Kids on the Slope - Episode 12 (Completed)

Despite his best attempts to stop it from happening, last week's penultimate episode of Kids on the Slope saw Sentarou flying the nest and disappearing goodness knows where - needless to say, this is something that can only have a huge impact upon those around him.

Despite showing improved grades and with lofty ambitions for his future, Kaoru is anything but happy during the remainder of the period until his graduation from high school which the first half of this final episode follows - keeping his distance from others around him who look to include him in their activities, he even goes so far as to be wilfully destructive in his relationship with Ritsuko with a mix of anger, scorn and self-loathing which proves to be a noxious mix.  With Kaoru leaving for Tokyo, it seems that those heady school days will never be resurrected, and even the fact that Ritsuko sees him off on the train (albeit belatedly) is nothing if not bittersweet.

Fast forward eight years later, and we find Kaoru working as a young doctor in Tokyo, working too hard to think about his past... at least, that is, until his past decides to come and find him.  After seeing one old high school buddy on television, the next thing we know Kaoru bumps into Yurika - with "bump" being the operative word for the pregnant young woman.  More importantly however, Yurika is in possession of a rather intriguing photograph - a picture from a friend's wedding which contains a priest who looks almost unmistakably unique.  Despite those eight long years since their last meeting, Kaoru jumps at the possibility of being reunited with his close friend, and he isn't the only one as we're treated to a saccharine, feel-good ending to the series.

As closing episodes go, this could almost be considered as two separate stories - the first half is dressed in the grim garb of reality, and a world where school life ends and everything you enjoyed during that time is gradually lost; friends drift away and move elsewhere, and things you held incredibly dear to you simply up and leave.  Compared to this, the second rapidly cashes this prospect in for a flight of youthful fancy, ditching everything you've been working towards for years to reunite with those you once loved to find that they still feel exactly the same about you.  It's a strangely unrealistic end to a show that has revelled in its realism, and while I can't begrudge either the series or its characters a happy ending it isn't for me - the cynical, world-weary human within me can more readily embrace the harsh reality of waving goodbye to somebody and knowing that it really is a goodbye rather than a more hopeful "au revoir".

Then again, my dissatisfaction with the reversion to a slightly cheap happy ending does nothing to dispel the massive impression that this series has left upon me - it's engaged me both visually and with its characters as their stories played out, balancing its sense of comedy and drama most excellently.  Backed up by both its visual and audio aesthetics, everything about Kids on the Slopehas charmed me and shone bright - tugging my heartstrings on the one hand while making me laugh out loud with the other.  This is, quite possibly, the best noitaminA series we've seen for quite some time, and it's one that I could happily rewatch multiple times.  Roll on the North American Blu-Ray release.

Kids on the Slope - Episode 11

I'm sure I wasn't the only one expecting this to be Kids on the Slope's final episode, so it's rather a pleasant surprise to find that it's actually running on into next week - it's most definitely a case of the more the better with this show, however.

With the return of his father imminent, Sentarou has taken it upon himself to leave his home in the dead of night given the rocky relationship between father and son - luckily perhaps, Kaoru now knows Sentarou well enough to figure out what's up, and duly ambushes him as soon as he decides to leave.  Having created a sufficient ruckus to wake the rest of the household, Sen has no choice but to stay, and upon his father's return things have perhaps changed for the better, with Sentarou's father even going to the lengths of giving his eldest child an expensive gift.

Thus, all is wonderful in the world of our main characters as they begin the hard work of preparing for their latest school festival appearance, with their only real worry being the possibility of being outshone by Seiji's group - a problem swiftly resolved by press-ganging Ritsuko into singing duties for their own band.  So, life seems to be perfect... however, life also has a habit of sticking a proverbial leg out and tripping you up just as everything seems to be perfectly placed, and so it goes that an accident brings about a life-changing state of affairs which looks set to rob Sentarou of everything.

