User blog:FanaticAnime/AIKATSU☆STARS! SPECIAL LIVE 2018 Idol Ranking

Hey, Everyone!

It's Fanatic and in today's blog, I'll be ranking the ladies of '''AIKATSU☆STARS! based on their performance from the AIKATSU☆STARS! SPECIAL LIVE 2018 in Budokan'''.

While watching the show, I was very excited to see everyone from the previous series perform. Although, it was bittersweet because I knew it'd be one of their last performances before disbanding, I'm not going to lie... I'm still upset about that and wished they gave Stars a third season so we could see how everyone progressed after season two ended. I mean, the creators finally decided to give Ako a Star Premium Rare Coord, but waited until the series finale to reveal that information. Why couldn't they have incorporated the making of the Sweet Limelight Coord in one of the episodes that focused on her and Kirara after she agreed to be a co muse of Fuwa Fuwa Dream? I'm sure fans would have loved that. Although, how she was able to get Star Wings would be a mystery, even if Elza gave an explanation. Well... She didn't understand how Yume was able to get her Sun Dress, the Eternal Rainbow Coord, so I don't know. Moving on... Let's get started on the ranking!

At number one, we have...

1) Kana Hoshizaki - Kana takes the number one spot.... AGAIN! Why? She rocked it like she always does! Her vocal range, going from highest to lowest pitch, is amazing and she knows how to control it. Especially since she's singing as two different characters; A Sexy type and Pop type. I wasn't sure how Kana was going to pull off singing as two characters while performing with Sena and Miki as the 26th Gen. S4, but she managed and got through it like a professional.


 * Mahiru Kasumi - The moment I realized that Kana was Mahiru's SVA, I just fell in love with the character. Well... Not like that, but she became my favorite of the series, along with a few others. The maturity and confidence shines through when she sings as Mahiru and I love that. Kana's solo of "MAKEOVER♡MAKEUP" was amazing! Some of the movements were a bit awkward as she went through the choreography, but I commend her for doing a great job. I'd also like to say that she looked amazing in the Daylight Festival Coord while performing! When she sang as Mahiru in the 26th Gen. S4's version of  "Episode Solo." I was excited, but wondered how she'd sound on stage. Kana was amazing, none the less, but it seemed like she was running out of breath from singing as two characters between verses. In all, she did a great job!


 * Yuzu Nikaido - I've said it many times before and I'll say it again. You can't help, but smile and get excited when you hear Kana's voice in that pitch. Kana's solo of, "Never Give Up☆," was definitely energetic and she got the audience to cheer with her as she started saying, "Hooray!," three to four times. Especially since they're part of the lyrics. I also loved how Kana looked in the Tropical Beach Coord while performing! Her performance of "Jewel Star Friendship☆" with Ruka, Miho and Nanase as the 25th Gen. S4 was awesome! It was like, "Episode Solo," all over again, but different. Kana sounds amazing with those three and it makes me wonder how far they could've gone as a unit if everyone, except Miho, didn't go solo. Although, Miho was probably already working on starting her unit with Sena before the group disbanded. There's not really much to say about her in the 26th Gen. S4's version of "Episode Solo," except that she sounds the same and that's good, despite the group having new members.

2) Nanase Matsuoka - Nanase also rocked it, like she did before, but... She deserves to be number two because of how she pulled off singing as three characters for one series; two Cool types and one Sexy type. Like I said before, Nanase has a certain energy and stage presence that draws in the audience, causing them to cheer and sing along. I'm still surprised that she was chosen to sing as Koharu. That including how high she could go in pitch.


 * Tsubasa Kisragi - The fact that we had to wait twenty-something episodes to see a performance by the character in the anime killed me and a few others, but I was glad to hear how Nanase sounded as Tsubasa. The voice she chose for her character is similar to Rin Kurosawa's, but definitely different. Nanase's solo, then duet of "Miracle Force Magic" with Rie was a surprise, but awesome to see. They jelled as they sang together and I'm sure the fans enjoyed. You know... Ever since the solo version for Rie's character came out, I don't knoe whose I prefer the most. Her performance of "Jewel Star Friendship☆" with Ruka, Miho and Kana as the 25th Gen. S4 was awesome! It was like, "Episode Solo," all over again, but different. They all sound like a unit that could've gone far together if they decided to do that, instead of disbanding and moving on to doing other projects. Oh... Forgot to mention that she looked great in the Spice Rock Coord, as she always does.




 * Lilie Shirogane - Nanase sounds amazing when she sings as Lilie. I like that she ws given this character nicknamed, "The Tundra Diva" or as some like to prefer, "The Tundra Songtress." Definitely befitting of a Cool type. It kind of makes Lilie better than Tsubasa, even though she wasn't able to get a spot in S4. I enjoyed Nanase's solo of "The Wasteland's Miracle." She was into it like she is in all of her performances. Although, she kind of slipped close to the end of the song and ad libbed. I guess she was so into the performance that she forget the words. In all, she did a great! Oh... Let's not forget that she looked amazing in the Rosetta Thorn Coord while performing!


