Honzuki no Gekokujou: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan wo Erandeiraremasen 3rd Season

If you are reading a review for an anime's 3rd season, I am sure you already know what is Ascendance of Bookworm is about. So I will leave out the introductory part of the review. Let's jump straight into this review.

Let's start with the positive part of the review.

As expected, the story is fantastic. Miya Kazuki did a fantastic job writing the story. The characters are the same lovable characters we love from Season 2. Myne still has a crippling addiction to reading. Ferdinand and Benno have a Myne-induced headache every single episode. Lutz desperately tries to keep Myne not working herself to ... death. The OP and ED are a banger, as always. The VAs does an amazing to make these characters alive.

So now, the negative part of the review.

This season's adaptation isn't as good as the previous season. It is still decently good, but not good enough for a series like Ascendance of a Bookworm. The Light Novel is infamous to be insanely well written and extremely detailed. With this season leaving a lot of details and content out, watching this season after reading its LN leaves me unsatisfied. I do not want to be that reviewer who demands this adaption to have the same standard as Mushoku Tensei, but I want it to have a similar standard as the previous season. In short, I feel the quality of the adaptation does not do the Light Novel justice.

With the negative part out of the way...

The Ascendance of a Bookworm is one of my favorite isekai out there, It is not your typical copy and pastes isekai. It uses the isekai genre well, whereas Myne often references technology and advances from our world to aid her in achieving her ultimate goal.

Even though I strongly criticize this season's adaptation, I still love this series. I still enjoy every single minute of this season. As a bookworm fan, I am happy that these series get a season 3.

I will ultimately give this season a 9. It is not as strong of a 9 as Season 2 or a 10 for season 1, but this is still the bookworm that I love so much. The identity and the soul of the series are still there. This is why I decided to give it a 9, despite my strongly criticizing the quality of the adaptation.

In summary, I am happy that we get a 3rd season. However, I am disappointed with the standard of this adaptation. I am giving this season a weak 9.

If you can't get enough of Myne and her crippling addiction to books. I will strongly recommend you to check out its Light Novel. I will also recommend you to start reading from the very beginning instead of where the anime stops. Light Novel is written in Myne's POV instead of the anime's 3rd person POV. Extra stories from other characters' POVs will help you further understand Myne and her surrounding. If you want to experience the full The Ascendance of a Bookworm experience, read its Light Novel. You will not regret it, I promise you.

Will I recommend this anime? It depends.

The Ascendance of a Bookworm is known to be an extremely slow pace isekai. Which becomes its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. For viewers who enjoy SoL anime, or something that has a heavy focus on its world-building and characters. This can be considered an underrated goldmine. However, viewers who are not used to watching such a slow-paced anime may find this series extremely boring. I will recommend you to watch the first three episodes of season 1 first, and see if you enjoyed the show or not

Story: 10/10
Art: 6/10
Sound: 10/10
Character: 9/10
Enjoyment: 9/10
Total: 44/50 (8.8)

As with every other season before it, Ascendance of a Bookworm is a moderately slow story with a grand tale to tell. S3 is just one piece in that grand tale, and the quality of it is the same as everything before it.

I haven't made any review for the series before now, but to make a long story short, the whole thing is pretty good at mixing different things in Myne's life together to make for a story that's a little more than what is currently shown at any time. S3 adds a bit more to that with a ton of character motives and other ... new characters that show up. I will not elaborate on them due to spoilers.

It still all makes sense and still makes the story entirely interesting enough to make you want to know what happens next. I will admit that it can come across as slow at times, but it makes for everything to be easy to catch onto with no real issue in regards to unnecessary complexity or going off on wild tangents. I don't think this season, in particular, opens too many doors for questions, or at least, again, it is on the same level as the prior seasons. So I wouldn't go expecting this to be a major turning point in the story so far, but it suffices to say the least. If you made it past S2, chances are you'd make it past this season too.

As with all other seasons, I've enjoyed this one a fair bit. The whole world and SoL adventure thing in this anime is pretty good stuff with the variety it can go off with. I've stayed this long and it is still something very enjoyable in the grand scheme of what is available. A very good story.

