Aikatsu Stars 71

 

Well well, the “Sayonara” Koharu episode. Anyone who is following Aikatsu Stars closely would have guessed from bits of information that Koharu was definitely not leaving and it was just going to be a misunderstanding. The episode still managed to surprise me with the two other plot points though – Kirara being left behind and Alice now in Yotsuboshi. We were sorely disappointed during the Alice episode when we thought she was just a one-off character despite the great character design. Apparently Bamco still have other plans for her but I don’t see her being prominent in the advent of Aria’s appearance. Bamco please continue to surprise me in this. Kirara being left behind is also quite intriguing. Will she rejoin back Venus Ark as soon as possible or will she just stay until Venus Ark returns? Looking forward to more Kirara Ako interaction episodes if she stays. 

Idoltime Pripara 22

 

It is refreshing to see them put some effort in an episode sometimes. The animation has been better than usual and the plot is still silly but not boring for this episode. Shuuka makes her appearance but next episode should be her official debut. “Neo Dimension Go” by Tricolore is really the greatest performance in Idoltime so far as the whole performance itself is not on a stage itself but on a flying pirate ship with a pretty cool making drama too. I kinda understand they lack budget in animating Idoltime somehow (It’s been pretty awful recently) but episodes like this restore my hope that actual climax episodes can be done impressively.

Aikatsu Stars 70

 

In last episode, Akari suffered as just being a supporting character to Yume. But this episode, make no mistake, Ichigo’s overwhelming presence is ensuring she is the main character once she made her first appearance in this episode.

Ichigo is always my top favourite Aikatsu idol and much more than Yume currently. Her “Pro Adventurer” feats – rope catching Yume, axing down a tree, rock climbing are all just my typical Ichigo. I was going to just rant on and on about how fabulous is Ichigo but I can’t find words to describe her.

About other aspects of this episode, unfortunately due to the short length of the episode even without the OP, other idols were underused, especially Aoi and Mizuki. Yurika and Kaede were just being themselves again (Not that it is a bad thing) with the surprise appearance of the Loli Gothic bat. We don’t even get to witness how Soleil won the race against Tristar. 

Yume were especially dumb for not realizing Ichigo was an idol when Ichigo was chanting Aikatsu during the rock climbing with her. I wish deeply for another collab episode in the future. Maybe they can come back to Aikatsu Island again since obviously there’s a dimension hole/gate near Aikatsu Island.

 

Idoltime Pripara 21

 

Nothing worthy of screenshot this episode in Menpara. Still going on with their ridiculous plot again with Monsters and Ramen and Udon.

Well next week Hibiki and finally Shuuka are going to make her debut appearance. I hope Shuuka makes good rival against the main three.

Aikatsu Stars 69

 

The first crossover episode has come. Welcome back Akari!!!!

In my opinion, this episode is a bit underwhelming due to the boring idea/execution of the plot point : Finding four-leaf clovers. We didn’t even get to see the real fun side of Luminas.

Luminas didn’t even get to perform off-screen. Akari acknowledging Ichigo is her rival now sounds good, but a bigger crossover with Ichigo together would be even more interesting. Maybe 1 episode is just too short to show everything I want.

Akari’s comments about they will return to the stars that Aikatsu Stars can’t see, but still exists, seems to be hinting that they are from another dimension. 

Well well, we will have Ichigo back in next episode, so that will likely to be much more fun than this episode from the looks of the preview.

 

We are greeted by this iconic Aikatsu opening once the episode starts. What a way to hype-up the episode.

 

 

Idoltime Pripara 20

 

Didn’t expect the Yui sibling’s relationship is resolved so quickly and Shougo is now willing to escort Yui after just 2 or 3 episodes after he said he won’t.

Well let’s move on from now. I hope the new characters for Idoltime are introduced more quickly. 

They need a real rival for things to heat up.

Aikatsu Stars 67

Pool episode, strange hairstyles, Yuzu Wings and a surprise near the end.

I wonder why Elza is surprised about Yuzu getting wings. Yuzu is definitely the strongest out of the Yotsuboshi girls right now. She has the skill and the passion and just makes things right. Getting wings for Yuzu is just a side effect of having fun.

That Sun Dress thing seems to be destined for Yume.

Kirara Ako interaction is so shaa~~~ and meee~~~

And Mahiru is brute forcing again

 

 

Idoltime Pripara 18

There’s a new escort system to utilize the guys from DanPri, but I am not really fan of them.

Also Galala appeared and I am curious what part is she playing in Idoltime.

 

Aikatsu Stars 66

Kirara and Yume both performed in this episode but quite obviously this is the Yume episode again. As a diehard Yume fan, adorable Yume shots are just everywhere and I’m so Yume satisfied after watching this episode.

