THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS U149: Season 1, Episode 10 - What Color Gets Bigger the More You Bring It Together? (2023)

The episode begins with the producer holding a major meeting at the entertainment office about a new idol project. The decision is made to form a new idol group, and the producer is assigned to manage it. Arisu Tachibana, one of the idols, initially misunderstands the producer's intentions and threatens to request a change of producer, feeling that he does not know her well enough to support her dream. The producer reassures her that he is serious and will do everything properly to help her, clearing up the misunderstanding. Most of the idols, except Lisa and Arisu, welcome the producer's involvement, but Arisu still does not fully trust him.

After dance lessons with the group, Arisu and the producer have a conversation about their dreams. The producer shares his dream of creating a sparkling idol, and Arisu, feeling a step closer to her own dream, playfully tells him to dress properly if he is going to say such things. She then goes home and falls asleep singing "Cinderella" to herself, showing her emotional connection to her aspirations.

Meanwhile, Nina Ichihara is searching for doll clothes while greeting people she knows on the street. She runs into a childhood friend in the park, whose mother expresses relief that Nina is no longer always alone. At the same time, Shiki and Frederica appear wearing doll clothes on their heads and sneak behind the producer and Arisu. They move to a flower bed far away and watch them. When Arisu notices Shiki and calls out, both the producer and Nina are surprised to see Shiki and her doll clothes.

The producer then informs the idols that their group has officially received the name "U149," referencing that all members are under 149 centimeters tall. While the other idols are excited about the name, Arisu feels conflicted about her future as an idol and the difference between children and adults.

Later, the producer meets with the idols' parents to discuss their idol debuts. When he meets Arisu's parents, they reveal that Arisu never mentioned her debut to them. The other idols warn the producer that Arisu has gone missing. The producer finds Arisu on the office roof, where she admits she is afraid to talk about being an idol to her parents because she fears they will reject her dream. The producer breaks down crying, feeling helpless, which helps Arisu realize that there is little difference between kids and adults.

That night, Arisu tells her parents about her determination to become an idol. Her parents decide to fully support her decision. The next day, Arisu resolves to be more honest with both herself and the producer.

The episode also features a subplot with Koharu Koga, who brings her pet iguana Hyou-kun to the office. She talks about her dream of becoming a princess and calls Hyou-kun her knight. The producer tells her about a job involving an event where the public can interact with rare animals, and Koharu happily agrees to participate. After the event, Koharu follows a butterfly into a large park next door and goes missing. The producer and the other girls search for her and discover that attendees have bought identical plushies modeled after Hyou-kun, adding to the challenge of finding her.

Throughout the episode, the themes of trust, honesty, and the challenges of growing up and pursuing dreams are explored through the interactions between the producer and the idols, especially Arisu. The episode ends with the group continuing to bond and move forward together under the name U149.

Short, Simple Narrative of the Ending

At the end of episode 10, the U149 girls, inspired by their beach vacation photos, excitedly ask their Producer for a concert, hoping to debut with a new song. The Producer, encouraged by the president, brings them a new song, but the section chief remains unconvinced and refuses to approve a concert. The girls overhear the argument, realizing the Producer is struggling for their sake. Despite the setback, their determination to perform together grows stronger, and the episode closes with the group united in hope and resolve, even as the path to their debut remains uncertain.

Expanded, Chronological, Scene-by-Scene Narrative

The episode opens with the U149 girls back at their office, reminiscing over photos from their recent beach vacation. The images spark a lively discussion--they recall the fun they had, the bonds they strengthened, and the sense of belonging they felt as a group. This shared memory ignites a collective desire: they want to hold their own concert, to debut as idols together, to show the world what they can do. Their excitement is palpable; they chatter, laugh, and imagine what their concert might look like, their voices overlapping with hope and anticipation.

The Producer enters, and the girls immediately turn to him, their eyes bright with expectation. He reveals that the president has given them a new song, a tangible sign that their dreams might be within reach. The room erupts in cheers--this must mean they're getting a concert, right? The girls' faces light up; they hug each other, some jumping in place, others clapping their hands. For a moment, it feels like anything is possible.

But the mood shifts when the section chief arrives. The Producer, emboldened by the girls' enthusiasm and the president's support, makes his case for a concert. He speaks earnestly, listing their progress, their teamwork, their potential. The section chief, however, remains unmoved. He questions the group's readiness, cites concerns about their age and experience, and ultimately denies the request. The Producer's shoulders slump; his expression tightens with frustration and disappointment. The girls, who have been listening from just outside the door, exchange worried glances. They see the Producer's struggle, the weight of responsibility on his face, and the way his voice falters as he tries to argue their case.

The argument between the Producer and the section chief grows tense. The Producer's voice rises in desperation, while the section chief's tone remains firm, almost dismissive. The girls, now silent, press closer to the door, their earlier excitement replaced by concern. They can hear every word, every hesitation, every moment of doubt. They realize that the Producer is fighting for them, that he believes in them even when others do not.