Damm, horrible. I admit that this show gives a different kind of isekai experience.
But, I just can't take Main contradicting her own character. For being one who LOVES books and Reads a lot of BOOKS, She doesn't have a mature mind or gives an intelligent appeal. Childish and show no independency (mentally)
Wtf is this, She is just a cute loli character who makes things and sells things.
-Mana is used in farming rituals?? Then, peasants with devouring should be working on farms. And, real farmers should be enslaved.
-Devouring army of peasants, wtf is that? Noble kizoku shtheads control magic items and ... magic stuffs?? Contracts?? Enslavement??
Why tf no devouring peasants *Revolt?? Even if no one does, At least Main should instigate the Rebellion and overthrow the corrupt monarchy system.
( Becoming jpn ver of isekai Lincoln Main, demolishing corrupt nobles, freeing the enslaved peasants, and introducing democracy )
--- The whole mana shit is used in everything in the world with magic. Rituals and magic crafts.
---Mana is power, and yet the people born with power are being enslaved by mere status.
Peasants who lack knowledge are one thing. But, wtf is Main doing, becoming a cute mascot who is totally influenced by the great pretty Knight Priest, and not thinking a thing by herself. With Both mana and knowledge, she can even take over the world.
Yet, the kawaii Main becomes a cute Loli mascot who is playing inventor.
----Even if she can't fight like Tanya with a rifle, I like to see her instigate rebellion and go full out war with shit-zoku nobles, while she stays behind and makes peasants fight.
----If knowledge and history of inventions is the main theme, keep the show positive and cute. (like the cartoon series- Invention Story)
WTF is the dark themes like child marriage, political corruption, and shitttts.
Shonen doesn't need those tones.
Plus, the story is bent on the characters' convenience.
No reality, just like every other anime.
Saga of Tanya, Drifters, and Overlord, they all go well with dark tones.
But, not with this cute mascot Shoujo manga Books Lover and inventor cosplayer.

Honzuki, Is probably the most underrated isekai anime ever. Sure it has a more slow slice-of-life approach, Yet, it has the best World Building in any show I have seen so far, the nobles, and commoners' lifestyles, and the interactions between the two are perfect, A true mirror image of what held true for our World during the middle ages. The only problem that I may need to point out is

It is slow ….
Really slow …
I mean, It has been 3 seasons and we are still in the same City xD, We do Know that the Lore and the World building is Certainly not ... limited to just the city of Ehrenfest... We also Finally,(Damn I am gonna have to use “Finally” a lot more than I first expected :D) Got a good taste of Magic it's working, and a loosely established power scale (Shounen Time!). The Story is going to finally start exploring the noble’s society, That is if we ever see a new season.

If you wanted to Define A slow burn Certainly Honzuki fits right in, Now I'm sure No one would read a Season 3 review without having watched at least a few episodes, and if you are bored or having trouble with the slow pacing I’d have to say that Please try to bear with it but also be forewarned that most of it holds true even for this season and the second one. The pacing is slow true, but there is Mostly never a dull moment, each minute is used to properly flesh out characters, Even the Minor Ones! , Or Nerd Myne doing Nerd Book creation or Isekai stuff (Like inventing something(introducing something from our is more precise). This season is all about noble’s scheming, their disregard and ignorance of the populace are also made very clear once again. AND OFC HARRY POTTER-STYLE MAGIC BATTLES :3.

With that, my personal opinion is done. Now for the review and scores,

Plot (8/10)
No plot holes in an isekai! How rare is that you ask? Only the Big three like Mushoku Tensei, Re: Zero, Overlord (not the Anime overlord tho), and Honzuki Have managed to stay this consistent with the plot at all times. The World Building is painfully slow But the most fleshed out in any isekai No …… any fantasy shows that I can remember. Eherenfest and its populace, its roles its Map layout, the kinds of Jobs and Factions, Everything has a frightening amount of detail put into it. The Show returns with Myne having to deal with the fact that her changing the World and having the vast amount of mana has been noticed and piqued the Interest of Nobles, some of which will use any means to obtain said power. Her Book Nerdy ness does get a bit annoying given the dire situation of her having to leave her family behind (An obvious plot device to make her do isekai stuff XD), but I guess Myne will be Myne!

