You know what Aikatsu Friends! has been lacking so far? Mario Kart, that’s what – oh, sorry, I mean Aikatsu Kart. Fortunately, that is exactly what episode eighteen of Aikatsu Friends! Shining Jewel gives us, because of course it does.
Alicia asks Pure Palette to produce a fest to help Solvette
In this episode, Solvette is once again under threat from an extreme cold front. Alicia wants to do something to help, and decides to hold a festival. At the recommendation of the other Friends, she asks Pure Palette to produce the show.
However, Pure Palette have a packed schedule, and Tamaki will only approve them producing the festival if they can win in the Aikatsu Kart Grand Prix.
We get to see plenty of Coco in this episode, which automatically makes it a good one
This episode is pretty much the set up for the next arc of Aikatsu Friends!, as the events from here on out all lead up towards to Alicia’s Jeweling Fest. I won’t go into detail about the race; just know that it is a really fun watch. I will certainly be sharing with you who is participating, though.
I Believe
Baby Pirates
Honey Cat
Reflect Moon
Pure Palette
So the usual suspects, although you will notice that a certain pair of Friends are not on the racetrack. I’ll get to Love Me Tear in a moment, but for now, we get a surprise appearance from Baby Pirates. Also worth mentioning Hibiki and Alicia entering the race as I Believe.
Love Me Tear assist Coco
Love Me Tear are not participating in the race, but they are on commentating duty together with Coco.
The race itself is some excellent stuff.
Aine and Mio wearing their Jeweling Dresses
Of course, you can’t have an episode of Aikatsu Friends! without a song. Pure Palette perform this time around, and something happens with their Jeweling Dresses. They change for a few moments during their performance – seems the dresses still hold a secret or two.
This was a great episode of Aikatsu Friends! Shining Jewel. Everyone got involved in some way (Wakaba was there too), and the Aikatsu Kart Grand Prix was a lot of fun to watch. We also got setup for what is coming next: the Jeweling Festival.
I can only presume that means we’ll be seeing a few more Friends gaining Jeweling Dresses over the course of the next few episodes; or the festival will be limited to just Pure Palette, I Believe, Love Me Tear and Wakaba.
Next time, we’re getting a beach episode.
Rory Muses 