Episode 73 - Happy☆Idol Fes 2nd DAY!

Happy☆Idol Fes 2nd DAY! (ハッピィ☆アイドルフェス 2nd DAY！) is the 73rd episode of Aikatsu! TV Anime series and the 23nd episode of it's "Second Season". The episode aired on March 13, 2014.

Story
''The joint fes held by Starlight School and Dream Academy― the "Star-Dream・Festival & Carnival" is still going on, but just before the 2nd day event starts something happens to Otome Arisugawa! ''

Summary
While overlooking the time table Otome set up, the girls note that Otome doesn't have a slot for herself on it. She admits to having forgotten and this causes them to feel badly and wonder if they could cut enough time from other acts to make room for her, or if she could join Sakura and Shion for a PowaPowa-Puririn performance but she refuses. She explains how much effort she put into every single preparation for this event, and states that as Starlight Queen they are no longer to discuss it; not that it stops them as they take off. The girls remark on how strange it would be if the Starlight Queen didn't appear on stage, and they decide to take it upon themselves to try to find a way to get her a chance to perform.

The following day, the announcer of the event speaks to Otome, now aware of what is going on. She says nothing other than to tell everyone to have a nice day. As this is going on, Mizuki is shown watching through the phone as she looks nearby to observe a girl.

Meanwhile, in Orihime's office, Johnny is in a panic over how Otome forgot to organize an appearance for herself on stage. Orihime tells him to calm down and that it will be fine since Otome was in charge, so they should see what she has planned for now. He agrees but remains concerned.

Hikari goes outside and is greeted by a few fans. But when she spots Otome carrying a large object, she tries to speak to her but Otome gives her encouragement before running off. Hikari responds by calling someone on her phone.

Meanwhile, Yurika has just finished her performance on stage. She speaks to everyone and it is shown that the Dream Academy girls have also shown up to watch and the four head to a long hallway to find statues of previous graduating students who have become starlight queens. They compliment Ki for her knowledge of who the idols are and they begin chatting about Masquerade when Orihime approaches. She assures their theories are right in that she is a member of this unit, and they apologize for their sudden intrusion on the school, bringing up how they came to watch Yurika's performance.

Maria finds her flier and observes it to see that Sakura, Kaede, and Shion are left to perform now as Tiara joins them and brings up Otome and how she hasn't performed yet and Johnny reveals what is going on as the four girls take off to find the others and bring it up. They ask if they have seen Otome but they are unable to understand until they explain how Johnny asked them to find her. No matter how much they look she's been running around all over the place and it's become impossible to keep track of her. Shion reveals this and points out how she got a text from Hikari earlier.

The girls return to the dressing area in hopes she may show up while Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran keep looking. The four from Dream Academy offer to lend their services in finding her too- much to their surprise until they explain how badly they feel for her due to all the hard work she put into the event, with Maria recalling her excitement over her time table she put together the day before. She also did a lot to help everyone out; such as getting good product for Kaede's sushi, getting Yurika a tomato for her event, climbed high up a cliff to get some special flowers, made a stage for Shion, and helped directe Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran's performance. Seira begins to wonder if the reason Otome is working so hard is because of the fact she's now Starlight Queen, and the girls note that this makes sense since Mizuki -the Starlight Queen from before- also put in a lot of effort to help them and the school. They assume Otome is just trying to follow that pattern, although they also note it could be because they will all be graduating from the middle school branch of Starlight Academy soon; except for Sakura.

Inspired, everyone leaves with the exception of Sakura, whose turn on stage will be approaching.

Later, Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran reunite but have fund no signs of Otome. Aoi reveals that by now, several online message are beginning to appear, and people are upset that Otome won't be on stage. As they continue to try to determine what to do, none of them notice her run behind them. Aoi then calls Johnny to inform him that they may have gotten a sign of Otome, as she was doing something at Sakura's stage not too long ago, but by the time of arrival she's already fled. He tells them to keep looking and suddenly gets a message from Ki, who bring up that a nearby person spotted Otome carrying a giant fish, but she was already gone.

As Johnny grows concerned, Yurika and Shion appear to comment on his strange behavior and they are joined by Raichi and Noel, who ask about her behavior. Johnny comments that soon Kaede's show will be starting, followed by Shion, and lastly a unit performance by Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran. They decide to resume searching and try find ways of increasing their efforts.

Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran recall back to when they first met Otome at the fountain when they come by it, and suddenly they spot her walking by, yelling out to everyone within the area to see the finishing event. But before she can run off again, they grab her to keep her there and ask why she won't go on stage. They offer to let her appear with them but she remains ignorant and explains that because this is the final she wants to make something amazing for everyone; something that will all let their friends, fans, and performers enjoy themselves. Concerned, they ask Otome for her real reason for not being on stage; but as it turns out she really did forget, as she said earlier. Aoi once again suggests she joins them but Otome thinks she will mess everything up until they bring up a desire to put on a four-person performance after being inspired by Seira, Ki, Sora, and Maria from the day before.

They manage to convince her by claiming they will have a lot more fun this way, and point out how upset others are knowing she won't be on stage. The four run back to the changing area and appear on stage, performing "Happy Crescendo".

After the performance ends, the announcer gathers everyone to reveal the winners of this special event. With the votes tallied, Starlight Academy has taken the win by a small margin. He remarks with amazement on how this happened, and both Headmistresses speak about how much fun they had as well. They feel sad knowing it's over now, but the girls are encouraged and bring up how if they really want more time together they could always form a band, causing everyone to share a laugh as they imagine this.

As this is going on, Mizuki is shown watching them again and she makes a comment.

Character Appearances

 * Ichigo Hoshimiya
 * Otome Arisugawa
 * Seira Otoshiro
 * Aoi Kiriya
 * Ran Shibuki
 * Yurika Tōdō
 * Sakura Kitaōji
 * Kaede Ichinose
 * Shion Kamiya
 * Kī Saegusa
 * Sora Kazesawa
 * Maria Himesato
 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Tiara Yumesaki
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Raichi Hoshimiya
 * Noeru Otoshiro
 * Hikari Minowa
 * Mizuki Kanzaki (cameo)
 * Mikuru Natsuki (cameo)

Trivia

 * Dream Academy's performance of 'Happy Crescendo' can be seen in the background.

Major Events

 * Dream Star is introduced.
 * The Yellow Torte Coord makes it debut in this episode.
 * This episode marks the first cameo appearance of Mikuru Natsuki

Gallery

 * Main Page: Episode 73 - Happy☆Idol Fes 2nd DAY!/Image gallery