Characters (9/10)
Almost a 10, but the fact that myne has zero development since season 1 and is still an immature fuck who doesn't understand the gravity of ANY situation hurts the character writing quality of Honzuki which otherwise has an amazing main cast and semi-important characters. Characters stay true to their nature and change and develop in a slow but expected and relatable manner(minus myne the book dum dum). The Nobles and commoners are so Deeply-rooted in their respective Worlds that they seem to be In a Bubble of Misunderstanding, hate, and Ignorance. Most either are Hostile towards each other or try to ignore/Avoid any interaction. Characters like Ferdinand and Myne have a Healthy interest and Willingness to engage with the other classes however they are the oddballs of their respective societies (And hence the MCs xD). A fitting example would be, Sylvester and the other newly introduced nobles have More interest in the abilities of Myne than her as a person. The Commoners either Obey or avoid the nobles at all costs. The stark divide in the thought process and power of commoners is made especially clear this season. The main Duo remains close, Benno, Lutz, and his Co make fewer but rather important appearances. I won't lie the Myne family and their importance has been nerfed a little (except for the Dad) but they keep making appearances. The orphans take a back seat too unlike season 2.

VA and Sound (7/10)
No exceptional VA performance, Dunno why but I get the feeling that the VA of Myne trying to be a little more moe than before, The nobles (the bad ones) have standard bad guy/girl VA performances. Ferdinand's VA is probably the most unique performance that we get from Honzuki but by season 3 it's already old news. The OP and ED are weaker than s1 and 2 by a significant amount, in music. The art of ED is still good tho, but the OP art is honestly abysmal.

Art and animation (8/10)
Great unique art and very well-designed backgrounds and cityscapes One can tell from the art whether it is a downtown place or a nobles-only one. Animation isn't a focus but just as in season 2 when there is a need for it, it is provided. There is no WOW sakuga or fight sequence but they are certainly above average when a conflict or important scene is on screen.


If you have already made it till season 3 I am sure you would watch and enjoy it. I personally feel they should've stuck to the commerce slice of life route sincere the action and conflict don't mix well with the kind of character myne is. (given she was enjoyable as a nerd not as an ignorant loli who gets others in danger just for books) If you are just checking out some reviews before you begin, mark my words you are in for an immersive isekai experience do not hesitate and jump straight in! It's in my top 3 of all isekai shows that I have ever watched and if you have been following me for long enough, you know I watch A LOT of isekai and also, Am certified by the truck-Kun.

Unfortunately there's no rating category for directing or scene smoothness or w/e you want to call it, I'm sure there's a film word for it, but I don't know it.

Source material is great, I'm reading the light novels right now. This is a pretty solid part of the story as well, so all's good there.

Art, people might think it looks kind of bland or simple, but it's the exact art style of the light novel, but done better somehow. That gives it a lot of charm that makes it impossible for a light novel reader like myself to have any qualms with it. That ... said, it is still pretty bland and simple.

Other people bring up animation, but this show is pretty much just standing around and talking. We can't say monogatari or hyouka is the standard of anime's about peopel standing around talking, but what is there I enjoy. Lots of unique facial animations and charm anywhere they could shove it into.

Sound, again pretty bland and simple. I actually loved the "sound" in the first season and still liked it in the second because of how amazingly it was implemented and enhanced the scenes. This is the start of the "directing" that I'm trying to talk about, but in this season, it's just really jank and the scenes don't fit at all. In the second episode already, we have one of the most dramatic and sad moments in the series play out in happy go lucky, wii menu esc background music. A lot of the problems is the scenes themselves but the music choice is also a culprit. Without the amazing implementation that the first two seasons had it's become so much more apparent how bland the music is.

Character, same characters as before. Again, great source material, nothing much to say there. Maybe I should take off more because of how awfully they are portrayed due to the awful directing, but again, it's just the same characters as before.

I think you can blame some of the bad "directing" to how the seasons were separated. Season 2 ended in a way that made it hard to continue. It changed some of the events so that there was a satisfying conclusion to the season 2 story. The emotional arc came to a close basically. However, what's actually happenning is the the end of season 2 was right before the dramatic final arc. It should have transitioned into the dramatic start of season 3. That's part of why it feels so jank and unearned the dramatic scenes in season 3.

But still, it's just really jank and it feels like they're listing unconnected scenes without care for an overarching emotional through line. It's like they worked on a bunch of random scenes in a random order, maybe sprinkled in some dramatic music somewhere around where maybe it might fit sorta. And then maybe some other tracks in the dead zones.

Still, I'm enjoying it as a light novel reader just because it's animating scenes that I've already read. I just wish it were better like the earlier seasons.

Novelist Miya Kazuki's Isekai Bookworm is one of those hidden gems in the now oversaturated Isekai reincarnation sub-genre which has withstood the test of time, now 2 seasons (or rather parts thereof) circa. 2019 that was pretty enjoyable for a refreshing take on the whole reincarnation phase and leaning on neither demon lords nor power, but on books instead to rebirth time past with a modern twist. Now, come Season 3 a.k.a. Part 3 a.k.a Part 2's 2nd split-cour exactly 2 years later, and Isekai Bookworm has largely stayed the same...except for one thing: there's basically nothing left worth predicting out of the unexpected to ... reinvigorate life into the series.

