Ranked #339

K-ON! Special: Live House!

Tea and cakes and light music, oh my!

K-ON! is back once more, this time with a little extra that reminds us just why we got charmed the first time by these high school girls who like nothing more than making music with each other and having relaxing tea parties in between.

The events of this special episode take place months after the group's (relatively) epic school concert where they rocked the student body with their cute pop rock and won us all over with their love for happy times, music, and their band. The easy-going atmosphere remains the same as Yui, Mio, Ritsu, Mugi and Azusa decide to perform in a live. It's a small, private concert, but a big step up for Houkago Tea Time. The OAV depicts that special brand of K-ON! nothingness which is so very entertaining.

A noticeable change from the series is that the more serious ("serious" is used rather loosely here) aspect of being in a band is given perspective. Other bands are introduced for the first time, and interacting with them, the girls inadvertently learn what it means to have a goal and be a band. And as always, K-ON! gives us a fluffy look at the details of setting up stage, choosing lighting, making a playlist, and rehearsing.

The art is as always up to Kyoto Animation's standards of being cute but being very detailed. The story occurs during the New Year, and the atmosphere created via the colours and tones exude the wintry season well. K-ON!'s character design has, since its first appearance in early 2009, inspired several anime afterwards to emulate its style of softness and moe adorableness. The girls come back with their trademark cuteness, and seeing them again reminds you that there is indeed only one K-ON!.

The music is the same as in the series; the background music has not changed, and neither have the sounds of the band. One disappointing thing about the OAV is that despite introducing other bands, we only get to hear Houkago Tea Time, and we only see them perform the chorus of one song. For an episode centred around a live performance, more music would have made for a more involving musical experience. But again, the anime is named after the keion, not the glam-like punk band or the orange jumpsuit girls.

K-ON!'s characters are ever charming. Yui's indomitable energy is the thing that captivates people and pulls them along. It always is a wonder how she effortlessly manages to capture her audience, both off-stage and on, and onscreen and off. The other girls show small signs of growth; Mio is still shy though thankfully she is not rendered into stammering and shaking pile when she gets nervous, Ritsu curiously seems to have matured a bit, taking the head role as the band leader, Mugi is... Mugi, and Asuza seems to have got more comfortable with the group.

This OAV is just about a nice sip of tea that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside from all the sweetness and harmless good fun. For those who did not like the pacing of the original series or the humour, then this extra episode will just be a complete waste, as it maintains that light, laidback style for which K-ON! is renowned.

Now who's ready for more fuwa fuwa time with our favourite light music club? read more