A new series of "Starmyu: High School Star Musical" will begin airing in the summer of 2019! The third season will be aired this time. The story depicts the youth of high school students aspiring to become actors, and is a fascinating work that depicts the trial and error of students enrolled in the musical department. It will be interesting to see how the captivating musical scenes in each episode will be portrayed in the third season! In this article, we will look back on the second season in preparation for the new series starting soon. Let's review the contents of the anime before the third season begins.
What is Starmyu Season 2 about?
The protagonist, Hoshitani and his team, have successfully passed the entrance exam for the Musical Department and advanced to their second year. The main theme of the second season is the graduation performance "Shadow & Lights," starring Otori-senpai and the Kaokai. Only five second-year students, known as the "2nd Year Development Slot," are eligible to appear in this performance, making them the elite of the department. Incidentally, the "2nd Year Development Slot" includes four Kaokai alumni, known as "Ancients," who receive special training. The Ancients will provide training to a total of 25 star-rated students, including Team Otori, and will also select five more star-rated students. We can't wait to see how Hoshitani and the others grow from here!
Starmyu Season 2 Review ①: Towards the Musical "Shadow & Lights"!
Team Otori, now a member of the Musical Department, has successfully advanced to their second year. Their first second-year course is supporting the former Kaokai's graduation performance. Every year, Ayanagi Academy assigns a special coach to the graduation performance, and this time, the coach chosen is none other than the Kaokai from the time of Tsukimi Haruto. Tsukimi Haruto is the older brother of Team Otori member Tsukimi Kaito, a top-tier musical star and former top student at Ayanagi Academy.
Musical "Shadow & Lights"
The musical they will perform under this special coaching guidance is "Shadow & Lights." Of course, not all Musical Department students will receive a role. Instead, they must compete in auditions to secure five roles. The rules are the same as last time: a team competition. Team Otori, with its still-novice Hoshitani and Nayuki's stage fright, still has some uncertainties. They devise a strategy to win as a team. However, no matter what role they are cast in, Hoshitani's acting ability stands out. Hoshitani is now receiving strict instruction from Uozumi, one of the special coaches.
Starmyu Season 2 Review ② Helping Out the Drama Club
While Hoshitani is receiving strict instruction from Uozumi, Nayuki invites him to a change of pace. It's the Ayanagi Academy Junior High School club activity meet. But, to his surprise, he ends up getting caught up in trouble with the drama club. With a missing actor, Hoshitani ends up filling in. Confused by why he's chosen, it's Tatsumi, the leader of Team Hiiragi, who encourages him. Tatsumi, who has discovered Hoshitani's charm, has always been interested in Hoshitani, even before he's felt any rivalry. This puts Hoshitani in a difficult position, but he supports him and recommends him as a helper for the drama club.
High Hopes Are Placed on Uozumi
Hoshitani, a naturally kind person, couldn't refuse the drama club's request and ended up taking on the role as a substitute. However, Hoshitani excels in performances, and when it really counts, he shows his true colors. In the end, Hoshitani demonstrates even greater skills than usual during the drama club's performance, leading to the play's success. Uozumi, who happened to be watching the play, recognized Hoshitani's value as a starter and began to place his hopes on him.
Starmyu Season 2 Review ③ Hoshitani's Wish and Each Slump
With the support of those around him, Hoshitani steadily improved his skills. Meanwhile, he wanted to become friends with Ageha, a member of "Team Cho," who was also auditioning for a role in the musical "Shadow & Lights." Ageha is a mysterious boy, but Hoshitani, who is cheerful and sociable, doesn't hesitate to talk to him. However, Ageha is a big fan of Tsukigami Haruto and doesn't seem particularly interested in Hoshitani. Ageha is always chasing after Tsukigami Haruto, and Hoshitani is quickly dumped.
Going to See Tengenji's Kabuki
Team Otori still had some inconsistencies in their abilities, and even as second-year students, they still relied too heavily on Kaito Tsukigami and Sho Tengenji. This was obvious to others, and they pointed it out. Hoshitani was hit in a sore spot, but he also had a strong desire to understand his own shortcomings, so he decided to go see Tengenji's Kabuki. He witnessed the difference in their caliber firsthand. At the same time, Kaito, Team Otori's ace, was also in a slump. He was influenced by Ageha, who perfectly replicated the acting of his older brother, Haruto, whom he admired but also felt insecure about.
Starmyu Season 2 Review ④ Kaito and Hoshitani Swap Their Roles!
Team Otori had inherent weaknesses. Therefore, Uozumi had chosen the cast to cover the team's strengths, but he decided to reconsider the casting. After considering each member's individuality once again, Uozumi decided to swap Kaito and Hoshitani's roles. At first, Kaito, due to his pride, couldn't accept the decision. However, Uozumi showed unexpected kindness, and Kaito decided to accept his role. In the end, both of them completed their revised roles and began to demonstrate their abilities.
