01, Happy Birthday to You
02, ANNIVERSARY(Matsutoya Yumi) / Momoka

Momoka hadn't planned to sing these songs, so she seems to have been surprised.

There was a lot of bad judgement in this episode, mostly by Kikuchi P.

I'm really not confident in my Japanese this time, but afterwards he seems to have blogged that Momoka should man up and go with the flow.

For the oblivious people: Momoka knew neither that there'd be a birthday thing nor that she'd sing that first song, and it completely ruined her day, because she likes to be at her best. Shiori again got a song outside her range.

^they still have a month to go until the AE dome concert and there will be a monthly Takahashi concert next week.
I think this is one uneasy episode to watch, everyone thought the surprise would brighten up the show and ended up the opposite, what's wrong Ariyasu, really, it really turned the mood upside down, and doubles with the fact most of the songs are kinda gloomy, and Tamai is also messing up bad.
A-rin's graduation is sad and tearful but for some different reasons. I hope the April episode will do a lot better.

oh, and the writer and composer of Sweet 18 Boogie is Yukari Hashimoto, she has worked with them since Moon Revenge. I was expecting that person since it has always been him but I should've known... :P

^^ That's really disappointing. I genuinely feel bad for Momoka because I get it. This is her opportunity to really express herself but not to be cruel, she kinda signed up for things like this. It's show business with equal emphasis on 'show' and 'business'. Unless you have some sort of creative/financial control, you have to expect producers, mangers, organizers etc to throw things like this at you. Sometimes, they do it to push you or for the sake of entertainment but these things happen. I've seen it happen many times. However, when unexpected things happen, you have take it on the chin and put on a 'show'. From the little I know about her, she's tough so I'm hoping she'll learn from this and return a stronger person. She's got great teammates so I'm sure she'll be okay.

I haven't seen the show yet. I think they're bound to break at some point, they're human, it's natural for it to happen. The important thing is to get over it and do better on the next show.

With all the appearances and trips for the movie they've been making it's no wonder it happened now. I bet they aren't getting any sleep and, as professional as they are, the body and the mind have limits. She should get some rest and get back up with full energy.

Here's my encode on HO
http://www.hello-online.org/index.php?app=xbt&CODE=details&torrent=83566

Yeah I doubt this one's going to make it on anyone's Top 3 list...
Pity for Ahrin whose episode this was really with a new solo song and no less than four cosplays

Bin82501 said:

Kanako was the highlight. She reminded us once again why she's the leader. When her teammates aren't at their best, she encourages them with a smile, by singing along or even holding their hand. The little gestures that make the difference. I love it.

^^ I totally agree-- she's supporting Shiori here https://vine.co/v/O0lPMODOIW0

Well in all fairness the first three caps were from the episode as well...

Thanks. That had slipped by me :)

more than upset, momoka looks like shes having a anxiety attack. her arms tremble, fingers cold, face turned pale and unable to even talk right. she tried to rub her hands together and making a fist to keep herself right, but it didnt workout. it was so painful to see her when she came back, her hands wouldnt stop shaking when shes holding the postcard, she keeps making small movements to hide it. her face is so pale its turning blue. at around 49 minute mark,, u can see her whole body is trembling and twitching uncontrollably, the small fist, her shoulders, and when she picked up the card. at 1:10:30 she couldnt even stand right.

the managers made a horrible mistake by pushing momoka into this situation, even worse when they kept her in, despite her discomfort. she can see herself in the monitors infront of them, her performing bad is only going to worsen the anxiety.

i think the most incredible person in this episode is aarin, she completely shifted the focus onto herself for the whole episode after feeling discomfort in the air, trying her hardest so momoka can recover. reni and shiori didnt feel like their usual cheerful talktive selfs. and kanako tried to comfort momoka during the show but it didn't work so well.

this doesn't seem like theres some kinda problem within the 5, more like managers are pushing them too hard, with 3 singles, movie, theatre, concerts and regular TV show appearances all within the past 2 month, the girls are probably exhausted, they have never been this busy before and it is taking toll on them. I really hope they get a good spring break and come back as their cheerful selfs