「当たって砕けろ!東京シンデレラツアー」 (Atatte Kudakero! Toukyou Shinderera Tsua)
“Give it a Shot! Tokyo Cinderella Tour”

The audition. This episode represented the girls’ last, best chance to do something so they could all stay together forever. Or was it? Let me tell you, a lot happened this episode, and it was one of the best ones of the entire show. Starting off, the biggest surprise was something that surprised Natsumi as well – that Yuka wanted to do something as sensible as practice before the audition. Yuka has always been really flighty, but that’s when it became clear that she was actually serious about this idol thing. No, that’s just when it started to dawn…it became clear was when she started to get scared. Oh my. I truly do like honest idiots like Yuka, but the problem is that they’re so confident because they really don’t think things through. That can be quite a problem when they’re confronted with harsh reality, as we saw here. She wanted it so bad, and she suddenly realized she might not get it. Poor Yuka.

Fortunately, Yuka’s friends are fantastic. From the little things like knowing they needed to wake up Rin twice (at least), to getting drinks and waiting by sick Natsumi’s side, they’re always there for one another. So, when Yuka started to freak out, they were there to reassure her. I love those friendship moments, each and every time. Not that it stopped Yuka from being nervous, mind you. I don’t blame her,though. I would have been too, in her situation.

Of course, the moment that hurt the most was when Yuka tripped, and you knew their chance was over. As she was kneeling on the ground, crying over her mistake, that’s when she let out the real reason – that they needed to become idols this time so they could stay with Saki. “Ah,” I said out loud, because I’m a crazy person who talks to myself. “There it is.” Yuka was thinking the exact same thing we were, that this was their way to defy the inevitable, to fight fate. I know I’m repeating myself, but rather than a yuri anime or a slice of life anime, I’ve always enjoyed this show the most when it’s a heartfelt friendship anime. Watching Yuka cry, and Saki stand up and say that going to more auditions would be no problem…I smiled. I may have even teared up a little bit, somewhere deep inside.

And then there was the wish. I knew, as soon as the camera first panned to the big rock’s latest cousin, that one of them would make that wish. Natsumi was so overflowing with feelings that it was obvious it would happen sooner or later. This is where the reality of Saki’s move really began to press in on them, not intellectually, but emotionally, and Natsumi’s confession-like plea that Saki not move made it clear they’re not all ready to let go. And Saki’s reaction! Then the big rock and its cousin stepped in

Man, I’m really curious where this will go. If I had to guess (and I do!), they’ll enjoy their endless summer for a while…before they finally accept that they have to grow up and move on, and they’ll wish for it to an end. Feel free to post your own guesses below. Still, regardless of how it ends, I expect the last episode will be full of overflowing emotions as the girls try to snatch a little bit more time out of fate’s hands.

tl;dr: @StiltsOutLoud – Despite being so carefree, Yuka really did want this. Too bad =/ Now, the endless summer. I wonder how it’ll all end… #NatsuiroKiseki

Random thoughts:

  • I know I can’t be the only one, but…who else immediately thought of Endless Eight when the never-ending summer was brought up? Don’t worry, don’t worry! There’s only one episode left, so there’s little chance of a tragedy of that caliber. But still, the thought occurred!
  • It’s been so long since we saw Yuka with her hair down. I kinda missed it. Oh man, only one more episode of me commenting on Yuka’s hair? I’ll miss that!!

Full-length images: 34.

 

Preview

24 Comments

    1. Another beautiful Natsumi and Saki semi-yuri moment. I thought Natsumi has gotten over with Saki leaving to the island, but it seems that Saki does not want to either. The yuri vibes are getting bigger.

      Poor Yuka. I almost shed a tear when she cried. Luckily, her girls, especially Rin, were there to help her out and make her happy again. Oh yeah, and Yuka’s hairstyle is cute too.

      So we have the biggest wish the yuri rock has ever made: the endless summer vacation. I wonder how this wish will end but I can expect a tear-jerking ending.

