IDOLiSH7 Third Beat!

Nearing their first debut anniversary and with their popularity still on the rise, IDOLiSH7 set a date for a live tour to express their gratitude toward their fans. Meanwhile, the Black or White event draws closer—and as the previous year's winners—the group must prepare to take on the challengers. Looking to solidify their reputation in the world of idols, IDOLiSH7 are determined to come out victorious and settle the score once and for all with their rival, TRIGGER.

While working around their packed schedules, IDOLiSH7, TRIGGER, and Re:vale meet powerful figures in the entertainment industry. In the midst of the hectic period, some members catch wind of a scandalous rumor regarding IDOLiSH7. As the members of IDOLiSH7 begin to worry about their image, their bonds are put to the test, all while a spiteful figure begins to carry out a certain plan behind the scenes.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Nanase, Riku Main

Ono, Kensho Japanese

Ousaka, Sougo Main

Abe, Atsushi Japanese

Izumi, Iori Main

Masuda, Toshiki Japanese

Izumi, Mitsuki Main

Yonaga, Tsubasa Japanese

Yotsuba, Tamaki Main

KENN Japanese

Rokuya, Nagi Main

Eguchi, Takuya Japanese

Nikaidou, Yamato Main

Shirai, Yuusuke Japanese

Kujou, Tenn Supporting

Saitou, Souma Japanese

Yaotome, Gaku Supporting

Hatano, Wataru Japanese

Sunohara, Momose Supporting

Hoshi, Souichirou Japanese

Bessho, Makoto Director

Hamano, Takatoshi Sound Director

Kuraya, Ryouichi Episode Director, Storyboard

Shiga, Shouko Episode Director, Assistant Director

Reviews

Sep 26, 2021

BabyGirl06301

Recommended

At this point, I'm not even surprised at how good an idol anime can be. Except, yes I am, because this season raised the bar so high. This season barely had any music in it, and it was banger. I'm still not here for the CGI choreography, but what can you do?

Let me tell you something: there are entire, hundreds of episodes long shounens that can't do suspense and tension like IDOLISH7 can. There were way more instances this season than there should have reasonably been for an idol anime where I was absolutely astounded at the intensity and dark themes that bled all over ... the place. Admittedly, the last third of this season wasn't quite up to the standards I expect from IDOLISH7 at this stage, which is why I've not given it a 10, but the majority of this season was more heat than anything I've seen from this show so far. Which is my favorite part of the whole experience. Who doesn't want to walk away from every episode feeling hype?

In more concrete terms, this season took a departure from the personal dramas the characters were experiencing that were beginning to feel underwhelming and used the season to widen the scale of the series from being about seven guys and their friends to being about the entire industry. With that came new character developments that felt fresh and positively contributed to the new tone being built this season. But the thing that I found the most impressive is that this half of season three was meant to set up for the second half, and yet, this half didn't feel like it was only doing what it had to do. It had so much color within it that it felt like the point of the whole series, despite the fact that it was only an introduction to everything else.

Back into the small issue I had with this season, I'll mention that the way certain stories were revealed this season, as well as a few events that happened, felt disconnected from the rest of the story. They even felt like a drop in quality from the rest of the season. It's not that insane things have to happen every episode, but the navigation between lightheartedness and the darker, soap opera-esque content wasn't great this season.

Continuing with the good stuff, we had some super interesting characters make their debuts this season. One of them in particular is one of the most intriguing characters I've seen in recent anime for a long, long time. I thought the character relationships that got introduced and developed this season were much preferable to the ones we've gotten before now. It's not that those relationships were forgotten, but the plot did acknowledge that they needed to be shelved for the time being to introduce fresh concepts.

I guess the main point I have with this review is that IDOLISH7 took a step outside of its box and managed to make a really fascinating season full of drama and suspense and darkness that was extremely enticing to come back to week after week. I think the direction it's going in has the potential to be really flat if it doesn't bring back some of the heavier themes that were within this season, but if those themes continue, IDOLISH7 will only get better. I'm more excited about this anime than I have been about an anime in a long time, so I'll be in this for the long haul.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Sep 27, 2021

ainanai

Recommended

I never expected an idol anime to make me cry so hard. I didn't cry in two previous seasons, so this time it really is something else
|Little spoilers on songs appear in this seasons|
* English is not my first language so there will be grammar mistake. Hopefully you guys can understand.

*Story (8/10)
This season, IDOLiSH7 will dig deep into that dark side of the entertainment industry, it fills with lies, drama and the powerful one having complete influences and control. As the appearance of new antagonist group, new problems approaching IDOLiSH7 TRIGGER and Re:vale.
The content will be pretty heavy in this season but there still be ... some quirky, funny scene in the middle to balance your mood ( but better not loosen up cause it can turned back to high intense right away ).
What I love more about i7 story is it surrounding idols and entertainment world but hidden with many beautiful stories about different relationships in life: between the entertainers and the fans, friendships and partnerships that could make you cry and especially family relationships ( If you take a quick review on the main characters, they all have some kind of struggle with their family ).

