A roundup of anime works themed around music

Music

71 minutes all hand-drawn! Trailer for the animated film 'On-Gaku: Our Sound'

The anime film Music has a straight-to-the-point title.

It’s a passionately crafted work based on Hiroyuki Ohashi’s manga On-Gaku: Our Sound, created over more than seven years under director Kenji Iwaisawa.

The story follows a group of protagonists who, after acquiring a bass by chance, start a band—but honestly, I feel the only way to appreciate this film’s appeal is to watch it.

In rock terms, this might be the embodiment of that so-called “first impulse.” After you finish it, you’ll almost certainly want to share your thoughts with someone.

Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ Maji LOVE 1000%

'Maji LOVE 1000%' Non-Telop Version

This anime is based on a romance adventure game for women released by Broccoli Co.

, Ltd.

Noriyasu Agematsu of Elements Garden handled the original concept, and the story features episodes with the male idol group ST☆RISH.

The ending theme, performed by all members of ST☆RISH, is a noteworthy highlight, conveying each idol’s personality through their vocals.

The high-quality songs produced by the members of Elements Garden are also a major attraction of the work.

TARI TARI

TV Anime 'TARI TARI' PV First Teaser

TARI TARI is a story that portrays the growth of its members through the founding of a choir club and its activities.

Like P.

A.

WORKS’ True Tears and Hanasaku Iroha, it is often described as a youth-themed work.

The bittersweet essence of adolescence comes through strongly in the way the characters take steps to establish the choir club, gradually gain new companions, and overcome various struggles through their activities.

Another major highlight is the cast’s strong vocal ability, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the choral theme.

Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle-

“Hypnosis Mic -Rhyme Anima-” MV

Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle, popularly known as “HypMic,” is an anime where rap battles unfold, with characters fighting using rap as their weapon instead of conventional arms.

It originally began as a character rap project featuring male voice actors, with six rap teams competing.

Notable artists such as Zeebra and Creepy Nuts contributed to the music production, along with Shingo Fujimori of Oriental Radio and Dragon Ash.

Even if you don’t usually listen to rap, the uniquely charming characters might draw you in—before you know it, you could be hooked on both the anime and the world of rap!

The Super Dimension Fortress Macross

The Super Dimension Fortress Macross — Episode 1: Booby Trap

It was an anime so popular that it split robot-anime fans into two camps: “Gundam or Macross?” Centering on the story of “using the power of song to fight aliens,” its vivid portrayal of human relationships and romantic conflict moved the hearts of viewers.

Also noteworthy was how Lynn Minmay—voiced by Mari Iijima—was promoted like a real-life singer.

Iijima went on to leave many works as an artist.

The kind of direction we now often see—like live concert scenes appearing within an anime—may well have been pioneered by The Super Dimension Fortress Macross.

Your Lie in April

Your Lie in April - First Teaser PV

An anime based on Naoshi Arakawa’s manga, it tells the story of a middle school pianist and a violinist.

Kosei Arima, the protagonist, was drilled by his mother to believe that playing exactly as written on the score is the only correct way, and he delivers impeccably precise performances.

After his mother’s death, however, he becomes unable to play the piano.

A few years later, Kosei meets the heroine, Kaori Miyazono, whose free-spirited, uninhibited playing style contrasts with his own, and the two begin performing together, influencing each other along the way.

In addition to its musical narrative and the romance between the two, the anime portrays the feelings of each character, building to a tear-jerking conclusion.

It became a major topic of conversation when it aired and remains popular even among people who don’t usually watch anime.

K-On!

Don’t say “lazy”

It’s a story about four high school girls who form a band in a light music club that’s on the verge of being disbanded, and how they build the club up together.

Rather than a full-on band-centric work, it feels more like an anime depicting the members’ laid-back everyday lives.

The songs performed in the show are authentic and have a charm that makes you want to play them yourself.

Another distinctive point is how the vibe of the opening and ending themes differs greatly.

Guitar fans should also listen for the eyecatch sound effects!