Review of Aggretsuko (ONA) 3rd Season

The first two seasons of Aggretsuko are, to put it shortly, excellent. It's amazing the amount of effort that was put into making what could've easily just been a marketing vehicle into a funny, relatable anime with characters who are so much more than merchandise bait (though, trust me, they're all keychain-worthy). Of course I was excited for this third season, though there was this nagging feeling in the back of my brain about some of the stranger elements of the trailer I'd seen. An idol group subplot joining the story of a workplace comedy seems like the type of thing that a show that's"jumping the shark" turns to.

I've never been so happy to be so wrong.

This season of Aggretsuko incorporates music much more seriously into the plot - and I mean that both in terms of literal music, AND some characters having to "face the music." A chance encounter gives Retsuko the opportunity to explore and really think about what she's meant to be doing in life in her mid-20s. Meanwhile, Fenneko firmly tells Haida that it's time for him to "grow a pair" in the first episode of this season, and a cute new coworker forces him to take action beyond crushing on Retsuko from afar and decide if he wants to continue pursuing her - and if so, why?

The idol storyline is handled exceptionally well. It touches upon the highs and lows of the idol industry, including the unfortunate seedy parts that a lot of idol anime wouldn't dare to touch upon. It is incredibly impressive how this comedy not only decided to take on these issues, but handles them in such a mature way. (The last few episodes of this season take a surprisingly dark turn, though not in an overbearingly grim way.)

As per usual, the only thing I can really complain about with Aggretsuko is that it's so good yet so short. I watched the whole third season in one sitting, as I've done with the previous two. And, seeing what the writers and production team were capable of this season, I would hate for it to be the last. As such, I'm very likely to purchase Aggretsuko merchandise in order to show my support.

Perhaps Aggretsuko is really a giant marketing vehicle; but, if it is, it's the smartest one I've ever seen.