STAR DRIVER: Kagayaki no Takuto – 25 (END)

「僕たちのアプリボワゼ」 (Boku-tachi no Apuribowaze)
“Our Apprivoise”

It was a bit abrupt, but this was a finale to remember. Unexpected twists and a galactic battle in space are just some of the things that had me on the edge of my seat. While there was little doubt about Head’s plan to use Sympathy’s ability to make Samekh his puppet, Keito’s revelation that she’s the one who sealed off the King of Cybodies was the first of many surprises.

STAR DRIVER: Kagayaki no Takuto – 24

「ひが日死の巫女」 (Higanishi no Miko)
“East Maiden”

It’s the precursor to the finale and a pretty good one at that with a huge cliffhanger involving the fourth phase and the revival of King Samekh. There still wasn’t clear indication as to what drove Sugata to Kiraboshi’s side, but further implication that it’s for Keito’s sake makes it the most plausible explanation.

STAR DRIVER: Kagayaki no Takuto – 23

「エンペラー」 (Enperaa)
“Emperor”

It’s been built up for some time now and the episode title was a dead giveaway, so it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that the vacant First Division in Kiraboshi is finally filled by “King”. Sugata’s revealing outfit was probably the real shocker, given how low it plunges down in front.

STAR DRIVER: Kagayaki no Takuto – 21

「リビドーなお年頃」 (Ribidoo na Otoshigoro)
“Libido Coming of Age”

Well, it looks like the possibility that Tokio’s nude paintings of Sora were a figurative thing was put to rest, as one more flashback quickly indicated otherwise. What was more interesting though is that Head is aware that he’s lost a lot in his pursuit for power, which includes Sakana among them.

STAR DRIVER: Kagayaki no Takuto – 20

「描かれたあの日の虹」 (Egakareta Ano Hi no Niji)
“The Rainbow Drawn That Day”

The plot finally opens up in a major way with backstory on both Reiji and Katashiro Ryousuke (Miki Shinichirou), and comes with a love triangle that’s oddly familiar to Takuto, Sugata, and Wako’s situation yet noticeably different at the same time.

STAR DRIVER: Kagayaki no Takuto – 19

「三人の日曜日」 (Sannin no Nichiyoubi)
“The Three’s Sunday”

After seeing Takuto and Sugata out of character in the preview and suspecting that something was up, it wasn’t all that surprising to learn that Kou and Madoka were the culprits behind it. It was a bit predictable in that sense, but that didn’t take away from what followed suit with some really tough maidens who aren’t so easily fooled.

STAR DRIVER: Kagayaki no Takuto – 18

「ケイトの朝と夜」 (Keito no Asa to Yoru)
“Keito’s Day and Night”

It’s always the quiet and diligent ones that we need to be careful of, whether it’s in the bedroom or the karaoke room, as Keito quickly showed us this time around. You think you know someone, and then they do something that leaves you absolutely speechless. Tetsuya sure wasn’t kidding when he said the things that happen at part-time jobs can go far beyond one’s wildest imagination.

STAR DRIVER: Kagayaki no Takuto – 17

「バニシングエージ」 (Banishingu Eeji)
“Vanishing Age”

Ask and you shall receive, as included this week was a new maiden song by Keito, “Aki-iro no Aria”, to kick off the next arc. With Koshimizu Ami singing, it’ll probably only take another episode for the song to establish itself as the new Zero Time theme too.

STAR DRIVER: Kagayaki no Takuto – 16

「タクトのシルシ」 (Takuto no Shirushi)
“Takuto’s Mark”

Just like it was foreshadowed, this episode marks the completion of Mizuno’s arc and the breaking of her seal, for which we’re treated to a dramatic depiction of exactly what that entails. This includes how she’s forcibly dragged into Zero Time and her maiden Cybody is destroyed, unlocking the highly sought-after third phase for Kiraboshi.