Set in the 1960’s, Kids on the Slope is a coming-of-age
drama about high school friends that found joy and refuge in jazz while dealing
with the struggles of youth. The story primarily
focuses on the bromance of Kaoru “Richie” Nashimi – a rich, academically achieving
introvert – and Sentarō “Sen” Kawabuchi – who is basically the antithesis of
Kaoru. Despite being polar opposites,
the two get to have a strong bond because of sharing a common love – jazz.
Kaoru is an adept classical pianist, but is initially not into jazz. But, one day, he becomes intrigued with jazz music after listening to Sentarō’s drumming. Kaoru buys a jazz record, starts to practice, and, from then on, he begins to love jazz and to regularly jam with Sentarō after class – he on the piano, and Sentarō on drums. And as the story progresses, Kaoru and Sentarō develop fantastic rapport with each other. Personally, I never thought before that a piano and a drum set are already enough to create such beautiful, full sound. Listening to those two do just that blew me away.
Kaoru is an adept classical pianist, but is initially not into jazz. But, one day, he becomes intrigued with jazz music after listening to Sentarō’s drumming. Kaoru buys a jazz record, starts to practice, and, from then on, he begins to love jazz and to regularly jam with Sentarō after class – he on the piano, and Sentarō on drums. And as the story progresses, Kaoru and Sentarō develop fantastic rapport with each other. Personally, I never thought before that a piano and a drum set are already enough to create such beautiful, full sound. Listening to those two do just that blew me away.
Creating a “triangle” with Kaoru
and Sentarō is Ritsuko Mukae. Kaoru has
feelings for Ritsuko, but Ritsuko has feelings for Sentarō. However, despite this state of
affairs, the three remain good friends (though, conflicts arise sometimes).
Ritsuko’s father, Tsutomu Mukae,
owns a music shop, and its basement is where Kaoru and Sentarō would jam. Occasionally, Tsutomu jams with them, as well
as Junichi “Brother Jun” Katsuragi, a college friend whom Sentarō greatly
looks up to; Tsutomu plays bass, and
Brother Jun – a very talented musician – plays trumpet.
Eargasmic jazz music is a
constant in Kids on the Slope. The musicians that record the music behind the
scenes really deserve to be praised. And
kudos as well to the people that drew and animated the scenes where the characters
play their respective instruments with the appearance of thoroughness and authenticity. As a result, I was really immersed into the
music because there is no clumsy animation to distract me – the detail of the animation
flawlessly matches the music being produced.
However, Kids on the Slope is not all about having fantastic taste in
music. It also has a heartfelt and
thoughtful story to tell, with deep themes on friendship, making life decisions,
young love, the sweetness and bitterness of life, and pursuing your
dreams; and it features a profound metaphorical moral or two. There is some complicated soap
opera romance in it, which I find a little bit cheesy and heavy, but it’s appropriate
to the narrative and intended message.
This anime series is created by
the same people behind Cowboy Bebop
so it’s no wonder that it’s something masterfully made. Even if one doesn’t appreciate jazz music
and/or teen drama, I believe he or she will still find this anime engaging. It’s really worth checking out, and with only
12 episodes, it’s pretty easy to marathon.
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