Love Live! Superstar!! Episode 5

 

A universal sign that things are getting serious in live love! The spectacle is when you have two dedicated partners. It's a little surprising to see this at the start of the season, but it's here given Kanon's complex feelings about Chi-chan's unboxing and whether the former will participate in the idol's lifestyle. school. So far, the actual body of this conflict has not been revealed, but the two main characters are the type who quietly bottles emotions rather than immediately expressing them. Meanwhile, the superstar will deliver a full episode of Shenanigan. It's easy when the big names of the season join in the waltz and invite their competitors to a friendly concert on a private island. Yes, I think it's an island the Sunny Passion girls grew up on, but the only thing that says “our island” is that the school idols created their own Fyre Festival.

I would like to emphasize how much comedy is packed into this episode in various ways, big and small. Most evident is the rapidly developing competition/friendship as Keke and Violet clash from different ends of the idolatry spectrum. Keke is, of course, a tough evangelical idol, trying to spread the good news with every fibre of his existence. Violet is a pure mercenary, and school idolatry is just her special way of becoming the queen of show business. These attitudes are meant to clash, and most of this episode is one of the most passive and aggressive ship bullyings I've ever seen, watching them prick themselves. To be honest, this is a wise move. Their conflicting personalities provide Kanon with idiots of all sizes, giving Kanon the option of acting like an adult or leaving him to his device when busy with other things. And as we always have the feeling that they are friends who are looking for each other, the writing is careful not to make them too hostile. Sometimes friends get nervous for each other, sometimes it's fun to get into the trivial competition, and it's definitely fun TV.

Then there is the little thing. A little prosperity, extra stages, or a gag in the background all stack up for you to see almost every scene in this episode. Some of these are a really good polish of animation, like the way the eyes and body of the character move to compliment the already strong expression. Some of the unspoken but obvious jokes like Keke brought his portrait of Sunny Passion to a workout, stopped at the apartment along the way and took it to Violet. And the basics that don't draw attention to themselves, like the way Kanon bends his knees and leans back before heading back to the beach, or the many unusual or difficult shot setups used for one or two. . All small pieces that don't make a whole lot of sense on their own, but together show an attention to detail that really draws attention to “Passion Island,” even when actual character conflict is bubbling beneath the surface.

It makes sense - Chi-chan and Kanon are clearly more modest than the other two, and as expected, they don't say how they feel that quickly. But that doesn't stop those segments of this episode from getting frustrated. As I learn about childhood relationships, I can guess a lot from their behaviour, but an important part of the story is why Chi-chan first chose dance as a passion. There is a sense of lack where and why she now oscillates between pursuing her and perhaps joining her friends in idolatry. It's interesting to see Kanon trying to find such a thoughtful friend, and it will definitely all be together in the next episode, but it looks like this episode is clearly lighter than I would like. Leave me.