Senki Zesshou Symphogear GX

Ah, Symphogear GX, a show that people may have forgotten by now. It’s one of the more underrated series this year and honestly not surprising. GX is the third season of the series’ trilogy that began from the original series. And by story standards, a lot has evolved since then. I’ll state the obvious for now. Watching the previous season is absolutely necessary as you will be completely lost if you come into GX fresh. Hibiki and her friends are now much more experienced in using their technology while gaining respect for one another with as new friends. If you remember the events of the second season (Symphogear G), they came in conflict with the mysterious Symphogear users composed of Maria, Shirabe, and Kirika. Now that their conflict has resolved, there seems to be a peace in their world. Or is it? Unfortunately, the third season introduces a new threat. The third season establishes a story where the new enemies are no pushovers. Led by a mysterious girl coming from the world of alchemy named Carol, she wishes to bring the world into despair. This also introduces the Autoscorers, mysterious fighting warriors named after holy archangels who support her ambition. The story turns deadly as their first encounter with Hibiki’s friends show the testimony of their power. For what’s worth, the third season makes it clear that the new antagonists are capable of destroying the world. As the story progresses though, startling revelations are discovered when we learn more about their goals. As generic as it sounds, Symphogear GX does able to entertain the audience with its sheer ability to craft conflict. Similarly, the conflict extends more than just the fighting between the two sides. There is an abundant amount of interpersonal issues as well such as with Maria’s background, Hibiki’s relationship with her father, Tsubasa’s tragic past, or Chris’ own self-doubt. Symphogear GX makes connections with the previous seasons as it hopes to remind viewers the purpose of what the characters are doing. By doing so, I think the show has a firm grasp at characterizing the characters. Unfortunately, the story itself is quite predictable with each progressing episode. Some resolutions are swift while the buildup can be a mixed bag. And like the previous season, there’s comedy in it as well although most of it has some ill-timing. The show still maintains a nice amount of visual artwork. From a visual standpoint, it actually improved especially compared to the first season. Character designs looks steady and is resourcefully decorated. The transformation scenes are focused with a good amount of highlight. Fan service on most parts is light while replaced by full throttle action, most of which features well-coordinated cinematics. It’s also noticeable that some of the new enemies are almost unlike anything the first two seasons. Their designs bring a colorful yet malevolent intention with their presence. Finally, some of the newer battle gear that the Symphogear users looks quite stunning. At the core of Symphogear is the music. It’s one of the strongest points of the show as main characters each has their own signature song. And on most parts, I think it’s attentive enough to keep the momentum of a fight going. Even Carol gets her own character song as well because she is the Big Bad. Likewise, the OST is performed with a lot of tense moments that dictates what Symphogear GX is – a show that combines music and action into a battle extravaganza. Symphogear GX may have ended but it’s made some memorable moments. Its storytelling isn’t exactly the best but sticks to the point throughout each episode while getting the fans to anticipate for more. Anyone who is also interested in the music will find that GX will be a nice treat to the ears. By the time you finish watching this show, it might bring somewhat of a nostalgic feeling to know that it’s all over. It’s just a nice little present to give back to the fans.

I'll first start by saying I love this series due to how over the top everything is. It's the definition of "turn your brain off and it becomes awesome" anime, a popcorn anime in the most affectionate of definitions. I loved the first season, disliked most of the second season, and LOVED about 70% of the third season. The remaining 30% was either meh, or too absurd and poorly done to even be able to turn your brain off enough to enjoy it. Episode 6 of GX was by far the best episode in any anime this season, for what it is; it rivals even the best of the year. You know the feeling when the side-crew are getting stomped, not even Piccolo can help them and Goku is in recovery? He comes back and unleashed a flurry of badassity that causes your blood to pump and your hairs to stand on edge. That was Hibiki in episode 6, it was such a great episode and despite the first episode being the best opener, and the episodes 2-5 being decent in their own right, episode 6 destroyed any of my thoughts that suggested GX wouldn't be prime Symphogear. Then, sadly some amusing characters died, a character is brought back from S2 as more or less a plot-shield to keep the show going, and oh my god was I ever wrong with episode 6. The final episode of this show was absolutely abysmal. It literally felt like the writers were fed up with the show and just wanted it to be over with, the tense build up in the previous episodes, killing off the two new characters with decent character designs, all culminated into a "With our powers combined... GIANT FIST ATTACK!" which would be cool if there were a legit explanation for it, which there wasn't. Then you have a weird lead-in to a possible fourth season... I was expecting to be really bummed that Symphogear was ending, after finishing it, I felt totally cool with it. Not to mention that last scene.... that was really awkward. However, for the amount of fun I had through the show, if this does get a fourth season I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, but if this were the finale of Symphogear as a series, then I don't recommend Symphogear to anyone, period. That was one of the worst final episodes I have ever seen, and this is coming from someone who loves this show despite it's many, many flaws.

