Episode 80 - Aikatsu! Boot Camp

Aikatsu! Boot Camp (アイカツ！ブートキャンプ) is the 80th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 30th episode of its "2nd Season". The episode aired on May 1, 2014.

Story
''Akari Ōzora, who has entered Starlight School, hasn't even shaped her idol forte. In a condition such as Akari's, Headmistress Orihime suggests her to participate in newly enlisted idol training program, the "Aikatsu! Boot Camp". In the fairly strict program, Akari tries to encourage herself, but...''

Summary
Sitting in the lunch room Akari watches a report about the upcoming Partner Cup. She's excited to find out who will be Ichigo's partner, then makes a wish to someday be as good as they are. It's then Orihime stops by for a visit, mentioning that because Akari does so poorly she came up with an idea to help her. She shows her a flier for the Aikatsu Boot Camp, a new program to help idols hone their talents and skill.

Meanwhile, Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran are in the middle of discussing things with their partners, Seira, Ki, and Sora. But just then Sakura bursts into the room to inform them of what happened to Akari. Having never heard of the boot camp, the trio are surprised. Seira and Ki reveal to them that students with poor grades are also taken off to boot camp, but this further confuses the girls.

That evening, Akari discusses what is going on with her roommate in their dorm room. Yu asks her why she didn't think to do any research before agreeing, but Akari reasons that because Orihime recommended it she thought it was better to just agree on the spot. Yu claims to have never heard of the boot camp either, and Akari recently learned that the training was designed after the regimen used by Navy Seals, but modified to train idols in a short time. Akari grows concerned upon reading over a few reviews from a few other girls who claimed the Sergent was really tough.

Early the next morning, Akari leaves for camp. While concerned over it's difficulty, she is also aware of how badly she performs right now and how important it is, so she won't give up.

Unknown to her, Ichigo watches from a distance and wishes her luck.

Meanwhile, Orihime and Johnny also discuss the unfortunate events. Johnny isn't sure someone like her is cut out for this, but Orihime thinks that while Akari may not be too good- if she can figure out the important things while there, she has a chance for improvement.

On the bus, Akari sits in the back by herself. Many of the girls sound worried but she tries to focus on how beneficial this is. Eventually the bus passes by an ocean and comes to a stop, and the girls board a boat that will take them to the island where the training will be held. There to greet them is Sergeant Pepper, the coach. He begins their regimen by telling them to go through the first area for a run; where Akari immediately gets called out when she gets caught by a stick in the ground and yanked downward. He demands her name and she hurriedly complies before running away to try to catch up with the others.

Back at Starlight Academy, Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran are practicing. They are pleased with their efforts- but they seem surprised to find a group of first years by the door way. They have come to wish the girls luck and ask some questions, mainly in relation to the upcoming Partner Cup. While they answer, Ichigo thinks about Akari again.

It is now day two at camp and the girls are running as they carry very heavy logs. They have to do lifts with them upon nearing the shore, then do jumps and push-ups. As this is going on, Akari is beginning to doubt herself. She doesn't want to keep doing this; and no matter how hard she tries, she's still behind everyone else. But now, she's more alone than she was before. In defeat she falls to the ground, only for Sergeant Pepper tells the girls that everything they did was only a warm up. Now they need to build a stage on the island for performances. The girls split up into groups and realize that in order to get things done they will need to work closely together. One of the girls runs by to speak to Akari, informing her of their plans.

At another location on the island everyone regroups to try to come up with a stage design. Initially they think a circular stage would be too boring, but while a heart or star stage is cute- they're also complicated. They ask Akari for her own opinion, although she admits to liking all of the ideas. Suddenly, one of the girls asks Akari about her identity, thinking she looks familar. One of the girls recognize her as being from the Auditions Caravan a while back and they compliment her cute new hairstyle, as well as the fact that they are surprised to see her there. Akari explains that she isn't talented, or good at performing though, causing the girls to also admit that they never even got a chance to perform yet. Sure, they get to try dancing and singing during practice and training; but it must feel really different to do the same thing before an audience for the first time.

Since Akari has the most experience, the girls set her in charge of coming up with a stage decision. She's surprised, but she graciously accepts and feels better to know she isn't the only one struggling. She describes her feelings while drawing a circle stage, and she explains her thoughts. The girls agree with her opinions and they go to show Sergeant Pepper. He agrees and takes the girls to tool shed, telling them if they should need any help using a tool they don't recognize, he will show them.

Seeing the items, Akari thinks about the time Ichigo cut down a tree for a sad classmate, and she feels inspired. But due to never using an axe before, she initially struggles to use it. It's then, to everyone's shock that Ichigo appears to lend Akari a help freeing her axe. She is joined by Ran and Aoi, and Ichigo explains that she met Sergeant Pepper back in America. She had been enjoying a snack when she saw a poster advertising an Idol training camp. It seemed like fun so she joined, and while she may have been smaller than those enrolled, she was very good. She kept up with them and gave courage to the other girls many times during the training, even if she couldn't properly speak to them.

Hearing this, Akari and the other girls become inspired once again. Ichigo helps the girls learn more about using tools, such as the axe and they watch as the tree falls to the ground. Then everyone begins to work together, pulling trees away, cutting them down, and then refining the wood into the shape they need. Akari feels grateful and inspired by this, and she decides that for the sake of her new friends who never got to perform before, she will do her best. Later that evening, she chats with Ichigo and Aoi about Ichigo's time back in America, and then begins to share her experience being here at camp.

The next morning, Sergeant Pepper congratulates the girls on the job well done, but now they need a performer to use the stage first. Right away the girls look at Akari, and she asks if Ichigo can join her. She wants to stand on the stage with her again more then anything else. Getting permission, the girls head back to change into their chosen coords and appear on stage to perform "Idol Activity!".

After their performance, Akari returns home to tell Yu about how fun Boot Camp was. She is greeted by the girls she hung out with while there as they pass them by, and Akari resumes discussion over what went on.

As this goes on, Orihime watches her from the door. She comments that because of Ichigo, Akari was able to realize what was important after all.

Characters

 * Ichigo Hoshimiya
 * Akari Ōzora
 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Aoi Kiriya
 * Ran Shibuki
 * Sakura Kitaō‎ji
 * Seira Otoshiro
 * Kī Saegusa
 * Sora Kazesawa
 * Sergeant Pepper

Trivia

 * This is the first time Sakura has appeared since Ichigo and the others entered the high school division.

Referbacks

 * Akari's first performance was recalled in this episode.
 * The "demon coach" and "devil training" concept by Akari might be a reference to Ran's nickname which coincidentally is "Demon Coach" and her intense training style.