Production
In 2018, LDH held a casting call for child talents through an audition titled LDH Presents The Girls Audition, with results later broadcast on an episode of TBS's Gekidan Exile, which aired on November 6, 2018.[7] Minami Hishida, Kira Yamaguchi, and Toa Harada were announced as winners in the actress category.[7] Phantomirage was trademarked in December 2018.[8]
The full cast and details about the show were unveiled during its first press conference on February 26, 2019, where Hishida, Yamaguchi, and Harada were announced as the main cast.[9] Prior to debuting as an actress, Yamaguchi had been part of EXPG Studio's female U-14 trainee group, Kizzy.[10] The supporting cast consisted of Mandy Sekiguchi, Takumi Saitoh, Nicole Ishida, Kodai Kuroishi, and Pee, in addition to Tsubasa Honda providing the voice to Kumachi and Toshiyuki Toyonaga providing the narration.[9] Ran Ishii was announced as a new cast member on June 13, 2019.
Kodai Asaka, Keiko Inoue from the comedy duo Nitche, Takeshi Nadagi, Masumi Yagi from the comedy duo Savanna, Koyuki Takahashi from the comedy duo Nihon Electric Rengo, Yui-P, and Ryo Kato were announced as upcoming guest characters.[11] Yuki Miyoshi, Momoka Sumitani, Misaki Tsuruya, Youka Ogawa, and Kurea Masuda reprised their roles from Magical × Heroine Magimajo Pures! in episode 7, while Yuzuha Oda reprised her role from Idol × Warrior Miracle Tunes! in episode 11.[11] Shun Oguri guest-starred as Phandy's older brother, Phangry, in episodes 25 to 27.[4]
Episode 17, which aired on July 28, 2019, was a crossover episode arc with episode 68 of Kiratto Pri☆Chan.[12][13][14] Phantomirage features the Miracle Kirats and Anju wearing their outfits, while Kiratto Pri☆Chan features a crossover episode with the Phantomirage members appearing in animated format.[12][13]
During the show's run, Hishida, Yamaguchi, and Harada performed as their characters at events and released music under the name Mirage2 (stylized as mirage2 and pronounced "mirage mirage"). Their first single, "Jan Ken Pon", served as the show's first ending theme song and was first performed at a baton touch event with Magical × Heroine Magimajo Pures!.[15] Ran Ishii later joined the group, debuting in their second single, "Doki Doki" which served as the show's second ending.
On November 17, 2019, the series was renewed for a second broadcast year, as well as a movie.
