Love Live! Superstar!! – 03

「クーカー」 (Kūkā)
“Kuukaa”

After a hefty two-week wait, Love Live! Superstar!! is back to your regularly scheduled programming. This week marking the culmination of all the effort Keke and Kanon have placed into their training. I honestly wasn’t expecting for the actual performance to be this episode, but I guess the way Keke and Kanon placed their feelings on stage and transmitted them towards the public was enough to convince some people to look at them in a different light, as the show might have been a little late to start, because of a cable accident. But their performance was still well deserved, and even more so as they won The Newcomer’s Award. In true Love Live fashion, there was a little mishap before the show started, but Kanon found determination within her, she was able to sing because she was not alone, and that was sufficient, even if Keke (I swear I hear Kuku) put up a strong face, in the end, she was just as nervous as the rest of them.

It was fun to watch this little training arc come to an end, and with a satisfying conclusion to boot both Keke and Kanon got what they wanted, and their dream got to continue onwards, now with even more determination. I do wish we got to see the other teams perform, but there was no such time for that, I’m sure they’re keeping that for the final episodes of the series. As they always do.

A rival appears 

This episode also marked the arrival of Sunny Passion another school idol group that Keke has great admiration towards, it’s quite charming to see Keke with such fiery intensity towards their main competitors, even if they don’t think they’re on Sunny Pa’ level just yet, I have this feeling they’re going to become somewhat of their main competition. Even so one of Sunny Pa’ girls said she’d like to keep her favorite foods towards the end of a meal. What does that mean? Probably that she sees their talent, and will only show camaraderie after it’s all said and done.

Maybe they’ll get to meet next episode in a sort of flashback scene after they get off stage, or maybe this rivalry will be slowly build up as the school idol group involving Keke and Kanon finds its members. However, we already know who they are as the OP and ED spoil that for us. Yet, there is still fun to be had watching this journey unfold.

A return to form

I see a lot of people discussing how Superstar is a sort of return to form for this series, and I couldn’t agree more. It is a hard comeback, with the original director being back to helm the series, and its gorgeous animation to boot. It does feel like we are getting the sequel we’ve always wanted. Of course, new characters, and the 3D CGi is back as well, but it almost seems like the production team is excited for this one, as there was little downtime in the animation. But that 3D is so vague, if you’re not looking for it, there’s no way anyone would notice it, to the average anime viewer it’s not visible, at least not in Superstar!

Kanon the leader of the group

At this point, I don’t see anyone else being the center but Kanon, it could be Keke but there’s just something about her that doesn’t scream it. Especially in this episode, she’s reliant on Kanon, to open herself up and mold out of her shell, or maybe because Kanon is the first friend she made after moving from Shangai to Japan. Whatever the case, there’s an unmistakable bond between them now, that Kanon solidifies by taking her hand just before the show starts. This is why I’m betting on Kanon to be the center. How far will these girls go? And how many dreams will they be able to achieve? Only time can tell. There are as many stars as dreams to unfold.

This whole episode was about taking chances, take a chance and try that outfit you think you could never pull off, take a chance on friendship, and take a gamble on the fruits of your labor. And they certainly paid off. If anything Love Live! reminded us this week that chances are worth taking, and fortune favors the bold.

A song about our dreams!

It’s worth noting that the song, in the end, was exactly a reflection of their feelings, what they were striving for, their dreams becoming true, and the stars that shine bright at night. It was calm and relaxing, but at the same had this uptempo beat with a downtempo that felt nostalgic and a little bit sad. It’s this perfect combination that makes Love Live stand out for me. Not only in its singing music but its soundtrack as well. (I don’t actually know anything about music)

When Kanon lets her anxiety get the best of her, the score that played in the background was just beautiful. It’s that sweet and sour combination that stirs emotions and makes people cry. It’s only the third episode and my emotions are getting hammered.

Then again, Galaxy episode next week?!

Thanks for reading this blog post, as always I’d love to read your thoughts on this episode, and don’t forget to come back next week for another round of Love Live! Superstar!! 

Preview