Aikatsu Friends! - Season 1

Aine Yūki is a regular division student who's attending Star Harmony Academy. During the spring break preceding her second year in junior high school, she encounters the top idol: Mio Minato. With her great talent to make friends, Aine easily befriends Mio, having just one request to her: How about performing together on the Aikatsu! stage...?!

Aine's real Aikatsu! has just started. After transferring to the academy's idol division, she happens to belong to the same 'Production' as Mio. She's excited to get her very first job from her manager, Tamaki. On her workplace, the top idol unit that is ruling the Aikatsu! world, Love Me Tear's Karen Kamishiro and Mirai Asuka, appear!

Taking dress design up as well, Mio announces the reveal of her Premium Rare Dress in a week. However, she gets the feeling that 'there's something missing' and is unsure about approving the dress' design; meanwhile, Aine becomes Mio's 'one-day apprentice'. Will Mio be able to finish a Premium Rare Dress which will earn her approval?

When an idol obtains a brand of their own, they become idols on their own. With the advice given to her by her production company's stylist, Chiharu, the still idol-egg Aine begins her search for a brand that fits her. Although so many brands are around, it seems neither works. But then, Aine has a fateful encounter!

Wanting people to discover the brand only for her, Sugar Melody, Aine thoughtlessly enters an audition to be the MC in Love Me Tear's event. On the venue, she meets the festival-loving idol, Maika Chōno! Can Aine and Maika become friends...!?

Ema Hinata is a senior student in the idol division under the same production. She showed off her leadership skills even at a camp that she went to. Mio looks like she isn't fitting in well with this environment, and this causes a chain on confusions. What's so interesting that's happening now around her..?

After being selected by Love MeTear's Mirai for a guest role in the drama "That Idol's a Witch!", Aine is supposed to memorize her lines and practice well. But Aine keeps making mistakes, and seeing Aine in such a situation, Mirai decides to take her out for some time. But how exactly is Mirai planning to encourage Aine?

Mio is a top idol, and she always gathers the eye of the public. Word is heard that a famous world-class creator is to be chosen as a director for a commercial for macarons. Mio is to be filming the commercial when they are faced with a surprise: The background music is an Ondo, and is not fit for a macaron commercial!? Now Mio is up to a challenge: Can she make an impactful "Big Bang" CM when nothing goes as Mio had predicted?

Aine has been admiring the Premium Rare Dresses. After asking Aikatsu Navi's Coco and learning that if she is an "amazing idol", then obtaining a premium rare dress wouldn't just be a dream. In order to let herself be more well known among the fans, Aine begins to plot a fan meeting of her own. But despite Aine's enthusiasm―!?

Ema and Maika are searching for a Friends partner. From an outside perspective, the two fit each other perfectly, going against their expectations. Although their personalities and preferences are polar opposites, no matter how you look at it, they have the best compatibility... Who exactly are the partners that these two have chosen!?

Finally, Mio begins to take action in order to form a Friends unit with Aine. She aspires for a dramatic situation like with Love Me Tear's legendary formation story. While seeking the perfect timing to speak with Aine, for some reason, Aine seems to be intimate with Nako Ebihara, an idol from Nagoya--?

Mio wants to go to school with Aine everyday, but is unable to say it. At this time, a large amount of tomatoes is delivered to the Penguin Cafe. Mio, having been present, is roped into helping out with a cafe event. As the Yūki family's event comes to a close, will Mio be able to convey her feelings to Aine?

In order to get Pure Palette's name more well-known, Aine and Mio are to appear on the TV program "Genius Battle Selection". However, Karen Kamishiro reigns as the absolute queen of geniuses on the show. Admiring and aiming to surpass them, Mio comes to face Love Me Tear, and learns the essentials of Aikatsu! from Karen.

Ema is to design Honey Cat's Best Friends Rare Dresses. When attempting to bring together both their dress designs, as Ema and Maika's tastes are polar opposites in the first place, they can't come up with a design that makes use of each other's personalities. What is the answer that these two will arrive to?

Four months have passed since Aine has begun her Aikatsu! However, in comparison to Mio, her reputation and skills aren't quite there yet. Under Mio's instruction, she even uploads "'tried to do' videos" onto AiTube, but the number of views don't increase much. Mio, assessing the situation, seems to have become aware of Aine's greatest talent?

Mio starts getting pumped up for she is trying to design a Best Friends Rare dress for Pure Palette. When Mio reaches a wall in designing, Aine invites Mio on a mystery tour planned by Aine herself. Walking along the lands of the forest, they reach the place known as "Hero's Bridge". And to Aine, this bridge that was a part of her childhood memories means?

