Minasan! Welcome to my first ever review~
I decided to write this because it sounded like fun and could be good writing experience. Someone wished for some opinions and requested that I do this as well. So please, join me as we step into onto the path of a brand new Idols first steps in her journey!
A week late but work with me...
We start with the protagonist as she hurries along a crowded train area. She's cute, she's energetic, pink, and quite the klutz as we see here and later on. She continues on while thinking back to a life-changing desicion she made prior to the series before locating her friend Koharu.
Inside the performance hall we are given our first taste to the brand new Aikatsu that has been born; and what a taste it was! Like the fireworks at the end of a festival, or the bonus prize from winning the lottery or a game, or a huge sundae covered in ice cream, fruits, (optional) nuts, syrup, cream, AND candy!
The Princess-Idol known as Hime steps out onto the stage and performs Start Line! for the audience- with Koharu and Yume making their wish known before sending their papers in to Four Star Academy.
About five minutes into the whole series and we're already treated to our first time skip. Was anyone else a bit confused by the lack of context at first?
For the next several minutes of the episode our eyes are assaulted by the beauty that is Four Star Academy.
As you can see, if has all the markings of a good school: A wide open campus, modern features, large dorm rooms, and an ambiguously questionable man who takes the stage to speak to all of the new Students. In this time, we are treated to various shots of future to-be Idols in the series no doubt; from a bitter looking Mikuru clone to a perky cat girl.
We learn more of the beloved Idoling Group of the school: the S4. Starting with the Elegant, sisterly Yozora from the Moon Beauty class, followed by the fluffy-haired Yuzu, from the Wind Dance class. Next appears the passionate (but oddly cute sounding) Tsubasa from the Bird Theater class, and lastly, Yume's own favorite, Hime from the Flower Song class.
Afterwards, Yume and Koharu prepare to attend their first class- with Yume lamenting her sadness over not being with her friend for it. She cheers up upon being reminded they will see each other most of the day and they separate.
Once seated, we are left wondering what Johnny-sensei did between his time off with the series skip with the introduction of the lively Anna Hibiki; who proceeds to steal the show from the confused Protagonist by acting as the momentary exposition and giving some helpful (if a bit predictable) advice as an Idol.
She gives each girl their IDs and Aikatsu Mobile, but in the midst of Yume's words of self-encouragement, she is interupted by a classmate who asks to be let into the room through the window.
Yume continues to speak to herself but seeing how persistant the girl is, she lets her in and meets the cheeky Laura Sakuraba.
Laura is called up to the front of the class by Anna- who boldly comments on Laura's nonchalont attitude before pointing out to the class that this was partially what she was just refering to. She decides to let Laura off of the hook and the drill-haired girl returns to her seat.
Before Anna can resume, the class is dismissed when the bell rings and she suggests the make the best of their free time from now on. With some Idols deciding to rest, and some ready to start training- Yume and Koharu reunite and settle on a special tour from an app, narrated by S4.
The girls travel around the school and they explore the cafeteria, the dorms, and lastly, the Dress Make room. We learn that instead of going to Top Designers- the Idols are now in charge of making their own dresses. With a brand new, simple, touch-based interface an Idol can create the look of her dreams- as long as she has the right requirements.
Yume and Koharu take off to find a large group of girls from the school making their way to the main area outside of the campus. There, they find S4 flaunting their stuff as they prepare to leave for some recording work, where Yume gets the brilliant idea to try to catch Hime's attention by climbing a tree.
Ichigo and Akari climb mountains with proper attire and Yume climbs a tree in a dress; classy.
By the time she realizes Hime has already left, a young man calls up to her and amidst their arguement, she falls on top of him.
I'm no expert, but shouldn't that sort of fall have broken something?
Right away a dynamic is set between them; boy insults girl, girl gets embarrassed and tells him off, boy proceeds to make the girl shut up when proven his superiority- I smell future friends in the making~!