 * Koharu Nanakura - Hearing Nanase sing as Koharu live versus the anime was a huge surprise and so adorable!. I mean, her recording for the anime was a bit shaky, but hearing her on stage... She was more calm and sang the lyrics without any difficulty. Unfortunately, Nanase didn't perform "Message of a Rainbow," with Sena as a duet for the show, but "So Beautiful Story" was a good choice. Especially since that's what Yume attempted to perform at Koharu's farewell party in season one.If they didn't write her character off for the second half of season one, then brought her back in the beginning of season two, we would've gotten a live performance from her sooner, as well as chance to see her aura. The Photokatsu cards don't do Koharu's aura any justice, in my opinion. LOL! Oh... Nanase looked great in the Peony Marching Coord while performing! I guess that's why she didn't let her hair grow any longer because she looked exactly like Koharu.

3) Rie Fujishiro - Rie has moved up to number three this time because I feel that she deserves it. I really don't have much to say, except that despite Laura not being on my list of favorite characters, Rie's an amazing singer!


 * Laura Sakuraba - Rie's voice for Laura was a bit shaky at first, but that's obviously due to nerves and being new to the franchise. I don't know what kind of experience she had before joining Stars, but you could tell she was nervous when trying to sing at the beginning of the series. Her singing did grow on me as time went by though. Rie's singing as Laura has a mixture of coolness, maturity and elegance, if that makes any sense. LOL! Seeing Rie walk out from behind the curtains to sing "Miracle Force Magic" with Nanase as a duet was awesome! I'm sure no one expected that. The sound of her harmonizing with Nanase was just... UGH!!! Then, her solo of "1,2, Sing for You!" was what I expected it to be. Great! She made that song her own and I enjoyed it! Oh... Rie looked great in the Rock My Heart Coord while performing!


 * Rei Kizaki - Rie's singing as Rei (Still can't get over her being assigned a character with the same name, but differnt spelling) is a definitely different from what she does as Laura. It's a deeper tone and could come across as a bit masculine, which isn't bad, but yeah. Rie's solo of "Barefoot Renaissance" was really good and she went through the choreography with no problem. A job well done! Then, there's her performance of "Bon Bon Voyage!" with Risa, Ruka and Miho. She did a great job performing with them. I do prefer the recording of Risa and Miho's duet over the quartet since Miho had less parts, but they made up for it in their live version. Rie also looked great in the Innocent Prince Coord while performing! Oh... Let’s not forget the part where she and Risa acted like their respective characters. Rie bowing to the audience, then kneeling down to Risa and reaching out to hold her hand. The fan service!

4) Miki Mirai - I've moved Miki up to number four this time because she did a great job during the performances, as well as emceeing! I usually think of her singing just being okay since I assume that it's difficult for her to sing in with that actal voice while dancing, but she managed, and I commend her for that!


 * Ako Saotome - Miki's voice for Ako is on/off when she's on stage, but she's had moments where you can actually hear the character's voice. Her performance of "Happy☆Punch" with Risa and Sena was really good. Especially with the choreography. I also liked how she did her best to liven up the audience during it. Oh... I'd also like to say that she looked really good in the Energetic Girl Coord! Ako should've worn that one in the anime, instead of the Active Girl Coord. Especially since Lime Green's her image color. Miki's performance of "Please Mary" with Miho as a duet was amazing! That's where she sounded like Ako the most. Especially when she sings her last verse of the song. Man, that melted my heart! I also loved that Miki wore the Sweet Limelight Coord while performing. Then, there's her performance of the 26th Gen. S4's version of "Episode Solo." She sounds really good. Although, some think her voice sounds too childish for the song. I felt that each generation has their own unique version of the song and even though the 25th Generation's version brings down the house, the 26th Generation's version can do the same, but in a different way.

5) Miho Amane - Miho has been made number five this time due to being outshined by Rie and Miki, but I shouldn't be saying that because she definitely held her own during the performances.


 * Yozora Kasumi - Miho’s singing as Yozora is definitely something I can’t stop listening to. Especially during her solo performance of “Summer Tears Diary.” Oh, how I wish we could’ve seen that in the anime. Miho held her own throughout the song without Kana by her side, and I’m very proud of her! Oh.. Let’s not forget that she looked amazing in the Asian Night Coord, as she always does. Her performance of "Jewel Star Friendship☆" with Ruka, Kana and Nanase as the 25th Gen. S4 was awesome! It was like, "Episode Solo," all over again, but different. Even though she formed a unit with Sena after the group disbanded, I still feel like she would’ve gone far with two or three of the ladies as an official unit. I mean, Miho jells with Miki, Nanase, Ruka and Kana so well.


