Talk:Episode 176 - Queen of Roses/@comment-26426093-20160322023218

Alright, guys, please don't hate me for saying this but looking back, Hinaki actually deserved to place further up than Sumire. Why?

Here's why. It began all the way back in Season 3, episode 146 of the anime, when Akari and Sumire got selected for the Aikatsu8, but in the process Hinaki was left out. Hinaki wasn't feeling well no thanks to that so in episode 147, she gets an major boost to her self-esteem when she is personally made Vivid Kiss'es muse by Kayako herself. From that point on, Hinaki's character development received an major boost and slowly but surely, she began to step out of Akari's and Sumire's shadows to forge her own identity and appeal. It goes without saying that by the time Season 4 started to go into its middle stages, Hinaki had already earned her reputation as an true dark horse for the Starlight Queen Cup. Then Episode 169 happened. Can you guys possibly imagine anything better than this scenario? After all, Hinaki not only is already best buddies with her favourite brand's  designer, Kayako, but also gets to meet and interact with the other main idol using Vivid Kiss aka Mikuru while getting encouragement from both of them and finally receive an brand new Premium Dress. With so much character development and emotional support, Hinaki was more than ready to live up to her reputation as dark horse and take the first place at the Starlight Queen Cup as of this episode.

In contrast, Sumire stagnated and failed to live up to her reputation as one of the main favourites to win the Starlight Queen Cup. One of the reasons why she failed to do so, is, you know, due to the "push yourself to the limit in order to gain perfection and win" altitude. Perfection, as you all know, isn't really the best plan to win something. You have to put not just your heart and soul, but most importantly of all obtain enough emotional support from friends and family. Also, Sumire's character development as of late has been really lacking of substance. Episode 166 is probably an important factor in as why Sumire failed. During that episode, Sumire was very unsure of herself, but instead of getting emotional support from her sister ( who hasn't appeared except in cameos for whatever reason I cannot fathom), she just all of an sudden perked up, obtained an new premium dress from Maya and performed a new Fever Appeal just like that. There was not that much drama to be seen at all Now, try contrasting that with everything Hinaki had to go through. And the result is, is that Hinaki managed to surpass Sumire. That's why.

Just one more thing. I'm so happy that Hinaki's placed top for now. I really am! Also, the fact that Mikuru consider's Hinaki to be her little sis...XXXDDD