Episode 154 - We'll Take that Potato, and Replace it with a Mic

We'll Take that Potato, and Replace it with a Mic (ジャガイモをマイクにもちかえて) is the 154th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 2nd episode of its "4th Season". The episode aired on October 8, 2015.

Story
''After meeting Luminas, the pounding hearts of Nono Daichi and Lisa Shirakaba are unstoppable. This came from the strong feeling of admiration towards them as an idol. And so, in order to express this feeling of theirs, the two have decided to participate in the Entrance Audition for Starlight School...!''

Summary
Nono and Lisa have come to check out the tour merchandise. Unable to decide what to purchase though, the girls wind up coming home with a shirt, containers, a booklet, pins, keychains, and paper fans. Still reeling from excitement over the performance, Nono and Lisa wonder how one goes about becoming an Idol. Lisa suggests they apply to Starlight School first of all, and Nono agrees.

Even on tour, Akari reveals she is still working for Oozora Weather, and she tells the audience about her time in Hokkaido. She brings on Hinaki and Sumire as special guests, and once it ends they board the Aikatsu Wagon for their next location.

At the Farm, Nono and Lisa are packing potatoes. Lisa recalls finding out that when an Aikatsu Idol is working, they like to say "Aikatsu! Aikatsu!". They try using it to encourage them to keep working, until Nono gets distracted and starts repeating other words until they can finish, then they head to Lisa's place to hang out. Nono returns the magazine she borrowed from her earlier and Lisa reveals the pamphlet she picked up about Starlight School, bringing up that is a major idol school, then she mentions the Entrance Audition- but before they do anything, they need to do proper research before they bring this up with their parents. Nono is very excited, and she's already told her mom, but she didn't take her very seriously. Lisa admits that for herself it won't be so easy to do, but Nono claims that she was mature already and has become even further mature over the past few days. She is sure it will go fine, causing Lisa to ask how Nono will do it, since she clearly needs to talk to her parents again. Nono assures her that it will be fine, because she's thought over what to say.

That evening, Nono tells her family her plans to become an Idol again. She keeps stating that she will be fine, because Lisa will be there for her, but her mother is still concerned. Her little brother calls Nono bothersome for making Lisa deal with her in this decision, while her father silently listens while reading a book.

At Lisa's, she sits down with her family to speak to them. They are very happy with her being upfront with them as she's usually so quiet, and while they can understand her feelings they wish to think it over first. She agrees with this condition.

The following morning, Lisa heads to school and meets up with Nono and before they can discuss what happened, Nono's mother flat out reminds her that she's not given her permission yet. They ride off together and express concern knowing how hard it might be to convince their parents how much they want this. But seeing how dedicated Nono is to becoming an Idol, Lisa feels encouraged to push for her dream as well.

Over the course of time, the girls not only did their work, but they practiced singing, and dancing, and physical training, all while trying to convince their parents. They spoke to one-another about this and with the deadline for the Audition entry approaching, the two families come together to discuss.

Nono's mother points out that while she knows Nono loves to sing and perform since she was little, she isn't convinced. She has only heard that she will be fine because Lisa will be there for her, and Nono quickly points out that she made sure to give her mom good enough reasons to let her go too. Lisa tries to encourage their parents to agree, saying that they want to become real idols more than anything, and her mother remarks on how its been a long time since she was last so proactive about something. She recalls back when the girls asked for singing lessons and noted how passionate they were, and both families give permission to let the girls take the Audition.

On the morning of their departure, the girls pack their items as their parents see them off. Before they go, Nono's father warns the girls to take full advantage of this situation, as they may never get another chance like this. They step onto the train and their parents give them words of encouragement, along with a little bit of teasing before they leave.

