Review of The Familiar of Zero: Rondo of Princesses

I have very mixed feelings about this season. I don't think it was bad, but I'm also going to put it on record that I think this was the weakest season by far and that's coming from someone that absolutely loved both Season 1 and 2. Up until Season 3, The Familar of Zero has done a fantastic job with world building and introducing us to a cast of characters that are all in their own right pretty solid. I whole heartedly believe this show doesn't have any bad characters (has yet to watch season 4 so that may be different) - Each episode of Season1 and 2 felt really interesting to watch. Plot twists here and there that I honestly didn't expect. An example of this being with Agnes and Colbert - when that plot was revealed I was actually shocked. (Trying to avoid spoilers) - The show was a great balance between funny, serious and "fan service" here and there.

Season 3 has felt different. 1 and 2 there was definitely fan service, ecchi and suggestive themes and natures that I wouldn't say put a damper on the season. Whilst it's not to my taste personally, I don't mind if it's done tastefully. Season 3 though I swear they ramped that up 100 times because at least in the first 6-7 episodes it really felt in your face and it felt like you couldn't go more than a few minutes without some sort of degeneracy going on. Which is really disappointing because I felt like it was a pretty decent start to the season. Louise losing her contract with Saito and wondering how to get it back, who is this Tiffania girl and why and how did she save Saito?, who is this mysterious mage that wants Louise? etc. It almost felt like they wasn't confident that story alone was enough to carry the season so they sprinkled in this fan service to try keep out attention but in retrospect it was a bit too much.

Speaking of Louise: I mentioned in my review of season 1 how with Tsundere characters I'm not typically a big fan of and that statement of mine still holds true. Louise is one of the rare exceptions to this and that fact has not changed at all but there was a lot of times in this season Louise was basically having a crisis. I understand where she was coming from with it but sometimes she would be really irrational with her decisions due to her emotions. I still really like Louise and I don't think that'll ever change but I wish she didn't act so rash in every situation. She's insecure, scared and feels lonely unless with Saito and it really shows.

Originally I was going to rate this season a 6, due to the amount of fan service it was shoving down our necks. Episode 6.5 was nothing but that, but I'm sticking with 7 due to I feel like it really picked it up in the second half of the season. When they were serious it was really good. Whilst I hope season 4 isn't going to be like what season 3 has been, I'm still enjoying this anime as a whole regardless. Each character in this show has been great. The only character I have a small critique on is Siesta. She's also becoming a bit of a horn dog for Saito but pretty much they all are so I'm not even surprised but she's actively trying to win him over despite Saito announcing his love many times to Louise. It just feels like a bit of poor taste to me which is a shame because in season 1 especially she was a fantastic character.

7/10