I am struggling in the same point but the thing is not my story progress but my character. I am stuch on 14-15AG and 9-10ST and I can't move any higher. But basically at this point you have to do movies - its long endurance fights where if you win more fights you get more fame and when you reach certain fame you will fight for Chapmionship Titlte position. Its good if you invest in that fame boost stuff - NOT the activities but the stuff in the right part of the screen. You will see it when you see it lol. So yeah - grind that movie stuff where you beat aliens and pirates.

I just ended up doing a lot of parties to get repuation; The movies were a lot harder than the bosses.

Yes but with them you get skill points.

I found bag at thise part of the game. All you need to get 20 main stat 1st (you can use chimecals), then you fight in movie, get money/stars/exp , eat pizza in restorant for healing and repeat process. And you dont waste time for all that actions if you pay for bus, so your stats dont melt.