than the main show, disguised as an ] that skims over characters who appear in the anime, but mainly deals with the progressively abusive and violent work-relationship between Akira and Minoru. Akira is a typical "cute excitable girl" character while going through her script, but instantly changes to a bored, perpetually annoyed character the moment her segment is officially done and sometimes before then too. The anime also features small cameos of ] besides Shiraishi that also have worked with Kyoto Animation which include ], ], ], ], and ], all of whom voice themselves.
====Theme songs====
;Opening theme: {{Nihongo|"]"|もってけ!セーラーふく|Motteke! Sērāfuku}} by ], ], ], and ] (episodes 1 - 23)


] and ] announced that they licensed the ''Lucky Star'' anime with a teaser trailer as a special feature on the volume 4 DVD of '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animeondvd.com/news/pr.php?pr_view=1186|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523005356/http://www.animeondvd.com/news/pr.php?pr_view=1186|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 23, 2020|title=Bandai Entertainment Inc. to Release Kadokawa's Anime Series, Lucky Star!|date=November 6, 2007|access-date=2007-11-07}}</ref> The first four English DVD volumes were released by Bandai Entertainment in 2008 on May 6,<ref name="lsannounced">{{cite web|url=http://lucky-star.bandai-ent.com/news/index.php?article_id=5|title=Lucky Star Release date announced!|publisher=]|access-date=2008-03-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080326165301/http://lucky-star.bandai-ent.com/news/index.php?article_id=5|archive-date=2008-03-26}}</ref><ref name="lsannounced2">{{cite web|url=http://www.bandai-ent.com/news/pr7567.html?id=137|title=Lucky Star to be released May 6th with regular and special edition!|publisher=]|access-date=2008-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421130104/http://www.bandai-ent.com/news/pr7567.html?id=137 <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date = 2008-04-21}}</ref> July 1, September 2, and November 18.<ref name="DVDempire">{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdempire.com/exec/v4_item.asp?userid=99366423410674&item_id=1427245|title=Lucky Star: Volume 4|access-date=2008-10-13|publisher=DVDEmpire.com}}</ref> The fifth and sixth volumes were released in 2009 on January 6 and March 17.<ref name="luckystarvol6">{{cite web|url=http://lucky-star.bandai-ent.com/news/index.php?article_id=10|title=Lucky Star Vol. 6 DVD to land March 16!|publisher=]|date=2009-03-06|access-date=2009-03-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324091506/http://lucky-star.bandai-ent.com/news/index.php?article_id=10|archive-date=2009-03-24}}</ref> However, the sixth volume's limited edition release has been canceled due to low sales of the other volumes' limited editions.<ref name="dvd6secancelled">{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-20/lucky-star-6-le-cancellation-confirmed|title=Lucky Star 6 LE Cancellation Confirmed|work=]|date=2009-02-20|access-date=2009-02-22}}</ref> Bandai released a six-disc DVD box set on April 6, 2010, as a complete collection under their ''Anime Legends'' line. As much as possible, the English cast was paired with the same characters as those of the Japanese voice actors from past shows, in order to translate the anime references clearly. For example, ] voiced the lead roles for both '']'' and ''Lucky Star'', in reference to their original voice actor, Aya Hirano. At AmeCon 2010, European anime distributor ] announced that they have the distributions rights to both TV series and OVA, and will be released in two half season sets.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-08-16/beez-adds-sorakake-sora-no-woto-lucky-star-outlaw-star|title=Beez Adds ''SoraKake'', ''Sora no Woto'', ''Lucky Star'', ''Outlaw Star''|work=]|date=August 18, 2010|access-date=August 16, 2010}}</ref> Following the 2012 closure of Bandai Entertainment, ] (now known as ]) announced at Otakon 2014 that they have licensed the anime television series,<ref name="Funimation">{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-08-09/funimation-licenses-haruhi-suzumiya-lucky-star-anime-strike-witches-steins-gate-films/.77477|title=Funimation Licenses Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star Anime; Strike Witches, Steins;Gate Films|work=]|date=August 9, 2014|access-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref> which they released on Blu-ray and DVD on July 12, 2016.
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 98%; border: #999 solid 1px; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0;"
! colspan="4" style="background: #ccc;"| Ending themes
|-
! style="width: 60px;"| Episode
! Title
! Source
! style="width: 180px;" | Performer
|-
| 01
| {{Nihongo|"Space Ironmen Kyodain"|宇宙鉄人キョーダイン|Uchū Tetsujin Kyōdain}}
| Opening theme of '']''
| rowspan="3"| Konata (Aya Hirano)
|-
| 02
| {{Nihongo|"It's a Victory! Akumaizer 3"|勝利だ!アクマイザー3|Shōri da! Akumaizer 3}}
| Opening theme of '']''
|-
| 03
| {{Nihongo|"That's Love, Right?"|それが、愛でしょう|Sore ga, Ai deshō}}
| Opening theme of '']''
|-
| 04
| {{Nihongo|"Sailor Suit and Machine Gun"|セーラー服と機関銃|Sailor Fuku to Kikanjuu}}
| Opening theme of '']''
| Kagami (Emiri Katō)
|-
| 05
| {{Nihongo|"]"|チャラ・ヘッチャラ|Chara Hecchara}}
| First opening theme of '']''
| Konata (Aya Hirano)
|-
| rowspan="2"| 06
| rowspan="2"| {{Nihongo|"Valentine Day Kiss"|バレンタイデイキッス|Barentai Dei Kissu}}
| rowspan="2"| ]'s 1986 debut hit
| Tsukasa (Kaori Fukuhara)
|-
| Konata (Aya Hirano)
|-
| 07
| {{Nihongo|"]"|地上の星|Chijō no Hoshi}}
| Opening theme of the documentary series "]"
| Miyuki (Aya Endo)
|-
| 08
| {{Nihongo|"Monkey Magic"|モンキーマジック|Monkī Majikku}}
| Opening theme of the TV show '']''
| rowspan="2"| Konata (Aya Hirano)
|-
| 09
| {{Nihongo|"Embraced by the Wintry Wind"|木枯らしに抱かれて|Kogarashi Ni Dakarete}}
| Cover of earlier song by ]
|-
| 10
| {{Nihongo|"I'm Proud"|アイム・プラウド|Aimu Puraudo}}
| ] by ]
| Kagami (Emiri Katō)
|-
| rowspan="2"| 11
| rowspan="2"| {{Nihongo|"Doraemon's Song"|ドラえもんのうた|Doraemon no Uta}}
| rowspan="2"| Opening theme of '']''
| Tsukasa (Kaori Fukuhara)
|-
| Miyuki (Aya Endo)
|-
| rowspan="2"| 12
| {{Nihongo|"Go! Godman"|行け!ゴッドマン|Ike! Goddoman}}
| Opening theme of '']''
| Konata (Aya Hirano)
|-
| {{Nihongo|"Don't Lose"|負けないで|Makenaide}}
| ]'s highest selling single
| Kagami (Emiri Katō)
|-
| 13
| {{Nihongo|"My Forgotten Thing"|俺の忘れ物|Ore no Wasuremono}}
| Original song<ref>This song is a parody and expanded version of a short, improvised jingle sung by the character ] in an ] of '']''. Taniguchi's voice is performed, not coincidentally, by Minoru Shiraishi, and the two shows are both produced by ].</ref>
| rowspan="3"| Minoru Shiraishi
|-
| 14
| {{Nihongo|"]"|ハレ晴レユカイ|Hare Hare Yukai}}
| Ending theme of '']''
|-
| 15
| {{Nihongo|"The Minoru Legend of Love"|恋のミノル伝説|Koi no Minoru Densetsu}}
| Parody of the first opening theme of<br />'']'':<br />{{Nihongo|"]"<br />|恋のミクル伝説|Koi no Mikuru Densetsu}}
|-
| 16
| {{Nihongo|"The Cape of Age Thirty"|三十路岬|Misoji Misaki}}
| Original song
| Akira Kogami (Hiromi Konno)
|-
| 17
| {{Nihongo|"Take It! Sailor Uniform" (Vague Sunshine ver.)|もってけ!セーラーふく (曖昧サンシャインver.)|Motteke! Sērāfuku (Aimai Sanshain ver.)}}
| Parody of ''Lucky ☆ Star'''s opening theme
| rowspan="9"| Minoru Shiraishi
|-
| 18
| {{Nihongo|"Kaorin's Theme"|かおりんのテーマ|Kaorin no Tēma}}
| rowspan="2"| Original song
|-
| 19
| {{Nihongo|"Way of Man"|男の生き様|Otoko no Ikizama}}
|-
| 20
| {{Nihongo|"Son-in-law Rumba"|お婿ルンバ|Omuko Runba}}
| Parody of {{Nihongo|"Daughter-in-law Samba"|お嫁サンバ|Oyome Sanba}} by ]
|-
| 21
| {{Nihongo|"Shikaidā's Song"|シカイダーの唄|Shikaidā no Uta}}
| rowspan="2"| Original song
|-
| rowspan="2"| 22
| {{Nihongo|"My Beloved Santa Monica"|我が愛しのサンタモニカ|Waga Itoshi no Santa Monika}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Rotates between ending theme songs of episodes: 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, and 21.
|-
| 23
| {{Nihongo|"Mikuru Change! And then Fight!"|ミクル変身!そして戦闘!|Mikuru Henshin! Soshite Sentō!}}
| ] from '']''
|-
| 24
| {{Nihongo|"Love is a Boomerang"|愛はブーメラン|Ai wa Būmeran}}
| Ending theme of '']''
|}
Unlike most anime, ''Lucky ☆ Star'' does not have one consistent ending theme, instead using a new one in each episode; most of them are of theme songs from other anime and from ] television shows. Each ending theme in episodes one through twelve is performed as a karaoke by one of the principal characters. From episode thirteen onwards, each ending theme is performed by ], singing and acting in ] (the exception to this being episode sixteen, which shows a music video excerpt of "The Cape of Age Thirty" by ]).


