Episode 06 - The Cupid of Perfection

The Cupid of Perfection (パーフェクトの神様) is the sixth episode of the Aikatsu Planet! TV series. It aired on February 14th, 2021.

Summary
Having witnessed her greatness at the movie audition, Mao becomes a big fan of the top idol Q-pit. She is very amazed at how the girl is inherently talented and perfect at everything, but she is then told a secret about Q-pit from Izumi...

Plot
At school, Keito and Shō are discussing the Cinderella movie, once again arguing over who is better between their respective favorite idols Hana and Q-pit. Mao jumps into the conversation by voicing her admiration for Q-pit, and learns that the person behind Q-pit is Ayumi Tsukishiro.

Mao and Shiori search up Ayumi on the web, learning that she is an idol popular among teens. Mao wishes to meet Ayumi, having fallen for Q-pit at the movie audition. Ruli, overhearing this, offers to set her up. She takes Mao and Shiori to Ayumi's agency, where the idol in question is in the middle of a photoshoot.

Mao and Shiori introduce themselves to Ayumi, with Ruli using the cover that they are assisting Izumi because of their interest in Aikatsu. Izumi and Segawa arrive, giving Ayumi the script for Ruli's talk show that she will be guesting on.

Mao and Shiori catch Ayumi in the middle of filling out a questionnaire for her appearance on the show, with the former's nervous behavior leading Ayumi to tell them to address her informally. The girls take note of Ayumi's thoroughness with her answers on the questionnaire, and are shocked to learn that she's something of a busybody on top of her Aikatsu. She works and exercises a lot, leaving her little time for school, yet her grades are top notch.

Ruli discreetly asks Izumi if she shouldn't have brought Mao and Shiori, with Izumi expressing concern even though it's a good opportunity to observe the top idol. Suddenly, another girl enters and apologizes to Ayumi for being late. The girl tells Izumi that she will be again be watching things from backstage, as wherever Q-pit goes, she goes.

Izumi heads off to Aikatsu Planet first, while Mao recognizes the girl as Q-pit's companion at the movie audition. Ruli identifies her as rising idol Ann Kurimu. Ann offers the girls cream puffs that she bought especially for Ayumi, and begins taking pictures of Ayumi when she thanks her for the snacks. However, Ann's mood sours when she hears Mao refer to Ayumi as "Ayumi-chan", saying it's unfair to call her that when they've only just met.

Ayumi tells Ann that she can address her as "Ayumi-chan" as well, but Ann refuses, continuing to use "Ayumi-san". She jealously tells Mao that she is Ayumi's biggest fan and instructs Mao to call her by her first name as it's cuter than using her surname. Segawa prompts the girls that it's time for the show, with Ruli having Ayumi and Ann go ahead so Mao's identity as Hana isn't exposed.

The girls meet up in Aikatsu Planet, with Q-pit recalling how Hana referred to her as "Q-pit-san" before instead of "Q-pit-chan". As filming for the show goes underway, Hana sees Ann writing notes as they watch backstage and asks her about it. Ann explains that she's studying Q-pit in order to become worthy of being with her, and only then will she address her with "-chan".

As their talk about Cinderella comes to a close, Ruli and Q-pit have a battle stage as a special segment of the show. Q-pit summons Love Sagittarius and Noble Leo, while Ruli uses Bright Sapphire and Glossy Ruby. The pair perform a duet of "FLYING TIPS", with Q-pit winning and maintaining her rank as the number one idol. Hana marvels at Q-pit's performance, but Izumi tells her not to forget that Q-pit is also her rival. Hana says that she can't see herself as Q-pit's rival, feeling that the other is just inherently more talented.

In response to this, Izumi takes Hana to see Q-pit Road, where they witness Q-pit jogging. Izumi reveals that where there used to be plain hills, a path was formed as a result of Q-pit's constant running. The reason why she's been working so hard was to catch up to the previous Hana - Meisa Hinata, who was the true prodigy gifted with talent. Hana berates herself for underestimating Q-pit's efforts, with Izumi telling her that persevering against rivals is an important facet of Aikatsu.

Meanwhile, Ann leaves Aikatsu Planet suspicious of Hana, who should've known already that she takes notes on Q-pit. The following morning, an inspired Mao wakes up early and goes out for a jog.

Characters

 * Mao Otoha/Hana
 * Ruli Tamaki/Ruli
 * Shiori Motoya
 * Ayumi Tsukishiro/Q-pit
 * Ann Kurimu/Ann
 * Izumi Watanuki
 * Itsuki Segawa
 * Keito Kirihata
 * Shō Kurosaki
 * Ryōka Dōba
 * Bright Sapphire
 * Glossy Ruby
 * Love Sagittarius
 * Noble Leo

Trivia

 * Episode Title Reference: "The Cupid of Romance" (ロマンスの神様) by Kohmi Hirose
 * This episode premiered on the birthday of Madoka Amahane from the original Aikatsu! series.
 * This episode marks the debut of main characters Ayumi Tsukishiro and Ann Kurimu.
 * Love Sagittarius makes its debut in this episode.
 * "FLYING TIPS" makes its debut as an insert song in this episode.
 * The ending sequence mistakenly credits Shiori despite not appearing.
 * This episode features the first instance in which Mao and Ruli wear shorts with their school uniform, while Shiori wears a skirt.