#psps tadano was actually an unexpectedly nice surprise

[thebleacher]

Aggretsuko Season 3 Review: My Slightly Hotter than Lukewarm Take (Spoilers!)

Ok so I just finished Aggretsuko season 3, and what I will say is that I enjoyed it. Forget the nitty gritty, as a whole, I enjoyed the series and I was dying to know what happened next. (Spoilers ahead)

As far as the storyline, I would say that I would have never expected for the series to have a sudden development involving idols but I think it ended up being quite interesting and the new characters were good. 

Last few seasons, I often got quite stressed because there were a lot of bullshit ppl like Director Ton or Anai who were literally so crazy and shit. Ironically, for the above mentioned two, I actually liked their involvement this time. I honestly thought it was hilarious when Anai and Haida went to drink LMAO. I was also surprised that Director Ton actually offered to pay for Retsuko’s debt. Like, ofc what he said after was bad (like giving up dreams/focus on work etc), but I do think that a sincere part of him wanted to alleviate this pain for Retsuko. But ofc, Retsuko wasn’t just doing it for the money.  

In this season, I am quite glad that Hyodo-san, Manaka and the two others (LMAO CANT REMEMBER THEIR NAMES) were nice ppl who just had earnest dreams but poor accounting skills (LOL). I still do have my suspicions that Hyodo-san might be a composer but that idk cos we never got to see more. But it’s cute imo that he works so hard to give the OTM girls their dream. I would like to see more of that development and backstory tbh. 

And ofc as usual, Washimi and Gori-buchou were fab. I love them so much. Tbh fenneko was also great HAHA. 

Ok but now we get to our more main-ish characters for this season.  Firstly, I have never been a huge fan of Retsuko. I do believe that she is self-sabotaging and very stubborn. Especially in the beginning, she deadass splurged on a VR bf and I think this is a me-thing, but spending over $300 on merch is insane. That I can’t condone but ig #plot. Either ways, Retsuko literally needs to open up more and stop being such a pushover. 

However, this is where my slightly hotter than lukewarm take begins. 

As a non-japanese, I think we collectively forget some cultural elements to this show. When Retsuko started in the first season, I remember previews being like, Retsuko represents how we (really more the Jap audience and population) feels when we are restricted and cornered by society and the world. And tbh, she still is!! And I think now that this show has gotten more international acclaim, we sometimes forget the cultural elements. I would say as an asian who has lived in western society, the way asians compose themselves (not to mention, one of the most typically controlled asians, japanese), we tend to hold back more and try not to bother others. I think this is exemplified by how Retsuko tries her best to be diligent and hardworking throughout her life. She does it because she wants to please and because it’s what she has to do. 

In other reviews, I have also seen people criticize the romantic elements of this particular season. However, I thought about it, and other than time constraints, perhaps there’s just more to it that will be discussed later? 

If you consider this, Haida actually is quite similar to Retsuko. He is also very indecisive and timid. It’s why he never asked Retsuko out and never tried to do anything. (Also cos Retsuko literally never gave him the time of day and this idrk why) I think the last part where he says he wants to be a safe haven for Retsuko and to protect her, perhaps that was also culturally more traditional. But ofc, even in Japan, with progressing times, women also want to be regarded as more than objects to be protected. (This part is more of me speculating though)

But I do hope that the Haida and Retsuko thing can be more fleshed out later. I was particularly disappointed that Retsuko did not even say anything when Haida straight up got hurt from protecting her. (If you can’t tell by now, I actually really like Haida) I also saw some reviews saying they were upset about Haida insulting Retsuko, but tbh, I did not even see it as offensive. Ig bcas a part of me knew that Haida was there, egging her on so that she could actually vent. I also think that it might be the first time either of them have been honest/candid with each other. Bcas while both of them did the death voice, they were speaking the truth. 

The last two points is that firstly, RIP Inui LOL cos she’s actually a nice girl and seems cool. But ig she chose someone who has been blindly in love/crushing for 5 years. I think that she will be able to find better but I do feel bad for her. 

Last point is that I was genuinely VERY surprised to see such a dark thing happen in this season. Pen knife for attempted murder/assault? That’s scary. And stalking? Tbh these are all very real things idols face and it is definitely not ok. (both in Japan and Korea tbh) I think that that progress was very realistic and something I did not expect, but was a thoughtful and appropriate plot progression. 

Overall, I really liked what happened but am very sad I will have to wait for a long time before new content comes again. TuT  Either ways, good show, good laughs, good feels, much excite.