Alice Academy Season 1 Episode 5 The Star-Class is Tough
- November 27, 2004
Alice Academy is a Japanese anime television series adapted from a manga series called Gakuen Alice, written and illustrated by Tachibana Higuchi. The show follows the story of a young girl named Mikan Sakura, who possesses a rare and powerful ability known as an "Alice." She is invited to attend a special school for students with these special abilities, known as Alice Academy.
In episode 5 of Alice Academy season 1, titled "The Star-Class is Tough," the school's hierarchy is explored in more depth. The Star-Class is a group of students with the most powerful Alices, and they are considered to be the most talented and intelligent students at the school. The episode begins with Mikan and her best friend Hotaru Imai exploring the school grounds when they accidentally stumble upon a secret underground area where the Star-Class students are training.
The girls watch in amazement as the Star-Class students, including a young boy named Natsume Hyuuga, demonstrate their incredible abilities. Natsume's Alice is the ability to control fire, and he is considered to be one of the strongest Alices at the school. However, it is quickly revealed that the Star-Class students are not necessarily the most well-liked students at the school. In fact, many of the other students fear and envy them, as they are seen as untouchable and above the rest.
Mikan and Hotaru decide to try and befriend the Star-Class students, but quickly realize that they are not welcome. The other students are dismissive and arrogant, and they quickly make it clear that they do not care for the company of Mikan and Hotaru. Despite this, Mikan is determined to get to know the Star-Class students better, believing that they may hold the key to uncovering the mysteries of the school.
As the episode progresses, Mikan becomes more and more curious about the Star-Class and their abilities. She learns that their success is not only due to their natural talent, but also because they receive special treatment and privileges from the school staff. Mikan becomes frustrated with the unfairness of it all, and decides to take matters into her own hands.
The episode culminates in a showdown between Mikan and Natsume, where Mikan challenges him to a duel to prove that she is just as skilled as any of the Star-Class students. Despite her best efforts, Mikan is no match for Natsume's powerful Alice and is quickly defeated. However, in that moment, Natsume begins to see Mikan in a new light, recognizing that she possesses a unique talent that he has never seen before.
Overall, the episode "The Star-Class is Tough" highlights the social hierarchy at the Alice Academy and the struggles that come with trying to fit in. The Star-Class students may be the most powerful, but they are also the most isolated and misunderstood. Mikan's determination to break down these barriers and befriend the Star-Class students is admirable, and sets her on a path to uncovering the hidden truths of the school.