I got curious as to what exactly would entail in the Season 1 finale. Obviously, Aqours has the next round of Love Live, the regional qualifiers, but that’s just one thing on the to-do list and it would only take up a few minutes of the episode. While it’d probably make the previous episode longer, I think it would make more sense if the qualifiers was put there instead. There really isn’t much left for this season to do and actually getting to the final round of Love Live would obviously be saved for the next season. That is not the case however and the qualifiers occur in this episode. What does the show do in the first 15 or so minutes leading up to the qualifiers? Evidently, it’s waste our time.
This episode begins with Aqours running into some of Chika’s friends during a practice session. Inspired by the group’s efforts, Chika’s friends decide that they too want to save the school by becoming school idols. Chika then proposes having as many as classmates to perform onstage with her and the others during the regional qualifiers. For what’s it worth, this plan garners a lot of support as the entire Uranohoshi student body seemingly shows up for the event. There’s two problems with this plot. One is that it’s incredibly far fetched. I don’t mind that every girl in the school wants to help, even if it’s really cheesy, but there’s no way all of them can sing and/or dance. How could all these girls fit on the stage anyway? Second, this plan goes nowhere because unsurprisingly, there’s rules preventing idol groups from bringing in additional people for their performance at the last minute. In the end, this entire plot feels like filler. I suppose it reinforces the sense of community the show has brought up before but you could easily convey that by simply having everyone shown up to the event in support of Aqours with no fancy plan attached.
Speaking of filler, there’s also that weird pre-show performance where the girls recap the entire season to their audience (and the viewer by extension) for four minutes. I get that they’re trying to promote themselves, their town, and their school but I also sat through the past twelve episodes so again, it feels like the episode is padding for time. Logically speaking, I don’t get how the girls are allowed to do this. You’d think this would be against the rules. Also, how did the girls even get the stage crew to cooperate on this on such short notice?
At least this episode ends with a fun idol song. I think my favorite songs this season are the ones from Episode 9 and 11 respectively but this one is pretty good too. There are a few things that I find silly. I have a hard time believing the Chika could get the audience to come closer to the stage, not because of a lack of showmanship but because that might go against the rules. Chika running off at the end is a cool visual to end on but where is she is going? Then again, this is Love Live!. I really shouldn’t surprised that the show’s logic gets looser during these scenes.
It’s a bit of shame to finish Season 1 on a baffling note. This season has its fair share of flaws but it’s been a fun ride so I wish its final episode didn’t feel like such a time waster. That said, this is fortunately not where Sunshine!! ends on. This series still has plenty more to offer, beginning with an entire second season for me to watch.
See you all in Season 2.
Watch Love Live! Sunshine!! on Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Tubi
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