Episode 11: The Idol Shooting for Tokyo U. is a Prep School Student: Sing

Synopsis

Personal Note: This is probably one of my favorite episodes so far because of all the music!

Naru wins the Hinata City Idol Contest and starts the road to becoming an idol. While Keitaro doesn't really want to believe it, Naru is becoming a popular idol who will have her own CD. It's been a while since Keitaro spent time with Naru, but Naru comes back to the Inn, she comes just to get clothes she'll need for her tour. He misses her so much that he even dreams (non-ecchi) about her. While taking to Kitsune, he starts thinking that she'll give up Tokyo U. for her career. While pondering this point in the bath, Naru comes in, hops in the bath and hides from her manager, Kentaro. Seems like she just wants to get away and goes out with Keitaro. She has to wear a disguise so she won't be recognized. For the meanwhile, Kentaro decides to sign on Shinobu and Motoko as the next group he'll represent.

Naru and Keitaro go to the movies, cafe, and the aquarium. At the aquarium, she explains that she moved to Hinata Inn because she no longer felt at home with her mom remarrying another person and having another child.

As they are going home, Keitaro tells Naru that she should continue with her pop star career. However, Naru doesn't want that and socks Keitaro a good one. It just happens that her brutality gets caught on film and causes her demise. Shinobu and Motoko fail too because of Kitsune's embezzlement.

Songs Played This Episode

Screenshots

Notes and Background Info

• Apparently, the "idol" scene in Japan is crazy. Being that I'm not much of J-Pop listener, I don't follow much of it. Here's some info about the "idol" scene in japan as well as a (probably better written) Time Magazine article about a current idol, Ayumi Hamazaki (if I were to like one, I'd probably like Hikki or Naru if she had become one =) ).
• The ending song "Ii Yu da na" is a re-make of the ending song from the "Hachiji da yo! Zennin Shugo" comic variety show by The Drifters (a Japanese comedy group, not the Motown singers) that was on-air from the mid-1960s to the mid-80s.

Comparison to Manga Version

• Yet again, this episode does not happen in the manga, but I really like it because of all the great music!
• (Contributed): The ice cream scene in this episode happens in chapter 44 of the manga.