just to give you an idea what they look like (not the actual characters)
(note: I barely started season 2 so this is mostly going to be about season 1…mostly)
This is very good anime series, not a great series and personally I could do with out a new song every episode, but it completes the unspoken contract it makes with it’s fangirl audience. It offers up six (and later five more) hot guys to geek out over and fantasize about.
See, this anime is based on a video game where you are Haruka (the girl) and you make key choices that move the story along. You end up choosing which guy you partner up with instead of all the guys forming a singing group. I’m assuming, the game was never released in the US so I’ve never played it.
The series keeps the balance between each guy well, and each guy has his own distinct personality. The question is will Haruka and one of these guys ever fall in love. My guess is no, right off the bat in the first episode the school declares it a rule that composers and idols are not to fall in love and reminding you again a few episodes into the second season when Cecil enters the picture, probably making it a clause in the unspoken contract.
What I think would be awesome is if they had made the exact same series but replace the guys with girls. While I’m all for the fangirl/romance/fantasy material the guys bring, it would be even better if the anime was getting its female viewers to identify themselves, not by which guy they want to date, but which idol they want to emulate. Instead of dreaming of a happily ever after that requires a man girls would instead imagine themselves to be one of these girls that can find fame and happiness on their own.
If you’re hoping that this anime will be like Free! Iwatobi Swim Club and have implied homosexuality you will be sadly mistaken. While each of the guys is sort of paired off by having a history with each other and/or being roommates they never have any extra friendly moments.
Drink every time:
1) someone starts singing (intro and outro songs don’t count)
2) you hear the Principal laugh
3) anytime you can add “between the sheets” to whatever the Player (Rin) says and it works
4) The Crazy One (Natsuki) changes personalities
5) Hat Guy (Syo) is NOT wearing a hat
6) Kuppuru (the black cat) appears.
Sweet n Sour Reviews 