      John Hayabusa
    1. yeah! I also thought they have passed, and when they get offer – what will they do I wonder. Why is everybody thinking that they have failed? It wasn’t mentioned explicitly anywhere in the episode afair. Aren’t the results usually known well after all participants looked at? Like in several days, etc?

      rds
      1. Because that mean girl came out crying right afterwards, and Yuka was clearly dejected, saying that they failed. True, both of them might be jumping to conclusions, but the more likely assumption is that this agency is good enough at what they do to pick out the potential idols they want without inordinate deliberation. Given how much practice they get, I’m going with that second thing I said.

        Stilts
  1. What I would like to happen in the finale is this:-
    Because they get to repeat that day countless of times, they’ll ace their audition with flying colors, setting them on their way to hitting it big as the next hit idol group, and the four get to stay together for a longer time. And Natsumi will propose to Saki, Rin confesses to Yuka, and they all live happily ever after. The End. =D

    What I think will most likely happen:-
    They learn their lesson, Natsumi finally lets go of Saki, Saki moves away, tears will fall, the foursome becomes a threesome, life goes on. The End.

    Well, whichever route it takes, I’ll have the tissues handy for what promises to be an emotional finale to one of my favorite series of the Spring 2012 season.

    1. I suppose it is more reasonable to assume the latter given how both the series and wishes have worked so far, but when it happened my first thought was that they would loop continually until they finally managed to pass the auditions and live happily ever after without having to separate. I still secretly hope this is how it’ll turn out!

      Moomba
  2. So close to yuri yet so far…

    Seriously though, the Natsumi and Saki scenes are great because they finally let out what needed to be said regardless of yuri context. I also liked that irony that Yuka’s biggest flaw (her immaturity) was what inevitably caused her to choke at the auditions. I think it was about time Yuka provided some actual drama to the group dynamic.

    My guess about the end would be something like Groundhog Day (one of my favorite movies EVER), they initially take advantage of their endless loop but then start to realize that it should be used as an opportunity to grow up. That’s when the rock releases them from the loop and they come out as better people.

    fragb85
  3. 10eps of this yea so like i am watching another of yuru yuri with yuka so the expy of TOSHINOU KYOUKO!!!

    so this ep 4 girls go tokyo for idol camp did not make so make best fun in tokyo then fever then poof back home but same day again aka Groundhog Day Loop cause another magic rock.

    next ep is finale summer time ep.

    KLAC_OF_PERSONALITY
  4. This episode is definitely fodder for a prequel for a second season (i.e. episode 12), IMHO.
    They get to win the audition and all move to Tokyo. It was one of the questions the panel asked.
    That’s just my take.

    I liked the cleverness of this series – but I’m a fan-service guy at heart and this series was
    definitely lacking in that area…

    mac65
  5. Obviously the preview for next week is trolling us again, but I can’t figure out how it’s gonna end either.

    I do agree this is one of the best episodes of the series with a lot of plot and plenty of twists. Also the animation department was on par this time ’round.

    dustshadow
  6. I think I cried inside as well when Yuka looked so inconsolable at realizing they didn’t make the audition and she thought it was her fault. This was followed by some heartwarming friendship moment by her friends, and concluded by their deepest wish answered by the rock (or was it another of its cousins?).

    Thank goodness there’s only one episode to deal with the endless summer holiday time loop this time instead of 8. I don’t think I can stand another 8 weeks even if the characters are cute. lol

    Kinny Riddle
  7. When I saw this episode I realized that the best Anime shows make you think about your own life when you see them. I know how scary it is to do audition for something you really want I have been Yuka’s shoes and acted a great deal like her. To see that Yuka’s lovely friends especialy Rin ( love her so much ) was truly heartwarming. This show is really wonderfull because it makes me think about my own girlfriends and when you are together you can do pretty much anything. I personally thought that the girls did really well at the audition they gave clear answers and you could clearly make out their amazing personalities. Seriously thought they could make it even when Yuka tripped I mean the judges can understand nerves right ? But Ow wel they have the endless summer to go trough next and in the future they will make it I am sure of it !

    girl from the sky

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