Episode 12 - We wish you a merry Christmas!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas is the 12th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series. The episode aired on December 24, 2012.

Synopsis
''Ichigo volunteers to help out for a Christmas Party and happens to notice the usually energetic Yuna Nakayama is feeling depressed. Wanting everyone to have the best Christmas they possibly can, Ichigo is prepared to go to great lengths to ensure Yuna's happiness.''

Summary
Everyone is busy setting up for the upcoming Christmas party when the others find Ichigo struggling to get the Christmas Tree from the storage room. With a little help they manage to finish decorating and Ichigo voices excitement regarding the party and special Christmas Event, but Ran points out that they should be practicing for it. They start to discuss how they got involved in this setup work, recalling how Ichigo volunteered herself, followed by Aoi who points out that they can work together for the party and still train, and finally Ran, who hesitated.

As everyone prepares to leave the room, Ran happens to see a mysterious shadow from the window. But as she tries to look, she is unable to determine what it is.

In a kitchen, everyone decides to prepare the Christmas dinner by dividing the parts to avoid making it too difficult and finish the work quicker. However, Ichigo is forced to help everyone while Otome taste tests everything. While the girls express concern she may be working too hard, Ichigo claims that she doesn't mind; only to be worn out soon after. Ran asks if this is common of her, and after Aoi confirms that it is- because of Ichigo's desire to make everyone happy.

As Ichigo continues her work, she happens to see a classmate that seems to be pretty down. They consider this strange, since Yuna is usually a very perky and lively girl, and they approach to see if she is alright. She explains that her parents are back in America, and because they are too busy with work they won't be able to come and celebrate Christmas like usual. Feeling sad for Yuna, Ichigo promises to help her by getting the precious Christmas Tree in her memories and bring it there.

She quickly leaves, with Ran asking if it was okay to make this promise as they follow after her. But Ichigo remains hopeful, and they wonder if they could cut down a tree from the school grounds until seeing the strange figure Ran noticed earlier. They confront the man, and he explains that he is from a network that wishes to broadcast the Christmas special the school is planning. He mentions that he has been observing the girls in a natural light, which causes Ran annoyance.

After Ichigo recalls a tree she saw back on Angely Mountain, they decide to head over there. Ichigo is convinced this is the perfect plan, but the others remain concerned since they might not be able to get it back to school. The man offers to let the girls take his vehicle for help, under the condition that he can continue filming them, and they accept.

They quickly arrive while admiring the beautiful snow falling around them and quickly locate the tall tree Yuna described. Ichigo decides the best way to get it down the hill is to ride it like a sled, and they agree, finding the Gardener at the bottom of the hill awaiting them. He offers use of his vehicle, and helps them get back to school before taking off. Johnny runs over to the girls to ask about the tree and they explain their plans of using it for Christmas, with Ran pointing out that they need to hurry up, before the Special begins.

Their classmates and friends, minus Yuna, come by to help and they offer to tend to the tree and finish everything so that the four can go and finish their work for the Special. They thank them and head into the waiting room, coming across the program the man was recording for earlier, watching with amazement as Orihime joins them and congratulates the girls for their efforts. She rewards them with a present; a special coord to use for the event and they thank her before running off to change. They reappear on a stage and perform "We Wish You A Merry Christmas".

When they finish, Yuna heads outside and to her surprise she finds a giant, decorated Christmas Tree awaiting her. To her shock she also sees her parents and they embrace while the four girls watch from the distance. They change into their Christmas costumes for the party- with Ran annoyed by the fact she got stuck playing the reindeer until slowly growing into the role. Mizuki then surprises everyone when she shows up for the party as well, and together everyone cheers for the holiday.

Meanwhile, the headmistress is discussing something with a mysterious figure. She plans to put Ichigo and Mizuki together after the Holiday comes to an end.

Character Appearances

 * Ichigo Hoshimiya
 * Aoi Kiriya
 * Ran Shibuki
 * Otome Arisugawa
 * Mizuki Kanzaki
 * Yuna Nakayama
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Naoto Suzukawa

Trivia

 * This is the last episode of Aikatsu in 2012.
 * This Episode marks the official anime debut for the the pop brand Happy Rainbow.
 * The song We wish you a merry Christmas AIKATSU Ver. appears for the first time.
 * As of January 1st, 2016, this episode's Aikatsu! Aphorism is the last Aphorism written out in English.
 * This is only the second episode to feature a Aikatsu! Aphorism in English, joining episode 9.