Episode 1

Episode 1 is the first episode of the ARP Backstage Pass (Artists Republic Performers) anime series by Akari Uchida. It aired January 13, 2020.

Summary
ARP is a boygroup consisting of some of Japan's finest stars. Shinji is a student of ISM, The International School of Music. So are the other members. Shinji is the first member to be interviewed about how he rose to his current position.

Shinji is the son of a talented musician and struggles with not living up to his father's expectations. One day he receives a ARP card in his mail, telling him to meet in the headmaster's office. There, he was welcomed into the group since he was one of the top performing students in his school.

Daiya and Reiji were originally members of the band Cross Bone. They would perform for mere pocket change and were thin on money. One day they recieved two ARP cards and meet the producer of ARP. The producer asks they attend ISM in promise of a big and promising career. Reiji, naturally witty, makes a bargain with the producer to have the deal work in their favor.

Leon desperately wanted to join ARP and worked his way to attending ISM and proving his worth to ARP.