This. This show is just amazing.
This season rocks: it has so many series that stand out in refreshing ways. With Sakamichi no Apollon however, I can actually say that it’s the best at something: this series has the best portrayal of performing musicians I have ever seen, bar none. It has been a long while since a show premiered of which I could say that. This series is currently pushing anime to new grounds.
And this isn’t something of just the first episode: the moment when the characters started playing together, the same incredible animation returned, which perfectly captures the actual soundtrack. In the past there were the series that got close to portraying music really well, most notably Beck and Nodame Cantabile. But this one just nails it completely.
And on top of that, the characterization is also just amazing: the acting is wonderfully subtle and the bond between the three lead character is already second to only Uchuu Kyoudai. This isn’t just Shinichiro Watanabe delivering something amazing; there are a ton of talent people working on bringing this story to life.
I do have a few complaints about this series, though, and that mostly involves its cliches. Most notably the random bullies that it uses to create tension, and how the characters walk in on those bullies at exactly the right moment. These kinds of things really make me wonder what would have happened if they hadn’t been saved at the last moment. But even with that I have to admit: this show makes use of them, and it does so incredibly well. In this episode things weren’t over when Sentarou arrived, but an actually entertaining fight followed. The second time was used to bring in some romance. Cliched again, but the acting made up for it. Sentarou already is incredibly different from the usual “delinquent with a heart of gold”.
Oh, and I also have to praise the use of Christianity in this series. I was quite surprised when Kaoru was surprised that Ritsuko was a Christian, because you really don’t often get to see that in anime. And when it does appear characters tend to dress up like nuns for some strange reason.
Rating: **+ (Excellent+)
This show is wonderful but I could take it without the romance. Still I love the camaraderie portrayed and the production values.
I actually really enjoyed this. I was so surprised when the episode ended, those 20 minutes went by so fast.
I’m a little gutted that there seem to be no gay themes, in an ideal world I’d have loved it for Sentarou to have fallen for Kaoru (no matter how corny it seems).
But I feel the plot is developing is a nice way, I have to agree that the random bully-fighting tropes are hindering how smooth the anime could be progressing, but they have built characterisation and initially formed our trio, so I’m pretty willing to forgive.
Yeah, one reason why I couldn’t get into Beck is the amount of assholes that show had and how a lot of drama depended on them. I give it a pass in this episode because the bullies are kind of funny.
I couldn’t get into Beck because the music just plain sucked. The manga lead you to think the protagonist (Koyuki, was it?) had the voice of God, but when he sang in the anime it was just terribly nasal, plus the lyrics were corny as hell (what I could make out at least.. the Engrish was terrible)
Not seen Apollon Ep 2 yet. Will be back to comment when I have.
Oh, I watched it in English, where the singing and voice acting is MUCH better. And I honestly have no idea if that show had more f-bombs than Black Lagoon or not.
Beck is a show were watching the Dub is a must. The Engrish in the original Japanese is aweful. It’s one of the few shows where they redid the songs and made them MUCH better, Blue Moon in particular.
Really…guess I’ll have to check the dub then, cuz honestly while I like the animation style&story a lot, I have to admit that the music&songs in Beck are kind of awful(unlike what I have in mind when reading the manga).
Why do people always want there to be gay themes in a series just because there happens to be two male leads?
There’s nothing with gay themes.
This is one of the few cases where I really didn’t want any gay romance because the two leads look way too much like a stereotypical seme and uke out of a BL series.
Just watched it. Loved the session, though I think the animators missed a high-hat once.
I loved the beginning where Megane-kun was running up and down, trying to discern the octaves and syncopation, with the cousin spying in the background.
The end of the episode basically caught up to the part of the manga that I’ve reached. Anime seems to balance the music and human-interaction better than the manga (having actual audible music helps, I guess).
Yes, the bullying part did seem kinda convenient. Funny, I thought the cricking shoulder dude looked badder in the previous ep. Looked like a total dweeb in this one, even before he lost his tooth.
With regards to the romantic subplots, all the characters have been introduced, I think. I don’t see it getting too deep into the romance bit though. Predicting it’ll mostly center around Megane-kun and Sailor-san’s friendship, possibly with their pasts/upbringing coming into play later (judging by the slight tension in the boat scene). Either way, I don’t mind.
So far, fave of the season for me, with Lupin: Fujiko coming in second. Space Bros, Tsuritama, Penguin-san Cafe and Eureka 7 Ao are currently fighting for 3rd place.
mmm the instrument rotoscoping doesn’t seem on par compare first episode, oh well it still good
For anyone who wants to know the song from this episode, it’s ‘Bag’s Groove’ by Milt Jackson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyTS7uzVM6A
“this series has the best portrayal of performing musicians I have ever seen, bar none.”
For me, the Country Roads performance in Whisper of the Heart was better but of course that’s a movie, not a series.
I agree with you on that!
Usually the music in a series slips my mind when I’m watching, but this time I noticed a distinct lack of BGM in a lot of scenes. Not sure what to make of it but it just feels like its missing…
I agree with starry. I’m actually just a little dissapointed this has romance in it. It would’ve been good if it just revolved around jazz.
This series is absolutely AMAZING <3. I'll also throw in a praise for the anime's use of Christianity. It's nice to see the Christian=nun portrayal changed for once. This show is already my favorite show of the season. I want to pick up the manga too when I get the chance. 😉
I really hope that some female musicians (or at least one) are going to appear. I found it kind of annoying that Ritsuko was told to watch the shop while the men played. I’m also a little disappointed with the sudden romance, but it might get better later. Otherwise I’ve really enjoyed this.
While i do agree with you that more female musicians in this series would definetly be in its benefit and best interest. That scene you mentioned and the lack of female musicians could owe itself to the 60s setting and sexism of the time.
My roomate actually told me about this series a few months back and i completely flipped out lol. I was very excited BUT i didn’t want to set the bar too low or too high. I figured i’d go into the series with no expectations. The show doesn’t disappoint for me, personally. I’m not even focused on any of the romance involved, that’s just minor. What i’m really focused on are the characters themselves. Alot of anime these days involves fanservice, and alot of it in some cases, to keep a show going. Sometimes it is necessary for the show and it has a meaning but it’s nice to see something that doesn’t involve that for once. I like romance in my anime but it doesn’t have to be there. I’d prefer to love the characters as they are and “carry that weight” (whether good or bad). Cowboy bebop is what got me started and it’s probably the reason why i completely fangirled about this at first. I cannot compare Cowboy bebop and this since they’re two seperate shows. The two things i’m seeing that they have in common is great characters and great music (So far!). I’m sure down the road i’m going to need that box of tissues, whether it’s for tears of joy or sadness who knows. All i know so far is i want it to keep going no matter what happens. We’re all in this ride together. Hopefully we can all make it out in one piece.
wow. this series has got me excited. the comedy is done just so well even if it is a little cliched. ive been watching sentaro throw rikko and bon? over the cliff and im just cracking up over and over.
the 60s twist does make it a little unique, with the christian stuff. we’ll see what happens.