Ignoring my glee at the fact that this series has another episode still to run, Kids on the Slope once again managed to deliver everything that it aimed to here in spades - even after a surprisingly quick resolution to Sentarou's plan to leave home (in the short-term at least), this week's instalment managed to deliver plenty of joy and beautiful moments of friendship on the one hand, and sadness on the other.  Where other shows may trip up in offering such a wide gamut of human emotion in one hit, Kids on the Slope managed to balance it perfectly, melodrama and all, creating a stand-out episode of an already superb series.  I'm both excited that we're still not done with the series yet, but sad that the end is still nigh.

Kids on the Slope - Episode 10

Given the last-gasp romantic drama of last week's Kids on the Slope, there are no prizes for guessing who is the talking point of the school as this penultimate instalment begins.

With Yurika's elopment to Tokyo the talk of the town, Kaoru's first concern is for Sentarou's mental well-being - a needless worry it seems, as after a small moment of melancholy he's back to his usual self, if only outwardly.  This allows Kaoru to turn to his own problems, and more precisely the question of the mysterious mittens - were they really meant for him, and are they a proper present or simply some "left-overs"?

Even when he figures out that yes, they are a proper present, Kaoru still doesn't seem bright enough to realise what Ritsuko is trying to tell him as he ponders why she would possibly have given them to him - something that he asks her directly, which isn't exactly a good move and causes Ritsuko to simply walk away.  Such is Kaoru's tendency to feel sorry for himself following Ritsuko's earlier rejection that he looks set to both jeopardise his position and Ritsuko's feelings for him before finally redeeming himself with an impressive (albeit cold-ridden) confession.  Fast-forward to summer and this appears to be about as far as Kaoru and Ritsuko's relationship has progressed, but all of this looks likely to become secondary as a ghost from Sentarou's past comes back to haunt him and his siblings...

You know the drill by now, and I'm not sure there are any more relevant superlatives I can use for Kids on the Slope as it continues to deliver sharp, emotional drama as it twists and turns throughout its story.  Admittedly its sudden time-jump forward from the cusp of spring to the midst of summer felt a little jarring and too quick for my liking, it is but a small complaint amongst much top-notch characterisation, direction and delivery with plenty of moments to leave you practically gasping for breath amidst its emotional intensity right through to its big cliff-hanger to take us into the series finale.  Let's just hope it can deliver a fitting end, as it still has rather a lot to cram into a single episode.

Kids on the Slope - Episode 9

The times, they are a-changin', and they're changing decidedly fast for the characters of Kids on the Slope as we had inexorably towards the climax of the series.

As if Jun and Yurika's relationship isn't fraught enough already, the former has now received an offer to return to Tokyo to word for a former friend and comrade's publishing company - an offer he has no intention of refusing, no matter the ramifications for those close to him right now.  This development naturally becomes a major part of this week's episode, not just for Yurika (right the way through to the stupendous finale brought forth by her and Jun's "goodbye" scene) but also for Sentarou, who faces up to saying goodbye to his "big brother" in his own inimitable style.

With this particular storyline effectively put to bed by the end of this instalment, we're left to keep an eye on the other major romantic development to come from the series, that being the love triangle between Kaoru, Sentarou and Ristuko.  While Kaoru is absolutely determined to stay well out of the way of what he sees as a budding relationship between his two other friends, little does he seem to realise that he's actually alienating Ritsuko just at the point when her own feelings have begun to sway.  Thus, Sentarou finds his own burgeoning feelings shot down as Ritsuko's own objectives shift, perhaps bringing us a little closer to the core of her character into the bargain.

All of this builds up to another excellent episode of Kids on the Slope - it may not be breaking new ground or anything like that, but it's still chock-full of utterly compelling human drama that words incredibly well with the characters available to it, ensuring that you care about each and every one of them and find yourself suitably invested in their personal (and indeed inter-personal) journeys.  It's that alone which continues to mark Kids on the Slope as one of this season's best, although with most of its major issues seemingly resolved at this point I hope it still has enough left in the tank to do more than simply cruise through to its resolution.

Kids on the Slope - Episode 8

Following their impressive, impromptu turn at the culture festival, it's no surprise that both Kaoru and Sentarou are now being treated like outright celebrities by the rest of the school's pupils - something which Kaoru in particular really isn't used to.

