Episode 118 - An Elegant Aikatsu

An Elegant Aikatsu (みやびなアイカツ) is the 118th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 17th episode of its "3rd Season". The episode aired on January 29, 2015.

Story
''Exchange idol student Miyabi Fujiwara, who comes from Himezakura Private Girls' Academy in Kyoto comes to Starlight. Her elegant appearance and beauty, which is like that of a yamato nadeshiko, makes the Starlight girls curious.''

Summary
Having obtained her debut CD, Sumire hands over copies of it to Akari and Hinaki, who comment on the cover and request she signs them. She agrees, when Akari gets a message from Yuu, who will be departing for Kyoto as part of the student exchange program. Hinaki recalls how the exchange program works and Akari mentions that Yuu will be gone for a month as they make their way outside to find Orihime, Johnny-sensei, and Matsuri, who have come to say goodbye as well.

Akari hands her a box of sweets that Yotsuba made and asked her to deliver, and she tells Yuu to call her whenever she feels lonely. Yuu teases Akari, who mentions being impressed with her decision, but Yuu explains that it sounded like fun and she will be using this as a test of her idol skills. Orihime comments on this rare opportunity, while Johnny tells her to show everyone Starlight Academy's best to make them proud and she guarantees that she will before taking off. Akari then asks if they will be getting a new idol in her place and she becomes excited to see what she's like.

Meanwhile, the exchange student is preparing to leave for Starlight Academy, speaking to her teacher who also believes she made a good decision and wishes her well while she's gone. The girl gives a final farewell and takes off, wondering if this will let her determine whether or not she has idol potential.

Back at Starlight the girls discuss Akari's weather report for the day. She is embarrassed over a mistake she made but they believe she did better than last time, so soon she'll find her groove and it will be natural. With that Akari promises that she won't make anymore mistakes and Hinaki reminds her of the Exchange Student Program again. Wanting to see how things are going, Akari finds an image of Yuu donning the Himezakura school uniform. The girls comment on it when Hinaki notices a strange girl, whom they identify as being the girl from Kyoto. She admires the many astonishing idols surrounding her.

In class, Miyabi is introduced to everyone as the exchange student from Himezakura Girls Academy. Miyabi takes a moment to plainly ask Johnny why he is refering to her as honey, and he explains that he naturally calls all of his students that. Miyabi still seems curious but she says no more, introducing herself to everyone instead.

After class, Akari speaks to Miyabi and asks to be her friend. She agrees, but she seems surprised when Juri approaches to meet her as well. Juri explains that while she would like to learn more about Himezakura, she has filming work and it will have to wait. She leaves an Akari remarks that she is just as heated up as usual, and Miyabi comments on how different everyone is. Akari then brings up Yuu to her and how she chose to participate in the program, then she asks Miyabi what made her decide to do it too. Miyabi claims it wasn't a choice however, leaving Akari confused. .

The girls get to dance training but Akari finds herself impressed with how talented Miyabi is. This continues as Miyabi jumps on the trampoline with her paper parasol, and later as she spots the premium cards she happens to have while walking outside of the school. Akari is shocked that despite only being an idol for wo months Miyabi is already in ownership of such impressive cards, then she compliments Miyabi for being so remarkable. Miyabi insists that she is undeserving of such praise, then she pauses to observe two students walking by.

Later, Akari sees another picture Yuu took and she happily notes that she is making friends quickly. But when she notices Miyabi is off by herself ready, she overhears other students comment her beauty and refined behavior and decides to invite Miyabi to join her for lunch. Miyabi refuses, mentioning that she has some business to attend to and she leaves the room. Sumire and Hinaki join Akari ust then, and they notice her concerned expression and ask. Akari reveals what Miyabi told her earlier, that she didn't choose to come to their school.

Outside Miyabi hides by a tree while observing a bunch of the students. Unknown to her, the trio watch from a bush several feet away. While they try to watch her, Hinaki begins to fret that Miyabi is a spy sent to infiltrate the Academy, but Sumire and Akari quickly shoot down the idea. Otome suddenly appears and frightens Miyabi, causing her to fall back. Otome gets onto the ground with her and shakes her hands, explaining how she waned to meet the "love you" exchange student Sakura told her about. While still surprised, Miyabi remarks that Otome is cute.

Once Otome leaves Miyabi walks down a nearby path as the others continue to observe her. She stops in front of a window of an empty room and by now, Sumire mentions feeling bad for spying on her. But before the girls can reconsider their actions they express shock seeing Miyabi force herself to make a cute expression like Otome did. She gets very flustered, then after Akari accidentally yells out she gets angry with the trio. But she calms down and together the four continue towards the school fountain. Miyabi once again states that she didn't want to take part in the exchange program; it was her teacher who pushed her into it thinking it would help her discover her true idol potential. The girls ask if she's found anything yet and all Miyabi can say is that everyone is very cute- so she doesn't feel like an idol because she is lacking something.