A pre-announcement was made in Kadokawa Shoten's ''Comptiq'' magazine that an ] project would be produced for ''Lucky Star''.<ref name="ANN-news-OVA">{{cite news|url= http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-05-05/ova-for-yoshimizu-lucky-star-greenlit-in-japan|title=OVA for Yoshimizu's ''Lucky Star'' Greenlit in Japan|work=]|date=2008-05-05|access-date=2008-05-05}}</ref> The June 2008 issue of ''Comptiq'' reported that the OVA was due out in summer 2008.<ref name="ANN-OVA-2">{{cite news|url= http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-05-08/original-staffers-plan-lucky-star-video-for-summer|title=Original Staffers Plan ''Lucky Star'' Video for Summer|work=]|date=2008-05-08|access-date=2008-05-09}}</ref> However, it was delayed and instead was released on September 26, 2008.<ref name="OVA delayed">{{cite web|url=http://www.animekon.com/news-613-Lucky-Star-OVA-Delayed.html|title=Lucky Star OVA Delayed|publisher=Animekon|access-date=2008-06-16|archive-date=2018-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312022412/http://www.animekon.com/news-613-Lucky-Star-OVA-Delayed.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The OVA features six separate stories revolving around the cast, some of which border on the bizarre; one of which is an MMORPG environment being played by Konata, Kagami, Tsukasa, and Nanako Kuroi, and another in which Kagami has a 'suggestive' dream about Konata. The Lucky Channel segment is performed in live-action rather than being animated. The ending theme to the OVA, {{Nihongo|"]"|愛をとりもどせ!!||lit. "Recover Love!!"}}, is sung by Uchōten, which is composed of the singers Hiromi Konno and Minoru Shiraishi. The song was originally the opening theme to '']''. The North American release of the OVA was later licensed by Bandai Entertainment, and was released in a subbed-only DVD on August 4, 2009.<ref name="ovalicensed">{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-27/bandai-entertainment-licenses-lucky-star-ova|title=Bandai Entertainment Licenses Lucky Star OVA|work=]|date=2009-02-27|access-date=2009-02-28}}</ref> As with the TV series, the OVA has also been re-licensed to Funimation.<ref name="Funimation" />
;Insert songs:

# "]" by Aya Hirano, ], and ] (episodes 2, 4, and 16)
An anime adaptation of ''Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku'', produced by ] and ], streamed on ] from April 29 to July 1, 2013. The opening theme is "Kachigumi" by Konata Izumi (Hirano) and Kagami Hiiragi (]), and the ending theme is "Makegumi" by Hinata and Hikage Miyakawa (Maina Shimagata and Koto Kawasaki).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-03-31/lucky-star-spinoff-miyakawa-ke-no-kufuku-cast-revealed|title=Lucky Star Spinoff Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku's Cast Revealed|work=]|date=March 31, 2013|access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref> {{Nihongo|"The Cape of Age Thirty"|三十路岬|Misoji Misaki}} by ] was used as an insert song in episode one.
# "]" by ] (episode 7)

# "]" by Aya Hirano (episode 15)
===Books===
# {{Nihongo|"Cherry Blossoms Bloom into Future Love Dreams"|サクラサクミライコイユメ|Sakura Saku Mirai Koi Yume}} by ] (episode 15)
There have been five ]s based on the series published by ] under their '']'' label. The three novels are written by Tōka Takei and feature illustrations by ''Lucky Star''{{'}}s original author ]. The first light novel, {{Nihongo|''Lucky Star: Lucky Star Murder Case''|らき☆すた らき☆すた殺人事件|Raki☆Suta Raki☆Suta Satsujin Jiken}}, was published on September 1, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lucky-ch.com/luckypedia/book_index.html#etc_01|title=Other media at Lucky Star's official website|access-date=2007-08-10|language=Japanese}}</ref> The second light novel, {{Nihongo|''Lucky Star: Lucky Star Online''|らき☆すた らき☆すたオンライン}}, was published on March 1, 2008, and the third, {{Nihongo|''Lucky Star Super Dōwa Taisen''|らき☆すた スーパー童話大戦}}, was published on October 1, 2008. The fourth light novel is written by Touko Machida and feature illustrations by Yukiko Horiguchi, {{Nihongo|''Lucky Star: Yuruyuru Days''|らき☆すた ゆるゆるでぃず}}, was published on April 1, 2009. The fifth light novel is written by Heisei Izu and Kei Tanaka, and feature illustrations by Kagami Yoshimizu, {{Nihongo|''Lucky Star: Hitome Konata ni''|らき☆すた ひとめこなたに}}, was published on February 1, 2012. A spin-off light novel, based on the ''Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku'' anime, is written by Touko Machida and features illustrations by Harapeko and Tsubomi Hanabana; it was published on February 1, 2014. An original novel written by Osamu Kudō was also offered as a pre-order bonus for ''Shin Lucky Star Moe Drill: Tabidachi: DX Pack''.
# {{Nihongo|"]"|恋のミクル伝説|Koi no Mikuru Densetsu}} by Yuko Goto (episode 16)

# {{Nihongo|"Futari no Mojipittan"|ふたりのもじぴったん}} by Nana Furuhara (episode 22)
In 2010, a ] book was published by Chukei Publishing titled {{Nihongo|''Impressive Learning Chemistry (Theoretical Chemistry) With Lucky Star''|『らき☆すた』と学ぶ 化学が面白いほどわかる本}}, written by Takashi Matsubara and feature illustrations by Kagami Yoshimizu. In 2013, an ] book was published by Chukei Publishing titled {{Nihongo|''Impressive Learning Chemistry (Organic Chemistry) With Lucky Star''|『らき☆すた』と学ぶ 化学が面白いほどわかる本}}, written by Takashi Matsubara and feature illustrations by Kagami Yoshimizu, with characters such as Konata, Tsukasa and other girls.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-02-08/2nd-lucky-star-study-book-teaches-organic-chemistry|title=2nd ''Lucky Star'' Study Book Teaches Organic Chemistry|work=]|date=February 8, 2013|access-date=February 8, 2013}}</ref> In 2013, an ] book was published by Kadokawa Chukei Publishing titled {{Nihongo|''Impressive Learning Chemistry (Inorganic Chemistry) With Lucky Star''|『らき☆すた』と学ぶ 化学[無機編]が面白いほどわかる本}}; it was written by Masashi Inutsuka and features illustrations by Kagami Yoshimizu and Sayoi.
# "United Force" by ] (episode 23)

