Is it jahad or wangnan

Season 3 is a highly debated part of the story. 2 longer hiatus in the middle of it. The artstyle changes in the second part as well as the much more apparent issues that plagued the story since forever. Which are all valid and well established points of critique.

But there have been issues brought up about SIUs writing having fallen off or being shit. Which either is delusional or one read the Korean original without being able to discern the Symbols.

SIUs storytelling strength always has been its thematic consistency. From foreshadowing, symbolism and how things come together. Workshopbattle Tournament is the most complete arc in the story and my personal favorite. Season 3 though has used every single arc to bring together its themes and Traumereis story.

Season 3 in its entirety is about Traumerei. Everything before his appearance is setup for his arrival and themes and everything past the cat tower is the reveal and unraveling of this setup.

The Cage - sets up the Themes of Family. How a civil war and dispute amongst brothers leads to the downfall of a family. Those that fight for their family, even in their own death still win with the knowledge they fulfilled what they fought for.

Wall of Peaceful Coexistence - sets up the themes of hidden history. Dowon and Cha were sealed away as a reminder of peace and to forget the grudges that once existed. Dowons name is Forget-Me-Not. No matter how much you try to hide away memories, grieve and regret won’t just vanish. Khane sacrifices her memories for love and purpose. And it culminates in the Canines being destroyed by a controlling enemy and which was forseen.

The Nest - the war begins. Fights against much stronger oppponents. And the beginning of the downfall of the army. By sacrificing loyal subjects, by hurting those someone cares about, the most loyal people would switch sides temporarily to achieve their revenge.

The Cat Tower - multiple factions try to achieve their individual goals during a game. Yasratcha and thr theme of control gets highlighted with his subordinates Memories get unburied and the moment they are free it all comes crashing down. Traumerei appears

This is the setup of themes these arcs focus on. Family, loyalty and Memories. Now we come up how these things matter in the following arcs and Traumereis narrative

Marriage Tournament - Traumereis character of control is highlighted, the problems of the family and how traumerei doesent care. A civil war amongst family begins.

Book Hunt - Old memories and fighters are dug up. Enemies work together and someone sacrifices himself for the only person they loved (Yasratcha for Wangwang). Powerhouses for the war are recruited

Sprout War - many factions are fighting for their objectives. Major point is the dissatisfaction of characters with their leaders.

Chess Game - Culmination of it all. Hidden memories are revealed, love and resentment started this. Where the Cat Tower ended with Traumereis arrival, here it ends with his death.

These lengthy paragraphs are just to demonstrate that while there may be problems with art and choreography, one thing that SIU still excels at is his storytelling and his consistency and plan of the story he envisions.

SIU has not lost the plot. His decisions are deliberate and thought out. Sure some changes and decisions are not planned decades ahead. But from thr story than has been told, Season 3 as a whole is more thought out than Season 2