With a number of girls taking more than a passing interest in our bespectacled one, it isn't surprising to find some jealousy manifesting in others around the attention he's getting - however, the source of this jealousy is a decidedly interesting one considering the way this series has played out thus far.  Meanwhile, we Jun's return continues to intrude upon the lives of Sentarou and, more notably, Yurika - while the former worries that his previous outburst has chased him away, Yurika's persistence in winning over her man is aggressive, as she determinedly puts herslef up front and centre in his life despite his breakdown and current family issues stemming from his descent into the hotbed world of 1960s student politics.

Thus, it's the love triangle between Jun, Yurika and Sentarou which is brought to its climax and then (for the latter at least) dashed on the rocks while Yurika's behaviour causes concern from both classmates and parents alike - and that isn't the half of her problems by the end of this episode.  As for Sentarou, it's clear that the game is up for him as far as Yurika is concerned, but some rather blatant hints from Kaoru insists that he has exactly what he's looking for in terms of romance much closer to home.  But is Sentarou smart enough to spot this?  Besides which, has Kaoru just ruined his big chance with Ritsuko at the most inopportune time possible?  Expect more romantic hardships than ever in the weeks ahead, it seems.

Unsurprisingly given my enjoyment of this series thus far, I absolutely loved this week's Kids on the Slope once again - Jun and Yurika's relationship could be lifted out of pretty much any drama series (not least one from this kind of time period) but it's still played out exceedingly well and given an edge by its references to the student protests of the era, while Sentarou and Kaoru's own friendship continues to be a wonderfully complex but realistic affair when it comes to its frequent entanglements with matters of the heart.  Put simply, it just works, and in doing so with such a great cast, soundtrack and the unique feel of its period setting it continues to mark itself out as a cut above the anime norm.

Kids on the Slope - Episode 7

His childish tantrum has certainly but some distance between himself and Sentarou, but in other respects Kaoru's life seems to be going rather well as he becomes increasingly comfortable in his own skin, bringing him some surprising new-found popularity amongst his classmates and the like.

Despite this, there's still pain to be found in the rift that has developed between himself and his friend, who continues to rather half-heartedly carry on with his own classmate Matsuoka's band in preparation for the culture festival.  If this isn't tough enough for Sentarou, things are about to become a whole lot more problematic, as the love triangle between himself, Jun and Yurika comes to a huge head; a proverbial wave which crashes upon the shore and breaks everything to some degree or other.  We can even pretty much trace the exact date of this incident - around July 17th, 1967, the day of jazz composer and saxophonist John Coltrane's death.

Even with those relationships in tatters, and no sign of the fallout between Sentarou and Kaoru healing, the show must go on, with the latter working as part of the student's committee to organise the festival while the former finally takes to the stage with his new band-mates to give his big performance.  It all seems to be going pretty well too, until an unknown problem cuts the pwoer to the band's equipment, leaving them floundering.  As Kaoru is roped in to help track the source of the problem, he overhears the real reason for Sentarou's taking part in the band - just the spur that he needed to realise his own selfish foolishness.  With no sign of the technical hitch being resolved, Kaoru decides to buy time with an impromptu piano recital... quite the event in its own right for the onlookers, and even more so once Sentarou joins in to turn the whole thing into an impromptu jazz session.  Before we know it the whole school is trying to crowd into the hall to catch a glimpse of what's going on - nothing heals old wounds like good music, it seems.

After throwing so much melodrama at us over the course of this episode and part of the last, Kids on the Slope was certainly setting itself up to require a big pay-off - and boy did it get one.  Kaoru and Sentarou's impromptu session is pretty much the poster child for "simple but effective" - a basic, and even rose-tinted idea, but one which carried so much power and hope upon its shoulders that it worked utterly to make for a beautiful resolution to some of the current elements of its story.  The blend of likeable characters and great music carried off the whole idea with aplomb, always keeping it believable ("keeping it real" if you'd rather), and backing it up with animation to match.  If you want to know why you should be watching this series, the last five minutes or so of this episode lays it out more vividly than my words could ever hope to.

