Ep 16. All Belts Are Off

Star vs. the Forces of Evil season 3 episode 16, titled "All Belts Are Off," follows the adventures of Star Butterfly, a magical princess from another dimension who is fighting to save her kingdom from various threats. In this episode, Star and her best friend Marco Diaz are preparing for a battle against Toffee, the villain who killed Star's mother. However, things take a turn when Marco is challenged to a dangerous battle- a no-holds-barred, hand-to-hand combat match called the "Blood Moon Ball."

Marco is initially hesitant to accept the challenge, but he ultimately decides to participate in order to prove his worth as a warrior. Meanwhile, Star is concerned about Marco's safety and decides to help him train for the fight. The two friends work together to master various martial arts techniques, including karate, tae kwon do, and muay thai.

As they train, Star and Marco begin to realize that they have feelings for each other. However, they both struggle to acknowledge these feelings, as they fear that it might ruin their friendship. Despite their fears, they continue to bond as they face the challenges of the training process. Along the way, they meet a group of martial artists who offer them guidance and support.

Finally, the day of the Blood Moon Ball arrives. Marco and his opponent engage in a fierce battle, but Marco ultimately emerges as the victor. Despite the victory, however, Marco is left feeling empty and unfulfilled. He begins to question whether the fight was really worth it, and whether he should continue on his path to becoming a warrior.

Meanwhile, Star watches the fight from the sidelines and feels a sense of pride and admiration for Marco. She begins to realize that she has strong feelings for him, and decides to tell him how she feels. The two friends have a heart-to-heart conversation, and ultimately decide to try dating each other.

"All Belts Are Off" is a thrilling episode that explores the themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery. Through the character of Marco, the show examines the idea of what it means to be a warrior and whether physical strength is truly the most important trait. The episode also delves into the growing feelings between Star and Marco, and how they navigate the complex emotions of young love. Overall, "All Belts Are Off" is a must-watch installment of Star vs. the Forces of Evil that showcases the show's incredible writing and character development.