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A cold wind blew across the field as the horses arrived at their next Arima Kinen. It’s a seasonal sign of what brought them here: Time and the change that comes with it. Viewers watched Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond develop over the first half of the season. Most importantly, the childhood friends built up the wins they needed to feel like they were racing at an even level of performance with each other. But any story worth telling cannot be limited to forever. There must be time to rest. While the first cracks of that are appearing in this episode of Uma Musume Season 3, it may be necessary to stop controlling things so much.
That seems a strange wish from what was perhaps the most exemplary of Season 3’s episodes last week. But all the concentrated excitement of Dia’s eventual G1 win, was followed by a subdued episode that only served to ramp up the emotions. It’s easy to feel that some change is about to happen. This episode reiterates this season’s frequent feeling of only lightly touching on the many equestrian girls that will become important later while mostly foreshadowing Kita and Dia’s escalation. The adorable pony friends are preparing to compete head-to-head with each other, the idea being that at least one of them may not be prepared for what positive competition means.
This direction has a great idea. Kita’s athletic protagonist’s optimism has kept this season’s wins and losses clear so far. So, provoking some questions about that could create a thread that has a purpose that extends into the second half of the show. Kita knows that she and Dia cannot share first place because they have so many other things in life, but does she really understand that? It’s a slow realization that comes from the fact that the pair’s package deal status has long been a feature. Therefore, Dia “going first” was a shock to Kita. There’s a difference between saying you’ll do your best to win against your friend and doing it seriously.
It’s a well-thought-out idea that’s barely conveyed by the end of the episode. There’s a lot more filled with all kinds of preparations and platitudes that Kita could easily get used to. It’s interesting to see her look to Beautiful Nature as a source of advice or receive support from her idol, Tio. This run also visits Dia’s side to confirm that the confidence boost from her victory in the previous episode is enough to break the curse (such as it is) on the rest of the family. her family. And the broncos of B-Sound of Earth and Cheval Grand are touched on just enough to pique curiosity. It would continue to be interesting to have an Uma Musume season where the characters’ struggle to win is more about overcoming mental obstacles than watching them suffer through multiple broken bones and physical injuries. physical therapy.
And the itching sense of a change coming at the end of this episode is expertly handled against all the pedestrian procedurals. The vibes that Kita is forced to feel between her and Dia are clear, ripe for mulling over as this story continues. It was a cold wind that continued to blow after a race that raised these questions and was firmly described as one of the better contests this season. That’s understated as most of Part 3 took place until the final stretch when the leading duo were wrapped in dueling colors, their contrast symbolizing division clearly visible among them. There’s uncertainty about where this will take Kita and her relationship, and I’m all for that hanging question.
Still, there’s something to be said for a more powerful portrayal of the victories and defeats, the epic ups and downs, of high school rodeo. Not to continue the excessive worship at the altar of Uma Musume Season 2, but the embarrassingly melodramatic dramatic punches throughout that episode made it work very well. Of course, there’s still time, and I admit the ability to watch all of Season 3 when it comes out instead of waiting weeks will be a boon to its emotional pacing. But just as Kita wondered about the feeling of uncertainty between her and Dia, I found myself grasping for something intangible that would hold me. I’m still completely disappointed with the ideas it poses, but I wish that when it gets there, Uma Musume will stop holding horses.
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Uma Musume Pretty Derby Season 3 is now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Chris is excited to be back at the mane event and hopes he won’t have to be next door. You can catch him around the blog as well Twitter although he doesn’t expect that to last.