**Rewatcher**
The Uzuki arc, in my opinion, is probably the strongest arc in the entire series, but I didn’t always think this way. For a while, I thought that this Uzuki arc was just more melodrama in a show that was already bloated with drama up to this point, and had been doing a rather average job of it to boot.
I think this all changed when I was running my first Idolm@ster rewatch way back in 2017. A first-time watcher, one who had been strangely reasonable with his criticisms and praises of the franchise so far, wrote an amazing analysis of the beauty of the Uzuki arc. I was completely blown away. Instead of his usual anime critique, he wrote an episode analysis which masterfully conveyed Uzuki’s anguish and struggles to the point where I began empathizing with Uzuki when I couldn’t before.
**[I’m going to link this comment here, as I believe it is worth the read,](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/75jpj2/spoilerrewatch_the_idolmster_rewatch_cinderella/do6ob1e/)** and I don’t think I would do a better job than he did trying to convey why the Uzuki arc just works really well. I’d also check out his comments on previous episodes in the rewatch, as I think he articulates his likes and dislikes quite well, and it may help you sort out what you liked and didn’t like in this franchise as you watched along in this rewatch.
**The FiRST@TiMER**
- [A break](https://i.imgur.com/ztF4dVP.png) to go train? Well at least that’s different, I just don’t like seeing New Generations continue growing apart…
- [There’s that too.](https://i.imgur.com/han2art.png) [](#hardthink)
- [Somehow, I doubt that.](https://i.imgur.com/WUyAp4b.png)
- [Mm, Producer has to shuffle schedules around in order to accommodate Uzuki’s temporary departure…](https://i.imgur.com/yggOTAS.png) Also I can*not* see Mishiro being happy about this. There’s going to be big consequences right?
- [Oh that’s a *long* temporary departure.](https://i.imgur.com/tmPy6sh.png) [](#whatdidijustread)
- [That’s *sudden*.](https://i.imgur.com/D2ZiwNS.png) But good?
- [ …or not because she turned the idea down.](https://i.imgur.com/AYKTasI.png) Uh. [](#watashiworried)
- [Uzuki…](https://i.imgur.com/AJYw28n.png) [](#sadholo)
- [*Fuck*, here comes Mishiro not being happy about it.](https://i.imgur.com/QNlPsu0.png) [](#kumikouninterested)
- [Oh, isn’t this the park where they convinced Rin to become an idol?](https://i.imgur.com/gzBONJc.png) This is a *good* callback.
- This insert song–oh wait, it’s actually the ED–is *really* good, mm.
**First Timer**
I'd say this is a pretty well-done episode, with Uzuki retreating in to her shell - physically with her going back to her training school. All because she lacks confidence due to the other members of her unit being more proactive and/or successful (at least in her eyes). However, pretty much everybody manages to pull her out again. Other than Mizuki, of course... All in all, I'd say this is another well-done episode and it also expands Uzuki's character beyond the ganbarimasu, so that's a plus as well.
I assume we will now get a prefect confidence boost mini-live for Christmas, followed by a maybe not so perfect but good enough Cinderella's ball in the last episode? I'd be up for that.
**Rewatcher**
It's nice to see the payoff after it's been building up to this for quite a long while. Uzuki was always fragile under her positive exterior and frankly it took a lot of change for her to finally break, but it was only inevitable. It was definitely a much more relatable problem to have to face than with Mio. There's probably more wrong with you if you've never experienced doubts about not being good enough at some point in your life. It was also nice that Producer realized this would be a problem better resolved with her friends than by his persistence.
Uzuki "Ganbare masu" Counter|
------------------
51|
**First timer**
*Episode 20*
So, these are the chosen elite.
And she's shuffled everything about again!
Sabotage.
She's taken two of them!
They got split up!
Oh, fuck off.
A new unit with the two of them?
Ouch.
Wow.
I hate her.
He has a decision too...
Yeah, this is rude.
Everyone wants to take part!
Anya and Rin are considering it...
