TV · Fall 2012 · 50 episodes · 24 min · Finished · Sunrise
Music
Ichigo Hoshimiya is a regular, ordinary middle school girl. But when her best friend, Aoi, invites her to join the idol training academy, Starlight Academy, her whole world is turned upside down. As she encounters all kinds of rivals and learns what it takes to be an idol, she uses her Aikatsu Cards to challenge countless auditions.
(Source: Anime News Network)
Ichigo Hoshimiya is a bright young girl who is always helping her mother out at a takeaway bento place. After accidentally messing up her brother Raichi's photos of top idol Mizuki Kanzaki, Ichigo goes to her best friend Aoi Kiriya, who manages to get them some tickets to Mizuki's concert. The three of them go to Mizuki's concert, which leaves a strong impression on Ichigo. The next day, Aoi tells Ichigo about the Starlight Academy, a school for idols which uses an 'Aikatsu' system involving cards which are used to select clothes. Aoi decides she wants to try out the entrance exam and asks Ichigo to go with her since she thinks Ichigo has the scent of an idol. As Ichigo reaches the live audition part of her exam, she manages to impress Kanzaki Mizuki and the other judges with her special appeal performance and both she and Aoi pass the exam.
Ep. 2
So Many Idols!
Oct 14, 2012 · 24 min
Ichigo and Aoi begin their first day at Starlight Academy, taking in the sights before moving into their dorm. They then meet up with the headmistress, Orihime Mitsuishi, who gives them the Aikatsu cards they selected in the audition, as well as an Aikatsu Phone used to store their cards. They are soon introduced to their homeroom teacher, Johnny Bepp, and are enrolled in their class. The girls are then informed of a special audition, the winner of which gets to be Mizuki's temporary manager, the catch being that there's only one slot available. As Aoi works hard on her lessons, she explains to Ichigo about how she gained her love of idols. During the audition, Ichigo trips up during the performance while Aoi is declared the winner. As Ichigo laments her loss later that night, she encounters Mizuki, who warns her that she may not always be able to be by Aoi's side.
Ep. 3
I Want to Know More About You
Oct 21, 2012 · 24 min
As Aoi begins her job as Mizuki's temporary manager alongside her usual manager, Honoka Tsukikage, Ichigo decides to pursue them in secret. She is soon caught stowing away, but Mizuki lets her tag along regardless. As Mizuki goes through her various activities, Honoka hints to Ichigo that Mizuki isn't the prodigy she thinks she is. Later that night, as Ichigo and Aoi go to return Mizuki's Aikatsu Phone, they notice her pushing herself in late night training. Honoka goes on to explain that Mizuku trains harder than anyone other idol, having spent an entire year before her debut away from the public eye to do intensive training, saying Ichigo and Aoi will need to train even harder if they want to surpass her.
Ep. 4
Oh! My! Fan!
Oct 28, 2012 · 24 min
After Ichigo and Aoi's audition is uploaded to the academy's website, Aoi gets her first fan letter. As Ichigo applies for another audition with Aoi for a job at a takoyaki store, she begins training to avoid tripping over like last time. She sprains her foot but is helped by a young boy named Oota who reveals himself to be a fan. Ichigo and Aoi join Oota the next day for their running practise and, despite the harshness of the training, both Ichigo and Oota manage to push each other to try their hardest. Having noticed how much Ichigo pushed herself, Oota decides to try harder in his track running as well. As Oota goes to his track meet, Ichigo and Aoi manage to convey their feelings to the audience and win their audition while Oota manages to pass his preliminaries. Later, Aoi tells Ichigo that Oota isn't her very first fan; it's Aoi.
Ep. 5
Ran! Runway!
Nov 4, 2012 · 24 min
Ichigo becomes curious about her classmate, Ran Shibuki, who appears to be something of a loner. Later, Ichigo ends up paired with Ran for an upcoming audition for a fashion show. As Ichigo trains with Aoi to act like a model, Ran laments about her former partner. Prior to the audition, Mizuki gives Ichigo some advice on Ran. On the day of the audition, Ran takes Ichigo behind the scenes to show her an idol's purpose on the runway: to express the feelings of the staff, supporters and audience. After passing the audition, Ran reveals to Ichigo about her former roommate, who had to drop out, which had left her in a funk before auditioning with Ichigo.