# {{Nihongo|"Take It! Sailor Uniform"|もってけ!セーラーふく|Motteke! Sērāfuku}} by ], ], ], and ] (episode 24)
===Video games===
# {{Nihongo|"The Minoru Legend of Love"|恋のミノル伝説|Koi no Minoru Densetsu}} by ] (episode 24)
A video game, titled {{Nihongo|''Lucky Star Moe Drill''|らき☆すた 萌えドリル|Raki☆Suta Moe Doriru}}, was released on December 1, 2005, on the ].<ref name="Vridge">{{cite web|url=http://www.vridge.co.jp/consumer/index.html|script-title=ja:家庭用ゲーム開発実績|trans-title=Home Game Development Record|publisher=Vridge|access-date=April 14, 2013|language=Japanese|archive-date=May 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521055313/http://www.vridge.co.jp/consumer/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> A limited edition game with many extras was sold called the "DX Pack" along with the regular version. A sequel, with the title of {{Nihongo|''Shin Lucky Star Moe Drill: Tabidachi''|真・らき☆すた 萌えドリル 〜旅立ち〜|Shin Raki☆Suta Moe Doriru ~Tabidachi~}} was released on May 24, 2007.<ref name="Vridge" /> The first game tests the player on various subjects and memorizations. The player's main objective is beating other characters in quizzes. There is also a "Drama Mode" where the game plays a mini-] as the player makes their way to ], with math quizzes and mini games (about five in all). In an August 2007 survey by '']'', ''Shin Lucky Star Moe Drill: Tabidachi'' was voted the 17th most interesting ] by readers, tying with '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://gs.dengekinet.com/ranking/index.html|title = 読者が選ぶ MY BEST ギャルゲーランキング|trans-title=Readers Choose My Best Galge Rankings|access-date =February 15, 2013|publisher=]| work= ]|language = Japanese|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071011213916/http://gs.dengekinet.com/ranking/index.html|archive-date = October 11, 2007}}</ref>

There are two different types of one-person games: "Hitasura Drill" and "Drama Mode". The player can also link the game with another person. When this occurs, the player can use the character that is built up in Drama Mode as a selectable character. Additionally, if the player wants to use a special battle skill against his or her opponent while in link mode, the player must shout out the name of the skill into the microphone. In Drama Mode, the player partners with one of the characters, and tries to increase her parameters and have her learn new battle skills. There are five different types of "drills". One of the quizzes called "Ondoku" requires the player to shout out the answer into the microphone. Several mascot characters of large anime and dōjin shops (like ]'s ], ]'s Anime Tencho and ]'s Miko) make cameo appearances.

] produced a ] game for the ] entitled {{Nihongo|''Lucky Star: Ryōō Gakuen Ōtōsai''|らき☆すた 〜陵桜学園 桜藤祭〜}} which was released in Japan on January 24, 2008.<ref name="Vridge" /><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/2007/07/03/104,1183399019,74384,0,0.html|title=Lucky Star PlayStation 2 visual novel announced|publisher=]|date=July 10, 2007|access-date=2007-07-29|language=Japanese}}</ref> A portable version was released on December 23, 2010, for the ] (PSP). Kadokawa Shoten also produced an ] game for the PSP titled {{Nihongo|''Lucky Star: Net Idol Meister''|らき☆すた ネットアイドル・マイスター}}, released in Japan on December 24, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/176/176899/|script-title=ja:トップアイドル目指して活動!? 『らき☆すた ネットアイドル・マイスター』|trans-title=Aiming to be a Top Idol!? ''Lucky Star: Net Idol Meister''|publisher=]|date=2009-07-13| access-date=2009-07-15|language=Japanese}}</ref>


===Audio CDs=== ===Audio CDs===
{{main|List of Lucky Star albums|List of Lucky Star character song albums}} {{main article|List of Lucky Star albums}}
The ''Lucky Star'' ], aptly entitled '']'', was released on ] ] by ]. The ] entitled '']'' was released on ] ]. The anime opening theme ] ''Motteke! Sailor Fuku'' was released on ] ]. An album containing the first twelve ending themes entitled ''Lucky Star Ending Theme Collection'' was released on ] ] by ]. An ] with the name {{Nihongo|''Aimai Net Darling''|曖昧ネットだーりん|Aimai Netto Daarin}} containing two songs sung by ] as Akira Kogami, and ] as himself in the anime version was released on ] ]. A remix single of ''Motteke! Sailor Fuku'' was released on ] ] by Lantis. Two more albums will be sold on ] ]: ''Misoji Misaki'' by Hiromi Konno as Akira Kogami, and ''Cosplay It! Oh My Honey'', by ] as Konata, and ] as Patricia. An album called ''Shiraishi Minoru no Otoko no Rarabai'' contains the ending themes sung by Minoru Shiraishi from episode thirteen onwards and was released on ] ]. The ''Lucky Star'' ], aptly entitled '']'', was released on August 24, 2005, by ]. The ] entitled '']'' was released on December 22, 2005. The anime opening theme ] ''Motteke! Sailor Fuku'' was released on May 23, 2007. An album containing the first twelve ending themes entitled ''Lucky Star Ending Theme Collection'' was released on July 11, 2007, by ]. A ] with the name {{Nihongo|''Aimai Net Darling''|曖昧ネットだーりん|Aimai Netto Daarin}} containing two songs sung by ] as Akira Kogami, and ] as himself in the anime version was released on July 25, 2007. A remix single of ''Motteke! Sailor Fuku'' was released on August 8, 2007, by Lantis. Two more albums were released on August 29, 2007: ''Misoji Misaki'' by Hiromi Konno as Akira Kogami, and ''Cosplay It! Oh My Honey'', by ] as Konata, and ] as Patricia. An album called ''Shiraishi Minoru no Otoko no Rarabai'' contains the ending themes sung by Minoru Shiraishi from episode thirteen onwards and was released on October 10, 2007.


Four character song CDs were released on ] ] sung by the voice actresses Aya Hirano as Konata, ] as Kagami, ] as Tsukasa, and ] as Miyuki. Four more character CDs followed on ] ] sung by the voice actresses ] as Yutaka, ] as Minami, ] as Hiyori, and Nozomi Sasaki as Patricia. Another two character CDs will follow on ] ]: one as a ] between the voice actresses ] as Misao Kusakabe, and ] as Ayano Minegishi, and the other as a ] between Aya Hirano, Shizuka Hasegawa, and Minori Chihara as Konata, Yutaka, and Minami respectively. Another two character CDs, both duets, will follow on ] ]: the first between ] as Sōjirō Izumi, and ] as Kanata Izumi, and the other with ] as Yui Narumi, and ] as Nanako Kuroi. Four character song CDs were released on September 5, 2007, sung by the voice actresses Aya Hirano as Konata, ] as Kagami, ] as Tsukasa, and ] as Miyuki. Four more character CDs followed on September 26, 2007, sung by the voice actresses ] as Yutaka, ] as Minami, ] as Hiyori, and Nozomi Sasaki as Patricia. Another two character CDs followed on October 24, 2007: one as a ] between the voice actresses Kaoru Mizuhara as Misao Kusakabe, and ] as Ayano Minegishi, and the other as a ] between Aya Hirano, Shizuka Hasegawa, and Minori Chihara as Konata, Yutaka, and Minami respectively. Another two character CDs, both duets, followed on November 21, 2007: the first between Hirokazu Hiramatsu as Sōjirō Izumi, and ] as Kanata Izumi, and the other with Saori Nishihara as Yui Narumi, and ] as Nanako Kuroi. A thirteenth character CD, again sung by Kaoru Mizuhara as Misao Kusakabe, was released on March 26, 2008.


An album entitled ''Lucky Star BGM & Radio Bangumi "Lucky Channel" no Digest o Shūroku Shita Special CD 1'' was released with the first anime DVD on ] ]. The album contained ] tracks featured in the anime, along with original audio dramas featuring Hiromi Konno as Akira Kogami, and Minoru Shiraishi, as himself. Another similar album with more background music tracks and audio dramas was released with the second anime DVD on ] ]. The third volume in this series was released with the third anime DVD on ] ], and the fourth followed with the fourth DVD on ] ]. An album entitled ''Lucky Star BGM & Radio Bangumi "Lucky Channel" no Digest o Shūroku Shita Special CD 1'' was released with the first anime DVD on June 22, 2007. The album contained ] tracks featured in the anime, by '']'' composer ], along with original audio dramas featuring Hiromi Konno as Akira Kogami, and Minoru Shiraishi, as himself. Another similar album with more background music tracks and audio dramas was released with the second anime DVD on July 27. The third volume in this series was released with the third anime DVD on August 24. The fourth volume followed with the fourth DVD on September 28, the fifth volume was released on October 26 while the sixth and seventh volumes were released on November 27 and December 21, 2007, respectively.


