In what feels less like a fairy tale and more like a fever dream, Disney has announced a new mobile game featuring attractive anime versions of Mickey Mouse, Mike Wazowski, and other iconic characters.
Scheduled to debut sometime around late 2026, Disney Sparklink Stars will be Disney’s take on Japanese idol games with boy bands inspired by different Disney characters.
Sparklink Stars rides on the undeniable and ever-growing wave of Japan’s idol and oshikatsu (fan “support activities”) culture, and draws inspiration from hits in the idol-training gaming genre like The Idolmaster and Love Live. Combine the boy band fantasy with a beautifully designed roster of characters to fawn over plus a heavy sprinkle of nostalgic pixie dust, and the stage is set for an addictive mobile game.
Game preview from Apple App Store | © Disney © Disney/Pixar Published by Coly Inc.
Disney’s Idol Training Game
Sparklink Stars is self-described as a “dream-fulfilling spark rider training adventure” game. The game is currently set to be a Japan-exclusive title.
The game is developed by Coly Inc., known for producing popular mobile games targeted primarily at female audiences with titles including fantasy life simulator Promise of Wizard and mystery puzzle game Break My Case. Coly’s 2018 release On Air, where players act as the sole female student in an academy of aspiring voice actors, seems to have served as a testing ground for the studio’s “train with handsome idols” model.
The lore, has players act as “conductors” who will coach the Disney-inspired idol performers known as “Spark Riders.” The game will take place in Luminoustair, a futuristic glowing Mickey Mouse-shaped island where the feeling of excitement creates physical magic light particles. Through a variety of puzzle mechanics and stage events, players will help build up the skills of the rising stars to collect these magic particles and become the ultimate idols.
Sparklink Stars arrives in the footsteps of Twisted Wonderland. Although developed by a completely different team, Twisted Wonderland has already established the “anime fairytale men” market with its gothic, Harry-Potter-meets-Disney art style. Players are pulled through a magic mirror into an elite all-boys magic school with academic “houses” inspired by various classic Disney villains. The students were meticulously designed by renowned manga artist Yana Toboso, most recognized for her ongoing series Black Butler.
Since its 2020 release, Twisted Wonderland has created a huge explosion in Japan’s pop culture scene — averaging $3 million USD in monthly revenue domestically. The game has a dedicated fan base, and has even been adapted into an anime, with a second season coming this December. The game is still relatively new, but the early yet massive legacy of Twisted Wonderland can already be felt in Sparklink Stars.
Meet the Disney Idols
The game will feature four idol groups, each inspired by a different Disney franchise. What makes the character designs especially appealing is how subtle details and personality traits are shaped by Disney characters. From monsters to princesses, Sparklink Stars has turned everyone into magical hotties.
Image courtesy of PR Times | © Disney © Disney/Pixar Published by Coly Inc.
Upbeats! (Mickey & Friends)
Upbeats is a five-member group led by the “exceptionally charming” leader Neo Michell, who is inspired by Mickey Mouse himself. The rest of the band takes inspiration from other classic cartoon friends, such as Hugh Gardner who, interestingly, feels like a more stable and mature version of Goofy; Didi Cedric Byrd, whose surname and sailor uniform evoke the spirit of Donald Duck; and Rasca Moncrief and Ranka Monck, who are “sparked” by the chipmunks Chip and Dale.
Image courtesy of PR Times | © Disney © Disney/Pixar Published by Coly Inc.
aMazINC. (Monsters, Inc.)
Amazinc is an unconventional trio with an electrifying style. The group’s logo highlights “M” and “Inc.” — paying homage to their seniors at Monsters Inc. Shu Ayakashi plays the role of the group’s leader. Reflecting a storyline that’s very similar to Sulley’s in the Pixar movie Monsters University, Ayakashi comes from a very prominent family line and he struggles with “the feeling that he doesn’t have any special dreams or individuality” separate from an eminent name. Despite his imposing appearance, he’s actually quite gentle and kind.