Starmyu Season 2 Review ⑤ Ageha's Setbacks and Acceptance
Amidst all this, a change came over Ageha. Her special coach, Haruto Tsukigami, the person she aspired to be, told her that her acting was merely a copy of Haruto Tsukigami's. Having her acting rejected by the very person she aspired to be, Ageha became deeply depressed and began skipping practice.
Hoshitani Encourages Ageha
Hoshitani also aspired to become an actor after meeting a high school student he admired dancing on an outdoor stage as a junior high school student. In fact, Hoshitani learned that this high school student was Otori-senpai during intensive practice. For Hoshitani, Ageha's straightforward admiration for Haruto was so strong that he couldn't believe he was a stranger. He encouraged Ageha to try harder. However, Ageha, nervous about Hoshitani's intrusion into his heart, ended up arguing with him. However, Hoshitani still speaks with pure honesty, "I don't know how to give up on my dreams." Ageha empathizes with this and decides to practice again. Hoshitani's wish is granted, and the two finally grow closer.
Starmyu Season 2 Review ⑥ Nayuki's Anxiety
Meanwhile, Nayuki, who had worked hard alongside Hoshitani until then, is depressed by Hoshitani's absence and the sudden anxiety about the play. Adding to Nayuki's anxiety, the audition content is changed suddenly from a team competition to an individual competition. Nayuki, who was naturally nervous and prone to stage fright, became increasingly anxious. However, at the same time, Ukawa from Team Hiiragi was also feeling the same anxiety. Nayuki and Ukawa formed a bond that transcended team boundaries, and they overcame that obstacle.
Starmyu Season 2 Review 7: The Audition Results Are Announced, and Hoshitani...
Each team practiced diligently, and finally, audition day arrived. The undergraduate students anxiously awaited the casting announcement, but unfortunately, Hoshitani's name was not mentioned. Hoshitani, whose role was snatched from him by Tatsumi, accepts the decision with grace. However, he then receives a surprising announcement: Hiiragi will be declining the lead role due to work commitments. The lead role, however, is a double lead role with Otori-senpai.
Hoshitani Takes on the Big Role!
To his surprise, Uozumi hires Hoshitani to fill the gap! Hoshitani, who had always held Hoshitani in high regard since the drama club incident, hands him the big role. Hoshitani is thrilled, never expecting to co-star with his "favorite high school student." However, he also feels nervous and pressured. He ends up overworking himself with the big role and feeling that he lacks the skills to perform.
Hoshitani Slumps
Hoshitani becomes so overwhelmed that he can't get the duet song "Shadow & Lights," sung by Hiiragi-senpai and Otori-senpai, out of his head. Pushed even further, Hoshitani began to believe that "Hiiragi-senpai is the perfect partner for Otori-senpai," and began to feel that he was not up to the task. As a result of pushing himself too hard, Hoshitani lost his voice during the performance. He idolized Otori-senpai and of course had a strong desire to perform on the same stage, but his desperation caused him to become anxious and panicked.
Starmyu Season 2 Review 8: Hoshitani Returns to His Roots, and an Incident Occurs
However, Hoshitani, who is naturally cheerful, is not one to stay depressed. Determined to return to his roots, Hoshitani went to the outdoor stage where he once met his "impressed high school student." Reflecting on his situation, he realized that he had friends who supported him. Feeling the presence of his friends, he tried to overcome his slump somehow. And so, his graduation performance, "Shadow & Lights," began.
But the Accidents Continue!
The graduation performance opened without a hitch, but the accidents continued. Hoshitani dislocated his shoulder during the performance. This left him unable to perform using his entire body, putting him in a critical situation. Therefore, despite the suddenness of the situation, it was decided to replace him with a substitute. However, Hoshitani couldn't give up on this opportunity to perform alongside his idol, Otori-senpai. Of course, everyone wanted to grant Hoshitani's wish, but forcing himself to perform could damage his health. Even his rival, Tatsumi, tried to stop Hoshitani from forcing himself to perform.
Ageha to the Rescue!
Amazingly, it was Ageha who saved Hoshitani. Ageha is about the same height as Hoshitani, so she suggests that she act as a substitute in the middle part of the play and then take Hoshitani's place in the second half. What's more, even Otori-senpai says that while he has thoughts of the future, he wants to fulfill his long-cherished dream of co-starring with him. Hoshitani's wish and the two of them's determination move the hearts of those around them. Before they know it, everyone is trying to help Hoshitani and make his dreams come true. They also do their best to make the play the best it can be, even in the face of adversity. And so Hoshitani's wish to co-star with his "dream high school student," namely Otori-senpai, is finally fulfilled, and the play comes to a close.
A summary of a look back at Starmyu Season 2!
That's a summary of the second season of "Starmyu: High School Star Musical"! Hoshitani and his team, Team Otori, were first-year students in the first season, but in the second season they've become second-year students, showing just how tough they've become. New characters have also appeared, adding to the excitement. The musical scenes, which were highly praised in the first season, have also been further polished, making them a must-see! With the third season starting in the summer of 2019, we'll likely see even cooler characters. I can't wait for the broadcast.
