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, which recently had its final episode.)
We bring you a recap of Wake Up Girls! (WUG), which recently had its final episode.
In Episode 8, the passionate opinions of Yoppi, the leader of WUG, a girl group managed by small production company Green Leaves Entertainment (Green Leaves below), and the group’s central member Mayu creates a conflict that threatens to break WUG apart. How will the group members face this situation? They’ll also be participating in Idol Festival at the proposition of successful music producer Hayasaka. What kind of showing will WUG have?!
Let’s take a look at the many highlights of the final four episodes.
If you haven’t read the previous recap, you can do so here.
Episode 9
At Kaya’s suggestion, WUG holds a training camp in Kesennuma where Kaya’s aunt runs an inn. However, things between Mayu and Yoppi are still awkward. On top of this, other issues, including Nanami’s plan to leave, also remain unresolved as the group begins their trip.
Kaya appears lonely during the training camp. She confides a secret of hers to Mayu after she returns from an early morning run.
Kesennuma had been greatly damaged in the 2011 earthquake. Unable to bear the painful experience, Kaya ran away from this area where she grew up. However, she says that she suggested the training camp because she felt that, with the other members beside her, she might be able to gather the courage to return to Kesennuma and face her painful memories.
Hearing Kaya’s story, Mayu finally begins to talk about her own past.
Mayu joined the girl group I-1 Club as one of its initial members at the age of 12. She pursued her dream of becoming a pop star amidst strict rules and gained popularity for the group as the I-1 Club central member. However, things turned sour when she pleaded with the manager on behalf of a member she worked hard with from the beginning. As a result, Mayu was forced to quit I-1 Club.
She explains that though she faced the strict reality of the entertainment world, she doesn’t want to give up her dream of being a pop star and wants to find happiness living that dream as a member of WUG.
At this point, the other five members who had been listening in the shadows reveal themselves to Kaya and Mayu.
Moved that Mayu will face-off against Shiho with her fellow members and her dream, Nanami also takes back her intention to leave the group and declares that she will pour all of her energy into WUG.
The group becomes closer thanks to the training camp.
Episode 10
WUG passes the initial audition for Idol Festival. However, only one group can win the second part, which is a regional qualifying round, to move on to the finals. The qualifying rounds are streamed online and voted on by fans, which allows the members to see what will leave an impression with the judges and what is most appealing about WUG, giving them a push forward in their lessons, live performances, and TV and radio work.
Then, it’s the day of the festival regionals.
Nervous, WUG debuts their catchy and energetic new song “First-Rate Smile” in flashy outfits full of pop cuteness. They pass the qualifiers in fine style!
Episode 11
It’s the day before the festival sectional qualifiers. It’s revealed that I-1 received the same song from Hayasaka! Hayasaka approaches the stunned members of WUG. To give WUG a leg up as they near the finals, he brings a new song that he claims is even better than “First-Rate Smile.” It is also announced that Yoppi will be the center.
With little time left, WUG decides to go with the new song and add more practice sessions than ever before.
Receiving something of a passing grade from Hayasaka in the final practice before the Idol Festival finals, the group heads to Tokyo for the finals, each with something different on their mind.
On the day of the finals, WUG are overwhelmed by the size of the stage when they enter the venue. Possibly nervous from the great responsibility of being leader and center, Yoppi in particular seems off...
Episode 12 (Finale)
During rehearsal, Yoppi trips and hurts her foot when going on stage. With their leader and center unable to perform, Mayu suggests that since they can’t all be on stage without all seven members, they should drop out.
Then Shiho, the current center of I-1 Club, brings medical staff who bandage Yoppi’s foot.
To keep Yoppi from putting too much weight on her foot, the group then changes their choreography right before their performance and takes on the finals...!
The final round includes six groups from across the country. One year since their debut performance, WUG takes the stage with the intention of just giving their all.
Like an away game, the girls give their heartfelt performance in a room filled with I-1 Club fans, and slowly the audience begins to show enthusiasm.
Sadly, WUG does not take home the prize. However, big news pours in later on. There is talk of a major debut with a big name record label!
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.
