Date A Live III Review: A Captivating Story and Character Evolution

"Date A Live III": A date with a spirit brings about a new battle

"Date A Live III" is the third season of the TV anime series based on the light novel by Tachibana Koushi, and was broadcast from January 11 to March 29, 2019. A total of 12 episodes were broadcast every Friday from 9:30 pm for 30 minutes on stations such as AT-X and TOKYO MX. Animation was handled by JCSTAFF, with director Keitaro Motonaga, series composition by Hideki Shirane, and character design by Koji Watanabe.

story

The setting of "Date A Live III" is a world hit by a sudden disaster called "spacequakes". These spacequakes are caused by beings called spirits that emerge from a critical point, and in order to escape this disaster, humanity is searching for a way to either exterminate the spirits or seal their powers by "dating them and making them fall in love". The protagonist, Itsuka Shido, has the ability to seal the powers of spirits by making them fall in love and kissing them, and he throws himself into the battle to save them by dating the spirits.

In the third season, Shido's battle becomes even more complicated with the appearance of a new spirit, the Seven Sins. Although the Seven Sins were initially friendly towards Shido, they suddenly changed their attitude and began to corner him as if he were their sworn enemy. In addition, forces such as AST, which tries to eliminate the spirits, DEM, which tries to use the spirits, and Ratatosk, which tries to communicate with the spirits, become intertwined, and a new war begins.

cast

The main cast of "Date A Live III" is as follows:

• Shido Itsuka: Nobunaga Shimazaki
• Touka Yatogami: Marina Inoue
• Tobiichi Origami: Misuzu Togashi
• Kotori Itsuka: Ayana Taketatsu
• Yoshino: Iori Nomizu
• Tokisaki Kurumi: Sanada Asami
• Yamayaya: Maaya Uchida
• Yamai Yuzuru: Sarah Bridcutt Emi
• Tempting Night Miku: Minori Chihara
• Seven Sins: Ayumi Mano

Main Staff

The main staff of "Date A Live III" are as follows:

• Original author: Tachibana Koushi (serialized in Dragon Magazine, published by Fantasia Bunko)
• Original illustration: Tsunako
• Director: Keitaro Motonaga
• Series Composition: Hideki Shirane
• Character design: Koji Watanabe
• Chief animation director: Koji Watanabe, Koji Yamakawa
• Art director: Bizen Koichirō
• Color design: Ayaka Hino
• Director of photography: Yoshio Okochi
• Edited by: Yoshiaki Kimura
• Sound Director: Yasunori Ebina
• Sound effects: Kiyotaka Kawada
• Music: Tsuyoshi Sakabe
• Music Production: Nippon Columbia
• Animation production: JCSTAFF
• Production: "Date A Live III" Production Committee

Main Characters

Let's take a closer look at the main characters of "Date A Live III."

Shido Itsuka

Itsuka Shido is a second-year student at Raizen High School in Amagyou City, and has the ability to seal the power of spirits within his body. He has saved many spirits with the help of Ratatoskr, where his step-sister Kotori serves as commander. As his parents are busy and often away from home, he is the breadwinner of the family, doing all the housework and cooking. Shido's character is portrayed as a reliable presence, combining kindness and a sense of responsibility.

Yatogami Tohka

Yatogami Tohka is the first spirit that Shido saved, and has a bright, cheerful, and innocent personality. Through Ratatosk's arrangement, she became Shido's classmate. She loves to eat, and is especially fond of kinako bread and Shido's home cooking. She has a deep love for Shido, and the angel that emerges is Sandalphon, the Lord of Massacre.

Tobiichi Origami

Tobiichi Origami is Shido's classmate and self-proclaimed lover. She is the most intelligent and athletic girl at Raizen High School, and has a mysterious beauty. Although she is a high school student, she is a member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's anti-spirit unit, AST. Having lost her parents in an attack by spirits, she has vowed to take revenge. Her expression of affection towards Shido is quite carnivorous, a stark contrast to her cool impression.

Itsuka Kotori

Itsuka Kotori is Shido's step-sister who became a spirit through the hands of someone. When she wears a white ribbon, she is an innocent and cute little sister, but when she wears a black ribbon, she becomes the commander of Ratatosk. Her favorite food is lollipops, and the angel she manifests is the Scorching Demon Kamael.

Yoshino

Yoshino is the second spirit that Shido has saved, and has a quiet and withdrawn personality. Her best friend, Yoshinon, who is in her left hand, is cheerful and loves to joke around. While there are many spirits with strong personalities, Yoshino's presence is an oasis for Shido's heart. The angel that emerges is the "Frozen Puppet, Zadkiel".

Tokisaki Kurumi

Tokisaki Kurumi is the "Worst Spirit" that Shido has encountered and failed to save so far. She is a unique spirit among the spirits that often appear in the human world by chance, and even kills people intentionally. She seems to act with some kind of purpose, but that purpose has not been revealed. The angel she manifests is "Zafkiel, the Emperor of Time".