===Light novel=== ===Live concert and musical===
A live concert was held on March 29, 2009, at the ] called {{Nihongo|''Lucky Star in Budokan: Anata no Tame dakara''|らき☆すた in 武道館 〜あなたのためだから〜}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-05/lucky-star-live-concert-at-renowned-budokan-arena|title=''Lucky Star'' Live Concert at Renowned Budōkan Arena|work=]|date=February 5, 2009|access-date=May 30, 2011}}</ref> spanning 4 hours, 40 minutes. The concert featured the various cast members from the anime, and was hosted by ] (the voice of Akira Kogami) and Minoru Shiraishi. A DVD of the concert was released on December 25, 2009, and included a 24-page booklet with 2 DVDs.
A ] written by ] with illustrations by ''Lucky ☆ Star'''s original author ] called {{Nihongo|''Lucky ☆ Star Lucky ☆ Star Murder Case''|らき☆すた らき☆すた殺人事件|Raki ☆ Suta Raki ☆ Suta Satsujin Jiken}} was published on ] ] by ] under their ''Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko'' label.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.lucky-ch.com/luckypedia/book_index.html#etc_01|title=Other media at Lucky Star's official website|accessdate=2007-08-10|language=Japanese}}</ref>

A musical was held between September 20–30, 2012 at the ] "Theatre G-Rosso" called {{Nihongo|''Lucky Star ≈ On Stage''|らき☆すた≒おん☆すて|Raki☆Suta≈On☆Sute}}.

;Cast:
*{{Nihongo|Konata Izumi|泉こなた}} - Ran Sakai
*{{Nihongo|Tsukasa Hiiragi|柊つかさ}} - ]
*{{Nihongo|Kagami Hiiragi|柊かがみ}} - Yurino Sakurai
*{{Nihongo|Miyuki Takara|高良みゆき}} - Wakana Hagiwara
*{{Nihongo|Yutaka Kobayakawa|小早川ゆたか}} - Ayumi Mizukoshi
*{{Nihongo|Minami Iwasaki|岩崎みなみ}} - ]
*{{Nihongo|Misao Kusakabe|日下部みさお}} - Yurika Sannomiya
*{{Nihongo|Ayano Minegishi|峰岸あやの}} - ]
*{{Nihongo|Nanako Kuroi|黒井ななこ}} - Ryō Koarai
*{{Nihongo|Sōjirō Izumi|泉そうじろう}} - Katsuyuki Miyake
*{{Nihongo|Nagisa Nagatoro|長瀞なぎさ}} - Motoko Nakane
*{{Nihongo|Aoi Higashimatsuyama|東松山あおい}} - Mao Higuchi
*{{Nihongo|Chinami Koshigaya|越谷ちなみ}} - Chika Kumagai
*{{Nihongo|Blaster Kino|ブラスター木野|Burasutā Kino}} - Ryōsuke Tsuruta
*{{Nihongo|Speedy Kawai|飛ばしや川井|Tobashiya Kawai}} - Kensuke Fukuyama
*{{Nihongo|Angel Ozaki|エンジェル尾崎|Enjeru Ozaki}} - Shin Ginoza
*{{Nihongo|Aizaki the Razor|カミソリ相崎|Kamisori Aizaki}} - Shō Takano
*{{Nihongo|Akira Kogami|小神あきら}} - Mizuho Nagashima
*{{Nihongo|MC Masanori Mori|MC森雅紀}} - Masanori Mori


==Reception== ==Reception==
Before ''Lucky Star'' was made into an anime, ], the author of the original manga, was interviewed by '']'' in the June 2005 issue where he stated, "I don't really think my production process is anything special." However, he has the opinion that, "...my personality is very well suited to doing four-panel comic strips, and I really enjoy creating this one." As if to predict the future, Yoshimizu also was quoted to say, "...but one day, I wouldn't mind seeing these characters moving around on screen."<ref name="newtypeusa">{{citation|url=http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/4169/1182679471756zb5.jpg|title=Kagami Yoshimizu: CG Illustrations from a Champion of Four-Panel Comics|publisher='']''|date=June 2005}}</ref> In the same interview, ''Newtype USA'' reported that the first volume of the manga sold out so quickly that ] had to do a rush reprint.<ref name="newtypeusa"/> Before ''Lucky Star'' was made into an anime, ], the author of the original manga, was interviewed by '']'' in the June 2005 issue where he stated, "I don't really think my production process is anything special." However, he has the opinion that "...my personality is very well suited to doing four-panel comic strips, and I really enjoy creating this one." As if to predict the future, Yoshimizu also was quoted to say, "...but one day, I wouldn't mind seeing these characters moving around on screen."<ref name="newtypeusa">{{cite web|url=http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1145/1182679471756gg5.jpg|title=Kagami Yoshimizu: CG Illustrations from a Champion of Four-Panel Comics|publisher=]|website=]|date=June 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314085710/http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1145/1182679471756gg5.jpg|archive-date=March 14, 2012|access-date=September 11, 2019}}</ref> In the same interview, ''Newtype USA'' reported that the first volume of the manga sold out so quickly that ] had to do a rush reprint.<ref name="newtypeusa" /> As of April 2008, the first five volumes of the ''Lucky Star'' manga have collectively sold over 1.8 million copies.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-05-01/kadokawa-earnings-report-lucky-star-manga-sells-1.8m|title=Kadokawa Earnings Report: ''Lucky Star'' Manga Sells 1.8M|work=]|date=2008-05-02|access-date=2008-05-02}}</ref>


''Lucky Star'' has become an immediate hit in Japan, receiving a broad following in the anime fandom. Explaining this phenomenon, the analyst ] of ], for example, suggested that a major factor in the series' success is its similarity to an earlier work by ] &mdash; '']'' (the show itself makes numerous references to the same series). However, he also admitted that ''Lucky Star'' is quite different from its "predecessor" and that the second major factor is its "unique" composition that "panders to the tastes of otaku, but does so with good humor and sly wit", thus, making it "the ultimate in ]", a "witty, self-indulgent, guilty pleasure".<ref name="Oppliger">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenation.net/news/askjohn.php?id=1599|title=Ask John: Why Is ''Lucky Star'' So Popular?|first=John|last=Oppliger|authorlink=AnimeNation#John Oppliger|date=]|accessdate=2007-07-22|publisher=]}}</ref> ''Lucky Star'' became an immediate hit in Japan, receiving a broad following in the anime fandom. Explaining this phenomenon, the analyst ] of ], for example, suggested that a major factor in the series' success is its similarity to an earlier work by ]'']'' (the show itself makes numerous references to the same series). However, he also admitted that ''Lucky Star'' is quite different from its "predecessor" and that the second major factor is its "unique" composition that "panders to the tastes of otaku, but does so with good humor and sly wit", thus, making it "the ultimate in ]", a "witty, self-indulgent, guilty pleasure".<ref name="Oppliger">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenation.net/blog/2007/07/17/ask-john-why-is-lucky-star-so-popular|title=Ask John: Why Is ''Lucky Star'' So Popular?|first=John|last=Oppliger|author-link=AnimeNation#John Oppliger|date=2007-07-17|access-date=2007-07-22|publisher=]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514122317/http://www.animenation.net/blog/2007/07/17/ask-john-why-is-lucky-star-so-popular/|archive-date=2008-05-14}}</ref>


The Special First Edition version of the first DVD volume was released on ] ] and contained the first two episodes to the anime. The first DVD sold quickly in Japan, and it has been reported that "] has already sold out its entire supply of the DVD."<ref name="dvd1">{{citeweb|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-06-27/lucky-star-special-edition|title=Lucky Star Special Edition DVD Flies off Shelves in Akiba|publisher=]|date=] ]|accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref> Furthermore, "the majority of the stores ]] with special displays for ''Lucky Star'' have run out."<ref name="dvd1"/> The Special First Edition version of the first DVD volume was released on June 22, 2007, and contained the first two episodes to the anime. The first DVD sold quickly in Japan, and it has been reported that "] has already sold out its entire supply of the DVD."<ref name="dvd1">{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-06-27/lucky-star-special-edition|title=Lucky Star Special Edition DVD Flies off Shelves in Akiba|work=]|date=June 27, 2007|access-date=2007-06-27}}</ref> Furthermore, "the majority of the stores ]] with special displays for ''Lucky Star'' have run out."<ref name="dvd1" /> ] has noted that the anime is "extremely otaku-centric".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/lucky-star/dvd-1|title=''Lucky Star'' DVD 1|work=]|access-date=2008-05-19}}</ref>