So after G, LA wanted more from this series, did GX outdo G, or did it go back to the first season shenanigans?. GX left off from G introducing us to some new villains, by the name of Carol voiced by ''Inori Minase'' and her four "dolls". In terms of characters, LA will say that for the main cast up to G, the main cast do get their own episodes to develop them (as well as their interactions between them), with special regards going to Hibiki's and Tsubasa's parental problems being dealt with. Shirabe and Kirika relational development goes full out yuri undertones as well as their misunderstandings from that gets addressed further, while Maria goes through her hangups of her sins (like Chris did in G) she did in G and finally Chris' development as trying to protect Shirabe and Kirika, overall for the hero side things, it feels like many of the character developments gets swapped around with other characters (besides Hibiki's and Tsubasa's anyways). The villains however there are only one to really focus on that being Carol and her motivations, it's explained however it "nearly" went into a mess, if not it could have been handled a bit better, the four dolls LA mentioned before however are nothing but plot devices to move the plot forward. Overall in terms of characters, interactions and development, if you wanted more growth from the main Symphogear cast then GX delivers. In terms of animation, once again helmed by Satelight, LA will say for the most part, the battle pieces were even higher detail than G (and all the more bombastically batshit insane at times), LA however did some rare facial derps/body anatomy quality dips here and there but LA can ignore it as it's still "rare". The music once can get HUGE props for this season, from all the singer/voice actors of the Symphogears did an outrageously great job for their character portrayals and battle OST singing (those once again being Aoi Yuuki, Nana Mizuki, Ayahi Takagaki, Yoshino Nanjo, Ai Kayano, Yoko Hisaka and the newly added Inori Minase) where to the point LA saw the battle OST of this season being the best of the entire series, the new OP ''Exterminate'' sung by Nana Mizuki is a personal favourite in terms of musical score, however LA will say that G's ''Vitalization'' has a special spot for LA still, Exterminate is at best at 2nd in terms for openings, the battle OST's overall considering which character you like or the style of music, the OST is stellar and expected of this series. Now onto the technical features of this season, in terms of plot twists, considering how much faster pace this season brings forth much more than G did, the plot twists just comes outta nowhere including an old villain coming back and just ruining LA's day, LA "gets" the the plot twist and these kind of twists are something of a staple in the Symphogear series, but it really does goes from either "too convenient" to outright "batshit crazy YOU just HAVE to accept it". Because of the fast pacing however LA will note that although LA really likes the further development of the main cast, some of the characters' development gets done pretty quickly not even giving LA time to breathe from certain character developments, those being Tsubasa's and Hibiki's issues getting resolved just like that. Chris however gets some pretty jumpy character development and a lack of focus at times. The other new character that got introduced to GX Elfnein voiced by ''Misaki Kuno'', however gets good character development and somewhat predictable plot twists involving her but she becomes her own character nonetheless. LA will point out that the newer "gimmick" to this season that being the Ignite Module did bring us a new transformation that is oddly reminiscent of Maria, Shirabe and Kirkia's previous Symphogear color palette just more sharper and the "use" for the Ignite Module becomes rather predictable as to what Carol is planning, but nonetheless it brings up lore that was mentioned back in the first season and LA will praise this little feature for actually having a purpose other than moving the plot (and instead giving us something of character evolution for the Symphogear main cast). Now the fanservice is even more rampant more than G, with just more full body nudity to boob bounces, it however is nothing to rage about as although the fanservice is as rampant as ever it's still rare and isn't the primary focus. The battle scenes however LA will be completely honest, that almost all the battle set pieces are UP TO AN ELEVEN from G, perfect example is the first episode of this season and the final battle set piece. The ending by all means blew LA away with an even more bombastic final battle than G's and did a nice epilogue of every character, in which they resolved EVERY plotline of this season, LA was once again satisfied with this ending although the little plot twist with Elfnein did surprise LA. So LA posed a question at the start of this review, is this season gonna surpass G's or be like the inconsistent mess of the first season, well...with all the nitpicking and praising LA had with this season. LA enjoyed this season more than the first season but only misses out of the best season of this series to G with some of the negatives LA pointed out, however if it not for this season's ending it could have gotten to be like the first season's or worse. GX is an enjoyable bombastic, musically charged season bringing in both the flaws and strengths of the previous two seasons and ultimately succeeding in giving us another welcoming installment to the Symphogear series. LA can't wait the fourth and fifth season~!!!

