Remember that pink-haired girl singing with a rice paddle? Ten years ago, they ignited countless idol dreams.

Do you remember those girls shining brightly at Starlight Academy ten years ago? When Hoshimiya Ichigo first sang holding a rice paddle in the kitchen, when Kiriya Aoi pushed up her glasses to analyze idol data, when Shibuki Ran made her entrance with the demeanor of the "Beautiful Ice Blade"—our idol dreams were lit up alongside theirs.

As devoted fans of the first generation of Aikatsu!, let's journey back to that starting point filled with starlight and friendship today and relive those moments that made us laugh and moved us!

Starlight Beginnings: Three Girls, Three Radiances

🌸 Hoshimiya Ichigo: The Miracle Girl from Kitchen to Stage

Ichigo's audition scene remains fresh in our memories: Nervous to the point of suffocation, she unexpectedly activated a special effect and an idol aura, passing the Starlight Academy entrance exam together with Aoi. This scene seems to tell us: Everyone has limitless potential, just waiting for a moment to be ignited.

Ichigo's Classic Pink Stage Costume: Perfectly recreates Ichigo's main look during her Soleil period, featuring exquisite bows and a fluffy skirt design.

💙 Kiriya Aoi: The Idol Doctor Shining with Wisdom

While other girls chased their idol dreams by feeling, Kiriya Aoi walked towards the starlight in her own unique way—she was the blue-haired girl known as the "Idol Doctor". Unlike her childhood friend Hoshimiya Ichigo's impulsive decision, Aoi had clear plans and firm determination for her path as an idol.

"I will use scientific methods to become a top idol!"—This unique belief allowed Aoi to carve out her own path at Starlight Academy.

Aoi has been friends with Ichigo since childhood; it was she who guided Ichigo onto the idol path. As a data analysis expert, she could accurately recite every idol's specialties and career history, even predicting their future development directions. This trait, based on rational analysis, was particularly precious in the emotional world of idols.

Aoi's Elegant Blue Stage Costume: Exquisite blue-toned design, perfectly showcasing Aoi's intellectual temperament.

💜 Shibuki Ran: From "Beautiful Ice Blade" to Warm Companion

Shibuki Ran was the exception who broke the "Child Star Curse"! As someone with prior idol work experience before enrolling, she possessed a mature and cool temperament, known as the "Beautiful Ice Blade". Her brown hair, purple eyes, and a composure beyond her years made her stand out prominently among the new students.

Upon first entering the academy, Ran was the lonely child star. Because her former roommate couldn't bear the pressure of idol competition and left the academy, she had been alone. It wasn't until she walked the runway with Ichigo that she finally opened her heart and gained friends like Aoi and Ichigo.This transformation from rivals to cherished friends is one of the most touching aspects of Aikatsu!.

Remember that scene? During the member selection, Ran was chosen for Mizuki's team "Tristar," an opportunity countless idols dreamed of. Yet, in the end, she chose to leave Tristar and form a new unit with Ichigo and Aoi—Soleil (Sun).Behind this decision lay the power of friendship and a clear understanding of her own path.

Ran's Noble Purple Idol Attire: Exquisite purple-themed design, perfectly interpreting the temperament of the "Beautiful Ice Blade".

Starlight Shines: The Birth and Growth of Soleil

The formation of the Soleil unit is one of the most moving chapters in the first generation of Aikatsu!. Three distinctive girls—Ichigo, Aoi, and Ran—formed this unit meaning "Sun" in episode 36.

They grew from initial competitors into each other's most solid partners, facing the challenges and difficulties on the idol path together. Then, in episode 39, Soleil merged with Kanzaki Mizuki's "Tristar" and Arihoshi Otome's "Fuwa Fuwa Pudding" to form the new idol group "STAR☆ANIS", beginning a nationwide tour.

Advanced Starlight: Unique Charms, Each Shining Brightly

💫 Kanzaki Mizuki: The Top Idol Everyone Looks Up To

Speaking of the first generation of Aikatsu!, we must mention the existence that all junior idols looked up to—Kanzaki Mizuki! With her light purple hair in a ponytail and light purple pupils, always wearing a ribbon hair accessory, she was a third-year middle school student at Starlight Academy, a popular hands-on idol who had been active since elementary school.

Mizuki may have seemed naturally beautiful on the surface, but she was actually a hard worker. She saw great potential in Ichigo, caring for her like a guide on her idol path. During the "One Day as Mizuki's Assistant" event, Ichigo and Aoi were fortunate to get close to this top idol and discovered that her achievements weren't innate but gained through relentless effort.

Mizuki possessed a mysterious charm and longed for someone who could rival her. In episode 33, she established a new idol group centered around herself, "Tristar," a decision that caused quite a stir at the time.

Mizuki's Top Idol Gorgeous Dress: Replicates Mizuki's most classic stage look, fully displaying her queenly demeanor.

🦇 Todō Yurika: The Unique Vampire Gothic Lolita

vAnother unforgettable character is the self-proclaimed 600-year-old vampire descendant—Todō Yurika! She debuted with a vampire Gothic Lolita style, claiming to be born between a human and a vampire, carrying an eternal lifespan and searching for a servant to spend time with.

Yurika's setup is particularly interesting: She fears bright sunlight, garlic, and silver items. She likes to use double negatives for affirmation in her speech, for example: "It's not like I can't bless you~" "It's not that I, Yurika, cannot agree~" Revealing her inherently kind nature through her awkward way of speaking.

Although playing the role of a vampire, Yurika is actually a quiet, introverted, and mature person. Because she liked collecting old European toys and dolls as a child, she often lived in a world of fantasy. After encountering the manga Vampire Lover, she fell in love with vampires irrevocably.

This persistence in her character and adherence to her self-style ultimately led to her being chosen by top idol Kanzaki Mizuki, replacing Shibuki Ran and joining the idol group "Tristar" led by Mizuki.

Yurika's Vampire Gothic Lolita Outfit: Exquisite black-toned design, perfectly restoring Yurika's unique style.

Memories That Never Fade

Looking back on the first generation of Aikatsu!, the reason it left such a deep mark on our hearts is that it wasn't just a story about idols; it was a story about friendship, growth, and persevering in dreams.

Each character had her own unique personality and growth trajectory. They weren't perfect, but it was precisely these imperfections that made them feel so real and relatable. Ichigo's optimism, Aoi's earnest effort, Ran's outwardly cold but inwardly warm heart, Mizuki's effort behind the perfection, Yurika's unique persistence... These traits allowed us to see our own shadows in them.

Ten years have passed, and these starlit girls still shine brightly in our hearts. Whenever we hear the songs from Aikatsu! or see that familiar pink bow, we remember the version of ourselves that once believed dreams could definitely come true with hard work.

Now, when we wear the classic costumes of these characters at Nekocos, it's not only an expression of love for the series but also a tribute to those starlit memories and a remembrance of our brave, dream-chasing younger selves.