Episode 20 - Vampire Scandal

Vampire Scandal (ヴァンパイア・スキャンダル) is the 20th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 20th episode of its "1st Season". The episode aired on February 25, 2013.

Synopsis
''After a scandal erupts over Yurika's true personality she hides until the others convince her to seek the Loli Gothic Top Designer to prove herself. ''

Summary
Ichigo is busy training when Aoi returns with a bunch of magazines. As Ichigo notices Mizuki on most of the covers, Aoi explains that she relies on them for some of her idol research. She happens to spot a peculiar page and shows Ichigo the pictures of Yurika; out of her vampire character.

Ran and Otome run out to check on Yurika and find her in the courtyard. Yurika scolds Otome for openly speaking to her and makes an attempt to bite her, but Ran gets her away. Aoi and Ichigo join them to inform her of what has happened.

Orihime and Johnny-sensei discuss the situation as well, and while Johnny is worked up and worried considering Yurika's special performance will be coming up, Orihime actually thinks a scandal is a challenge all idols need to learn to overcome at some point. If they cannot then maybe they are not meant to be idols after all.

Yurika leaves to sulk in her dorm room while the four notice her parasol was left behind. Ichigo recalls that the images must have been taken while Ichigo escorted her to the Hospital when she got sick a while back. They also spot a picture of Yurika being given her Garlic Ramen. Ichigo comments on how cute Yurika is, while Aoi points out that having a scandal wrote about an idol is the true marking of someone in their Idol Debut Stages. But Ran mentions that it is still a bad thing since this might affect her Aikatsu Ranking, if her fan rank was to suffer. Aoi goes along to explain the Aikatsu Ranking to Ichigo and Otome and points out that Mizuki is at the very top. Everyone aims to be like Mizuki by improving their rankings, so Ran worries over Yurika's will to keep going. So Ichigo suggests they go to check on her.

Yurika feels remorse over what happened and she thinks how Mizuki would never let this happen to her. Ichigo tries to help her by changing the topic by asking her which coord she will be using. Ran happens to spot her Loli Gothic book so she asks if they can look through it. Inside are many Loli Gothic cards and they all make suggestions. Ran thinks she should be using a Premium Card set but Yurika does not have any yet.

They think this is just the thing she needs to help get over this crisis, but Ran informs them that the top designer is pretty scary and intimidating, so it's really hard to get cards from him. But to encourage Yurika they offer to come with her, but she tells them that it is fine and that she just wont go to the event. So she asks them to leave her be.

Later on in the evening Ichigo happens to run across Johnny. As soon as she brings up the top designer for Loli Gothic, Johnny runs away in fear. She goes on and finds Naoto, so she tries to talk to him. He mentions that if Yurika does not have the will to continue, then getting premium cards will not make a difference. He then goes on his way as Ichigo begins to realize he is right.

She heads back to see Yurika and once again tries to perk her up. She happens to notice something in the nearby bush, but just for a second. She attempts to get Yurika out of the door and claims that her fans will want to see her, but Yurika instead tells her that she gives up as an idol. Her fans only love her character, not the real her. Ichigo is able to yank Yurika outside of the dormitory and right away she hides behind her as a bunch of girls begin to appear.

Ichigo explains that she had been coming back to see Yurika when she caught a bunch of them hiding in the bushes. They had come to see Yurika since she usually comes out in search of her new victim during the evening, and even though she's been hiding in her room they knew she would one day return to them. Yurika is touched by their words and slowly she moves from behind Ichigo. While concerned she decides that she has to do this, and giving up isn't an answer. She has to get those Premium Rare cards.

Ichigo gets a call from Orihime, who reveals that she just managed to get an appointment with the top designer of Loli Gothic. So Yurika is free to go whenever she begins to feel better.

Later on the five girls head towards a big, scary building. They make sure it is the right location while somewhat nervous; except for Yurika and Otome. She is very dedicated to going inside to find the Designer and they all head in once the gates open, unaware that someone is watching them.

They begin to observe the many strange sights surrounding them. Yurika feels badly for making the others come with her like this, but Ran tells her that it isn't a big deal. She tries to put on a brave face but finds herself spooked by a bat that flies right past her. Otome goes to pick up the bat, thinking that it is a kitty-cat. While the others try to tell her, it oddly meows, causing them to become annoyed.

Meanwhile, Orihime and Bepp are discussing how things are going. Johnny is busy working on a nice tomato juice, but he can't figure out how to improve it. Orihime reminds him of the time he went to Maya's home after, when he went to deliver a gift but ran away in right because he got so scared. She also mentions that his surprising him was only a a form of hospitality, but Johnny does not see how. While it may have been a little to much, it tests the idols regarding the brand, along with their resolution. So far nobody has ever passed this scary test, but Yurika may be the very first.

Suddenly, a suit of armor comes to attack the girls. Ran kicks it and knocks it over in one blow, and to her surprise, it's actually a fan of hers dressed up. He tells them how they can get to Maya faster and they thank him before taking off. According to him they have passed the first checkpoint and come to the next, which involves a bunch of scary voices. While all the girls run off, Yurika grows angry hearing what the ghostly spirits say to her and has to be yanked away by Ichigo. They reach a room full of spirits and other ghastly sights but Otome and Ran them off as Ichigo and Aoi hold off a scary witch and make Yurika keep going.

She runs down a long hallway and is told that she is the first visitor to make it this far. Maya claims to have haunted his home for over three-hundred years before saying that this is not the place for little girls to wander around. Yurika remains not at all phased as the others show up. She startles the spirits that have arrived and claims that his three-hundred years is no match for her six-hundred. She came all the way here to meet him and he is going to give her the Premium Cards. Maya gets up to reveal the Premium Dress to her and he asks if she is fit to wear it, because it is only for strong girls. He mentions the scandal she's involved with and claims that girls like this aren't fit for the designs.

In response Yurika grabs the newspaper and tosses it into the nearby fire, saying that she needs it. She will get her courage back from her fans and he asks if she is worthy the way she is now. She admits that maybe not right now, but she loves this brand and one day will be ready for it, but until then and even after, she will make sure she stays as the top idol in Loli Gothic. These words surprise Maya and he rewards Yurika with the coord. This makes her very happy but she tries to cover it with her cool personality.

Soon the day of Rock Fest comes. At this point, Johnny has managed to perfect the tomato juice drink and he gives it to Yurika while encouraging her to think like a vampire again. Touched by his words, she thanks him before complimenting the nice taste. She then runs back to change, then appears on stage to perform to "Glass Doll".

After her performance, Yurika takes her leave. She sees a bunch of her fans outside who all comment on how much they enjoyed the performance, as well as how cute they thought her normal appearance was also. They hope to see it again someday, and Yurika claims that it is very special to her, so they are lucky to have seen it. This makes the fans very excited while she utters her phrase to them and they go crazy. The others watch from behind and happily comment on how Yurika is back to normal.

Character Appearances

 * Yurika Todo
 * Ichigo Hoshimiya
 * Aoi Kiriya
 * Ran Shibuki
 * Otome Arisugawa
 * Suzukawa Naoto
 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Maya Yumekoji

Trivia

 * This is the first appearance of the Goth Magic Coord
 * This is the first appearance of Maya Yumekoji, LoLi GoThiC's top designer.

Reference

 * http://www.aikatsu.net/story/20.html