Obviously, Season 3 is a continuation of Season 2 where both seasons cover the light novel's Part 2: Apprentice Shrine Maiden arc, equalizing with Volumes 4 and 5 (Part 2's Volumes 1 and 2) for Season 2, and Volumes 6 and 7 (Part 2's Volumes 3 and 4) for this season, albeit at a shorter 10 episodes. Focusing on Main and the gang in the pursuit of making books with the foundation of ink, the winter/spring passover, more abandoned orphans with one infant being just like Main, and the perverse "Church is bad" plotline to round things up and finish one of Main's most maligned "beginner" arcs towards the view of the world.

Main is still the same happy-go-lucky but naive girl whom has to be watched by everyone else alongside her (including the High Priest Ferdinand which constantly supervises her in the cathedral) being at a young age with a childlike mentality, which at this stage, doesn't discount that her presence is pretty much a liability towards the other nobles looking to use her as a bargain tool from the Ink Guild to the cathedral's Head Priest for both her wonderous skills and power respectively. Main is truly in danger in this section of the light novel, and it was a case of "knowledge is power" warped within the wrong hands. Given that Main is pretty much at the age where for her Devouring to be coarsely controlled, her adoption to a noble is a much-needed necessity to alleviate the insanity of OP-bound magic power that could stand in anyone's way. Everyone and everything else from the visuals to the music is just the same as they have been if you've kept up to Isekai Bookworm up until Season 2, and still loved, lived and breathed the immense beauty and dynamics that this series has to offer.

And thus says the narrative for Main's character shift that's leaning onto the remainder part of the light novel, which is great in the original source, but this part of the adaptation just somehow couldn't match the same feelings of what I felt when watching the prior seasons of the similar Disney-like magic and wonder. I'd guess the sentiment is that Season 2 a.k.a Part 2 ended in such an amicable way that there wouldn't be another season in the run coming in the future, and for a time, it sure felt that way too that anyone (including myself). But alas, at some point in the future (which is now that) it is renewed for another season, and it was such a stark comparison to see that the adaptation felt like it had to wedge into our throats instead of doing what the series used to do: trade the same exact beauty to push content at a lower episode count. As a result, Ajia-Do's visuals felt somewhat lackluster, and the OST is dare I say, probably the worst of the 3 seasons (yes, even with Nao Touyama and Maaya Sakamoto's decent OP/ED songs), to the point of being very forgettable.

Overall, Isekai Bookworm could've continued in the vast enjoyment legacy of the prior seasons it came before with the same staff team helming the anime adaptation, but there's bound to be a black sheep somewhere, and this season has to earn that title. Such a bummer to end on a somewhat notable change in the series to date. It's good, but decent at best IMO.

This is a spoiler free, but slightly suggestive, short review.

I feel like this is a series that manages to keep up a joyful, childish mood the entire time, like nothing bad can ever happen, but at the same time it always keeps you on the edge, thinking about what is going to go wrong next and when. In my opinion pretty much everything about this anime is well put together and perfect, including the characters, the upper mentioned balance, the sounds, music, CV, the story as well, etc. The only things that keeps bothering me are the servants. Everything feels so strict and controlled, nobody ... can go off-trail without repercussions, yet the servants can pretty much do whatever they please. Not literally and I'm not talking about the 'obvious duo'. Servants have their ego based on how high on the "servant rank ladder" they are (so who serves the highest ranked individual and also have a more comfortable role), which can be a nice addition that adds value to the story, but some servants singlehandedly decide what messages to forward and how to act, which is weird considering how strict the people of the institute are. One might just say "oh they don't know about it", but they do, it may happen right in front of them and they don't care. I can't ignore how much freedom they have to pull such ego moves considering their positions, it puts me off and always annoys me. Not annoying enough to ruin my 10/10 rating though, so there it is. RIP the review being short, oops.

If you like an isekai anime where the MC is OP in a more unique way, with lots of weak spots and brings you on an intellectual journey where something new always happens with very little fighting, ever, also don't mind a hyperactive main character, you might enjoy this series. I can assure you that the quantity doesn't bring down the quality in this case. I dare you to binge watch all 3 seasons in one go! >:O

I absolutely loved the first season of this series. I think it's one of the better Isekai animes, but this series felt very flat to me. I don't know if I was becoming delirious or if the characters seem to be getting dumber and slower by the episode. The indecision of all the characters led to a confusing plot unraveling. I felt like I wasted my time.

