This episode starts with Tsubasa informing the members about the current situation on Tundrastar, and how DES is not holding back. An aerial concert on the Flying Get is too risky, but Tsubasa assures the members that they will find a way to hold a concert on this planet, especially with the help of the WOTAs, who are currently asking local supporters for help and gathering intelligence on any possible weak points in DES' security. Tsubasa thanks the WOTA for their work, and one WOTA is particular excited.
It seems that the WOTA on the left is a huge Mariko-sama fan. But Tsubasa terminates the transmission before the WOTA finishes his sentence. The understudies are slightly confused by a WOTA calling Tsubasa "Mariko-sama." Tsubasa tells the successors to double-check their formations, while the understudies are to get changed and start warming up. Takamina tells the girls to show some spirit, but Tsubasa quickly points out Takamina's condition.
Tsubasa points out that it may be the only time AKB0048 will get to perform on this planet, and so it is important to show the most spectacular concert ever. Takamina is not well enough to be able to fulfill that role, so Tsubasa tells Kanata to replace Takamina in the concert. Of course, the successors and the understudies are in shock, but for two different reasons. (I think it is evident that Takamina wants to perform because she does not want to give up her dream to Kanata.)
The understudies are in the dressing room, putting on their makeup, and getting ready for the concert. Yuka mentions to Makoto about how much makeup she is putting on, but Makoto says that she needs to do her best to stand out.
As I mentioned in my blog post on episode 5, AKB48 members have to apply their own makeup.
Kanata is called to do a formation check, since she is replacing Takamina for the concert. Mimori notices that Megumi is feeling down, and recommends her to wear a different colour of lipstick that suits her better. We find out that Megumi simply wants to perform on the same stage with Youko, who is the current Sae, or else there is no meaning. They used to be so close, and now their difference in status have made them grow distant from each other. Mimori reassures Megumi that she is by Youko's side by doing her best to make sure that the successors are able to shine at the concert. No matter understudy or successor, everyone is connected and always together. Megumi feels bad for the mean things she has said about Kanata and Mimori, and Mimori says to not worry about it. Megumi is cheered up by Mimori's words and concern.
We then see Kanata practicing the moves for the concert, and getting scrutinized by Yuuko on performance and placement.
What does Yuuko mean by "move to 0.95"? There are numbers marked on the stage starting from zero, which is the center of the stage. Increasing numbers are placed at equal distances, roughly 1 meter, towards both ends of the stage. So Yuuko is telling Kanata that she is to be at a certain spot in comparison to the marked numbers.
Here is a video of Perfume's rehearsals showing the marked numbers in their rehearsal room and on stage. (Watch all the way to the end.) The video shows how the girls can be at equal distances with each other by aligning themselves to the numbers (for example, being placed 1, 0, 1). For Perfume, the distance between each number is 90 cm, so when you see that the stage goes to 21 on each side that means the stage is 21 x 2 x 90 cm = 37.8 meters wide. Kashiyuka explains that "0.5" means to be placed in the middle of the zero marker and the one marker.
Back to the formation check. All the successors are closely watching Kanata, and Kojiharu thinks that Kanata is dancing very well. Yuuko is not letting Kanata go so easily, and continues to give "tough love" as noted by Sayaka. Yukirin knows that Yuuko is being harsh on Kanata because of what happened in the sacred grounds. Kanata ends up tripping, and falling to the ground, but immediately apologizes and continues the routine.
Yuuko gasps and can only think of the following:
It then cuts to Takamina "resting" in the infirmary. She is breathing hard, but you can also tell how frustrated she is as she took off the bandages that were on her forehead earlier.
Sonata is so excited about the snow that she runs, and ends up tripping and falling face first on it.
Sonata notices that Chieri is looking at something, and they see that there is a town nearby.
The girls head into the town, clearly under the Entertainment Ban.
All the grays reminds Yuka of Lancastar. Orine and Chieri agree.
The understudies notice a line-up of people. It looks like they have come to get their rations.
After seeing the townspeople, Chieri is not sure that it is such a good idea to perform a concert here.
Makoto agrees. Just as Nagisa was about to say how planets who have seen AKB0048 have been positively affected, they hear the "One, Two, Three, Four!" of Heavy Rotation.
They scan the area to see four little girls in an igloo, watching AKB0048's performance of Heavy Rotation.
The understudies approach, and the little girls hear them and immediately close the video, and huddle together in fright. Yuka tries to tell them that they mean no harm, and one of the girl notices that it is the 77th generation, as well as Mimori and Megumi from the 75th and 76th generation, respectively.