Arriving to the Shool, Nono quickly wastes no time taking pictures of them standing by the entrance. Brimming with excitement they head inside and observe the various sights and many students currently on break. Juri approaches them to welcome them to the Academy and they instantly recognize her, and to their surprise she knows them too. She has offered herself to show them around the campus; taking them to the classrooms, the lesson rooms, the cafeteria -and its donuts- and the girls compliment how wonderful the school is. Nono really hopes they get in, every day here would surely be amazing. Lisa agrees as Juri watches with amusement.

That evening she brings the girls to the room they will be residing in until after the auditions. Too excited to sleep the duo listen to music of the song they will perform in the Audition. Lisa shows Nono the device she borrowed, known as the AiKara, and with it they can practice. Nono shows Lisa the book she was given earlier, revealing all of the coords they can wear for the Audition. Lisa asks if she found anything she likes yet, and Nono claims that all of them are "winsome" although she has taken a special interest in a coord by the brand Dolly Devil, due to it's cuteness. Lisa believes it to be too flashy, then asks if they will do well during the auditions.

It's then someone knocks on their door, and to their surprise Luminas has shown up. Akari reveals that Orihime informed them of their impact on the girls when they met them during their tour, so they wished to come and show some support during the audition. They invite the girls back to their room for some tea and Nono takes delight in seeing what a real idols dorm room looks like. As they enjoy their tea Hinaki brings up how surprised they were to find out the girls came to audition, and Nono states it was because of Akari's words when they were hanging out that day. Akari is happy to hear this and wishes them luck as they admit they are a little nervous, but with aspirations to shine like Luminas and the other idols, they will continue towards their dream.

Akari assures them that they will do well, and comments that little by little she feels like she is still changing. When the girls express confusion, Akari points out that they have already changed from before they decided to come for the audition. It takes a massive change to get the courage to come and do that. She explains how her adoration for Ichigo led to her own dream of becoming an idol.

Returning to their room, Nono and Lisa wonder if they have changed and when it happened. They agree it must have been the day they made this decision, and that it probably took place back when they broke into song in front of others for the first time. They were really young and back then Lisa had no confidence in herself to sing very well, but Nono claimed otherwise. They began to take singing lessons, and back then it was more than just fun and games- and without Lisa, Nono is sure she wouldn't have even gotten the idea to begin with. Lisa feels the same way when it comes to her encouragement. She then says that they may just be able to change more and they begin to overlook the Dolly Devil coord again.

The next day, the girls head to the Audition location, and while Lisa was worried Dolly Devil was too flashy for them, she's come to believe it will help them change further. Nono chose the Baby Devil coord, because the stitched ribbons match the ones from the set Lisa chose, the Secret Devil Coord, because she loves the mature contrast with the girlishness of the ribbons on it. Johnny compliments them and he wishes the girls luck before they head to the Aikatsu Machine, where they express a vote of confidence in one-another. They place the cards on it and step inside, changing and appearing on stage to perform "Lucky Train".

Afterwards, the trio from Luminas compliment their performance and Nono and Lisa head to Orihime's office. She reveals both of them have passed and explains that as Idols of the School, they will continue their efforts to bring smiles to everyone around them. She reveals the newest Aikatsu Phone to them, along with their school coords. The girls observe them and remark on how winsome they are before Orihime continues to speak. The girls agree that they will do their best.

Characters

 * Nono Daichi
 * Lisa Shirakaba
 * Akari Ōzora
 * Sumire Hikami
 * Hinaki Shinjō
 * Juri Kurebayashi
 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Naoto Suzukawa

Trivia

 * The title from this episode references one of the most famous lines in the show, "We'll take that ladle and turn it into a mic." (from the anime's first season)
 * As of this episode, Nono and Lisa officially transfer to Starlight via passing the entrance exam's audition.
 * This is the first time more then one person has been seen taking the Starlight Entrance Audition Performance at the same time.
 * This is the second time a Special Appeal has been used in a Starlight School entrance exam.
 * This is the first time applicants have been allowed to choose their coords, from coords other than the School Dresses.
 * The song lucky train! appears for the first time as an insert.