Uta no Prince-sama Maji Love 2000% Ep 3: "MAXIMUM MANLINESS!"

Impression:
“MAXIMUM MANLINESS!” Indeed! Syo looked mighty fine today!!!
Very cute episode this week. I really liked that they followed up to Syo’s mission last season about how he had overcome his fear of heights and today it was all about reaching the other side of the jump. I liked that it was a calmer episode and that it finally gave us STARISH’s mission for the season: The Uta Pri Award.
Shinning told them that in order to become true idols, the best way to ensure that they don’t end up like fireworks (sparkling for one second, fading the next) they should aim to obtain the Uta Pri Award. This award is something that will take them to the next level of their professional careers. However they all must do their parts and more during their individual tasks. Today we were able to see Syo’s latest job, featuring as a guest star in his favorite series Prince of Fighting with Hyuga (his idol and inspiration) as the lead. I was so happy for Syo because he worked so hard to overcome his fear of heights from last season and that he is able to fulfill his dream of working alongside Hyuga.
It really stung when Hyuga came off harsh in the beginning (understandably so for Syo’s sake but… at least he apologized when they were finished), but I loved that Syo handled it so well and so professionally (I mean, how many series have we seen where the character works with their idol and they are really excited, and then they are given a cold shoulder or were just nasty to them and then it negatively influenced their work because they let it get to them?) it makes me very proud of him.
I actually thought that Natsuki was going to help him accomplish reaching the other side by chasing him (since we all know that Syo runs like his life depends on it when Natsuki is trying to catch him). Turns out no, it was Haruka who brought out Syo’s MAXIMUM MANLINESS (as he calls it) after she slid off the edge while having crawled back to grab his bag and he made it across. Actually you know what, that was probably Syo’s manliness scene yet. The way he caught her and then held her in his arms, it was a beautiful corny moment.
Now Nanami, god… Please understand, I don’t hate nor do I dislike her- but really- sometimes I just… I don’t even know! I naturally can’t stand klutz characters, they drive me nuts and then throw in the extra exaggeration to the scene, yeah-and it’s to be expected in this show- that is the kind of show this is and I don’t mind it, but today just… Major eye-roller that’s all.Nanami was very cute though! She looked especially adorable with Syo’s hat and her reaction about his mission to start his own fanclub (little does he know it already exists).
While things are definitely looking good right now (since they have finally laid out the general plan for this season), there is only one thing that has caught my attention and I’m being very wary about. Cecil obviously going to be playing a huge role this season, and the only thing I am concerned about right now is whether he will be the one hogging the spotlight this time. Last season it was Tokiya, this season it might be about Cecil because we know that he isn’t actually interested in the idol industry. He doesn’t care nor does he have the passion or motivation for it right now (which could potentially jeopardize their chances of obtaining the Uta Pri award). So with that said, I wouldn’t be surprised if over the course of the next few episodes, we see a bit of all the boy’s individual jobs and then we Cecil reflect on that and his own actions.