Because I love Aikatsu! so much, I want more people to watch it. But because of how long the original series is, it can definitely seem daunting to watch. So, I spent a few weeks and a lot of careful consideration into making an abridged episodes list that cuts down as much filler as possible, while still introducing all of the idols, seeing character development and what makes this series so special!
The rundown? Aikatsu originally had 173 episodes, but my list cuts it down to 72 episodes! That means you’ll only be watching 42% of the series, but it definitely will save you a lot of time!
Also, a quick shout out to the amazing fansubber, Akatsukin of Mezashite!, for bringing this wonderful series to us.
Note: You absolutely can skip the original Aikatsu! and just start watching Aikatsu Stars! or Aikatsu Friends! However, that means missing out on so many wonderful idols, heart-touching stories, and truly inspirational character development(In my humble opinion!) But it’s never too late to come back! Even if you started with Stars! or Friends!, you can start watching the original series to see where it all began.
The List:
I have listed the episode number, episode name, and my personal notes for each episode. That means this list can also be used by people who have already seen the show, if they want to go back and watch only specific episodes. (Personally, I rewatch episode 20, Vampire Scandal, at least once a year!) I tried to keep my notes as spoiler-free as possible, while still making them logical.
| # | Name | Notes |
| 1 | Even if I become an Idol? | |
| 2 | So many idols! | |
| 5 | Ran! Runway! | Introduction of Ran |
| 7 | Beware the Tweets | Explains KiraKiratter & Pon Pon Crepe |
| 9 | Move on Now | First Premium Rare Coords / Introduction to Angely Mansion |
| 10 | The Rainbow-Colored Otome | Introduction of Otome |
| 14 | Naughty Detective | Introduction of Shion |
| 16 | Dokidoki! Special Live Act Part 1 | Special Appeals |
| 17 | Dokidoki! Special Live Act Part 2 | |
| 19 | The Girl of the Moonlit Night is a Secret Scent | Introduction of Yurika |
| 20 | Vampire Scandal | Yurika Development (My personal favorite episode) |
| 22 | Idol Aura and Calendar Girl | Explanation of Auras |
| 26 | The Season of Sakura | Introduction of Sakura |
| 31 | An Idol on Mother’s Day | Idol History |
| 32 | Ichigo Panic | Angely Bear Commercial |
| 33 | Chance & Try | Tristar Audition |
| 34 | Hello Super Idol | Introduction of Kaede |
| 37 | Head for the Sun | Formation of Soleil |
| 38 | Strawberry Parfait | Formation of PowaPowaPuririn |
| 46 | Respect J | Johnny Bepp |
| 47 | Legend Idol Masquerade | Masquerade is Revealed |
| 49 | The Place Where Brightness Goes To | Starlight Queen Cup Round 1 |
| 50 | The Memories are in the Future | Starlight Queen Cup Final |
| 51 | That Rocking Girl is the Dream Girl | Intro of Dream Academy, Seira & Kii |
| 52 | Welcome Home Strawberry | Ichigo Returns |
| 55 | The Password is Okay, Okay, Okay! | Kii Development |
| 61 | Kira Pata Magic | Intro of Sora |
| 68 | Flower-Blooming Aurora Princess | Intro of Maria |
| 69 | Hospitality Heart | Maria’s home visit |
| 72 | Happy Idol Fest 1st Day | Star-Dream Festival & Carnival part 1 |
| 73 | Happy Idol Fest 2nd Day | Star-Dream Festival & Carnival part 2 |
| 76 | Great Shock Fresh Girl | Introduction of Akari |
| 77 | Aiming to be a Star | Akari Development |
| 78 | A Miracle Begins | Introduction of Mikuru |
| 79 | Yes! Best Partner | Partners Cup |
| 80 | Aikatsu Boot Camp | Akari Development |
| 81 | Bibibi Partners | Partners Cup / Shipping Fuel |
| 82 | Aim to Be Perfect Partners | End of Partners Cup |
| 87 | Soleil Rising | Return of Soleil / Duel with WM |
| 88 | Where Legends are Made | Conclusion of Soleil / WM duel |
| 91 | Forming Aikatsu8 | Formation of Aikatsu8 |
| 94 | Two Wings | Formation of 2wingS |
