What this is
Ride the Tokaido Shinkansen and it doubles as an THE IDOLM@STER SideM experience — JR Central has partnered with the long-running male idol franchise to distribute an exclusive in-train voice drama featuring units F-LAGS and C.FIRST, playable only while aboard. Running August 3 through October 31, 2026, the collaboration spans multiple touchpoints: show your boarding pass at designated Nagoya City spots to collect SNS-style clear cards (different designs for each half of the event period), and hunt down exclusive merchandise at the Deramasu × SideM pop-up store at Manga10, including items with newly drawn illustrations themed around JR Central uniforms and 315 series trains, plus Piyorin collaboration goods.
Who should go
Dedicated SideM fans, particularly those who follow F-LAGS and C.FIRST, will get the most out of this — it rewards active participation across multiple locations. Collectors chasing limited clear cards and train-themed merch will find plenty to pursue.
Good to know
There are no dedicated tickets for this collaboration — participation requires a valid Tokaido Shinkansen boarding pass, so factor in the cost of your train journey. Clear card redemption requires showing proof of boarding at the designated Nagoya City spot locations; confirm exact redemption points on the official event website before visiting, as they may differ from the main venue listings. The Deramasu × SideM pop-up store at Manga10 handles merchandise sales and bonus redemptions separately from the in-train content — check opening hours in advance. Sakae South Square is easily reached from Sakae Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway Higashiyama or Meijo lines. Cash is advisable for pop-up store purchases, though larger anime retail outlets in Nagoya increasingly accept cards.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.