Talk:Episode 146 - The Three of Us Once Again/@comment-24039146-20150814185227/@comment-26188592-20150815113858

but screentime ≠  popularity... the aikatsu8 members are chosen based on fan voting (which is pretty much equivalent to a popularity contest) and from what the series has shown so far, the members chosen were pretty much the current IT idols (with Ran and Aoi gaining more recognition after finishing SOLEIL's Our Dream tour as well as individual activities. Sakura has also been gaining more fame after becoming Starlight Queen. Yurika, though, has always been popular and has always been a top ranking idol in the series and even in the real world) . Having Mizuki chosen is pretty much a given since she's currently ranked 2nd in the Aikatsu Rankings. In fact, the announcer mentioned how she's been touring around countries like Singapore and Seoul, SK.

What I don't quite inderstand is how Sumire and Akari were able to surpass Otome, Seira, Maria and Sora. During season 2, Seira gave Ichigo a run for her money so I really don't understand how she could be easily surpassed by any of the 2nd gen idols. Though, it might be because Sumire has gained momentum after releasing an album and also with DanDiva being a top unit group in the series and that Akari has also gained quite the recognition with her weather forecast gig.