(L) Sakamichi no Apollon (Kids on the Slope)

[Flawfinder]

From what I saw, this episode seems to compress the first 2-3 chapters (can't remember chapter 3). The opening is also weird.

[DragoonKain3]

Not bad. Not bad at all.

While it doesn't have the usual first episode flair, intrigue, or hook, it certainly has its charms. For what looks like a slow-paced, slice of life show, it did its job correctly at least.


And Kaoru, hands off Ri'ko, please? She's spoken for already.

[sikvod00]

Loved the first episode. This is looking to be a great series!

[totoum]

That was fun, I was watching but it hadn't "grabbed me" then the drum solo came and I was like "you now have my full attention" between the solo itself and the animation that was quite something.

[Bern-san]

Good episode, so far liked the characters (except Karou's relatives)
I liked the opening more than the ending

Can't get the piano part of Moanin' out of my head (one episode and I'm already desperate for the OST)

Definitely looks like the type of shows which needs more than 12 episodes but oh well

[Student no.0]

That was a pretty good first episode. Felt a bit weird watching it having read the first two chapters of the manga beforehand. Still, this show's definately a keeper for me this season~

[Reckoner]

Best premiere of the season for me, 10/10. Watanabe puts most other directors to shame and exemplifies just how much more talented than he is than the common dribble.

All the little touches were great, the animation was superb (Look at the drum solo holy shit), I love the char designs. The BGM was awesome.

This is how you make anime.

Now if only he'd direct more...

[Katapan]

I guess I'll put my worries over the pacing to rest for now. Okay, I did think that something slightly slower would've been even more perfect, but I'm definitely keeping in mind that this is a pilot that probably aimed to get at this particular point in the story, without actually skipping the OP/ED, and also with less time compared to your average anime episode due to noitaminA! -- and yet I feel that Watanabe made the episode flow well with the right scenes in spite of all the constraints. Was there ever any doubt, though?

The obvious issue put aside, I have to say the episode looked good: some of it we'd seen in the PV, but the complete drum sequence is really something. I'm quite fond of that Nakazawa OP myself, which is greatly helped by the YUKI song I'd been dreaming of for weeks. The dialect also shines through and Hosoya pulls it off magnificently (not completely sold on Nanri's Ritsuko yet, I'd say she oscillates between refreshingly great and less engaging moments). Yep, this season's Thursdays will be a treat.

+ the addition of the Ningen Dryer.

[kuromitsu]

Well, this was... fast. Then again, with 12 episodes they have to get over the setup as fast as possible. At least it didn't feel rushed. I'm torn between hoping that they'd slow down in the following eps, and wishing that they keep the pace so they actually get somewhere in the story... I'll have to continue trusting Watanabe, I guess. (damn you, Noitamina!!)

Sentarou and Kaoru sound a little different from how I imagined they would, but both seiyuu are pretty good so far. Sentarou came off as more abrasive than in the manga but I suppose that's because of the shortness...

And I'm glad that the BGM knew its place and did its job instead of trying to be in the focus. What with a big-name composer on the staff and the "omg jazz!!" hype, I'd been kind of worried that they'd put extra emphasis on the music at the expense of story/character moments, but thankfully that's not the case. As far as I can tell the drum solo was pretty good (I'm not good with drums, though so I wouldn't know how good it actually was...), and I can't wait to hear the full version of the OP. I'm not impressed with the ED, though... both music and animation are mediocre. Ah well.

Oh yeah, and extra bonus points for the animation during the performance sequences. Most anime wouldn't go this far (Nodame Cantabile, I'm looking at you).

[ookamigirl]

Damn... didn't expect it to be this interesting.
Sentaro & Kaoru, what an unusual friendship ^^
Those two really get into some weird situations LOL
Jazz... seems like an very unusual band idea.
This seems like an interesting anime, will be watching it.

[Flower]

Okay ... that was very well done.

And finally I come across an OP that I really like!

Adding this one to my actively following series ... excellente.

Yeah - jazz isn't really my thing and all that (though neither are astronauts - i.e. Uchuu Kyodai) ... but the coming of age and slice of life elements are very well done indeed.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Excellent, excellent, excellent. I don't think an anime episode can be much better than that, for my taste.

To be honest the hype of jazz and a supposed old master director didn't really capture me (I'm not a jazz fan, and I haven't been able to get into Cowboy Bebop). But the actual episode certainly grabbed me and held on. Story pacing, characters, mood, emotion -- all good. But it's this strange hollowness in my chest that tells me I love this show. Not many shows give me that emotional wave, but this one did. For some reason, I am reminded of Honey & Clover, different as that was.

Kimura Ryouhei, Hosoya Yoshimasa, and Nanri Yuka are all persuasive. And the OP is outstanding, both music and image.

[DmonHiro]

OK... can anyone explain to me why I liked this? It's terribly boring on paper, and nothing much even happened. So why?

[Flower]

Originally Posted by DmonHiro

OK... can anyone explain to me why I liked this? It's terribly boring on paper, and nothing much even happened. So why?

Because it was really well done, and in so many ways, perhaps?

Forgot to mention that I liked the ED too, and must admit that I lol'd at the way Kaoru was walking when was thinking aloud about hearing Sentaro's drums, so much that Riko said ... "Ummm ... is something wrong?" :lol:

[Guardian Enzo]

Excuse me while I just try and scrape my jaw up off the floor.

[LKK]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Excuse me while I just try and scrape my jaw up off the floor.

While you're down there, would you mind picking mine up for me as well?

[webkid94]

Okay start, interesting to hear Yoshimasa Hosoya voice another Kansai-dialect character (like Arata from Chihayafuru), the drumming was awesome. Felt a little too slow and long-winded, but luckily I didn't have huge expectations (I'm probably the only person around that hasn't seen Cowboy Bebop or any other Watanabe series). As of now, Tsuritama edges Sakamichi overall but the potential for awesome jazz music is definitely there.

3.5/5

Now waiting for Eureka seven AO, that show determines whether spring is a success or a failure in my eyes.

[Guardian Enzo]

Kyuushu dialect, actually (don't make that mistake in either region!). I actually thought this was a real against-type performance from him, and I thought Kimura Ryohei was absolutely brilliant.

[Reckoner]

I gotta say, this episode rendered me unable to view anything for a little while. I fear anything else I watch as a follow up to this would just seem so mediocre. Good going Watanabe sensei.

[Dr. Casey]

Downloading the episode now. I like watching series that take place in the past, it's fun to think about how old my family was during the time the story takes place and imagine what they might have been up to at the time, how they might have responded to certain situations (Playing Higurashi made me imagine my 1983 pre-demented grandparents joining in the effort to protect Satoko for example), etc. So if this story takes place in 1966, that would make everyone...

Papa Lloyd: 48
Grandmother Slonecker: 42
Papa Bill: 32
Grandmother Rabon: 42-43
My mom and dad: 14 and 17
Uncle Ronald: 20
Uncle Mike: 18
Aunt Ina: 6
Aunt Mary: 24
Uncle Sonny: 23
Aunt Linda: 22

Neat.

/stops writing boring crap and goes to watch the episode