Ep. 6
Lost in an Autograph!
Nov 11, 2012 · 24 min
As Ichigo and Ran head to their fashion shoot, Ichigo realises she doesn't have an autograph signature. Hearing about this, Johnny tasks Ichigo and Aoi to come up with a signature by the next day. Ran agrees to help them figure out an autograph to use, spending all night helping them out. Although Aoi's autograph is approved by Johnny, he feels Ichigo's design would take too long to write. Rather than just design a more simpler one, Ichigo undergoes training to try and write hers more quickly. Later, Ichigo is asked by her family to pay them a visit, which Raichi turns into an autograph session. However, Ichigo finds that her enthusiasm to get her autograph done quickly is alienating her fans. After some advice from Ran, Ichigo learns that it's fine to sacrifice the quality of an autograph for the sake of interacting more with your fans. This meets the approval of Johnny, who rewards Ichigo with some rare Aikatsu cards: Angely Sugar, which helps her win an audition to be a stationary spokeswoman.
Ep. 7
Beware the Blog
Nov 18, 2012 · 24 min
Ichigo and Aoi end up signing up for different auditions on the same day, receiving support from fans from the KiraKiratter social network. Aoi grows a little concerned when she learns Ran is also entering the same audition she is. Aoi soon ends up picking up strange training advice from KiraKiratter, ranging from beam balancing to aromatherapy, causing Ichigo to become worried. On the day of the Pon-Pon Crepe audition, Aoi receives rare Aikatsu cards: Futuring Girl from the janitor, though he doubts that she can use them properly as she is. As Aoi waits for her audition, she realises that she became so absorbed in net feedback that she's been oblivious to the words of her real life friends. As Aoi starts to doubt that she can beat Ran, Ichigo rushes back from her own audition to give Aoi her support in person. Receiving confidence from Ichigo's support, Aoi manages to win the audition while Ichigo also manages to pass hers.
Ep. 8
The Underground Sun
Nov 25, 2012 · 24 min
As Ichigo gets lost while shooting a vlog, she discovers an underground studio where another idol is in training. Later, it is revealed Ran is to participate in a Sensational Student Audition against Hikari Minowa, who she has never been able to beat before. As Ichigo and Ran discover the underground studio again later that day, they find Hikari is the one using it to rehearse for her web concerts. As the girls visit Ran's room, they learn about how she was given some rare cards from a brand designer she admired. As Ran and Hikari compete together in the final audition, they end up reaching a tie, deciding to settle the score another time. Afterwards, Ran decides to train Ichigo and Aoi for a special group audition.
Ep. 9
Move on Now!
Dec 2, 2012 · 24 min
As Ichigo, Aoi and Ran train for their special audition, they ask Johnny for help on obtaining special Premium Cards needed for their audition. As Johnny and Orihime arrange a meeting with the brand designers, the girls train to perform one of Mizuki's songs to impress them. While visiting the library, they meet Michelle Tachibana and Asuna Himero, who are also training for the special audition. Aoi and Ran later have their meetings with their respective brand designers, managing to receive some Premium Cards. Ichigo's meeting with her brand, Angely Sugar, ends up coming close to the special audition, but she decides to take a chance anyway. However, when her Aikatsu Phone runs out of battery, she ends up taking the long route up the side of a mountain. Admiring her effort, the top designer, Amane, rewards her with cards of her latest design, and Ichigo manages to make it back just in time for her audition. The girls manage to put on an amazing performance and pass the audition alongside Michelle and Asuna, receiving a light in their Aikatsu Phones known as a Mastery. Later that night, Ichigo runs into Mizuki again, who tells her this is just the beginning.
Ep. 10
The Rainbow Maiden
Dec 9, 2012 · 24 min
On their way to school, the girl's meet the peculiar Otome Arisugawa, who fell into the school fountain trying to catch a rainbow. Meanwhile, a tournament is held for one of three places in a special Christmas event, with Ichigo to face Otome in the first round. After Naoto warns Aoi and Ran that Ichigo might not be able to win against Otome if all she thinks about is fun, Ichigo sees how hard Otome practises and becomes determined to practise harder. Later, the janitor gives Ichigo some advice that she needs to sing from her soul, before Ichigo manages to see a rainbow with Otome. Ichigo manages to win the audition to earn her place in the event, along with Aoi and Ran. Afterwards, Orihime and Johnny reveal that, due to the increase in participants, an additional position is opened which Otome is asked to audition for.
