Mayuyu <3
An obligatory fanservice episode that actually contains plot development—now that's definitely a rarity. While I didn't mind the first half of fanservice (I got to see the 0048 girls in swimsuits, after all), I was overjoyed at how the story still progressed. Instead of the usual 24 minutes of filler that most episodes of this type present, AKB0048 was able to please both sides of the audience—those that watch the show for the girls and those who watch it for the story.
Ignoring the gravure photo shoot and other fanservice scenes, there were, I'd say, two important points put forth in this episode.
The first has to do with the sacred title of Center Nova which Yūko, who has her sights set on the position, couldn't help but inquire more about. Naturally, the mystery behind this currently abolished position is kept as such, in order to make things more interesting. Speculations regarding Acchan the 13th's disappearance continue to be limited given the lack of information about the past. While I had first thought that Tsubasa knew about all this, and that she was just keeping it from Yūko for confidentiality purposes, it turns out that even she had no clue about the whole matter, despite having been a supporting member of AKB0048 for quite a while now. The mystery is enhanced even further when former Center Nova, Minegishi Minami the 5th, who's adamant about preventing the return of the Center Nova position, ignores Tsubasa's question about this secretive matter. Because of this, it is easy to jump to the conclusion that there are negative consequences for those who become Center Novae; whether or not this is true is another story. So although the mystery still remains, at least there's some development regarding it.
The long-awaited rivalry between Chieri and Nagisa is the second important point put forth in this episode as the seeds that were planted early on finally begin to sprout. In terms of talents and physical charm, Chieri has arguably got Nagisa beat. But judging by her Kirara's response to Nagisa's presence, it's no surprise that the heiress of the Zodiac Corporation is slowly losing her confidence as she may feel like all her hard work is meaningless if her Kirara won't glow for her. Unlike in the real world where physical beauty, singing and dancing, and personality are what can make or break an idol, the world of AKB0048 also looks at one's soul. While I do admit that Nagisa may be more passionate about AKB0048 than Chieri, her lack of any other important idol-like qualities makes me slightly hope she won't be promoted any time soon. Even with my bias for Chieri aside, it's not hard to see that she really deserves to be promoted; she constantly strives to do her best (shown when she was given the role of Yūko's stand-in) and is even starting to improve her social skills (shown through her improving relationship with the others). The bottom line is, there's no way Nagisa should be promoted before Chieri—promotion at the same time is passable—given the current state of things. With that being said, it'll be interesting to see how their friendship fares as this rivalry continues to heat up.
"But judging by her Kirara's response to Nagisa's presence, it's no surprise that the heiress of the Zodiac Corporation is slowly losing her confidence"
ReplyDeleteBut it seems Chieri is wrong. She thinks kirara has chosen Nagisa, but this episode suggests kirara really glows when they are together, like during the photo session. Micchan said so too when she was talking with Tsubasa, "these two have quite the glow, don't they"
"These two", not Nagisa alone or Chieri alone, but both together. But why do Chieri and Nagisa need to be together to glow? That's quite the mystery. Furthermore, the radiance that Chieri and Nagisa produce when they're together isn't normal. Rather, it's the sort of radiance that only a Center Nova possesses.
All in all, I think Cheiri and Nagisa have bigger worries than the matter of succession right now, specially since all the previous Center Novae have disappeared (except Micchan who ran away). And I got the feeling Tsubasa might go as far as to use Chieri and Nagisa to find out what happened with Acchan.
Very nice insight there.
DeleteAs to why the two have to be together in order for the Kirara to glow, I think it has to do with what I mentioned about Chieri's outstanding idol-like attributes and Nagisa's passion for AKB0048. Together, the two seem to have the perfect attributes for a Center Nova, but apart, they lack what the other has.
I agree with you about the possibility that Tsubasa will try to use Nagisa and Chieri to find out about Acchan's disappearance. There's no doubt that she's keen on finding the answer since she was really close to Acchan before the disappearance. How she does that will definitely be interesting to see.