Episode 164 - New Year Ahead!

New Year Ahead! (さきどりニューイヤー!) is the 164th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 12th episode of its "4th Season". The episode aired on December 17, 2015.

Story
''Entering the month of December, the New Year Program that the TV Station will be recording is a mess! Akari Ōzora and her fellow Starlight Idols who are participating in the recording will beautifully finish while busy with their own personal jobs and will do their best to enjoy each and every one of them.'' Among those idols, Nono Daichi and Lisa Shirakaba are getting excited and bursting with thoughts about their own Aikatsu's.

Summary
In the Cafeteria, Lisa and Nono chat with Luminas regarding the fact they won't be able to return home for the Holidays because of the New Years program they were asked to partake in. The girls are amused as the inform the duo that in most cases, programs are recorded prior to the Holiday so that idols can use this time to take things easier. So until then they work very hard. Hinaki teases the girls by reminding them that afterwards, the rest of the year won't go easy on them.

At TV TKY the girls find out that their program recording is set earlier than the actual New Years. They realize just how much truth this serves, with celebrities often going on holiday or vacation around the same time they can appear on television. Lisa is happy with this because the staff will also get a some time off as well, but Nono repeats what Hinaki told them earlier. She then recalls the upcoming "Fresh Idols Hidden Talents Galore" program that will be airing soon. Hinaki brings up its popularity back when their parents were younger, an the program involved Idols of all types revealing various talents on stage. Sumire goes on to reveal they were asked on so they decided to juggle for an act. They hand a pair of the objects to the girls and warn them to practice whenever they have free time between gigs.

With that Lisa and Nono are called to get ready for the recording. Overflowing with energy and nerves, they excitedly head out to perform "Lucky train!".

Afterwards they head to their next location to prepare for "Rookie Idol Contest! Go New Year's Supper!", where they will cook Mochi soup while chatting about the differences between making a sweet version, or one from back at home. Nono would like to try making a sweeter variant but the man who runs the show reminds her that they were there to show them how their mochi soup differs back in Hokkaido. He asks the girls how much Mochi they put in their bowls, with Lisa claiming one as Nono holds up a stack on another tray. When the meal is finished the man compliments it and Nono holds up a container of Salmon Roe, a common topper for mochi soup during New Years.

Taking a small break, Nono and Lisa chat over how weird it is to be saying "Happy New Year" when it isn't even Christmas yet. They go over their schedule and next they will be doing a collab with Vanilla Chili Pepper for the 24-hour New Year's special drama, "The Bride Went for a Second First Shrine Visit". They are joined by the group, dressed in their attire; Juri as a shrine maiden, Rin as the husband, and Madoka as a bride. They admit they haven't been able to practice much for their part in the Hidden Talents Galore due to having to run from place to place between gigs, so Vanilla Chili Pepper try to encourage them.

With that they record the show, where Nono and Lisa play the role of maids. Juri, the Shrine Maiden claims the culprit is really the Bride. She may have been eating with her husband and have an alibi for it, but she paid a second visit to the shrine. She also claims the priest heard Madoka there, praying twice. Everyone is shocked by this and they conclude the scene, with Nono and Lisa's parts done. However, the trio still have a lot more to film. It will be airing longer than an entire day, so they barely even touched the surface.

They are joined by Luminas, who go over the work they did that day and ask Vanilla Chili Pepper their own plans. The three girls cover their own multiple plants, which surprises Nono and Lisa to know they can really do all of this work and still manage to practice between it. They claim all of the work is fulfilling though, and they remind that the girls will be doing a recording on a variety show with Luminas and head out to the spot. Nono and Lisa are still in disbelief, knowing they can really do so much work and not be entirely wiped out by now.

After finishing, they chat about how much fun they had. They still have one more New Year's show to record before Sumire has to go to do her work with Rin as Dancing Diva. As Nono comments on this they suddenly hear someone nearby yelling, they recognize the dialect and happily realize it belongs to Nina. She is excited to see them and greets them in response, with Nono excited to get to meet her.

Together they sit down to speak to Nina, who reveals she's participating in "Fresh Idols Gathering from Coast to Coast", a comedy program. She can't just throw away a great opportunity like this and rushed right over. Akari asks if Nono and Lisa could come by to observe the show thinking it would benefit them to learn about comedians -especially one from Osaka- for future appearances on variety shows they might make. She agrees to let them come after seeing how much they really want and they head over, with Nina leaving to get ready as they get seated in the audience. As the program begins, the girls are surprised when the special guest -Ichigo- appears.

She invites the duo into Soleil's dressing room afterwards, realizing they never had a chance to speak prior to now and she compliments Akari's intuition as they explain why they came. Ichigo then invites them to observe the show she will be doing with Aoi and Ran as Soleil, and the the girls agree. She happily observes their excitement.

With Luminas finishing their recording, Akari and Hinaki see Sumire off. They worry she might show up late for work because the studio is a bit away but she assures them it will be fine.

With Soleil the girls have changed into special New Year outfits and discuss their various traditions for the Holiday. Aoi explains that after family greetings were exchanged they sat down to eat Mochi Soup, followed by dinner, and visiting the shrine. After getting back Aoi always finished off the day by sitting down to watch all of the Idol shows she prepared to watch prior to then, but before that she also made sure to wish everyone a Happy New Year. They comment that Ichigo seems to enjoy the food the most out of the Holiday and they recall that one time when she did a few years ago. Ichigo then asks Ran what she does and she recalls paying her grandmother a visit. As they are chatting, Nono and Lisa watch them with content.

Sumire calls Rin to inform her she is stuck in traffic, and realizing she has no choice if she wants to get their quicker, she asks her driver to pull over. She runs out while promising to be there on time.

With the show over, Nono and Lisa comment on how much fun they had watching everyone. They decide that they too must continue to work hard and Nono suggests they run back to the Dorms while practicing their juggling. Lisa is quick to remind her that they have a ride waiting for them.

As this is going on, Sumire runs down the streets to meet with Rin, while Akari, Hinaki, Madoka, and Juri practice their juggling.

Sumire finally arrives and apologizes to keeping Rin waiting. They share a quick embrace before a man calls them to get ready and get on stage. They change attire and perform "Love Game" for everyone.

Eventually the Fresh Idols' Hidden Talents Galore goes live. The girls performed their juggling act together and did very well, finishing their act with a bow as the curtains shut. They celebrate their wonderful job, with Nono suddenly asking Lisa to always remain by her side; currently overflowing with passion. Lisa gently chastises her by saying that because it isn't even Christmas she shouldn't be making requests like this yet.

Characters

 * Akari Ōzora
 * Sumire Hikami
 * Hinaki Shinjō
 * Juri Kurebayashi
 * Rin Kurosawa
 * Madoka Amahane
 * Nono Daichi
 * Lisa Shirakaba
 * Nina Dōjima
 * Ichigo Hoshimiya
 * Aoi Kiriya
 * Ran Shibuki