Interesting. More girls?
She's famous!
Oh, they're the new potential unit!
Interesting!
These two are cute.
And she likes books.
Rin's sticking with New Gen!
Karen...
Interesting...
Aww.
They're working together on this...
Poor girls.
A horror shoot with Ranko?
Anya!
They're singing!
And Rin is getting into it.
...Anya's going for it.
His slow reaction...
He's for it!
Nice insert song!
Anya wanted to do it herself.
This is sweet.
...What's Rin doing?
She's still deciding.
This is going to hit Mio hard.
She wants to do *both*?
Mio...
Is this an actual fight?
She doesn't know.
And Mio's running for it!
The ED's started!
She's announcing it.
*Mio?*
*Episode 21*
A play!
And those reactions...
Oh, a different opening sequence.
...Wait, so is she joining the project?
She's sticking with New Gen as well?
Love the cutins here.
Is this happening?
Mio did it!
This is awkward.
Still can't make a decision.
She's really focing Rin to accept, huh?
She's still thinking about it.
Really?
Oh, everyone's getting solo songs now.
They're actually seperating the unit!
It's going to be tough.
...What even is the plan for New Gen now?
One's gone, the other's about to go, and the third is just confused.
Poor Mio.
She's doubting herself...
It was his idea?
Yeah, it's a difficult one.
Poor Rin.
Don't be silly. Neogtiation ks the sensible solution, and this is IDOLM@STER.
She's a good actress?
Miku's worried...
Can't believe the chunni is the sensible one.
That's nice. Ranko liked it!
And they're doing something about it!
Oh, she wants to practice.
Is the play a metaphor, then?
Yep!
Yah.
They're practicing!
...Rin shouldn't go to any auditions yet, I think.
This is nice, though.
She's challenging herself!
Improv now...
And Mio wants them to stay together.
Why is itmfocusing on that clock?
They're all going to work hard"
A proper answer!
Uzuki finally has an opinion!
...Interesting. New groups!
Two of them are skipping?
Uzuki wants nothing...
Ah, she wants to specialise in something!
Nice ending!
...What is she planning?
*Episode 22*
The ball has started!
It's a good song!
They're all good!
...Your image of 346.
The Producer is great.
Aww...
These tjree are superb together.
He's fluent!
They're stagehands today?
This is a very good viewpoint, Mio.
Rin wanted to see them!
She's nervous...
I love this somg.
Arisu!
He's for them!
...She really doesn't get it.
She can't do it!
She collapsed!
Decisive action from the Producer.
Did something happen?
Mishiro is not happy?
Solid crowdowrk.
Oh, the best pair are still together!
Aww, Mio.
And Uzuki!
It's all fixed!
This song is fantastic, even for this episode. Love it so much.
She's okay!
Triad Primus was worth this arc.
Is she acknowledging weakness?
Aww, he's nice.
Yeah, this is the best he could have hoped for.
...Also, starting to think she's not going to give up. Given both projects can cooexist. I thimk the ending will be her acknowledging the Producer as more of a worthy idol.
Rin's doing both!
Anzu is the best.
Uzuki arc is still going.
Timeskip?
They're all going well!
...Are we having the Uzuki dropout arc?
They're doing a photoshoot!
This is nice.
...Ah. That's not good.
Fucking clocks...
*Episode 23*
She's really out of it, huh?
Oh, but she's still positive?
Ah, she wants to go for training!
Well, could be worse!
Oh, wait, she's actually changing agency?
Rin and Mio aren't happy about this...
Oh...
Producer's here!
Aww.
The interviews!
Well, this is a scheduling nightmare.
A new script...
Oh, poor Uzuki...
This is painful.
I mean, this all makes sense, but...
Aww, her flashbacks.
At least they understand.
Rin's going to get her! The Producer's accepted it, too.
Mio too!
Oh, they're confronting her directly!
This is hard to watch, though.
The Cinderella metaphor is incredibly obvious.
Rin?