Laughta Vox is inspired by Mike Wazowski, with pointy teeth and lime-dipped hair that is cleverly styled to the side to show just one eye. Vox’s accessories include a dog tag-like necklace that’s shaped like a Monstropolis laugh canister.
Rounding out the band is Noah Slugger, whose purple pants initially made me think he was inspired by Randall. But between his distinct glasses, his last name and a character profile that paints him as meticulous to a fault, with unconventional demands — I realized that he’s supposed to be Roz. I want to know who pitched for a hot anime version of the slug secretary.
Image courtesy of PR Times | © Disney © Disney/Pixar Published by Coly Inc.
Endelore (Beauty and the Beast)
Endelore is the romantic idol group based on Beauty and the Beast. Lisse Courage is the intellectually curious group center who loves to read, and is the male idol counterpart of Belle. Courage has a beautiful costume, filled with gold and rose motifs that evoke the princess. Chan Rosieriste is introverted and has low self-esteem. Consequently, he has a rather small circle of friends, but he cherishes those few companions above all else. Like the Beast, he can sometimes lose his temper when flustered, and it’s rumored that he was once cursed.
Nicolas Vanitere is Endelore’s lead who is described as “born to be loved.” Despite being sparked by Gaston and wearing hunter-like boots and harnesses, Vanitere’s Gaston-ness so far seems limited to his robust confidence and weightlifting hobby. He calls his fans his “adorable princesses.”
Sous Chevliel is the Enchantress’ cursed rose, brought to life by magic. With both petals and thorns, Chevliel possesses a sharp tongue but remains gentlemanly. His name is very close to “sous chevalier,” or “your knight” in French.
Image courtesy of PR Times | © Disney © Disney/Pixar Published by Coly Inc.
Midveil (Cinderella)
Midveil is an elegant trio that strives to capture midnight dreams. As both the group’s center and lead performer, Elie Cendrillon directly references Cinderella with the French name of the original fairytale. The members of Midveil all wear similar outfits: beautiful princely suits with a blue scarf hanging around their waists that has a nearly identical arabesque pattern seen on Cinderella’s dress at the Disney theme parks.
Cendrillon has a variety of fun accessories to match the princess, including her signature headband and choker necklace, and a new take on the iconic glass slippers. The idol also carries a pocket watch, to avoid any unexpected midnight transformations.
The two other idols, Ash Fragile and Rent Fragile, are brothers. Ash is said to have a “delicate sensibility like glass, [with] a dangerous tendency to push himself too hard in pursuit of perfection.” With that description, and hair topped with a crystal-like detail, Ash seems to have manifested from the glass slipper. Rent is his older brother, who once withdrew from the public spotlight for unknown reasons but is now back to support Midveil with his key insight. Rent’s purple elements point to him being inspired by the Fairy Godmother, though his extreme sweet tooth may be an indicator that he is actually friends with Jaq and Gus.
Image courtesy of PR Times | © Disney © Disney/Pixar Published by Coly Inc.
Pre-Registration and Pop-Up Events
Disney Sparklink Stars is now available for pre-registration on the Apple App Store and on Google Play. Players who pre-register will be notified when the game launches and will receive exclusive in-game rewards, including “offer letters” and Spark Rider training items. As of August, pre-registration has already exceeded 400,000 players.
A short mini game is available online that introduces the game’s cute animal sidekick Rutie, and matches players with one of the Disney idols based on how they answer Rutie’s questions.
Ahead of the game’s debut, fans can already start preparing their oshikatsu shrines. A pop-up shop is scheduled to open in Tokyo and Osaka, stocking Spark Riders’ goods for the very first time.
Disney's upcoming mobile game Starlink Stars will have its merchandise debut, with exclusive products featuring the Disney-inspired bands.
Disney Sparklink Stars Pop-Up Shop
Date & Time
Aug 28-Sep 13
Price
Free
Location
Coly More! and various shops in Tokyo and Osaka
