I'm a simple man, I see anime about cute girls doing cute things, I'm sold. The trailer sold me, I was initially thinking is this victorious the anime, a performing arts series where the main character wants to be the best performer. I was half right, the series is about girls at a performing arts schools competing for the top spot, top star! The only downsides I can see to the show is the slow start and how certain characters just feel they exist just to fulfill a quota.Let's not forget how karen seems obsessed with hikari chan, if you take out hikari chan, it could be a TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORY.

I like the characters' desire to be the top star and how each girl defined what being top star meant for them. The main character defines top star is being the best with her childhood friend, it was cliché yet cute. The show gave the impression early on, there can be ONLY ONE top star, meaning all the girls in class 99 must fight each other for the spot as top star. However karen seems set on changing this ideal, each girl fighting to prove their way of performing is superior. I initially thought what else is there to the show, then we were introduced to the revue, it's an audition battle royale type performance that decides the ranking of the girls. I really like how each girl could be a lesson or trope when it comes to be a performer, you got the person who is #1 but feels like they still haven't reach their peak or person who wants to prove her style is the best.

This audition seems to happen in the basement of the school, it feels symbolic. The girls are in one way or another directly and indirectly competing with each other, in each episode we get a better understanding of each pairing.The girls live in a dorm where they learn how to be actors, singers and performers shining brighter and brighter. Karen changed when her best friend from childhood appears, reminding her of her promise to be top stars with her. I didn't like hikari because she acts like a tsundere for LITERALLY no reason and even when I saw the reason in the episode focused on the events that led to her transferring to karen's school, I liked her a little bit more. Even compared to the other duos, it felt forced and annoying for the sake of plot.At least Kaoruko and Futaba Isurugi made some change after their episodes concluded.

This story was truly a one of a kind journey, each of the girls made me think about how it feels to be a creative. Even if you have talent, skills or motivation, you can still feel pressure from EVERYONE and EVERYTHING. I feel the revue is a social commentary for how talented people can get stuck in a loop or rut, they didn't plan for the situations they ended up in. However after fighting their best friends, they change and realize what they are missing or lacking as an performer. I really relate to the trials and tribulations of being a creative. All in all, it wasn't the best thing I saw but it was a fun experience watching week to week!