MF Ghost season 2 episode 3 review: Kanata, Sawatari, and Beckenbauer steal the show in the rain

MF Ghost season 2 episode 3, titled The Relay Straight Yin-Yang, premiered on Monday, October 14, 2024, in Japan. This episode centers on a race at Ashinoko Lake taking place amid heavy rainfall. While one might expect the racers to exercise increased caution in such conditions, some competitors are leveraging the weather to their advantage, making decisions that may seem risky but are executed with confidence and control.

In the previous episode, viewers witnessed Ren and Kanata spending time together in Kamakura before the race commenced. The adverse conditions made Ogata anxious, but Kanata maintained his composure even in the death zone of the track.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.

The rain cannot dominate all racers in MF Ghost season 2 episode 3

Brief highlights

Ren being interviewed in MF Ghost season 2 episode 3 (Image via Felix Film)

In MF Ghost season 2 episode 3, the Ashinoko Lake race continued with Kanata maintaining his dominance over his rivals. Despite the wet and slippery road, which left his opponents struggling, Kanata effortlessly maneuvered past them.

Meanwhile, during a televised interview, Marie, one of the MFG Angels, was asked about her preferences in men.

After the interview, the commentators revealed that Marie had been chosen based on Fumihiro’s preferences, and Fumihiro, who was watching the broadcast, was visibly embarrassed and irritated by this revelation.

In another segment, Ren, tasked with updating the scoreboard, was asked what she thought defined masculinity. This caught her off guard, as the question was different from the one asked to the former MFG Angel.

This tactic was meant to elicit a more genuine response and showcase the unique personalities of each Angel.

Ren’s response was that, contrary to popular belief, she viewed masculinity as being rooted in kindness. She explained that true kindness stems from strength and consideration for others.

Later, Kyoko was asked about her ideal type of man. She humorously responded that she preferred someone slightly goofy and kind-hearted rather than slick, as she believed overly slick individuals often turn out to be petty.

Kanata's Toyota and Taylor's Porsche as seen in MF Ghost season 2 episode 3 (Image via Felix Film)

On the race track, Kanata found himself stuck behind Taylor’s Porsche, as the latter blocked his attempts to overtake. However, Kanata seized an opportunity at a corner, skillfully accelerating to take control of the line and overtaking Taylor.

Taylor, who felt briefly paralyzed, was impressed by Kanata, while Otani was shocked.

The commentators noted that the racers excelling in these wet conditions, including Kanata, Sawatari, and Beckenbauer, all had certain commonalities. They were naturally skilled drivers with cars considered underpowered compared to their competitors, and they had all received training in Europe.

The commentators speculated that their European training environment might be a key factor in their success on the tricky course.

Meanwhile, a battle for the first position was taking place between Sawatari and Beckenbauer. Sawatari, who viewed Beckenbauer as lazy, was determined to overtake him soon.

MF Ghost season 2 episode 3 review

Sawatari as seen in MF Ghost season 2 episode 3 (Image via Felix Film)

MF Ghost season 2 episode 3 delivers intense racing action where racers push themselves to their absolute limits, battling not just for victory but for recognition in the racing world.

What makes this episode particularly engaging is how it demonstrates that success on the track is not solely determined by the vehicle's specifications, but by the racer’s very foundations, their skills and adaptability.

This is especially evident in Kanata's remarkable sense of stability and control in these challenging conditions, where he does not even need stability and traction control.

MF Ghost season 2 episode 3 shows a balance in its storytelling by giving equal attention to both the racing sequences and the MFG Angels.

The latter's dedication is highlighted as they perform their duties in the rain, and the show attempts to add depth to their characters through glimpses into their romantic preferences.

However, this character development is somewhat undermined by unnecessary fanservice moments that feel at odds with the show's apparent aim to portray them as well-rounded individuals.

MF Ghost season 2 episode 2 recap

Ogata as seen in MF Ghost season 2 (Image via Felix Film)

In the previous episode, Kanata and Ren spent time exploring the city of Kamakura. During their outing, Kanata revealed that he had recently received his paycheck from his part-time job and wanted to use this money to treat the Saionji family to a special dinner as a token of appreciation.

He requested Ren to help him in selecting a suitable restaurant for this occasion.

Then they decided to dine at a Japanese restaurant. As they were departing, the restaurant owner unexpectedly wished Kanata good luck for the upcoming Ashinoko GT race, which caught him off guard. He had not fully grasped the extent of his popularity till then.

On the day of the race, Ogata was concerned about the rain. Wet roads present considerable hazards for drivers, yet Kanata remained calm and even said that the rain could actually work to his advantage.

The race began amidst a heavy downpour. The track became worse in the death zone, where volcanic ash made it particularly slippery. Despite this, Kanata exhibited remarkable composure, maintaining his steady driving style, and his speed increased as he approached a downhill stretch.

Final thoughts

Kanata as seen in MF Ghost season 2 episode 3 (Image via Felix Film)

In conclusion, MF Ghost season 2 episode 3 has a lot to offer to viewers, featuring stunning visuals of cars competing under a stormy sky while rain falls heavily. The fierce competition among the racers, as they seize every chance to advance, adds to the excitement.

On top of that is the thrill of watching a character like Kanata take crazy risks. The screen time given to the MFG Angels provides an interesting counterpoint to the high-octane racing scenes.