What We Got:

Set in a futuristic sci-fi Mars, where advanced artificial intelligence completely dominates the music industry, Carole & Tuesday follows the titular duo in their pursuit of making their own music together. Carole is a part-timer scraping by in the big city, while rich girl Tuesday has been living a sheltered life and feels totally alone. A chance meeting becomes the start of a close relationship full of music that will lead the two to become closer, competing in an exciting musical show against superstar rivals.

The latest from legendary director/producer Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space☆Dandy, etc.), Carole & Tuesday had a lot of hype even before release. Watanabe’s works have often had a strong affinity with music, but he hasn’t done a proper music-genre anime since the excellent Sakamichi no Apollon (Kids on the Slope) in 2012. Without much idea as to what to expect, Carole & Tuesday has proven itself to be worthy of all the attention as one of the best shows this season!

With great art, animation, and —most importantly— music, Carole & Tuesday stands out on production quality alone, but is further boosted by its intriguing sci-fi setting as well as the character dynamics of the titular duo and a strong supporting cast. Overall, we recommend this show even to those not normally interested in music anime, and are excited to see where the story will go in future episodes!

What We Got:

Have you ever wondered what idols might do on their days off? iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Gekijou offers of a variety of answers in bite-sized, 4-koma format. A continuation and spin-off of the main iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls series, this Climax Season continues the idol off-day shenanigans.

As the fourth season of a 3-minute-per-episode, 4-koma style comedy based on a mobage game, iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Gekijou: Climax Season is mostly what you would expect, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing mind you. Focusing obstenively on what idols do on their days off, this series is light fun that will mostly appeal to hardcore fans of the series, with its many references to various artwork and events in the mobile game. If you have already watched the previous seasons and enjoyed them, check this one out too! Otherwise, some of the humor and charm will be lost on you...

What We Got:

After his senpais graduate, reserved student Takezou Kurata finds himself as the president and only remaining member of his school’s koto club. Despite his timid nature, he is determined to find new members to save the club from being disbanded, but things get tricky when notorious delinquent student Chika Kudou barges in and demands to join. Later joined by prodigy player Satowa Houzuki, who seeks to lead their no-name school to be the best in the nation, and others, Kono Oto Tomare! follows the koto club members in their struggles to master their lives and instruments.

At first glance, Kono Oto Tomare! seems a bit generic: another school drama where the club is in danger of shutting down, new members are recruited, and a competition which might change everything is coming up. Thankfully, Kono Oto Tomare! had more to offer beyond its surprisingly rare focus on the koto, a traditional harp-like Japanese instrument derived from the Chinese zheng/guzheng.

While the above is all true, Kono Oto Tomare! is still able to stand out thanks to its thoughtful writing and characterization, something that feels very authentic. With strong voice acting and a well-developed cast of characters, along with some moments of stunning animation and music, and fast-paced storytelling, Koto Oto Tomare! is a show we definitely recommend, for drama and music fans especially!