Finally, it's time to do Aikatsu with friends!!!!!

Hi people. How are you? I'm fine. I'm feeling much better after a short break quite a while ago. Had a bad week at that time. BTW, I had written a little bit about Aikatsu on Parade just continue the tradition that I've started myself. So now, it's time for another new post!

Remember this?

This time is the anime called Aikatsu Friends! I have talked about it previously, just like Aikatsu Stars. Also, I hope you didn't forget the original Aikatsu series! Anyway, let's start!!!



WARNING:-

SPOILER ALERT!!! If you haven't watched it and plan to watch it without anyone being the spoiler, please DON'T CONTINUE READING!!!



P.S. If you want to be spoiled, well, go ahead and read it. You HAD been warned. Don't blame me for being spoiled if you INSIST on continuing to read this post.

Introduction

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Aikatsu Friends poster

Just like the previous Aikatsu series, Aikatsu Friends started as an arcade collectable card game in Bandai's Data Carddass line of machines. It was launched on April 5, 2018, which is the successor to the Aikatsu! and Aikatsu Stars! series of arcade games. The game revolves around using collectable cards featuring various clothes to help aspiring idols pass auditions, just like the previous Aikatsu series.

This is the "season" 2 of Aikatsu Friends.

BN Picture aired it at the same time as the launch of the Aikatsu Friend arcade collectable card game, on the 5th of April 2018 after the end of Aikatsu Stars series. Interestingly, there is a manga adaptation by Chihiro Komori began serialization in Shogakukan's shōjo manga magazine Ciao from April 3, 2018. The series will be followed by spin-off title, Aikatsu on Parade! on October 5, 2019. The other interesting thing is that is the second year of this anime is the last instalment of the Aikatsu series to be produced in the Heisei period (during the reign of Emperor Akihito) and the first to be produced in the Reiwa period (after the ascension of Prince Naruhito to the throne). Anyway, time to move on.

All the girls in the anime!!!!

Plot

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This is Yuki Aine.

The story starts with a regular student at Star Harmony Academy's normal division, Yuki Aine's regular bento delivery to Minato Mio. Why bento delivery? Aine was helping out her family cafe. Wait a minute, that reminds of Ai...KATSU!!!! Yes, Aikatsu! Remember Hoshimiya Ichigo? Anyway, with that assignment at hand, Aine got to meet Mio, the top idol in the school. They even got along pretty well with each other.

This is Minato Mio...

Mio later realises she had forgotten to pay for the food and went to the cafe to pay for it. She got hit by Aine in a pretty comical way. LMAO! Oh, I did mention the story previously. Never mind. Let's move on. Anyway, Mio got pulled into playing with the kids and found herself in a bit of trouble regarding her next job. Aine decided to help her out by forming a temporary partnership to perform on stage together with Mio as it is a requirement.

Before the performance...

Inviting Aine to become an idol...

The training to be an idol was hard on Aine but it was worth as she successfully did a Friends Appeal with Mio during the performance. With that performance, Aine decided to join the Idol division in her school with Mio's invitation. With that, she starts her path to become an idol and ultimately, Diamond Friends with someone. Who is that someone? She is Minato Mio! They formed Pure Pallete.

Maika and Ema... what is going on?

Aine hugging the Reflect Moon girls. xD

Anyway, on her idol journey, Aine met with many idols such as Chouno Maika and Hinata Ema (who later forms Honey Cat), the Shirayuri twin sisters (Shirayuri Sakuya and Shirayuri Kaguya, who later forms Reflect Moon) and of course, Love Me Tear (the group consists of Kamishiro Karen and Asuka Mirai). GOOD STUFF! There are other side characters, of course. Most of them don't have much screentime, unlike the original Aikatsu.

What the?!

In the second season, they even met the two persons who formed Love Me Tear's former rival, I Believe. They are Tenshou Hibiki and Alicia Charlotte. These two...Well, the group was disbanded before Aine and Mio formed Pure Pallete. They were requested by Hibiki to get Alicia to reform the group. The process to get Alicia to agree to restart her Aikatsu and reform I Believe was a tough journey. What is more interesting is that it involves weird weather in Alicia's country. Wow...where have I heard of this before? Hmmm...OK, anyway, I dun think I can...Oh, BTW, Alicia is the princess of that nation. Just have to say that before I move on.

The prince and princess, Charles and Alicia...

Anime Rating

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Story (Rating: 9/10)

Good story overall. Oh, BTW, I'm summing both seasons up as they are continuous anyway. The first season involves the growth of Aine and many of the important side characters. The pathway of Pure Pallete to becoming Diamond Friends was a tough one. Oh, I spoiled it? This post is already a spoiler post. Deal with it. As for the second season, the theme surrounds the I Believe duo, Alicia's country weird weather and the jeweling dresses. Interesting story but I feel that the story ends a little too quickly. It could have given a little more story but I will accept the ending that the production team has decided to go with. Anyway, overall, the plot, flow and pacing of the story are great. The story is pretty easy to understand for the audience.

Their growth was amazing to behold...

Art and Animation (Rating: 10/10)

Cute girls and a good 3D CG...GREAT stuff!!!! The 3D CG is a great improvement from the initial Aikatsu 3D CG. The movements are well-done. The characters are really cute!!!!! Just look at the set of Mio expressions. xD

Aine and Mio's special Friends Appeal!

Sound and Music (Rating: 8/10)

The songs are great. Really great BUT...for me, it is not as impressive as the previous Aikatsu series. I mean, I do like the OPs and the EDs but they are not impactful as the initial Aikatsu. To be honest, Aikatsu Stars' music is a little downgrade from the original Aikatsu, in my opinion, BUT...that's just me. It is actually pretty good. Also, one thing, I hope that there are more songs than what it currently has but since it is over, I can't do much about it. BTW, good BGM.

Oh, man, Alicia's stage...how I love it...

Characters (Rating: 10/10)

So many characters to love! Hard to pick one. Probably gonna be Minato Mio. Oh, hi! Anyway, as I look through the many screenshots that I have taken, I found that they are either funny or interesting faces of certain characters. Ahem! Back to the topic! The character developments are really exciting and interesting to follow in both seasons. Great stuff there! The journey to revive I Believe and growth of Honey Cat, Reflect Moon and Pure Palette are all great! Relatability? Work hard and smart, my friends!

Idols assemble!!!

Enjoyment (Rating: 10/10)

I enjoyed it very much as an Aikatsu fan. There are good music, cute girls and a good story. What more could I ask?! Hehe...

This is funny. Somehow reminds me of Aikatsu Stars...

Overall Rating: 9.4 (9.25)/10

Screenshots

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Oh, Mio...She just loves the penguin...

Cute! Cute porcupine!

Oh, Mio. Just can't get enough with her rich expressions...

Oh, Mio...and you too, Mirai.

That Sakuya's facial expression...LOL!

Shout, people! Shout!

Looks like Wakaba is gonna cry...

Awww...dun cry...

Oh, that Mio's face again ...I have a collection of her interesting faces...

Momone...that is one of the running gags of this show

That smug face of Mirai...

Pure Palette continues on as idols...

PV/Trailer

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Conclusion

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Well, that's the end. Sorry that I've taken so long to finish this post. I've been busy and had been watching a lot of anime recently, including Girls und Panzer. I had a lot more screenshots but it's too many of them to be fitted in this post. Sorry! Anyway, I hope that you enjoy reading it. Also, I hope to have you browsing this blog once again. Goodbye, and God bless you!

Beach time! Swimsuit time!!!!!