Episode 16 - Pajama Party Night

Pajama Party Night (パジャマ・パーティー・ナイト) is the sixteenth episode of the Aikatsu Planet! TV series. It aired on April 25th, 2021.

Summary
Mao is nervous about her first battle stage with Rose, so Shiori and the others plan a pajama party... that's a training camp! Mao reminisces on her days, with the fun times she's spent with the three connected through Aikatsu! turning her worries into strength. With all these fantastic encounters and experiences so far, where will this all-out confrontation between the new and old Hana lead...?!

Plot
Izumi informs Mao that a famous music show wishes to hold a battle stage between Hana and Rose following the latter's declaration the previous episode. Although Mao acts nonchalant as news of the showdown spreads, Shiori suspects that she's pressured deep down and tries to help with Ruli and Kyōko.

Shiori comes up with the idea to hold a pajama party at Mao's house under the guise of a training camp. The girls let themselves inside, visibly troubling Mao who wasn't informed they were arriving. While Ruli and Kyōko go upstairs to check out Mao's room, Shiori tells Mao that she has already received permission from her parents, who are out traveling.

Kyōko states that they intended on having a hot pot potluck for dinner. Alhough they all brought ingredients that don't seem to go well together, Ruli elects to mix them anyway. As the girls wait for the hot pot to cook, Kyōko notices a framed photo of Mao at a ballet recital. Mao reveals that she did ballet up until high school when her instructor moved away.

Kanade comes home and is shocked after seeing he has idols for company, though Mao, Shiori, and Kyōko point out that he's already familiar with them. Ruli invites him to eat with them, but he claims to be full and hurriedly runs upstairs. The hot pot finishes cooking, and the girls find it to be tasty despite the clashing ingredients, thus dubbing it "Aikatsu nabe".

Mao and Shiori do the dishes together, with Shiori explaining that she planned everything because she was worried Mao was bottling up her nervousness. Mao remarks that Shiori knows her better than she knows herself. As the night goes on, the girls engage in various sleepover activities such as applying face masks and doing one another's hair.

They then end up stretching, reminding Kyōko of school field trips. Ruli reveals that she's never been on one before because she was too busy with work, deciding to count the training camp as her first. Suddenly, they are notified of an update to the Aikatsu Ranking, where Rose has ranked up again and is close to surpassing Hana.

The girls begin exercising, resolving to participate in the Planet Princess Grand Prix together. They then get ready for bed but find themselves unable all unable to sleep. Mao expresses that since she started doing Aikatsu, every day has felt like a dream. Ruli contends this, asserting that the events that have happened so far are a reality Mao has created for herself.

Mao's ballet skills caused Izumi to scout her to become the new Hana, which then spurred Meisa into action, and so on and so forth. Ruli says that as idols, they all have the power to make dreams come true, encouraging Mao. The following morning, Mao declares the training camp as a success as she feels relaxed in preparation for the battle stage.

Ruli, Beat and Shiori wish Hana luck before the performance. Hana is embraced by Rose just as they're about to head on stage, wanting Hana to hear her heart pound from excitement. The pair are interviewed by the announcer on their thoughts about the face off between the new and old Hana, with both determined to give their all regardless.

Hana summons Pureful Phoenix and Aurora Pegasus while Rose calls upon Luxury Rose and Luxe Sunflower. They perform a duet of "Lady・Lady・Lady", pleasing the audience. An invigorated Q-pit leaves before the results are announced, followed by Ann. Rose is revealed to be the winner, leaving Hana disappointed.

She returns backstage, where she is met with Ruli, Beat and Shiori. The others desperately try to cheer her up, maintaining that while she may have lost, it was her best performance thus far. They end up crying and pulling Hana into a group hug while Izumi watches from afar, proud of Hana's growth.

On her way home from school, Mao continues to be dissatisfied with her loss. She then runs into Meisa, who is anticipating another battle stage with Hana. Just as Meisa is about to take off, Mao calls out to her and firmly announces that next time she won't lose. An impassioned Meisa makes her exit, now mutually recognized as a rival by Mao.

Characters

 * Mao Otoha/Hana
 * Ruli Tamaki/Ruli
 * Kyōko Umekōji/Beat
 * Shiori Motoya/Shiori
 * Q-pit
 * Ann
 * Meisa Hinata/Rose
 * Izumi Watanuki
 * Ryōka Dōba
 * Kanade Otoha
 * Aurora Pegasus
 * Pureful Phoenix
 * Luxury Rose
 * Luxe Sunflower

Trivia

 * Episode Title Reference: "Pajama Party Night" by Negicco
 * This marks the first instance in which Kanade Otoha is referred to by his given name despite debuting several episodes prior.