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Ok here we go with another music anime and it's animated in 3D.

This is a story driven series that has music performances on differing scales from on the streets to on the stage at a music festival in between character development, comedic and heartfelt moments.

I don't hate the idea of a 3D anime but I respect the work being put into it. UltraMan was decent enough for me when I watched it on Netflix and there were adaptions of manga that were good on the page but would go so wrong presented in the medium of animation no matter 2D or 3D. I'm not ... disrespecting those animating because it's extremely hard for a common person to do or even comprehend. But in this case: it really works well with its settings no matter a ramen restaurant or a stage.

The story follows Nina who is a high school dropout making her way to Tokyo to prove she can live by herself while meeting former lead singer and guitarist of Diamond Dust Momoka Kawaragi. The two bond with music all while bringing a few more whacky characters into the mix including Subaru Awa on the drums, Tomo Ebizuka on keyboard and Rupa on (insert Davie504 voice here) BASS forming the band Togenashi Togeari.

The overall plot is about these five characters bonding over music, struggles and moving on with life. Nina was bullied, Momoka left the band she formed with her friends, Subaru wanted to be a drummer over being an actress, Tomo couldn't keep a band together due to her critiques about others and Rupa lost her parents. Each episode goes through the struggles of performing, rehearsing, venue booking, label signing and all of life's whacky twists and turns that seem realistic for a band stepping into the world of music and its harsh realities of making or breaking it.

I like music. This series thus far portrays the real life instruments very well even with the permision of the companies that are seen on the headstocks of the guitars like Yamaha and Gibson and the models including the Telecaster and Jazzmaster knockoffs. The sounds of the instruments in a rehearsal setting no matter a drum tom (on the large cylinder of the drum kit) and the struggles of playing a guitar chord (like the bar chords I struggled with as a beginner once upon a time) sounds like what it should if played individually and at differing skill levels. But the highlight of some of the episodes are the ones where everybody's playing no matter ep 1 or ep 12. The soundtracks are a very good listen no matter if while watching the episode it came from or listening to it while do [insert activity here] and it's meaningful from the fictional group "Togenashi Togeari" and Diamond Dust in its pop music configuration. If only there was an album released when Momoka was in the group and we could hear the music Nina was inspired by that'd be great...

It is a good watch for a music anime that has a story in it. Another series like this in my mind includes "Kids on the Slope" (do you like jazz?) and Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad (somewhat based off the Red Hot Chilli Peppers). I watched this with fansubs as it was airing (before Crunchyroll added it to the platform) and it was decent. I recommend it to music fans that also wants a story that isn't strawberry cakes and tea (like K-ON! my favorite of all time) or balloon exploding and glitching out over getting social media accounts (like Bocchi the Rock). Go for it or whatever takes your fancy! Oh and don't forget to listen to Tigenashi Togeari on music streaming platforms. Not a paid plug but a recommendation.

I like a good romance anime that makes me feel even more lonely for my single self. I understand that making a series of stories, publishing and even adapting said stories to anime form are all extremely difficult all on their own. This is an anime original. Great job to the team behind this series.

I pressed play on episode 1 and started watching following the story. I was engaged. Getting a flash forward in ep 4 and I thought the romance would continue. No there was a new arc with the same characters. Ok lets see what happens. The MC and a new love interest? ... Cool. Another flash forward then another new arc starting at the same point again? That's when I questioned myself. I enjoyed the first 4 episodes. But I felt like I wasted my time investing in the MC and his love interest of the arc only to begin all over again in episode 5 and 9 respectively.

I understand that making an anime original series is a giant step into the unknown. Some occurrences include Cowboy Bebop, Tamako Market/Love Story and Wonder Egg Priority. I mention these original series as they had varying levels of success. Cowboy became an instant classic of its time and Tamako got praise from the director that brought you K-ON (and later A Silent Voice, Liz and the Bluebird and her upcoming work The Colors Within). I mention Wonder Egg because the series had a great concept on paper but had poor execution and that's how I feel about Seiren. I follow the story getting invested up to episodes 4 and 8 with a flash forward, start ep 5 and 9 and... a new arc begins and it starts all over again.

In my eyes, don't waste your time. If you want to watch it, be my guest.

Let me tell you about harems both male and female because I'm on the fence about them. It's usually because people root or go for one character that they want to end up with the main character by the end of the series no matter if it's the manga or light novel. Then when the series eventually ends and one of the potential love interests ends up with the MC and it is not the one that you wanted, it starts online wars on forums sites like Reddit, MAL and other social media about who deserves the gold prize like the Quintessential Quintuplets. But not ... this one. Thank you Nakamura Rikito-san!

