Aim for the Ace!: Final Stage

As the series went on, it got lower audience ratings. And I agree with the audience. For me, if was the opposite of Attack No 1. The audience rated Attack No 1 an average score, but it was actually a very good series. This series got a good score, but was ultimately a rather lackluster series. The issue was the priorities. More time focused on a romantic subplot and a temper tantrum, as opposed to the actual sport. The main character didn't even feel like a main character at times. The rivalries weren't built up. Maybeit needed more episodes. Attack No 1 managed to have a romantic subplot, while also building up the rivalries organically. Though Attack No 1 also had more than 100 episodes. This series felt like they were limited and had to chose, and they decided that the romantic subplot was more important. Perhaps the stories needed to be broken up, and have focus on them. I don't know... I hate to compare, but I have to. I went into Attack No 1 thinking it'd just be a 6/10, and it was ultimately a 9/10. I went into this series thinking it'd be an 8/10, but it was ultimately a 4/10 series at the end of the day. Bummer.

The third and final season of Ace wo Nerae! primarily focuses on the relationships between our beloved players, particularly Oka and Toudou, as well as Reika and Midorikawa. They grapple with emotional dilemmas that often disrupt their focus on tennis. Love and friendship were the main themes of this season. Toudou goes through a difficult and frustrating period, but Oka’s emotional support gives him renewed energy and confidence. This mirrors the first season, when Toudou was the one supporting Oka during her early matches. The role reversal was adorable to watch. The two lovebirds finally get to enjoy a sweet moment together, something they trulydeserved from the very first season. I believe the purpose of this season was to demonstrate that love and friendship are powerful sources of motivation and should not be denied to young folks. That’s why I really appreciated Oka’s impulsive decision to travel to the United States to see Toudou, even if it didn’t sit well with Coach Katsura. We are all human and naturally long for such connections. Ironically, while they can sometimes be the source of emotional turmoil, they are also what help us endure and overcome difficult moments. The visuals and soundtracks remain incredible. The City Pop vibe of the final opening theme really resonated with me, making it my favorite in the entire series. This is one of the rare shows where I genuinely loved every single opening. Like the previous season, this one was short but very satisfying for me. It concludes the series on a much more mature note, which feels fitting as the characters now face the transition into adulthood. Our beloved players, now grown, choose to forge their own paths while remaining deeply grateful to Coach Munakata, who guided them during their promising beginnings. In conclusion, this third season of Ace wo Nerae! delivers a touching and coherent ending, highlighting the emotional growth of its characters. Through love, friendship, and personal choices, it reminds us that growing up also means learning how to balance passion and emotion. Despite its short length, the season feels complete and closes the story beautifully, allowing the players to step into adulthood with hope, gratitude, and determination.