HIKARU IN THE LIGHT! (VOLUME 2)

Rivalries heat up as a Japanese amateur singer strives to master her skills quickly.

Hikaru and Ran have made it past auditions and are officially in the running for a fresh, performance-focused idol group. They find themselves among 40 girls who have two days to prove their singing and dancing skills before half the group is eliminated. Hikaru, who’s never danced professionally, watches closely as the other girls audition and uses her observations of both their talents and deficiencies to inform her own performance. Meanwhile, Ran is trying to figure out how to distinguish herself after failing to stand out in her previous idol group. After an intense elimination, the 20 remaining girls are grouped into teams, with amateurs working alongside veteran performers to prove their ability to take critique, improve their talents, and save themselves from elimination. This second entry in the manga series, originally published in Japan, focuses heavily on the philosophical underpinnings of creative performance, highlighting talent, tension, and the drive to excel. Other competitors are introduced and given more distinct personalities, including Kaede, a former backup dancer for another idol group, and Hikaru’s bold, encouraging roommate, Amina. Older mentors for the group provide voices of wisdom and encourage Hikaru to reflect on what really makes her performances shine. Hikaru’s roommate and vocal coach both have brown skin.

The thrill of competition takes the spotlight in this intense series installment.