And I am very glad that I didn't miss out on it.
From the start to (almost) the finish AXZ has been nothing short of amazing. There's some weird metaphors and phrasing but it's Symphogear so I mostly expected that.
Unlike the previous season, and even the first, every episode (with one exception) was fulfilling and enjoyable, with each making me more excited for the next one. The character development of each character was very natural and fitting, and Hibiki especially was a massive step up from previous seasons. The use of the Gears was one of the best parts of the season, which each being used in new and unique ways, changing things up from the expected patterns of attacks. Chris in particular has this going for her as instead of her gun spamming she mostly uses various bows, with a more interesting use of her missiles added into it. It felt as a whole like they're all more experienced, which they'd started to hit on in G for the original three but was sorely lacking in GX. They're also animated incredibly well, as is the show as a whole, with the obvious exception of far shots where everyone looks like mush, but that's in every anime.
And of course, the real reason everyone is watch Symphogear, the music. The one good part of GX was the character songs, and even in that area AXZ stepped it up. Every track is superb with the only one lacking being Tsubasa, and even then it's still pretty good. There's more combo songs, a triplet for both the main and second team, as well as various duets of unexpected combinations. Every track is wonderful and fits the fights they're placed in very well.
It'd be hard to top the villains of GX for me as Garie and Carol are some of my favorite villains in anything let alone Symphogear, and while it didn't quite make it to their levels for me the villains were certainly great. The alchemists are sympathetic without forcing you to feel bad for them and have bursting personality and small quirks that make them often come out standing over the main cast. Adam remained charismatic and intimidating the entire way, even if his reveal had me yelling "THAT'S JUST SINBAD" at his character design. The only lacking one would be Tiki, and that was only towards the end when she started getting annoying to me.
As a whole this season was amazing and made me fully willing to recommend Symphogear to people after GX made me hesitant to do so. The characters, art, sound, story, everything is incredible. My only real complaint is how... terrible episode 12 was. But one 1 out of 13 being bad when the rest are amazing is an acceptable loss for me as many shows have had worse. Other than that, there wasn't enough Last Action Hero.
Watch it, love it, and hold a determination to fist.
Oh yeah also Miku was here sometimes and p good when she was. Let's give her back her Gear in s5.
Also yes I have watched all 13 eps I forgot to update my watched list before writing this. Damn you MAL.