Yume was so good in bringing all the kids into her cult and just brainwashed them to not fight against each other. I would be brainwashed myself too ha.

Rola won the Venus Wave but it is kinda expected because she was the only one who did something spectacular (Her Star Wings)

 

This week I am also posting some Yume-centered self made gifs since I learned how to do this quickly from one helpful someone in one discord server.

Can you resist Yume’s sparkling eyes?

What type of ridiculous ideas Yume had proposed in the past to cause her brand owner so frightened?

Idoltime Pripara 17

Currently I don’t expect much from Pripara. There are just no clear plotlines or something interesting to look forwards to.

Solami Smile / Dressing Pafe / Gaarumageddon had just taken up their roles as mentors for Yui / Nino / MICHIRU. 

The really surprising thing to happen in this episode is that Leona and Dorothy managed to trigger Super Idol Time. I thought that would be just exclusive to the new idols of this season. They got SCR instead of Yume Rare though.

Aikatsu Stars 65

Quite obviously this is the wings episode for Rola, so we get to see a lot of Rola.

I like her muse philosophy of how being free with her brand Spice Chord. She is more of similar to Mahiru who also has to inherit a brand from someone else. Essentially, others like Yume, Elza, Kirara can just imbue their whole personality into their brand, but Rola and Mahiru can only slowly put their touches on the brand. This is likely not an easy task, as in this case, Rei and others might question them on their decisions on changing the philosophy of the brand itself, like making Spice Chord slightly cuter. Rola convinces people using her conviction “Going my Way” and probably Rola herself as an idol compatible with the changed brand.

I am also curious with how the dress design work between different brands. For Berry Parfait and FuwaFuwa Dream, the idol took care of the design and has the staff helping them to bring the design into reality, but for cases like Rola and Lily, they actually sew up the whole dress themselves. Even though she sew up her dress, doesn’t that need to be gone through an official approval process from the brand staff for it to be an official coord?

Also see how Rola is being overprotective of Yume again. Her stern stare “Don’t touch my YUME!!!!” awwww.  Yume x Rola ship is still rolling strong.

I have been lazy in posting these review posts lately (See how my reviews getting posted later and later).

Idoltime Pripara 16

Nothing really to comment about this episode. End of Mimiko’s attempt to interfere with their Pripara activities and continuation of Lala, Yui together being forceful in persuasion activities.

 

Aikatsu Stars 63

The Sentai 4 (S4) parody is great and it really is a fun episode.

However, I really feel like the theme of the episode went all wrong.

The activity was supposed to be for Lily to gain strength to endure through the summer instead of going for summer hibernation mode.

But in face of all the crisis, Lily pretty much did nothing and gained help from all the S4 members magically one by one.

She does gain a new power: “Friendship Summoning”, by summoning friends (S4) out of thin air to help her when required.

Idoltime Pripara 13

I am going to just start this with WHY the HECK is Parajuku Pripara getting destroyed by a FUCKING BOMB?

This really undermines the effort of the original cast saving Pripara multiple times from systems disasters/heaven disasters in the original 140 episodes. I just feel so sad for them.

This really gives out enough shock value and only serves a plot point to bring Gaarumageddon back to the forefront of Idoltime Pripara.

Welcome back Gaarumageddon anyways.

Aikatsu Stars 62

This is the episode where Rola goes through some ridiculous trials to get to be the muse for Spice Chord.

Now almost all the main characters get their own brand except poor Ako.

As cool as Rola is, she is always willing to immerse in and enjoy her Taiyaki role which always make me smile.

Idoltime Pripara 12

This episode just reminds me how good is Pripara when Yui starts abusing her MC and friendship power.

I always liked how friendship saves the day and saves the world kind of theme in Pripara.

This also brings an end to first arc as the first grand prix ends, and appearance of Falala and Super Idol Time, which is starting the next arc on probably the actual Idol Time system?

Super Idol Time is definitely a clone of Kami Idol Challenge made better with their better 3D CG. 

Yui really has grown on me since the first episode.

Since this is the end of first arc, I am writing a general impression of the first 12 episodes.

I didn’t really like Idoltime from the start as Yui is being too delusional and Lala lost her twintails, and forced to be pretty much useless.

Idoltime is also reusing the plot thread of headmistress not allowing them to Pripara and which is kinda boring by now. 

Fortunately, this is already resolved by the end of this episode.

Idoltime is also still relying cameos from Solami Smile and Dressing Pafe to prop up this, and I hope they will start to tone this down for the new characters to support the show on their own.

I am still not a fan of Nino by now, but I guess I will grow on her like how I grow on Yui (Like pretty much all idol anime.

Episode 12 really excites me and revitalize my hopes for this. 

Hope Idoltime will continue strongly.