Sakamichi no Apollon: Bonus Track

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As usual, I apologize for my English, which isn´t my mother-tongue.

That being said, I wonder why it is that Sakamichi no Apollon has more than 1800 readers so far (I´m only counting those who have completed the manga), and the sequel only has 500.

Those who liked Sakamichi no Apollon should definitely read this bonus tracks. Those who haven´t read the original manga yet, should read it... and then read this bonus tracks as well, not only because you will get to know the real ending of the story but also because some of the chapters throw a light on some things that are kept unsaid ... in the previous manga.

Story
This sequel is only 5 chapters long, but it is very worth reading. One of the chapters, as I have already said, goes further into the future and shows us how the characters end up living and relating to each other. The other four deal with matters which are previous to the main story or that happen in between some of the chapters in the main story. Some bonus tracks go into the story of some of the supporting characters, other deal with the main characters.

They are in fact bonus tracks: the story would still work without them. But they add a lot. Everything happens fast in the last chapters of Sakamichi no Apollon. I wouldn´t say events are rushed, but everything is told from the point of view of Nishimi Kaoru and there is a jump in time at some point... therefore, some things are left untold. We don´t really need to know those things to understand or enjoy the story, but these bonus tracks fill some of the gaps... and it is nice to have them filled, as a bonus.

There is no way to analyze this bonus tracks independently from the main story. I really recommend reading both Sakamichi no Apollon and these bonus tracks. The story (as a whole) is beautiful. It may appear to be a simple story, but it isn´t. Some definitely serious and shocking events take place; the two main mail characters have a difficult past. The manga deals with deep issues, such as discrimination, abandonment, social pressure. But things aren´t told in a melodramatic way.

It has a great pace, very good and natural dialogs. This must be one of the few mangas I´ve read where the characters cry only when there is a real reason to do so, and they don´t end up drowning in their own tears. There is love, and it is an important matter, but I should say the main topic in this manga probably isn´t love, but friendship and passion... especially the passion for music, which is the main force that drives this characters together. I think that passion is successfully shown in the manga. This is not the typical "pop idol" story: it shows the deep and visceral passion for music. It also succeeds in showing the revolutionary atmosphere of the time in which the story takes place. And the way in which the relationship among the characters develops is just heartwarming.

Characters
It´s a beautiful story mainly because the characters are beautiful, not only the three main characters, but also those who surround them. Kawabuchi Sentarou (one of the main characters) may be one of the most charming characters I´ve ever come across.

Art
I liked the art very much. Clean and simple lines... very mature. No unnecessary ornaments. The characters have all their distinct personalities, which are represented in their looks and expressions.

Enjoyment
I read most of this 45 chapter manga, and the bonus tracks, in just one day. When a story is well structured, has a good pace, interesting believable characters and easy going dialogs, you are driven into the story and you just can´t stop reading. That’s what I call enjoyment.

10 for the story, 10+ for the characters, 10 for the art... definitely 10 for enjoyment.

if you watched the anime.. this is really, in my opinion, the only good way to actually end the story. the prequel was a bit too open in both the manga and anime. and this really ties up all the loose ends. i can finally stop thinking about what would've been and can now go on with my life.. more anime :)

•story is just what I'd hoped for. no exciting turn of events, or twists. I'm satisfied but very slightly disappointed. story: 7

•sometimes the drawings are a bit deformed which made me laugh. Art: 7

•the same people we know and love from the ... prequels. Character: 8

•I'm very satisfied with the turnout. It's a realistic "feel-good" ending. I feel great. Enjoyment: 10

Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to read this side story collection years after finishing the original manga. Or maybe it was. You see, I believe side stories should still have some merit on their own. Something more than just „oh yeah I recognize those characters from the parent work“.

Bonus Track is, in its core, just a mild melodramatical brief look into selected characters life. Slightly better than the more tame of Harlequin’s romances, but not by much. The last chapter is technically speaking a sort of epilogue, but doesn’t really do much more than the original epilogue of the original work. So, it ... didn’t exactly deliver on the additional value over just featuring the characters from the franchise.

The art is functional, but not the best. It has the typical lack of shading and backgrounds, and so comes off as lazy with some of the panels.

Ultimately I’m quite sure people are gassing up this title because of its relation to the franchise, not based on the content itself.