Tokyo Revengers Season 3 titled ‘The Tenjiku Arc’ has come to a close with its 13th episode and it has impressed immensely. The Liden Films production has seen the cult classic back on track with its third season after an underwhelming Season 2. This revival of the show can be credited to the emphasis on seamless storytelling, creative character development, and amazing action sequences. In a year that saw many ups and downs with big titles releasing – JJK Season 2, Demon Slayer Season 3, and Bleach TYBW Cour 2 – the Tokyo Revengers Season 3 packed a rather heavy punch.
On May 24, an article written by me was published that dissected the faults of the sequel of an anime with a cult following known as Tokyo Revengers. There, I tried to be lenient towards the show because the reasons it failed were not completely their own faults; as much of the blame fell on the expectations of the fans. Then seemingly under my radar came Tokyo Revengers Season 3: Tenjiku Arc.
Starting from the very criminal cliffhanger that the Christmas Showdown left us on, Tokyo Revengers Season 3: Tenjiku Arc works its way to undo all the damages that the previous season had left. Well, almost all of them. But their efforts were not in vain as the third season of Tokyo Revengers finally lived up to the title of a proper sequel the previous season had failed to achieve. Although there were some duds, it made up for it in its own way.
Tenjiku Arc Shortcomings
Although the Tokyo Revengers Season 3 is not a failure, it’s not a masterpiece either. It has its faults and unlike the previous season where most of the faults lay on the audiences’ expectations, these faults could have been rectified. Though not one that can ruin the reputation of the anime itself, it still bothered me that these few shortcomings existed which prevented the status of the show from being that of a masterpiece that it could have been.
Let’s start with the opening of Tokyo Revengers Season 3, it’s a key to an anime that helps make it stand. Many failures of anime are still remembered due to their openings. As much as people hate Tokyo Ghoul Root-A, they can’t help but tune in to the first season’s opening. Or as my favorite Anituber said in his video essay about Music in Anime, “How great music can elevate a bad anime.” That being said, Tenjiku Arc could have used a new song instead of the previous song with new visuals. Because for an anime, that’s just Lazy.
The next fault I can find in Tokyo Revengers Season 3 is the fault that I had found in the previous season as well. However, it was with a different approach. Among all the faults that the previous season had, the fault that I felt that they could have avoided was the stretched-out ending that the final episode had, which started from the second half of its previous episode. But this season, it rushed or ended too fast. I’ll try not to spoil it since this season of Tokyo Revengers is one worth watching.
Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Improvements
In my article regarding the Christmas Showdown, I mentioned the factors that led to the failure of the previous season. Mainly those that couldn’t be avoided. They are: “The Lack of Mikey Screen-time”, and the “The Lack of Gang-war.” Both of which I explained in detail, but my explanation was too big for the article. Hence, they could not make it.
But realizing the faults of the previous season, Tokyo Revengers Season 3 worked on that and provided in spades. We not only got more screen-time of Mikey, but also the depth of his character and see his more vulnerable side fleshed out; which had been attempted in the previous season but got eclipsed due to his charisma.
The same can be said for the Gang-war, as it was non-existent in the previous season. But this season it was displayed in the very first episode with Toman being pummeled by Tenjiku the moment they set foot in Tokyo. And who could forget the ultimate battle that took place between the two gangs, which was expected from the previous season against Black Dragon?
Speaking of the Devil, the gang known as the Black Dragon finally got much more of an identity than it did in the previous season as a rival gang. With its connection to Toman, Mikey and the leader of Tenjiku, Kurokawa Izana revealed, that the Sano family’s involvement and the family tree’s expansion is something that we as an audience could not fathom. Yet, it was also something that we couldn’t help but welcome either.
The Firm Future
The pun was intentional since Tokyo Revengers involves itself with the theme of time travel. Although Takemitchy lost that ability in Tokyo Revengers Season 3 and it left him bound to the past, it was a challenge worth taking. Many protagonists need to grow by getting out of their comfort zones. The same example applies to Natsuki Subaru in the second half of Re: Zero Season 2. Funnily enough, both heroes deal with the concept and consequences of time travel, while being the dumbest person in the room.
But, with the climax of Tokyo Revengers Season 3 coming to an abrupt end with no satisfying conclusion, it begs the question: “Are there any future instalments for Tokyo Revengers?” And the answer is: Yes, there is a future. Although it’s not one that I am 100% sure of since I haven’t read the manga. But I guess it’s better to start now than never. Right?!!
Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Verdict
Tokyo Revengers Season 3 was indeed a well-constructed show that improved upon the shortcomings of the previous season. Although it had its own issues, it was not one to be dragged down by the flaws. And despite an unsatisfactory conclusion the third season of Tokyo Revengers, titled Tenjiku Arc, provided the season that many fans wished to get and they were not disappointed.
But of course, it’s not the end. Because Tokyo Revengers has one more arc till its conclusion. It may determine whether the show is worth a watch or not in the coming years. Because nobody would see a show that will have a disappointing conclusion. But since people (except me) have read the manga, maybe the fate was already decided. And I guess I should jump on that train as well.
