Favorite Mobage Cards (IMasSC edition)

 I've been itching to analyze why I like certain cards in the games that I consume for months now, and since I'm procrastinating, I might as well start it up today! Here's my favorite cards in Idolmaster Shiny Colors. 

 I personally don't actually play much of Shiny Colors, but it's one of the games that I've really fallen in love with illustration-wise. Their cards' composition is absolutely amazing, and they always experiment with new ones to switch things up. Their usage of a variety of lighting in their cards, along with the fact that the cards include other characters, along with backgrounds that feel real and lived in too is quite the feat in my book. It's like they're real in the space that they're occupying, and I think that's a skill that not many games have grasped. 

Okay, enough ranting. Onto the cards!!

 
 This is one of the first cards I saw of Shiny Colors, and despite it's simplicity from the other cards I'll speak about, its the mundanity and lighting usage of the card that makes this feel so... Mesmerizing. The fact that the supposed focal subject of this card is in complete desaturated colors, and the brightest and most colorful aspect of the piece is within pieces of trash on the grass makes this so good. 

 Usually, when games come out with cards, they usually put the character in the middle along with an elaborate outfit and background for profit (smart and obvious decision to make). But because of this typical formula being so profitable, companies don't let their card illustrators play around and explore compositions as much as they should. So seeing these idol girls in casual outfits and doing something so normal makes it a very refreshing sight to see! Here's some other examples of the series' cards that also have a similar vibe to what I described: 



 Now, onto the second category of cards that I noticed that they sometimes do. Let's see what's in common about them! 

 The characters, even if not shown completely or physically in the card's space, is framed in a way that feels like they are. The different concepts they chose, from physical media such as billboards and posters, to screens and reflections such as phones, laptops, aquariums, to even in someone's eyes, are ingenious ways of framing the subjects in their cards. The lighting in these cards are also incredibly breathtaking, and each card feels like a masterpiece. All of these cards do a perfect job, but there is one that I have to give a specific analysis on due to just... How impressive it is. 

 The perspective shift of this card, the beautiful reflection of the water, and the lighting effect that makes your eyes travel back and forth between the subjects of the piece and the background is such an crazy idea... And everything works so well... And it's all just so pretty. This is probably one of my favorite Shiny Colors cards. 

 You guys might be thinking, "We've seen so much cards that don't follow the typical idol game card formula... What about the ones that do?" This is the category of cards just for that to show that Idolmaster Shiny Colors knows what's up and knows how to take the typical formula and make it truly shine. 

 The coloring of these cards... The lighting framing the characters, along with the items in the background and midground makes it feel like these characters are truly in that space, no matter how fantastical it can be. All of these cards keeps your eyes on it, serving its purpose oh so wonderfully. I don't know what else to say that won't sound like everyone else's interpretations on cards that they framed like this, so I'll end it off here. 

 Thank you so much for reading my (slightly) organized rambles on how much I love card illustrations and card compositions! If you're wondering if your favorite game's cards will get analyzed soon, shoot a comment down below! I'm planning on touching on games that I'm familiar with, but I'd love to analyze more and study more on composition, as it helps towards my future career. Have a wonderful day, and thank you again for stopping by! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