Episode 13: For the Sake of Smiling

As Tsubasa recalls some things Atsuko taught her, the understudies, along with the successors, request that they resume the concert. Just then, everyone hears the voice of Atsuko, whose light brings the concert to the detention center. As Chieri offers Nagisa the chance to sing, she gets her voice back upon seeing her family support her and Chieri's Kirara splits in two. The understudies' group performance soon begins, with everyone bathed in a radiant glow as they perform. As Minami fights to protect the understudies from the DES, the Kirara in the holy grounds choose her as Takamina's successor once more, whilst Sensei-Sensei prophesises that one of the understudies will become the next Center Nova. The camerawoman, who was the former successor of Minami Minegishi, predicted that if they glowed brighter, they would disappear. But didn't at the last minute, she falls on her feet, wondering about the Center Nova. She discovers that the substance called 'Dualium' is the reason why the Center Nova phenomena occurred. After a brief reunion with their family, friends and fans, AKB set off to their next stage. After the end credits, it is shown that there a new general election for Maeda Atsuko the 14th. Also saying that season 2 will start in 2013