The series primarily centers on the career of a producer who works with a group of prospective pop idols at the talent agency 765 Production.

At 765 Pro, there are initially 10 idols the player can choose: Haruka Amami, Chihaya Kisaragi, Yukiho Hagiwara, Yayoi Takatsuki, Ritsuko Akizuki, Azusa Miura, Iori Minase, Makoto Kikuchi, and Ami and Mami Futami (who work as a pair).

[5][6] In the main series of games, the player usually assumes the role of a producer who is put in charge of one or more idols as a part of a raising simulation.

[7][8] The schedule includes time for the producer to communicate with the idol, take them to jobs, train them during lessons, and offer directions during auditions and performances until they reach the top spot in the entertainment industry.

[4] The audition process involves another series of minigames, which allow the player to appeal to the judges or audience by earning points in the vocal, dance and visual categories.

The game focuses mainly on the concert coordination aspect of the original and expands on it in many ways, with higher customization of the stage, costumes and songs.

In The Idolmaster 2, Azusa Miura, Iori Minase and Ami Futami now form an independent unit with Ritsuko Akizuki as their producer.

[48] The titles of the games were changed for the port: Honey Sound became Harmonic Score, Funky Note became Rhythmic Record and Groovy Tune became Melodic Disc.

[53] The Idolmaster Starlit Season, a crossover game featuring idols from the original series, Cinderella Girls, Million Live!

and Shiny Colors, was originally planned to release in 2020 for the PS4 and Windows via Steam, but was delayed first to May 27, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then further to October 14, 2021 for quality improvements.

[74] The fourth spin-off, The Idolmaster Shiny Colors was released for Bandai Namco and Drecom's enza platform for HTML5 games on April 24, 2018.

Next, in order to effectively use the competitive culture that surrounds video arcades, Ishihara thought about various themes for the game, including professional wrestling and volleyball.

Their other focus was on allowing players to comfortably play the game and enjoy its various scenarios without the rushed gameplay found in the arcade version.

[81] Several returning scenario writers for the series include: Shōgo Sakamoto, Tomoyo Takahashi, Emi Tanaka, Yoshihito Azuma, and Akihiro Ishihara.

A 26-episode anime television series set in an alternate universe titled Idolmaster: Xenoglossia, produced by Sunrise and directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai, aired in Japan between April and October 2007 on Kansai TV.

The OVA involves Haruka, Chihaya and Miki trying to reach Tokyo in time to catch up with the rest of the girls in their latest concert after the trio gets lost in the middle of nowhere.

A faithful anime television series adaptation, produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Atsushi Nishigori, aired 25 episodes between July and December 2011 on TBS and other JNN networks across Japan.

[87][88] A special animation video featuring the character Mirai Kasuga was streamed within the spin-off game The Idolmaster Million Live!

[89] An anime television series adaptation of The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls, produced by A-1 Pictures, aired thirteen episodes from January to April 2015.

[93] An anime television series adaptation of the spin-off game The Idolmaster SideM, featuring male characters and also by A-1 Pictures, aired from October to December 2017.

[95] An anime television series adaptation of the spin-off game The Idolmaster Million Live!, produced by Shirogumi and directed by Shinya Watada, aired from October to December 2023.

[96] An anime television series adaptation of the spin-off game The Idolmaster Shiny Colors, produced by Polygon Pictures and directed by Mankyuu, is scheduled to air in 2024.

A South Korean drama television series based on the games and titled The Idolmaster KR premiered in 2017, running for 24 hour-long episodes.

[110] The Xbox 360 port of The Idolmaster sold 25,000 copies in its first week of sale and was the fifteenth best selling console video game in Japan for the time of its release.

[132] In terms of fan demographics, the fanbase of The Idolmaster franchise within Japan has an average age of 31 years, and a male-to-female ratio of approximately 50:50, based on a December 16, 2023 survey conducted by Nikkei Entertainment.

[34] As the first handheld release, The Idolmaster SP was praised as satisfying the needs of the fans who enjoy "lovingly raising their favorite idols" at all times.

[134] Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, another Xbox 360 game developed and published by Namco, references The Idolmaster in special paint schemes for the Su-33 Flanker, F-117A Night Hawk, F-16C Fighting Falcon, F-2A Viper Zero, Su-47 Berkut, F-15E Strike Eagle, Rafale M, Mirage 2000-5, Typhoon, F-14D Tomcat and F-22A Raptor as part of downloadable packs of extra aircraft colors made available for purchase between November 22, 2007 and March 31, 2008.

Haruka Amami made an appearance as a cameo costume for Mel in Namco's RPG Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon X.

[150] Bandai Namco Entertainment and Aniplex has allowed third party companies and organizations to use the franchise's characters in their promotions both individually or as a group.

[151] In 2012, the Tokyo Shrine Agency distributed posters and pamphlets featuring the 765 Production idols as part of a campaign to attract hatsumōde visitors.