Kaleido Star (カレイドスター)

Hey, everyone, Kaleido Star is about to start,

so make sure that your room is brightly lit

and that you're not sitting too close to the TV, all right?

Let's go!

Kaleido Stage.

It is a place where lighting and sound can create

what seems to be magic.

To many, it is the best theatre in the world,

the place that first captured their hearts and let them dream.

Once upon a time, there was a girl who aspired to be

part of this theatre...

Help! Help me!

Help me! Help me!

Help me!

Help me!

I am so sorry!

Allow me to introduce myself.

I am the spirit of the stage, The Fool.

I will be your guide today, as I bring you up-to-date

on Sora Naegino's short but remarkable career.

She came from Japan, aspiring to be part of Kaleido Stage.

I'm finally here!

Sixteen year-old Sora had arrived.

...and become a big huge mega superstar!

I can, I shall, I will!

She came with such high hopes,

but a run of bad luck threatened to shatter her dreams forever.

She used her strong will

and athletic abilities to stop the thief.

Poor guy.

Finally, Sora arrived at Kaleido Stage for her audition.

Oh, no, I can't believe I'm so late.

Oh thank God I'm here.

Uh, and you are...?

Uh, my name is Sora Naegino, sir.

I apologize for my tardiness.

Oh, I'm sorry Miss, but the auditions have already ended.

Huh?

But I came all the way

from Japan just to be in these auditions.

Huh? Well, perhaps we have time for one more performer.

Oh, thank you so much.

You won't regret this, I-

No.

Oh, uh, Miss Layla.

The auditions are over.

Layla Hamilton, I can't believe it's really her.

Uh, but wait, there's a reason I'm late!

Don't you know that

a stage production always starts on time?

But, I-

Go back home.

No, wait, you don't even know what I can do, yet!

Miss Layla, please! I absolutely, positively,

just really want to join the Kaleido Stage!

Oh, please, Miss Layla.

I made a promise to my parents,

that if I failed today, then I'd quit.

Sora could feel her dreams slipping away.

If they wouldn't see her audition,

she could never even hope to be a Kaleido Star.

The show is starting soon,

would you like to come and see it?

Huh? Is that okay?

Well, it's the least I could do for you,

since you came all this way.

Wow, thank you.

Oh, by the way, I'm Ken.

So Ken took Sora backstage to watch the show.

And that's when...

Hey look out!

She ended up injuring one of the cast members.

By accident of course.

Then someone unexpected showed up.

The boss.

The boss?

You will fill the role.

I-I...

She was actually going to appear on stage.

But when the show started,

she didn't know whether to be elated or terrified.

Lookout!

Oh, Sora.

No! I can't do it!

I can't perform!

I'm gonna fail.

Huh?

That's right.

I can't say that I can't do it.

I can do it.

I can do it.

Miss Rabbit!

I can't see below.

Sora!

Move it!

Yuri?

Just keep smiling until the end.

Okay.

And so the show ended.

Sora had her chance to appear on stage after all, but...

You're a naive little girl.

Don't you understand that by now?

Yeah.

There's no place for you here.

Yeah.

Sora knew she hadn't performed well.

And now it looked like her first performance at Kaleido Stage

was destined to be her last.

Sora!

Huh?

Boss said that you passed!

You're passing an unknown amateur

who didn't even audition?

Some day, the audience

will come here just to see this little girl perform.

Now that the owner of Kaleido Stage recognized her talent,

she was allowed into the company.

Still, many more excruciating ordeals were in store for her.

Hmm.

The Golden Phoenix.

Uh, good morning.

Yeah, if you like cleaning that much, you can go ahead

and do all of ours while you're at it.

Huh?

The company didn't like

that she'd been admitted under special circumstances.

And on top of that,

Layla Hamilton made a demand of her own.

Well, I didn't- I didn't mean...

Go ahead then... Why don't show us your Golden Phoenix?

The Golden Phoenix-

an extremely difficult maneuver only Layla could do.

...I won't acknowledge your presence here.

You don't belong on the stage.

All right then. I'll do it!

I'll show you that I can do the Golden Phoenix!

Really? I will look forward to it.

Show me in a week,

but if you can't do it

after claiming so boldly that you could,

you will leave here immediately.

Fine.

And so Sora's fight to gain

the company's acceptance at Kaleido Stage began.

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

If you fall, make sure you land on your back. All right?

You don't have enough momentum! Just let go!

Whew.

During the day she studied, and at night she trained.

With this rigorous schedule, she soon found it impossible

to hide her fatigue from those around her.

Check her out.

She really must be working hard.

Sora!

We brought you something!

We know you haven't eaten anything.

And so, Sora's hard work even won her the friendship

of some of her colleagues.

I can't believe she's really doing it.

If only she could grab that bar!

No, not yet.

She still can't keep a beautiful pose in the air.

Even before she catches the bar,

what she is doing can't be called a Golden Phoenix.

Go, Sora!

By tomorrow... It has to be perfect it by tomorrow.

The day of Sora's test had finally arrived.

I cannot wait to see

what kind of Golden Phoenix she's going to show us.

I know.

I've gotta do it. I must believe!

It was foolhardy for her even to attempt it.

But would Sora be able to complete the Golden Phoenix

and stay at Kaleido Stage after all?

Her audience waited in breathless anticipation.

Sora's entire future depended on this moment.

This was a once in a lifetime gamble.

The one I need to aim for is not the bar.

My aim is my love.

My aim is Romeo.

And then...

Then I'll be Juliet!

The Golden Phoenix!

She did it!

Oh my G-

Sora, are you all right?

Yes, thank you.

You're really something.

Oh, Layla.

You didn't get the last part right,

but it was definitely the Golden Phoenix.

You deserve credit for pulling it off.