The young fortune teller, Sakuya Shirayuri pays a visit to Penguin Café. Sakuya, who is known for her accurate predictions, gives Aine and Mio a reading in regards to their upcoming audition. Understanding the meaning behind the reading, will the two be able to create a big bang?

The school's biggest event of the summer, the Star Harmony Cup, is about to begin. The favorites to win the event, Honey Cat, are having a training camp in the gym so that they can pull off a Friends Appeal worthy of their dresses. The two undergo lessons while also busy with work. Can they show off the results of their training at the Star Harmony Cup?

In order for Pure Palette to win the Star Harmony Cup, Aine aims to raise her abilities. Unusually separating herself from her friends and family, Aine trains extra hard by herself. As a result, though her dancing and singing have improved, she is told by Mio that she's missing something important?

Ema and Maika regret having lost to Pure Palette. Feeling that their defeat was a result of being unable to face their fans, they plan out a fan meeting tour. However, the day of the event overlaps with Ema's lacrosse club's training camp. Will Ema take up her club activities? Or will she take up Honey Cat?

Aine and the others are to be visitor guides at the academy's open day. Joined by powerful visitors from all over the country (some of whom are boys!?), they are to observe the ongoings of the school. With there being participants who say that there's no need for Friends, Aine enters a situation where her friendship power is ineffective!?

In order to protect Sakuya's reputation as a fortune teller, her sister Kaguya fills in for her while she does her Aikatsu! But when Sakuya is overcome with exhaustion, can Kaguya fill in for her as an idol?

Maika is still upset over losing to Pure Palette, so much so she has yet to tell her parents she won't be competing in the Brilliant Friends Cup. As Maika struggles to hide the truth, it begins to affect her work. The designer of Dancing Mirage, Maika's favourite brand, tells her she isn't ready to become the brand's muse. Feeling lost about what to do, Ema steps in to help.

Pure Palette and Reflect Moon are to appear on a variety show with Love Me Tear. Though Sakuya is nervous about her first variety show appearance and Kaguya is unable to understand what's so amazing about Love Me Tear, the two notice something important during the recording.

Mio is asked to cover for Love Me Tear on a variety show when the Friends get stuck abroad. Mio is initially reluctant to accept the offer as she still feels she is far from surpassing Love Me Tear. Mio prepares thoroughly for the show and things go well, but when a surprise guest appears, Mio is needs to pull all her skills and resources to make the show a success.

The Brilliant Friends Cup begins! Pure Palette are in high spirits as they stand before rivals from all over Japan. However, in stark contrast to these feelings, Aine and Mio are starting to develop a slight disconnect between each other.

Afraid of her own divination, Sakuya withdraws to her dressing room and refuses to come out. Though another divination says if tonight is a full moon, that disaster will go away, the moon up in the sky is a half moon... Will Reflect Moon be able to participate!?

Mio gains a fever, which is a rare event for her. Despite feeling impatient, she takes a rest at home under the care of her mother Reiko. Looking at how Reiko works, Mio has started to realise her own faults. She is about to make a large decision for the future of Pure Palette.

Aine is set to appear again as a guest in the drama "Maiden Idol is a Witch" starring Mirai. Aine is determined to get things right first time, but Mirai begins asking her to repeat her scenes saying Aine isn't playing the part correctly. With the climax of the show a stage battle with Mirai, Aine wonders if she has what it takes to beat her senior.

Mio and Kaguya try their first voice acting job in an animated film. Mio struggles with ad-lib but is surprised how well Kaguya handles things. Mio wonders what she need to overcome her barrier and talks to Kaguya about her motivation.

With one day remaining until the deadline to enter the Best Friends Cup expires, Aine and Mio decide to redebut after taking a break from their activities as Friends. However they don't want to restart with half-hearted feelings, so they take a chapter from Love Me Tear's story and attempt to complete a Legendary 100 Match battle!

The last opportunity to participate in the Diamond Friends Cup, the Best Friends Cup begins. Karen Island owned by the Kamishiro family will be the stage. This year's theme is "survival", and first up is HoneyCat.

The second part of the Best Friends Cup starts, with Pure Palette taking their turn turn to face the challenges before them.

Aine is given the opportunity to debut a new premium rare dress for Sugar Melody. However with only three days to complete the dress before the debut concert, Aine struggles to find ideas.

Sakuya and Kaguya appear on TV with Aine and her friends and afterwards are given the task of producing a video tour of their home. Aine and the others offer to help and end up discovering a treasure map that leads to some treasure the twins buried when they were younger. The girls feel that going on a treasure hunt and filming it would make a much better video, but Sakuya and Kaguya are reluctant to go and find what they buried.