Ep. 11
Otome Falls in Love with Someone
Dec 16, 2012 · 24 min
As Otome falls out of a tree trying to rescue a cat, she is rescued by the janitor. As Otome seems a little spaced out afterwards, Ichigo and the others assume she has a crush on the janitor, leading Aoi to reminisce about a boy she previously admired. Realizing they don't actually know the janitor's name, Ichigo follows him, learning that he is a band vocalist named Naoto Suzukawa, who claims to have no interest in any of the students and asking Ichigo to keep his other career a secret from the academy. The gang soon learns that what Otome fell in love with wasn't actually Naoto but was in fact the cat-shaped necklace he was wearing at the time. The next day, Otome manages to pass her revenge audition.
Ep. 12
We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
Dec 23, 2012 · 24 min
As Ichigo ends up volunteering everyone to help out for a Christmas party on the day of the special event, she notices the normally energetic Yuna Nakayama is feeling down due to her parents working around Christmas. As Ichigo becomes determined to prepare a special Christmas Tree for her, she and the others, along with a television producer filming for the special event, heads to Angely Mountain to find a suitable tree. Chopping down the biggest tree they could find, the girls ride it down the mountain before Angely Sugar's gardener helps them take it back to the academy, where the other students help to decorate it. Having been pleased with their efforts as they are aired on TV, Orihime awards the girls with some rare Aikatsu cards for their special event. As Yuna beholds the tree her friends prepared for her, she is delighted by the surprise arrival of her parents. As the Christmas party gets underway, Orihime is in talks about pairing Ichigo up with Mizuki.
Ep. 13
Tragedy of Calories
Jan 6, 2013 · 24 min
As the New Year rolls in, Orihime informs Mizuki of her planned partnership with Ichigo for a special stage event. Meanwhile, Ichigo ends up eating too much over the New Year's break and gains weight by the time school starts up again. Wanting her to get back into shape, Aoi and Ran enter Ichigo into a Shining Girl audition and try to get her to exercise, but can't seem to break her out of her lazy and gluttonous habit. They soon show her that she will be unable to use her Aikatsu cards if she doesn't put her all into being an idol. Remembering how hard Mizuki trains, Ichigo resolves to train harder and starts going on a diet. Despite losing her New Year's weight, Ichigo keeps pushing herself to lose more weight until Mizuki reminds her that it's okay to eat sweet things in moderation. After Ichigo passes her audition, she and the others are informed of a drama audition they will be competing against each other in.
Ep. 14
Naughty Detectives
Jan 13, 2013 · 24 min
As the girls anticipate their audition for a drama called Naughty Detectives, they also find themselves against fellow schoolmate Shion Kamiya. As the girls are informed of two roles to audition for, Shion cuts her hair short to try for a boyish detective role. As Aoi starts to become nervous, Orihime gives her and Ichigo some words of advice. After a series of adlib auditions, both Aoi and Shion manage to pass the audition with their performances, although Ichigo also gets cast as an extra.
Ep. 15
Love Under the Camphor Tree
Jan 20, 2013 · 24 min
As Ichigo and the others prepare for a team audition, they decide that Otome needs to obtain some premium cards. After Johnny warns them that the designer for Otome's favourite brand, Happy Rainbow, is a very strict person, the girls work on their team training. On the day of the audition, Orihime manages to arrange a last minute meeting with the designer, although Otome ends up getting lost. Just then, she encounters an old woman named Ikuyo who is searching for a campher tree where she once confessed to her first love. Otome decides to help her search for it, enlisting the help of the others. After searching through countless shrines, the girls find the location of the tree, only to learn it was cut down following a typhoon. Thanking the girls anyway, Ikuyo rewards Otome with a ring that she was given after being turned down. Although the Happy Rainbow designer, Makoto, initially refuses to give Otome her cards due to showing up late, he notices the ring Ikuyo gave her is the same as the one passed down to him by his father, realising he was the one Ikuyo confessed to. Accepting the ring, Makoto awards Otome with the premium cards and the girls manage to make it to their audition, where they earn the Mastery of Appearance. Afterwards, Mizuki informs Ichigo that they'll be performing together.
