Aggressive Retsuko (ONA) 3rd Season

The first two seasons of Aggretsuko are, to put it shortly, excellent. It's amazing the amount of effort that was put into making what could've easily just been a marketing vehicle into a funny, relatable anime with characters who are so much more than merchandise bait (though, trust me, they're all keychain-worthy). Of course I was excited for this third season, though there was this nagging feeling in the back of my brain about some of the stranger elements of the trailer I'd seen. An idol group subplot joining the story of a workplace comedy seems like the type of thing that a show that's "jumping the shark" turns to.

I've never been so happy to be so wrong.

This season of Aggretsuko incorporates music much more seriously into the plot - and I mean that both in terms of literal music, AND some characters having to "face the music." A chance encounter gives Retsuko the opportunity to explore and really think about what she's meant to be doing in life in her mid-20s. Meanwhile, Fenneko firmly tells Haida that it's time for him to "grow a pair" in the first episode of this season, and a cute new coworker forces him to take action beyond crushing on Retsuko from afar and decide if he wants to continue pursuing her - and if so, why?

The idol storyline is handled exceptionally well. It touches upon the highs and lows of the idol industry, including the unfortunate seedy parts that a lot of idol anime wouldn't dare to touch upon. It is incredibly impressive how this comedy not only decided to take on these issues, but handles them in such a mature way. (The last few episodes of this season take a surprisingly dark turn, though not in an overbearingly grim way.)

As per usual, the only thing I can really complain about with Aggretsuko is that it's so good yet so short. I watched the whole third season in one sitting, as I've done with the previous two. And, seeing what the writers and production team were capable of this season, I would hate for it to be the last. As such, I'm very likely to purchase Aggretsuko merchandise in order to show my support.

Perhaps Aggretsuko is really a giant marketing vehicle; but, if it is, it's the smartest one I've ever seen.

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In the middle of watching Season 3, I started to wonder why this season wasn't hitting me quite as well as the other ones had. It's still good, don't get me wrong. It's just that, like, Retsuko is more consistently fulfilled and successful than me in this season, and I found it more alienating than reassuring. Resolving to become an idol singer was a great direction for her, personally, but it strays far from the workplace fare of the earlier seasons, and so it's less accessible. Pretty much, the same is true for Haida, who encounters a romantic foil other than Retsuko. He has no reason to ignore her, and yet the man remains a simp, and it's clear he will from the beginning. It's not relatable.

And then, in the end, they soft reset to keep the show going. Unlike with the other seasons, this was kind of infuriating. Retsuko and Haida have so many opportunities for growth, they take up some of them, and then they end up pretty much where they were. It's like the theme for this season was "find your dreams, acknowledge to yourself what they are, and then choose the path that you were already walking." Very strange.

I really enjoy Aggretsuko, and this season is no different. There are so many great little moments that make it a joy to breeze through in an afternoon. But, next time, I hope they commit better to the directions they want to take the characters.

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TLDR: Another unexpected good season of Aggretsuko. A short anime series with a good story and message with its typical art style. But more importantly, it's more Aggretsuko fun!

[S1 + S2, but not S3 Spoilers Ahead]

Ah yes, once again, Netflix is bringing us more of our favorite red panda Retsuko in an all-new season of Aggretsuko! I was excited about Aggretsuko S3 going in, but I had my doubts. After such a good ending, how could Fanworks produce another season of this? Shouldn't they have run out of ideas at this point?

And oh boy, was I wrong.

Story: (8/10) This part of the anime was where I was pleasantly surprised, but at the same time, pretty standard for Aggretsuko. Each season of Aggretsuko has a message, the first one of how "love makes you blind" and the second season of how "love is something that makes both parties happy." Based on these past two messages, I thought the main plot of Aggretsuko S3 would be about romance, but instead, Haida gets his chance to shine with his romantic quarrels.

As for Aggretsuko S3, Retsuko's conflict is encircled by the message "everyone has their talent or quirk, but it's up to you how you choose to use it." Retsuko is essentially her "passive office lady" persona again, and all her choices are made because of someone else and not her own decisions. Overall, Fanworks does a great job building this core message throughout the entire story as they have with their past two projects.

