Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Anime » REVIEW: ‘ Horimiya: The Missing Pieces’ Episode 3 — “Sports Day”

REVIEW: ‘ Horimiya: The Missing Pieces’ Episode 3 — “Sports Day”

Allyson JohnsonBy Allyson Johnson07/15/20234 Mins ReadUpdated:02/12/2024
Horimiya: The Missing Pieces Episode 3
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces Episode 3

One of the major highlights of Horimiya: The Missing Pieces has been the development of the bizarre bond between Sengoku and Miyamura. Sengoku was always a fun character, especially once we realized that beyond being the student council president, he was struggling as much as the rest of the characters. Teaming up with Miyamura as the two fight the injustices of the high school ecosystems though has made him shine, however. In Horimiya: The Missing Pieces Episode 3, “Sports Day,” we continue to see his downbeat demeanor makes for a comedic foil against Miyamura, who has Hori and Ishiakawa’s belief in him as a constant motivator.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

It also taps into that friendship dynamic that’s a personal favorite, the dumb and also dumb duo. Because Sengoku’s greatest frustration in this episode stems from his realization that Miyamura has been coerced into actually trying at the sports day, calling him a traitor. It’s not a big moment in an episode consumed by the ongoing events of the day as we watch established friendships lift one another up but it manages to showcase just how well-developed all of the characters are. While no character touches the development that Miyamura is given, not even Hori, the ensemble is strong regardless, and it makes it so that dynamics such as Miyamura and Sengoku, or Yuki and Sakura work. They’re not the main relationships on the show, but their interactions are organic, regardless of whether or not they’re comedic or serious.

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces Episode 3 is lighter on the comedy than the past two episodes but remains heartfelt as ever. This is most notable between Hori and Miyamura. The series has always done a great job in handling their romance and making sure it remains the backbone of the story even if it doesn’t receive focus on a given episode. “Sports Day” is a reminder of all the ways the two lift one another up. Miyamura reflects on how, in the past, he’s never thought of the day as something worthwhile. We realize why when he tells Ishikawa that he’s never cheered for anyone before or been cheered for in return. Now, he cheers for Hori even though the two are on separate teams, a move that inspires her. He joins Remi and Sakura in cheering the loudest for Ishikawa during his event too.

We’ve seen in the past that Miyamura had a tough adolescence, one marred by bullying and the isolation and destructive self-loathing that comes with it. He thinks about those days too here but quickly moves past them. Remi and Sakura cheer for him when he takes part in the Calvary event. Even if some of the support is silent, such as Hori’s satisfied smile in watching her boyfriend win, it casts a finer glow onto the scenes. There’s such warmth in the show, visualized by the way the aura of characters shimmer around them when they’re particularly happy, or the way the scene still frames a smiling Hori as Miyamura takes her in, feeling nothing but love. The series and its animation possess a keen understanding of the overwhelming emotions of first loves and perspective-changing friendships and capture them with vibrancy and color.

The sweetness of the series never piles on thick enough, rendering it saccharine, nor does it try to undercut that sweetness with a false idea of needed cynicism. Rather, it basks in the compassion of the characters and the comedy that stems from being a teenager.

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces Episode 3 is yet another stellar installment of the series. By understanding and focusing on the terrific ensemble and highlighting specific characteristics such as Hori’s jockish tendencies to Sengoku’s insecurities the series continues to find new layers to these characters beyond what we already knew. “Sports Day” is a charming episode, one that utilizes its strong cast of characters and demonstrates their ability to grow through what otherwise might be seen as mundane activities. It’s slice-of-life magic.

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces is available now on Crunchyroll.

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces Episode 3
  • 8/10
    Rating - 8/10
8/10

TL;DR

Horimiya: The Missing Pieces Episode 3 is yet another stellar installment of the series. By understanding and focusing on the terrific ensemble and highlighting specific characteristics such as Hori’s jockish tendencies to Sengoku’s insecurities the series continues to find new layers to these characters beyond what we already knew.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Full Circle’ Episodes 1-2
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Overwatch 2: Genesis,’ Parts 1-2 — “Dawn” And “Innocence”
Allyson Johnson

Allyson Johnson is co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of InBetweenDrafts. Former Editor-in-Chief at TheYoungFolks, she is a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics and the Boston Online Film Critics Association. Her writing has also appeared at CambridgeDay, ThePlaylist, Pajiba, VagueVisages, RogerEbert, TheBostonGlobe, Inverse, Bustle, her Substack, and every scrap of paper within her reach.

Related Posts

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

09/11/2025
Sakamoto Days Episode 20
6.5

REVIEW: ‘Sakamoto Days’ Episode 20 — “Mutual Fans”

09/08/2025
Tougen Anki Episode 9 still from Netflix
4.0

REVIEW: ‘Tougen Anki’ Episode 9 — “Momotaro Spirit”

09/06/2025
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 10 promotional image from Crunchyroll
10.0

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 10 — “So We’re Gonna Do It All Right Now?”

09/06/2025
Arknights Rise From Ember Rosmontis

REVIEW: ‘Arknights: Rise From Ember’ Is Phenomenal But Drags On Too Long

09/06/2025
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity Episode 1
7.5

REVIEW: ‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity’ Episode 1 – “Rintaro and Kaoruko”

09/05/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen - But Why Tho (2) Features

Everything To Know About Satoru Gojo

By Kate Sánchez09/07/2023Updated:02/16/2025

Satoru Gojo is the heart of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 — now, heading into Cour 2, here is everything you need to know about the character.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here