Afterthought: K-ON!

I love K-ON! … I guess that probably says it all for me regarding my impression of the anime series. Before the start of the spring anime season, K-ON! was little more than just another series on my watch list which I was hoping would turn out decent. What attracted me to the anime in the first place was just an illustration of a very moe-looking Yui with her guitar. That’s was all and I never expected myself to like it so much.

 

The anime series follows the school life of a group of high school girls who came together to form (or technically join) the school’s light music club, a.k.a. K-ON Bu. So there, the story backdrop probably doesn’t sound the most interesting. But this is an anime where the story actually took a backseat because the attention was fully on the main characters right from the start. It would be safe to say that the girls made the anime a success.

And the success was probably cemented right from the airing of the first episode. It was one of the best episodes of the kind that I have watched and it made me a fan instantly. Not since Seto no Hanayome had I laughed so hard when watching an anime. I was glued and began following the series religiously. The anime is generally a combination of slice-of-life humor and music. Despite the fact that music is technically the main theme of the anime, I can say it acutally plays second fiddle with only occassional references to technical jargon. There are of course, songs in the anime and naturally of the light music genre, such as “Light and Fluffy”. The most well received songs, though, falls outside the anime and would be their OP and ED songs, especially “Dont say Lazy” which is a personal favorite of mine too.

All the remaining episodes were great even if they weren’t as awesome as the first episode. I especially like Episode 4 where the girls had their training camp and where the term ”Moe Moe Kyun” was born. It’s hard to forget Mio’s moeness in that episode. I also like Episode 7 “Christmas” which epitomise the close bond between Yui and Ui, leaving a warm and sweet feeling.

With all that’s said about the anime, how do I feel about the girls in the anime who I have all along mentioned is the main components of the anime?

Well, for a start, my favorite girl in the anime is Yui. She is a naturally clumsy airhead who has a carefree and simplistic approach towards life. She also happens to be the focal point of the anime and is more often than not the catalyst for hilarious moments and outrageous antics. She also has a habit of naming things although she is not the most gifted in that, naming her guitar as guitah and her gloves as gloves-san. So there. Perhaps her best achievement is nick-naming Azusa as Azu-Nyan. So why do I like her most? She is moe and perhaps because I just like airheaded girls. ^^” 

On the polar end of the Hirasawa household is Yui’s younger sister, Ui. She is mature, attentive, responsible and good with household chores. Due to that, she and Yui always seems to reverse their roles with Ui seeminigly looking after her older sister. Ui certainly has all the traits that would make a perfect wife. Oops … sorry I diverted. But in anyway, she is a much loveable character for me too, probably third on par with Mugi-chan.

Second to my favorites list is Mio, who is arguably the most popular character of the anime series. She is the most sensible member of the group, often being the one to remind the others on the importance of practice. She is beautiful, cute, mature and I guess her shyness adds to her appeal. As what Yui and Ritsu says … Moe Moe Kyun! She is a very attractive lady in all ways, a perfect wifey candidate. ^^

Tsumugi, affectionately known as Mugi-chan, is the rich girl in the group with a sweet and gentle personality. Due to her wealthy and protected backgroud, she enjoys working as it is a way of showing her independence. She is also the provider of all the lovely cakes that the girls indulges in after school during their club activities hours. This of course led to their band name, After School Tea Time. Like Mio, she has most of the characteristics that I would like in a real-life partner. ^^”

Among the girls, Ritsu probably does not attract as much fanfare as the rest. It’s mostly due to her outward appearance as being  the joker of the pack and a careless attitude despite being the leader of the K-ON! club. But to me, it is evident that she treasures friendship and has a cheerful disposition, so is someone who would be great as friend and good to hang out with.

Azusa joins the group in the later parts of the series and probably because of that, I don’t feel as attached to her as I am with the rest of the girls. But she is all cute and sweety alright and would be a hit among fans of twintails. Sawako-sensei or Sawa-chan probably deserves a mention. I mean she dresses up the girls all the time with her preference for cosplaying. She also indirectly contributes to Azusa’s nickname with the nekomimi.

Overall, K-ON! suits my taste. If you like Lucky Star, you will love K-ON! The anime should appeal to those liking the slice-of-life genre and light comedy, or even those seeking pure moeness. If you dislike anything sweet, it is best to stay away. K-ON!’s been the best anime of the spring season for me and is one of my all-time favorite animes of the kind.

I hope there will be a 2nd season, although OVAs are more possible. Nonetheless, K-ON! has certain made an impression and will possibly be as fervently popular as the likes of Suzumiya Haruhi and Lucky Star for a long, long time. For me, I just have to say I simply adored the anime and the girls of After School Tea Time!

 

Synopsis (from MyAnimeList):

K-On!’s story revolves around four Japanese high school girls who join their school’s Light Music Club to try to save it from being disbanded. However, they are the only members of the club, and the last recruit, Hirasawa Yui, has no experience in playing instruments or reading sheet music.

[ Official site ]