Makoto has to deal with the fact that she can no longer pilot Nebula. In the end, it’s Haruka who is sent to make sure she cheers up.

Recap from the previous episode. Nebula gets beaten up, and triabeater gets the core of the last idol, hiems.

Back at modenkind, Makoto is throwing her frustration, saying that it must be due to some wrong setting on Nebula, that’s why she cannot pilot it. But Ami steps forward saying that Nebula isn’t all just machine, and points to the harmony between Haruka and Imber. Makoto is angry enough to throw a punch at her, only for Asuza to stop her in time.

Saku Hibiki chooses to show up and rub salt into everybody’s wounds.

At home, a confrontation between Makoto and Asuza. It’s been 7 years since Makoto started piloting Nebula, and she has always tried her best. Why did Asuza not praise her once at all all these while, did she not care for Makoto? Asuza can only hug Makoto as she pours out her woes. Asuza replies that she did care for Makoto, and had thought that Makoto would understand.

Asuza secretly gives Haruka a call….

Makoto wakes up the next day to find Haruka visiting. Locking her out results in nothing as Asuza had given Haruka the key. Haruka even invites Yayoi along! Seems like Haruka’s energy is exactly what Makoto needs. Though in the end Makoto can’t stand them, they did help Makoto to understand the way Asuza shows her love to Makoto.

However, Makoto’s punishment has been decided though. Nebula is unlike Imber. In exchange for letting lots of people pilot it, once it has an argument with somebody, that person will never be able to pilot it. Thus Makoto gets fired as an idol master.

Surprise of all surprises though, she ends up joining triabeater.

Thoughts

 Best episode of the series so far. I thought the scene where makoto and Asuza has that confrontation/hugging, was superbly done, with both the scene composition and the music. And it seemed as though Makoto was on the path of redemption already.

 It helps with all the answers rolling in as well. So Asuza and Makoto arn’t blood sisters, just two people who moved in together because it was convenient. It does explain away lots of contradictions. haha. Develops a little more background on what happened to Asuza as well.

However I can see it now. Makoto joins triabeaters, but at the final battle, gets moved to help modenkin, helping them win.