A lot of the characters that I loved during the beginning like Lutz and Ben-merchant and Otto became almost background characters in this season. Although I can't even tell you who became the supporting roles. I'm not even sure ... Main was the main character since she really wasn't doing anything MC-worthy. All in all, it was frustrating to watch.

Hmm ok so I binged Ascendance of a bookworm like last year and I'm not gonna lie I was absolutely loving it even tho it was basic ash.

Now looking back... its still basic ash but idk it gives me serotonin soooo

I think last season was better than this season but I'm not 100% sure since only 3 eps aired.. Anywho, into the rating cuzzz uhhhhhhh.... cuz I can I guess.

Story: Its an Isekai what can I even say... I still love it tho, just not fresh 7/10

Art: Basic ash, like the rest of the show but not too basic that its boring, ... just basic enough to enjoy but not non-basic enough to tell home bout 7/10

Sound: The voice actor of Mark (the fucking butler guy... I know... I know..) He has my heart fr fr <333 It gets a 9/10 just cuz of him

Characters: Mynes cute but sometimes I wanna smack her up the side of her head I'm not gunna lie bruh... anyways... MARKKKKK~~!! <333 8/10

Enjoyement: I'm a big fat suck for Isekai's so... 8/10 :///

Overal: I'm stuck between 7 and 8 so 7.5/10 but for the sake of rating it on the thingy Imma just say 8/10

In a world of rushed adaptations and instant gratification, it’s rare to see a studio take their time and lay the groundwork of a story. Luckily for fans of the Honzuki anime and LN, we got just that.

Over the course of the past 3 years, we’ve been blessed with 3 wonderful seasons of Honzuki. Each subsequent season building on the events of the previous, expanding the rich and magical world and developing the loveable cast of the series. Despite 30+ episodes of this, we have only just scratched the surface of the story and there is so much more to come.

If you’re 3 seasons deep ... into this show you’re pretty much familiar with the positives of the series by this point. The fresh and unique take on the isekai genre, the likeable MC, fascinating bookmaking and business aspects of the show and the methodical pacing. So I won’t waste time going over those as I already have in the previous reviews for seasons 1 and 2. Instead, I’ll use this to really speak on the series as a whole as we’re now at what seems to be a crossroads in the story.

As I mentioned before, these first 3 seasons have laid the groundwork for the real story of Honzuki. This was a prologue of sorts. I think the studio did a great job of slowly but surely working us up to this point. There were slow episodes here and there and some subpar animation, but they paid off with the action packed second half of season 3. Myne’s growth from a cute and naive girl obsessed with books to a strong priestess in training who is willing to leave her family for the greater good has been amazing to watch. It’s a shame that more people have not got the chance to experience the show due to preconceived notions about isekai or seeing a “cute girl MC” and writing it off. It’s no exaggeration to say that Honzuki is on par with Mushoku Tensei and Re:Zero in terms of fantasy narrative and world-building.

The only bad thing about this last season of Honzuki is the uncertainty it brings. It was always guaranteed we’d finish the prologue, but content beyond this isn’t a guarantee. We can only hope and pray that LN and BD sales are good enough to warrant a season 4. IF that’s the case, we could have many more years of this wonderful series.

Honzuki season 3 gets 10 out of 10.

Honzuki no Gekokujou: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan wo Erandeiraremasen 3rd Season (2022)

Well, this show although it has a pretty great and emotional ending was just a bit lacking. It just does what it has done before, rather slowly and in various directions which ends up being somewhat bang average.

The art style is consistently improved from the 1st season to this which is a huge plus point and it also keeps its style.

The sound is fine, nothing really great just the same old stuff.

The character development is good in places and boring in others. I had to skip at times ... because you learn things that are not important to the story and you just sort of don't care. The high priest gag runs its time too much. I get it is from a novel but still, maybe it read better than it was animated.

The show can be enjoyable but it also doesn't do anything, like literally the book side of the show basically makes 2% progress and is not the main point anymore in a show about books.

The story is fine, it finishes off one side of the story entirely which is nice. It also sets up for more with a "to be continued". That is fine and I am sure it is popular just it doesn't feel needed against other shows which fly so much higher.

5/10.

