(L+CR) Bakumatsu Rock

[MisaoFan]

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Original creator (visual novel): Marvelous AQL
Director: Itsuro Kawasaki
Series Composition: Mitsutaka Hirota
Character Design: Akiharu Ishii
Music: Tomoki Kikuya
Animation Production: Studio Deen

Plot summary: The story is set in the Bakumatsu era, at the end of the shoguns' rule over Japan in the middle of the 19th century. The Tokugawa shogunate uses the brainwashing "Heaven's Songs" by the top idols in Shinsengumi to subjugate the country and its people. In this Japan, writing or singing any songs besides the "Heaven's Songs" is a capital offense. Ryōma Sakamoto and the other rockers rise up and change the world with rock 'n' roll for freedom and justice.

Marvelous AQL released the game for PSP on February 27.

Official website

[MisaoFan]

Spoiler for Episode 1:

It was surprisingly very entertaining. I like the pretty colors and the well-designed visuals. It mixes the musical action feel of Symphogear with the historical flamboyance of Dai Shogun (which I strongly disliked). Sure it may have a hyper-silly plot that consists of a boys' band doing rock music to defeat the evil but it also have its own legitimately serious moments as well. When I see the guys performing a song, it looks like their clothes are half-teared up and I was squealing hard all along. The animation is mediocre considering its low-budget technical difficulties, however it seemed pretty forgivable with all the pretty colors that flourishes its alternate historical setting combined with modern influences. Have to continue watching a few episodes, it seems like it had a nice appeal that I didn't expect to come.

[ookamigirl]

Shinsengumi as a rock band.
That's definitely a new concept.
This is like Hakuouki meets Uta no Prince-sama crossover.
Except this is new and has to prove its worth.
Ryo & his guitar desperately need some guidance.
But that guy sure has a nice voice ^^ & the song was pretty good.
Will give this a try.

[Mr Nr]

Well that wasn't as bad as I thought it be. Sure it wasn't fantastic but still an enjoyable episode. The crazy premise of Heaven's Music being the only music allowed and rock is rebellious is pretty out there (not to mention the setting too). Music was good which of course is the highlight of this type of anime. We will see how far they go so hopefully it continues to be solid.

[Dop]

Early on I was thinking "This is like Nekki Basara fell through a timewarp to alternate old Japan and started telling everyone to listen to his song whether they wanted to or not again..."

I wasn't expecting much from this but I found it enjoyably daft as a brush. Will definitely check out a few more episodes at least!

[Cloudedmind]

The show feels a bit scattered probably because Ryo is a hot blooded male lead who's kind of all over the place, but the music, colors and style make up for that for me, and I enjoyed it as much as I hoped I would.

[LKK]

Oh. My. Stars.

What a show!

Here's how best to watch it. Check your brain at the door. Sit down. Let the FABULOUSNESS swell over you like an incoming tsunami. That's the best way to enjoy what just happened. This is a definitely going to be a "Don't think about it because you'll make your brain hurt" type of show. But if you can turn off your logic and be willing to be immersed, there's a fun amusement park ride waiting for you.

Count me in for the duration.

[kuromitsu]

Free? What Free? This is my fun pretty boy anime of the summer, right here!

Originally Posted by Dop

Early on I was thinking "This is like Nekki Basara fell through a timewarp to alternate old Japan and started telling everyone to listen to his song whether they wanted to or not again..."

Yes, Basara was the first thing that came to my mind after Ryouma's "LISTEN TO MY SOOONG!!!!" schtick. xD Especially when it turned out that people didn't actually want to listen to his song.

I already love Ryouma, he's so adorably stupid and likeable, and Taniyama Kishou is doing a great job with him. Cindy (lol) is fun, too, and I was almost literally rotflol'ing at the Shinsengumi being government-approved idols with screaming fangirls shelling out their life savings for their events and whatnot. The setting is really fun, too in a kind of "let's not take this seriously at all *wink*" way, which I always appreciate.

And then there's the ending. So shameless. XDD It may not have dancing or even decent animation, but who cares when you have naked pretty boys?

[AntonKutovoi]

That was surprisingly enjoyable. Also, it's so crazy that it can work for Gintama spin-off

[kuromitsu]

I mean, really, just think about it.

Sakamoto Ryouma is trying to overthrow the stifling, oppressive, outdated System (well, the System's musical taste, anyway) by the Western-originated power of the rebellious ROCK. With his friends Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogorou, he rises against the all-powerful, intimidating Shinsengumi and its army of superstar idols...

Genius, pure genius.

[AntonKutovoi]

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

I mean, really, just think about it.

Sakamoto Ryouma is trying to overthrow the stifling, oppressive, outdated System (well, the System's musical taste, anyway) by the Western-originated power of the rebellious ROCK. With his friends Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogorou, he rises against the all-powerful, intimidating Shinsengumi and its army of superstar idols...

Genius, pure genius.

I suppose it can be called a high art, isn't it?

[Grifis]

Shinitai. That's how I felt after watching the first ep. I endured the whole boring ep to get a glimpse of Hijikata (because he's the only one I want to see when it comes to Shinsengumi theme) but then he turns out to look kind of rectangular. Face is pretty though. Well, thanks for the pretty boys and shredding kimonos exposing the nice bods. It's just that they're not hot enough for me to endure the bad rock music.

[mistress_kisara]

It's so ridiculous and over the top I love it! XD

[GDiddy]

SAKAMOTO RYOU IS HERE TO SAVE YOU ALL WITH THE POWAH OF RAWWWWKKKKK AND BROS!

I friggin' LOVED IT much more than I thought I would.

[jeroz]

Not sure if it's due to the voice of Ryouma, but even with the transformation sequence I felt the entire episode is really holding back. There's no overly fabulous character like the principal from UtaPri, and there's no massive set piece like in Kamigami no Asobi either. I want it to tickle the crazy bone for me, but at the moment this feels more like a moving Dai Shogun than a new UtaPri to me.

Will still check out ep2 since Thursday is a slow day.

[cleo]

I got Basara vibes as well, brought to a new level of silliness and added fanservice. Keep on ripping those clothes, boys

[Utsuro no Hako]

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

Sakamoto Ryouma is trying to overthrow the stifling, oppressive, outdated System (well, the System's musical taste, anyway) by the Western-originated power of the rebellious ROCK. With his friends Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogorou, he rises against the all-powerful, intimidating Shinsengumi and its army of superstar idols...

Genius, pure genius.

So it's AKB0048 with samurai instead of mecha.

[Baldurkai]

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

Sakamoto Ryouma is trying to overthrow the stifling, oppressive, outdated System (well, the System's musical taste, anyway) by the Western-originated power of the rebellious ROCK. With his friends Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogorou, he rises against the all-powerful, intimidating Shinsengumi and its army of superstar idols...

Genius, pure genius.

lol have to agree the story/plot is so weird its interesting. Only part that is putting me off is the magically appearing musical instruments (likes my equipment to be in the correct time zone/era, unless there's a way to make it somewhat plausible). And its good to see Fangirls in that era too

[GDiddy]

I also thought this was a funny FU to idol culture. And that Gintama could pull this off

[Master_Yoma]

Boy band vs Rock band and the Shinsengumi is the boy band this seems like it going to be fun