Episode 146 - The Three of Us Once Again

The Three of Us Once Again (もういちど三人で) is the 146th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 45th episode of its "3rd Season". The episode aired on August 13, 2015.

Story
''The final votes of who will be in this year's Aikatsu8 has been decided and will be announced at last! Who will be chosen and will the new generation take flight? Passionate idols who want to expand those boundaries are now here waiting!''

Summary
After waking up early Akari prepares for her weather program, where she goes over the weather and brings up that the special Aikatsu8 election announcement special will be approaching. She reminds everyone to vote for their favorite idols, and they take a moment to explain how the Aikatsu8 election works to the audience. Akari admits to being nervous for the results, but also excited.

In the cafeteria, Yotsuba brings Akari, Sumire, and Hinaki some donuts while complimenting her program. He mentions his own opinions regarding Aikatsu8 and the girls go to sit down. While snacking the girls go over who was on Aikatsu8 the previous year; this being Seira, Maria, and Sora from Dream Academy, Mizuki and Mikuru from WM, and from Starlight, Ichigo, Yurika, and Otome. It's then Sumire brings up the fact that despite Ichigo being in Soleil with Aoi and Ran, only Ichigo got into Aikatsu8.

Later that evening, Ichigo and Aoi are joined by Ran, who has just finished taking a shower. They board their tour van and discuss that it's been a while since since they were last home, or at the school. They are very excited for Aikatsu8, but they also have plans for Soleil as well.

At her office, Orihime, Johnny, and Naoto discuss their own ideas and theories for Aikatsu8. Orihime brings up that those who have been gaining attention for themselves during the voting period will have an advantage, then she brings up that Soleil's plans will be revealed afterwards. Johnny is very happy to see how much the girls have grown in this time and they begin to take note of the younger group maturing as well.

The following day, Hinaki joins Sumire and Akari when two girls approach for autographs. Before going, one girl mentions voting for Akari and she wishes her luck before running off.

That evening, while Akari lays in bed she thinks about what the girl said earlier. She is a bit sad to know that it's possible only one of her friends will make it into Aikatsu8, and she thinks about Ichigo and how only she made it.

Hoping the evening air will help calm her, Akari steps outside and observes the sky to deduce the sunny weather tomorrow. She is surprised to see Ichigo nearby and hurriely approaches her, with Ichigo explaining that she was too awake to sleep after just returning, so she decided to take a walk. They sit down together and Akari confesses to feeling the same way, but in regards to Aikatsu8. Ichigo admits that even Soleil thought about it, and while their goal was to finish their nationwide tour they also want to participate. Last year she was the only one chosen, but this year she wants to see to it that all three of them get it. Akari reveals that she felt the same way about Sumire and Hinaki, but Ichigo points out that getting what they want isn't always possible. Everyone advances at their own pace, and she reminds Akari of Mizuki and how she chose to work in solitude to advance, and with others she was able to achieve even better things. While the idea may sound harsh, the reason they can keep going is because they do their Aikatsu with no regrets.

Eventually the results program is going to start. Raichi calls for Ringo to come and watch while revealing his votes for Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran, then he shows Ringo his predictions booklet for this years Aikatsu8. Ringo takes a look at it and believes it seems accurate.

The special begins and the announcer builds suspense before revealing the first Idol chosen will be Ichigo. Everyone applauds her and she thanks them before heading on stage. After the announcer takes a moment to chat with Ichigo he moves on to the second member, Mizuki. She joins Ichigo as he explains that she had an Asia tour, through Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, and a few other locations. Third will be Ran, who is very surprised, followed by an excited ''Aoi. The trio is surprises by this but very happy as the man brings up them being in a unit together, then he goes on to reveal the last four members: Sakura, Yurika, a surprised Sumire, and Akari''. Akari is stunned as the others congratulate her and she joins the group on stage, with everyone in the audience cheering for them.

Raichi is delighted that he guessed every idol right and comments on how happy Ichigo probably is to be with Ran and Aoi.

The announcer goes on to reveal that Soleil has a special announcement and he lets the girls take over the pgoram. First they express their words of happiness in being together before Ichigo goes on to reveal their new project: The Great Starlight School Festival. It is an event that will host trio units and they hope it will become a goal for idols to strive for, along with bringing the fans tons of joy and fun. Ichigo tells everyone that they are invited to join in, and with that the program concludes with a performance from Soleil. The girls exchange a few words and change into their newest school coords, then they appear on stage to perform "Idol Activity!".

After the performance, the girls share a final message with everyone in the audience while Akari and Sumire watch from the side.

Characters

 * Akari Ōzora
 * Ichigo Hoshimiya
 * Aoi Kiriya
 * Ran Shibuki
 * Sumire Hikami
 * Hinaki Shinjō
 * Juri Kurebayashi
 * Rin Kurosawa
 * Madoka Amahane
 * Mizuki Kanzaki
 * Seira Otoshiro
 * Mikuru Natsuki
 * Sakura Kitaōji
 * Yurika Tōdō
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Naoto Suzukawa
 * Raichi Hoshimiya
 * Ringo Hoshimiya
 * Shun Yotsuba
 * Hikari Minowa (cameo)
 * Otome Arisugawa (flashback)
 * Sora Kazesawa (flashback)
 * Maria Himesato (flashback)

Trivia

 * The anime's Aikatsu8 2015 was announced this episode.
 * Soleil returns in this episode.
 * This episode features the first mention of Aikatsu within other Asian countries, with Mizuki having toured in China, Korea, and Singapore while Soleil was on their nationwide tour.
 * This episode reveals the upcoming event, the Great Starlight School Festival.