I awaited this season eagerly, and was awarded with a pile of puss filled garbage compared to the rest of the series. I have enjoyed this show so much, with Symphogear G being one of the best action shows I have watched, but GX is so atrocious in comparison, I really wish I had not remembered it as of recent. It was a foot-dragging drudgery to go through this season, one that I could not recommend to even the most horrible of people. This season has very little going for it, as few characters are introduced, and those that they re-use have already been developed quite thoroughly (Hibiki, Tsubasa, Kirika, Chris, etc), so it's the same old "jazz" to see them overcome problems (in the same fashion as every series term prior), with their friendships held between one-another. The art nearly made me nearly vomit on multiple occasions, with extremely poor transitions and grossly incomprehensible battle scenes, which were comprised of discordant choreography and many flashing or overused colors (seasons prior used many of the same colors in battles with beams and swords, but did so in a much more appropriate way with the audience's perspective in mind(this time it is just no fun to look at)). The music was just kind of "ok", nothing really stuck out for me in the sound track this time around (which is a bad sign for a show about good music). These many factors really tore apart my original love for the series, as this season is the last in my mind related to the show. If you are brand new to this show, watch this season's anime first, then watch the first season, and end with G, as it will leave the best impression seeing worst to best.

To many, Symphogear GX is the weakest link in the franchise, but I actually enjoyed it more than the aforementioned first season! Though the conclusion doesn't have the most depurative departure, like many of the other sequels do, there is still a lot of meat clinging to the bones of the plot! This third season establishes the budding relationship between Tsubasa and Maria, more of the circumstances behind Hibiki's broken family comes to light, and Chris starts to feel more comfortable as the older sister character, despite her trauma and malignant guilt from her sins of the past. ⚠️ This review will have spoilers ⚠️ —Story/Characters This season had a strong start, I thought the transmutative cityscape fight created a lot of intrigue for our new villains. I remember when Carol first made her stunning appearance, I loved the aspect of her using alchemy as her ability, and the fact that she looks like Marissa Kirisame (東方Project) is a plus, too! Since I have weak spot for gothic imagery, I also loved the idea of Carol controlling a band of sentient, ball-jointed doll demons! That kind of subplot is right out of the pages of a baroque, horror tale! But, their story doesn't really lead anywhere; Carol eventually finds closure through her fusion with Elfnein, but the conclusion feels abrupt and unearned. By unearned, I mean that Carol's only driving crux is her fixation on the murder of her father, who more or less got Salem Witch Trial'ed! I can't recall anything that could ever vindicate the character of Carol after she murdered hundreds, if not thousands of people in a Tokyo megalopolis, while yodeling "genocide"! Her redemption felt generic and her angst-riddled madness didn't seem to hold much weight, but I do suppose that this is the first MAIN villain that writers tried to completely redeem, instead of being an unforgivable psycho. Even with her innocence being kept within the vessel of Elfnein, it was difficult to fully empathize with a moody little girl, that had such destructive tendencies! I think the juxtaposition of Chris is hard, too, because Chris was sexually assaulted for years, while having to come to terms with the brutal deaths of both of her parents. By comparison, Carol's killing-spree feels weak. On the bright side, it was nice to see Maria, Kirika, and Shirabe finally get to live the life of normal girls! There's more "ho yay" with Kiraka and Shirabe, as well as a burgeoning bond between