First Impressions / THE IDOLM@STER

「ふたりだから出来ること」 (Futari Dakara Dekiru Koto)
“The Things We Can Do Together”

An entire episode about a search for missing pudding? Only on IDOLM@STER. It ain’t just any old pudding either, but Sweet Gorgeous Celeb Pudding.

Things sure didn’t look like they were headed that way after the episode opened with a mini murder-mystery drama starring Ryuuguu Komachi, but the Futami twins had something else to say about that. Their whole detective bit was somewhat amusing too, largely in part to everyone else’s less than enthusiastic reactions. It got even better when they questioned Yayoi, with the way they shamelessly treated her like a poor person. It was pretty funny how Ami and Mami actually implied that she’s can’t buy pudding for herself, and even went on to refute her claims that she’s tried it before. To me, that was a lot funnier than it was probably intended to be, simply because I’m quite fond of Yayoi after the episode about her.

The rest of the episode wasn’t too shabby either, featuring some minor developments care of Mami, who’s been spending less time with Ami because of Ryuuguu Komachi’s success. They’re like two peas of a pod that have been torn apart by stardom. The most interesting aspect were the parallels between the case of the missing pudding and the mini-drama though, given the movie-like tension in the air when Ami thought she made a startling discovery. They actually had me going for a bit with Takane, considering that Hibiki was already the red herring as per the drama. That was some pretty good fake-out screenplay — as good as it can probably get when it’s over pudding anyway.

I’d have to say the true victim in all of this is Haruka, seeing as the twins’ trap didn’t faze Chihaya or Miki the least bit. I had a feeling that it would be Miki out of the bunch for eating other people’s snacks, but have to tip my hat to the way they switched things up with the twins as the original cause (for eating her jello) and then again post-ending sequence to reveal the true culprit. If nothing else, I have to give this episode credit for turning out to be a lot more enjoyable than I thought it would be with Ami and Mami leading the way. IM@S sure has a knack for showing all the girls in a better light once they’ve actually had some decent screen time. I gather there won’t be a focus next time, but who knows, maybe someone will step up on the track and make a case for herself.

* Full-length images: 24, 29, 31.

 

ED9 Sequence

ED9: 「黎明スターライン」 (Reimei Star Line) by 双海亜美, 双海真美 (下田麻美) (Futami Ami, Futami Mami (Shimoda Asami))
Watch the 9th ED!: Streaming ▼

Preview

32 Comments

  1. Pudding is serious business.

    I was almost certain I would hate this episode since it starred the twins. I never did find them endearing and was afraid they would make them insufferable like they did with Yukiho. Thankfully it didn’t happen, the interrogation scenes were great, simply because it allowed the twins quirky personalities to bounce of the other girls.

    fragb85
    Reply

  3. What a great episode, certainly not what I was expecting from an episode about the twins.
    Oh Azusa, you’re perfect the way you are and someone should give you an Oscar for that performance ;D

    Seishun Otoko
    Reply

  4. I haven’t watch the show yet(cuz it’s raw) and when I listen to the song from the streaming video. Somehow I feel like it’s a terrible song. Is it better if you actually follow the show?

    lkaze
    Reply

    2. IMO Ami/Mami sound perfectly fine if they stick to the cutesy songs. Reimei Star Line on the other hand just sounds bizarre. I have to wonder why this is one of their image songs, when it doesn’t really take advantage of their singing strengths.

      fragb85
      Reply

  5. Pretty nice episode, also you can find other little bits if you watch it again, like at the start of the episode when Iori was talking about the pudding, Azusa was already trying to tell them about it. 🙂

    Anon
    Reply

    1. Yeah, and the fact that she was missing almost the entire episode after that should have been a big clue XD. I was too distracted by antics the twins was pulling to notice though. And I don’t even consider these two close to the top of my list of likable characters XD. Sigh, what’s wrong with me :p ?

      x
      Reply

    1. “Honey” only happens with the Awakened Miki route, I kind of doubt it will happen. It be nice though, since Awakened Miki is much more entertaining if only because of her less than subtle attempts to get into Producers pants.

      fragb85
      Reply

      3. As it stands now, the closest ship tease Producer has with Haruka. I.E the main character of IDOLM@STER. So yeah.

        That name is not an issue. Producer in the game was never referred to by name. What is an issue is the anime itself. If they wanted more romantic elements they would have to make focus on one particular character. But the show made it a point to shift focus on different people every episode. Unless they change the direction of the show I doubt it will get romantic. It doesn’t need to anyway, the anime is just fine as it is.

        fragb85
        Reply

  9. All that for pudding? The twins are really that bored, aren’t they? Especially now that they’re separated most of the time due to Ami’s increasingly hectic schedule with Ryuugu Komachi. So all this charade this week is really all Producer’s fault for slacking off on Mami’s department. lol

    Though to be fair to Producer, he had to handle all 9 girls here instead of just 3 like in the game, while Ritsuko only focuses on 3.

    Kinny Riddle
    Reply

  12. Considering these two characters are not my favorite, this episode was not bad. Was amused to see the censored cockroach XD. Looking forward to next episode where it seem like more girls will get more screen time.

    x
    Reply

  15. Great episode as ever people. I must say it was an enjoying mystery episode, but it was more enjoyable with the twins doing things.

    We finally get a twins focus episode and they’re even MORE funnier than I thought. Awesome job!

    Also; nice triple fake out. Ah, poor Azusa-san~~!~!~!~

    Kelfistan
    Reply

    1. Same here, though I must admit I enjoyed the reactions of the other girls and the producer was much better than in previous episodes (even though he did nothing :p). Next week better be good, and who is Nami? XD

      x
      Reply

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