Episode 89 - Admiration is Forever

Admiration is Forever (あこがれは永遠に) is the 89th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 39th episode of its "2nd Season". The episode aired on July 3rd, 2014.

Story
''After the success of her CM appearance, Yurika meets a fan who reminds her of her old self. Now as she prepares for the unveiling of LoLi GoThiC's Premium Rare Constellation Dress, she finds herself thinking about her fan and how far she's come. ''

Summary
Yurika is asked into Headmistress Orihime's office. There, she is informed of a request for a strawberry breakfast cereal. Orihime admits surprise at this, given a vampires weakness to light, but Yurika decides to do it because she thinks it can work out. Once she agrees, Orihime explains that she was sure Yurika would accept the offer.

Some time later, Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran sit down to watch a program coming on after the weather because it has Yurika's brand new commercial. The girls are super excited to see it and once they do they remark on her cuteness and how well she did. Aoi goes along to mention that Yurika will also be appearing at a convention coming up.

The man on the television comments on how he was surprised that Yurika did this commercial, but before he can finish, Yurika shows up and threatens to suck the blood of the viewers if they change the channel. They begin to discuss the commercial, with the host commenting on the manor used in it. Yurika explains how it belongs to Maya, the top designer of Loli Gothic and she suggested using it because it would what she was envisioning for the commercial. She also explains her thought process and all the work they put into it, then brings up her upcoming event.

Once the program ends, Yurika fawns over how Yurika was. Meanwhile, the Dream Academy girls are also discussing the various elements Yurika applied to her commercal. Ki believes it's Yurika's large self-confidence that allows her to carry herself so well, and she compliments her ability to self-produce.

Sometime later, Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran are in the middle of dance training when Kaede rushes into to speak to them about Yurika. They are also joined by Powapowapuririn, who went out that morning to check on the cereal at the stores and see how well it's selling out of curiousity, with Sakura bringing up that tons of samples were being given out and it's selling right off the shelves. Kaede seems disappointed as they go on to announce obtaining a box so that everyone can try some, and together everyone sits down. They go on to ask Kaede if she has any behind-the-scenes information from Yurika -due to being partners- and she reveals that she actually didn't even know about it. Ichigo is surprised but Aoi isn't, because usually new projects are always kept under wraps by staff and those involved to avoid having it be spoiled or ruined later. Kaede goes on to admit that she was only told the day before it aired.

Meanwhile, Orihime and Johnny are discussing Yurika's handshake event when Johnny mentions that because of how many people they found out were going to be showing up, they had to hire extra staff just for the occasion. Orihime gladly brings up that Yurika happens to be the only idol she knows of that was able to build her character from the ground up- so she expects her to have a bright future down the line.

On the day of the handshake event, Yurika has a small chat before heading out to the booth to greet the many adoring fans who have shown up. In the line is a little girl struggling to join the others due to the many older members who run by her. She is able to make it through and excitedly awaits her turn.

Yurika is spoken to by many fans, from those who compliment her, ones who dress up that she compliments, the adorable bat she's seen with sometimes, some who have gifts, and even ones who request she says a line to them. Soon it's the little girls turn, but she's so nervous that she drops her book, one titled "Transformation Calendar", which Yurika notices and akss about it. She's easily able to summarize the book and mentions it being one of her favorites; but with so many fans, the little girl isn't able to stay any longer. She tries to ask Yurika how she can become a stronger person like she has while being forced to leave, but stunned by the question Yurika is unable to answer.

Later, Yurika pays Maya a visit and he notices her depression, and in order to cheer her up he brings up some funny rumors he used to hear people say about him; such as eating live bats, or using magic to make his outfits. Yurika laughs and feels better momentarily, then she brings up what the little girl asked her. She's been thinking a lot about it, but she wasn't able to answer her and it's caused her to feel concerned. Maya remarks on how Yurika is seen as an invincible vampire by everyone- which is good enough, but he can understand how she feels. He thinks about how troubled she was back when they first met.