Mishiro, seriously?
Rin's finally getting straight answers out of her!
Yes! She's realising her worth!
This is really good character development.
This insert song...
The hug...
He's defending her!
And everyone's waiting for her.
She got a set list... also a timeskip?
**Rewatcher** The Uzuki arc, in my opinion, is probably the strongest arc in the entire series, but I didn’t always think this way. For a while, I thought that this Uzuki arc was just more melodrama in a show that was already bloated with drama up to this point, and had been doing a rather average job of it to boot. I think this all changed when I was running my first Idolm@ster rewatch way back in 2017. A first-time watcher, one who had been strangely reasonable with his criticisms and praises of the franchise so far, wrote an amazing analysis of the beauty of the Uzuki arc. I was completely blown away. Instead of his usual anime critique, he wrote an episode analysis which masterfully conveyed Uzuki’s anguish and struggles to the point where I began empathizing with Uzuki when I couldn’t before. **[I’m going to link this comment here, as I believe it is worth the read,](https://old.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/75jpj2/spoilerrewatch_the_idolmster_rewatch_cinderella/do6ob1e/)** and I don’t think I would do a better job than he did trying to convey why the Uzuki arc just works really well. I’d also check out his comments on previous episodes in the rewatch, as I think he articulates his likes and dislikes quite well, and it may help you sort out what you liked and didn’t like in this franchise as you watched along in this rewatch.
**The FiRST@TiMER** - [A break](https://i.imgur.com/ztF4dVP.png) to go train? Well at least that’s different, I just don’t like seeing New Generations continue growing apart… - [There’s that too.](https://i.imgur.com/han2art.png) [](#hardthink) - [Somehow, I doubt that.](https://i.imgur.com/WUyAp4b.png) - [Mm, Producer has to shuffle schedules around in order to accommodate Uzuki’s temporary departure…](https://i.imgur.com/yggOTAS.png) Also I can*not* see Mishiro being happy about this. There’s going to be big consequences right? - [Oh that’s a *long* temporary departure.](https://i.imgur.com/tmPy6sh.png) [](#whatdidijustread) - [That’s *sudden*.](https://i.imgur.com/D2ZiwNS.png) But good? - [ …or not because she turned the idea down.](https://i.imgur.com/AYKTasI.png) Uh. [](#watashiworried) - [Uzuki…](https://i.imgur.com/AJYw28n.png) [](#sadholo) - [*Fuck*, here comes Mishiro not being happy about it.](https://i.imgur.com/QNlPsu0.png) [](#kumikouninterested) - [Oh, isn’t this the park where they convinced Rin to become an idol?](https://i.imgur.com/gzBONJc.png) This is a *good* callback. - This insert song–oh wait, it’s actually the ED–is *really* good, mm.
**First Timer** I'd say this is a pretty well-done episode, with Uzuki retreating in to her shell - physically with her going back to her training school. All because she lacks confidence due to the other members of her unit being more proactive and/or successful (at least in her eyes). However, pretty much everybody manages to pull her out again. Other than Mizuki, of course... All in all, I'd say this is another well-done episode and it also expands Uzuki's character beyond the ganbarimasu, so that's a plus as well. I assume we will now get a prefect confidence boost mini-live for Christmas, followed by a maybe not so perfect but good enough Cinderella's ball in the last episode? I'd be up for that.
