One step forward, just like the prospective mountain climbers that make up the troupe of Yama no Susume. Though there was a distinct lack of a defined plot compared to the last season, the runtime was better spent on very pointed character moments which had a real purpose to gluing the narrative together. By far the best aspect of this season was the contrast between Aoi and Honoka, who are both different types of introverts. This show has been praised for its treatment of that personality type, and this season you begin to see exactly how they react to different situations. Getting to know Honoka -though she may seem distant - is a real delight and introduces a new side of the "making memories" mission of this story. Her particular obsessions make the dynamics of some of the characters feel fresh again and show off a side of introversion that's usually played for laughs in a very good light.

In general this season was far more aimless than the other two parts. In fact it wouldn't be wrong to say that the story took a rather significant downturn, but the moments it facilitates are worth breaking the team off into individual pieces for. Kaede is mostly written out of most of the major events, though it seems to be more of a consequence of her own actions rather than the writer needing to get her out of the way. In that way, the show strikes a rather naturalistic tone which honestly feels a bit refreshing. The emotional climaxes continue to be rather understated yet still carry a certain power with them which goes with the continued focus on realistic scenery.

Compared to the prior season, there does seem to be a decrease in scale and splendor in season 3. Many of the landscapes feel a bit condensed, though that does seemed to have allowed for a greater focus on detail. Seeing all of the named landmarks that the group encounters on their path and derive some kind of meaning from them is worth focusing in a bit more. That does mean it's less about scenery splendor, though that still exists.

On paper I think Yama no Susume Season 3 is a bit of a downgrade from Season 2, but I overall had a better time. It flowed nicer, even with some big moments of seeming meaninglessness. It also didn't leave off on a damp note like the previous season. Overall, it instilled me with more confidence to keep watching, and happy that there is a longer term goal in mind.