Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight – Final Review

Back in 2018, I haven’t got the chance to watch Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight. While it took a while to get a chance to watch it, I am so glad that I watched it when I have the chance to it. Besides the pairings, there are plenty things to like about it besides the performances and even the music.

The story focuses on two girls who have a dream. During their childhood, Aijou Karen and Kagura Hikari saw a performance of “Starlight.” After watching it, they promised to do “Starlight” together. About 13 years later, Hikari attends Seisho Music Academy learning theater.

Eventually, Hikari transferred into the school, which causes Karen to become excited. While Karen looked for Hikari, she stumbled down an elevator into a theater. She saw Hikari and another girl on stage, eventually dueling each other in a Revue. Yes, they are participating in the graffe’s auditions to see who will come out to become the top star.

When Karen saw Hikari’s jacket pinned to the wall by one of Junna’s arrow, she had to do something. She jumps in and becomes a Stage Girl to protect Hikari. While Hikari didn’t realize that it could been over for her there, she becomes upset at Karen for interfering. She becomes cold towards her, especially after her failed attempt to protect Karen.

Eventually, Maya defeats Karen for not being prepared enough. While Karen had to chase after Hikari, she eventually mends her relationship with her after remembering the promise. Karen promises that she won’t lose again and confident that they will win together.

I have to admit that the story is very interesting. It’s obvious that Revue Starlight has nothing to do with idols, but closer to Takarazuka Revue, a Japanese female troupe.

Besides the graceful stage performance duels, I have to admit that the story is interesting. It focuses on Karen and Hikari wanting to perform a story called “Starlight,” which is a tragic story of Flora and Claire. They have a faithful encounter of meeting again at the star festival next year. However, when they turned 16, Claire doesn’t remember Flora, but Flora still does. They believe that if they pluck a star, Claire will regain her memories. After struggling against the 6 sinful goddesses, they finally reached for the stars. Sadly, it blinds Flora as she falls from the tower. Claire remembers her memories but is sad that she is no longer with Flora.

Yes, while the story is tragic, it sounds very familiar to what Hikari experienced. Claire takes Hikari’s role as she goes to London and faces a harsh reality of becoming the top star. She eventually loses her brilliance and forgot about the promise.

I have to admit that it was interesting how the show conveys her struggles in a subtle reference to what Claire and Flora faces. Sure, Hikari suffered through a lot in order to become the top star, but it’s obvious that she wants to protect Karen. Yes, from the horrible fate that Flora faced. This is quite evident with Hikari’s initial attempts of locking her in the equipment closet, which failed. Not only that, she acts colds towards her as well. Of course, this is just an act to keep Karen away from these auditions.

While Hikari becomes somewhat broken compared to her cheerful childhood self after losing her shine after the auditions in London, Karen is the complete opposite. Sure, she messes up and lost one of the auditions early on, but she never loses one ever since. I guess besides the last day as Hikari is willing to sacrifice her friend by defeating her to protect her from the tragic ending of “Starlight.” Yes, she even accepts the fate of performing the same scene from that play to grab the star over and over again for months. That is until Karen shows up after finding out where she is.

Overall, there is a strong theme of “being reborn.” The title card, “I am Reborn” (アタシ再生産・あたしさいせいさん) appears as Karen drops from the air before the long transformation scene. Believe it or not, it’s not too surprising since Stage Girls reborn every time they perform. She mentions this while she faces a revue against Nana. This not too surprising since Nana wants to repeat the same performance of “Starlight.” She wants to protect Karen and Hikari from the tragic fate they face.

Even so, it’s obvious where Karen is coming from. After all, given that each performance is never the same, she can simply rewrite the ending. Even after Hikari defeats her again after bringing her back to her senses, she witnesses the rebirth of Karen. She gives what she has to defeat Hikari to show her that the star they always wished upon is their starlight. Yes, not the star they have to reach for or chase after. In a way, the star they are looking for all this time is with each other through their promise. I guess one can say that fate is what allowed them to find the starlight they are looking for.

Aside from that, I have to admit that besides the story, the music and of course the yuri pairings are great. Sure, Hikari and Karen are very close, but we can’t forget all those moments with Maya and Claudine. Despite being rivals, they have a soft spot for each other. They even team up in the semi-final rounds of the auditions. Also, there is of course Futaba and Kaoruko and Junna and Nana as well. The only girl that really received the shaft is Mahiru. Sadly, she lost the fight to win Karen’s heart. Thankfully, she eventually accepts her fate. Maybe someday she will find someone she beloved.

That said, Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight is a very enjoyable show thanks to the interesting plot elements, development of the pairings among other things. Of course, the show doesn’t end there. There is various live performance the voice actresses did in the past. Of course, there is a summary movie that is coming out later this year to the likes of the first two Madoka Magica movies. Aside from the mobile game, I think there is a lot to enjoy if you want to experience more of Revue Starlight besides the anime.