Anime ● Review: MF Ghost 3rd Season

Very Average Joe
2 days ago
4 min read

English Title: MF Ghost 3rd Season

Japanese Title: MFゴースト3rd Season

Director(s): Naka Tomohito

Screenwriter(s): Yamashita Kenichi

Studio: Felix Film

Released: 2026

Season 3 Runtime: 13 episodes, ~23m each.

Starring: Uchida Yuuma, Sakura Ayane, Hatanaka Tasuku, Ono Daisuke, Koube Tatsuki, Yashiro Taku, Aizawa Nanako

My Verdict: Continuation of the same strengths and weaknesses. Visually slick and well-produced. Insufficient character development and depth when there is the opportunity to do so.

● Based on the manga of the same name by Shigeno Shuichi that ran from 2017 to 2025, MF Ghost is essentially Initial D: The Next Generation. I have not read the manga so the review is purely of the anime. Also, this assumes one has seen the first and second seasons.

● 3rd Season directly follows from the second when Kanata has trouble shifting gears because of his injured arm.

● Setting aside how that situation developed was somewhat contrived in the first place, Kanata all of a sudden feels better and then works his way up through the field. There is a reason for it, but it is a weak way to connect to the other plot thread.

● As with previous seasons, the race spans a few episodes. In this season, there is a short arc of Kanata spending time with Ren over the summer, including visiting her grandmother. It’s unrealistic that it takes this long for Kanata to recognize Ren as a MFG Angel (basically a grid girl) but at least that matter is finally resolved.

● So, despite the characters not having that much depth initially, which is fine given the genre, this season finally spends some time on the two main characters outside of racing. But even though it is not meant to be slice-of-life, the narrative fails to go deeper with the characters when there is the opportunity to do so.

● There is still a lack of continuity during the race. Following different cars at different parts of the circuit is normal but when following the main characters, the narrative still feels like it is conveniently jumping or shifting from one part of the track to another.

● The above is not helped by the various camera angles employed; they look good and the editing in itself is fine but the overall effect leans too much towards the dramatic rather than racing.

● Overall, the production is excellent. It looks very clean and slick. The cars still rely too much on the use of speed lines or alarm lines on the car body to convey speed and movement but that is the style. The motion of the cars can be better but has arguably improved.

● This season shows more of Beckenbauer and Sawatari, two of the strongest drivers in the league. Beckenbauer is his usual German-machine self, which is cool enough, but Sawatari is still just a pervert. Good characters need not be good people but they need to be likable enough and there is nothing about him that is captivating.

● Unfortunately, minor characters like Kitahara Nozomi continue to be almost non-existent despite being established relatively strongly in the first season.

● Last season’s introduction of Moroboshi Sena, Takahashi Keisuke’s student, adds a little flavor to the racing. This addition is expected and feels natural.

● However, the introduction of Emma Greene, Kanata’s classmate, is a little contrived. Whilst it makes sense someone like her may participate in MFG, she is too much of a drama queen. Being infatuated with Kanata is one thing, deliberately acting like they were together when they were clearly not is pushing it, even if she is the type to play mind games.

● Interesting how Greene’s behavior is questionable but she wears a cross and criticizes Kanata’s “atheistic” views. No one is perfect but not sure what the writers are implying there. There is, of course, nothing wrong with a bit of philosophy—after all, these are meant to be people trying to get through life with all its problems, there’s bound to be some philosophisizing but it’s too crude and superficial even for the genre.

● The commentator host continues to be annoying although this is mitigated by more and better use of the guest commentators, drivers who featured in Initial D. Whilst their explanations aren’t that technical or interesting, it is a bit of fan service and as long as they are talking, the host isn’t.

● In short, this is a continuation of the same with mostly the same strengths and weaknesses. There is unfortunately not enough development and depth for the characters but at least Kanata and Ren are likable.

● Despite all its problems, it is, perhaps strangely, still watchable and moderately entertaining if one is into the genre.

● The season ends after the start of another race and the fourth season is meant to be the final season.