As it usually is for these 3rd season shows, all the experience by the creative staff has truly paid off spectacularly in the third season, and all the buildup in the past 2 seasons spent learning about the ins and outs of each character finally culminates in unique and memorable adventures for each member of the cast. The artwork in particular received a noticeable upgrade, Japanese Colmar has never looked this beautiful, this peaceful, this vibrant, before. A special highlight is Aoyama's and Rin's date around the town. The beautiful townscape combined with the stunning lighting of that final carnival setpiece just totally sells the deal on this. Just an incredible moment all around.
The third season of any given SoL show would usually be used to experiment with different group compositions to see what sticks and what doesn't, while also exploring other facets of existing character dynamics to a deeper level. And Bloom does exactly just that and struck a perfect score in all of them. Secondary characters are also given more time to shine and express themselves to great effect. My one gripe is that Mocha hardly appeared in the show, but at the very least we have tons of Aoyama to make up for it.
I'll admit, I wasn't the biggest fan of Gochiusa even in the first two seasons, I always felt the series was lacking in something extra needed to elevate it to the next level, and I think Bloom made me figure out what had been missing so far: Heart. Bloom is filled to the brim with it. You can truly feel the blooming relationships between each character, and the show is packed with many genuine moments examining the characters themselves as well as their relationships, motivations, and sense of being. Extra so since a large focus is placed on Chimame's graduation as well as the anxieties within. Chino's and Cocoa's final moment especially calls this to mind, the gradual progression of their friendship leading to her heartful thank you to Cocoa being also extending to the viewer for their many years of following the series. It really tugged at my heartstrings and left a hole in my heart that can't be easily filled (until Non Non Nonstop next season at least).
Even the weakest episode in Bloom is still as good as, if not better than the better episodes from the first two seasons. Everything from comedic pacing, to general scene direction, to setpieces, to that always brilliant soundtrack are all improved and accounted for in this season.
Bloom stands out among Gochiusa and even other Kirara shows as one of the best SoL the industry has on offer. After close to seven years of being with the Rabbit House girls, it's honestly difficult to bid them farewell once more, but I do hope we'll meet each other again, in that ever present cafe on the streets of Japan-Colmar.
8/10
