Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers [Season 1 Episode 3]

Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers – Episode 3 Review: A Soaring Angel or a Falling Star?

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The Hype and the Reality

The third episode of Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers, titled A Soaring Angel, aired on April 19, 2025, and it’s safe to say the anime is finally hitting its stride—or at least trying to. Produced by Sanzigen and Arc System Works, this series is a direct continuation of the events from Guilty Gear Strive (2021), diving deeper into a world where magic has replaced technology, and forbidden biological weapons called Gears threaten humanity.

But does Episode 3 live up to the hype? Let’s break it down, with a little help from the fans.

The Plot Thickens (Or Does It?)

The episode picks up with Sin and Sol in hot pursuit of Unika, the mysterious girl whose actions have already caused chaos. Fans were divided on whether this chase sequence was thrilling or just plain exhausting. One Reddit user summed it up perfectly: “Chase → fight → chase → fight. Rinse and repeat.” While the animation quality has noticeably improved since the first two episodes, the pacing still feels uneven.

Unika’s backstory, teased through fragmented memories, is supposed to be the emotional core of the episode. But as one MyAnimeList commenter pointed out, “Her family drama isn’t moving at all after seeing her actions.” It’s hard to sympathize with a character who’s causing destruction left and right, even if her motives are supposedly tragic.

Sin: Hero or Hormonal Disaster?

Ah, Sin. The golden boy of Guilty Gear Strive, beloved by gamers, but in this anime? He’s… complicated. Episode 3 reveals more about his connection to Unika, but fans aren’t buying his sudden obsession with her. “He doesn’t care about how many people were endangered by Unika—he only cares about her like a teen boy going through puberty,” one fan ranted. Ouch.

To make matters worse, Sin’s big moment—controlling a rampaging Gear—was supposed to be epic, but some viewers found it underwhelming. “I main him in Strive, and I thought he was just a human with Gear blood. But he’s actually a Gear?!” one shocked fan wrote. The reveal was cool, but the execution? Meh.

The Side Characters Steal the Show

If there’s one thing everyone agrees on, it’s that the side characters are carrying this series. Baiken, Jack-O, and even the brief appearance of Testament had fans buzzing. “Testament got two frames! TWO FRAMES! More than I expected!” one ecstatic fan exclaimed. Meanwhile, Jack-O’s fans were just happy she got screen time: “At least Jack-O is sexy hot, but we need more Ramlethal.”

Sol Badguy, the series’ gruff protagonist, also had a standout moment when he shot Unika—a decision that’s bound to cause drama in future episodes. Fans are already speculating about the fallout: “I get the feeling Sol is going to get a lot of flack from Sin for that.”

The Moral Dilemma: Gears vs. Humanity

One of the most interesting aspects of Guilty Gear Strive: Dual Rulers is its exploration of morality. Unika’s hatred for Gears isn’t just random—it’s hinted that she’s seen a future where they’ve destroyed humanity. “This show puts me in a moral dilemma,” one fan admitted. “Is Unika justified, or is she just making things worse?”

The political undertones are also starting to surface, with a device capable of wiping out entire locations becoming a major plot point. “A lot of political stuff going on, and it’s not good for the world,” a fan noted. It’s clear the series is setting up for bigger conflicts, but whether it can deliver remains to be seen.

Final Verdict: Improvement, But Not Perfection

Episode 3 is a step up from the previous installments, with better animation and a few standout moments. However, the writing still feels rushed, and some characters (cough Sin cough) are more frustrating than compelling.

As one fan put it: “The show is improving, just slightly. Each episode is far better than the last, but there’s still a lot of mistakes and rushed elements.”

If you’re a die-hard Guilty Gear fan, this episode is worth watching for the lore and fan service. But if you’re looking for a tightly written story, you might want to temper your expectations.

Rating: 7/10 – Flawed but Fun

What’s Next?

With Unika’s past still shrouded in mystery and Sin’s true nature coming to light, Episode 4 has a lot to unpack. Will the series finally find its footing, or will it continue to stumble? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, let’s hope for more Baiken and less cringe from Sin.

What did you think of Episode 3? Let me know in the comments!