Tsubasa and Maria! Chris seems to shows a romantic interest in Hibiki, but Miku and Hibiki's bond is just as strong as ever. We even get insight into their childhood together, when Hibiki's tumultuous relationship with her deadbeat Dad is revealed. Hibiki's resolution to the disdain for her father isn't adequately solved, the most he does is try to be supportive for her, but he's still is a lazy, convenience store worker at the end of the season. He doesn't really make a big sacrifice or step towards change! And towards the end, it seems like he's trying to get back together with Hibiki's mother. But, like the conclusion with Carol, it just seems unearned. The pacing of GX is much slower than the second season, too, so it can be a bit boring at times. —Technical Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅ Katsumi Ono (director), notable works: * Beast Saga * Girly Air Force ✅ * Hataraki Man * Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle — Rhyme Anima * Isekai Izakaya: Koto Aitheria no Izakaya Nobu * Master Mosquiton '99 * Yū☆Gi☆Ō! 5D's * Yū☆Gi☆Ō! Arc-V Commentary: Haven't watched many of Mr. Ono's discography, but his choreography in the Symphogear series is awe-inspiring! After the first season, I was unsure of whether I could get attached to any of the characters, but the later seasons are a Herculean fusion of some of the coolest action scenes in "Dragon Ball Z" with sweet, saccharine shōjo-ai! I play the mobile game for "Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle," so now, I'm super stoked to try out the anime adaptation! Brilliant director! Aoi Yūki as Hibiki Tachibana, notable roles: * Tōru Ichii, A-Channel * Nyx Megami, Accel World: Infinite∞Burst ✅ * Yoshiko Hanabatake, Aho Girl ✅ * Riko Mikogami, Anyamai Tantei Kiruminzū * Tsugumi Aozora, Asobi Asobase ✅ * Hana Oshiroi, Ben-To * Varel Jin, Blade & Soul * Kayo Hinazuki, Boku dake ga Inai Machi ("Erased") ✅ * Tsuyu Asui, Boku no Hero Academia ✅ * Akiho Kōsaka, Boku no Kanojo ga Majimesugiru Sho-bitch na Ken ("My Girlfriend is Shobitch") * Boogiepop and Tōka Miyashita, Boogiepop wa Warawanai (2019) ✅ * Mina Tepes, Dance in the Vampire Bund * Arisa, Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyōsōkyoku ✅ * Couvert Eschenbach Pastillage, Dog Days * Tamaki Kotatsu, Enen no Shōbōtai ("Fire Force") * Victorique de Blois, Gosick ✅ * Mihoshi, Gundam Build Fighters ✅ * Mayoi Ayasato, Gyakuten Saiban: Sono "Shinjitsu", Igi Ari! ("Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney") * John, Hakumei no Tsubasa * Konju, Kakumai to Mikochi ✅ * Nodoka Hanadera, Healin' Good PreCure ✅ * Jūbei Yagyū, Hyakka Ryōran: Samurai After * Korone, Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaō * Alice Blanche, Ikoku Meiro no Croisée ✅ * Serika Ginyūin, Kanojo ga Flag wo Oraretara ("If Her Flag Breaks") * Kiriya Ubuyashiki, Kimetsu no Yaiba ✅ * Kino, Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World * Tomo Kunagisa, Kubikiri Cycle: Aoiro Savant to Zaregototsukai ("Zaregoto Series") ✅ * Murasaki Kuhōin, Kure-nai * Giselle Collette, Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam ("Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing") ✅ * Madoka Kaname, Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica ✅ * Diane, Nanatsu no Taizai ✅ * Tatsumaki, One Punch Man ✅ * Clementine, Overlord ✅ * Krul Tepes, Owari no Seraph ✅ * Aika Nakamura, Persona 4 the Animation * Futaba Sakura, Persona 5 the Animation * Iris, Pokémon ✅ * Maihime Tenkawa, Qualidea Code * Mélie, Radiant * Kasumi Midō Barnett, Ragnastrike Angels * Fremy Speeddraw, Rokka no Yūsha ✅ * Shizuno Takakamo, Saki Achiga-hen: Episode of Side-A ✅ * Shizuno Urushibara, Seiken Tsukai no World Break * Sunako Kirishiki, Shiki * Noël Kannagi, So Ra No Wo To * Toshiko Tatsuno, Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru ("And Yet The Town Moves") ✅ * Meme Tatane, Soul Eater NOT! * Tika Blunche, Star Ocean: Anamnesis * Kayo Fujikawa, Stella no Mahō * Yūki Konno, Sword Art Online ✅ * Rino Tanaka, Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge ("Tanaka-kun is Always