Mio is hosting a fashion show that will debut her new premium rare dress for her brand. However not all things go to plan when Aine's little sister Momone shows up and wants to be in the show and one of her guests appears to be late. But luckily Mio has an idea to turn things around.

The line-up for the Diamond Friends Cup is decided with Pure Palette facing Honey Cat on the first day. Also with Christmas around the corner, the Friends decide to exchange gifts, but Aine has trouble finding the right gift for Mio.

Love Me Tear is hosting the annual Aikatsu Song Battle with Karen captain of the White team and Mirai captain of the Red team. Members of Pure Palette, Honey Cat and Reflect Moon divide between the two teams and perform songs for the audience. However back stage there's a mystery to solve, when Coco suddenly disappears from the Aikatsu Mobile the idols decide to investigate.

The Diamond Friends Cup is about to start with Honey Cat verses Pure Palette. But Pure Palette is worried they won't be able to pull off a Miracle Appeal despite practicing. Honey Cat reveal that they too have been unable to replicate their Appeal in training so both teams work together to unlock the secret of the Miracle Appeal.

The next round of the Diamond Friends Cup sees Reflect Moon go up against Love Me Tear. But despite Sakuya's divination they'll be victorious, Kakuya is still worried she'll never be able to match her sister's skill as an idol. But it's not only Kakuya that's worried, Mirai notices Karen is having her own doubts.

Aine and Mio think about what more they can do before the final round of the Diamond Friends Cup against Love Me Tear. To their surprise Mirai shows up at Aine's home and tells the girl about Karen. Karen has been holding back her abilities as an idol ever since she and Mirai became Diamond Friends because the Friends unit they competed against dropped out, fearing they'd never be able to match Love Me tear. Mirai wants to go all out against Pure Palette and unleash the Love Me Zone, Love Me Tear's own version of the Aikatsu Zone, but fears that Karen's feelings will prevent it. However, Aine comes up with an idea to hold a sleepover at her house so both Friends groups can get to know each other better, and hopefully convince Karen to open up about her feelings.

With Love Me Tear's full power performance over, it's time for Pure Palette to take to the stage. However, both Aine and Mio realise the power of the Love Me Zone and are afraid they'll never be able to match it. As they promised Karen and Mirai, both girls make a plea to their fans for support before taking a breather. However things take a surprising turn when the girls see their fans' reactions.

Aine and Mio are in high spirits as the decision for an unveilling stage for the long-desired Diamond Dress has been decided. During that time, Mio's father who was overseas has returned from his trip. Actually, Mio's father is a world-famous designer! Not only that, there's also another surprising truth revealed about the Diamond Dresses!?

Mio has been chosen to appear in the valentine special commercial for "Choco-Mint Macarons". Zack, the director, suggests the theme to be "Confession of the Macaron Boys". Mio has decided for herself to begin scouting for any boys around her. What kind of commercial will come out of it!?

After entering the circle of top idols, Aine and Mio are very active in their Aikatsu! activities. Suddenly, rookie reporter Mamiko Habara aims to get the scoop on those two! And the two display their Friends' Power without any problem, even if they were going against the paparazzi. During that time, the precious truth that Aine and Mio realized is...?

Reflect Moon has gained the nickname "The Idols that came from the Moon" ever since they began their activities. But the image of reality is completely different. Kaguya somehow wants to return to their original image. Among this is a young fan girl, Mika, who comes to the two of them, saying "Please also take me to the moon"....!?

Coco, who has been supporting the idols so far, develops the dream of wanting to do Aikatsu! without even realizing. Aine and her friends who agree to help Coco out use a special device to enter Coco's world.... And everyone does Aikatsu! activities together. However aftewards, an unthinkable situation comes up!?

Ema and Maika has just made their big announcement on their "Honey Cat Traversing the World Tour". However upon making the decision, they've realized that they completely forgotten to take funding into account. The two of them continue to strive and give it their all in their tasks. In the end, will Ema and Maika be able to deliver happiness to their overseas fans!?

Karen and Mirai of Love Me Tear decide to take a new step forward. The two of them have announced that from now on, they will continue on their activities separately. Furthermore, Mio happened to stumble upon the information within the book, "Love Me Tear Tales: The Final Chapter". For the tale of the two to end means...?

A quarrel has risen between Aine and Mio! For the two who has not onced argued since becoming friends, Mirai recalls her "Make-Up Method: from her former Love Me Tear days and suggests it to Aine and Mio. Family members and staff, rival Friends...as everyone watches the two over, the bells of happiness resonates!