After the section chief leaves, the Producer stands alone in the office, his back to the door. The girls hesitate, then quietly enter. They don't say anything at first; instead, they gather around him, their presence a silent show of support. The Producer turns to face them, his eyes tired but warm. He doesn't offer empty promises or false hope. Instead, he tells them the truth: the road ahead won't be easy, but he'll keep trying. The girls nod, their expressions a mix of determination and gratitude. They're not giving up--not on their dream, and not on each other.

The episode ends with the U149 group standing together, their hands joined. They may not have a concert yet, but they have something just as important: unity, friendship, and the courage to keep moving forward. The final shot lingers on their faces--resolute, hopeful, and ready to face whatever comes next.

Fate of Each Main Character at the End of the Episode

• Producer: Despite the setback, he remains committed to supporting the girls. He is visibly affected by the section chief's refusal but refuses to let his disappointment show in front of the group. His determination to help them debut is undiminished, and he resolves to keep fighting for their chance.
• U149 Girls (as a group): Their initial excitement is tempered by the reality of the situation, but their bond is stronger than ever. They are united in their desire to perform and debut together, and they draw strength from each other's presence. No individual girl takes center stage in this episode's resolution; it is the group's collective hope and resolve that define the ending.
• Section Chief: He remains an obstacle, unconvinced of the group's potential and unwilling to approve their concert. His decision casts a shadow over the episode, but it also serves to unite the girls and the Producer in their shared goal.

The episode does not resolve the central conflict--the girls' debut remains uncertain--but it deepens the emotional connections between the characters and underscores their shared determination to overcome obstacles together.

Yes, THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS U149 Season 1, Episode 10 ("What Color Gets Bigger the More You Bring It Together?") does have a post-credits scene. In this scene, the Producer reveals four additional members to the group, hinting at future developments and possibly more idols joining the project later on.

In episode 10, Nina loses her doll clothes, which causes her to cry when the producer returns to the office. The producer and Aris try to find the doll clothes by retracing Nina's steps, but since the location is far from the lesson room, the producer lets the children go home early and decides to search for the clothes himself. Shiki and Frederica also get involved, visiting the 3rd Entertainment Department office to return the doll clothes but find no one there, then go looking for the children, sensing Nina is upset.

In episode 10, the producer meets Arisu's parents to discuss her idol debut, but they reveal Arisu never told them about it. Arisu goes missing, wandering the city lost in thought about her fears of being honest with her parents. The producer finds her on the office roof, where she admits her fear of rejection. After the producer's emotional breakdown, Arisu realizes the similarity between kids and adults. That night, she tells her parents about her determination to become an idol, and they decide to fully support her.

The producer informs the idols that their group has officially been named 'U149,' which refers to all members being under 149 centimeters tall. While most idols are excited about the name, Arisu feels conflicted about her future as an idol and the difference between being a kid and an adult.

Koharu brings her pet iguana Hyou-kun to the office and talks about her dream of becoming a princess, calling Hyou-kun her knight. The producer tells her about a job at an event where the public can interact with rare animals, which excites Koharu. After the event, Koharu follows a butterfly into a large park and goes missing. The producer and the girls search for her and discover that attendees have bought identical plushies modeled after Hyou-kun, raising the question of whether Koharu will be found and fulfill her princess dream.

Shiki and Frederica visit the 3rd Entertainment Department office to return the doll clothes but find no one there. Shiki smells the doll clothes Nina left behind and decides to look for the children, sensing Nina is emotionally distressed. Later, they appear wearing doll clothes on their heads and sneak behind the producer and Aris, then go to a flower bed far away to observe them, which surprises the producer and Nina when they see Shiki with the doll clothes.

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS U149, Season 1, Episode 10 is generally considered family-friendly and suitable for teens, with a TV-14 rating in the United States and a PG-13 rating on MyAnimeList, indicating it is appropriate for viewers aged 13 and older.

There are no reported scenes involving explicit sex, nudity, violence, gore, profanity, or drug/alcohol use in this episode or the series overall. The content focuses on the aspirations and challenges of young aspiring idols, emphasizing themes of friendship, teamwork, and personal growth.

Potentially sensitive aspects for very young children or sensitive viewers might include:

• Emotional moments involving conflict or disappointment, as the characters face setbacks and challenges in their idol activities.
• Mild tension or arguments related to the characters' efforts to organize a concert and gain approval from authority figures.
• Some scenes may involve the stress and pressure of performing and pursuing dreams, which could be emotionally intense but not frightening or graphic.

No scenes are known to be frightening, intense, or otherwise upsetting beyond typical slice-of-life drama suitable for early teens and older.

In summary, the episode is appropriate for family viewing with children aged 13 and above, with no objectionable content or upsetting scenes beyond mild emotional drama typical of the genre.