The Best Episodes Directed By Kazuo Sakai

With Tousai dead and lord Teyasu's ninja scroll lost to the Iga, the plan to rip the Kouga apart unnoticed is slowly falling apart. With her dying words, Okoi tells Saemon the registry's true location. Determined to make it out alive, Saemon will hold up his ruse long enough to walk out with the scroll in his hands and take vengeance for his sister's death along the way.

In March, at the age of 17, Nina drops out of high school and moves to Tokyo on her own. She's completely lost in the big city. She was encouraged to come here after hearing a certain song she found online. The day she arrives, Nina meets the street musician who plays that song.

Nina and the others arrive at an outdoor music festival. It's a huge venue, and the large stage gets them pumped. Diamond Dust takes the stage and they've gotten better since their last show. Nina and the band absolutely cannot lose. They're going to leave their mark. It's the start of their performance of a lifetime.

As always, Nina's having a hard time focusing on her studies, but she finds herself having to go to Subaru's school to deliver Subaru's phone. After having a heart to heart, they start opening up to each other. Soon after, the trio set out to put on their first live show as a band.

In the battle of the bands against Diamond Dust, Nina's band's ticket sales have not even reached half of their sales projection. Meanwhile, Diamond Dust sold out their tickets. The harsh reality comes crashing down. Even then, Nina and the band stay true themselves and begin to play their song.

Tomo and Rupa join Nina, Subaru, and Momoka, making a five-member band. Momoka informs the rest of an upcoming show they could play, but the five members have such different personalities that it doesn't look like they'd ever come together. Nina and Momoka have different feelings about the band, and they begin the show while their relationship remains strained.

Lelouch learns that the Chinese Empress Tianzi is being forced into a political marriage to First Prince Odysseus u Britannia. The wedding is orchestrated by the High Eunuchs, who will become nobility in Britannia in exchange for turning over half their land to Second Prince Schneizel el Britannia. As the wedding begins, Li Xingke initiates a coup-d'état to overthrow the Eunuchs, but before he can free the Empress, Lelouch appears and takes her hostage. Elsewhere, V.V. prepares to unleash Jeremiah Gottwald against Lelouch and C.C.

Lelouch successfully escapes with Empress Tianzi and the Black Knights attempt to unite with their Indian allies. Desperate to recover the Empress, the Eunuchs agree to forgive Li Xingke if he rescues her. To that end, he is granted use of the powerful Shenhu. Kallen intercepts him with the Guren Flight-Enabled Version, but its power runs out and she is taken hostage. Lelouch swears to rescue her, despite Diethard Reid's suggestion to retreat. Xingke demonstrates his skill as a strategist, forcing the Black Knights to retreat to a mountainside monument constructed as the tomb for the former Tianzi, hoping the Federation would be hesitant to attack. The Eunuchs turn on Xingke and his troops, having enlisted the aid of the Britannian forces. Meanwhile, another Lelouch is present at the Ashford Academy.

The girls learn the idol festival, 'Love Live!' is going to be held, and immediately set their sights on performing. The girls are permitted by the director they can perform if they do not fail their final exams.

µ's cancels its school festival concert after Honoka collapses. Honoka learns the group has been revoked from entry into Love Live. However, due to their success, the school is going to admit new students next year.