Music is a big part of anime, so there are plenty of series that are about it. Many musical anime are adapted from the manga, and putting sound over what were originally static images literally brings the music to life and puts it center stage.
With so many different genres of music in existence today, there are anime out there that span all sorts of genres and styles, be it rock, jazz, classical, or something else entirely. Many of these anime are about the power of music to connect and heal people or just how playing music can bring so much joy.
ten K-On! Is a fun show about girls in a music club
K-On! is definitely on the cute side. It’s a nice light show about a colorful group of girls who are part of a music club at their school. The main character is the clumsy and aerial Yui, who plays the guitar.
The show follows her progression as a guitarist and the camaraderie between her and the other members of the club. The music is catchy and, like the show itself, doesn’t take itself too seriously. The story isn’t the deepest, but it’s fun and lighthearted and makes for an enjoyable watch.
9 Your Lie In April shows how music can connect people
Your lie in April centers on Kosai Arima, who is rendered unable to hear the sound of his own piano after suffering a personal tragedy. When he meets Kaori Miyazono, an award-winning 14-year-old violinist, his world shifts from monochrome to color.
While Kosei is strict with his game, Kaori is unrestricted and open. Your lie in April is a touching anime about how music can connect people, and while it has some heavy themes, there’s also a lot of light.
8 Carole & Tuesday Is A Futuristic Music Anime
Carol & Tuesday was created and directed by the legendary Shinichiro Watanabe, who also directed cowboy bebop and Samurai Champloo. This particular offering is quite different from its predecessors, with less emphasis on action and more on the relationship of the main characters.
The show focuses on the titular protagonists as they attempt to battle the AI-saturated music industry with their heartfelt music. Sometimes dramatic, wacky, funny and sweet, Carol & Tuesday is a refreshing take on the musical anime with a wide variety of songs that everyone can enjoy.
7 Nodame Cantabile talks about a pair of classical musicians
This 23-episode series, adapted from the manga written by Tomoko Ninomiya, is based on classical music. Featuring original and intriguing characters, the story focuses on talented musicians Chiaki and Nodame.
They are polar opposites when it comes to personality and playstyle, with Chiaki being a more uptight and rule-compliant player while Nodame is more chaotic and free-spirited. It’s fascinating and satisfying to watch the couple’s chemistry as their relationship develops, with beautiful music and animation to back it up.
6 Given is a down-to-earth romance about band members
Given was highly praised by fans and critics for its emotional and realistic story, which focuses on the relationship between Ritsuka Uenoyama and Mafuyu Sato. The story is slow-paced and contemplative, which makes it all the more down-to-earth.
Being a music-based anime, the show features great rock music and the opening theme song is a real gem. The series has been adapted into film, play, and live-action drama.
5 Love Live! School Idol Project is a musical story of hope
The premise of Love Live! school idol project follows Honoka Kosaka, the main protagonist, who tries to save her school from closing by forming an idol group.
It’s a story of hope, hard work, perseverance, and school pride, with many fun and heartwarming moments in between. The art is outstanding, the characters are well-designed, and the music is fun and high-energy, with opening and ending theme songs that are hard to ignore.
4 His! Euphonium emphasizes music
The story of His! Euphonium follows the Kitauji High School Band as they attempt to return to competing in national tournaments. The main character is Kumiko Oumae, but since the show is about a school group, there’s naturally a wide cast of characters, each with their own personalities.
This also goes for the instruments, which are beautifully represented and have excellent sound design. Additionally, the characters are animated using the correct fingerings, which is often overlooked in other anime.
3 Kids On The Slope puts jazz in the spotlight
Jazz might not be the most popular musical genre, but that doesn’t mean it can’t make for a great slice-of-life anime. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe and with music by Yoko Kanno, Children on the slope presents a touching and realistic depiction of what it was like to grow up and play music in 1960s Japan.
The animation is serene, the characters have depth and are relatable, and the story is heartwarming and speaks to the unifying power of music – in this case, jazz.
2 Nana is the story of two linked musicians
There really is no other anime like Nana. The characters don’t feel overdone and unrealistic; instead, they feel like real people with real lives, and their development is believable and layered. It’s essentially a story of friendship and romance between two contrasting personalities, but it’s so much more than that.
granny offers a lot of music with great punk and alternative rock songs. It has been adapted into two live action films and three video games for PS2, PSP and Nintendo DS.
1 Beck: Mongol Chop Squad talks about a rock band
The main character of Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad is Koyuki Tanaka, who begins to learn the guitar after rescuing a rather strange dog called Beck. Koyuki forms a band with the dog’s owner, Ray Minami, and the series follows the band’s ups and downs and Koyuki’s progression as a guitarist and vocalist.
The story is original and engaging and the show is filled with catchy rock songs. beck is a must-have watch for rock music fans, but anyone who appreciates music should enjoy it.
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