Kiriya Aoi: Evolving Ambition | Aikatsu!

[@idolkiwi]

Tell me your thoughts on Aoi! She has so many complex ideas going on that it was a challenge to cut them down into this extremely long video 😅 I could have easily made it even longer!

[@arganlumens7117]

So aoi would become Starlight next headmistress even even that school has been in orihime family for many generations

[@idolkiwi]

I haven't seen anything about Starlight belonging to Orihime's family, but I have seen staff interviews talking a lot about Aoi being the next headmistress 🤔

[@arganlumens7117]

@@idolkiwi ichigo and the others are still friends with seira and the other girls of dream academy?

[@Stars_Excella]

She's an Aquarius. To the Absolute Zero.

[@idolkiwi]

@@arganlumens7117 Yeah I believe they are!

[@Kyuururu]

I feel kinda related to Aoi, when you really like something, you will do everything to become the best at the thing you really like, but for me it feels kinda frustrating and makes you insecure when other people can do it better than you, when you spend your whole life to do that thing. I'm glad Aoi doesn't pretend to be like Ichigo, even when she's realized she doesn't have the same skills as Ichigo, she's not jealous, instead she support Ichigo and make her own path and shine in her own light

[@idolkiwi]

So true! I love that her story has that message 🥰

[@captaindoesyoutube7925]

Using FPS terms, I think Aoi is more of a support and technician idol with her knowledge than the performance powerhouses

[@anonymous_01761]

Aoi is definitely an interesting character, now that I've watched your deep dive. It's funny that people always say that it was Ichigo who was the big fan of Mizuki who wanted to be like her (she did look up to Mizuki as the plot develops) but Aoi was actually the first one to bring them into the idol industry. For some reason I keep thinking that the Mizuki poster was brought in by Ichigo. Its nice that she doesn't get jelous of Ichigo, even though Aoi seems to put in more effort, and I'm glad she supports her along the whole way.

[@idolkiwi]

I had the same thoughts! Seeing how much she wanted to follow Mizuki made all of her arcs a lot more powerful to me 💛

[@cureice]

It's sad to think about how much Aoi goes through in the background of this story. I've always overlooked her, but her episodes in S2 really stuck out to me. I hope she DOES become principal in future

[@idolkiwi]

A lot of the anime staff seem to be into the 'Aoi as Orihime's successor' idea, so it seems pretty likely!

[@captaindoesyoutube7925]

@@idolkiwiIt’s an idea that both fanartists and staff enjoys, and I like this idea as a headcanon

[@Galistarwater]

I just love Aoi. She is the first anime character that I cosplayed. Yeah, she's obsessed with idols, but I also see her as someone dedicated to her passion and her work, and her strive to keep learning more about idols is admirable. She's truly an underappreciated character, but she's always there for her friends, and is very useful...very much like water! I just love that character development for her in season 2. It's a bit disappointing that she didn't become Starlight Queen, but her passion for the entertainment industry and idolism never waivers, but grew more passionate, and I just love that she sticks to being herself rather than try and be like Ichigo. And I just love that she embraces her "idol professor" part as her characteristics. I actually remembered fans squealing when I was cosplaying as Aoi and then putting on a pair of glasses to become her version of the idol professor.😂 Aoi is one of the best Aikatsu characters ever! Anyway, thanks for working on this video. I've been looking forward to it, and like the Idol Professor, you really put a lot of time, research, and passion into your videos and I love you for it❤🎉

[@idolkiwi]

It's so nice to see her getting so much appreciation, Aoi fans really share her dedication to her passions 🥰 Thank you for watching!

[@davidm.4175]

OMGGGGGG her being the next headmistress makes so much more senseeeee!!!! 🤩 thank you for another amazing deep dive! I find so much more love for Aikatsu characters on each video

[@idolkiwi]

Thank you, I feel the same way!!

[@Hatsuzaka46]

58:52 omg a kouhaku reference! I know Aikatsu as an idol anime was bound to have references to actual jpop idols like AKB48 Nogizaka46 Morning Musume etc and the events they’re invited to due to how popular they are like kouhaku but I didn’t expect them to straight up namedrop it (“紅白歌合戦” is the full Japanese name for it and they really just removed the “歌” and replaced it with “aikatsu”) 😭

[@idolkiwi]

You might also be interested in the Tokyo Girls Collection reference in season 4! I love all of the little industry details 🥰

[@ruthj7537]

Absolutely loved this video, it gave me such a deeper understanding of Aoi and her character.

[@idolkiwi]

Thank you so much! The headmistress outcome was interesting to me too, especially once I saw how much the staff talked about it :D

[@mystic_fox9025]

Aoi fangirl is something I can relate since I always fangirl all lot of nerdy things that my other friends are not into😅😅 Although before she debut in starlight I do like Aoi aware of the pros and cons of being an idol life. Comparing to Ichigo who went to the audition completely blind. Even she was aware of the pros and cons she still willing to become an idol with her own decision

[@Skittydaisy]

Another insightful video as always! Blown away! I think the complexity of Aoi’s journey is also a good lesson. Your goals can and probably will change over time, and finding yourself, the ideal version of yourself, is such a ride.