Kids on the Slope - Episode 6

It's time for another school year to begin after their summer adventures, but it seems that Kaoru and Sentarou aren't going to be able to enjoy one another's company in class this time around - while Ritsuko and Kaoru continue to share the same class, Sentarou is moved to a different class on account of his... "energetic" personality.

This may be new territory for Sentarou, who has always shared a class with Ritsuko, but for the most part nothing has changed - Sentarou still gets himself into fights and coos over Yurika, while recent events have given Kaoru a more laid-back outlook on his feelings towards Ritsuko, to the point where he shifts his attentions towards pushing her towards Sentarou while simultaneously trying to keep him away from Yurika.

So much for that idea of course, as Sentarou is still both smitten with her and completely oblivious to her obsession with the errant Jun.  This isn't Kaoru's only concern however, as his jealousy quickly bubbles up as a new classmate of Sentarou's, Matsuoka, threatens to woo him with the toxic combination of telling people what they like to hear and lending them Beatles records.  Is Sentarou's head really going to be turned by the Fab Four?  It's this concern which leads Kaoru to needlessly lose his head, as his past experiences with lost friends cause him to over-react when Sentarou offers to drum for Matsuoka's makeshift band for the school festival.

Although it didn't do as much to mark itself out in terms of comedy or (until its final scenes) drama compared to previous instalments, this was still another hugely enjoyable episode of Kids on the Slope.  By this point, the main characters are so well-established that you get the feeling they effectively write themselves, and the chemistry between them certainly helps to carry the show even when it doesn't seem to have all that much to say.  When it comes to the crunch and the time for drama however, the series still knows what it's doing - Kaoru's childish tantrum is a perfect example of a teenager who thinks he's grown-up but is still hampered by his immature outlook on certain aspects of life, and it's another strong point in a show which somehow always manages to remain believable no matter how hard it has to work to drum up (with every pun intended) some dramatic tension.  Is this still my show of the season?  There are a few seeking to stake that claim, but Kids on the Slope is certainly very much amongst them.

Kids on the Slope - Episode 5

After his mis-steps with regard to Ritsuko last episode, it isn't exactly a surprise to see Kaoru well and truly in the doghouse with her as this fifth instalment of Kids on the Slope begins - even with Sentarou's constant prodding and interfering, Ritsuko simply refuses to talk to Kaoru under any circumstances.

Oddly, it's actually an impromptu play session with one of Sentarou's siblings that finally opens the door to discussion between Ritsuko and Kaoru, with the former admitting that she can't stay mad at the latter, but at the same time asserting to him that she likes someone else.  Of course, to a lovesick teenager her forgiveness for his actions are obliterated by her rejection of him, and thus he hides himself away or blanks her at every given opportunity in response as he seeks his own depressing solitude instead.

It isn't all bad news for our protagonist however, as he's handed a letter by his father - a letter containing the address in Tokyo of his errant mother who he hasn't seen since childhood.  With his father giving Kaoru an open opportunity to visit her, he ultimately decides to do just that, although he unwittingly ends up with Sentarou in tow, much to his chagrin.  Ultimately however, the two have quite the little adventure together before finally meeting Kaoru's mother - a sedate but ultimately emotional reunion which heals the wounds caused by Kaoru's rejection, if nothing else.  But what of the missing Jun, the love triangle involving himself, Sentarou and Yurika?

Despite having a lot to cover in this week's episode, this week's Kids on the Slope managed to carry it all off pretty admirably - Kaoru's selfish, "wounded animal" behaviour in light of Ritsuko's rejection is pretty much a perfect example of the kind of realistic character traits that are easy to empathise with in this series, lending that sheen of believability that supports the series throughout.  This was carried through in Kaoru's meeting with his mother, which was heart-achingly touching to watch at times and again felt very authentic in its depiction, Sentarou's tagging along for the ride perhaps not withstanding.  Overall then, another beautiful blend of drama, romance and humour wrapped in expertly as a coming of age tale that continues to be simply unmissable as amongst the best this spring has to offer.

Kids on the Slope - Episode 4

After last week's episode full of typical romance anime misunderstandings (that almost threatened to become more Kids on the Trope than Kids on the Slope for a brief period), Kaoru's feelings were well and truly cleared up by the end of the episode if nothing else.

