Cardfight!! Vanguard Divinez Season 1, Episode 3 “Unparalleled and Miracles” is another great chapter for the franchise, filled with heart and excitement. Cardfight!! Vanguard has gone through many changes over the years, but the heart of the franchise has always remained the same.
The goal is to tell a compelling story that whisks viewers/players away to a far-away land of enchantment and conquest. The physical card game accomplishes this through competition, while the anime brings the fantasy to the TV screen.
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The franchise is currently in the “D Series” era that began with Cardfight!! Vanguard overDress. The anime and TCG went through a soft reboot with the release of that 2021 anime. The world introduced in overDress was continued for three seasons of Cardfight!! Vanguard will+Dress. Divinez takes place after both of those, and it is the third show overall in D Series. D series will run through 2025, and it will feature several more seasons of anime.
CARDFIGHT VANGUARD DIVINEZ – Nao Inabe Vs. Akina Myodo
Cardfight!! Vanguard Divinez Episode 3 begins with a flashback to Nao Inabe’s youth. Nao is a coworker of the protagonist, Akina Myodo, as well as his Cardfight!! Vanguard teacher. Inabe has dreams of going pro, and her window of opportunity is closing. Stories and games provide a form of escapism that is freeing and treasured by so many. Vanguard is a card game that tells a story that takes players to a magical, distant world. Because of that, Nao fell in love with the game, but eventually the pressure to be the best-changed things.
Yuka Nishio voices Nao Inabe, and she does a wonderful job bringing her character’s fiery passion to life. Gabwellius, the spirit possessing a stuffed dragon who is hosting the “Fated Clash” tournament, pays Nao a visit. He gives her a special card and explains that if she can win the tournament, she will have her wishes granted and become an unparalleled fighter. Nao and Akina make their way up a scenic mountain, ready to cardfight but unaware that they are to face one another.
Upon realizing who her opponent is, Nao remarks that “God can be so mean”. She has a special place in her heart for Akina, and she doesn’t want to take away his chance at a miracle. He also realizes how much is at stake in this game, and challenges his friend to go all out. Cardfight!! Vanguard Divinez creates an electric atmosphere of tension before the first card is drawn.
CARDFIGHT!! VANGUARD DIVINEZ – Nao Inabe Rekindles Her Passion
Their battle begins, and an intense orchestral score drives the dramatic showdown. The battle moves fast, and assumes that viewers now have a fairly sound understanding of how Cardfight!! Vanguard plays. Nao Inabe uses an ability to call a unit to her rearguard from the soul, and I’m not sure that Cardfight!! Vanguard Divinez has even explained the concept of the soul yet. The soul is the stack of cards underneath your Vanguard – it grows as you ride stronger units on top of weaker ones, and it can be utilized for various effects. They balance this oversight later in this episode with a satisfyingly brief and thorough breakdown of the “Persona Ride” mechanic.
Akina Myodo’s fascinating approach to Cardfight!! Vanguard as a novice is generally fun and likable, but it does falter from time to time. Akina Myodo notices Nao Inabe attacking his rear guards after his Vanguard receives a power boost. Myodo is shocked by this relatively simple discovery, and his amateurish observation comes across as more hokey than charming.
CARDFIGHT VANGUARD DIVINEZ – Strengths Greatly Outweigh Weaknesses
Akina and Nao’s battle heats up as damage is dealt to both players. Nao Inabe unleashes her trump card, “Fated One of Unparalleled, Varga Dragres”, and they are a sight to behold. Varga Dragres is illustrated beautifully, and in these duels, only the trump cards are animated – the other units are only displayed as cards on the field. The samurai-inspired, sword-wielding beast squares off against Akina’s “Fated One of Miracles, Rezael” in a shimmering showdown.
The creative direction of this episode is impressive because as the battle reaches its climax, the victor becomes unclear. We assume that Akina is destined to win because he is the protagonist, but the match takes such a turn where victory seems completely out of reach for our hero. When it seems like all is lost, Akina speaks about how he will fight to heal his sister and achieve that miracle no matter how the game goes. His love for his family and his undying determination in the face of adversity, and what more can you ask for from a trading card game/anime geared towards children?
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Cardfight!! Vanguard Divinez, Season 1, Episode 3, “Unparalleled and Miracles” earns a 7/10 for its dynamic action and motivational drive.
Stream the new episode of Cardfight!! Vanguard Divinez on the official Cardfight!! YouTube Channel here. New episodes of the series stream on Friday at 6PM EST. You can also stream the show on Crunchyroll, the anime streaming service. Find it under the tab for Cardfight!! Vanguard overDress.
About Cardfight!! Vanguard Divinez
Directed By: Taku Yamada
Music By: Hijiri Kuwano
Character Design By: Tomokatsu Nagasaku and Hiroyuki Saita
Series Composition By: Shun Menjo and Takahito Onishi
Starring: Toshiya Miyata as Akina Myodo, Eri Yukimara as Hikari Myodo, Jun Fukuyama as Gabwellius, Reiji Kawashima as Suo Yobitisugi, Takumi Mano as Taizo Kiyokura, Yuka Nishio as Nao Inabe and Amane Shindo as Megumi Okura.
Synopsis: One day, a youth named Akina Myodo from Kanazawa of Kaga obtains a mysterious card after experiencing a vision of planet Cray. That card is proof that he has been chosen as the Fated One of Miracles, and an invitation to the “Fated Clash”, where the last one standing can have their wish granted. “Cardfight!! Vanguard” is a Japanese animation which revolves around the trading card game with the same name.
What did you think of Cardfight!! Vanguard Divinez Season 1, Episode 3 “Unparalleled and Miracles”? Let us know your thoughts on social media, and thanks for reading! We are always watching.
KEEP READING: CARDFIGHT!! VANGUARD DIVINEZ – Episode 2 ‘Fated Clash’ Review
