Episode 20 - 5 Seconds Before Battle!

5 Seconds Before Battle! (マジでバトルの５秒前！) is the twentieth episode of the Aikatsu Planet! TV series. It aired on May 23rd, 2021.

Summary
Kyōko and Ruli are to compete for the last spot in the Planet Princess Grand Prix. Beat has the higher win rate, but Kyōko hopes for a direct confrontation. There lies a certain feeling she's kept hidden. She wants a satisfyingly earnest fight doing Aikatsu! in her own way... With no hard feelings, it's the last battle between two who have improved each other through Aikatsu! The final participant is determined at last!

Plot
Kyōko and Ruli separately reflect on their tie from the Top Ten Final Battle, which guarantees that they can't participate in the Planet Princess Grand Prix together as they had hoped. Ruli recalls the previous year in which out of their agency only Meisa was able to make the cut. Beat was also close, but Kyōko says she'll just have to keep working hard for next time.

On the other hand, Segawa points out that Ruli doesn't look all that disappointed. She explains that she's satisfied that everyone was able to have fun, before faithfully reciting her parents' philosophy in which mistakes can turn into treasures if you manage to overcome them. Rather than being sad, she's more excited about what happens next year.

As Ruli leaves the agency to head home, she spots Kyōko by herself and realizes the other is crying. In the present time, Izumi and Segawa explain to them that the points they earn from their next battle stages will determine who gets the final spot in the Grand Prix. They are actively searching for opponents, not wanting them to fight directly as Hana and Shiori had.

Izumi expresses concern for Kyōko, as she's also busy with student council duties. Kyōko reveals that they'll be holding elections soon, but is refraining from participating herself due to having to manage it as the current vice president. Although it will be hard on her, she affirms that to be her best self she can't shirk her responsibilities as either Beat or Kyōko.

As Segawa and Ruli make their exit, Kyōko asks Izumi what will happen if she and Ruli have the same results in their next battle stage and thus are still tied. Izumi says that in that case, the last spot in the Grand Prix would decidedly go to Beat as she has the higher win rate. With this in mind, Kyōko approaches Ruli later at school.

Kyōko asks to face off against Ruli in their next battle stage. Having overheard a conversation between Keito and Shō about wanting to see that scenario unfold, Ruli agrees but questions the sudden request. Kyōko recounts how in the previous year, she was also tied with another girl and lost without even battling her because of her lower win rate.

Despite currently having the advantage, Kyōko wishes to have an earnest fight like Hana and Shiori so that whoever wins will feel like they deserved it. As news of their battle spreads, Mao and Shiori find Ruli attempting to lift weights at the agency. A troubled Ruli feels the need to match up to Beat, who successfully completed the Planet Marathon.

She abruptly comes up with the idea of making a new dress and goes to Sala, who reprimands her lack of thought into the design. Ruli continues to train excessively at school and falls while jumping rope. Kyōko appears and helps her up, playfully teasing at how strained she looked and that she's not acting like herself.

Ruli says that she's being serious so as to meet Kyōko's expectations. In turn, Kyōko reveals that she was able to recover from her loss the previous year after being inspired by Ruli's positive attitude. But right now, Ruli doesn't look like she's having any fun and it will be unsatisfying to go against her. An uplifted Ruli cheerfully resumes training with Kyōko.

On the day of their battle stage, Izumi encourages them to go all out with no regrets. Ruli has given up on creating a new dress, instead relying on her usual partners Bright Sapphire and Glossy Ruby, just as Beat chooses to use Bloody Rock and Hip Hop Break. They contemplate on how despite their differences, they've become connected through Aikatsu.

The pair perform a duet of "Inner Voice" with Ruli as the victor, and subsequently the last participant in the Grand Prix. Beat expresses disappointment at having missed out on the Grand Prix again. However, she thanks Ruli for battling her earnestly and states she had fun. Feeling the same way, Ruli is brought to tears and embraces Beat.

At school, the student council is counting the ballots for the recent elections, with many of the votes being for Kyōko even though she's not a candidate. Kanade declares that they'll have to redo the election because those votes are invalid, but suggests that Kyōko should actually run for the position this time.

Bringing it up to the others, Kyōko is hesitant because no vice president has ever done so. Ruli points out out that Kyōko has never let traditions get in her way before, citing the rule change about their school uniforms as an example, encouraging Kyōko. The Grand Prix soon goes underway, with the semifinals pitting Hana against Ruli, and Rose against Q-pit.

Characters

 * Mao Otoha/Hana
 * Ruli Tamaki/Ruli
 * Kyōko Umekōji/Beat
 * Shiori Motoya/Shiori
 * Q-pit
 * Meisa Hinata/Rose
 * Sala Itoi/Sala
 * Izumi Watanuki
 * Itsuki Segawa
 * Keito Kirihata
 * Shō Kurosaki
 * Ryōka Dōba
 * Kanade Otoha
 * Bright Sapphire
 * Glossy Ruby
 * Bloody Rock
 * Hip Hop Break

Trivia

 * Episode Title Reference: "5 Seconds Before Love" (MajiでKoiする5秒前) by Ryōko Hirosue
 * Although Q-pit, Rose, and Sala appear in the episode, they have no dialogue and as such are left uncredited in the ending sequence.
 * Ann is not listed within the top 40 on the Aikatsu Ranking despite being previously shown to be 15th, although this is likely an overlooked animation error.