].]]
The popularity of ''Lucky ☆ Star'' also brought many of its fans to the real life settings of the anime, beginning from April 2007.<ref name="sankei">{{citeweb|url=http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20070725-00000925-san-soci|title=''Lucky Star'' otaku invade the oldest shrine in Kantō. The locals: It's a problem of security.|publisher=]|date=] ]|accessdate=2007-07-31|language=Japanese}}</ref> The August issue of the '']'' magazine ran a feature on the various locales which the anime is based on,<ref name="fnn">{{citeweb|url=http://www.fnn-news.com/headlines/CONN00115143.html|title=Anime ''Lucky Star'' fans flock to the Washinomiya Shrine in Saitama. The characters even show up on prayer plaques|publisher=]|date=] ]|accessdate=2007-07-31|language=Japanese}}</ref> including Konata's home in ], Tsukasa and Kagami's home in ], and the school in ].<ref name="newtype"/> The magazine also included directions on how to reach these places from the ] hotspot ], which resulted in massive "pilgrimages" to these areas.<ref name="sankei"/> The most widely reported consequence of this is in the ] of Washimiya, where the Hiiragi sisters work as ] in the anime. Various Japanese news media reported that the shrine became a place teeming with photographers trying to replicate scenes from the anime, ]ers wandering around,<ref name="fnn"/> and ] ridden with anime drawings and strange prayers like "Konata is my wife".<ref name="sankei"/><ref name="asahi">{{citeweb|url=http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200709180058.html|title=Fans flock to real-life home of anime hero|publisher=]|date=] ]|accessdate=2007-09-24}}</ref> The locals were divided on the situation, with some suggesting that it is good for the shrine to have so many worshippers, and some being concerned about the town's security.<ref name="sankei"/> This was satirized in the twenty-first episode of the anime.
The popularity of ''Lucky Star'' also brought many of its fans to the real life settings of the anime, beginning in April 2007.<ref name="sankei">{{cite web|url=http://www34.atwiki.jp/madmax_2007/archive/20070729/c5c6b2d8eb73851a038a664774b5af84|title=''Lucky Star'' otaku invade the oldest shrine in Kantō. The locals: It's a problem of security|publisher=]|date=2007-07-25|access-date=2009-05-17|language=Japanese|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621072958/http://www34.atwiki.jp/madmax_2007/archive/20070729/c5c6b2d8eb73851a038a664774b5af84|archive-date=2009-06-21}}</ref> The August issue of the '']'' magazine ran a feature on the various locales which the anime is based on,<ref name="fnn">{{cite web|url=http://www.fnn-news.com/headlines/CONN00115143.html|title=Anime ''Lucky Star'' fans flock to the Washinomiya Shrine in Saitama. The characters even show up on prayer plaques|publisher=]|date=July 27, 2007|access-date=2007-07-31|language=Japanese}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><!--This source has not been archived prior to 2008 on Wayback Internet Archive, and as a result is not obtainable.--> including Konata's home in ], Kagami and Tsukasa's home in ],<ref name="newtype" /> and the school in ].<ref name="newtype" /> The magazine also included directions on how to reach these places from the ] hotspot ], which resulted in massive "pilgrimages" to these areas.<ref name="sankei" />

The most widely reported consequence of this is in the ] of Washimiya, where the Hiiragi sisters work as ] in the anime. Various Japanese news media reported that the shrine became a place teeming with photographers trying to replicate scenes from the anime, ]ers wandering around,<ref name="fnn" /> and ] ridden with anime drawings and strange prayers like "Konata is my wife".<ref name="sankei" /><ref name="asahi">{{cite news|url=http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200709180058.html|title=Fans flock to real-life home of anime hero|newspaper=]|date=September 18, 2007|access-date=2007-09-24|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071028131317/http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200709180058.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date = 2007-10-28}}</ref> The ema were mentioned in episode 21 of the anime.

The locals were initially divided on the situation, with some suggesting that it is good for the shrine to have so many worshippers, and some being concerned about the town's security.<ref name="sankei" /> Despite the negative reaction by some of the locals, the Washinomiya Shrine hosted a ''Lucky Star'' event in December 2007, featuring special guests including the author ], and the voice actors ], ], ], and ]. The event attracted 3500 fans.<ref name="mainichi">{{cite news|url=http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/graph/anime/20071202_02/|title=''Lucky Star'': Washinomiya Shrine attracts 3500 fans with "official visits"|newspaper=]|date=December 2, 2007|access-date=2007-12-02|language=Japanese|archive-date=2007-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514030407/http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/graph/anime/20071202_02/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Subsequently, the Hiiragi family have been registered as official residents of Washimiya because of the anime's wild popularity. Other fictional characters who share this honor in Saitama are ] of ] and '']'''s family of Kasukabe.<ref name="yomiuri">{{cite news|url=http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/saitama/news/20080229-OYT8T00869.htm|title=The family in Lucky Star becomes residents of Washimiya|newspaper=]|date=February 29, 2008|access-date=2008-03-01|language=Japanese|archive-url = https://archive.today/20080305211440/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/saitama/news/20080229-OYT8T00869.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date = 2008-03-05}}</ref> As of July 30, 2008, sales of ''Lucky Star'' food and goods brought the town of Washimiya {{JPY|42000000}} (about {{USD|390000}}) in income, described by '']'' as a source of relief to the local economy reeling from ].<ref name="wsj">{{cite news|url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121737740486095275|title=Popular Cartoon Series Makes Japanese Shrine a Magnet for Fans| newspaper=]|date=2008-07-30|access-date=2008-08-03|first=Hiroko|last=Tabuchi |author-link=Hiroko Tabuchi}}</ref>


==Notes and references== ==Notes and references==
; Footnotes
{{reflist|2}}
{{notelist}}

; General
{{Refbegin}}
*{{Cite news|last=Maeda|first=Hisashi|work=]|publisher=]|title=Lucky Star|volume=6|issue=5|page=67|date=May 2007|issn=1541-4817|display-authors=etal}}
{{Refend}}

; Specific
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{jp icon}} * at ]
* {{jp icon}} * {{in lang|ja}}
* {{jp icon}} * {{in lang|ja}}
* {{in lang|ja}}
*{{ann anime|id=7222|title=Lucky ☆ Star}}
* {{in lang|ja}}
* {{in lang|ja}}
*{{ann|manga|4960|Lucky Star}}


{{Lucky Star}}
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{{Monthly Shōnen Ace}}
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{{Encourage Films}}
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{{Kyoto Animation}}
{{Ordet}}
{{Yasuhiro Takemoto}}

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Latest revision as of 00:58, 5 November 2024

Japanese manga and anime series
Lucky Star
Volume 1 tankōbon cover, featuring Konata Izumi (left), Tsukasa Hiiragi (top right), and Kagami Hiiragi (bottom right) playing a PlayStation 2
らき☆すた
(Raki☆Suta)
GenreComedy, slice of life
Manga
Written byKagami Yoshimizu
Published byKadokawa Shoten
English publisherBandai Entertainment (formerly)
Viz Media
MagazineComptiq
Shōnen Ace
From Gamers
Ace Momogumi
Comp Ace
Dragon Magazine
Mobile Newtype
Comp H's
Saitama Shimbun
4-Koma Nano Ace
DemographicShōnen
Original runDecember 10, 2003 – present
Volumes10
Anime television series
Directed byYutaka Yamamoto (1–4)
Yasuhiro Takemoto (5–24)
Written byTouko Machida
Music bySatoru Kōsaki
StudioKyoto Animation
Licensed byCrunchyroll
Original networkCTC, TVS, RKK, tvk, KBS, TVQ, BSN, TVh, HOME, SUN, TBC, Tokyo MX, TVA, mit, SUT, KSB
English network
Original run April 8, 2007 – September 16, 2007
Episodes24 (List of episodes)
Light novel
Written byTōka Takei
Illustrated byKagami Yoshimizu
Published byKadokawa Shoten
ImprintKadokawa Sneaker Bunko
DemographicMale
Original runSeptember 1, 2007 – October 1, 2008
Volumes3
Original video animation
Lucky Star: Original na Visual to Animation
Directed byYasuhiro Takemoto
StudioKyoto Animation
Licensed by
ReleasedSeptember 26, 2008
Runtime42 minutes
Episodes1 (List of episodes)
Original net animation
Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku
Directed byYutaka Yamamoto
Written byTōko Machida
StudioOrdet, Encourage Films
Released April 29, 2013 – July 1, 2013
Runtime5 minutes
Episodes10 (List of episodes)
Other manga
Other light novels
Video games

Lucky Star (Japanese: らき☆すた, Hepburn: Raki Suta) is a Japanese four-panel comic strip manga series by Kagami Yoshimizu. It has been serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's Comptiq magazine since December 2003. Cameo strips were published in other magazines such as Shōnen Ace and others. Lucky Star focuses on the daily lives of four girls, there is little in terms of an ongoing plot.

