The iDOLM@STER Anime - Ep. 23 discussion

[Ghift]

My reaction in frantic typing to a friend of mine:

[NoU] Ghift ★: HOLY SHIT IDOLMASTER
[NoU] Ghift ★: I'M IN TEARS AGAIN
[NoU] Ghift ★: I WANT TO HUG HARUKA
[NoU] Ghift ★: AND FUCKING
[NoU] Ghift ★: OH GOD PRODUCER
[NoU] Ghift ★: WHAT HAPPENED
[NoU] Ghift ★: AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH

Slightly more coherent:

I knew shit went down from twitter reactions but damn, I wasn't expecting that. If it wasn't Haruka who was involved rather than Miki I'd call Awakened Miki. I...oh god producer. ;sldjflksadfkljalksg;l

These last couple of episodes with Haruka's depression have hit me ridiculously hard oh god my heart strings.

[Hitsuji-chan]

*crying a river* TT____TT

Producer-saaaaan!!! Harukaaaa!!!

[altuixde]

I thought Haruka already had the lead, from what they said in the previous episode.  It's cruel that the people in charge put Miki and Haruka against each other.  Miki and Haruka are from the same agency, you'd figure the musical staff would realize that they could be friends.

As for the ending, that was too sad.   

Edit: By "the people in charge" I mean the musical staff.

[shinn87]

Haruka needed to be taken down a peg. everyone was canceling left and right to focus on their careers. the other idols kept apologizing over and over but she didn't seem to get the message. there will be Christmas parties, and 765 Lives, but now is career time, and it seems like the 11 other idols were handling it fine.

[Nope]

Jupiter fans, rejoice, they're coming back as good guys in episodes 24 and 25: http://yaraon.blog109.fc2.com/blog-entry-5824.html

[SalemJeanette]

Jupiter will help the broken Haruka huh

[Crisu]

(Commented this on Shinn's blog; copying here for forum discussion)

Haruka genuinely likes being together with everyone more than being popular.

This is probably all there is to say for Haruka support.  Or she was expecting them to become popular as a group (as the 765pro AllStars) rather than all having individual careers.  In the grand scheme, I don't think it's too unreasonable if she just wants one or two things together -- because that's how they became successful in the first place (sans Ryuuguu Komachi, I guess).  The New Year's Live is actually job-related unlike the Christmas party.  I can only assume that, at their current skill level, they can practice the dances on their own and then come together just the day before the concert and do dress rehearsals as a group a few times to work out any last kinks -- rather than have to do it as a group constantly like with their very first live.  Haruka just doesn't want everyone to forget their origins; what does all this fame and money mean if you end up losing your friendships in the long run?

I feel very bad for Namassuka Sunday to get cancelled, and it shows the reality of the whole idol-jimusho business.  Broducer and co. ought to be able to refuse offers and have their own agency policies ("Sorry, Sundays are for our idols to be together.") but this isn't the case in Japan...  So this would be where idealistic Haruka would need to grow up just a little and realize this is the inevitable sacrifice for an idol's career.

bluemist has a good point about these struggles foreshadowed since episode 5.  I just rewatched it, and nobody had an answer to Haruka's remark about how they wouldn't be able to go on beach vacations like this anymore if they become that popular.  Iori brushed it off, saying it's something to think about when they actually get there.  They're here now, but there are still no easy answers.  ...And Miki was already NTR-ing Haruka in this episode, I realize.  Haruka tried to feed Broducer some meat during the barbecue, and Miki dives in and eats it off Haruka's chopsticks.

Sucks for Miki to be portrayed as the antagonist, but I think it's because she has ties with Broducer as well.  Haruka's got the next biggest crush on him, I'd say (or is at least the most appreciative of what he's done for the agency), so here she is, battling not only to keep the girls all together but also for Broducer's attention.  My friends and I are hoping for a Toradora!-style bitchfight in ep24, but maybe that won't happen.  ^^;;;  I agree that Miki herself is just taking care of her own business.  Could she be more tactful?  Sure.  But then she wouldn't be be our Mikimiki.

Haruka's other half is on the other half of the world and can't hold her. ;A; Maybe Chihaya will offer some Skype lovin' to make up for it?  :<

[altuixde]

I got the impression that Namassuka Sunday was canceled because of pressure from other shows that want Namassuka's viewers; which doesn't make sense because if Namassuka had good ratings then the profits generated by Namassuka would weigh heavily in the network's decision on keeping the show.  Perhaps I'm confused.  Can someone explain?

