After such an exciting second episode, the third episode proves to be rather underwhelming.
Highlights
- An underwhelming resolution to a promising storyline in The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3, Episode 3.
- Disappointing lack of thrilling action in handling social media propaganda, opting for a diplomatic approach.
- Character growth for Tatsuya as he matures into a more diplomatic and reasonable Strategic-Class Magician.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3, Episode 3, “Double Seven Part III”, now streaming on Crunchyroll.
A sequel of a popular series usually focuses on one or two storylines that span across the entire series. However, the third season of The Irregular at Magic High School decided to present two different storylines in its first and second episodes.
Not only that, the second episode also set the stage for a unique story element that has never been done before; a story on propaganda and social media in a world ruled by magic and technology. Unfortunately, episode three proved that it is nothing but empty hype.
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An Anticlimactic End
A good story requires a great setup, confrontation, and resolution. The second episode of The Irregular at Magic High School presented an exciting setup for what could’ve been a different kind of storyline that has never been explored before in this series. Unfortunately, the third episode presents a timid confrontation with a boring resolution that is unbefitting of its exciting setup.
A Thrilling and Exciting Premise
So what is so good about the premise presented in episode 2? Well, for the first time ever, an action-fantasy series that mainly focuses on magic, technology, and politics, finally decided to add a touch of reality to the story by using propaganda through social media.
One of the higher-ups within the Ten Masters Clan embarks on a secret negative campaign through social media that will affect the current most powerful clan in Japan, the Yotsuba clan. This is such an exciting premise that can be expanded into so many different routes. And yet, the showrunners chose to take the kind and easy solution.
The Kind and Easy Solution
The heart of the negative rumors is the idea that the biggest magical academy in Japan, the First High, is secretly forcing its gifted students to join the military. To prove this outrageous claim, a congress member will conduct a surprise visit to the school grounds with his platoon of reporters. The goal is to corner and humiliate the First High and the magical society at large.
As a student of First High and part of the Yotsuba Clan, Tatsuya has to do something to prevent any further damage to the school, and his clan. There are many paths that a Strategic Class Magician and an accomplished Magical Engineer like Tatsuya can take to solve this unfamiliar situation. But in the end, he decided to go with the kind and easy solution, which is conducting an open magical experiment to prove the benefit of magic to society.
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A Tale of Two Approaches
So what makes episode 3 so disappointing? It’s not that it is a bad episode per se, nor is there anything inherently wrong with how they wrapped up the whole “Social Media Propaganda” storyline. It’s not wrong, it’s just boring.
A Boring Approach
As mentioned earlier, the main gripe that we have towards this episode is the fact that out of every possible approach that they can use to develop this little storyline, they chose the most boring path. As a Strategic-Class Magician, Tatsuya has tons of options on how to quell this social media propaganda and deal with the upcoming visit from the congress member. From blackmail to assassination, there are so many things that he can do that will lead to a much more thrilling story. However, he ended up choosing the most diplomatic course of action instead. All of the hype that was built by the previous episode instantly dissipated in the face of this anticlimactic resolution.
Close
When it comes to reviewing a piece of work, no matter what it might be, it is important to stick to what it is, rather than what it should be or what the reviewer wants it to be. In this particular instance, however, it’s hard to remain objective when there are clearly multiple routes that could’ve been taken to ensure this thrilling and promising storyline could get the resolution that it deserves. As it stands, this is akin to having the perfect start in a sprint and leading the pack throughout the whole race only to stumble and fall right before the finish line.
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The Series Going Forward
Looking past the disappointment that stems from unmet personal expectations, there is actually something positive that comes out of this little storyline, which is character growth. In exchange for an anticlimactic end, the story presents a nice little growth for the main hero of this series, the Strategic-Class Magician Shiba Tatsuya.
Character Maturity
Tatsuya has always been a calm and calculated person. He is the type of character who prefers to stay still and analyze the situation first before making a decision. However, he is also somebody who won’t hesitate to pick a fight or engage in combat if the situation requires him to do it. For all intents and purposes, he is an emotionless soldier who would do anything for his country, his clan, and most importantly, his sister. But this episode proves that there is something more to Tatsuya. Slowly but surely, he becomes more than a simple soldier and grows into somebody who is willing to take a diplomatic approach first, rather than diving headfirst into battle. He has matured a bit.
A Diplomatic Soldier
While we are deprived of thrilling assassinations or exciting full-frontal assaults, what we get in this episode instead is Tatsuya’s diplomatic side. Out of every option that is available to him, Tatsuya chooses to deal with the current issue in the most peaceful and productive way possible. Yes, it is not the most interesting thing to see, but it also means a new path has opened up for Tatsuya. Going forward, he is not only limited to either deadly strikes or devious schemes, but he can also be reasonable and diplomatic if needed. We are excited to see how they will utilize this newfound character growth in the upcoming episodes.
The Irregular at Magic High School is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
The Irregular At Magic High School
ActionFantasyRomance
Release Date
April 6, 2014
Seasons
2
Based On
Light Novel
Creator
Tsutomu Satō
Number of Episodes
39
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Fuente: successacademy.edu.vn
Categorías: Anime
