Love Live! Nijigasaki 2.5: Return of Greatness

You know I thought an episode was excellent because I had to repeatedly pause to stop smiling because it hurt and catch my breath from uncontrollable laughter.

We began with Shioriko mentioning plans for a pre-show the day before the Culture Idol Festival Bonanza featuring the drama club. The club leader was intrigued when Shioriko gave them free reign to decide what kind of play to put on. Soon after our heroines considered adding unit songs alongside their solo songs to SIF2. Shizuku asked Yu to discuss something else later.

The next morning Yu kinda looked like a mess. A worried girlfriend showed concern but she assured her it’s all good. She invited her on a shopping date to help her cool down but Yu had “other plans”. She asked to promise to go once she had time.

Let the fun commence.

Oh yeah. She’s back. “Pleasing fans” didn’t subdue her hunger for Yu’s taco one bit.

Ayumu went shopping alone when she spotted Yu. Unable to help herself she followed when she’s shocked to see her meet up with Shizuku. Now. While episode 2.4 was good I was personally unsatisfied. The title hinted something tres magnifique but was a lie. Here’s Ayumu to save the day with her jelly mode! She had a look that thought “This girl did so not ditch me to go out with Shizuku, did she!?”

Conveniently Setsuna spotted Jelly Ayumu and asked what’s she doing. Her response? She’s worried Yu would pass out from exhaustion. “Nice save”. Setsuna didn’t question getting dragged along and was like “Oh joy! We’re playing detectives.”

So what was it Shizuku wanted to talk with Yu? She wanted to form a unit with Ayumu and Setsuna. Plus she had plans for them to be in her play. Big plans.

Shizuku: When I looked at them I had this vision in mind of Setsuna-senpai playing the Beast alongside Ayumu-senpai’s Belle. A riveting story of a beast shunned by society and the beauty who was allured by her “bad girl”-ness. What do you think Yu-senpai? It’s weird, right?

Yu: I…LOVE IT!

Shizuku: Oh? I knew you’d understand my vision!

Oh but I think Ayumu-senpai would make a pretty good Beast too.

Yu: Yeah…She would…

My poor gut.

I was like “Oh. AyuSetsu shipping material. I’ve seen some of their art. Love Live! is a yuri shipping goldmine of a franchise after all.” Thankfully it didn’t interfere with the established bliss as I feared so no biggie. What’s more important was that SHIZUKU came up with it. What a wonderful mind indeed.

They couldn’t stay hidden for long as a girl almost tripped and the two leapt into action like the superheroines school idols were. Busted. Ayumu said they’re there to check out the Pretty Cure parody live-action play. Shizuku and Yu’s original plan was to check out a school idol memorial exhibit. After the show there’s still time so they agreed to have fun at the amusement park. Ayumu kinda got what she wanted after all. Good for her.

By the way, a quick highlight was Setsuna switching to Nana when Shioriko called. What a pro.

She apologized for calling on a day off when big sis wanted to go to the amusement park together but she wouldn’t have it. Big sis surprised her by announcing she’d teach classes at Nijigasaki for a bit. The Shioriko story intrigue continued.

Ayumu and Setsuna were surprised but intrigued by the idea of forming a unit with Shizuku.

Shizuku: That’s a draft of my vision and wanted to discuss it with Yu-senpai.

Ayumu: Oh so that’s why you met up today.

Setsuna: I totally thought you two were on a date.

See above reaction.

Yu: Oh come on now! Teehee.

It’s time to check out the school idol exhibit. When Yu complimented the creativity and freedom they had to become whatever kind of school idols they wanted without fitting the mold Shizuku had a deep thought.

Earlier Lanzhu found Mia listening to Yu’s piano test curious why the usual loner Mia listened to someone else’s music. She too thought Yu’s skills were solid. Mia asked if she had another gig but she had other plans.

Lanzhu’s other plans.

Ayumu told Yu to not go overboard buying school idol merch like “that girl over there” before they recognized Lanzhu. She joined them at a table listening to Yu go giddy over the exhibit. Lanzhu accused Yu of half-assing her music class studies and blamed the harem for spoiling her. Ayumu and Setsuna tried to defend their queen but Yu could handle it. She could tell Lanzhu’s concerned about her and said if what she needed to add her to the harem was git gud at music class to wait a little longer. An embarrassed Lanzhu walked off.

Shizuku was strangely quiet until Lanzhu left. She thought about what she said and thought she did a bad thing not only pushing her ideas on them. Plus she was satisfied with her vision but had yet to do anything with it (or something like that.). Setsuna stepped up and had Ayumu join her in an improv Beauty and the Beast performance completely ad-libbed. Shizuku was inspired by them creating something so cool, I’d legit watch their action-adventure rendition if it were real, and joined in. She understood what Yu meant about school idols’ freedom to create and used it to move ahead with her vision. Ayumu and Setsuna were ready to go all in with their unit. We’ll probably have to wait till next time for A.Zu.Na to officially form and their performance.

The Ferris Wheel was under repairs in the afternoon but was fixed by the evening. Yu invited Ayumu for a ride. The school idol goddesses knew what’s up. They reflected on Ayumu agreeing to join a unit and Yu’s ready to support her. Ayumu asked her to come to her if she’s ever in trouble but Yu said she did so much for her already. It’s her turn to give back.

The episode ended with Setsuna hurriedly transform to Nana after a long practice when Shioriko noticed a familiar hairpin. Oh boy.

Favorite S2 episode so far.