K-On!

Review by: John Fragglepuss Evans

Genre: Music, Slice of Life, Comedy, School, Band

First Aired: Spring 2009, 13 episodes

Summary: Yui Hirasawa is having a difficult time deciding which high school club to join. She stumbles across the Light Music Club, which three members will do anything to have her join, since they need at least four total students to keep the club from being disbanded. Yui reluctantly joins even though she does not play an instrument. She figures she can just mess around and slack off since the club only needs her there as an extra student to keep the club together. Little did Yui know she would fall in love with the club, pick up an instrument and change her life forever!

K-On is a simple and heartwarming slice of life anime about classmates bonding over their love of music. The series shines around the unique characters that keep you entertained. Yui is an airhead that must learn how to play an instrument, which requires a lot of discipline. Mio Akiyama is a shy girl that expresses herself through songwriting and being a vocalist. Ritsu Tainaka is the upbeat president of the club that is always brainstorming new ideas. Tsumugi Kotobuki is gentle and sweet. Despite being an excellent piano player, she has a near impossible time learning to play any other instrument. Azusa Nakano is a serious guitar player that has little interest in the extracurricular activities of the club. If she had her way, all they would do is practice. Overall, the music is great, the characters are fun, and the series is an easy watch.

You might enjoy this if: You hear the genres “Slice of Life” and “School” with anime and think, “That’s for me!”.

You might not like it if: You are one of the many that has grown weary of school-based anime. I don’t blame you, there has been plenty of them over the years.

Similar Anime: Amagi Brilliant Park, Lucky☆Star, Sound Euphonium, Azumanga Daioh, Free, Super Sonico the Animation, Clannad, Detroit Metal City, New Game

Note to the Viewer: The title of K-On comes from the Japanese word “keiongaku”, which means “popular music”. Bonus note: If you want more K-On, there is a spin-off manga titled K-On Shuffle that focuses on new girls at a new school.

K-On! Opening

AMV – 天使にふれたよ！by Sawako Yamanaka

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