Episode 145 - A Hot Summer Festival

A Hot Summer Festival (アツい夏祭り) is the 145th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 44th episode of its "3rd Season". The episode aired on August 6, 2015.

Story
Rin and Madoka are looking forward to the summer festival dressed in yukatas. Along with Juri, they enjoy themselves and have a good time like visiting the stands and goldfish scooping. While they're having fun, Juri receives a call from her "date companion" ...!

Summary
The host introduces Rin to everyone and comments on how long it has been since she last did a solo performance. She claims that she has been doing a lot of practice since then though, and runs off to change as he reveals the song she plans to perform to, "MY SHOW TIME". Afterwards, she leaves the office and is surprised to find Madoka waiting for her. Madoka mentions that out of excitement she decided to walk home with her, so she waited until she finished. Rin is also excited and they reveal that it is the time for the summer festival.

On the main floor of the building, Madoka shows Rin the message her grandmother sent, revealing that she has their Yukata made. Rin is even more exited, and they girls run into Akari, Sumire, and Hinaka. As Madoka and Rin were leaving, the trio was just showing up to begin rehearsing for an upcoming show they will be hosting. Akari informs them that it is for the Aikatsu Music Awards, which excites both girls while the trio confirm their own excitement building up for the event. Before seperating, the girls exchange wishes of luck.

The following evening, Rin and Madoka discuss their plans to pick up their Yukata from Amahane the next morning. Then, after Madoka finishes her concert they can change and head over to the festival. Rin recalls dancing with her Dance Team at the festival in the past, while Madoka remembers how she always looked forward to viewing the stalls with Amahane. They discuss the various things they love about the festival, such as candy apples, games, fireworks, and so on. They are joined by Juri, who mentions that she can go to the festival since she got the day off. She asks the girls if they would like to come with her to it and they accept.

The next morning, the girls head over to Angely Mountain and meet up with Amahane. She has them change to see how they look, along with doing their hair, explaining that the girls can think of this as a reward for working so hard lately. They compliment each others Yukata and how cute they look, causing Amahane to remark on their friendship. It's then Madoka asks if she will be coming to the festival, causing Amahane to recall her own plans of meeting Ichigo there to discuss her new dress. Madoka is a little sad to know this, but she understands since her grandmother should focus on her work. Amahane then recalls how Madoka has a performance that day and tells her that she plans on watching it, causing Madoka to promise that she will do well in showing-off the shine of the Angely Sugar coords.

The girls head to the performance area and Madoka runs back stage to change. She then appears on stage and performs to "Hello New World". Afters, it is now going on evening. The girls change and meet up with Juri, who compliments them for looking so cute in their Yukata. Juri thanks them for their own compliments and they head inside to get started.

While walking past the stalls, Juri mentions that she hasn't really come to the Summer Festival; due to her parents working so much and all of the work she had to do as an actress. She spots the goldfish scoop game and runs over to try it, but is annoyed by her failure until seeing the shiny candy apple. Madoka is happy to see that Juri enjoys how pretty it looks, but Rin shows up holding a few objects and items Madoka made her carry after buying them, asking of her plans as to what to do with them all. Madoka reveals that she tries to eat from every single stall, every year when the festival comes along. Rin is surprised and Madoka reveals that after they eat this stuff, there's still a bunch more stalls to it. However, she is sure with them eating with her, they could probably achieve her goal.

Akari, Sumire, and Hinaka have just arrived to the festival as well. Before they head inside, Akari thinks she sees someone suspicious, but stops and continues inside once Sumire calls to her.

As Rin collapes onto a bench, Madoka pulls a Taiyaki fish in half and hands one side of it to her. Rin asks that Madoka not try to make her eat anymore though, given how much they have consumed by now, but Madoka tries to convince her push past her limits; up until Rin accuses her of just using her because she knows she is unable to finish them all by herself. Madoka doesn't respond and after a moment, they happen to overhear Juri on the phone with someone. She apologizes and runs off, discussing how excited she is for her "date". Surprised, Madoka and Rin try to spy on her and watch as Sena reveals himself and approaches her.

But as it turns out, he was actually invited to attend with Johnny, Naoto, and Yotsuba. After they get caught by the girls, they curious ask of their plans. Johnny and Naoto reveal that they decided to come and hang out together, as a time to bond between men and to get away from girls for a while. Rin asks who Juri may be meeting up with, and just then her father shows up. He apologizes for taking so long and they embrace, causing Madoka to happily comment on the mystery being solved. With that, everyone resumes their own activities and fun.

Akari, Sumire, and Hinaka do some dancing, while Juri shows her dad the Candy Apples and Yotsuba offers to show them how they can make some, Naoto is unable to resist doing some sweeping, since he hasn't done it for a long time and noticed some trash, and Rin chats with Madoka and Sena, who reveal having known each other for a little while. Madoka recalls one instance when he actually joined her and Amahane at the festival and he mentions how she tried to make him eat half of the snacks; causing Rin to instantly agree with him on how it feels. Madoka is very happy by this connection between them, meanwhile.

It's then a Special Live is announced. Juri comments on how much fun the festival was and she thanks the girls for coming with her and making it something special. They agree as she shows them the cards she plans to use for her performance and runs back stage to change, reappearing to perform to "Passion Flower".

After the performance, the girls meet back up. Sumire, Akari, and Hinaka join them and express surprise in seeing Juri there - since they had no idea she was going to attend. Just then the fireworks start to go off, just as Sena arrives. Akari is surprised to see him there as well and he shows Akari the Dreamy Puppy mask, removing the otter one Akari wore to put it on instead. He then takes the otter mask and leaves the girls to watch the fireworks.

Characters

 * Juri Kurebayashi
 * Rin Kurosawa
 * Madoka Amahane
 * Akari Ōzora
 * Sumire Hikami
 * Hinaki Shinjō
 * Naoto Suzukawa
 * Tsubasa Sena
 * Serio Kamino
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Shun Yotsuba
 * Asuka Amahane

Trivia

 * This is the first time more than two performances have taken place in an episode.
 * This episode marks the first time Dreamy Crown's mascot, Dreamy Puppy, has been addressed by name.
 * This episode features a small content preview of the upcoming special movie: Aikatsu! Music Awards.
 * The characters have also further mentioned that Akari, Sumire and Hinaki will be acting as the hosts.