I really found the episode's preface here very intriguing. Once again this show just entertains me for 20 minutes perfectly.
It's kind of weird for me to relate to a girl my age's behaviours and actions, but Arima was very interesting as the focal point this episode. I totally understand her extroverted personality which dwindled as people were cruel to her and now she's kind of quiet except around people she knows. I understand the self-deprecation too, and while I have no understanding of the idol world or media, I really am finding her character hits home on some level for me. This was the focus of this episode, and credit to them: for such a ridiculous and kind of unbelievable show preface there is yet again another character I find extremely interesting.
I really enjoy the general mood in the show. I like how Aqua and Ruby are paralleled in their ability to bring out things in other characters, and their similarities to Ai Hoshino. Aqua is the lying, deceptive half, who can act and pretend, and Ruby is the innocent hard worker, who inspires people with her charisma. They both always draw people and curry favour, and yet they're so different in how they do it. It feels so well-thought out seeing Ruby and Kana's interactions when compared to Aqua and Kana.
Overall, this episode was great, especially as it doesn't focus on the main character. I always say a show is good if it can be interesting without relying on the protagonist, and this certainly passes the quality check in that department. I really look forward to every episode, once again, and I have to say the adaptation is faultless (though I haven't read the source material) and seems really good.
8.9/10.