Aikatsu Start!

Season 2 episode 18

The episode opens in the classroom where Miss Mihara is giving a lesson about emotions and their importance in idol performances. The room is filled with an air of excitement as the girls anticipate what they’ll learn next.

Miss Mihara: (smiling warmly) Today, we’ll be focusing on a special emotion: joy. As idols, it's important to connect with your audience, and nothing does that better than showing true joy in your performances. But first, let’s talk about what "joy" really means to each of you.

She pauses, glancing around the room, eager to hear the girls’ thoughts.

Miho: (raising her hand eagerly) Joy means having fun, right? Like when I’m on stage, and I feel like I’m flying! That’s the best feeling ever!

Rotasu: (smiling softly) For me, joy is when I can share a connection with the audience. It’s not just about performing well but knowing that what you’re doing is making someone smile.

Rizela: (thoughtfully) I think joy is when you feel at peace with yourself. When I’m on stage, it’s like everything else fades away, and I can just focus on doing what I love.

Miss Mihara nods, impressed with their answers, but notices that Sayo Shishikura is sitting quietly at her desk, her arms crossed. She looks uninterested, as if she doesn't quite agree with the others.

Miss Mihara: (gently) What about you, Sayo? What does "joy" mean to you?

Sayo sighs, flipping her hair back and crossing her legs dramatically.

Sayo: (with a sharp tone) Joy? Hmph. I think that’s overrated. Being an idol is about hard work and talent, not about feeling something silly like joy. As long as I’m better than everyone else, that’s enough for me.

The room falls silent for a moment as the other girls exchange uneasy glances. Sayo’s harsh words linger in the air, and it’s clear that her attitude is different from the others. Miho fidgets uncomfortably in her seat, while Rizela furrows her brow.

Miho: (whispering to Rizela) She always says things like that. It’s like she doesn’t care about anyone but herself...

Rizela: (whispering back) Maybe she just doesn’t know how to express joy yet.

Miss Mihara: (calmly) Sayo, joy isn’t something you can measure by how much better you are than others. It’s a feeling that should come from within—something genuine. Perhaps you haven’t found what makes you truly joyful yet?

Sayo shrugs dismissively, clearly uninterested in having a deep conversation about emotions.

Sayo: (with a huff) Whatever. Let’s just get to the performances. That’s where real idols shine.

The scene transitions to the rehearsal room, where the girls are preparing for their next group performance. They’re practicing a song meant to convey happiness and energy. Each of them is asked to show what joy means to them through their movements and expressions.

Rizela is up first. She sways to the beat, her movements graceful yet playful, a soft smile on her face. Her performance exudes a calm, serene joy, as if she’s completely in her element.

Rizela: (thinking) I feel so free when I’m like this. This is my joy...

Next is Miho. She bursts onto the stage with bright, energetic moves, full of pep and excitement. Her joy is loud and infectious, drawing smiles from everyone watching.

Miho: (giggling mid-performance) I love this song! It’s so fun!

But when it’s Sayo’s turn, the atmosphere changes. Her routine is technically flawless—each move sharp and precise. But something’s missing. There’s no warmth, no genuine emotion behind her steps. It feels robotic, mechanical.

Rotasu: (watching from the sidelines) Sayo’s got skill, but… where’s the heart?

Miho: (nodding) She’s like a machine... She’s not even smiling!

After Sayo finishes, there’s an awkward silence. Miss Mihara frowns slightly, clearly noticing the lack of emotion in her performance.

Miss Mihara: (gently) Sayo, your technique is flawless, but there’s something missing. You’re not showing any joy. The audience won’t connect with you if you’re only focused on perfection.

Sayo: (rolling her eyes) Joy again? Why does it matter? If the dance is perfect, that’s all they’ll care about!

Miss Mihara: (shaking her head) No, that’s not true. The audience doesn’t just want to see a perfect performance. They want to feel something. They want to see the joy in your heart.

Sayo’s eyes narrow, clearly frustrated. She crosses her arms and looks away, unwilling to accept the critique.

Sayo: (muttering) What’s the point of joy if it doesn’t make you the best?

The girls look at each other, unsure of how to reach Sayo. Miho bites her lip and takes a step forward, her usual playful energy replaced with sincerity.

Miho: (softly) Sayo, joy isn’t something that makes you weaker. It’s what makes people connect with you. Being an idol isn’t just about winning or being perfect... it’s about sharing your heart with others.

Sayo hesitates, her tough exterior cracking just a little. For the first time, she looks unsure. Before she can respond, the rehearsal is interrupted by the sound of music playing from the nearby courtyard. The girls peek outside and see a group of younger students dancing joyfully in the open air, giggling and twirling without a care in the world.

Sayo watches them silently, her expression unreadable.

Rotasu: (smiling) Look at them. They’re not worried about being perfect. They’re just happy to be dancing together.

For a moment, Sayo softens, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. She watches the carefree students, and for the first time, she looks like she might understand. But before anyone can say anything, she turns away, her usual confident mask slipping back into place.

Sayo: (quietly) I don’t need to understand joy to be the best. I’ll prove that.

The girls exchange worried glances as Sayo storms off, leaving the rehearsal early. The rest of the episode follows the girls as they prepare for their upcoming showcase, with Miho and Rizela trying to brainstorm ways to help Sayo understand what joy truly means.

In the final scene, Sayo is seen sitting alone in her dorm room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She watches herself attempt a smile, but it looks forced. She sighs and drops the act, looking frustrated.

Sayo: (to herself) What is joy, anyway? Why is it so important...?

The episode ends on this introspective note, leaving the question of whether Sayo will eventually learn to embrace joy as part of her idol journey.