Such a frustrating disappointment

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

I really thought this anime was really well done and the music was very uplifting. I like the fact that we see the 4 girls being more themshelves then based on how they look. I sometimes feel that some anime always makes young girls look "overly cute" but this one really stood out for me since their personalities were totally unique!Definitely recommend this anime to anyone who is need of music in their ears and a bit of relaxed humour as well! I given it 8/10!

»K-On!« is one of the most successful anime series ever made. To a distant observer this might seem strange, because the plot looks as empty as it gets. It's just about five girls hanging out together and playing in a school band called »After School Tea Time«. There is no drama to speak of and barely any tension. Still, »K-On!« is remarkable, exactly because it renounces any kind of dramatic structure. The depiction of everyday life is calm, sweet and surprisingly witty. (There are even some jokes about j-horror and slice of life anime.) »K-On!« is the perfect show to sit back and relax after a hard day of work.But there's more to it than that. With Naoko Yamada (»A Silent Voice«), the anime has a director of great talent. Her portrayal of the young schoolgirls is insightful and lovely. It's more about character, less about plot. Sure, some people might call »K-on!« a mere excuse to show cute girls. But the series has a bigger point to make. It's actually a bittersweet tale of lost innocence. Yamada clearly knows that the friendship depicted in the story is not as firm as it seems. There's a longing nostalgia encasing »K-on!«, the thought of the adult that goes something like this: »Oh, these naive girls, their friendship won't last forever. But I sure whish it would. Hell, I wish my highschool years were like this!«In the first season, Yamada totaly merges into the ideal world of the highschool student. In the second season, she unravels this illusion gently. The conclusion of this theme is very touching. If you want to watch a relaxing, entertaining and sensitive anime, you can't go wrong with »K-on!«. It's heartfelt and doesn't deserve the eye-rolls it sometimes gets.

Until recently, I'd fallen out of love with anime. By the recommendation of a friend, I dug up the first few episodes of "Keion!", and was hooked immediately.It may seem a little odd from an outsider perspective, but the first thing I said to the friend who recommended it to me was "Finally, a decent anime that isn't all about sex!" We both had a good laugh, but it was the truth. There seem to be far too many out there that grab the attention of male viewers purely through a generous helping of T&A and a mild smattering of girls in bunny-suits to seal the deal. "Keion!" does it with well-timed humor and fantastic character and story development. I'm a sucker for both; so, on this level, "Keion!" truly earns its place. There are, of course, the blatantly silly moments in which slapstick is the driving force; but there are some truly moving moments as well. I'm not embarrassed to say that there were tears. The characters become so real and tangible that one cannot help but feel for them through both happy and emotionally moving moments. By the time I'd reached episode 24 of season two, 'Graduation Ceremony!', I was truly sad knowing that the end of the series was very close at hand.The story revolves around four, and later five, main characters. All are members of the Light Music Club and a band named Hokago Teatime (Eng: After School Tea Time.) They are: Hirasawa Yui, the klutzy, forgetful, kawaii lead guitarist and vocalist of Hokago Teatime; Tainaka Ritsu (Ricchan), their somewhat masculine drummer; shy, studious, but talented bassist and sometimes lead + backup singer Akiyama Mio; Kotobuki Tsumugi (Mugi), their easily impressed, and seemingly very wealthy keyboardist; and second guitarist Nakano Azusa (Azu-nyan!), who joins the Light Music Club after being awestruck by a performance at the freshman welcoming. Secondary characters include Yui's sister Ui; their teacher and club supervisor, Yamanaka Sawako sensei (Sawa-chan!); and Manabe Nodoka, a close childhood friend of Yui as well as the student council president. As it happens, on numerous occasions; Nodoka serves as benefactor (or sometimes savior) of the Light Music Club in matters ranging from stage time to club registration, which otherwise would result in disaster. Sawako, a former member of the Light Music Club herself, plays several roles throughout the show's progression. Most of the time, she is simply their teacher and club supervisor. Other times, she is a personal tailor to the band, whether they want it or not; creating clothing of rather questionable style, or appropriateness. Still, other times, she serves as the band's ambassador to the music world; supporting their ambitions and even taking them to a summer musical festival. Not to be forgotten is Yui's younger sibling, Ui; the more responsible, sensible and down-to-earth of the Hirasawa sisters.The animation style is, as stated in the summary of this review, beautiful. I'm one of those people who will look at a show and, regardless of the depth of story, potentially discard it simply based on appearances. This holds true for animated, live action, and CG alike. To quantify this; I'm sure most will agree that Dreamworks will never measure up to Pixar in the CG department. I feel the same way about anime. From the obviously well crafted background painting to something as simple as transitions between expressions, Kyoto Studios seem to have outdone themselves.Sound is a big thing for me as well. This isn't limited to just music. I find that a lot of animated shows leave me wanting for depth, but it's notoriously hard to place. Sometimes all you need to make a dialogue feel a little more natural is to have some ambient background noise; whether it's the rustling of clothing or a busy city street. Again, "Keion!" hits that mark for me. The obvious entry for this segment, however, should be the rather extensive and somewhat intimidating soundtrack procured for the series. Spanning several released albums, including individual character releases and instrumental versions of some of the show's more popular tracks, "Keion!'s" music collection is something every fan of the show should listen to. Not only does it serve as background for certain scenes, but the performances of the After School Tea Time band really caught my attention. Notable tracks from the show would be Fuwafuwa Time, Fudepen - Ballpen, and my personal favorite Watashi no Koi ha Hocchikisu (Eng: My Love is a Stapler). Lesser acknowledged, of course, will be the supporting soundtrack which serves very well to accentuate the wide range of emotions in the series.Some critics and self-proclaimed 'anime-purists' may cite the series as being to slowly paced, predictable, and having little plot or purpose, but I think that's what gives the series its charm. It follows five girls through their career in high school as they make friends and memories they will take with them for the rest of their lives. There's something special to be said about a series that can grab your attention and hold it for 40 episodes, banking only on the viewer's attachment to 5 fictional girls' very realistic personalities and adventures.To quote the friend who introduced me to this wonderful show; "It's sometimes the shortest series that are the best." Shows like Dragonball (Z & GT), Bleach, Naruto, and Inuyasha are extremely lengthy and have MASSIVE fanbases; yet I feel no passion for them. They seem overdrawn, oversaturated, and overrated. The plot gets lost in the almost endless fighting scenes or massive (and sometimes painful) spaces between story arcs. The other extreme, I would say, are shows in the vein of Tenchi Muyo which make up for what they lack in length by retelling the exact same story whilst modifying the backdrop a bit.It's said that it's the brightest star that shines only half as long; that's how I feel about "Keion!".

This show is nothing short of a masterpiece. Only a genius could write a story that leaves such character attachment. After a few episodes you will find yourself strangely attached to the light music club, and all its members. The brilliance of the character development, each one with their own little quirks and traits, is the strong point of this show. Though each episode is pretty devoid of any real plot, on a per-episode basis, the pacing is great and it never becomes dull.If you love music, you'll love this show. The opening theme, Cagayake Girls, and one of the songs used during the series, "Fuwa Fuwa Time", are catchy as hell. You'll find yourself downloading the mp3s and putting them on your iPod, or what have you. The first episode might not hook you, but if you watch 3 or 4 then you will surely become a fan.Best part? There is a second season, and it's even better.