Ep 3. The Way of Becoming Pretear

In episode 3 of season 1 of Pretear, titled "The Way of Becoming Pretear," the plot thickens as the audience is introduced to Hayate, a mysterious and aloof member of the Leafe Knights. Himeno, the newly appointed Pretear, finds herself increasingly drawn to Hayate, despite his cold demeanor towards her. Alongside her fellow knights, Kei, Go, Shin, Mannen, Hajime, and Sasame, Himeno must learn to hone her powers as a Pretear in order to protect the world from evil.

The episode opens with Himeno training under the watchful eye of Hayate as he teaches her the skills she needs to become a successful Pretear. However, she quickly becomes frustrated with his lack of patience and harsh demeanor. Despite his coldness towards her, Himeno is drawn to Hayate and seeks to understand him better. Meanwhile, an evil force threatens the town, and it is up to the Pretear and her knights to stop it.

As the group fights against the evil creature, Himeno discovers a new power within herself, allowing her to transform into a new, more powerful form. This new form impresses Hayate, who finally begins to open up to her, revealing a bit more about his past and his connection to the other knights.

As the episode progresses, the audience is given a glimpse into the complex relationships and tensions among the Leafe Knights. As Himeno spends more time with them, she discovers that they are all deeply connected, but not all of them get along well. There is a palpable tension between some of the knights, which adds an interesting layer to the story and leaves the audience wondering about the backstory and motives of each character.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with the audience left wondering about the true intentions of the enigmatic Hayate. Despite his rough exterior and cold demeanor, it is clear that there is more to his character than meets the eye, and it will be interesting to see how his relationships with the other characters develop over the course of the series.

Overall, "The Way of Becoming Pretear" is a solid episode, building on the foundation established in the previous episodes and setting up interesting plot points and character dynamics for future episodes. The action scenes are well-choreographed and exciting, and the character development is engaging and believable. The relationships between the characters are complex and multifaceted, leaving the audience wanting more. Fans of magical girl anime will find much to enjoy in Pretear.