It's time to unleash our hidden power!
What They Say:
The idols from 346 Production's "Cinderella Project" are back, and this time they have more work than ever! Following the success of the summer idol festival, the girls have gained an incredible boost in popularity. Their first group album has even launched. There's just one problem though -- the new executive at 346 Pro, Mishiro. This mysterious new boss is now planning on dismantling all of the company's idol-projects. ALL OF THEM. What could possibly be in store for our beloved Cinderella girls now?!
The Review:
Content: (Please note that the content portion of the review may contain spoilers)
The second episode of the summer-half of Cinderella Girls picks up right where the first left off, with our beloved Producer smack-dab in the middle of Mishiro's announcement to disband all of 346 Pro's idol groups. Obviously, with an entire troupe under his wing, Producer stands up and refuses to accept this, announcing that he will come up with an alternate proposal to have Mishiro look over. It isn't long after this meeting that the girls find out what the next few weeks are shaping up to be like. And what better time for a sad montage of everyone moving their possessions out of their practice space? The episode gets right down to business immediately and wastes no time introducing and elaborating on the conflict that we are going to follow for the next ten episodes or so.
But that's enough seriousness for now. It's subplot time. This week we get to spend some time with a side character we've basically seen nothing of up until now, that being the mature and composed Kaede Takagaki. Kaede is the first person that we have seen Mishiro actually treat with respect (Sort of). That respect however, fades away almost immediately when Kaede refuses Mishiro's proposal to advance her career as an idol. This serves as a well-deserved slap in the face to the woman who is trying to tear our girls apart. Shortly after the slap, we find ourselves in the venue that Takagaki debuted in. And following a quick opening act from New Generations, she takes the stage and wows her dedicated fans, advancing her career with them instead of walking the path on her own, as Mishiro proposed.
All while this is happening, the Cinderella girls are trying to form a plot of their own to keep their groups from disbanding. The thing is, there isn't really much that they can do. Several of the girls want to try and write proposals of their own for Producer to piggyback off of, while others (Specifically Minami because she is level-headed) think it would be a better idea to clear out an area for a new practice space. New Generations, being away as the openers for Kaede Takagaki, coincidentally have the same exact idea as the other girls and try writing proposals of their own. However, they never get around to finishing them. I'd go ahead and blame that on the fact that they were singing and dancing for a good portion of the day.
Best/Favorite Part:
Would it be cliche if I were to say the opening was my favorite part of this episode? It would? Okay, never mind then. In that case, I'm going to have to say the last scene, where Producer and New Generations arrive back at 346 Productions to the rest of the Cinderella Girls having cleared out a new area for them to practice. The added bonus is the proposal that they have put together as a group. It's a pretty heartwarming and adorable minute or two.
In Summary:
More of the same thing we've grown accustomed to this week as season two of Cinderella Girls tries to ease us back into how it works. Kaede Takagaki serves as a new and moderately interesting focal point, with New Generations once again being the secondary focus. I understand the need to involve side characters more often, but I strongly feel like the show needs to focus on the rest of the main characters a little better, seeing as several of them haven't had enough time in the spotlight. Overall, the episode was decent and is particularly enjoyable for fans of Kaede. Unfortunately though, I am not one of those.
Grade: C
Streamed By: Daisuki/Hulu
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