Our beloved bookworm is back for yet another season, and it’s a little different what I had remembered from the excellent Season 2. The story went a bit away from the slice of life elements in creating new inventions and reading books, and we actually see a bit of stakes in this season, with dangers of Myne being kidnapped, and even some action sequences.

The reason why I loved this series was the slice of life elements which even felt a bit educational at times, and while those themes still exist in this season, it felt more action and politically oriented, which isn’t what I had ... known this series to be, but I understand the change of pace.

My grading criteria: Story: /25 Art: /10 Music: /10 Characters: /20 Enjoyment /15 Thematic Execution /20

STORY: 17.5/25

It’s some of the same elements from the first two seasons, but the stakes seem a bit higher this time around. Myne has to be careful as many people from the nobility are targeting her, and it could even affect her family. In all these events, there are new characters, including Myne’s new younger brother Kamil, Dirk, an abandoned child with the Devouring, and Sylvester, a notable noble with a rather interesting personality. Each have their own quirks and contributions to the story.

In the most high stakes situations, the thing I found issue with was the execution of them. Things get solved rather easily at times, and the villains aren’t doing a whole lot of stuff in the fight scenes either, heck, sometimes the protagonists are just talking to each other while the fight is happening, and the villains are just off screen, standing there. It’s supposed to be tense, but the overall feel of the story or even the tense moments don’t present themselves in the most suspenseful way. With all the build up, it didn’t feel like an effective climax was executed.


ART: 7.9/10

The animation is fine, but the action sequences aren’t all that flashy, which was unfortunate, but I can’t fault it, since action isn’t the main focus of the series. Still colourful and vibrant, fitting of the world.

MUSIC: 6.5/10

Opening and ending are mediocre songs this time around, and the soundtrack sometimes takes away from the immersion in tense sequences. Not always fitting of the atmosphere.

CHARACTERS: 14.8/20

The overall characterization wasn’t as great as the last two series in my opinion because there are just a lot of side characters that don’t play much of a role at all. I would have loved to see more Benno and Lutz screen time, since they had a solid role in the story before. Felt like a two person show between Myne and Ferdinand, and while those two are still as incredible as can be, there are just too many underdeveloped characters.

ENJOYMENT: 12/15

Some parts were boring, but there were still many intriguing moments.

THEMATIC EXECUTION: 15/20

The themes have a more complex feel to them this season, and I appreciate the plot progression and further world building. The action sequences were handled a bit awkwardly, but overall, still the Bookworm series that I enjoy.

OVERALL: 73.7/100

Notably a bit more bland than previous seasons in terms of emotional impact, but it’s still a well done show overall in its slice of life elements, it’s just a bit unfocused in its tense situations, and if the technical aspects were handled just a bit better, I’m sure the overall atmosphere of the show can shine much brighter!

Before reading this, mind that there will be spoilers of all the seasons, just in case new watchers are curious if the series gets better over time.

After keeping up with the series for three seasons, I can say, with a heavy heart, that it is not what it used to be. The series that once had me hooked and blasting through two seasons is now a chore to watch. It lost the components that gave it heart and made it so binge-able.

With the first season, it was all about Myne’s family and friends. The world-building was essential for the plot, since we are ... seeing the new world along with Myne, trying to figure out how it works and the rules that govern the world. She joins a guild where she can bring items and recipes from her previous life. Her main problems were dealing with her devouring and how she can prove that she knows what she is doing, even though people look down on her as just being a child. Season two was about her being a part of the Church and how to solve her devouring problem by giving them her mana as a blessing. She became a blue-robed priestess and was in charge of the orphans. Also, her attendants tend to make it a challenge for Myne.

As for season three, it becomes more political between the Church and the nobles. Myne is trying to find a middle ground between the two. It seems everyone has taken a step back in relevancy except Myne, with her parents taking care of a new baby to Benno just taking over the guild duties for her products. Even the threat of the High Bishop, which posed a problem, to Myne now just sitting in his room getting information from Delia, and it does not look like he is even interested in Myne anymore. When it comes to the personal problem of this season, it tries to juggle everything from previous seasons and then more. There is no more dedicating any time or dedication to the cast that we fell in love with at the start, Myne’s family and friends.

The animation is the same as before. New characters introduced are more detailed and have unique characteristics. The music stayed relatively the same throughout the series. Nothing wrong with that.

Overall, it is a big letdown compared to previous seasons. I'm not a light novel reader, I do not know if there is enough content or if there are not enough episodes to convey the original adaptation. Each season, we get fewer episodes, making me wonder if they are skipping over episodes. It lacks heart that it had previously, and for that reason why it's my least favorite season thus far.

