Humour involving panties and believable action between Idols basically make up this episode. Continuing from the last episode, the argument about how well the Idols should be treated result in both Idols facing multiple Drops.

Yukiho is doing very well as Haruka’s operation manager, even as we see Haruka returning after successfully destroying a drop.

Meanwhile though, Chihaya is planning for the recapture of Imber, with Nebilum getting a stronger frame. Back home, Haruka fumbles over a phonecall with Yayoi, while arranging her panties. After Yayoi asks haruka to introduce the “boy” (imber) to her to see if he is bf material, Haruka somehow decides to wear a lacy pair to work tomorrow.

Yukiho and Haruka start getting lessons on maintenance of IDOLs. However, they overhear an argument in the next hanger between Makoto and Iori. Makoto is arguing that it’s time for the overhaul of Nebula, but Iori feels that they should not do so yet, and that Nebula has a heart.

Haruka ends up butting in saying that she agrees too. Makoto scolds her saying that if haruka keeps thinking that way, she’ll one day make a very grand mistake. Haruka rebuts that as long as she’s with Imber, they’ll solve all things right.

Suddenly the alarm rings about two drops, and both nebula and imber are deployed. When both have reached their designated point in orbit, both drops are nowhere in sight however. Suddenly the two drops disappear on the control screen, and two new drops appear. After this repeats a few times, it’s obvious that they are being hacked, and by a wizard class cracker at that. Azusa requests for permission to leave and execute counterattack plan, and is given permission.

Communications between control and idols are suddenly broken. At this point, Haruka spots an incoming drop. Although she succeeds in destroying it, the asteroid separates to reveal Nebilum.

Nebilum immediately punches Imber back to earth. Haruka barely succeeds in stopping Imber just before hitting the ground. But she’s not saved yet though, with Nebilum dropping another hit to smash Imber into the ground.

Just when all seems lost, Haruka remembers what she told Makoto earlier, and musters up the energy to go for a head-on blow with the Nebilum.

Azusa finally restores things in the control center, only for everyone to see Nebilum crushing Imber’s head. Haruka is determined to be injured and bleeding and not responding. Meanwhile, Makoto is told of what happened and rushes to the scene.

However, before she can arrives, Neblium carries the responding Imber into space and proceeds to throw Imber back to earth much to the horror of everyone in the control room.

Thoughts

This episode is definitely a lot better, especially with the introduction of action, worthy of a sunshine production.

What I really liked was the balance of humour and action, especially with humour in the background scene. My favorite shot was that of a horrified Azusa when Yukiho falls asleep during lessons, yet still manages to answer all the questions properly (and better than haruka too).