THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS U149

Episode 1

When Can't You See Your Own Face in the Mirror?

Young idol Arisu Tachibana is a member of a production agency, but is waiting to be assigned to a proper unit. She grows increasingly frustrated with how her parents are almost never home due to their long working hours. Meanwhile, the president of the agency pushes for the creation of the 3rd Entertainment Division, which will mainly star younger idols who are still in elementary school. The veteran producers are reluctant to get involved with such an unconventional unit, and instead assign a newly-promoted Producer to manage it. He arrives at the office and meets his idols, including Arisu, Kaoru Ryuzaki, Nina Ichihara, Mirai Akagi, Chie Sasaki, Risa Matoba, Haru Yuuki, Koharu Koga, and Momoka Sakurai. While Arisu initially has no confidence in the Producer, they bond over their mutual fascination with idols and the Producer promises to make a stage for his idols like nobody has seen before.

Episode 2

What says 'I'm Home' even though it's leaving?

Nina arrives at the office with a collection of her kigurumi animal costumes, which she shows off to the others. The Producer then takes the idols to have promotional photos taken. However, Nina refuses to take her kigurumi off, due to feeling insecure without it. After practice, the idols return to the office while the Producer heads off to a meeting, though Nina accidentally leaves one of her kigurumi behind. The idols Shiki Ichinose and Frederica "Fred" Miyamoto find the kigurumi and decide to return it. Meanwhile, the Producer returns to the office where the idols are looking for the missing kigurumi. The Producer and Arisu accompany Nina through the city looking for it until Shiki and Fred catch up with them. Nina reveals she feels wearing kigurumi is the only way to get people to notice her due to her parents usually being away for work. The Producer assures her that it is her personality that attracts people, and promises to make her an idol so her father can listen to her no matter where in the world he is. The Producer later tells the other idols that he intends for all of them to debut as a group, and they take the opportunity to take a group photo.

Episode 3

What Sinks in the Ocean and Doesn't Get Wet?

The Producer attempts to secure a venue for his idols to perform at, but everybody he meets is reluctant to host a unit consisting solely of elementary schoolers. Arisu and some of the other idols begin to become skeptical of the Producer's ability to secure work. When the Producer notices that Miria and a few other of the idols are big fans of the show Sugar-Min TV, hosted by idols Abe Nana and Shin Satou at the same agency, he has the idea to have his idols collaborate with Sugar-Min TV to gain some publicity. The idols film some segments with the hosts, but Shin accidentally turns on her livestream while showing her setup to Miria. Seeing how Miria is instantly popular with the stream audience, Shin plays along and continues the stream. Despite being chastised by his section chief, the Producer is ultimately proud of Miria finding the courage to livestream. Afterwards, thanks to the publicity from the videos, the 3rd Entertainment Division begins gaining more followers and securing job requests.

Episode 4

What Flies With Broken Wings?

Momoka is invited to star on a variety show where if contestants get a quiz answer wrong, they must go bungee jumping as a punishment game. While the Producer tells the other idols that Momoka, who has a refined and polite demeanor, was selected due to being the least likely to bungee jump, in reality she was chosen because her family's business, the Sakurai Group, sponsors the show. Suspicious of the Producer's motives, Arisu decides to accompany him and Momoka to the filming of the show. Arisu is shocked to learn that the entire show is scripted, and that Momoka is able to perform as a skilled actress as well. However, Momoka herself has doubts about how to act like a "normal person". When Momoka hesitates to bungee jump, the Producer offers to go first, and Momoka is reassured to know that even adults can show fear. She then performs the bungee jump with ease and is able to maintain her composure, which impresses her fans, and she tells the Producer she became an idol because she wants to spread her feelings of love to her audience. Some time later, the idols watch the finished episode and praise Momoka, while the group gains some new followers.

Episode 5

What's Really High But Underground?

Risa begins to get anxious when she sees Momoka's idol prospects advancing ahead of her own. She presses the Producer for some work, and he's able to find the opportunity for her to audition for the lead role in an upcoming movie. As Risa tries to improve her acting skills, the Producer provides her with an audition plan and, per her request, promises to reward her if she secures the role. While Risa is not chosen for the lead role, she is instead offered a supporting one, and accepts it. Despite this, Risa still blames herself for not being good enough, and fears she will let down her dad, whose attention she values greatly, to the extent she claims she wishes it were legal to marry him. Meanwhile, the Producer consults with his sister over how to help Risa, and decides on involving the other idols to help her prepare for her role. After filming is complete, Risa has the Producer invite all of the other idols to watch the film together.

Episode 6

What Gets Cooler The Hotter It Gets?

The Producer enlists Haru and Risa as replacement backup dancers for one of the agency's other idol groups, LiPPS. However, the assignment is on short notice, meaning the two have to learn the dance choreography before the weekend. During practice, they have a brief encounter with Shiki before the Producer arrives with the costumes. However, Haru is opposed to wearing wearing cute or girly outfits, preferring tomboy-ish and cool clothes, and gets into an argument with Risa before storming off. The Producer goes after her, and she reveals to him that her father forced her to join the agency in an effort to make her dress and act more like a stereotypical girl. When Haru asks what the appeal of being an idol is, the Producer shows her a recording of a LiPPS concert. While inspired by the concert, Haru is still reluctant to wear a dress, so the Producer wears a skirt himself to put her at ease. She finally pushes through her discomfort and agrees to wear the outfit, though she is allowed to wear compression shorts underneath. Despite being nervous, Haru is able to perform her part in the concert, and becomes excited at the thought of becoming an idol, with Shiki challenging her to catch up to her level. The Producer then promises to Haru that she can perform at the girls' own concert next.

Episode 7

What Speaks Without a Voice?

Koharu, a girl who dreams of becoming a princess, loves staring up at starry skies and hoping she can bring happiness to others in the world. One day, she gets offered an idol job with her very best friend - an iguana named Hyou-kun. At this first job of hers, Koharu is feeling light-hearted and frivolous. However, she seems to get lost in the frivolousness of it all.

Episode 8

What Do You Put On To Be Beautiful?

Tsukasa Kiryu, the charismatic high school CEO, is planning to release children's clothes for her brand. Chie, Miria, and Koharu were selected to partake in the runway event and they're fully motivated to dress up in stylishly mature clothing. Chie, however, was secretly too hesitant to wear those cute clothes. As she hides her nervousness and helps with the preparations, Tsukasa lets out a shrill scream!? They rushed over to her side, only to find Tsukasa accidentally spilled her coffee over the outfits they were about to wear..

Episode 9

What Has Its Face Come Out When it's Warm?

Today, Kaoru is full of energy and is doing her homework for her summer vacation picture diary with Arisu. However, there are so many things she likes to do such as... singing, cooking, flowers, omurice, etc. that she finds it hard to decide on a theme. Kaoru is at a loss, but the Producer suggests that she should enjoy "summer" to her heart's content!? To fully enjoy summer, the idols are having a blast in the great outdoors. Unable to hold back any longer, Kaoru takes Arisu's hand and runs outside to make memories of their summer vacation!.

Episode 10

What Color Gets Bigger the More You Bring It Together?

Episode 11

What's the Difference Between Grown-Ups and Kids?

Episode 12

What Can't Be Seen When It's Bright Out, but Can Be Seen When It's Nighttime?