Yume flees back for her dorm afterwards and learns from Koharu that the Class Sorting Audition will be taking place soon. They also begin training for the first time the following day; with Laura and basically every over classmate showing her up.
Momentarily disheartened, Yume meets back up with Koharu when they finish. Koharu attempts to encourage her good friend by pointing out that even if Anna failed to be impressed, she always makes her smile whenever she sings. Yume is touched by such words; only for the girls to be informed by Anna that they need to hurry on to the Auditions!
Taking the classes onto the stage, Anna informs the girls that they will be performing before not only her fellow Teachers and (oddly handsome) Headmaster, but the S4 as well.
A bundle of nerves, Yume and Koharu try to keep each other calmed before Koharu takes her turn on the stage. Before taking her turn, Yume gives herself a pep-talk and steps into the futuristic, redesigned Changing Room. She inserts her Pink Star Coord Cards and shows-off the brand new Changing Scene- wowing (and partially scaring some of) the fans!
With an oddly huge Idol Aura, she amazes the audience members while performing Aikatsu☆Step!
Everyone questions how someone so new could be so talented and soon the performance comes to an end. As they remain pleasently surprised, it turns to shock when Yume suddenly blacks out and is rushed to the infirmary.
For all of her effort, she is reduced to tears upon being greeted by her personal Idol, while we are rewarded with our first piece of Yuri-bait!
Hime comforts the poor, shaken newbie Idol and assures her that she is okay. But Yume finds it questionable that Hime even knows her name and asks how that could be. Instead of answering her, Hime suggests she gets more rest and takes off, allowing Koharu to visit her now.
Did anyone else wonder why Hime WOULDN'T know Yume's name? It's on the stage, and its probably made aware to them prior to the performance at some point as well.
There, Koharu learns that Yume is unable to remember the performance. She watches with awe when Koharu reveals it was recorded and she curiously attempts to determine why she can't remember it and the episode concludes...
As does my first ever review of the episode! I see a wonderful future for our new, glowing star...
Episode 2[]
And so we continue the review with Episode 2. I was so excited for this since we would be seeing someone new perform. While disappointed she didn't get her own song to show off, I was enticed by the throw-back to the previous series. We're also treated to the first glance at both the opening introduction and opening theme for the first-half of the season.
In terms of the opening, it was lovely. However, I personally felt it missed a "wow" factor the predecesors held.
With that I'm ready to begin!
The episode begins with Yume and Koharu watching a broadcast hosted by the S4. Yume is in disbelief over their attention and claims she still can't remember what happened and doesn't deserve any of it until Koharu convinces her otherwise. They take off to find out that several classmates are now aware of who Yume is but are unable to linger on it long after they head outside with Anna and the rest of her class.
Ah yes, only the 2nd episode in and we're introduced to the long-running tradition of Aikatsu! Track and Field.
The girls train tirelessly until Anna singles Yume out and asks her to sing on her own. Yume fails to impress once more, causing the girls behind her to remark on it- along with Laura.
After the girls return to class, Anna reveals that after the week passes they will get right to the class sorting auditions. She has the girls take off and insists on them visiting the various classes to decide which may be best for them: starting with the Wind Dance class, led by a (questionably qualified) man (who looks like he should be the bumbling scientist in some kiddie robot show). Yuzu takes a moment with to convince the new students to join the group in dancing. And in the process reveals that a fake tail can indeed move.
Next the girls learn of the majestic beauty that is... the teacher of the Moon Beauty Class.
Just teasing ;3
The beauty that is... balancing overly fancy water bottles on the top of your head!
Teehee~
As Yume and Koharu watch in amazement, they fall from the spherical balls that teacher instructs them to sit upon.
Is it me or did the balls change size between shots?
Surprised by how effortlessly Yozora carries her water container, Koharu accidentally falls off of the ball and her glasses go missing. Yozora approaches to lend her a hand, continuing to astound the intimidated young girl- deeming her skin to imply she is the embodiment of purity and walks off. Leaving an everlasting effect on her as they take off, leading her to decide she wishes to study under the Moon Beauty Class.
