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Don't worry about that, it's just something I have to work on myself!

On the season 2 and Margarete point. I've never even considered Superstar could've gone down that direction, and you're right in that it would've been so much more interesting than what we had here. I perhaps have the luxury of not having watched that many idol shows (Bang Dream MyGO, which is definitely a-typical in the space, Love Live OG and Superstar, and maybe K-on and Bocchi, if those even count), so the stagnant-ness of Love Live hasn't necessarily got to me yet.

Thanks for your clarification, also. I gave the Anilist version a glance as well, and in addition to clearing up what you meant in those paragraphs, it added a certain je nais se quoi that showed it was definitely written with images in mind. Whereas here you sound a level-headed critic that occasionally enjoys your idol anime. On Anilist, in contrast, the review reads like a fan's begrudging admission of the slow creative death of a series they hold dear.

I still remember being so angry about season two that I swore to not support any Bandai's ventures w/ Liella, I lost my rational mind somewhere along the way, and you helped me find it back. Again, I couldn't praise your style enough.

Alright, let's move on to OnK.

We have talked about previously how the cruelty/perils of the entertainment industry only ever serves as exposition but almost never actually happens to the characters themselves, and how that rips any tension out of the interesting (i.e., grimmer) parts of OnK. I can totally see going down the darker route was something the manga definitely could have done, but don't necessarily think that alone deserves docking that many points.

Judged on its own merits, I think OnK has a decent central message of, ironically, moving on. And this becomes increasingly clear as OnK wraps up: characters are straight up villains if they didn't and the "good guys" all eventually find their way out of the misery. Saitou from Ichigo productions didn't for years, and then his life got a lot better when he did; Aqua almost lived happily ever after the theatre arc until he plummets back into his destructive habits, he then died in peace at the end once realises he has moved on from Ai, instead doing it all for his sister; Ruby learnt to handle loss properly and her eye's literally turned from black to white from that moment on. I can go on and on, but you get the point.

This is on top of the great job Aka did with characterisation and interesting quasi-insider information we get from the series, which I see as fun trivia than anything plot substantial. All of which ultimately lead me to giving OnK a 7. Some plot holes (such as Ai's murderer being the partner of one of B-Komachi's then member's partner, the biggest and most recent example) left me wanting but overall it was a fun read.

Hope this all at least kinda make sense. I'm sure there'll be something I need to clarify/rethink about, it's almost 4am now for me and my mind is not minding properly anymore!

EDIT: Oh my god sorry! I accidentally deleted your reply from my previous comment! I am so sorry!

Thanks for such a thoughtful reply!
I actually agree with your assessment of Margarete and her position as a solo rival, though! It shows the show’s refusal to fully commit to embracing risks, like the potential exploration of why Margarete almost beat Liella. I too would have loved to see more of that introspection—it could have added real depth to the group’s arc. Agree with your "have its cake and eat it too"; it captures how the season felt stuck between its ambitions and its commercial constraints.

Okay, again, enough of my rambling as a fan—thank you so much for your critical approach to this anime. As a fan, it’s easy for me to have a clouded and biased perspective, so I appreciate how your insights help me see it from a different viewpoint.

Hey ZNoteTaku, what a well-written review for Superstar S3! I want to share my opinion as a fan of Liella the group and have my thoughts on the anime after reading your review.
I personally still enjoyed the third season, but agree that it had so much potential or "promises at each reconciliation that they can change and become better" like you said in the review but was bogged down by bad writing (especially in Season 2) and its persistence to not deviate from the usual "formula", probably because they are treated as the "roots" or "conventional" groups like μ's(SIP) and Aqours(Sunshine) while Nijigasaki and Hasunosora are the "experimental" ones.

That said, I completely understand where you're coming from in your critique. Love Live! has always walked a fine line between heartfelt sincerity and commercial calculation, and for long-time watchers or even fans or those seeking more narrative depth, it can feel frustratingly stagnant. While I personally still find joy in the music, the performances, the cute and fun characters, and the growth of the seiyuu themselves as a real-life Idol Group, I do agree with the storytelling in Superstar!! season three still fell short of its potential (I still think they need more episodes and/or runtime to explore the characters, motivations, and interactions because they need to rely on visual storytelling such as symbolism and sequence of tableaux). The decisions made with Margarete's arc and the handling of Kanon's involvement felt particularly rushed and at odds with the more daring direction it initially seemed to be taking.

Not gonna lie, as a fan of Liella!, it's hard not to feel a little defensive when reading such a critical review like yours. Still, I appreciate how you articulate your points with care rather than dismissiveness. It’s clear you’ve put a lot of thought into why the series no longer resonates with you, and I really genuinely respect that. I think for newer fans like me, it’s about balancing the love for what works—like the vibrant songs and the seiyuus' energy—with the frustrations about what could have been.

Then again, I’m grateful for the parts of the franchise that still bring me happiness, even if I understand why they no longer work for everyone, including you.

Thanks again for the thoughtful review. It’s always good to see different perspectives, even when they don’t entirely align with my own.
And congratulations on your graduation from Love Live! series!

Hey ZNote, it's me again! Nice Superstar review. Glad someone else put into words my immense frustration towards the series for butchering its own potential. Although I personally still enjoyed the third season (with much annoyance, I don't like that I'm occasionally a sucker for hardcore otaku pandering shows) and operate on rating/reviewing shows on a pure enjoyment basis, I couldn't bring myself to praising Superstar all that much on a technical level.

I think I've said it before, but you always have a way with words and such a clear line of thought that gives me a sort of inferiority complex.



Was such a wake up call for me from a dream that I clinged onto desperately.

Some points I don't agree with, but that's just the nature of things. You mentioned that the warning signs started in season 2, for example, but that's being way too generous. Season 2 of Love Live Superstar to me was already an unequivocal declaration that the series was not going to part from it's roots.



I found this quite cryptic as well. What point were you trying to make with this specifically? I'd just like to know.

Also, if you still remember, sorry for never getting back to you after the Oshi no Ko comment I left, it was certainly something that I needed time to digest. One thing lead to another and now it's now more than a year old now and thought it's now too late. If you're still interested I'd be very happy to restart that conversation.

Oh what's your anilist username? Let me follow you.

Oh I saw we had an affinity over 60% in anime. So I was like "why don't I send a friend request".

Hello thanks for accepting the friend request!!!

I don't know.

And you are correct

Don't tempt me God damn it! I'm afraid I'll hate it:(

Yeah it makes sense ^_^ thanks for your response bub! Yeah maybe H!E was just too much for me. Amazing show but I should write a review of it all. It's hard to describe it without making a youtube analysis

Oh awesome dude thanks so much!! Man Turn A Gundam.. I've wanted to start it so badly but I've still in this last 15 years only finished Yoshiyuki Tomino's OG 1979, Zeta, and 0080 War in the pocket Gundam. There are so fucking many now I told myself not to try anymore but I want to lmao.

I've been mostly rewatching favorites lately. But I did finish Hibike! Euphonium season 3. Also Kimi ni Todoke season 3. Hibike is wee but too overrated I think. I like it. But God it doesn't deserve that like 8.6 or whatever the fuck it has on MAL lmao

Yeah watched anything fun lately?

I'm find just glad to hear you're doing well!

How are you buddy!