To recap your memory, in the last episode we got to know four out of the nine groups participating in this year's Idol Battle Alive. Idol Battle Alive (or IBA as I call it for short) is a yearly idol show where a variety of groups compete to win a prize of five million yen. They're judged based on their performance skills, idol appeal, blah blah blah, go read my review of the first episode.
As I predicted, episode two introduces us to the remaining five groups; SKE48, RE-GE, Pixel Ribbon, #Mooove!, and Ringwanderung. This lineup of groups they've invited to compete makes it so hard to choose just one to root for. As I said in my previous article, I think I'm so far primarily rooting for Oishii Aimai to win. But with the amount of high-quality idol groups in this lineup, I wouldn't even be that upset if the prize went to someone else.
And who knows, maybe episode two will make me root for a different group completely. Only the future will tell.
Now let's start the show, shall we?
Avex's stupid copyright... Weird how the first episode wasn't affected by this
note: for some reason, on my computer some of the images are swapped and in the wrong spot??? But the ID links to the correct image, so... I don't know if the images are swapped on other peoples screens or if its just a me problem...
Don’t be deceived by her cute face. I see that devilishness that only comes out in the heat of battle!
Meanwhile this girl has the smile of an angel. But who knows… she could have a devilish side as well
Pina-chan!
The first group we’re meeting in this episode is SKE48, whom Narrator-san considers the strongest 48 group.
I have no reason putting this screencap here other than to say how cute the girl front & center is. Look at that pose! A true idol!
These outfits are sooooooo cuuuteeeeeeee!
Wink~
Although her eyes look a tad soulless..
Performance time! SKE48 is here to bring you Sunegara, Ame…
Crazy hair!! Waaahh!!
The girl in the front to the left looks really pretty doing this move. Her pretty legs…….. and her long hair……..
Maybe this choreo is also just pretty in general
This song feels very 48G, I’m not sure how to describe it. Something about the instrumental and vocals is something only a 48G could create.
Next up; The powerhouse of a group that is Ringwanderung!
Look at them!! They’re so cool!!
This high-note…. Oh you beauty you…
Her voice is just so nice to listen to
Rinko sharing her pre-show anxiety woes
Now time for my favorite segment of this show - WATCHING THE GIRLS TRAIN!
Karin is such a gorgeous girl… just look at her!!!
“We think we’re doing a pretty good job, but…”
“We’re so unknown that it’s hard to believe we’re really putting in the work”
I truly believe everyone should know about Ringwanderung. How often do you find a group with such high quality music and performances, plus humble, funny, and beautiful members?!
Song time~~
Take a listen to Melodrama! Look at that center pose!!
Love this choreo!! c:
This move shows off their cute red boots! With heels!
LOOK AT THIS CUTIE!
One thing I love about Ringwanderung is their use of the stage. A lot of idol groups fall flat when it comes to formations, but Ringwanderung likes to make the most of it. It makes their performances very interesting and much more dynamic than your typical idol shows.
Now it’s time for the high-energy Reiwa-era idol group, Pixel Ribbon!
“Gen Z Kawaii Roaring Warriors; Pixel Ribbon”
Possibly the best description of them I’ve heard
This screenshot is really bad and blurry, but as someone who’s been following Pikuribo since their predebut days this song is sooo nostalgic. I’ve seen a few people online calling it boring, which I understand. But this song just has a special place in my heart.
I actually didn’t know this till now, but there were no auditions for Pikuribo! All the girls were scouted from Instagram.
Nanamin~~ The cutest~~
TRAINING TIME OH YEAH!
Pina-chan is PISSED oh lord
“YABAI YABAI YABAI YABAI” - Shizuku after pissing off Pina, probably.
Let’s go Pikuribo!!
Now they will present you with their debut song; Pixel Ribbon!
I know I said earlier that this song has a special place in my heart, BUT I think Zoo to Love would’ve been a better choice for new Favons to hear for the first time. Both are great songs though!
Similar to Ringwanderung, Pikuribo also has amazing formations~
Here comes Shizuku!!
Nanami’s puppy ears are so cute…. She’s gonna take off!
These ishous are so fluffy gah I love them
And we’re onto the next group, RE-GE!
Similar to Maneki Kecak (who were featured in Episode one), I had zero clue who these girls were prior to IBA. Apparently they’re under Stardust and I just didn’t know??
Awww she looks like a sad wet little puppy
This MV looks super cute, might have to watch it later. I’m a sucker for highly-saturated summer releases.
Double high-five!
This girls got a nice voice
Return of the sad wet puppy!
Look at these two being so cute together
Say, this twin tail girl is pretty adorable
Even her fellow members agree!
Man these girls sure do have a lot of crying scenes in this video. It’s like every other scene. This groups full of sad wet puppies!
Now, you must listen to their song Kitto, Ima ga Seishun
This shots cute. Hey bob girl, look at the camera would you?!
It’s a cute song overall, nothing memorable though. Out of all the groups shown so far, this one is unfortunately the weakest. They’re not bad, but they don’t really have any distinct talents and strengths like the other groups do. They’re just a pretty typical idol group.
BOOB JUMPSCARE! That’s how you know we’re getting into 01Familia territory
Is that… #BABABABAMBI?! Oh how I’ve missed you girls…
But unfortunately, they were not the 01Familia group invited to IBA (because they disbanded…sob)
Instead, meet their younger sister group #MOOOVE!
I might have to watch this MV later as well
Not only is it a summer releases, but a bikini MV… >///<
This girl has a very cute face. Look at her little surprised expression
RUI! RUI APPEARANCE!
This girl is gonna make me actually get into #MOOOVE. Every time I see her I screenshot her, it’s uncontrollably. She’s just…… so cute….
Give us a great performance, girls!!
Please take a listen to their song Idol Ni Natteyo Katteyo
Along with being adorbs, she’s also got a pretty nice voice
This girl has a less nice voice, but her cute face makes up for it
An above head shot?! Haven’t seen IBA do one of those yet!
Now wait I have a question… does this group have not one but TWO members in charge of the color black?? Cause black member colors are already rare enough in this industry, but having TWO in one group?!
Actually, I just googled it. They’re just support members sadly. Also their mcolor’s aren’t even black even though they dress in all black. They’re both actually yellow representatives. How sad…
The second season of IBA is looking super promising so far. Oishii Aimai is still the group im rooting for the most, although seeing Ringwanderung win especially after seeing them describe themselves as a group too unknown to have their efforts seen... that would just be so poetic.
Now that we've officially met all the groups participating, I wonder what the rest of the series is gonna look like. Last years was pretty intense already, and the episodes this time around are twice as long!
Whatever this program has in store, I'm at the edge of my seat waiting for the next episode!!!
Oishii Aimai and Ringwanderung, lets win this years prize!!
