Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei S3 - Episode 1 - 10 Second Anime

Miyuki and Tatsuya enter their second year at Magic High School, meeting new students and old friends.

Episode 1 — “Double Seven Part I”

Hmm.

When 8-bit took over animation duties from the original 2014 production studio, Madhouse, for the second season in 2020, I was glad it honored the character designs. The use of CGI background characters didn’t bother me that much. Fast forward to four years later, and 8-bit now uses CGI animation for foreground elements. Scenes switching between CG and digital line drawing were still jarring. If Mahouka ever switches to full CG animation instead of interspersed 2D line drawing, I would give up on my favorite BAMF character. 8-bit included way more CG animation than four years ago. You can play the Mahouka video games to see what a full CGI anime would look like.

Putting the “progress” of cheaper animation methods to the side, the writing for Mahouka continues to be a solid mix of characterization, foreshadowing, and comedy with drama. The first episode introduced younger characters who will become devices for bragging about Tatsuya. It was an easy hero-worship device in the first and second seasons, plus Miyuki’s version of the first season, so people who enjoyed that will find fulfillment here. Like me!

Heh.

Tatsuya collected another rival. Incoming first-year Takuma Shippou has a grudge against Tatsuya, the explanation to come later. Ice Princess Miyuki will not let any disrespect for her big brother escape retribution. The Shippou clan harbors more resentment toward the ten ruling clans than the other eighteen “Assistant Families.”

Yay! Mayumi visits the campus because her younger twin sisters just entered. That Tatsuya. Always quick with compliments. Wait a second! Did Tatsuya mean Mayumi looked “mature” like an old hag? Or that she was too childish in high school? She only graduated a month ago! Too bad for the twins, but Tatsuya can handle first-year girls’ attacks. Hoho. The younger twin “admires” Miyuki. Izumi already has an elegant and excellent big sister but greedily desires another one. Hahaha! Minami explains how that can happen: If Mayumi marries Big Brother Tatsuya, she’ll become his little sister. And Miyuki’s, too! Not allowed! Kasumi won’t permit it! Mayumi had enough.

Azusa, the new student council president, must choose a representative from the incoming class. But that Shippou kid (who had the top entrance exam score) wants to join a club instead. The Saegusa twins, Mayumi’s little sisters, were right behind him. Miyuki’s number-one fan joins the council, while her violent sister joins the disciplinary committee. Kasumi will spend a lot of time with Tatsuya!

Ah. The Kuroba siblings establish the first story arc of the season. America is still messing around in Japan, trying to destabilize the Ten Master Clans. Whoever has joined the plot has a Chinese skeleton puppet speaking for them.

The opening sequence is so fun! I can’t wait for the ending theme.