Ep. 16
Heart-Pounding! Special Live: Part 1
Jan 27, 2013 · 24 min
Ichigo nervously attends her first meeting with Mizuki's staff as they plan for her next concert. After the meeting, Mizuki starts training Ichigo on a trampoline, teaching her about the Special Appeals she'll need to use. As Ichigo struggles to think about how to pull it off, her friends give her some advice. During the rehearsal, Ichigo manages to perform a Special Appeal, but later feels frustrated that she couldn't match up to Mizuki, who performed three. However, Mizuki assures her that she'll be able to perform three on the day of the concert.
Ep. 17
Heart-Pounding! Special Live: Part 2
Feb 3, 2013 · 24 min
As the day of the concert arrives, Ichigo's mother, Ringo, has a feeling of nostalgia as she takes Raichi to the theater. Meanwhile, Ichigo is nervous as she hasn't been able to do three Special Appeals during her rehearsal, but Aoi, Ran and Otome show up to give her their support. As Ichigo takes the stage for her first performance alongside Mizuki, she is able to perform three Special Appeals and make a strong impression on the crowd. However, during the second performance, Ichigo starts to feel a bit weak, but Mizuki manages to give her the strength to see it to the end of the song while also performing a fourth Special Appeal herself. Following the concert, Ichigo seems to be spacing out a lot, although she eventually explodes into high praise for Mizuki while talking to Naoto, desiring to be a top idol just like her.
Ep. 18
A Bit of Chocolate Love
Feb 10, 2013 · 24 min
As Ichigo, Aoi, Ran and Otome are asked to perform for a Valentine's Day Fashion Show, the girls decide to make some handmade chocolate for the event before spending the night picking out their choice of clothes. Meanwhile, Raichi, who wants to receive some chocolate from Aoi, sneaks into Starlight Academy dressed as a girl, posing as Ichigo's little sister so he can help make the chocolate. However, he becomes depressed when he finds Aoi hasn't made any chocolate for him. He does cheer up after watching everyone in the fashion show. After the performance, Aoi gives Raichi some chocolate of his own.
Ep. 19
The Moonlit Girl Gives Off a Secret Scent
Feb 17, 2013 · 24 min
While running home late from a job, Ichigo encounters a supposed vampire, who runs off when she sees a pin Otome gave her. This vampire is revealed to be Otome's classmate, Yurika Tōdō, who constantly acts in character in preparation for a Loli-Goth themed audition for a rock festival, which Ichigo also intends to participate in. Feeling she needs to make a character for herself too, Ichigo starts dressing up like Frankenstein's bride. The next day, Yurika ends up causing a fire in her dorm room while using aroma candles to fit her character, with Ichigo rushing in to recover her umbrella before Naoto puts out the fire. After the incident, Yurika gives Ichigo and the others her thanks and shows them her normal side, as a regular girl wearing glasses who likes vampires. As the day of the audition comes, Ichigo decides to face against Yurika using her own brand and despite not winning the audition, feels proud of her efforts.
Ep. 20
Vampire Scandal
Feb 24, 2013 · 24 min
An article appears in the tabloids features photos that expose Yurika's normal appearance that she keeps secret from the public. Ichigo and the others suggest that she might be able to overcome it she obtains some Premium Cards for the rock festival. However, Yurika becomes downhearted, believing she will lose the fans who loved her vampire personality. Wanting to cheer her up, Ichigo shows Yurika some of her fans that were hiding outside of her dorm, who still believe in her. Regaining her confidence, Yurika and the others go to meet the Loli Gothic's head designer, Maya Yumekouji, who lives in a rather spooky mansion. After the others help her get through the scary trials, Yurika reaches Maya, who acknowledges Yurika's desire to become stronger and gives her some Premium Cards. After pulling out a stellar performance at the rock festival, Yurika returns to her good old self.
