Set in the late 1960s this series is centred on a small group of friends who are brought together through their love of music; specifically jazz. Kaoru Nishimi has moved from school to school as his father's job moved around the country; he is a classically trained pianist from a wealthy background who makes an unlikely friendship with jazz loving drummer and school 'bad boy' Sentaro. They start playing together in the basement of a local record shop which is run by the father of their classmate Ritsuko. The group of friends grows to include Sentaro's friend 'Brother Jun' and older girl Yurika. Over the course of the series relationships develop and friendships are tested and people move away but aren't forgotten.
At first sight this doesn't seem like the sort of series one would expect from the creator of 'Cowboy Bebop' and 'Samurai Champloo' Shinichiro Watanabe however even if the series lacks the obvious action it has deep characters and a clear love of the music it is centred around. Yoko Kanno's music is a highlight of the series. The characters are all too human with believable flaws without feeling melodramatic making us care about them even when we see them making mistakes. The characters are well designed and beautifully animated; this is especially true of the scenes were they are playing their instruments. Overall I heartily recommend this emotional slice of life series that also features some great music; expect to shed a few tears; some of sorrow some of joy.
At first sight this doesn't seem like the sort of series one would expect from the creator of 'Cowboy Bebop' and 'Samurai Champloo' Shinichiro Watanabe however even if the series lacks the obvious action it has deep characters and a clear love of the music it is centred around. Yoko Kanno's music is a highlight of the series. The characters are all too human with believable flaws without feeling melodramatic making us care about them even when we see them making mistakes. The characters are well designed and beautifully animated; this is especially true of the scenes were they are playing their instruments. Overall I heartily recommend this emotional slice of life series that also features some great music; expect to shed a few tears; some of sorrow some of joy.