That's because the MC doesn't need to choose one love interest but chooses all 100 soulmates throughout the story (as of far into the manga and in this case: the anime adaption). The concept of having an MC that confessed to 100 girls no matter the age from 8 months to 16 years old seems wild and crazy in theory but putting it into practice would've been a MASSIVE task to take on for the author.

After being rejected for the 100th time, Aijou Rentaro gets a rejected love confession and seeks the gods for help with a response: "You have 100 and if you don't return their feelings, they die." After that, chaos ensues. Meeting two in one day being a wealthy girl and a Tsundure. Next is a nerdy non emotional character, then a loli librarian with a sad backstory (as a timid/shy person I teared up) and a scientist curious with experiments then the chaos continues.

The idea of having a harem where the MC chooses all the love interests seems like a strange idea on paper but the execution of it no matter if it's in the manga or in anime form seems to work. There isn't too much conflict within the love interests, Rentaro (or as some of those that like this series call him: "Chadtaro") pays attention to his soulmates no matter if they're all together or on separate dates and there's a few surprises here and there for you to discover upon watching this series or reading the manga beyond where the anime ends all the while discovering new soulmates.

Hold onto the handlebars because this is going to be a wild ride!

I got into this series through the anime that was released in early 2023 and I was hooked... and curious.

So I decided to support my local bookstore/s and buy the manga and here is my review:

It's about a male character called Shiraishi Junta that is deemed invisible by 99.9% of the world population but the 0.1% includes a classmate called Kubo Nagisa and interactions ensue between the two in a series of differing scenarios from classroom antics like asking questions that came from a Buzzfeed style website to looking after the school garden. So basically like "Please don't tease me Nagatoro-san" but without the craziness ... that comes with it. There are interactions where Nagisa hangs out with friends, Junta find's Kubo's older sister while at a bookstore out of town and the two MCs hang out in the park in the winter with Junta's younger brother [and wingman] Seita. Beyond where the anime finishes, friends are made, hangouts occur, summer festivals and school trips galore all within 12 volumes

Overall, the story is a slow burn series over a count of 12 volumes to look forward to reading on the page or on your device. It is a wholesome story where memories are made for you reading the story and this review and

I watched the anime series of the same name in late 2021 to mid 2022 and I enjoyed the series. So I naturally got curious about the source material that was published in 2016 in Japan and 2019 for the English adaption that was created by the author Tomohito Odo-san.

Now any series no matter if it's on the page or on screen about social anxiety are portrayed differently depending on the character's and the series. I understand some people may not like the way that social anxiety is portrayed in some series but that's the way the author thinks of them where the characters ... could think its slightly inconvenient to world ending even if it's the MC just saying hello to a side character. Examples include Suletta Mercury from Gundam: the Witch from Mercury (and in this case, autistic representation) and Bocchi the Rock (cue glitch scream, balloon explosion, dust away, party animal, music and anime references and other gags from the anime and manga).

The story revolves around the title character Komi Shoko that goes to Itan Private High School where it's famous for having interviews only for any character that dares to apply. Komi has the looks that pleases the eyes of those that are fortunate enough that pass by but she has one problem and can you guess what that is? She cannot communicate. Meanwhile Tadano HitoHito (meaning average person) is just your average guy just getting through life but sits next to Komi in the classroom in 1st period... to the jealousy of the peers around them. Lunch arrives and everybody wants to have lunch with the Taylor Swift of the class (please don't dislike because of this joke) while the average guy is knocked out cold. The two characters are in the classroom while everybody else is in gym class and the communication begin. Tadano discovers Komi's main problem and they get to taking via the blackboard at first with small talk but as said small talk dies down, the real conversation begins. That's all you're getting. It's from the first episode too and it make me tear up just thinking about it. Thanks Netlflix!

This is very much a slice of life series that goes through a life being in high school with friends, hanging out and studying for exams and I know some people may not like that. Slice of life can be relaxing or those that do not want the edge of your seat series of shonon and graphic novels all the time and that's fine. There is a romance side to things but it is very much a slow burn as the main couple don't get straight to the point but the story here seems realistic. Getting to know each other in a realistic time frame, some alone time interupted by an unaware intruder and even meeting the [future] in-laws on both sides. Not much conflict in this series and that's also ok as well too.

If you enjoyed the anime series when it aired on [insert streaming services licensed to stream the series in your country here] and you are curious about what lies ahead for Komi, Tadano and friends, then this is the manga series for you no matter if your a beginner or pro. Go to your local bookshops/stores and purchase a physical copy and support local businesses or read it online. Maybe you'll find chapters that were in between chapters on screen that weren't adapted still on the pages. Go!

*This review was written on 12/07/24 (July for those using MM/DD/YY) and Ep 10 is the latest released episode of the series.

When I heard this manga series was going to have an anime adaption, I got excited when I heard the news late last year. Mainly because it was the first time I was reading the manga before the on screen adaption was going to release in January this year before being delayed to April. So I got to reading and wondering how it was going to go music wise.

