Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts
The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 5 – Quick Summary
In The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 5, “Steeplechase Part I,” Azusa Nakajou tried to best student council president possible. It was almost time for the competition among the schools, and Azusa went so far as to scout the other schools – in disguise, of course. But then the governing body threw a spanner into the works – they changed three of the events, and the replacements were staggeringly dangerous. Tatsuya, Miyuki, and their friends feared the worst, but only Tatsuya knew how bad it was about to get. What’s the governing body up to? Why are the new events so dangerous? And how far is Gongjin Zhou willing to go to achieve his ends?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 5
Miyuki seemed just too happy about the direction of this conversation. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I don’t think Kasumi Saegusa realized just how happy she made Miyuki in this episode. She holds a grudge against Tatsuya for some reason. Even though the peerless Mayumi Saegusa explained the situation back in episode 1, Kasumi seems to know her sister has feelings for Tatsuya. And Kasumi doesn’t like it.
It got worse after Tatsuya saw Mayumi in the swimsuit she was trying on (and I laughed when Tatsuya covered his eyes instantly – 14:43). Hearing the commotion, Miyuki became involved, and all of them (including Izumi Saegusa, who has a serious crush on Miyuki) went for snacks. That’s when Kasumi, unable to contain her wrath, suggested that Tatsuya and Miyuki were on a date.
Just check out Miyuki’s expression at the suggestion she was on a date with Tatsuya (16:18).
Tatsuya explained it was cool. They were siblings. But Kasumi would not back down. She said siblings going on dates was just too unproductive – that competent magicians had a duty to leave kids behind.
She finally said (16:35), “Or, Mr. Shiba, is it your sister who…”
Tatsuya put her in her place, but he seemed amused by the whole thing. Afterward, Miyuki seemed almost indecently happy. And I thought OreImo had cornered this particular sub-genre!
Favorite Moment from The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 5
It was great seeing them all together again. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: Erika Has a Different Perspective
I think I just realized why I like this show so much, and it’s kinda ironic, given how one-note Tatsuya’s character is. It hit me just after what I’m calling my favorite scene in this episode. By itself, it might not seem particularly noteworthy. But I really, really liked it.
Tatsuya and Miyuki had just found out from a crestfallen Azusa that the three new competition events, particularly the titular steeplechase, were exceedingly dangerous. Tatsuya and Miyuki discussed this while hanging out with their friends in a coffee shop we’ve seen in previous seasons, and you know what? It felt very homey. Very comfortable.
It was great seeing Honoka Mitsui and Shizuku Kitayama again. I’ve missed them! I’ve also missed Erika Chiba. While the rest of them were talking about how dangerous the steeplechase was going to be, Erika was all like (06:44), “Really? It sounds like fun!”
Violence fascinates Erika. She’s really good at it, too. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
She wasn’t kidding. That’s just how she is.
Together, they’re like a think tank that processes all the important events around them. They talked about how adding those events, in the context of the public’s concern about the military trying to take advantage of magic students, could become a real problem.
Tatsuya had already figured it all out, of course. He’s Tatsuya. But he a) wanted to bring his friends up to date and b) wanted to make sure he hadn’t missed anything. He’s thorough like that. He suggested (07:32) that because of the “Yokohama Incident” where terrorists attacked but the students drove them back, the JSDF “must be trying to give that kind of education a boost.”
Delivery: Tatsuya and Friends Figure Things Out
Erika’s as smart as she is strong. She caught on right away, saying, “So, it’s exactly what the anti-magician media has been agitated about.”
“Right,” Tatsuya said (07:38). “All you can say about this is that the timing is awful. Why would they make these changes in such a transparent way? We’re going to get really busy.”
Erika caught on fast – she could see the impact of a plan that had been set in motion. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Right there was my favorite moment, not because of what it was, objectively, there on the screen. But because of what it accomplished and how. By giving me characters that I care about and genuinely enjoy spending time with, the show made its world more real. And by showing me how this group of friends met to talk things over – and to decide what to do about it – reminded me favorably of something from my past. It made me, for the briefest of moments, nostalgic for my college days.
Yeah, I know. I was pretty freaked out when I realized it, too. But back then, I hung out with a group of writers and artists who sometimes met to talk about what was going on. I was no Tatsuya, and the group suffered from a distinct lack of Erikas. But looking back, those were carefree and enjoyable times. I didn’t know it then. I only realized it in retrospect. And that’s why this was my favorite moment from this episode!
It makes me wonder what I’m missing now.
What did you think of Mayumi’s reaction to Tatsuya seeing her – even if only briefly – in s swimsuit? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 5: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei Season 3 • The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 – Episode 5 discussion
- TzUwU: SURPRISEEE!!👀👀 The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 5 REACTION
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 1: Double Seven Part I
- The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 2: Double Seven Part II
- The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 3: Double Seven Part III
- The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 4: Double Seven Part IV
- The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 5: Steeplechase Part I
- The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 6: Steeplechase Part II
- The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 7: Steeplechase Part III
- The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 8: Steeplechase Part IV
- The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 9: Ancient City of Insurrection Part I
- The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 10: Ancient City of Insurrection Part II
- The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 11: Ancient City of Insurrection Part III
- The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 12: Ancient City of Insurrection Part IV
- The Irregular at Magic High School Season 3 Episode 13: Ancient City of Insurrection Part V
Erika is my best girl in this show. Bro and sis often leave a little flat.
You have excellent taste! I’m rather partial to Mayumi, too. but Erika’s always been a favorite of mine — ever since she so easily befriended Tatsuya, in fact.