I guess placing Sakamichi no Apollon on my priority watch list
at the last minute was pretty good as well. Despite not being a fan of the
music genre, I actually loved the first episode.
As an opening
episode, it definitely made a great job in entertaining music-genre fans as
well as regular slice of life fans, like me. I was actually a bit hesitant in
picking this series up given that I've actually disliked music anime such as K-ON! And UtaPri
but given that this has an entirely different atmosphere, the first episode
made me love it.
Story-wise, it
starts off normally with a new guy, Nishimi Kaoru (Kimura Ryohei), who
usually transferrs school. He accidentally meets Kawabuchi Sentarou (Hosoya Yoshimasa)
whom everyone in the class other than Mukae Ritsuko (Nanri Yuuka) is scared
of. I like how the two of them actually became comfortable (is it?) with each
other easily that by the end of the episode, Kaoru is more than willing to show
Sentarou how good he is in piano by playing Sentarou's type of jazz. I really
love how this episode turned out. Could this be the start of my love for the
music genre or am I just really looking for something inspirational to watch?
OR is this even going there? I think so.
As for the
characters, there aren't really anything special with them as of now but as I
have mentioned I like the relationship between Kaoru and Sentarou. I'm seeing a
lasting friendship in here which I would like to see every week. A rich and
smart boy who got a little bullied in the first half of the series with his
geeky-ness in piano is going to be an interesting character to see and be
developed further. Also, this entitled bully by the class who likes going to
the roof and plays the drums is someone I'm going to look out for in this
series as well. As for the heroine of the series, Ritsuko, isn't really my type
right now. She's plain and typical and doesn't standout or anything. With how
she is now, I'm hoping that there'll be more in her character for me to like
and notice.
Music? Do I ever
need to explain. This is a music genre anime so it's pretty natural for it to
have that really good BGM and all. There was one BGM that really stood out for
me, the one that they used for the PV. It was really catchy. It also reminds me
of DURARARA!! 'cause there was this BGM
in DURARARA!! that has the same sound -
yeah I can clearly remember it because I have the OST and I listen to it all the
time. Anyway, I'm definitely looking
forward to more of those piano pieces by Kaoru. That classical piece he played
in the morning, I've never heard of it until now but I liked it. Also, I really
loved Sentarou's drumming in the beginning. It's really catchy + that piano
piece he was playing when he was showing off with Kaoru :3
 |
| Kaoru's "creative" imagination :3 |
As for the art and
animation, I have to seriously admit that it didn't please me in any way. I
don't really want to complain in detailed but the character designs has got to
be my biggest let down. OR it could be the overall feel of the art. It looks a
little bit old or whatever. BUT it does seem old. The character design isn't
anything fancy, catchy or likeable (to me). I've never heard of Tezuka
Productions and after making that quick look, I know why. I've never watched
any of their previous series and well… they all look so old school. As for Yuuki Nobuteru
who's responsible for the character design, I have to say that this is his style. Now I now why Ozuma also looks old school. HAHA. Oh well, I
can get pass the art as long as the story can keep me up AND I'm pretty
positive that it can(:
Overall, Sakamichi no Apollon has lived its name up for
the expectations that are being thrown at it. Despite the art, that I honestly
disliked, the story seems to be heading to something I can enjoy together with
the music genre that I'm not a fan of. The story and characters are wonderful
and on the looks of things, I'll be looking forward to this series every week.
With 11 episodes, I'm pretty positive that this series can at least make my top
10 (out of 19 series that I'm planning to
watch) for this season.
For more screenshots, click here.
