Episode 12 - High School Lullaby

High School Lullaby (ハイスクールララバイ) is the twelfth episode of the Aikatsu Planet! TV series. It aired on March 28th, 2021.

Summary
Having revealed that she is Hana, Mao's points have been reset. Though she was fired up about raising her rank to participate in the Planet Princess Grand Prix that determines the top idol, she fails an exam and has to take supplementary lessons! In order to encourage Mao who is down about not being able to concentrate on Aikatsu!, Shiori and the others execute a certain plan.

Plot
At school, Class 1-A has just finished taking proficiency exams. Ryōka brings up the announcement of the Planet Princess Grand Prix. Shō claims that a Q-pit victory is guaranteed, while Keito counters that she was beaten by Hana the previous time.

Ryōka reminds him that Hana is now Mao, not Meisa. As their classmates, the trio express their support for Mao and Shiori should they make it to the finals. Though pleased, Mao has no idea what the Planet Princess Grand Prix is.

Later in an empty classroom, Shiori exposits about how the Grand Prix is an event in which only the top four idols on the Aikatsu Ranking take part in. Whoever wins the tournament is crowned the true top idol. Ruli and Kyōko emphasize that even getting to participate is an achievement, and they were unable to last time.

Mao is bothered that Izumi didn't tell her about such an important competition. At the agency, Izumi informs Mao and Shiori that the Grand Prix is only three months away. With Hana having reset her points, it would be better for her to work towards participating in the next one.

Izumi shows them the latest Ranking, with Q-pit firmly in 1st. From their agency, only Beat is eligible at 3rd while even Ruli is outside the cutoff at 7th. Izumi states that it would be difficult for the newly debuted Shiori and Hana who's starting over from scratch to enter the top four.

Despite this, Mao doesn't want to give up without trying, wanting to give back to the fans who have continued supporting Hana even after discovering she isn't Meisa. Her passion ignites a similar fire in Shiori, who also wants to aim to participate in the Grand Prix.

Having expected this, Izumi briefs them on two upcoming competitions - the Shiny Girls Cup and the Happy Dream Fest. Winning will allow them to earn a high number of points and greatly increase their ranking. However, Mao's enthusiasm falters when she receives a failing grade on her math exam.

Mao stays up late studying for her retest, as if she doesn't pass, she will have to take supplementary lessons after school with less time for Aikatsu. The next day at the agency, her lack of energy distracts her from Sala, who is working on Mao's new dress for the Shiny Girls Cup. Kyōko, observing from afar with Ruli and Shiori, comes up with something.

She invites Mao and Shiori to a party being held at the agency after the Shiny Girls Cup, with Ruli also in attendance. With that being said, Kyōko gathers the girls to practice a dance performance for the party. Mao is hesitant, as she's also busy with having to study for her exam and prepping for her next battle stage.

Thinking of her journey up until now, Mao soon ends up joining the others in dancing, ushered by Shiori. The others note that Mao is back to her usual self, and that she's always at her best when she's dancing. Mao realizes that they were trying to cheer her up, with Kyōko reminding her that taking a break is necessary every once in a while.

A reinvigorated Mao resolves to do her best in both school and idol lessons, resulting in her passing her retest. With it out of the way, Mao shifts her focus entirely on getting ready for the Shiny Girls Cup with Shiori. The day of the competition, Hana is set up to battle Ann. Ann is determined to win and move up from 20th place to participate in the Grand Prix with Q-pit.

While Ann is outwardly friendly towards Hana, a serious Q-pit tells her that Hana used to be her greatest rival, wanting her to show if the new Hana can live up to that. Hana heads into the Dressia forest to complete her latest Swing, where she meets up with Aurora Pegasus and Smart Kyūbi. A large bird flies overhead, which the Pegasus identifies as Pureful Phoenix.

Hana calls out to the Phoenix and asks to borrow its power. Taking a liking to the dress, Pureful Phoenix agrees and enters her Swing. Hana summons her new Dressia and Aurora Pegasus to aid in her battle against Ann, who uses Sweet Whole Cake and Pop Melon Crepe. The pair perform a duet of "HAPPY∞Aikatsu!", with Hana as the victor.

After the Shiny Girls Cup, everyone at the agency gathers to celebrate as Hana and Shiori have jumped up in rank. Mao, Shiori, Ruli, and Kyōko then surprise Izumi, Segawa, and Sala with their own performance in gratitude for their support. Meanwhile, an unidentified girl arrives in Japan at the airport, ushering in a new world of Aikatsu.

Characters

 * Mao Otoha/Hana
 * Ruli Tamaki
 * Kyōko Umekōji
 * Shiori Motoya/Shiori
 * Q-pit
 * Ann
 * Meisa Hinata
 * Sala Itoi
 * Izumi Watanuki
 * Itsuki Segawa
 * Keito Kirihata
 * Shō Kurosaki
 * Ryōka Dōba
 * Aurora Pegasus
 * Smart Kyūbi
 * Pureful Phoenix
 * Sweet Whole Cake
 * Pop Melon Crepe

Trivia

 * Episode Title Reference: "High School Lullaby" by Imokin Trio
 * This episode premiered on the birthday of Hikari Minowa from the original Aikatsu! series.
 * Pureful Phoenix makes its debut in this episode.
 * This is the first episode in which all eight main characters make some form of appearance.