And with that our only piece of non-Yume shippers bait fades away...
Yume carries on to observe the Bird Theater Class next, followed by the Flower Song Class. Where at first the girls are surprised to see that nobody is doing anything except for drinking tea. Suddenly, one by one several of the girls proceed to drop- and the case went unsolved...
I love references.
To their shock, the girls realize that the students had no seats beneath them. They were standing over in this position for so long as part of Hime's own training and she effortlessly reveals that she had no problem doing it herself. She rises as Anna explains this to them and Hime compliments everyone for their hard work.
Yume leaves and is approached by Laura again. As it turns out they both desire to gain a spot on S4, as well as take the same class. Right away Laura makes her name known to Yume by proclaiming she stands no chance and takes off.
Back in the class, Yume recalls her day and meeting with Koharu until two classmates approach. As it turns out, with the upcoming party for all the new students- they must draw lots to team up with someone and put on a skit or performance for everyone. Yume excitedly draws before realizing she got stuck with Laura, then stays behind in class with her to try to come up with an idea.
Like Hot and Cold, Oil and Vinegar, Most Cats and Dogs, A Tsundere and anyone they Crush on- they simply don't work together. Two duo struggle to come up with an idea they can both support, with Yume claiming Laura is too relaxed, while Laura tells Yume to loosen up. When left with the final idea, both girls agree upon doing it and they get to work with training.
Incidentally, Yume frustrates Laura after she is unable to do well and Laura accuses her of hardly trying. She storms off after telling Yume to just leave if she won't, considering how much effort she puts into doing everything. Initially Yume is angry and even further annoyed by her haughty behavior and expresses this while having a drink in the cafeteria with Koharu. To her surprise, Laura stops by to drop off an envelope and walks off.
Yume opens it to find a score for the song they will perform and observes it to see that Laura marked everything with easy-to-understand tabs and Koharu decides to take off to get some practice done. Curiously, Yume approaches to find Laura with a pile of thick books and suddenly a new resolve is lit within her. She takes off and spends the remainder of the day training her tail off.
That evening, when Yume goes off for a quick jog she runs into Laura. They decide to join one-another and in this time, they realize they actually have some things in common and are able to get into tune with each other.
Eventually the Party begins, with them using the performance hall to hold it. Anna announces the start of the acts and Koharu performs magic with a classmate. Laura and Yume then prepare for their turn and change, stepping on stage to put on a performance.
It is then we switch from an Idol Shoujo to a school special known as Bullying.
As Yume and Laura walk from the stage, two girls remark that Yume probably didn't try very hard considering this performance didn't impress them. Yume sadly listens to them and Laura interupts to chastise the girls, telling them off by stating that if they waste their time gossiping, those truly born with a singing talent will pass them before they know it. The trio of girls walk off and Yume thanks her, but Laura claims she was being honest. The girls officially agree to become rivals starting with this instance and shake on it.
But unknown to them... a mysterious shadow lurks within the Principals Office.
Observing Yume's previous performance, the Headmaster comments that if Yume is unfit to join S4- he is free to expel Yume whenever he pleases and informs Hime of that.
Dun Dun DUN!
Alright, so in terms of episode; I love Laura but I have to admit that I wasn't nearly as excited as I was watching the first episode. I will be impatiently awaiting the next episode however, and I nearly screamed seeing how cute Yuzu looked in the kitty costume x3 I want one~
For the performance, I enjoyed it. The song is cute, and I liked the contrast between the girls singing voices. They fit well together. I noticed complaints over Laura's voice appearing a bit shaky between certain parts- but I actually only heard it near the middle at one line. I'm assuming it may have just been her singer adjusting to raising her tone other anything else. It may just be me, but I didn't actually mind it much.
I'm glad we got to meet the Teachers a little bit and see the classes. They actually looked like fun. Which did you enjoy the most? Which Teacher stole your attention from the others?
Chew on these and leave a response in the comments~