Idolish7 Episode 14 Review: That Song Once Again

We’re now 14 episodes into the anime adaptation of Idolish7, which means there are only 3 episodes left! Next week will actually be the last episode for a while, as it was recently announced on the official website and Twitter that the final two episodes (episodes 16 and 17) will air as one special on 19 May. In this episode, IDOLiSH7 are meant to be performing on the same TV show as their rivals, TRIGGER. Will it all go to plan? Of course not.

Japanese title: あの歌をもう一度

You’ve grown stronger, Riku

Story

The Sound Ship programme has begun and IDOLiSH7 are ready to perform. However, they are a little nervous because most of the fans at the studio are fans of TRIGGER, and TRIGGER fans don’t seem to be too happy at i7. However, due to ‘adult circumstances’, TRIGGER have been told by the agency that they will not be allowed to perform. The trio are absolutely against this and don’t want to do anything that will disappoint the fans. Gaku confronts his father on the phone, but the Yaotome president tells him that their success is not due to the fans, it’s due to him, and that the members of TRIGGER are too naive. IDOLiSH7 make the brave decision to close the show, but the TRIGGER fans are not having any of it. At least, not at first. It is extremely difficult for the boys of TRIGGER to watch, but the IDOLiSH7 boys really do their best to put smiles on the audience members’ faces. It’s here that we can see Riku’s true power, and the boys all completely accept him as their center. Yaotome is absolutely LIVID and demands a new hit song for TRIGGER to prevent their reputation being tarnished. Of course, we know the songwriter stole ‘Natsu Shiyouze’ from IDOLiSH7 and he attempts to burgle Takanashi Pro. Luckily, MEZZO burst in at just the right time. Sogo goes into full yandere-mode after Tamaki gets hurt. But it all worked out well in the end, I guess. Otoharu heads to Yaotome to give Sosuke a stern talking-to. He actually opens his eyes, people! It is also hinted that Sosuke was in love with Otoharu’s late wife (and Tsumugi’s mother), Musubi. This explains why Sosuke was shocked when he saw Tsumugi (who is said to resemble her mother) for the first time, and why he has such a strong grudge against Takanashi Pro. If Gaku falls for Tsumugi, does that mean he is just taking after his father…? This is the drama I’m here for.

Highlights

Tenn’s cute side actually came out! I was pretty shocked at how cute he was when Gaku frankly told him he relies on him as a center. It’s one of the few moments where it really felt like he and Riku are twins.
Tamaki telling the audience to shut up was a great moment for me. He has always been a popular character because he speaks his mind, but he had something mature to say to back up the shouting at the audience. It was a great little moment (although I can imagine he still got told off afterward).
Sogo was yandere as hell at the end of this episode. I had been looking forward to this particular scene for a while and it really didn’t disappoint. The look in his eyes will haunt me.
Banri got some screen time! Hurrah!

Trivia

‘Good Night Awesome’ is meant to be the theme song for the drama in which Yamato is starring, which explains their facial expressions and movements being much more serious than usual. It also explains why Yamato is the center for this song.
Tsumugi’s mother was called Musubi. Her name means ‘to tie together’, which is also quite similar to the meaning of Tsumugi’s name, which can mean ‘to assemble’.

Ready go! Dark, dark, dark. Into the Darkness.

The animation in this episode was so bad it was kind of hilarious. My personal favorite shot was right when i7 finished their ‘Natsu Shiyouze’ performance on Sound Ship. Just go back and watch that one shot. Unfortunately, this is a common problem in anime when they get closer to the end of the series, but I have high hopes that the quality will be better for the finale in May.

You could see a big difference in the relationships between the Yaotome and Takanashi groups and their managers. In TRIGGER’s case, their manager Kaoru just relays the information and is not willing to listen to what the idols have to say. In IDOLiSH7’s case, Tsumugi listens to what the boys want to do, and (perhaps going against her better judgment) decides to let them do what they really want, standing along with their decision.

I mentioned above that we saw a bit more likeness between Tenn and Riku this episode, and it is also especially prominent in their attitudes towards the fans. Both of them perform FOR the fans. In Tenn’s case, he was against upsetting them by not performing. In Riku’s case, he wanted to do his best to put smiles on their faces even if they weren’t welcome. It should be very obvious by now that TRIGGER are not enemies. They are just idols that want to do their job and to do it well. I mean, Ryu is probably the softest sweetest character in the entire franchise (except perhaps for Riku). There is no reason to hate on these boys.

I’ll see you next week for episode 15!