*Art (9/10)
Even when I already read the story through game before, watching it got animated still surprise me so much.
- Stages Performance
TROYCA studio never disappointed me, this season art is pretty well polished. However the transition between 2D art and CGI still felt quite stiff and unnatural. This should be 8 but the Sakura Message was SOOO BEAUTIFUL so I'll put 9.
One more thing is I love how they recreate the actual performance of the VAs in real life concerts ( back in 2018 and 2019 ) in the anime. It definitely erase that line between anime and reality, makes IDOLiSH7 become an 'actual' thing.

All the supported characters that don't have faces in the game got animated or they deliver some small new scenes - which not included in the game is really interesting. I can felt like the anime is good on its own ( despite the fact it's an 'adaption' )

- Small details
There were also many easter eggs ( numbers and symbolism is really important in IDOLiSH7's world ) especially those scenes included clock in Re:member arc shows how the animation producers pay attention to every little details.

- Characters facial expression
It's not pretty/cute/shining handsome idols all the time. This already shown in the first two season but I'm enjoyed this 3rd ss characters facial expression the most. Idols is human after all, they can also have all of that anger, pain and tears, and I love how TROYCA portray their face emotions, it not too exaggerated but very captivating ( and humorous too ).

*Sound (10/10)
- Songs:
Because it is an idol anime so music must be good... And it is !
I always enjoy songs coming from this franchise, they really catchy ( this season got all of my favorite songs ! )
∙OP THE POLiCY - it's not my most favorite op out of three ss, it still gives you the cheerful idol'ish' vibes of IDOLiSH7 but WiSH VOYAGE from ss1 really stonk in my mind
(WV is one of the winners in 2018 Newtype Anime Award in Best theme songs category)
but it's just my own opinion cause TP still has rly high rank in jp.
∙ED PLACES - the exact opposite from that happy and colorful opening, 'PLACES' by TRIGGER appeared in a monochrome theme and that last scene when three members hands reach to each other just impressed me ( there're also meaning behind their hands position ! ). The song lyrics basically tell you the story of TRG in this 3rd ss and I would say this is the best ending of this year summer anime.
∙Special ED Mikansei na bokura and Dis One: Just show how amazing i7's VAs singing skills are, Mikansei na bokura touched my heart and I cried like crazy.

- Background music/ Sound Effects
∙Scenes with Tsukumo with the crazy background efx raised the tension up high + Hiroki Takahashi incredible dubbing skills really gave me chills. I cannot breathe when Tsukumo Ryo pops up, it scared me.
∙They didn't use any bgm in ep8 ( Re:vale past ) just pure sound effects which is a whole different and refresh experience. I was at home watching the anime but it seemed like sitting in a cinema. The feeling was so realistic as if you was actually inside the anime ( especially Banri and Yuki scene in front of the railway ). This new kind of approach mesmerize me, you can't even blink with this ep.

- Voice
∙Shirai Yusuke (Yamato) and Hiroki Takahashi (Ryo) are real stars in this season. Some others outstanding I need to mention Tachibana Shinnosuke (Yuki), Saito Soma (Tenn - for him singing Dis One) and Wataru Hatano (Gaku). The voice acting somehow grow with their characters development and it is really GOOD.

- Btw I think IDOLiSH7 is the only anime on earth didn't let viewers see their opening till the fourth episode :) ( correct me if im wrong ). They just like to surprise you all the time - I remembered the hashtag #OPなし (there's no op) on jp twitter top trending back in the first 3 weeks airing this anime :) It just so fun.
And the ED just pop out of nowhere, just watched for about 12 minutes and you see the credits already... that's how i7's anime is... expect for the unexpected.
- Overall I think they improved the sound quality a lot this season so they deserve a praise.

*Characters (9/10)
- What makes me admired IDOLiSH7 is how well they develop the characters, not just the idols, but the supporting ones like the managers or the fans. The viewers can actually feel related to those support char reaction.
- In this first cour, some problems about the past finally brought to light and many new challenges stepped in so you can see different development in the characters mind (Iori thoughts about Riku and i7's future, further insight between Re:vale members TRG, and new characters approaching the entertainment world). Literally EVERY SINGLE characters got developed.
for ex: Mitsuki scared of getting bashed and hated in ss2 but he stay strong and changed so much ( pay attention to his lines )

*My only problem with this anime
- Well because it is an adaption ( and IDOLiSH7 did justice with the anime stay faithful to the in-game main story ) and anime has time restriction. I feel rushed sometime watching the anime, at some particular point, the mood changed so quick so my feeling kinda hung up.

