Honestly, by the time Mr. Osomatsu Season 3 rolled around in late 2020, people weren't quite sure what to expect. The first season was this lightning-in-a-bottle cultural phenomenon in Japan that basically broke the internet and fueled an entire economy of merch and fan fiction. Then Season 2 felt... a little different. It was cruder, maybe a bit more experimental, and some fans felt it lost that initial spark. But Season 3? It actually found a weird, sweet spot between the chaotic gross-out humor and surprisingly grounded character growth. It’s still about six identical NEETs who refuse to grow up, but it feels like the show finally accepted its own immortality.
The Matsuno sextuplets—Osomatsu, Karamatsu, Choromatsu, Ichimatsu, Jyushimatsu, and Todomatsu—returned to Studio Pierrot with director Yoichi Fujita still at the helm. If you’ve followed Fujita’s work on Gintama, you know his style: meta-humor that bites the hand that feeds it.
What Actually Happened in Season 3?
The premiere of Season 3 was classic Osomatsu-san. They literally addressed the fact that they are "old news." After the massive hype of 2015, the show leaned into the insecurity of being a "has-been" franchise. They introduced these new, high-tech AI characters—the Riceballs (Salmon and Ume)—who were designed to help the brothers "modernize." It was a blatant commentary on how comedy changes and how old-school characters like the Matsunos struggle to stay relevant in a fast-paced digital culture.
The Riceballs, created by the eccentric Dr. Dekapan, act as a foil. They are efficient, polite, and "correct," which is everything the brothers are not. Throughout the season, we see the brothers grappling with these digital observers. Sometimes it’s hilarious; other times, it’s surprisingly existential.
The Shift in Character Dynamics
One thing you'll notice in Mr. Osomatsu Season 3 is that the brothers aren't just a monolith of failure anymore. They’ve started to develop these micro-personalities that go beyond their established tropes.
Osomatsu, the eldest, is still a degenerate gambler, but there’s a creeping sense of loneliness in him this season. He’s the one most desperate to keep the status quo because, without his brothers, he’s just a guy with no skills and a red hoodie. Karamatsu, the painful "shittymatsu" with the leather jackets, actually gets a few wins. People stopped hating him just to hate him, and the show started exploring his role as the punching bag of the family in a way that felt almost... sympathetic? Sort of.
Then there’s Choromatsu. In the first two seasons, he was the "straight man" who supposedly wanted a job. In Season 3, the show fully admits he’s just as much of a loser as the rest, just with a better vocabulary. His obsession with Nyaa-chan and his failed attempts at appearing professional are some of the season's highlights.
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Why the Animation Still Hits
Studio Pierrot didn't change the winning formula. The bright, pop-art aesthetic that looks like a fever dream version of Fujio Akatsuka’s original 1960s manga is still there. But the timing in Mr. Osomatsu Season 3 feels tighter. Comedy is hard. It's about the pause.
There’s a specific episode in this season where the brothers just sit around and try to decide where to go for dinner or how to split a snack. It’s mundane. It’s boring. And yet, the way it’s animated—the subtle shifts in their identical faces—makes it work. That’s the secret sauce. They took six identical designs and gave them such distinct body language that you can tell who is who just by how they sit on a tatami mat.
The Controversy of the "New" Humor
Some fans felt the Riceballs took up too much screen time. I get it. When you tune in for the sextuplets, you don't necessarily want two glowing robots lecturing them on social media etiquette. However, looking back, the Riceballs were necessary. They provided a mirror. Without them, Season 3 might have just felt like a "Greatest Hits" tour of things we’d already seen.
The show also doubled down on its "skit" format. Instead of one long narrative, episodes are often broken into three or four segments. This keeps the pace brisk. If a joke about Dayon’s giant mouth isn't landing, don't worry—in five minutes, you’ll be watching Totoko-chan try to become a world-class idol while screaming at her fans.
The Voice Acting Powerhouse
You can't talk about this season without mentioning the cast. It’s basically a "Who's Who" of the voice acting world.
- Takahiro Sakurai (Osomatsu)
- Yuichi Nakamura (Karamatsu)
- Hiroshi Kamiya (Choromatsu)
- Jun Fukuyama (Ichimatsu)
- Daisuke Ono (Jyushimatsu)
- Miyu Irino (Todomatsu)
These guys are legends. In Season 3, they seem even more comfortable ad-libbing and pushing the boundaries of their voices. The chemistry is palpable. When they all start screaming over each other, it doesn't sound like a recording booth; it sounds like a chaotic household. This vocal performances are a huge reason why the show has such a massive, dedicated following even years after the initial craze.
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Is It Better Than Season 2?
Opinion is split, but generally, yes. Season 2 went very "gross-out" and leaned heavily into shock humor. Mr. Osomatsu Season 3 brought back some of the heart. There’s an episode involving a bridge and a sentimental moment between brothers that actually hits you in the feels before immediately pivoting back to a joke about armpit hair. That balance is what made the first season a hit, and it’s nice to see it return.
The season also handles the side characters better. Iyami, the buck-toothed "French" con artist, gets his moments to shine without overstaying his welcome. Chibita’s oden shop remains the emotional hub of the show—the place where all these weirdos gather to complain about life.
Why You Should Still Care About the Matsunos
The reality is that Mr. Osomatsu Season 3 is a show about the fear of the future. These characters are in their 20s (or 30s, it's vague), living with their parents, with no prospects. In 2020 and 2021, when this season aired, that resonated with a lot of people globally. We were all stuck inside. We were all wondering what was next.
Seeing these six idiots fail at life, but do it together, is strangely comforting. They are the ultimate losers, but they have each other. It’s a cynical show with a soft center.
Navigating the Watch Order and Availability
If you're diving into the franchise now, you should definitely watch the seasons in order. Don't skip to the third season just because the animation looks slightly cleaner. You need to understand the running gags. You need to know why everyone hates Karamatsu's blue sequins.
You can find the series on most major streaming platforms like Crunchyroll. The sub is generally considered superior because so much of the humor is based on Japanese wordplay and the specific "vibes" of the voice actors, but the dub has its own charm if you prefer that.
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Key Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking to revisit the series or are wondering if the third season is worth your time, keep these points in mind:
- The Riceballs (AI characters) are polarizing but serve a purpose in the narrative's meta-commentary.
- The "vibe" is a return to form, balancing the absurdity of Season 1 with the experimentation of Season 2.
- Character development is subtle but present, especially for the younger brothers like Todomatsu and Jyushimatsu.
- The production quality remains high, with Studio Pierrot delivering consistent, expressive animation.
Moving Forward with the Franchise
Since Season 3 finished, we’ve had movies like The Hipipo Tribe and the Glistening Fruit. The franchise isn't dead; it's just maturing—as much as a show about six NEETs can mature. The best way to enjoy it now is to stop looking for a deep, overarching plot. It’s a variety show. It’s a sitcom. It’s a reflection of our own anxieties wrapped in a bright, loud, offensive package.
To get the most out of your viewing experience, pay attention to the background details. The animators love hiding small jokes in the scenery or in the expressions of characters who aren't even talking. It’s a show built for rewatching.
Once you finish Season 3, look for the "Short Film" specials. They often contain some of the most experimental and bizarre animation the team has ever produced, sometimes even weirder than the main show.
The legacy of the Matsuno brothers is secure. They survived the 60s, the 80s, and now they’ve survived the modern era of streaming. Whatever comes next for them will likely be just as ridiculous and unexpectedly touching as the ride through Season 3 was.