An audio drama CD based on the series was released in August 2005, and the series spawned four video games released between 2005 and 2009. A 24-episode anime adaptation produced by Kyoto Animation aired between April 8 and September 16, 2007. The anime was licensed in North America by Kadokawa Pictures and distributed by Bandai Entertainment; six DVDs have been released between May 2008 and March 2009. An original video animation (OVA) episode was released on September 26, 2008 accompanied by a drama CD. Bandai Entertainment released the OVA in an English-sub only version on August 4, 2009. The anime is currently licensed by Crunchyroll, formerly known as Funimation. Viz Media acquired the rights to publish the manga digitally in 2014.

A spin-off manga, Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku, began serialization in January 2008 in Kadokawa Shoten's Comp H's magazine. An anime adaptation by Ordet and Encourage Films began airing on Ustream in April 2013.

Synopsis

Main article: List of Lucky Star characters
The main characters of Lucky Star as they appear in the anime adaptation: (from left to right) Tsukasa Hiiragi, Konata Izumi, Kagami Hiiragi, and Miyuki Takara.

Lucky Star's story mainly portrays the lives of four girls attending a Japanese high school. The setting is mainly based on the city of Kuki in Saitama Prefecture. The main character is Konata Izumi, a lazy girl who constantly shirks her schoolwork and instead uses most of her time to watch anime, play video games, and read manga. Although she is lazy, she has also proven to be very intelligent and athletic.

The serialization began with the four main characters in their first year of high school: Konata Izumi, Kagami Hiiragi, Tsukasa Hiiragi, and Miyuki Takara. As the story progresses, they move on to their second and third years. However, the anime starts the story with them beginning their second year, and the other high school girls that are seen in the opening are only introduced halfway through the series. The storyline usually includes numerous references to popular past and present manga, anime, and tokusatsu series.

The spin-off manga, Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku, focuses on the daily lives of two sisters, Hinata and Hikage Miyakawa, who live an impoverished life due to Hinata's wasteful habits.

Media

Manga

The four-panel comic strip manga version of Lucky Star started serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's magazine Comptiq's January 2004 issue sold on December 10, 2003. The first tankōbon volume of the manga was published on January 8, 2005, and as of October 26, 2013, ten volumes have been released. Besides Comptiq, the manga was also featured in other Kadokawa magazines including Shōnen Ace, Newtype, Comp Ace, Dragon Magazine, Mobile Newtype and Kadokawa Hotline for various lengths of time. The manga went on a lengthy hiatus beginning in 2014, later returning to regular serialization in Kadokawa's Mitaina! magazine on November 10, 2022. The manga was licensed by Bandai Entertainment for release in English in North America, and the first volume was released in June 2009. Following Bandai Entertainment's closure, the manga has been licensed by Viz Media.

A spin-off manga titled Lucky Star Pocket Travelers (らき☆すた ポケットとらべら〜ず, Raki☆Suta Poketto Toraberāzu), which has the four main characters waking up one morning to discover they have shrunken to doll size, was serialized in Comp Ace between the January and August 2008 issues. A single volume of Pocket Travelers was released on October 10, 2008.

Another spin-off manga, based on the Lucky Star Moe Drill video games and titled Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku (宮河家の空腹, The Miyakawa Family's Hunger), began serialization in the January 2008 issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Comp H's magazine. The magazine transferred to Comp Ace with the June 2009 issue, and has also been featured in Comptiq. The first volume of Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku was released on June 26, 2012.

An official parody manga titled Boo Boo Kagaboo (ぶーぶーかがぶー, Bū Bū Kagabū) by manga artist Eretto was serialized in Comp Ace between the July 2008 and December 2009 issues. A single volume of Boo Boo Kagaboo was released on March 18, 2010.

Another spin-off manga, based on the Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku manga and titled Miyakawa-ke ga Mampuku!? (宮河家が満腹!?) by manga artist Tsubomi Hanabana and cuisine supervisor Etsuko Ichise was serialized in Comp Ace between the November 2013 and May 2014 issues. A single volume of Miyakawa-ke ga Mampuku!? was released on July 10, 2014.

In November 2022, shortly after returning from its 8 year hiatus, a new spin-off tentatively titled Konata 31 (こなた 31) was announced. It is to be set 15 years after the original series.

Anime

See also: List of Lucky Star episodes

The Lucky Star anime, produced by Kyoto Animation, aired between April 8, 2007, and September 16, 2007, containing twenty-four episodes. After the first four episodes, series director Yutaka Yamamoto was fired from his position and was subsequently replaced by Yasuhiro Takemoto. The reason given was that: "Our company has determined that the director of Lucky Star—Yutaka Yamamoto—has not reached the standard of director yet, therefore we have changed the director."

Near the end of every episode, there is an additional segment called Lucky Channel (らっきー☆ちゃんねる) co-hosted by Akira Kogami and her assistant Minoru Shiraishi. The humor of this segment takes on a decidedly darker, mean-spirited, more cynical and mature tone than the main show, disguised as an infomercial that skims over characters who appear in the anime, but mainly deals with the progressively abusive and violent work-relationship between Akira and Minoru. Akira is a typical "cute excitable girl" character while going through her script, but instantly changes to a bored, perpetually annoyed character the moment her segment is officially done and sometimes before then too. The anime also features small cameos of voice actors besides Shiraishi that also have worked with Kyoto Animation which include Yuko Goto, Minori Chihara, Tomokazu Sugita, Daisuke Ono, and Aya Hirano, all of whom voice themselves.

Kadokawa Pictures USA and Bandai Entertainment announced that they licensed the Lucky Star anime with a teaser trailer as a special feature on the volume 4 DVD of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. The first four English DVD volumes were released by Bandai Entertainment in 2008 on May 6, July 1, September 2, and November 18. The fifth and sixth volumes were released in 2009 on January 6 and March 17. However, the sixth volume's limited edition release has been canceled due to low sales of the other volumes' limited editions. Bandai released a six-disc DVD box set on April 6, 2010, as a complete collection under their Anime Legends line. As much as possible, the English cast was paired with the same characters as those of the Japanese voice actors from past shows, in order to translate the anime references clearly. For example, Wendee Lee voiced the lead roles for both Haruhi Suzumiya and Lucky Star, in reference to their original voice actor, Aya Hirano. At AmeCon 2010, European anime distributor Beez Entertainment announced that they have the distributions rights to both TV series and OVA, and will be released in two half season sets. Following the 2012 closure of Bandai Entertainment, Funimation Entertainment (now known as Crunchyroll) announced at Otakon 2014 that they have licensed the anime television series, which they released on Blu-ray and DVD on July 12, 2016.

A pre-announcement was made in Kadokawa Shoten's Comptiq magazine that an original video animation project would be produced for Lucky Star. The June 2008 issue of Comptiq reported that the OVA was due out in summer 2008. However, it was delayed and instead was released on September 26, 2008. The OVA features six separate stories revolving around the cast, some of which border on the bizarre; one of which is an MMORPG environment being played by Konata, Kagami, Tsukasa, and Nanako Kuroi, and another in which Kagami has a 'suggestive' dream about Konata. The Lucky Channel segment is performed in live-action rather than being animated. The ending theme to the OVA, "Ai o Torimodose!!" (愛をとりもどせ!!, lit. "Recover Love!!"), is sung by Uchōten, which is composed of the singers Hiromi Konno and Minoru Shiraishi. The song was originally the opening theme to Fist of the North Star. The North American release of the OVA was later licensed by Bandai Entertainment, and was released in a subbed-only DVD on August 4, 2009. As with the TV series, the OVA has also been re-licensed to Funimation.

An anime adaptation of Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku, produced by Ordet and Encourage Films, streamed on Ustream from April 29 to July 1, 2013. The opening theme is "Kachigumi" by Konata Izumi (Hirano) and Kagami Hiiragi (Emiri Katō), and the ending theme is "Makegumi" by Hinata and Hikage Miyakawa (Maina Shimagata and Koto Kawasaki). "The Cape of Age Thirty" (三十路岬, Misoji Misaki) by Hiromi Konno was used as an insert song in episode one.

Books

There have been five light novels based on the series published by Kadokawa Shoten under their Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko label. The three novels are written by Tōka Takei and feature illustrations by Lucky Star's original author Kagami Yoshimizu. The first light novel, Lucky Star: Lucky Star Murder Case (らき☆すた らき☆すた殺人事件, Raki☆Suta Raki☆Suta Satsujin Jiken), was published on September 1, 2007. The second light novel, Lucky Star: Lucky Star Online (らき☆すた らき☆すたオンライン), was published on March 1, 2008, and the third, Lucky Star Super Dōwa Taisen (らき☆すた スーパー童話大戦), was published on October 1, 2008. The fourth light novel is written by Touko Machida and feature illustrations by Yukiko Horiguchi, Lucky Star: Yuruyuru Days (らき☆すた ゆるゆるでぃず), was published on April 1, 2009. The fifth light novel is written by Heisei Izu and Kei Tanaka, and feature illustrations by Kagami Yoshimizu, Lucky Star: Hitome Konata ni (らき☆すた ひとめこなたに), was published on February 1, 2012. A spin-off light novel, based on the Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku anime, is written by Touko Machida and features illustrations by Harapeko and Tsubomi Hanabana; it was published on February 1, 2014. An original novel written by Osamu Kudō was also offered as a pre-order bonus for Shin Lucky Star Moe Drill: Tabidachi: DX Pack.

