Episode 22 - Bloomy＊Smile

Bloomy＊Smile (Bloomy＊スマイル) is the twenty second episode of the Aikatsu Planet! TV series. It aired on June 6th, 2021.

Summary
Hana and Rose have advanced to the Planet Princess Grand Prix finals! In the face of the important battle stage, Mao looks back on her journey by herself. One day all of a sudden, she became the top idol Hana and met precious friends... holding all of the Aikatsu! so far in her heart, Mao/Hana takes the stage to make smiles bloom.

Plot
Mao wakes up at her house the morning of the Grand Prix finals. Meanwhile, Kyōko and Shiori arrive at the agency, having been called over by Ruli. Ruli plans on throwing a party before the finals to support Mao. The others remind her that Mao is likely getting in some last minute training and shouldn't be distracted, so the party is postponed to after the finals.

Mao makes her way to the plaza where she first came to discover Hana. She is approached by Meisa just as an advertisement for the Grand Prix finals is broadcast on the billboard. Meisa expresses excitement for their upcoming battle stage, but Mao reveals she is feeling pressured from Rose's showing at the semifinals.

Meisa reassures Mao that her performance was also great and so should calm herself. As Meisa leaves for Aikatsu Planet, Mao continues jogging and finds herself at the cafe where Izumi had asked her to become Hana. She then runs to school and reminisces about the many days she's spent training with the others.

Mao ends her route at the agency, where she became Hana for the first time. She enters to see Segawa and the others in costume, although they claim to be cleaning the office. Izumi and Sala greet her, inquiring about her jog. Mao states that while she's relaxed, visiting nostalgic places has made her realize it's a miracle that she was able to come so far.

She considers how she could be living entirely different circumstances at the moment if she hadn't gone through her many experiences since taking on the mantle of Hana. Wanting to go on stage in gratitude, Mao thanks Izumi for inviting her into the world of Aikatsu. Izumi is pleased, likening the feeling to a flower blooming in her heart.

Izumi reveals that those feelings are what went behind creating Hana in the first place. A few years ago, she was lost in life until she saw an idol's performance and a "flower of happiness" grew within her. This inspired her to raise an idol that could do the same for others, with Mao taking the story to heart.

Sala prompts them to get ready in the wake of the finals, and with one last cheer, everyone enters Aikatsu Planet. In the crowd, Ryōka and Shō tease Keito for having bought Hana's goods, though he denies doing it supporting her. The finals soon go underway, with Hana and Rose invigorated by their love for Aikatsu.

Rose summons Rose Yggdrasil and Luxe Sunflower, while Hana calls upon Pureful Phoenix and Aurora Pegasus. Before changing into her dress, Aurora Pegasus approaches Hana, and they express their mutual gratitude for the other having always been there on stage with them. They resolve to shine together in a final exchange.

Hana and Rose then begin to perform "Fantastic Imagination". After Rose wins the Dressia Chance and changes into Rose Yggdrasil, she manifests a giant red rose which breaks apart in a flurry of petals that makes its way to the audience. Suddenly, Hana's dress begins to glow and Aurora Pegasus emerges from it.

The Dressia evolves into Pegasus Angel, transforming Hana's coord along with it. Flowers of happiness then begin to bloom from everyone's hearts. The winner of the battle stage, and subsequently the top idol of Aikatsu Planet, is eventually revealed to be Hana. She begins her victory speech by professing her happiness but finds herself at a loss of words.

Rose intercedes and declares that she's also happy, as even though she lost, this was her best performance yet. Hana resumes her speech by advising the audience to not be afraid to take chances, and that they won't get anywhere without giving things a try. Citing her own miracle, she finishes by thanking everyone for their support.

Mao returns to the agency to find the room dark and assumes that everyone else has gone home. However, she is instead surprised by the others, who have finished preparing the party. Izumi attempts to make a toast in praise of everyones' efforts for the Grand Prix, but is cut short by Ruli. They settle for congratulating Mao, and the celebration begins.

Characters

 * Mao Otoha/Hana
 * Ruli Tamaki/Ruli
 * Kyōko Umekōji/Beat
 * Shiori Motoya/Shiori
 * Ayumi Tsukishiro/Q-pit
 * Ann Kurimu/Ann
 * Meisa Hinata/Rose
 * Sala Itoi/Sala
 * Izumi Watanuki
 * Itsuki Segawa
 * Keito Kirihata
 * Shō Kurosaki
 * Ryōka Dōba
 * Aurora Pegasus/Pegasus Angel
 * Pureful Phoenix
 * Rose Yggdrasil
 * Luxe Sunflower

Trivia

 * Episode Title Reference: "Bloomy＊Smile" (Bloomy＊スマイル) by STARRY PLANET☆
 * "Fantastic Imagination" makes its debut as an insert song in this episode.
 * Pegasus Angel makes its debut in this episode.
 * Although Q-pit and Ann appear in the episode, they have no dialogue and as such are left uncredited in the ending sequence.
 * Ayumi and Ann are still credited despite having no dialogue, likely because their respective actresses still made a physical appearance.
 * This is the first episode in which all eight main characters make an appearance in both forms.