But what of Ritsuko's answer to his confession?  Well, that we don't get to see, but Kaoru's stifled, stuttering piano playing at the next jazz session in the basement tells us that he isn't exactly the happiest man alive.  Still, it isn't all bad, as Jun's arrival to let his fellow players know that they've been invited to play a Christmas performance at a bar for American soldiers well and truly lightens the mood.

Away from playing jazz however, Kaoru's life is rather less happy, as the increasing pressure and expectations of his cold mother play on his mind, while Ritsuko's indecision and his pondering about how Sentarou's relationship is going don't help matters much either.  Ultimately, it seems that our glasses-sporting protagonist's interest in Kaoru is a little overbearing, as he makes what seems to be an ill-timed move before losing his rag with Sentarou in the aftermath of that moment, coupled with jealousy at what seems to be his friends idyllic family life.  In reality however, Sentarou's family history is anything but rosy, and we're treated to a heart-rending tour of that particular pit of misery and despair that if nothing else helps Kaoru to realise he's not alone.  Suitably motivated, both friends are well and truly fired up by the time of their Christmas performance, although fate takes another cruel twist on a night which looks to further shift the two's relationships with both the apple of their respective eyes and one another.

There's really only one thing I can say about this week's Kids on the Slope, and that is that it pitched its emotions perfectly - this was an instalment to be felt rather than thought about, and provided you were sufficiently emotionally invested in its characters by this point it paid back on that emotional focus by the bucketload.  Hard-luck stories from a character's childhood often fall flat in anime (hell, in any medium), but between its setting and era, together with how we've seen the character grow over the show's early episodes, this particular tale caught in my throat before lodging in my heart with its full impact.  Similarly, Kaoru's growing pains surrounding both his family and Ritsuko echoed and resonated loudly with me throughout, to make for an episode that was pretty emotionally draining (and thankfully lightened by some great comedy and, of course, the show's music) but all the more powerful and ultimately enjoyable for it.  Right now, I think Kids on the Slope could be about to top my list as my favourite show of the spring season.

Kids on the Slope - Episode 3

After a chance meeting with Sheryl Nome... sorry, I mean Yurika Fukahori... last week, Sentarou is very much in love - although slightly dim person that he is, he doesn't quite seem to have realised it yet.

Luckily for him he has Kaoru around to point out that he's as lovesick as a man can get, and furthermore his new-found friend seems jam-packed with ideas to get Sentarou together with the new apple of his eye, starting out with a group date featuring the three of them alongside Ritsuko.  Needless to say, Kaoru clearly has an agenda of his own in suggesting this idea, as he eyes the possibility of getting closer to Ritsuko as a result.

Despite an utterly bungled attempt to ask Yurika out, somehow our group date comes to pass, and while Sentarou's initial shyness slowly breaks down as he and Yurika begin to get on swimmingly, things aren't quite going to plan for Kaoru as he soon comes to realise that Ritsuko is decidedly upset about something.  Under the assumption that Ritsuko actually has eyes for Sentarou, Kaoru tries his best to reverse what he feels is a betrayal of his female friend's feelings, but the Sentarou-Yurika ship has already well and truly sailed.  But what does this mean for Kaoru?  Even though his assumptions seem to suggest that Ritsuko is beyond him, it certainly isn't going to stop him from trying.

Even though this week's instalment of Kids on the Slope threatened to fall into that time-honoured hole of romantic misunderstandings so beloved of love stories in anime, the episode managed to keep its head above water on a few counts - firstly, courtesy of having grown a trio of main characters (including Ritsuko) who we've grown to like pretty quickly over these three episodes and thus care about their feelings and actions, and secondly by having our male protagonists actually have the guts to show their feelings to the girls they like, however stiltedly.  Indeed, Kaoru's behaviour in particular ultimately saves him come the end of the episode after threatening to keep silent for too long in the face of these misunderstandings.  On top of all of this, Kids on the Slope has actually managed to keep its powder impressively dry as to Ritsuko's feelings throughout this episode - some of her behaviour could be read one of two ways to at least add a sheen of believability to any doubts as to where her heart lies, and we still aren't entirely sure about this even come the end of the episode.  It's a small yet powerful hook to hold over the audience, and no doubt it'll be played out a little further over the coming weeks - hopefully it'll make for a suitably strong continuing story against the backdrop of the show's increasingly enjoyable music and aesthetic.