 * Kirara Hanazono - I have to say that Miho’s voice for Kirara is the most unique out of those I’ve heard in Stars. It still baffles me to know that the character’s a Pop type with the appearance of a Cute type, but I like it. Back to Miho’s singing as Kirara. LOL! Her performance of “Please Mary” with Miki as a duet was amazing! It was as if they were Passionate Jalapeno again, except this time, they’re Fuwa Fuwa Dreamer! Especially while seeing them perform in the Sweet Dreams and Sweet Limelight Coords. The Sweet Dreams Coord being Miho’s respectively, and I must say that she looked amazing in it! Then, there’s her performance of “Bon Bon Voyage” with Risa, Ruka and Rie. I really do prefer the duet after discovering that Miho had less lines, but after seeing them perform live, I was happy that she was given more to sing. It was also great to see her act a little bit like Kirara during the performance.

6) Sena Horigoshi - Sena's been made number six this time because she definitely held her own throughout her performances, despite her character's voice being the least favorite in the group.


 * Yume Nijino - Sena’s voice for Yume is very unique and different from all the other Cute types we’ve been introduced to, but I like it. Although, her actual singing voice sounds better than what she’s using for the character. I really liked her performance of "Happy☆Punch" with Risa and Miki. That was actually one of my favorite performances in the anime so seeing them perform it live was icing on the cake. Her performance of “So Beautiful Story” with Nanase as a duet was great and heart warming! I enjoyed it, but I’d prefer their duet of “Message of a Rainbow.” I will say that I really enjoyed Sena’s solo of that song. She was very energetic and she sounded amazing while singing! Oh... Let’s not forget how amazing she looked in the Rainbow Étoile Coord! I also liked how she interacted with the audience. Then, there’s her performance of “Episode Solo.” Sena definitely made the parts sung by Ruka her own, and I think she did a great job! Like Ako’s, some think her character’s voice is too childish for the song. I’ve said in Ako’s paragraph and I will say it again in Yume’s. “I felt that each generation has their own unique version of the song and even though the 25th Generation's version brings down the house, the 26th Generation's version can do the same, but in a different way.”

7) Ruka Endō - I still think of Ruka as an amazing performer, but this time, I made her number seven because she kind of took a back seat in being the main focus of the show. Especially since she was given only one solo performance.


 * Hime Shiratori - Ruka's voice for Hime gives me chills anytime I hear it. Mostly when listening "Start Line!" That song's so inspiring that you can't help to listen when you're feeling down and need to feel encouraged. Yes, I live in the U.S. and don't understand Japanese, but the music and way Ruka sings just does something to me. The song was chosen to be sung in a group performance so we didn't it as a solo, but I enjoyed seeing her perform it with everyone! Ruka looked amazing in the Dreaming Princess Coord, as she always does. Then, there's her performance of "Jewel Star Friendship☆" with Miho, Nanase and Kana as the 25th Gen. S4 was awesome! It was like, "Episode Solo," all over again, but different. Ruka lead the group like Hime did in the anime with no problem, I enjoyed it very much.


 * Aria Futaba - The voice Ruka has for Aria was a surprise to me. I mean, I was sure she could go higher in pitch, but wasn't sure how she'd sound. After watching the character perform in the anime and listening to her sing, I really liked it! "Pirouette of the Light" live was very interesting and Ruka did an amazing job! I don't know if this will make any sense, but you feel as if you're floating in air when you're listening to this song. It's also very relazing. Hehe! Then, there's her performance of "Bon Bon Voyage!" with Risa, Miho and Rie. She did great, but I didn't like that she and Rie got most of the parts, barely leaving any for Miho.

8) Risa Aizawa - Risa's number eight because this is the most I've actually seen of her, other than when she appeared with Eimi Naruse to perform "Wake up my music" from the other live shows.


 * Elza Forte - Risa’s singing as Elza is amazing! Nothing more, nothing less. I guess you could say she’s just as perfect as the character. LOL! Risa’s performance of "Happy☆Punch" with  Miki and Sena was very good. All I can say about seeing her performing with them is that it made me smile, unlike Elza, who’d probably decline the offer to perform with Yume and Ako. Her solo performance of “Forever Dream” was really good. She did her best to perform the choreography, despite needing to hold onto her mic, which I commend her for. The same goes for her performance of “The only sunlight.” I like both songs, but can’t decide on which I like the most. SMH! Oh... Let’s not forget that Risa looked absolutely amazing in the Blooming Queen Coord! You know... I could only imagine what the Eternal Queen, Princess and Rainbow Coords would’ve looked like if the designer of the costumes made them for her, Ruka and Sena to wear.

I wanted to include Waka, Furi and Yuna of STAR☆ANIS, but decided that I'll save that for another blog post. '''Anway... Please feel free to leave a comment, expressing what you think of my ranking, as well as giving your own and saying you've put them in that order. I've got to start getting ready for work so have a good day, evening and night, everyone!''' 😉