In 2010, a theoretical chemistry book was published by Chukei Publishing titled Impressive Learning Chemistry (Theoretical Chemistry) With Lucky Star (『らき☆すた』と学ぶ 化学が面白いほどわかる本), written by Takashi Matsubara and feature illustrations by Kagami Yoshimizu. In 2013, an organic chemistry book was published by Chukei Publishing titled Impressive Learning Chemistry (Organic Chemistry) With Lucky Star (『らき☆すた』と学ぶ 化学が面白いほどわかる本), written by Takashi Matsubara and feature illustrations by Kagami Yoshimizu, with characters such as Konata, Tsukasa and other girls. In 2013, an inorganic chemistry book was published by Kadokawa Chukei Publishing titled Impressive Learning Chemistry (Inorganic Chemistry) With Lucky Star (『らき☆すた』と学ぶ 化学[無機編]が面白いほどわかる本); it was written by Masashi Inutsuka and features illustrations by Kagami Yoshimizu and Sayoi.

Video games

A video game, titled Lucky Star Moe Drill (らき☆すた 萌えドリル, Raki☆Suta Moe Doriru), was released on December 1, 2005, on the Nintendo DS. A limited edition game with many extras was sold called the "DX Pack" along with the regular version. A sequel, with the title of Shin Lucky Star Moe Drill: Tabidachi (真・らき☆すた 萌えドリル 〜旅立ち〜, Shin Raki☆Suta Moe Doriru ~Tabidachi~) was released on May 24, 2007. The first game tests the player on various subjects and memorizations. The player's main objective is beating other characters in quizzes. There is also a "Drama Mode" where the game plays a mini-adventure game as the player makes their way to Akihabara, with math quizzes and mini games (about five in all). In an August 2007 survey by Dengeki G's Magazine, Shin Lucky Star Moe Drill: Tabidachi was voted the 17th most interesting bishōjo game by readers, tying with Ever 17: The Out of Infinity.

There are two different types of one-person games: "Hitasura Drill" and "Drama Mode". The player can also link the game with another person. When this occurs, the player can use the character that is built up in Drama Mode as a selectable character. Additionally, if the player wants to use a special battle skill against his or her opponent while in link mode, the player must shout out the name of the skill into the microphone. In Drama Mode, the player partners with one of the characters, and tries to increase her parameters and have her learn new battle skills. There are five different types of "drills". One of the quizzes called "Ondoku" requires the player to shout out the answer into the microphone. Several mascot characters of large anime and dōjin shops (like Broccoli's Di Gi Charat, Animate's Anime Tencho and Toranoana's Miko) make cameo appearances.

Kadokawa Shoten produced a visual novel game for the PlayStation 2 entitled Lucky Star: Ryōō Gakuen Ōtōsai (らき☆すた 〜陵桜学園 桜藤祭〜) which was released in Japan on January 24, 2008. A portable version was released on December 23, 2010, for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Kadokawa Shoten also produced an SLG game for the PSP titled Lucky Star: Net Idol Meister (らき☆すた ネットアイドル・マイスター), released in Japan on December 24, 2009.

Audio CDs

Main article: List of Lucky Star albums

The Lucky Star drama CD, aptly entitled Drama CD Lucky Star, was released on August 24, 2005, by Frontier Works. The video game soundtrack entitled Lucky Star vocal mini album was released on December 22, 2005. The anime opening theme single Motteke! Sailor Fuku was released on May 23, 2007. An album containing the first twelve ending themes entitled Lucky Star Ending Theme Collection was released on July 11, 2007, by Lantis. A maxi single with the name Aimai Net Darling (曖昧ネットだーりん, Aimai Netto Daarin) containing two songs sung by Hiromi Konno as Akira Kogami, and Minoru Shiraishi as himself in the anime version was released on July 25, 2007. A remix single of Motteke! Sailor Fuku was released on August 8, 2007, by Lantis. Two more albums were released on August 29, 2007: Misoji Misaki by Hiromi Konno as Akira Kogami, and Cosplay It! Oh My Honey, by Aya Hirano as Konata, and Nozomi Sasaki as Patricia. An album called Shiraishi Minoru no Otoko no Rarabai contains the ending themes sung by Minoru Shiraishi from episode thirteen onwards and was released on October 10, 2007.

Four character song CDs were released on September 5, 2007, sung by the voice actresses Aya Hirano as Konata, Emiri Katō as Kagami, Kaori Fukuhara as Tsukasa, and Aya Endo as Miyuki. Four more character CDs followed on September 26, 2007, sung by the voice actresses Shizuka Hasegawa as Yutaka, Minori Chihara as Minami, Kaori Shimizu as Hiyori, and Nozomi Sasaki as Patricia. Another two character CDs followed on October 24, 2007: one as a duet between the voice actresses Kaoru Mizuhara as Misao Kusakabe, and Mai Aizawa as Ayano Minegishi, and the other as a trio between Aya Hirano, Shizuka Hasegawa, and Minori Chihara as Konata, Yutaka, and Minami respectively. Another two character CDs, both duets, followed on November 21, 2007: the first between Hirokazu Hiramatsu as Sōjirō Izumi, and Sumi Shimamoto as Kanata Izumi, and the other with Saori Nishihara as Yui Narumi, and Konomi Maeda as Nanako Kuroi. A thirteenth character CD, again sung by Kaoru Mizuhara as Misao Kusakabe, was released on March 26, 2008.

An album entitled Lucky Star BGM & Radio Bangumi "Lucky Channel" no Digest o Shūroku Shita Special CD 1 was released with the first anime DVD on June 22, 2007. The album contained background music tracks featured in the anime, by Haruhi Suzumiya composer Satoru Kōsaki, along with original audio dramas featuring Hiromi Konno as Akira Kogami, and Minoru Shiraishi, as himself. Another similar album with more background music tracks and audio dramas was released with the second anime DVD on July 27. The third volume in this series was released with the third anime DVD on August 24. The fourth volume followed with the fourth DVD on September 28, the fifth volume was released on October 26 while the sixth and seventh volumes were released on November 27 and December 21, 2007, respectively.

Live concert and musical

A live concert was held on March 29, 2009, at the Budokan called Lucky Star in Budokan: Anata no Tame dakara (らき☆すた in 武道館 〜あなたのためだから〜) spanning 4 hours, 40 minutes. The concert featured the various cast members from the anime, and was hosted by Hiromi Konno (the voice of Akira Kogami) and Minoru Shiraishi. A DVD of the concert was released on December 25, 2009, and included a 24-page booklet with 2 DVDs.

A musical was held between September 20–30, 2012 at the Tokyo Dome City Attractions "Theatre G-Rosso" called Lucky Star ≈ On Stage (らき☆すた≒おん☆すて, Raki☆Suta≈On☆Sute).

Cast
  • Konata Izumi (泉こなた) - Ran Sakai
  • Tsukasa Hiiragi (柊つかさ) - Mana Ogawa
  • Kagami Hiiragi (柊かがみ) - Yurino Sakurai
  • Miyuki Takara (高良みゆき) - Wakana Hagiwara
  • Yutaka Kobayakawa (小早川ゆたか) - Ayumi Mizukoshi
  • Minami Iwasaki (岩崎みなみ) - Makoto Koichi
  • Misao Kusakabe (日下部みさお) - Yurika Sannomiya
  • Ayano Minegishi (峰岸あやの) - Mayu Yoshioka
  • Nanako Kuroi (黒井ななこ) - Ryō Koarai
  • Sōjirō Izumi (泉そうじろう) - Katsuyuki Miyake
  • Nagisa Nagatoro (長瀞なぎさ) - Motoko Nakane
  • Aoi Higashimatsuyama (東松山あおい) - Mao Higuchi
  • Chinami Koshigaya (越谷ちなみ) - Chika Kumagai
  • Blaster Kino (ブラスター木野, Burasutā Kino) - Ryōsuke Tsuruta
  • Speedy Kawai (飛ばしや川井, Tobashiya Kawai) - Kensuke Fukuyama
  • Angel Ozaki (エンジェル尾崎, Enjeru Ozaki) - Shin Ginoza
  • Aizaki the Razor (カミソリ相崎, Kamisori Aizaki) - Shō Takano
  • Akira Kogami (小神あきら) - Mizuho Nagashima
  • MC Masanori Mori (MC森雅紀) - Masanori Mori

Reception

Before Lucky Star was made into an anime, Kagami Yoshimizu, the author of the original manga, was interviewed by Newtype USA in the June 2005 issue where he stated, "I don't really think my production process is anything special." However, he has the opinion that "...my personality is very well suited to doing four-panel comic strips, and I really enjoy creating this one." As if to predict the future, Yoshimizu also was quoted to say, "...but one day, I wouldn't mind seeing these characters moving around on screen." In the same interview, Newtype USA reported that the first volume of the manga sold out so quickly that Kadokawa Shoten had to do a rush reprint. As of April 2008, the first five volumes of the Lucky Star manga have collectively sold over 1.8 million copies.