This review doesn’t include details, just a general comment on the plot of the season and it’s delivery.

I loved the first season, I was quite alright with the second one (although it felt inferior) and I went through this 3rd season with struggle and wishing it was even shorter.

I’m not sure what’s the main thing in this season, really. At the start it seems it will be about the menace of a ridiculous “enemy”, but it was smoke. The enemy is gone in no time. Then it was that the real enemy was someone else, but it barely matters because when they actually “attack” it’s ... quite ridiculous. And this kind of thing keeps happening through all the season. “Oh no, there is THIS problem, Myne!”, next scene, the problem is solved. Sometimes even off screen.

That, together with the recurrent uses of dead spaces with useless pauses and, especially, over explaining of facts, makes the season painful to watch. What is over explaining you say? We SEE something, a character EXPLAINS the fact to some other character, and then that character EXPLAINS the same thing to a third one. Why? No idea, but that’s how you finish an episode with barely any content. Do that 10 times and you have this season.
It’s a shame that (in my opinion) the show rapidly declined from a quite entertaining and fun to watch anime to a dull, uninteresting, pain in the ass thing to watch.

The surprises and twists of this season are so evident and the same as always that had the same impact on me as the specific food the characters had for lunch. The delivery of this reveals, together with most of everything that happens here, is poor, uninspired, and takes away every spark of interest of the scene. I’m not sure if the directing of the other 2 seasons was so bland, but here it shines as much as a pile of dust. The empty script of the season doesn’t work on it’s favor either, so a fancy directing wouldn’t turn it into gold.
Maybe I didn’t understand how the world works, maybe I missed some particular detail of how the magic works, I don’t understand where all the money goes when Myne is selling so much expensive stuff, I don’t understand why the characters don’t just go live some other country. I can’t understand the decisions that the characters make in this season at all…
It’s like all the “problems” are fake problems just to make it look like there is some obstacle to struggle with, when in reality Myne is a super powerful character with a great professional and social life, just with some minor health issues that don’t matter at all if all she wants to do is sit down and read (Plus, highly powerful magic).

after watching and enjoying the first two seasons, I really was looking forward to watching season 3, and fortunately, it did not disappoint.

Sometimes you get a drop in quality or a series can go off the rails as it goes on, but this managed to maintain its quality in the animation, and the story kept me watching.

Season 3 is the payoff to all the groundwork that the first two seasons created, the plots, the scheming, it all comes to it's conclusion in season 3, and season 3 wraps up so much that it feels more like an ending, even if it promises a 4th season.

If ... you liked the first two seasons, then you will definitely love Season 3, if you didn't enjoy the first two seasons, then I don't know why you'd consider watching a third season of this.

This is still very much the slow paced slice of life isekai, about a young girl who just wants to make her own books.

In an already established world with magic, power systems and supernatural beings (and what they consider gods for some reason), there is a very big flow in almost all fantasy anime that starts with those troupes, forgetting the existence of a family.

From the first episode of season 1 in Honzuki, we are introduced to an idea that has been expanded to a degree I never saw before, the value of having a family and how hard it is to write them. Yet, with every new season we are met with deeper level of depth to each character and how they relate to their family. ... From Myne trying to get to know them, moving into her treasuring them while regretting what bond she had with her mother and reaching the current state of the family choosing to protect Myne and vice verse even if it would mean separating them from each other. The anime tries so hard to show how having a family has an effect on each character even showing the difference it has on one's personality like what happened to
Delia. Seeing something of that importance being emphasized is one of the main reasons this season was brilliant to me.


Introducing more characters was great. Having a Myne-like character that can out-myne her was great. The back and forth with the new nobles was super entertaining and most of all, the way these new characters integrated with the existing ones showed more of how well writeen the OG cast is. There was no sudden clicks between the characters when they are first introduced (apart from the Myne like one) and it took time to establish their character, motivation and what they truly thunk and feel. A nice change that I didn't know it needed but a welcome one.

The plot progression this season felt solid. It took a few episodes to build up the characters but for a 10-episode season, it felt like it had a lot of development. Some episodes legit felt longer because of how much happened in them and I was always very happy watching it unfold. Seeing our saint ready to throw hands at the end was great :'D

The art is decent and same with the animation nothing too spectacular but the op cinematic wasn't as good as the previous onea and the hirarchy system still feels off/random. Also, for aome reason even normal people are being called as a god now which just feels stupid. But tbf, almost all anime include dumb stuff when trying to add inner religion in there if that makes sense.