Since she was scouted she felt out of place amongst other idols. Her teacher approached her to recruit her, but she didn't understand what he saw in her and he refused to tell her, believing she would be better off discovering it for herself. From her first day every idol she saw was doing their best to push themselves and work hard to achieve their dreams, and she became inspired to join, with her Teacher helping to get her some work early on for concerts. But someone so rigid and stuffy like her couldn't possibly have what it takes to become an idol, or so she thinks.

Akari claims that due to her talents she shouldn't need to worry, but Miyabi states that talent has nothing to do with her problem. She was hoping to find an idol who was like her in hopes of understanding her teachers intentions, but so far nobody seems to close to how she is. Until she can figure it out she refuses to stand on stage- but just then Johnny appears to reveal that a Special Live will be held to celebrate the Exchange Event. Miyabi is unhappy and worries she won't be able to ind an answer in time, but the trio offer to help her out.

In training gear the girls prepare to do some exercises, with Sumire going over hers with the singing teacher, who remarks on her improvement. But the girls are caught off-guard when they find Miyabi has been very touched by her voice and is on the floor, requesting she train her. Then Hinaki leads her outside in order to take some pictures of her believing it may improve her confidence. She comments on the Yamato Nadeshiko air she has about her and calls it cute while moving to the side while asking Miyabi to smile for her. When she struggles to do so, Hinaki puts on a silly mask.

Once her dance lesson with Johnny is finished, Miyabi is wiping sweat from her face as Akari shows her a recording she took of it and shows her. Miyabi is concerned that she has messed up and she asks Akari about it, but she admits to not having noticed at all. So until evening Miyabi continues to practice and make improvements.

Later in the evening as Sumire sleeps, Akari is going over the forecast for the next days weather report when she hears something outside. She finds Miyabi practicing with her naginata, and Akari comments on how cold it is outside as she joins her. Miyabi remarks that she was raised to believe that one should never neglect daily training, and this leads Akari to ask if she came from a family of samurai. Miyabi reveals that a long time ago her family did, but they don't exist in Japan these days. Akari notes this explains Miyabi's way of speaking, but worriedly she quiets down after fearing she offended her. Miyabi assures Akari that she is well-aware of how she talks, and is fine with Akari saying this.

However, she also believes an idol shouldn't speak so stiffly, and she has yet to find any idol like herself. Akari goes on to surprise Miyabi by saying this is an amazing thing about her though, because it makes her one of a kind and unique as an idol. Akari calls her incredible once again, then recalls the way she imitated Ichigo back wen she began idoling. She doubted her abilities as an idol very strongly, but she can see that within Miyabi is an idols light that is unique to herself. It's then Miyabi realizes what it was her teacher was trying to tell her, sne she thinks about the advice he gave her.

Meanwhile, in her office, Orihime is speaking with Miyabi's teacher. He comments that Miyabi had an elegance about her that he knew was the radiance of the unique idol. He believes in her, but he knows that she must discover this for herself before she can truly walk down the path of an Idol.

The following day, Miyabi observes her cards with restored spirits. She is happy that she may have found her own Aikatsu now, and she places her cards into the machine, then she changes and appears on stage to perform "Light Pink Day Tripper".

After the performance, the trio meet with Miyabi and compliment her performance. Hinaki shows her the fans reactions, which makes her feel happy. To Akari's surprise, she addresses her by her first name and grants her permission to do the same for herself. Akari then questions if she will be switching school uniforms, but Miyabi refuses, despite Hinaki pointing out her nice legs. Miyabi calls it embarrassing and scolds them after they call her cute, then they begin laughing.

Characters

 * Miyabi Fujiwara
 * Akari Ōzora
 * Sumire Hikami
 * Hinaki Shinjō
 * Juri Kurebayashi
 * Yū Hattori
 * Matsuri Hasegawa
 * Mimi Watanuki
 * Arisa Mizukoshi
 * Reika Yūki
 * Otome Arisugawa
 * Matsuri Hasegawa
 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Sakura Kitaōji (mentioned)
 * Nagaoka

Trivia

 * This episode marks the debut of Miyabi Fujiwara.
 * Along with Miyabi's debut, this episode also marks the debut of Sakurairo Kaden, the primary card brand that she uses.
 * Yū moves to Himezakura Private Girls' Academy and Miyabi transfers to Starlight Academy.
 * The Hagoromo Princess Coord makes its debut in this episode
 * The song Light Pink Day Tripper appears for the first time.