| 96 | Let’s! Akari Summer | Akari Development / Special Appeal Training |
| 97 | Secret Letter and Unseen Star | Akari Development |
| 99 | The Flower’s Tears | Twinkle Star Cup part 1 |
| 100 | To the Wing’s Dream | Twinkle Star Cup part 2 |
| 102 | Let’s Aikatsu! Ready Go | Beginning of Akari Generation / Introduction of Sumire |
| 104 | Aikatsu Dash! | Introduction of Hinaki |
| 107 | Two Dreamers | Introduction to Dreamy Crown / Odette Swan Coord |
| 109 | The Hot Wind of Aikatsu | Introduction to Juri |
| 118 | An Elegant Aikatsu | Introduction to Miyabi |
| 121 | A Promise to the Future | Miyabi’s sendoff |
| 124 | The Queen’s Flower | Starlight Queen Cup |
| 127 | Entrance of the Starry Sky | Introduction to Madoka & Rin |
| 130 | The Magic of Units | Formation of Dancing Diva |
| 131 | The Brilliant Dancing Diva | |
| 132 | The Burning Passionate Jalepeno | Formation of Passionate Jalepeno |
| 134 | Spontaneous Skips | Formation of Skips |
| 135 | The Center of the World is Kokone | Introduction of Kokone |
| 136 | The Name is Sweet and Soft Nadeshiko | Formation of Sweet & Soft Nadeshiko |
| 147 | The Dazzling Luminas | Formation of Luminas |
| 149 | Our Different Colors | Formation of Vanilla Chili Pepper |
| 151 | Light of the Stage | Great Starlight School Festival |
| 153 | Let’s Fly, Look Out Vast World! | Introduction of Nono & Risa |
| 154 | We’ll Take That Potato and Replace it with a Mic | Nono & Risa Development |
| 157 | Little Devil Happening | Introduction of Dolly Devil |
| 161 | Tale of the Osaka Idol | Introduction of Nina |
| 166 | The First Wind That I Have Found | Starlight Queen Cup / Sumire Development |
| 170 | The Power of Idols | Akari Development |
| 176 | Queen of Roses | Starlight Queen Cup (Sumire’s Performance) |
| 177 | The Present Heading Towards the Future | Starlight Queen Cup (Akari’s Performance) |
| 178 | The Best Present | Series Finale |
While I was making this list, I also kept a separate list for “Runners Up” episodes. These are episodes that I think are very important, explain running gags or themes in Aikatsu, or that are just plain cute, but are not necessary to understand and appreciate the original Aikatsu! series. Consider it like “further reading”, if you will.
| 6 | Lost in an Autograph | A fun one; explains autographs |
| 8 | The Underground Sun | Introduction of Hikari |
| 12 | We Wish You A Merry Christmas | First Christmas / Axe Event |
| 30 | A Sincere Call and Response | Introduction of Aurora Fantasy |
| 40 | Girl Meets Girl | Futuring Girl / Star Anis Tour |
| 45 | Happy Summer Vacation | Ubiquitous Pool Episode |
| 57 | Loose Cha-Ran-Way! | Introduction of Ebipon |
| 59 | Choco and Solution – Choco Pop Detectives | One of my favorite songs / Drama Episodes |
| 66 | The Wonderful Mutual Love | Brain Thunder Audition |
| 83 | Otome Rainbow | Baby Otome & “Chu Chu Rainbow” |
| 84 | Blooming Miracle | “Otona Mode” |
| 89 | Admiration is Forever | Nightmare Capricorn / “Eternally Flickering Flame” |
| 90 | Shining Future Girl | Aoi’s Music Video / “Stranger Alien” |
| 98 | Twin Dresses | 2wingS Dresses |
| 101 | The SHINING LINE of Admiration | End of Ichigo Generation |
| 110 | The Passionate Sangria Rosa | Intro to Sangria Rosa |
| 116 | Oozora Jump | Akari Weather |
| 123 | Spring Bouquet | “Blooming Blooming” / Akari x Sena Ship Fuel |
| 133 | Hello New World | Madoka’s Episode |
| 137 | Exciting Unit Cup | Unit Cup Event |
| 138 | Brilliance of One’s True Self | Unit Cup Conclusion |
| 140 | Aikatsu Restaurant | Best Song |
| 142 | I Want to say Thank You | Kokone’s Departure |
| 148 | Raise the Curtain, the Great Starlight School Festival | PowaPowaPuririn’s First Performance |
| 163 | Happiness Party | Toy Brand |
| 167 | The Sketchbook of Dreams | Akari x Sena ship fuel |
| 171 | Best Friend | Rin & Madoka |
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