The Best Episodes Directed By Ryoji Masuyama

▶▶ Pod 042 and Pod 153 - Joint Report: Pod 042 Report: The rampant entity ＜Adam＞ was hacked by 9S, intercepted by the Resistance, and was bombarded with support fire from the Bunker. It was ■■■■ ―――Communication error――― ―――Communication error――― ―――Communication with Pod 042 is being restored 12 seconds until restoration――― ―――Communication with Pod 153 is being restored 15 seconds until restoration――― Pod 042 to Pod 153: Temporary communication error occurred due to large-scale ground and air attacks. Currently undergoing restoration processes. Pod 153 to Pod 042: Same failure for this unit confirmed. No abnormalities in recording systems. Pod 042 to Pod 153: Agreed. Currently, there are no system abnormalities in this unit. Continuing to carry out investigation mission and recording of 2B, target of this unit’s accompanying support. Pod 153 to Pod 042: Agreed. This unit will also carry out missions and record 9S.

The Ao High boys are forbidden from using the university mat unless they pass all their midterms?! Theirs is the only school with this policy, but the story of why goes back to the team's founding three years ago...

▶▶ Report: Pod 042 5012 AD. Lifeforms otherwise known as ＜Aliens＞ begin their invasion of Earth. Since mankind escaped to the moon, the ground battle between the ＜androids＞ created by humans and the ＜Machine Lifeforms＞ created by the Aliens has continued for a long time. This craft is the accompanying support unit entitled ＜Pod 042＞. In the 243rd Descent Operation held March 10, 11945, this unit will support Android ＜2B＞ of the ＜YoRHa Soldiers＞. Thereafter, this unit will report regular mission status in tandem with ＜Pod 153＞, the unit supporting YoRHa Aircraft Solider ＜9S＞ in this joint operation.

The girls attend 'The Big Talent Agency Sports Competition' where idols groups from various agencies compete in games.

With construction proceeding on the new lab, Makoto enjoys LA in the company of Eddie's enforcer, and Pola Dickens sets her sights on him.

Both sides prepare for a fateful meeting in Tokyo, with Laurent and Makoto acting as translators. Everything depends on Makoto's choice.

Having seized Gran Crevasse, emissaries are sent out to demand the surrender of the klaxosaurs' leader. Meanwhile, the Nines visit Squad 13, and there a shocking discovery is made.

Determined to rebuild his life, Makoto parts ways with the team and returns to Japan. He lands a job, but doesn't know what he's gotten himself into.

It is the Christmas season and Haruka wants to celebrate a Christmas Eve party with everyone at 765 Production, just like last year. But with the idols' new fame, all of the girls are busy attending and performing at TV shows, variety shows, holiday or Christmas specials on Christmas Eve. Most of them might not make it in time...

The trio of Rika, Miria, and Kirari make their debut as Dekorationt and even do a tie-in with the fashion brand Pika Pika Pop. The unit does fine with a PR event, but Producer feels they can involve the audience more. While thinking of ways to do just that, the trio takes a breather in Harajuku, but when Producer gets separated from them, both sides look in all the wrong places for each other. The clock is ticking too, since the next event starts soon, so never mind engaging the audience, Dekoration may miss the whole thing!

With the fall fest finished, the Cinderella Project members have ascended another stair. But when Uzuki suffers a crisis of confidence, she tells Producer that she wants to go back to the basics and subsequently returns to training school. Feeling that something is off, Producer frequently visits Uzuki at the school to keep an eye on her, but she sticks to her usual line of "I'll do my best." Producer doesn't think Uzuki is heading in the right direction, so he sets up a Christmas concert for New Generations and entreats her to re-enter the fold there. However, Uzuki doesn't show any enthusiasm for the plan. When Producer tells Rin and Mio about Uzuki's condition, they become anxious and go to the training school to see how she really feels. They find that Uzuki has lost her former dazzling smile...