Animation wise, I thought it was decent. Not the best quality in animation and I ... know the keyboard warriors online have spoken up about errors that I missed when watching the episodes when they aired leading to a two week delay. After that delay, the animation had a definite improvement in quality even if I've seen all episodes once.

Voice wise, I think the voice cast were perfectly assigned. I know voice acting is difficult in itself and a particular style coming from a certain person suits a specific character and I think the roles were appropriatlly assigned. Especially Himari to Shimano Hana-san, Yori to Seto Asami-san and the tsundure Shiho to Yemoto Yuuna-san. Everybody understood the assignment and put in the effort that fitted their character. I don't know, I've been watching anime for 4 years and I still don't know who is who and whatnot.

I don't know if you can tell but I like music (insert Doofenshmirtz esk backstory here). Not just listening to it while studying or on public transit/transport but also playing the physical instrument/s that I own or had the opportunities to play. And coming from somebody that watched the likes of K-ON! Bocchi the Rock and recently Girls Band Cry, I was thinking the VAs were not only lending their dialogue voices but possibly their singing voices. Seto-san (Yori) didn't lend her vocals to the music of SSGirls but instead it was Sasakura Kana-san. Yemeto-san (Shiho) was the same case with the case of the rival band Loreley with the ED Meritocracy by Mizukami Sui-san. It is a little bit disappointing not having the VAs sing but it's good exposure for the artists.

You know about adapting a manga/light novel to screen. The behind the scenes people picking the things and storylines that are important to adapt and bits to leave out. The rate of how fast/slow the pacing should be. In this case, from episodes 1-6 it was 2 episodes per volume of the original material. The pacing seems to have started to rush a bit since ep 7 and it seems to have gone too fast story wise. Trying to finish further down the line than I would've anticipated. I've read up to Volume 8 and it's in the middle of an important arc of the story but I feel ep 12 should end where Vol 6 finishes off for a more satisfying ending (I'll keep my mouth shut about what happens, it's up to you to find out what happens).

The music of SSGirls (Yori) and Loreley (Shiho) are vastly different in genres where the former is typical J-Rock music and there is nothing wrong with that because I think it sounds good. The latter group has a dark hard rock feel to it and *insert musical terms most people won't understand here. Both sounds are vastly different from each other and this review (if it gets shown) shouldn't have any bias towards one side or the other.

Overall, I think this is a hit or miss anime. If you are an anime purist that likes the Yuri genre and like it when the main character just gets to the point like Bloom into You and Sakura Trick (ok maybe not the best example), then this one is for you. If you want a better paced story from this, I recommend the manga more.

*finding out about the indefinite delays on 21/7 (still July)
Yeah, I just found out that the anime series has indefinite delays finding out they [those behind the scenes] are skipping one of the most important arcs in the story regarding the two main characters (Yori and Himari) but I'll leave that for you to discover by reading the manga, people spoiling it in forums or [insert another creative way of spoiling any story here]. Tread lightly

Ok, here we go. Let's review K-ON! College manga as a final swansong to the anime series that I (ok, most people) loved watching during the modern great depression that was 2020. K-ON! High School followed Azusa, Jun and Ui as they navigated their final year in high school with the Pop/Light Music Club and a few new faces and goals. This follows the four girls Yui, Mio, Ritsu and Mugi's first year of college/university.

The main girls were as I remember on the page from the main series. Yui as a klutz, Mio as tall and timid, Ritsu as a goofball leader and Mugi ... as a rich girl being a fish out of water in the commoner world. At least Sawa-chan didn't have any um... fan service outfits to show.

The new characters includes the senpais of the college's Light Music Club that has WAAAY more people than when we read the main manga and that includes a new band that rivals Hokago Tea Time called The Girlz. The Girlz band members are a trio and they are um, I'll be back [scrambles to grab my copy] Ayame on drums, Sachi on bass and Akira on guitar. I mention the characters as both sets of band members hang out with each other as they play the same instrument (poor Mugi). Hijinks occur, classes attended, homework assigned and these seven characters hang out when not studying or sleeping throughout the story as it happened.

Relatable? Yes it is. Enjoyable? It really is. It is a look into the lives of the characters that fronted the first four volumes of the manga series that transformed into an anime that would be loved by all that watched it.

A final swansong to Hirawasa Yui, Akiyama Mio, Tainaka Ritsu and Kotobuki Tsumugi as they go on to enjoy life after high school. A look into these characters beyond the finishing point of the anime (and K-ON! High School too). Thank you Kakifly. *listens to Singing by Hokago Tea Time

K-ON! Live House.

This is a part of the OVAs in Season 1 alongside "Winter Days."