*Enjoyment (10/10)
- I'm a fan of this franchise for all most a year, so of course I am ! I'm just really happy that i7 has come this far, even the creators back then didn't expect to make the 2nd season so to see anime quality just keep getting better and better through each seasons it's amazing. Well it just the first cour and everything has just begun :) fasten your seat belt :) I'm really excited for what's coming up next, can they impressed me even more ? And hopefully a 4th season in the future !

- IDOLiSH7 is not the best anime ever but I believe the most beloved work by the fans, the staffs and the casts so I have really high hopes for this series and it would be nice if this anime could reach to more audiences - IDOLiSH7 is not just an idol anime ( more like 'mental training' anime as what the fandom and the casts called i7 ). It will not giving much of fanservice ( even when their main target is female audience but i7 story interested a big amount of male fans ! )
This might really changed your mind about idols genre in general so please give it a try !

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Sep 26, 2021

HeroVladimir93

Recommended

The adventures of everybody's favorite male idol group continue in the latest season of IDOLiSH7. COVID-19 wasn't kind to, well, anyone in particular and the anime was no different, so this particular season of I7 would have to move mountains in order to get out of the hurdle the pandemic had placed its second season 2. So, was season 3 of I7 any good? Well, let's hop on and find out, shall we?

Story
One of the things I've always admired about IDOLiSH7 is that it digs deep into the complications and intricacies of the idol business and this season ramps things up to 11 by introducing ... a genuinely antagonistic group in the form of ZOOL, which threatens to rip our favorite idol groups apart by using underhanded tactics like spreading lies, rumors and misinformation, which, as some people deeply involved in the entertainment industry will tell you, happens very often in real life.

Off-stage politics play a huge part in this season's intrigue, as I7, TRIGGER and Re:Vale struggle to maintain their sincerity and genuine hard work against a group that freely admits to have been manufactured. Once again, IDOLiSH7 depicts the dark side of the entertainment industry. Some people don't care about art or entertainment, they just care about making money and will do whatever it takes to get it, even if that means disrespecting others and tarnishing their reputations.

Without giving away too much, this season ends in something of a cliffhanger that leaves you both worried about our protagonists and excited about what will happen next. (7/10)

Characters
Of course, IDOLiSH7 wouldn't be the roaring success it is today without characters to push the narrative forward. Characters are the life-blood of the story and I7 is primarily a character-driven story. After 2 seasons of playing coy about his past, Yamato is finally forced to confront the demons of his past, a past he hoped against hope itself would stay buried and I feel this was the turning point of the entire season. No matter how hard you try to bury it, your past will catch up to you. It's how you deal with those demons what defines you as a person.

The antagonists are a bit of a mixed bag for me. On one hand, they're interesting because they provide the greatest challenge I7 has faced so far. On the other hand, they feel bland and generic. The antagonists are an evil corporate executive and his group of manufacted idols. That's it. That's a concept that has been used countless times in multiple media, and this season doesn't put an interesting spin on it.

Despite this, I7 succeeds in what matters most: making me care about the characters and their struggles. (8/10)

Art
At this point, it shouldn't be a surprise that I7 features some of the most stunning visuals in anime history. Everything from the character designs and movements to the brightness and backgrounds looks clean and refined. If this was a rushed job, it is significantly better than a rushed job has any right to be. (8/10).

Sounds
As expected of an idol anime, I7 does not disappoint with its music; but what really sticks with me is the voice work. I think the best scene in the whole season was the scene where Yamato bares his soul to his friends about his past and his relationship with his father. Not only does it provide good character development for Yamato, it gives Yuusuke Shirai a chance to display his talents as a VA. (8/10)

Conclusion
In closing here, season 3 of IDOLiSH7 is a good continuation to the story of our favorite idols. Like I said before, if this was a rushed job, it is better than a rushed job has any right to be. Right from the beginning, we were told that this was merely setup to a story that will be continued in a later season, so I can only hope that new season reaches sooner rather than later; but for now, we have 3 seasons to enjoy. (8/10)

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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	Poll: IDOLiSH7: Third Beat! Episode 3 Discussion lovetwoyou - Jul 18, 2021	12 replies	by Tsuxken »» Jan 28, 6:41 PM
	Poll: IDOLiSH7: Third Beat! Episode 9 Discussion KarenShirotori - Aug 29, 2021	15 replies	by pendr4gonz »» Nov 28, 2023 2:11 PM
	Poll: IDOLiSH7: Third Beat! Episode 13 Discussion KarenShirotori - Sep 26, 2021	25 replies	by AniStrawberry »» Jul 3, 2023 8:16 AM
	Poll: IDOLiSH7: Third Beat! Episode 12 Discussion Dorayakisama - Sep 19, 2021	21 replies	by AniStrawberry »» Jul 2, 2023 2:20 PM
	the 13th episode aipri - Jan 29, 2023	2 replies	by RhythmicJustice »» Jan 29, 2023 11:52 AM