Listless") ✅ * Claire Cruz, Toaru Hikūshi e no Koiuta ("The Pilot's Love Song") * Yōmu Konpaku, 東方 Niji Sōsaku Dōjin Anime: Musō Kakyō ✅ * Komachi Hikigaya, Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. ("My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU") ✅ * Loup, Yakimochi Caprice * Noa Takigawa, Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo ("Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches") * Tanya Degurechaff, Yōjo Senki ✅ * Inaho Misora, Yōkai Watch * Ichigo Amano, Yumeiro Pâtissière * Mitsuko Yurizono, Yuri Kuma Arashi ✅ * Yutori Tanaka, Yutori-chan Commentary: Ms. Yūki has become a strong amount of magnetism in the industry, even invoking a memorable presence in mobile games like Fate/Grand Order ("Shuten-Dōji") and Azur Lane ("Taiho")! I think that Ms. Yūki strong personality translates well in the case of Hibiki Tachibana, a cute girl that is strong-spirited and has a cosmic punch, that is practically unrivaled! Hibiki reminded me of my best girl in Girls und Panzer ("Miho Nishizumi") and for the most part, tries to her best to keep the peace. Aoi Yūki did a wonderful job at making her cute, charming, relatable, and a fighter! Excellent seiyū! Nana Mizuki as Tsubasa Kazanari, notable roles: * Nanase Kotobuki, "Bungaku Shōjo" * Allison Whittington and Lillianne Aicasia Corazón Whittington-Schultz, Allison to Lillia * Akiko, Aoi Bungaku Series * Oboro Iga, Basilisk * Kururu, Binzume Yōsei * Saya Kisaragi, Blood-C * Angelise Ikaruga Misurugi, Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryū no Rondo * Misaki Kirihara, Darker Than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha * Nanami Takatsuki and Ricotta Elmar, Dog Days * Hannah, Dragon's Dogma * Sieglinde Baumgarde, Dragonaut: The Resonance * Cisqua, Erementar Gerad * Wrath, Fullmetal Alchemist ✅ * Bi …

This season is a joke compared to the last two, hopefully the next season is better. No good fight scenes, bad characterization, wasted plotlines. Hibiki gets turned into a crybaby for no real reason. The villains are uninteresting this time around and for the first time in Symphogear, the final battle is crap. It has none of the tension the original or G had. Every plot twist is a massive asspull and comes out of nowhere. While thats normal for a show as campy as this one, GX takes it way too far. The subplot with Hibiki's father is overly forced and loses any of its emotional appeal. They try to focus on too many characters at once so you feel jerked around all over the place. This season also has a vastly different tone than the last and also uses the dreaded monster of the week format. I almost recommend skipping this season or reading a synopsis if Symphogear AXZ turns out to be good. The biggest problem is how halfassed every fight scene in this season is compared to the first two seasons. Its a complete letdown, considering how awesome the fight choreography was in the original Symphogear and G. Compare the Maria VS Tsubasa fights in G or anyone vs Fin'e in the original. In GX every fight is over in one or two moves. As someone who likes the first two seasons this is such a massive falloff that I'm reluctant to watch AXZ when it airs.

I'll preface this by saying that the previous season, Symphogear G, was one of my favorite animes of all time. It was the only time I binged something to the end in the span of about 3-4 days. Which is why it pains my heart to say that GX has shattered my enthusiasm for the series. To avoid overt spoilers, I'll keep this brief. The plot spends far too long with the main antagonists while simultaneously making them too strong to beat, but not willing to actively defeat the main protags. In addition, it makes an active effort to try to redeem some of the most detestable father figures I've ever seen in anime. They're not even detestable of epic proportions like, say, Gendo Ikari from EVA, they're just unlikeable and impossible to sympathy with. I'm not gonna say it's without positives. I love the (technically) new additions to the main cast, and the new forms introduced are also alright.