Meanwhile, at Starlight Academy, Ichigo, Aoi, Ran, and Kaede discuss the scandal Yurika had been involved in back around the time they met her. They expected Kaede to know about it, but to their surprise she doesn't. They get the article out to show her and she overlooks it as Ran claims Aoi was able to help a little by bringing up how scandals are the mark of a real idol, but they all helped her out of her depression during this time. Her fans also helped her realize how loved she was by them, and a scandal wasn't enough to ruin that. Kaede happily remarks on this and how they taught her something new abou her friend.

Maya goes on to reveal that he's been working on the premium constellation dress for LoLi GoThiC, and how it will be finished soon. Upon completion, he will be making a big announcement for it, and he wishes for Yurika to wear it as a sign of everything she has been able to overcome. Yurika delightfully accepts as he requests her help in preparing the show for it, and she agrees. He promises to deliver the cards once it finishes.

With that they get to work, and Yurika helps lead the design for the evening, structure building, and aiding Maya as he busily finishes. She thinks about her fans more and while they know about that horrible scandal she was involved with; but thinking about her newer fans and how they do not know of her weak self.

At at room, Yurika takes out the book she saw the little girl holding and thinks about her again. She wants to give her an answer, and bring up how weak she used to be, but before she can think about it any longer the bat suddenly shows up to deliver her brand new dress cards.

The next day, Yurika asks the others to help her find Chimaki, the little girl. She's tried calling out to her but she wasn't able to. They assume that she will be there somewhere though, because of her performance, and she's surprised when Kaede shows up to lend a hand. Kaede claims that she would never miss any of her performances, easing her concern as she goes on to describe Chimaki, lthough she struggles a little. Kaede suddenly gets an idea and takes off with Ichigo, so Yurika gives Aoi and Ran the book from before thinking she might still have it on hand.

Disguised as staff, Ichigo and Kaede run through the crowd of fans while trying to locate Chimaki. Ichigo worries about how difficult this will be since they don't have much info to go by, but Kaede claims that because she knew what Yurika used to be like, she should be the one focusing on people. Unaware that she's actually behind them by a few feet. They are joined by Aoi and Ran and they have the book, and within a few minutes they find her. They bring her backstage, and to their surprise they find that Yurika has come out dressed as her non-idol self; with her hair worn loose and her glasses on.

To Chimaki she points out that when she isn't being a vampire, this is her true self. What made her strong was her desire to Aikatsu in the LoLi GoThiC outfits she loved so much. If she wishes to change herself, then she should do it a little at a time, and she provides a few easy examples while preparing her hair for her performance. Finishing, she takes off to change into her brand new coord and appears on stage to perform "Eternally Flickering Flame".

The next day, Yurika is approached by Orihime. She compliments her job well done and asks if something is still on her mind. Yurika mentions that when she thinks about the past idols before her, she feels surprised sometimes to realize she's doing the same thing they are. Orihime comments that Yurika is a one of a kind, which makes her happy to hear.

As this is going on, Chimaki tries on a new dress.

Characters

 * Yurika Tōdō
 * Ichigo Hoshimiya
 * Aoi Kiriya
 * Ran Shibuki
 * Seira Otoshiro
 * Sora Kazesawa
 * Maria Himesato
 * Ki Saegusa
 * Kaede Ichinose
 * Shion Kamiya
 * Otome Arisugawa
 * Sakura Kitaoji


 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Chimaki Mochida


 * Maya Yumekōji
 * Noeru Otoshiro (cameo)

Animation Trivia

 * Yurika receives her second premium rare coord in this episode.
 * The Nightmare Capricorn Coord makes its debut in this episode
 * The Holy Goat Coord and the Sunny Dreamer Coord made a cameo appearance in this episode.
 * The song Eternally Flickering Flame appears for the first time.