A roundup of anime works themed around music

BanG Dream!

Anime “BanG Dream! 3rd Season” #1 #BandoriNet

BanG Dream! is a multimedia project centered on the theme of all-girl bands.

It tells the story of high school students growing through their band activities.

One of the work’s charms is that it features not only the protagonist’s band, Poppin’Party, but also many other bands with their own unique colors.

You can get into the series through its distinctive characters or through its many authentic songs—no matter where you start, it’s a work you can enjoy.

Ya Boy Kongming!

TV anime “Ya Boy Kongming!” OP theme “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” non-credit video

Paripi Kōmei is an anime with a wildly improbable premise that actually works: Zhuge Liang Kongming, the strategist from the Chinese historical chronicle Records of the Three Kingdoms, is reborn in modern Tokyo and ends up managing the music career of his master, singer-songwriter Eiko Tsukimi.

It leans heavily into comedy, yet the musical segments are impressively authentic.

It gives you the feeling of watching something genuinely new.

Seeing the legendary Kongming adapt to contemporary society is wonderfully surreal, and you can’t help thinking, “If it’s Kongming, he could pull this off.” It’s a very bright, upbeat music anime.

Roo's song that heralds the dawn

Full main film clip from Lu Over the Wall showcases the full-on Yuasa world, with “Ballad of a Singer” striking a chord in the heart!

Lu Over the Wall is an animated film by director Yuasa, known for works like Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! and The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl.

It’s a fantastical story that begins when the protagonist, Kai Ashimoto—who enjoys composing music as a hobby—meets Lu, a mermaid.

Even a simple synopsis risks giving too much away, so I’ll avoid that here, but I think you’ll come away with a swelling desire to “do what you love, the way you love to do it.” Be sure to pay attention to the insert songs as well.

Detroit Metal City

Detroit Metal City [SATSUGAI]

This is a comedy-heavy work that portrays the struggles of a young man who plays the frontman of the death metal band Detroit Metal City.

It features deliberately hard-edged expressions that risk reinforcing misconceptions about metal, and the humorous hook lies in the gap between the protagonist’s gentle, heartwarming everyday personality and the way things somehow turn into over-the-top, extreme performances.

Many may also know it as the film starring Kenichi Matsuyama.

Once you’re hooked, you won’t be able to get out—welcome to the world of Detroit Metal City!

ClassicaLoid

ClassicaLoid Episode 1: "Beethoven, Mozart, and the Otowa House"

This work depicts the mystery of the enigmatic beings called “ClassicaLoids,” modeled after great figures of classical music, and the mysterious power called “Musique” that dwells in the music they perform.

While it leans heavily into comedy, the series also includes academic themes, letting viewers learn about classical masters through the story.

A key point is that classical pieces are used as story drivers, and another highlight is the use of arrangements by contemporary artists such as Tomoyasu Hotei and Tsunku♂.

It’s a unique work that pairs a breezy, gag-filled storyline with a chance to study classical music.

THE iDOLM@STER

[Official] TV Anime “The Idolmaster” Episode 1: “This Is the Beginning for These Girls” [Special Release] [The Idolmaster]

This work portrays the idols belonging to the talent agency 765 Production as they grow into fully fledged performers.

It was produced based on “The Idolmaster” series, which began as an arcade idol-training game.

One of its major appeals is the abundance of distinctive songs used as insert tracks and ending themes.

Through the music, the idols’ personalities and stories come across even more strongly.

Be sure to find your favorite!

Blue Orchestra

Anime “Blue Orchestra Season 1” PV Teaser 1

Hajime Aono, the protagonist, had won numerous prizes in violin competitions and was regarded as a promising talent.

For certain reasons, he withdrew from the front lines and distanced himself from the world of music.

However, in the autumn of his third year of middle school, his encounter with Ritsuko Akine prompted him to resume performing.

The two hone their skills in the orchestra club at the high school they go on to attend.

There, Hajime meets Nao Saeki, and the two become rivals—but Saeki himself is the person who caused Aono’s temporary retirement.

The story depicts their evolving relationship, as well as the friendship and spirited rivalry among their peers.

The model for the manga’s Kaimaku High School is a real school, Chiba Prefectural Makuhari Sogo High School.

Based on experiences the original author, Makoto Akui, gathered through on-site research, it is a coming-of-age ensemble drama.