[satty]

I got the impression that Namassuka Sunday was canceled because of pressure from other shows that want Namassuka's viewers; which doesn't make sense because if Namassuka had good ratings then the profits generated by Namassuka would weigh heavily in the network's decision on keeping the show.  Perhaps I'm confused.  Can someone explain?

What I'm thinking is that the other shows in the network might have decided to stop if Namasuka wasn't cancelled. In the executive's minds, cutting off a good source of revenue to save the whole network might have been the only option.

[altuixde]

What I'm thinking is that the other shows in the network might have decided to stop if Namasuka wasn't cancelled. In the executive's minds, cutting off a good source of revenue to save the whole network might have been the only option.

That makes more sense.  However, here's a new point: the other shows were complaining about how Namassuka was blocking up all of Sunday.  How could this be when Namassuka is just one hour long?

[Ghift]

That makes more sense.  However, here's a new point: the other shows were complaining about how Namassuka was blocking up all of Sunday.  How could this be when Namassuka is just one hour long?

I assume something to do with prime time and taking attention from other shows. It would take up precious ad slots and the like too.

[Markus7P]

That was depressive.

Two things make people excited: action and drama
And lately we've got full with drama in The iDOLM@STER Anime.

Harukas get even more and more down. At last she looked happy at the live broadcast with Yukiho and Makoto. It was very nice.
Then they Sunday show was canceled. Was it the only job that they all had done together? (Now minus Chihaya.)
And then Miki at musical rehearsal that they shouldn't work together.

Now she will be even more down and depressed. I can only wonder what will hapen at the next episode?
Will Miki blame Haruka what happend to her "Honey", I mean will be Miki insensitive to Haruka.
Is this the end of friendship between the two?

It's intresting that the 3 main character of iDOLM@STER at once wanted out of idol business, I mean it is now Harukas turn. After what heppened to Producer-san because of her, I think it is the final straw for Haruka to be at the bottom emotionally.

I wonder and I very excited what will happen in the next episode, will Haruka leave 765 Pro. Will 765 pro or it's idols fall apart (as team)?

Haruka is very good team playar.
At the beginning someone should have told to Haruka that idol business is NOT team play / team game. Or, am I wrong?

[Clear Blue]

Jupiter fans, rejoice, they're coming back as good guys in episodes 24 and 25: http://yaraon.blog109.fc2.com/blog-entry-5824.html

Yat-TAH!!!!!

Jupiter will help the broken Haruka huh

I had this really odd feeling that if Haruka and the others can't get along (or start going their own ways, sounds like Kuroi placed a dark curse for the whole time)
Outside help is needed, in this case, Jupiter. (Probably Touma.)

[satty]

You know, watching the subs, I think the song that Haruka was listening to while watching video was "i". And since that songs appears in the bad end of the game...foreshadowing, much? Or I'm just probably reading into it too much.

Also, has the ending song been played with lyrics? I'm guessing that's gonna be sung in some way next episode if it hasn't.

And watching the subs, it looked like the fall was fairly big, I'm guessing about 15-20 feet. What makes it worse is that the stage lift has to be off the ground, which would mean that there would be the lift to fall onto and the ground. It seemed that the Producer was falling at a downward angle, so that may have mean he hit the lift upper back/neck/head first before hitting the ground. Worse in that the room that Miki was standing nearby was the operating room. And the fact that when people called out to him to check whether he was alright, he didn't say anything or yell out in pain.

Of course, it could be a broken arm or leg, and that the operation was needed to set fractured bones back into place.

Silliness time:
If the Producer was Nathan Drake....

Drake: Oh nonononono!!!! *hits the ground*
Drake: Agh....I'm good! I'm good...

Or what if the Producer was Dragonborn....

Dragonborn: *before saving Haruka* Feim Zii Gron!

And if the Producer was the Prince of Persia...

*uses the Sands of Time to Rewind*

[Ghift]

From a realistic point of view that fall would do more damage then just a broken limb and while she would be upset they all seem awfully worried over a simple fracture

then again this is animu and idols.

There's also a few episodes left, so there's time for something else major to happen regardless of if the producer has a sprain or is outright hospitalised.