That which is passed down

I can feel it, the spirit and soul of Aikatsu flowing through my blood. Even now, Raki is still growing and learning as an idol, maturing as a person. We’re at the climax, and it looks like we’re going out with a bang.

Episode 022: Torrent | Magnet

I’m not going to make a separate post about the important announcements, I’m just going to put the most important things here. You can view the videos yourself on AiTube or aikatsu.net.

• Starting Saturday March 28, a new season of Aikatsu on Parade will begin with a web broadcast. If you’re reading this now, it means you probably won’t notice any difference with the sub releases or where to watch.
• The Aikatsu DCD (arcade game) is starting a new set to match it.
• A new Aikatsu project is starting autumn of this year. We know that there will be new Aikatsu machines to match it, and we know there will be a TV broadcast for it. More information is coming in June. Anything more is speculation.

My own clone, now neither of us will be alone

Yes, it’s the first time Wakaba and Raki have spoken all series. It was a basically fun episode, with just one little heartwarming surprise. Next week’s the announcement, so we’ll see if subs can come out in time to match it.

Episode 021: Torrent | Magnet

The world is centered around local idols!

Man, not only was this a festival of locadols, it very seamlessly led into the upcoming arc. More than just a feelgood episode, it again utilized the past foundations of Aikatsu to nurture Raki as well, and set up her next steps. But mainly, it was just a ton of fun.

You may have heard, but they announced that there will be a “Big Announcement” on Sunday, March 8th, in two weeks. Nobody knows what it is. If somebody says they do, it would be to your benefit not to listen. Please don’t spread rumors here either. Thank you, and look forward to it.

Episode 020: Torrent | Magnet

Talk about heavy love

This Valentine’s Day was a trip down memory lane, with a few new twists added. Did you all have a good holiday? Just remember: As long as you have Aikatsu, you are not alone.

Episode 019: Torrent | Magnet

Me slightly offscreen freaking out

This is where everything finally comes together. Where all we’ve learned and experienced is combined into one climactic explosion. All the people, the places, the times and spaces, the lessons and links and love. This is for her and them, but also for you and me.

This is Your Entrance.

Episode 018: Torrent | Magnet

She’ll suck your blood!

I know how many people were not just excited, but dying to see this episode. So don’t worry about my thoughts—you go out there untainted and enjoy it.

Episode 017: Torrent | Magnet

P.S. Next week will be slightly delayed because I’m going to Geika, the biggest Aikatsu doujin event in Japan. So it’ll be out during the week sometime, not the weekend.

What is the true role of a princess?

The departure that the structure of this episode takes from some previous ones, both in this season and before, serves to make it a strong addition to the canon of both Raki’s story and Aikatsu itself. It has probably the most natural progression of having her included that could ever be possible. See if you can tell the ways in which she’s grown too.

Episode 016: Torrent | Magnet

I understand her so hard

I doubted that they could make it work, and now I can’t imagine the episode happening any other way. Somehow I am more than satisfied with everyone who got the spotlight this week, as again, every scene served to both bring out the best in the characters while adding something new to Parade through the eyes of Raki. And the climax was as exciting and intense as they intended.

Episode 015: Torrent | Magnet

It’s Nina, yade!

This episode is so pop! And it even starts with a super old reference that I was hoping for! I couldn’t possibly be in a better place to sub her triumphant return, and I even relearned some things about her that had slipped my mind over the years. But not to be outdone, the contents of the episode itself were so much fun that every bit was enjoyable. Now this is the right way to start off a new year.

Episode 014: Torrent | Magnet

You dare insult me with this tripe?

Happy New Year! We have now entered a new decade of Aikatsu! As I mentioned, this took a while because I was away the whole week at Comiket, meeting a lot of doujin artists as well as an actual animator for the anime. While this wasn’t quite a New Year’s episode, it was certainly a great one, even breaking some new ground for Aikatsu and having a focused, emotional plotline. Next week’s episode (the one that would air tomorrow) is on break, so the next one airs the 11th. As it is, I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday, and happy year of the rat!

Episode 013: Torrent | Magnet

P.S. I learned something very interesting when I went to the Aikatsu Museum. The color designer for the series gave several interviews that were posted up, but the most interesting one was about Raki’s design. If you look closely at her eyes, you can actually see that they contain all the colors of the previous protagonists in some way: Ichigo, Akari, Yume, Aine, and Mio. Pretty cool, huh?