After School Tea Time is invited to perform at a New Year's celebration by one of Ritsu's old friends at a music club managed by one of Sawa-chan sensei's old friends. This small description you just read was not in the original manga. The story goes on and after some antics in sound check (to make sure the group and others sound good in a performing scenario) and the usual shenanigans occur. The gang [and Sawa-chan] go home to ring in the new year where the former get to ... enjoy the first sunrise of the year... where Azusa was wearing cat ears from the night before. Just like the source material before it.

As a musician, I would've loved to end a year with a performance at a club. Practicing with/without a band then doing one last hurrah of performance of the year only for a few hours later to do the NYE countdown.

Overall, I really enjoyed the episode. The manga only had the NYE sleepover and sunrise view but those behind this episode didn't have to do this (and the following season) but they did it and it made me admire the on-screen adaption a whole lot more (including the end of S1 of the main series).

I found this anime series during the 2020 lockdowns while slightly down in um... motivation. I thought it was going to be another generic music anime like any other I've seen from the Netflix catalogue at that point. Buckle up, it's going to be a rollercoaster and a half.

We all know what happens in the series in general (if you don't read the manga where you can or watch the anime). I read the manga a couple of years after seeing the series for the first time and reading the latter made me appreciate the former even more.

Apart from the obvious thing that's ... missing from the page, the animation no matter if it's a quick gag, a performance or even a slow panning shot of a sink seems like it had a lot of care put into it (for the most part). The hand position of a guitarist's hand was well... there (because it'd be hard to animate, coming from me being one myself, see profile pick). Some of the stories in the manga are expanded upon to build character through the story. The lighting is appropriate no matter what time of day the scene is set: bright in the day, dark in a bedroom at night or even at sunset as the curtains for the series/movie comes to a close.

The characters became more than what the manga had portrayed them as. Yui wasn't just a klutz. Mio wasn't more than a scaredy cat. Ritsu wasn't more than just energetic and Mugi wasn't just a gay rich girl. Yui was also hard working, Mio concurred some of her fears, Ritsu was also a caring friend and Mugi was also um... a rich gay girl wanting to do commoner things.

The sound design was amazing. Not only being able to hear the music that wasn't on the page but the levels of skill at any time no matter a beginner with an unplugged Gibson Les Paul or a pro with a Fender Jazz Bass wherever it was played: clubroom, music room, the auditorium and even a music club (plus more in the movie). Replicating the echoes of sound travelling though a room no matter how big or small (knowing that coming from a performer and a spectator of classic rock artists).

The performances are another highlight. Coming from a performer's perspective, I know it can be nerve-wracking in the days, hours and minutes until show time. I felt it while watching in all the festival arcs. First was memorable for um... landmark reasons. Second one for (spoiler) changing the story from the source material for a more meaningful ending to the season. All while no. 3 was a final hurrah for the senior members (with an added swimming pool of tears afterwards).

The mock MTV music OPs and EDs are a highlight. The slice of life shots while the characters are doing character things and other shots of the band doing band things as well. The MTV style EDs accompanied a music video are another great addition with a completely different tone to the OP (the former being happy strawberries and the latter being serious).

It is a slice of life anime and I know some to most people on this site find it dull and boring and I get where they're coming from. I find this genre to be as relaxing as other series I found later down the line like Yuru Camp, Do it Yourself and Super Cub to name a few. This and the others I mentioned may not have the edge of your seat moments of a Shounen series like [insert title here] but it feels relaxing to the people that like those kind of plots. especially during the performances.

Personally? I found K-ON! after giving up on a music degree during the modern great depression (2020). As I followed the story, the events of the plot reminded me of when I was a young musician learning the guitar: buying one, practicing, seeing artists on the big stage, performing myself, changing strings, even my final performances in front of my peers. It [the series] encouraged me to learn music again from the songs from this series to pieces of compositionally complex instrumentals. I put this series as one of my motivators to get the music degree mentioned at the start of this paragraph.

Even after my Doofenshmertz backstory into why I love the series, I hope this review sparks your curiosity into this series because I recommend it 1 thousand, million %! Recommended with tea or your preffered hot or cold beverage.

Before you read this manga, I recommend you read the K-ON! manga or watch the anime series beforehand.

It follows from where the manga [and anime] left off from the former junior Azusa Nakano's point of view as the new Light/Pop Music Club president along side her friends Ui and Jun. It is very similar to Vol 1 except there is a comparison between the new club and the former club members (read Vol 1-4 or watch Season 1 and 2 and movie for reference). Gaining new members or the club isn't official, learning new instruments and even more tea to be had in between.

No ... matter what form you're reading in, (PC/ebook or manga) this is a really good read following from the rollercoaster of the source material by the author Kakifly and the Studio Kyoto Animation respectively.