[@idolkiwi]

Thank you!! I love that lesson too 💛

[@gerardkhachaturyan4814]

I'm not the one who has been into the cool-type Aikatsu idols since I found the franchise (which is still relevant today). But I agree that Aoi set the precedent for how cool-type Aikatsu idols should be, which is good for her. Also having knowledge about idols at that time is the point anyone wouldn't ignore (or wouldn't notice). Either way, Aoi in general can be only described in her own words, 「穏やかじゃないわね。」 In reality, I couldn't help but make these insights afterwards. Aoi Kiriya is the first of three characters Azusa Tadokoro has voiced in the entire Aikatsu franchise. The other two are Yuzu Nikaidó (AiStars) and Karen Kamishiro (AiFriends). Tadokoro had voiced all 3 different types of idols (cute, cool, pop), but her strength is with the cool-type one like Aoi. The closest characters who resemble Tadokoro's actual character are Shizuka Mogami from The Idolmaster Million Live and Kaoru Seta (BangDream). They are the somewhat similar cool-type characters Tadokoro eventually master. Meanwhile, her colleague--Ayaka Òhashi--has also voiced three characters in the franchise: Ran Shibuki (OG Aikatsu), Yozora Kasumi (AiStars), and Mirai Asuka (AiFriends). Òhashi had just voiced 2 different types: sexy (read: mature) and pop. Her strength is in the former type, but she handled the latter type so well. I was surprised that the character who resembles Òhashi's actual character is Mirai (somehow), despite the fact she also voices Uzuki Shimamura (The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls) and Saaya Yamabuki (BangDream).

[@eidrag]

speaking of Tadokoro, whenever she and Suisei do radio, I always thought them as blue haired idol combi

[@celeslondon4698]

After this whole video, I can say I relate to Aoi a lot, especially since I have dreams of becoming a teacher. Thank you for making this Idolkiwi!

[@idolkiwi]

That's wonderful, thank you so much!

[@RosieSievers]

I loved Aoi, she is the best friend you want to have when it comes to do idol activities ^^ I loved her spotlight episodes as it really made me see what makes her tick ^^ The Naughty Police focused episodes, the Chocopop Detective episode, her shared focus with Kii and the Futuring Girl music video episodes are my favourites from her as I loved her taking charge of productions as well as helping her friends ^^ Great video as always ^^

[@idolkiwi]

I love her even more after making this video, totally agree with you Rosie!

[@JEZSTERISM]

ITS FINALLY HERE! 🎉 Been waiting ever since its announcement love aoi, rotating her in my brain like a microwave (rotating all the aikatsu characters in my brain like a microwave) I found parts of her story to particularly hit hard, especially with her feelings of doubt. I really love the water analogy! Really fitting :] especially with how constant it flows and how it resists at points. But ultimately travelling its set course. Kinda rambled randomly a little there :p Anyways, another amazing video! I think deep dives may be one of my favourites. :D

[@idolkiwi]

Thank you so much!! I love that interpretation of the water analogy, she really does find her way despite her obstacles ☺

[@crescentlady]

Aoi love!!! You did such a wonderful job summarizing her journey ;_;

[@idolkiwi]

Thank you so much! 🥹

[@Esseteess]

Oh my gosh, these deep dives are bringing back so many memories

[@idolkiwi]

Thank you for watching! So far I've gotten requests for most of the main cast, but I wouldn't mind doing more of them :D

[@Esseteess]

@@idolkiwi oh, YAY! Haha, Thank youuuuu!

[@kyoryumika862]

Love this so muchhh❤

[@idolkiwi]

Thank you so much!

[@kyoryumika862]

@@idolkiwi you're welcome, keep up the great works 👍💜

[@eidrag]

only character that I buy goods of hers.

[@AndikaThe2000]

A professor idol like Aoi-san (Aoi) (🧪) is the one or cool idol i love the most. But when i see her a cool and professor idol, it makes me think a "Not Odayaka". Hehe. Like i was saying i'll see you again in November 18th or today like this, and it is today's my birthday. Still love your videos including this deep dive Aoi or Aoi story video, Kiwi. 🎂 🎉 🥳 🧢 🎧 🎮 😁👍 🤗 💙✨ 💚✨

[@idolkiwi]

Thanks Andika, happy birthday!

[@AndikaThe2000]

@@idolkiwi You're welcome!!! And thanks (too), Kiwi-chan (Kiwi)! 😁👍 🤗 💚✨

[@AndikaThe2000]

@@idolkiwi I forgot that you're Mahiru (🧡✨) fan (Probably, even you love her with you look a-like with Mahiru) so once again, thanks for the birthday wishes for me, Mahiru fan Kiwi-chan (Kiwi)! 😁👍 🤗 💚✨

[@naomiodeyemi3768]

How long did it take you you to watch all of the aikatsu series?

[@idolkiwi]

The first time I watched it I watched about 1-2 episodes per day, so it must have been at least a few months? Now when I do rewatches for these videos it takes about 2 weeks just skimming through them 😅