After taking a three year hiatus from anime, I have found it difficult at times to watch new shows and truly enjoy them. Perhaps my growing love for innovative, abstract cinematic masterpieces and classic literature has naturally made me set the bar high. As an English major, I have found myself expecting nothing more than stories with strong character development and a well-crafted plot.
So ...
After taking a three year hiatus from anime, I have found it difficult at times to watch new shows and truly enjoy them. Perhaps my growing love for innovative, abstract cinematic masterpieces and classic literature has naturally made me set the bar high. As an English major, I have found myself expecting nothing more than stories with strong character development and a well-crafted plot.
So naturally, I had a hard time enjoying new anime that had recycled the same plots and characters from the shows that I had grown up with. But then I discovered Sakamichi no Apollon (Kids on the Slope) on here by accident. Boy, was I glad I gave this show a chance!
By the end of the first episode, I remembered why I loved anime. Very rarely does a show ever do such a thing. By the end of the second episode, I was hooked. By the end of the tenth episode, it was 4 AM on a school night. By the end of the twelfth episode, I was crying. Please note that very seldomly does anime ever make me cry.
I guess I will break it down as I do on MyAnimeList.net
Story: Basically, it is the story of Kaoru Nishimi- a wealthy, introverted student who transfers to a new school. Expecting another lonely year in a strange environment, he stumbles upon the rambunctious and free-spirited Sentarou and his darling best friend, Ritsuko, who quickly introduce him to jazz music. Being a pianist, Kaoru takes interest in this progressive genre and develops not only friendships with Sentarou and Ritsuko through it, but allows it to help him re-shape his perspectives of life, people, and the circumstances around him.
One of the first things that is so refreshing about Kids on the Slope is how real the entire story is. There are hardly any cliches but rather a bountiful amount of surprises. Unlike many shows in the 'Slice of Life' genre, Kids on the Slope manages to create a gripping story that carefully times every episode with a cliffhanger.
The best part of the series is the refreshing setting. It takes place in 1960's Kyushu, which (if my art and Asian history serve me correctly), was still a small, rural area that was being influenced by 60's through unique, local music and an anti-art movement. The historical context is spot on and adds new dimensions to the show. We watch the characters not only deal with their own issues, but the political and social complexities of the time. We even witness a circumstance where characters must deal with racism- a subject I have rarely seen approached in anime.
The recognition of prejudice and hate in humans, and the desire live through a world of it through the love of music and friendship is ultimately what gives this show its heart. It is what every Slice of Life show wishes to be, because it truly is an excerpt of life told through an anime, the extremities and the harsh reality we live in included.
It doesn't get more real than this.
Characters: While this series is only 12 episodes, creator Yuki Kodama did a superb job of allowing the characters to develop naturally. While the romance in the story might seem rushed at times, I think we tend to forget ourselves how overwhelming it is when we meet someone we immediately have feelings for. None of the characters are perfect- they all have flaws and a false sense of reality at times. Kaoru's character isn't necessarily extremely likable or dislikable, for we literally watch him struggle with the reality of growing up. However, he's a character we can all relate to from some point in our lives and this helps us cheer him on in his endeavors, for we just want him to become carefree and happy. Sentarou is lovable and brings so much energy and enthusiasm to the show and his character development is incredible. Ritsuko has to be one of the most likable female characters I've ever seen in a series. Even minor characters like Junichi, Yurika, and the ridiculous Seiji make the show what it is. Each character has a definite purpose- no one comes and goes with little impact. Everyone matters.
Art: Of course the last anime I probably watched was back in 2007 prior to this. Boy, has animation changed in just a few years. The animation of Kids on the Slope is just as beautiful as it is advertised. The colors are warm and serene. Everything about the art is so smooth and delightful. Oh- and the jazz sequences! The animation of Kaoru's fingers on the piano, Junichi's on his trumpet, Tsutomu's on the bass, and Sentarou with his drums- it's flawless. That's all I can really say. Everything is so spot on with the music they are playing it's almost unbelievable. I even really appreciated the effort spent on perfecting the album covers of the jazz vinyls- they were nearly identical to the actual thing!
Music: There is no need to rant about how incredible the music is. There is a jazz piece about every episode and the final episodes contain these incredible jazz medleys that leave you blown away. I am a huge fan of jazz music, so I might be a little bit biased, but the music is just great. I don't even know where to begin. Just see for yourself!
Overall: Kids on the Slope is something different and a precious contribution to the world of anime. It will move and change you as you fall in love with the characters and become invested in their lives. Whether or not you are into music anime, you should definitely give this one a chance.
(If you find yourself devastated and deprived once it is over, I highly suggest watching Nodame Cantabile . )
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