Yamayaguya

Yamai Yaguya is a spirit that Shido met on the island of Arumi, the destination of the Raizen High School school trip. In order to survive as the true Yamai, he challenges another spirit, Yuzuru, to a match in which he will "seduce Shido with his charm." The angel that is sealed away by Shido along with Yuzuru and emerges is "Hydrogen Knight <Raphael>."

Yamai Yuzuru

Yamai Yuzuru is a spirit that Shido met on Arumi Island, just like Yaguya. After being sealed away by Shido, he often teases Yaguya. He calls Origami, who taught him "how to win Shido over," "Master Origami" and adores her. The angel he manifests is "Hydrogen Knight <Raphael>".

Temptation Miku

Miku Izayoi was originally an idol and human, but became a spirit through the power of the Phantom. Her beauty and captivating singing voice make her very popular as an idol. She hated men, but after being sealed away she became infatuated with Shido. The angel she manifests is "Gabriel, the Destructive Diva".

Seven Sins

Nanasin is an "adult" spirit with a height of 170cm and measurements of 94-62-90, putting any model to shame. Although she was initially friendly towards Shido, she suddenly changed her attitude and began to corner him as if he were her sworn enemy. The angel she manifests is the "Counterfeit Witch <Haniel>".

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode of "Date A Live III" are as follows:

• Episode 1: The Seventh Spirit
• Episode 2: Can you find me?
• Episode 3: The Seven Sins Are You
• Episode 4: Transformation
• Episode 5: Despair Falls
• Episode 6: Parting Ways
• Episode 7: The Power Brought
• Episode 8: The Demon King of the Dark Night
• Episode 9: Five years ago, Tenkyu City
• Episode 10: Another World, Another Girlfriend
• Episode 11: Angel on a Starry Night
• Episode 12: Conquer Itsuka Shido

Related Titles

"Date A Live III" is connected to the following related works:

• Date A Live
• Date A Live II
• Date A Live Mayuri Judgment

Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music for "Date A Live III" are as follows:

Opening Theme

• Period: Episodes 1-12
• Song Name: I swear
• Lyricist: Shio Watanabe
• Composer: Tsuyoshi Sakabe
• Arrangement: Tsuyoshi Sakabe
• Sung by: sweetARMS

Ending Theme

• Period: Episodes 1-12
• Song Name: Last Promise
• Lyricist: Riko Ohashi
• Composer: Riko Ohashi
• Arrangement: hisakuni
• Vocals: Erii Yamazaki

Evaluation and Impressions

"Date A Live III" brings out the charm of the original work to the fullest, while breathing new life into the story with the appearance of a new spirit, the Seven Sins, and the deepening of the relationship between Shido and the spirits. In particular, the character of the Seven Sins draws viewers in with her sudden change of attitude from her initial friendly attitude, adding tension to the story. In addition, the movements of forces such as AST, DEM, and Ratatosk have become more complex, making Shido's battle even more difficult.

JCSTAFF, in charge of animation production, puts effort into character design and depiction of battle scenes to enhance the visual appeal. In particular, the scenes where each spirit angel emerges overwhelm viewers with their beautiful visuals and powerful performances. In addition, the music, composed by Tsuyoshi Sakabe and produced by Nippon Columbia, enhances the atmosphere of the story. The opening theme "I swear" and the ending theme "Last Promise" have beautiful melodies and lyrics that reflect the theme of the story, and will resonate with viewers' hearts.

The acting of the cast is also superb, especially the kindness and strength of Itsuka Shido played by Shimazaki Nobunaga, the innocence and love of Yatogami Tohka played by Inoue Marina, and the coolness and passion of Tobiichi Origami played by Togashi Misuzu, all of the individual characters are well expressed. In addition, the sudden change in Nanasin played by Mano Ayumi is also impressive, increasing the tension of the story.

Recommended points

"Date A Live III" is an appealing work with its unique setting of a date with spirits and a story that depicts Shido's growth and the deepening of his relationship with the spirits. In particular, the story development becomes more complex, with the appearance of the Seven Sins and the movements of AST, DEM, and Ratatosk, and it is full of elements that attract viewers. In addition, the beautiful visuals, powerful battle scenes, and moving music are not to be missed.

To enjoy this work, you can get a deeper understanding of the story if you check out the original light novel and the previous works "Date A Live" and "Date A Live II" in advance. You can also get a deeper understanding of the charm of the entire series by watching the related work "Date A Live Mayuri Judgment" at the same time.

"Date A Live III" is an appealing work with its unique setting of a date with spirits and a story depicting Shido's growth and the deepening of his relationship with the spirits. In particular, the story development becomes more complex, with the appearance of the Seven Sins and the movements of AST, DEM, and Ratatosk, and it is full of elements that attract viewers. In addition, the beautiful visuals, powerful battle scenes, and moving music are not to be missed. In order to enjoy this work, it is recommended to check out the original light novel and the previous works "Date A Live" and "Date A Live II" in advance to understand the story more deeply. Also, by watching the related work "Date A Live DATEALIVE Mayuri Judgment" at the same time, you can feel the charm of the entire series even more.