Ghost Concert: Missing Songs Ep.03 - Okita Souji! Shuri's focused episode

Episode 03 of Ghost Concert: Missing Songs continues, as expected, by focusing on the other heroines. I have to say that my initial hype has lowered now that the show has become a "who is the new historical figure" game without strong links to the main story. This time, the focus was on Shuri Murayama and her wish to become stronger.

I mentioned in my post on the first episode that this felt like an attempt to build a *Senki Zesshou Symphogear* clone, and everything still points to that. Unfortunately, it feels like something designed in a cold management room for that purpose before the creators even considered the storyline or direction.

Her backstory was ultra plain with the old guy and all that baggage. Not impressed to be honest.

Shuri had quite some aura, but then got defeated with ease. Poor girl, not being the main heroine can be harsh in certain series.

The episodic approach used so far damages this kind of story because it doesn't allow for tension to build and instead lowers the stakes. I remember being hyped by *Symphogear* because of how it kept raising the stakes as the heroines tried their best to thwart the villain.

Was that story impressive? Not really, but it didn't give me time to think about it. I remember clearly the moment where everything felt lost to the villain, with Hibiki alone on the ground. The hype felt when she rose up, with a pillar of light appearing to show that the other two heroines were alive and well, is still something I have not seen replicated elsewhere.

Returning to this episode, the historical figure explored was Okita Souji from the Shinsengumi, who defeated Shuri and required Seria to save the day. I will be honest: my first reaction to seeing a male Okita Souji was, "Wait, wasn't she female... oh right, that's Fate/Grand Order".

Shuri's situation wasn't really resolved, but she now has Okita Souji as a teacher to help her improve. It is nice, but I feel it would have been better if she had been the one to overcome the obstacle instead of relying on Seria to save the day yet again. It may get boring if everything falls back on her every episode.

I'm still not fully sure what is the power of Riku, are these small things her familiar or something?

What did Aiba Seria, Aoki Riku and Saionji Kaede see? Wrong answers only.

Of course, they did deliver another song this episode, which was serviceable. I still liked the first episode's song best, but it confirms that they plan to add a new duet song for every historical figure they introduce. I wonder how this connects to the app that seemingly controls the world.

I am still hopeful for this series because of the yuri potential I see between Kaede and Seria. I think it is still salvageable, but they need to start moving the main story along soon. Surely there must be plenty to talk about with all the jargon they have dropped so far.