Art: (5/10) Pretty much the standard art style we've seen in the past two Aggretsuko seasons. It's not bad in any means, the character animation and the structures serve its purpose for the story. I'm still miffed that the voice acting doesn't fit with the character animation sometimes (which is why the rating is a mediocre five instead of a standard six). Still, I guess that comes at the cost using chibi art for the character animations. So if you're searching for anime with good art, you've come to the wrong place.

Sound: (7/10) Same as the art, the sound production for Aggretsuko was nothing special compared to the rest of the two seasons. I'm glad they used the same OP sound sequence and SCREECH theme for the show since it just adds to the same comedic tension that is Aggretsuko. The only thing that I thought was wasted potential was that they could have added more music variety with the addition of her new lifestyle outside the office, but the story was more focused on Retsuko's life so that it couldn't be helped.

Characters: (9/10): Aggretsuko is a perfect example of an ideal mixture of a human drama with a slice of a comedic sitcom. The best way to bring out these two genres to life is through its characters.

Most of the characters reintroduced into S3 all have some plot relevance, whether its to exemplify how bad Retsuko's situation is or drive Retusko's conflict itself. The introduced characters are all developed in some way to bring Aggretsuko's human drama shine or to make the comedic moments even funnier.

But can I talk about Aggretsuko S3's characters without talking about Haida? In the past two seasons and OVA, I haven't seen Haida as much as a character and more of a "one-sided love interest" for Retsuko. However, this season is where he shines. Watching him grow throughout the ten-episode season made me realize that love is stupid. Even if someone else comes in the way that seems too perfect to be real, we will always love someone else for some bizarre reason, and that's how love manifests. All I'm saying is, CAN HAIDA WIN CRUNCHYROLL AWARDS 2020 FOR BEST BOY??? He has some stiff competition like Ishigami (Kaguya-sama) and Hachiman (Oregairu Kan), but I know my boy can do it!

Overall, the characters fit the mold of the story that is Aggretsuko. Nothing extraordinary to the point I would call it "great", but for a chibi-style slice-of-life office anime, Fanworks goes above and beyond expectations!

Enjoyment: (9/10): Disregarding all the character arcs, production value, and story elements, Aggretsuko was just so much fun. I doubted before going in if I would like this, but it definitely did. I laughed hysterically at many moments throughout the anime and the everyday mistakes and small dilemmas made me go, "Oh god, I felt that."

Aggretsuko S3 brought another season of greatness that brings us the realism of our lives in a fun, cartoony style all "children ages 20 and up"can enjoy. I will be looking forward to another season (if it ever happens) of our favorite red panda very soon.

Overall: (8/10)

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Aggretsuko Season 3 - ‘Screw you capitalism!’

That’s Retsuko’s first song lyric. You heard that right! Retsuko is in an idol group this time around after being with her and co. for three seasons and seeing their growing pains and friendships. You just become so fond of them and it is a pleasure to see them continue to bloom and develop in their adventures and relationships.

Every time and sit down to watch an episode, I end up binging the season in a day. It's just a pleasure to watch this anime. These are believable characters, not just with the crazy situations they find themselves in but their chemistry with other characters. Just seeing Retsuko go in a spending craze over her Virtual Boyfriend, to a point where it bankrupts her, then leading her to join an idol group was just an unexpected fun twist. I’m glad Retsuko is not the central focus this time around. Haida and Fenneko get some character growth and subplots alongside with her. Haida is finally leaving the nest and venturing out of his comfort zone with giving a possible relationship a chance. Fenneko is being a true friend, always pushing others into giving in and trying new things, while being ruthless and sassy when they in a terrible situation.

This anime is a mixture between internet persona and fans with a modern day approach. You can see the connections it ties in with real world like between a ‘Simp’ and ‘Idol girl’. Just seeing these characters come together feels so natural and heart-warming. You are always hoping they succeed and their dreams become reality. You want them to succeed in their relationships, careers, or side hobbies. I hope Aggretusko continues to add charm to the anime genre, it is just so much fun to watch.Type a message

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