Maria-sama ga Miteru 3rd

Maria-sama ga Miteru OVA (a.k.a. the third season) is a sequel that doesn't disappoint. The quality of the animation is indisputably superior to its two predecessors, while the flavour of these five (fifty-minute) episodes is largely similar. This time, however, we get to see the characters in casual wear a lot more and in various settings outside of school, which is quite refreshing.

The seiyuu offer a good, consistent performance, so no complaints on that front. The ending theme songs, however, are rather at odds with the general tone of the series. The first ED passably complemented the series, but the second ... one was too upbeat. Don't skip out when the credits roll in the later episodes like I did at first, though, as it comprises absolutely gorgeous artwork.

Maria-sama ga Miteru OVA also explores different relationships that weren't previously addressed, in addition to delving into existing ones at greater length. A few characters that we haven't seen in a while are brought back (some only momentarily) and there's at least one character introduced that we haven't met properly yet.

For some reason, in the OVAs they've stopped the tradition of using tongue-in-cheek humour for the episode previews, and it's vaguely disappointing in that regard. (The DVD specials are as funny as ever though, but that's another kettle of fish.)

There were some cheesy-- but heartwarming-- moments, and it's getting increasingly to the point where the f/f subtext can't be called subtext anymore. To be sure, little is of the "in your face" sort. Some appreciate such things expressed forthright, but it is not in line with Maria-sama ga Miteru OVA's style.

So in that sense this series might not be such a good choice for these people, but I think after watching the first and second seasons, we should all know what to expect. If you haven't started liking Maria-sama ga Miteru as a whole after two seasons, it's unlikely to change in the third. With that in mind, I can only say that Maria-sama ga Miteru OVA was above and beyond what I expected.

The third "season" of Maria-sama ga Miteru, although it being titled an OVA, the episodes are like two ordinary 22 minute episode making the season somewhat close to 10 episodes. This creates more enjoyment out of the episodes and a better flow in the storyline.
Since I came in on that track the stories told are of a various mixture, some connected to the catholic school the girls attend to and some where they aren't at school at all but enjoy other activities. This is an interesting twist because we get to see them in "casual day" appearance and what they do when they are not ... at school.
As always the animation in my opinion is high class, although the pointy noses can get a tad annoying when they sort of "stick out" of the anime at times.
The sound and music is better than it has ever been! Ranging from borrowed work to where the characters them selves sing. This is a real treat and it warms me inside. The only thing musicwise is the ending song, which in my opinion doesn't befit the anime at all, but you can always skip it, right?
So overall this third season was pretty much more than enough of what I had hoped for. Be sure to watch the very end of the last episode after the credits, for a pleasant and joyful surprise!

What a season! It's only five episodes, but they are essentially double length at about 50 minutes each. With the characters firmly established after two seasons, season three veers away from high school daily life to put the girls in some exciting settings: summer vacation, a boy's school festival, sports fest and... Italy?

It's an exciting season because of all of the fun settings, even if they are somewhat typical high school drama fare. All are fun and original and really represent the payoff of the ever-so-slightly slow first two seasons: now we get to see go on exciting adventures with these characters we've come to ... like so much.

Perhaps even more satisfyingly, the central relationship of the series finally develops quite a bit, in what I found to be a satisfying way. There is not a great deal of character development with any of the other couples, they are increasingly just becoming Yumi's sidekicks. Perhaps there was just not enough time, given the reduced length of this season. It's the only real blemish on the storytelling for me though.

I enjoyed the continued slow and deliberate character development that goes hand in hand with the relentless passage of time as we're more than half way though Yumi's high school career now. There is definite foreshadowing to the inevitable departure of the older Sachiko, and the way it's being handled is quite nice. Not melodramatic, just realistically bittersweet.

The art was unremarkable except for the final episode where they go to Italy. Again I found the music to be disappointing - there is a poppier but not memorable ending theme, and a chance for a character so sing a beautiful song in Italy seemed like a total dud to me. Thankfully the story is awfully strong and more than makes up for these disappointments.

This may have been a bit of a bridge to the final season, but it has set the stage nicely, especially with the attention to Yumi and Sachiko's relationship.