Ep. 21
Stylish Thief Swallowtail
Mar 3, 2013 · 24 min
Ichigo, Ran, Otome and Yurika are given the chance to audition for a movie remake of Stylish Thief ☆ Swallowtail, a show which previously starred Masquerade, the idol pair Orihime was a part of. As the gang train for the audition, Yurika chooses not to in order to keep with her vampire character. Upon arriving at the audition, the girls are tasked with recovering a card that was stolen from a holographic Mizuki from a booby trap filled castle, where Ichigo and Otome's hasty movements cause trouble for Ran and Yurika. Although Yurika manages to help the gang get past a group of guards, her lack of training makes itself noticeable when she has to dodge security lasers. As the girls soon reach the escape phase of their audition, they end up having to fight their way past Aoi and Shion onto a hot air balloon. When the balloon suddenly starts to descend, Ichigo and Otome decide to get off to lighten the balloon, shortly joined by Ran and Yurika, who decide to join them. As the audition comes to a close, they each receive a Mark of Acting in their Aikatsu Phones, including Aoi, while Ichigo and Otome are chosen for the roles in the movie.
Ep. 22
Idol Aura and Calendar Girl
Mar 10, 2013 · 24 min
The gang decide to go undercover so they can watch Ichigo and Otome's movie in a normal movie theater. After the movie, they come across Ringo and Raichi, who points out how idols have a particular scent to them, which Aoi later explains to be an idol's aura. As Ichigo becomes worried that she might not have an idol aura herself, she, Aoi and Ran are informed of a concert they'll be appearing in due to the attention they've garnered from their recent work. Later, Ichigo appears in a radio interview and is initially overcome with nerves, but gets some assurance from the host. During the show, Ichigo reads out a letter by Raichi, the answer of which projects her aura out of the radio to her fans. Ichigo soon comes to realise aura isn't something you can consciously exude, but is something that flows naturally from her idol activities. After the concert goes without a hitch, Orihime makes plans for Ran to participate in a special audition held by Spicy Ageha.
Ep. 23
The Muse of Ageha
Mar 17, 2013 · 24 min
As Ran trains for the representative audition for Spicy Ageha, Ichigo applies her to appear in a fashion show for the senior students' graduation ceremony. Ran states that in order to become a representative, she will have to outperform third year student Ema Shinjou. Ran ends up losing the audition to Ema, with Orihime saying while her audition was spot-on, she doesn't yet have what it takes to become the brand's 'muse'. Ran starts pushing herself to train, believing she isn't suited for the fashion show audition. Noticing her funk, Orihime takes Ran to the third year classrooms to teach her the true meaning of being a muse, to inspire designers to design for her. Receiving some new Aikatsu cards for everyone, Ran joins the others in the fashion show before seeing off Ema as she graduates.
Ep. 24
Enjoy Off Time
Mar 24, 2013 · 24 min
After finishing up their auditions for a while, Ichigo, Aoi and Ran decide to go to some hot springs for their time off. Along the way, they encounter some fans, have conversations on the train and stop by a field of flowers to enjoy a picnic. However, after taking a lengthy nap after eating, they find they've missed all the buses to the hot springs, meaning they have to walk back to the station. Luckily, they encounter another fan who gives them a ride to the station, and despite not getting to go to the hot springs, the girls enjoy the day they have spent together. On the ride home, Ichigo receives word that her father is returning home.
Ep. 25
An April Fool's Promise
Apr 3, 2013 · 24 min
Ichigo's father, Taichi, arrives home on April Fools' Day, bringing with him some star grapes that he acquired during his travels. Hearing he'll be around for the Spring Vacation, Ichigo invites him to view one of her auditions before taking him to the academy to meet her friends, where he talks more wild tales which Aoi and the others pass off as an April Fools prank. Later that night, Taichi receives a call from his colleagues, calling him back to work to negotiate with a tribe about the star grapes. Working as quickly as he can, Taichi manages to make it back to Japan in time for Ichigo's audition, as the tribe elder urged him to head back and keep his daughter's promise. After the audition, Ichigo sees Tacihi off as he heads back on his travels.