Kids on the Slope - Episode 2

After establishing something of a love-hate relationship between main characters Kaoru and Sentarou in its opening episode, it's not exactly a huge surprise to see that friendship growing closer as enter this second instalment of Kids on the Slope.

The main catalyst in growing this bond actually comes as a result of Nishima's misfortune, as he finds himself the object of interest to a gang of bullies with nothing better to do with their time - luckily for him, Ritsuko spots him being led away and collars Kawabuchi to do his thing and rescue Kaoru.  This he duly does, and Kaoru even does his bit to return the favour by helping out in the ensuing scrap when Sentarou looks to be in trouble.

If that isn't enough to cement their friendship, the return of a neighbour to the store run by Ritsuko's father prompts an unexpected jamming session in said music store's basement - a session which Sentarou coaxes Kaoru to join in on having realised his willingness to try his hand at a spot of jazz himself.  To his surprise, he even gets a bit of a feel for the vibe of the moment, which perhaps is what gives him the confidence to ask Ritsuko out on a date of sorts.  Of course, this doesn't go exactly to plan, with Sentarou tagging along for the ride, but an enjoyable summer's day ends in a realisation of love for both boys, albeit in wildly different ways.

From its solid opening, this second episode of Kids on the Slope succeeds in getting pretty much everything right - by the end of it all I find myself totally on-board with cheering on both of the main characters in their various endeavours having warmed to them both, while Nishima's burgeoning love for Ritsuko also feels entirely organic and well-imagined to add a satisfying romantic element to proceedings.  Throw in some suggestions that Sentarou has (if you'll excuse the pun) his own cross to bear relating to his family, and the only thing really missing here is a more central focus on the jazz side of things - something I can forgive entirely while I'm enjoying simply living life vicariously through the show's characters like this.

Kids on the Slope - Episode 1

With a world-weary, cynical eye for his new surroundings, Nishimi Kaoru is clearly not the world's most willing transfer student - despite a childhood of jumping from one place to the next, the upheaval of moving hasn't done him any favours, and being dumped in the relative backwaters of his newest location manages to mark itself out as a new low even by his standards.

In fact, things really couldn't be much worse, as our super-smart, glasses-wearing protagonist is introduced as a top of the class student from the city, instantly making him an object of loathing for his new classmates - when he finds out that he's sat directly in front of the class' resident delinquent, coupled with a less than successful tour of the it's the final straw that sends him into a kind of panic attack that sees him headed for his one potential place of tranquillity - the school roof.

Even this plan falls flat as Kaoru's roof space is the object of a fight between delinquents which he can never hope to win, although his desperation to claim the key to the roof sees him make a bit of an unlikely friend - aforementioned class miscreant Sentaro Kawabuchi.  Although neither of them would admit it, and despite their fates seemingly being tied by mutual friend and class representative Ritsuko, there's more in common between these two lads than first meets the eye - not least a love of music, but also a certain outspokenness when push comes to shove.  Of course, it's the music that's the real driver of this series, so it's up to the spirit of jazz to decide where this show goes next.

As opening episodes go, this first instalment of Kids on the Slope did absolutely everything it needed to - it introduced us to its two main characters, made sure that we liked them both warts and all, and then thrust them together over and over again until they started hesitantly to like one another.  This episode arguably tried a little too hard to dig into Kaoru's uncomfortable past as it pertains to his family, but otherwise it was a gloriously simple instalment that let the main characters and their personalities do the talking.  Kaoru in particular seems like a respectably strong main character - cynical and brow-beaten, but still with an argumentative streak and determination offset by an unmistakably teenage thought process at times.  It all adds up to a series with bags of potential (before we even mention the sparse but slick background music and one solitary but decidedly Cowboy Bebop-esque action scene), but it'll be how the story flows and progresses from here that will really make or break Kids on the Slope.