K-ON!! 3

Fawning over the club’s new pet sea turtle which they affectionately nicknamed Ton-chan, Yui coos how adorable the turtle is while Azusa earnestly reads up on how to care for such a turtle. Looking on hesitantly, Mio is unsure what to do, but her friends swiftly drag her into the turtle mania.

Taken out of their turtle reverences by a loud shriek, the girls wonder what is amiss when Ritsu shouts she’s through with drums. Showing them videos of their past performances, Ritsu vents her frustration that as the drummer, she’s literally in the dark, never do the spotlights shine on her.

Thinking of switching instruments, Ritsu tries to play guitar under Yui and Azusa’s expert guidance, however the cheeky girl quickly gives up when she realizes playing guitar isn’t going as easy as she’d hoped it would be.

Not abandoning her initial idea yet, Ritsu tries her hand at playing the keyboard, much to Tsumugi’s delight, for the blonde girl is earnestly amused by the sounds Ritsu is able to concoct.

Suggesting Ritsu might try playing bass, Yui is surprised when her friend declines. Explaining the bass is Mio’s territory, Ritsu lets an endearingly emotional Mio explain how she wants to be a supporting pillar for everyone in the band by playing the bass, a role she doesn’t feel like giving up. Suddenly embarrassed at her heartfelt revelations, Mio acts as shy as ever.

Passing Sawako in the corridor, Ritsu is taken aback by the sparkling aura their teacher seems to have these days, as if she’s alive with a rich inner glow. Entering the music club room after class, Ritsu is quick to declare she too wants to shine like Sawako.

Talking to Azusa while heading home from school, Yui wonders out loud how it would be if she were to play drums in Ritsu’s stead. Not unexpectedly, Yui’s cute underclassman Azusa vehemently objects, stating Yui should stick to guitar so that she can keep an eye on her.

Trying out several ideas to see Ritsu shine, Yui has them re-arrange their stage positions, shine a bright light right on Ritsu or even periodically all look back at her to establish more contact on stage, ideas which all prove unsuccessful.

Happily humming a tune as she applies some lipstick in front of the mirror, Sawako joins her students to pose for the annual class photos and relishes in her new found popularity now that she’s their homeroom teacher.

Sitting in her room feeling blue, Ritsu reminisces on what made her want to play drums in the first place. As she gradually remembers seeing a concert on television with Mio, buying her drum set and more, her initial enthusiasm resurfaces and that energetic smile appears on her face again.

Late for class because she overslept after watching one of her favorite concerts through the night, Ritsu rushes to school with Mio. Slowly creeping past the classroom to sneakily enter from the back, Ritsu and Mio’s stealthy maneuvers are for naught when Yui suddenly calls out to them.

Worried they might get scolded by Sawako, the girls are startled to see their teacher wear sun glasses and a surgical mask. Asking Sawako later on what happened to her, the girls pity their poor teacher when she whimpers having gone overboard with a new cream she had tried on.

Back in the club room, Ritsu proudly exclaims she’s back, having decided drums is what it’s all about for her.

Another fun episode, especially glad to see one focusing on Ritsu again. The first season also had an episode dedicated to her character who while she sometimes seems to get less significant airtime in episodes and plots, does play a central supporting pillar in the light music club and in the synergy between the girls.

Next to being the token energetic and sometimes silly girl, she’s still a character with sufficient depth to actually shine when she’s given some focus in episodes such as this one.

In fact her situation may seem familiar to many. Who hasn’t had a hobby, passion, job or other where when disappointed over time with one of its aspects seeks some change in it and ultimately somehow rekindles that original fire, finding once again the passion that attracted you to it in the first place?

Next week the girls will head to Kyoto on a school field trip, I wonder what shenanigans they will be up to!