This particular episode of Aikatsu Friends! is one that I have been looking forward to for quite a while. I suspect the reason why will become abundantly clear fairly soon into this episode review, so I might as well just start.
Mio & Aine
Tamaki, Hariu and The Lovely Friends manage to get together and arrange some time off for Pure Palette, Honey Cat, Reflect Moon, Love Me Tear, I Believe and Wakaba. The Friends decide to use that time off in the best possible way: with a trip to the beach. Yes, this is Aikatsu Friends!‘s beach episode.
Everyone comes dressed appropriately for the beach
This episode is all about the girls quite simply having fun, so you can expect to see plenty of typical beach activities going on. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that; watching the girls have fun is fun in and of itself.
Karen & Mirai
Of course the girls are wearing swimsuits, but we also get some alternative hairstyles – and they all look great.
Sakuya & Kaguya
Whilst I do have an overall positive impression of this episode, I will admit to being a little disappointed that we didn’t get to see Tamaki in a swimsuit. But, hey, at least she got to enjoy a well-deserved break.
Sakuya, Mio and Alicia
I’m happy that all of the main Friends got involved in this episode, too. Most of them really enjoy the summer sun, with the only exception being Alicia. It makes sense, considering her homeland is rather cold. Alicia does not do well in the heat.
Mirai and Hibiki are as competitive as ever
Talking of heat, the fire of competition burns fiercely whenever Mirai and Hibiki are near each other. Even when they are supposed to be having time off, they are challenging each other. I still love the dynamic between the pair of them.
Maika & Ema
Even Coco gets the day off
Being a beach episode, we also get watermelon splitting and beach volleyball. I have to say, Reflect Moon’s watermelon splitting technique is impressive.
Got to have some beach volleyball in the beach episode
The once-an-episode performance comes from Wakaba this time around, and this episode just affirms how good she is. She definitely fits right in with the rest of the cast, though I suppose there is just one aspect in which she differs.
As things stand, she is a solo idol – unlike all the others, who are paired up with their Friends. She seems to be getting by just fine, though.
This was a really fun episode of Aikatsu Friends!, and it lived up to my expectations. All the girls look great in this episode, and this break was well deserved.
Rory Muses 