spoiler
It’s time for rehersal and Nanase hasn’t told anyone about her ankle. Obviously, it doesn’t go well, as Nanase makes mistakes, and the girls notice. Nanase is questioned about her leg and her fall earlier. She finally shows everyone her ankle and tells them that it isn’t a problem. But it so obviously is.
When it becomes an issue, Nanase begs the girls to perform without her, but Nanase is the center and it’s too late to sub her. Mayu says they should withdraw. The rest of the girls agree. Matsuda asks Tange what they should do. But Shiho enters the room, saying that she won’t let Mayu quit. She has a first aid team with her, and they tape up Nanase’s ankle. It’s only a quick fix, but it should get her through the performance. Mayu thanks Shiho. The routine is changed up a little to accommodate Nanase.
Just before the performance, Nanase is asked one last time if she’s sure she can make it and she says that she can. The girls take the stage, supported by their few faithful fans. Whispers spread once Mayu is recognized, but the WUG fans try to drown them out. Sadly, the auditorium quiets down and the girls are met with silence as they introduce themselves.
But once they begin to sing, the audience sees how good they are, and the red lights slowly turn to green as WUG gains support. Soon, the entire auditorium is awash in green lights and WUG is cheered on by one and all. I couldn’t tell if Shiraki was pleased or not. He has such a poker face. But at least Hayasaka smiled. Nanase decides to do her jump, but it doesn’t go well. The girls try to cover it up, so she didn’t fall, but she was still seen.
The audience is still cheering and I-1 is watching a monitor backstage. The girls agree that it must be Haysaka’s song, but others says they can see how much work WUG has put into their performance. I think Shiho is secretly pleased that they are doing so well and she still swears not to lose. After the song, the auditorium erupts with cheers and applause. The WUG fans begin a chant of “Wake Up Girls!!” and the entire audience picks it up. That must have felt amazing, and the girls are stunned. This is going to be a tough act to follow as the I-1 Club is announced.
Once WUG is backstage, the girls begin to cry. It’s the only way to deal with the amazing and emotional performance they just gave. Even Tange tears up, and it looked like Matsuda wanted to as well. After the I-1 performance, the winner is announced. And it isn’t WUG! The Akamiso All Stars from Chubu take the prize. Hayasaka makes a face. Was this result fixed too? And now Tange has to avoid the realtor. She never should have counted her chickens before they hatched! LOL But when Matsuda answers the ringing phone, it’s a well known record label in Tokyo, and they want to sign WUG! They are on their way now!
I really enjoyed this anime. I liked that they focused more on what it really means to be an idol. It’s a lot of hard work, blood, sweat, tears, and disappointment. But sometimes it pays off in the end. I’m glad this show had a happy ending. The girls deserved it and it really felt good. Sometimes there really is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!