Ep. 26
The Season of Sakura
Apr 10, 2013 · 24 min
As a new school year arrives and Ichigo and the others move up a year, the now second year students are assigned to help mentor the new freshmen. Ichigo is assigned to a freshman named Sakura Kitaoji, whose grandfather helped train Mizuki. However, her twin brother, Sakon, doesn't approve of her enrolling in Starlight Academy and living on her own. After an awkward spat between siblings, Ichigo begins training Sakura for a freshman fashion show audition. When Ichigo feels that Sakura is worrying about something, she gets some advice from Mizuki and comes to realise that Sakura is anxious due to being apart from her brother. Realising this, Ichigo gets help from Naoto to light up a cherry blossom tree outside of Sakura's dorm, assuring her that she's never alone. After the audition, Sakon expresses his praise for how well Sakura handled things on her own.
Ep. 27
Raise the Curtain Fresh Girls Cup
Apr 17, 2013 · 24 min
The Fresh Girls Cup is announced, in which students get the chance to challenge Mizuki for the title of Starlight Queen. Ran, who competed the previous year before Ichigo and Aoi transferred in, explains how remarkable Mizuki is for facing off against every single student, stating it will be tough to beat her and all of their rivals. This year, Mizuki throws in a new rule that performers will have to perform three special appeals on demand or otherwise fail, pushing the bar exceptionally high. Ichigo and the others soon start training intensely for the cup, though Ichigo feels there is something they are missing. After receiving a call from Raichi, she comes to understand the most important thing; to have fun and appeal to their fans. On the day of the cup, Ichigo, Aoi, Ran, Otome, Yurika and Sakura are grouped together to face Mizuki, though only Ichigo, Aoi and Ran manage to keep up with the special appeals until the end and qualify for the semifinals.
Ep. 28
Mizuki and the Soft-Shelled Turtle
Apr 24, 2013 · 24 min
Ichigo, Aoi and Ran find themselves unable to sleep before the semi-finals and decide to have a sleepover in Ichigo's room. Reading Mizuki's new magazine for research, they learn she has started her own brand, Love Queen, designed specifically for top idols. As the girls take the magazine's advice of undergoing individual training catered to their needs, Naoto helps Ichigo realise the best way for her to train; to act instead of think. After the semi-finals come to an end, only Ichigo makes it to the final, but Aoi and Ran continue to support her despite their losses. Before the final begins, Mizuki tells Ichigo that she is using the Cup to search for a worthy partner, urging Ichigo to give it everything she's got, although she ends up in second place in the end. Later that night, Mizuki hints to Ichigo that the gap between them may be smaller than she thinks.
Ep. 29
Idol Teacher
May 1, 2013 · 24 min
As Ichigo, Aoi and Ran ponder on how they can catch up to Mizuki, they meet a first year named Akane Mimori, who is an admirer of Aoi. With the girls wondering how to become more responsible upperclassmen, Orihime assigns them as teachers, in which they must come up with ways to teach the freshmen about being an idol. Struggling to come up with lesson ideas, the girls approach Akane over what she would like to learn, to which she expresses that she'd like to hear about what they have experienced. On the day of the lesson, Ran has trouble getting questions from the audience while Ichigo forgets about teaching them altogether. However, Aoi manages to stay focused and provide an insightful look into idol life, gaining a lot of praise from the students. As a reward, the girls receive rare Spring Collection cards from Orihime and put them to use in a show.
Ep. 30
A Sincere Call & Response
May 8, 2013 · 24 min
A special audition is being held where idols must form teams to try and earn the Mastery of Communication. Ichigo and the others invite Sakura to join their team, but she doesn't feel confident as she doesn't have any premium rare cards. She tells them about her favorite brand, Aurora Fantasy, but doubts that she would be able to obtain premium cards from its top designer, Green Grass, as she doesn't feel they suit her. As the others each do their part to try and help Sakura, Otome goes to see Makoto, who is friends with Green Grass, and receives a new Happy Rainbow Premium Dress, conveying to Sakura of how she doesn't want to lose to the amount of love she has for Aurora Fantasy. Her confidence renewed, Sakura goes to see Green Grass, who is revealed to be a pair of twin sisters, who give her a Premium Dress as thanks for all the letters she sent to them as a child. After a successful audition of using call & response, the girls earn their Mastery of Communication.