Overall, I would give Honzuki season 3 a 9/10. I really liked it and I wish to see more of it soon.
Would recommend the whole series.

The Smart Isekai.

If you’re someone who enjoys nitty-gritty world-building details and its political tensions in your isekai without the things that hold the genre back like cardboard box MCs, harems, generic video game level and skill systems, immature writing, “tHe HeRo”/“ThE dEmOn LoRd” etc then Ascendence of a Bookworm will probably be right up your ally.

After the first and second seasons focused mostly on world building the third is allowed to focus on the political ramifications of the reincarnated book nerd turned commoner Myne and her quest to create a library so she can become a librarian in a world with little in ... the way of literature. Thanks to her exploits and business her friends and family are becoming targeted more and more by the nobles who want to get rid of her and the pressure is on for her to decide being adopted into a high-ranking noble family.

The season's escalation of events is well foreshadowed, feels natural to watch and the conclusion was both emotional and bitter-sweet. The one major new character Sylvester is hilariously charismatic whom Myne finds difficult to deal with at times amusingly (considering how everyone else finds Myne difficult to deal with).

I’ve never been a huge fan of the show's art style. I don’t like the huge, glassy, soulless-looking eyes most of the characters seem to have. It reminds me too much of Big Mouth. I do believe the actual animation has improved a lot since season 2. It doesn't feel jacky anymore with a few exceptions. The improvements are especially noticeable in the battle scenes and the final confrontation had a sakuga flare which is always welcome.

The show probably fairs better as a binge-watch rather than watching an episode weekly, but overall it’s more Bookworm and I can’t be mad at that because it is very enjoyable. I would say that if you’ve never watched this show before and you’re more into mindless, action figures banging into one another isekai and taking into consideration that there are two more seasons to watch before this one then I can understand that it’s a hard sell. However, If you’re looking for a chill change of pace and some edutainment on how paper, ink and books are made then I can’t recommend Ascendence of a Bookworm enough.

8/10 Great.

Bookworm s3 is an alright sequel to the series, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't expecting a bit more.
The show's best quality still remains, as the worldbuilding keeps expanding with details on noble society, the church's duties, the merchants' lifestyle and much more. It is more of the more detailed, interesting, and "realistic" fantasy world I've seen in anime, and for that I will always be glad I watched this.
What I found somewhat lacking in this season was the execution: animation quality wasn't bad, but it still wasn't as good as the previous seasons, especially in the last few episodes. ... The transitions were also particularly messy, to the point episode 9 felt very chaotic and badly arranged. This also clashed with the slow pacing and attention to detail the rest of the show had.
Characters were fine, as while Sylvester was a good addition to the show, the other nobles that were introduced felt pretty much like just basic dumb villains.
Overall, this was still not a bad continuation to the story, although I hope that if we get any more season production quality goes back to what it was previously.

A far more entertaining, albeit unexpected continuation of one of the best isekai series out there. Both the first and second seasons kept the majority of their respective major events towards their last two episodes, however it was a lot more spread-out in season three. Which is great as there are 2 episodes less.

If you enjoyed the first two seasons, this season will only have you eager for more seasons, special episodes, and/or maybe a movie. Because -- simplifying without spoiling -- this marks the end stage for Myne's introduction.

Beyond that, the plot surrounds itself with the established cast, developing those yet to ... be fleshed-out whilst cementing the others, and showing Myne her future path. There is also a bit more worldbuilding to be had without Myne leaving her current lifestyle both as a civilian and Apprentice Priestess.

And, yes, the books are still seeing their capabilities and reach expand.

Too many Isekai lack what Ascendance of a Bookworm does in spades. As a fantasy setting the world is realistic, but not so much so that it is just copying history, but rather that it is a believable fantasy. The characters also have a believability about them that makes them interesting to watch interact. Most importantly the protagonist is the perfect center for the cast, as well as the ideal protagonist for an Isekai. From the very beginning she is placed in quite possibly the most disadvantaged position anyone in this setting can be in, but uses her knowledge from her past life to strive ... forward, getting closer and closer to her goal of creating a literary world. This is what makes her an ideal protagonist for an Isekai, her past life genuinely matters and this story could not be told without it.

Overall this is one of the best Isekais, no, one of the best fantasies out there, and you would be doing yourself a service to give it a watch.