When you hear “idol raising game,” what comes to mind? Sparkling smiles, dazzling stages, and girls chasing their dreams...... And you’d be right. But “Shine Post: Be Your Idol!” isn’t all sugar and sparkle. This is a serious management simulation where the player wrestles with the harsh realities between dreams and reality, sometimes having to make painful decisions.

You play as a young man inspired by an idol’s concert, who vows to support someone else’s dream even if he can’t be on stage himself. Years later, fate delivers him funding to start his own talent agency. From there begins a three-year challenge with five chosen idols. Burdened by the harsh goal of “succeeding with a Budokan concert within three years or disbanding,” you’ll build everything from scratch—facilities, finances, and all.

Everything costs money—whether it’s organizing live shows, giving lessons, or launching ads. Each idol has a unique personality and growth path, so depending on your decisions, they may rise to stardom or face the heartbreak of disbandment. The game’s biggest appeal lies in the pressure and satisfaction that come from knowing your decisions shape everything.

The game features three modes: “Main Mode,” “Heroine Stories,” and “Viewer.” In Main Mode, you’ll enjoy a solid simulation focused on management and training. Heroine Stories offers episodes based on the world of the “Shine Post” anime and novel. And in Viewer Mode, you can freely combine 23 idols to create live performances and fully appreciate each character’s charm.

The scenario spans over 20 hours and is fully voice-acted. In live scenes, AI-generated vocals based on the voice actors’ singing voices provide a lifelike concert experience. Real-world venues also appear, giving the dream of performing at the Budokan a sense of attainable reality and adding depth to your gameplay experience.

Whether you achieve success or face failure, the ending depends entirely on you. You might feel the thrill of realizing a dream through hard work—or shed tears at the harshness of reality. Supporting idols reveals a perspective only possible in that role, and every one of those moments becomes a lasting memory.

If you’ve ever been even slightly interested in “raising simulation” games, you shouldn’t miss this one. See for yourself the reality behind those idol smiles.