Love Live! Superstar!! Season 3
Synopsis
As the Love Live! Competition draws to a close, Kanon Shibuya takes an offer to study abroad and bids farewell to her friends and fellow members of the school idol group Liella!. Although they will live on opposite sides of the world, both Kanon and the group remain motivated to continue their idol activities. Unbeknownst to Kanon, however, her plans are cut short by Wien Margarete's parents, who request that Kanon remain in Japan for another year so that their daughter can learn from her. While Kanon finds herself in awkward limbo, Wien cannot bring herself to join her once fierce rival Liella! and decides to start a group of her own. Not wanting Wien's determination to go to waste, Kanon joins the new group, recruiting her former group member's sister Tomari Onitsuka in the process. As the newfound unit strives to wash off Wien's controversial past, the new Liella! is also wrestling with the struggles of losing their irreplaceable center. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience reception is mixed, with some finding the season a heartwarming conclusion to character arcs, while others criticize the predictable plot, underdeveloped characters, and inconsistent writing. Many feel the season fails to live up to the potential of the earlier seasons and is too safe. There is a sentiment that the series has lost its way, relying too much on established formulas instead of innovating.
Strengths
- Beautiful animation and engaging performances.
- Meaningful character interactions and development for many characters.
- Satisfying conclusion to character arcs for Chisato, Keke, and Natsumi.
Weaknesses
- Directionless plot and contrived plot conveniences.
- Underdeveloped second-year characters and superfluous new additions.
- Inconsistent character writing and thematic contradictions.
- Predictable and safe storytelling that lacks depth and nuance.