Nagisa wonders if the little girls are talking about them (since the little girls are talking in a different language). The girl in red show that they do recognize them from their promotional video.
Then one after the other, the little girls say how they thought the concert was cancelled, and that it is a dream come true that AKB0048 is on their planet. The looks of excitement on the girls faces reminds Nagisa of when they were young, and how their dream was born under a gray sky like this one. Nagisa then gets all pumped and starts performing "Aitakatta."
The little girls are so excited to see a performance up close.
Tsubasa sees the performance the understudies are giving to the little girls via a WOTA's camera.
Chieri realizes that she was only thinking with her head, and doubting the concert, but Nagisa thought with her heart. DES finds them, and the girls pull out their micsabers to protect the little girls.
A WOTA, apparently a Kojiharu oshi, grabs the two DES soldiers.
The understudies then receive a message from Tsubasa, who says that they have convinced her about holding the concert here on Tundrastar.
The plan for the multiple-coordinated concerts starts with the town bathed in heart-shaped lights, and the song "Heart Gata Virus" (Heart-Shaped Virus). Enjoy the performance picture by picture!
The understudies have gathered quite a crowd.
WOTA doing their best to stop DES from ruining the concert.
After receiving information from the WOTAs that fans are gathering at the main venue, Tsubasa tells the successors and Kanata that the concert will be starting soon.
Yukirin gives Kanata Takamina's outfit, and tells her to make Takamina proud.
Kanata: "...but I'm sure I can follow in her footsteps."
The understudies' concert is done, but DES is in hot pursuit. Chieri and Nagisa run away from DES, while the sucessors' concert is in full swing behind them, starting with an opening number by the understudies: "Namida no See-Saw Game."
Back in the dressing room, Kanata is putting on Takamina's outfit, ready to give it her all.
However, just as Kanata was about to head on stage, Takamina tells Kanata to wait.
Takamina tells Kanata to take off her outfit because she is the one who is going to perform. Tsubasa calls in, and Takamina begs Tsubasa to let her perform.
Convinced by the glow of Takamina's Kiraras, Tsubasa allows Takamina to go on stage.
Kanata reluctantly takes off the uniform, and gives it back to the person she admires so much.
(Kanata was doing her best to make Takamina proud of her, but it looks like those feelings are being stepped on. I feel bad for Kanata. She does not know that Takamina feels slightly threatened by her, and that Takamina feels that she has everything to lose if she does not perform.)
The main concert is underway with the start of the Overture. Tsubasa messages the understudies to continue their mission of keeping DES away from the concert.
The main concert starts with the song "RIVER"
The lyrics to this song are pretty meaningful, comparing obstacles in life to a raging river, and the fulfillment of your dream as getting to the other side of the river.
Kanata is on combat duty, while watching Takamina perform on stage.
(From the looks on their faces, it seems that new dreams are being born under a gray sky.)
Takamina collapses midway through the song, but Yuuko catches her. Yuuko can tell from Takamina's eyes that she does not want to give up, neither in this performance or her dream.
Kanata becomes teary when she thinks how cool Takamina is when she is performing.
Takamina goes right up close to the four little girls, just like Acchan did with Nagisa, Yuka, Orine, and Chieri when they were little.
The little girls are so inspired that hearts appear in their eyes.
The concert is under attack, but the WOTA and Kanata do their best to drive DES away. Entertainment Ban posters have also been removed by WOTA. In another part of town, Nagisa, Yuka, Orine, and Chieri are continuing with the multiple-coordinated concerts with the performance of "Sasae" (Support). (This song parallels the experience of the 77th generation, and their dreams of becoming part of AKB0048 together.)
The song "Sasae" refers to Team K, which was originally composed of 17 members, and their experience as AKB48 members, and reaching their dreams together.
The Kiraras glow one after another in time with the music.
The main concert has successfully ended.
The crowd chants "encore," even though the AKB0048 members are not in sight. Kanata lands to see Takamina, and Takamina collapses as she takes a step forward. Takamina has a fever, and Yuuko tells Kanata to take Takamina to the infirmary at once.
Yuuko tells Takamina to trust her fellow members. Kanata quickly takes Takamina away.
Yuuko revs up the other members to put on an amazing encore for Takamina's sake.
Kanata tells Takamina how amazing her performance was, and how Kanata is definitely not ready to wear Takamina's uniform, but she will do her best to catch up to her. Takamina says how she will not make it easy for Kanata. Kanata giggles it off. Takamina knows how much she has hurt Kanata by taking back her place in the concert.
Takamina comes to the realization that the name of Takamina should belong to Kanata.
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