Beyblade Burst Sparking

Beyblade Burst overall has been kind of a mediocre show compared to other anime. in the toy based anime department it's decent, but never really tried anything. Now one thing to note, since the manga is monthly, the anime takes its own take on the major points of the manga, so although there isn't filler per say, it's just all anime canon. Beyblade Burst Sparking is the 5th season of Beyblade burst, and I believe it actually holds up really well compared to other anime outside of toy based anime for one reason alone. I'll get to that later.

Plot: 6
The plot is kind of the ... down side to this season, the first half is basically meet the bladers, then tournament arc, then another one. The first tournament arc was decent but not really that good. It doesn't hold up to the past tournament arcs like the God Blader's Cup, or the nationals. However, it set's up interesting character dynamics between the returning cast.

Sound: 5
Forgettable

Characters: 8
The cast for burst is very likeable, although the two new main characters are kind of annoying, they have been fleshed out decently well. We got to see the season tackle a concept that has only kind of been done in season 2, this concept being an inferiority complex. Shu kurenai had one in season 2, and used it to become Red-Eye, and in this season we see a more down to earth version of it with Hikaru Asahi. Throughout the first half, Hikaru has accumulated more losses than Hyuga, although he was ahead of him at the start of the season, during the legends festival we got to see Hikaru take multiple Ls while his brother continued to excel. They did it fairly well, however i'd say it was kind of dropped after the evolved version of the beys came in. As for the reoccurring cast, Aiga and Ranjiro's friendship was developed really well this season, and it was a nice continuation from Cho-z. Same could be said about Valt and Rantaro, who although aren't really the team, but their dynamic is cool to see. Sisco has his arc of wanting to beat free extended into this season, although unfortunately it doesn't really go anywhere. the only disappointing character this season was Free, who had a really good motivation to fight Lain Valhalla, but it didn't go anywhere

Animation: 9
The animation although sometimes quite janky, really does pull through when needed. Free & Sisco VS Lui & Drum was beautiful to watch, Lain & Shu VS Valt & Rantaro although it didn't have animation that truly stood out, the battle choreography was just stunning. And ofcourse the breathtaking final battle, that was by far the best animated sequence i have seen from this franchise, and is definetly comparable to other series outside of the toy based anime category.

Themes: 10
as of late, with GT, Beyblade Burst has been trying to add themes to its seasons. Themes that focus on the final antagonist. Now from season 1-3 some guy would just be the final opponent, but we never got any back story for how they became who they were, with GT we got Gwynn Ronny who had the old trope of "i don't understand power of friendship" which although refreshing for burst, it doesn't really hold up at all compared to anything else. However, Sparking had introduced a character called Lain Valhalla. When he was introduced, I think I could say quite confidently no one really liked him, he was too strong for a new character, and just never lost. He was a frustrating character to watch because whenever he would go up against a favourite character, the outcome was clear, he'd win. Only after his victory against Shu Kurenai did I realize how strong of a character this was. They didn't introduce him last minute like Gwynn, he had a purpose from the beginning. Lain is the embodiment of a Beyblade Burst main character, wanting to be the best. But unlike the others, that's all he wants, so when he beats all the legends, he gets confused and loses sight of himself, he gained what he wanted, but now he cannot fight anyone stronger. I'm a sucker for the good written overpowered character, and Lain is one of them. Throughout the second half of the season we see him constantly get confused by everything around him, while everyone is truly giving it their all, he cannot since he doesn't need to. The person across from him is distant while only being a meter away. and in the battle between Lain & Shu VS Valt & Rantaro we finally see Lain for the first time beginning to realize a key message Beyblade Burst has been trying to tell us since the very beginning. And when he finally loses in an equal bout with the main characters, that message is even clearer. Being the best at anything isn't what one should strive for, instead the constant improving of one self alongside another is what can bring greater happiness. Valt and Shu, although both wanted to be the best, they only really got to their high ranking because of how many times they have faced each other, because of how much they worked together. They are rivals, and they push each other to be better. Anything you want to improve in, you can do it by yourself, but it will be more fulfilling if you do it with another person, constantly challenging yourself, competing. You may not be the best, but you will be better.