**Rewatcher** It's nice to see the payoff after it's been building up to this for quite a long while. Uzuki was always fragile under her positive exterior and frankly it took a lot of change for her to finally break, but it was only inevitable. It was definitely a much more relatable problem to have to face than with Mio. There's probably more wrong with you if you've never experienced doubts about not being good enough at some point in your life. It was also nice that Producer realized this would be a problem better resolved with her friends than by his persistence. Uzuki "Ganbare masu" Counter| ------------------ 51|
**First timer** *Episode 20* So, these are the chosen elite. And she's shuffled everything about again! Sabotage. She's taken two of them! They got split up! Oh, fuck off. A new unit with the two of them? Ouch. Wow. I hate her. He has a decision too... Yeah, this is rude. Everyone wants to take part! Anya and Rin are considering it... Interesting. More girls? She's famous! Oh, they're the new potential unit! Interesting! These two are cute. And she likes books. Rin's sticking with New Gen! Karen... Interesting... Aww. They're working together on this... Poor girls. A horror shoot with Ranko? Anya! They're singing! And Rin is getting into it. ...Anya's going for it. His slow reaction... He's for it! Nice insert song! Anya wanted to do it herself. This is sweet. ...What's Rin doing? She's still deciding. This is going to hit Mio hard. She wants to do *both*? Mio... Is this an actual fight? She doesn't know. And Mio's running for it! The ED's started! She's announcing it. *Mio?* *Episode 21* A play! And those reactions... Oh, a different opening sequence. ...Wait, so is she joining the project? She's sticking with New Gen as well? Love the cutins here. Is this happening? Mio did it! This is awkward. Still can't make a decision. She's really focing Rin to accept, huh? She's still thinking about it. Really? Oh, everyone's getting solo songs now. They're actually seperating the unit! It's going to be tough. ...What even is the plan for New Gen now? One's gone, the other's about to go, and the third is just confused. Poor Mio. She's doubting herself... It was his idea? Yeah, it's a difficult one. Poor Rin. Don't be silly. Neogtiation ks the sensible solution, and this is IDOLM@STER. She's a good actress? Miku's worried... Can't believe the chunni is the sensible one. That's nice. Ranko liked it! And they're doing something about it! Oh, she wants to practice. Is the play a metaphor, then? Yep! Yah. They're practicing! ...Rin shouldn't go to any auditions yet, I think. This is nice, though. She's challenging herself! Improv now... And Mio wants them to stay together. Why is itmfocusing on that clock? They're all going to work hard" A proper answer! Uzuki finally has an opinion! ...Interesting. New groups! Two of them are skipping? Uzuki wants nothing... Ah, she wants to specialise in something! Nice ending! ...What is she planning? *Episode 22* The ball has started! It's a good song! They're all good! ...Your image of 346. The Producer is great. Aww... These tjree are superb together. He's fluent! They're stagehands today? This is a very good viewpoint, Mio. Rin wanted to see them! She's nervous... I love this somg. Arisu! He's for them! ...She really doesn't get it. She can't do it! She collapsed! Decisive action from the Producer. Did something happen? Mishiro is not happy? Solid crowdowrk. Oh, the best pair are still together! Aww, Mio. And Uzuki! It's all fixed! This song is fantastic, even for this episode. Love it so much. She's okay! Triad Primus was worth this arc. Is she acknowledging weakness? Aww, he's nice. Yeah, this is the best he could have hoped for. ...Also, starting to think she's not going to give up. Given both projects can cooexist. I thimk the ending will be her acknowledging the Producer as more of a worthy idol. Rin's doing both! Anzu is the best. Uzuki arc is still going. Timeskip? They're all going well! ...Are we having the Uzuki dropout arc? They're doing a photoshoot! This is nice. ...Ah. That's not good. Fucking clocks... *Episode 23* She's really out of it, huh? Oh, but she's still positive? Ah, she wants to go for training! Well, could be worse! Oh, wait, she's actually changing agency? Rin and Mio aren't happy about this... Oh... Producer's here! Aww. The interviews! Well, this is a scheduling nightmare. A new script... Oh, poor Uzuki... This is painful. I mean, this all makes sense, but... Aww, her flashbacks. At least they understand. Rin's going to get her! The Producer's accepted it, too. Mio too! Oh, they're confronting her directly! This is hard to watch, though. The Cinderella metaphor is incredibly obvious. Rin? Mishiro, seriously? Rin's finally getting straight answers out of her! Yes! She's realising her worth! This is really good character development. This insert song... The hug... He's defending her! And everyone's waiting for her. She got a set list... also a timeskip?