Lucky Star became an immediate hit in Japan, receiving a broad following in the anime fandom. Explaining this phenomenon, the analyst John Oppliger of AnimeNation, for example, suggested that a major factor in the series' success is its similarity to an earlier work by Kyoto AnimationThe Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (the show itself makes numerous references to the same series). However, he also admitted that Lucky Star is quite different from its "predecessor" and that the second major factor is its "unique" composition that "panders to the tastes of otaku, but does so with good humor and sly wit", thus, making it "the ultimate in fan service", a "witty, self-indulgent, guilty pleasure".

The Special First Edition version of the first DVD volume was released on June 22, 2007, and contained the first two episodes to the anime. The first DVD sold quickly in Japan, and it has been reported that "Amazon Japan has already sold out its entire supply of the DVD." Furthermore, "the majority of the stores with special displays for Lucky Star have run out." Anime News Network has noted that the anime is "extremely otaku-centric".

The opening animation of the anime featured this shot of the Washinomiya Shrine.

The popularity of Lucky Star also brought many of its fans to the real life settings of the anime, beginning in April 2007. The August issue of the Newtype magazine ran a feature on the various locales which the anime is based on, including Konata's home in Satte, Saitama, Kagami and Tsukasa's home in Washimiya, Saitama, and the school in Kasukabe, Saitama. The magazine also included directions on how to reach these places from the otaku hotspot Akihabara, which resulted in massive "pilgrimages" to these areas.

The most widely reported consequence of this is in the Washinomiya Shrine of Washimiya, where the Hiiragi sisters work as miko in the anime. Various Japanese news media reported that the shrine became a place teeming with photographers trying to replicate scenes from the anime, cosplayers wandering around, and ema prayer plaques ridden with anime drawings and strange prayers like "Konata is my wife". The ema were mentioned in episode 21 of the anime.

The locals were initially divided on the situation, with some suggesting that it is good for the shrine to have so many worshippers, and some being concerned about the town's security. Despite the negative reaction by some of the locals, the Washinomiya Shrine hosted a Lucky Star event in December 2007, featuring special guests including the author Kagami Yoshimizu, and the voice actors Hiromi Konno, Emiri Katō, Kaori Fukuhara, and Minoru Shiraishi. The event attracted 3500 fans. Subsequently, the Hiiragi family have been registered as official residents of Washimiya because of the anime's wild popularity. Other fictional characters who share this honor in Saitama are Astro Boy of Niza and Crayon Shin-chan's family of Kasukabe. As of July 30, 2008, sales of Lucky Star food and goods brought the town of Washimiya ¥42,000,000 (about US$390,000) in income, described by The Wall Street Journal as a source of relief to the local economy reeling from Japan's economic slump in the 1990s.

Notes and references

Footnotes
  1. In North America and Australia only.
General
Specific
  1. "Lucky★Star Vol. 1". ComiXology. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  2. ^ "Lucky Star Vol. 6 DVD to land March 16!". Bandai Entertainment. 2009-03-06. Archived from the original on 2009-03-24. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
  3. ^ "Lucky Star OVA Delayed". Animekon. Archived from the original on 2018-03-12. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
  4. ^ ""Raki ☆ Suta" Teki Seichi Tanbō" 『らき☆すた』的聖地探訪 ["Lucky Star" Holy Ground Sightseeing]. Newtype. 2007-07-10. pp. Centerfold.
  5. "Lucky Star manga returns, Transfers to Mitaina! magazine on November 10th". Anime News Network. 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2022-09-04.
  6. "Bandai Entertainment Licenses Lucky Star Manga". Anime News Network. 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
  7. "Lucky Star's Yoshimizu to Restart Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku". Anime News Network. April 10, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  8. "Lucky Star Spinoff Manga Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku Gets Anime". Anime News Network. December 31, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  9. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (2022-12-04). "Lucky Star Spinoff Manga About Konata 15 Years Later to Launch Next Spring - News - Anime News Network". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
  10. "Anime News Network news article". Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  11. "I was director who need care. I have never directed my anime by myself". Yutaka Yamamoto. November 30, 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-04-10. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  12. "Lucky Star Changes Director After Four Episodes". Anime News Network. April 30, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  13. "Bandai Entertainment Inc. to Release Kadokawa's Anime Series, Lucky Star!". November 6, 2007. Archived from the original on May 23, 2020. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  14. "Lucky Star Release date announced!". Bandai Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2008-03-26. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
  15. "Lucky Star to be released May 6th with regular and special edition!". Bandai Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2008-04-21. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
  16. "Lucky Star: Volume 4". DVDEmpire.com. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  17. "Lucky Star 6 LE Cancellation Confirmed". Anime News Network. 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  18. "Beez Adds SoraKake, Sora no Woto, Lucky Star, Outlaw Star". Anime News Network. August 18, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  19. ^ "Funimation Licenses Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star Anime; Strike Witches, Steins;Gate Films". Anime News Network. August 9, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  20. "OVA for Yoshimizu's Lucky Star Greenlit in Japan". Anime News Network. 2008-05-05. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
  21. "Original Staffers Plan Lucky Star Video for Summer". Anime News Network. 2008-05-08. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
  22. "Bandai Entertainment Licenses Lucky Star OVA". Anime News Network. 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  23. "Lucky Star Spinoff Miyakawa-ke no Kūfuku's Cast Revealed". Anime News Network. March 31, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  24. "Other media at Lucky Star's official website" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  25. "2nd Lucky Star Study Book Teaches Organic Chemistry". Anime News Network. February 8, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  26. ^ 家庭用ゲーム開発実績 [Home Game Development Record] (in Japanese). Vridge. Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  27. "読者が選ぶ MY BEST ギャルゲーランキング" [Readers Choose My Best Galge Rankings]. Dengeki G's Magazine (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  28. "Lucky Star PlayStation 2 visual novel announced" (in Japanese). Famitsu. July 10, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
  29. トップアイドル目指して活動!? 『らき☆すた ネットアイドル・マイスター』 [Aiming to be a Top Idol!? Lucky Star: Net Idol Meister] (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. 2009-07-13. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
  30. "Lucky Star Live Concert at Renowned Budōkan Arena". Anime News Network. February 5, 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  31. ^ "Kagami Yoshimizu: CG Illustrations from a Champion of Four-Panel Comics". ImageShack. Newtype USA. June 2005. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  32. "Kadokawa Earnings Report: Lucky Star Manga Sells 1.8M". Anime News Network. 2008-05-02. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  33. Oppliger, John (2007-07-17). "Ask John: Why Is Lucky Star So Popular?". AnimeNation. Archived from the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
  34. ^ "Lucky Star Special Edition DVD Flies off Shelves in Akiba". Anime News Network. June 27, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-27.
  35. "Lucky Star DVD 1". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
  36. ^ "Lucky Star otaku invade the oldest shrine in Kantō. The locals: It's a problem of security" (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. 2007-07-25. Archived from the original on 2009-06-21. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  37. ^ "Anime Lucky Star fans flock to the Washinomiya Shrine in Saitama. The characters even show up on prayer plaques" (in Japanese). Fuji News Network. July 27, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-31.
  38. "Fans flock to real-life home of anime hero". Asahi Shimbun. September 18, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
  39. "Lucky Star: Washinomiya Shrine attracts 3500 fans with "official visits"". Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). December 2, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-05-14. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  40. "The family in Lucky Star becomes residents of Washimiya". Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). February 29, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-03-05. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  41. Tabuchi, Hiroko (2008-07-30). "Popular Cartoon Series Makes Japanese Shrine a Magnet for Fans". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2008-08-03.

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