Well, what can I say, there is a certain beauty about this anime.
The story: Certainly the cliched motifs of love triangles and rectangles and all the overused dynamics are in there BUT I was shocked to find that I actually enjoyed everything quite well.
For one, the relationships have much verisimilitude and show a more inexplicable human aspect rather than the KISS THAT SOLVES IT ALL type stuff. The thing with Sentaro, Yurika, and Jun-ni is definitely a BIG PLUS to the Ritsuko Nishimi main plot. It's not just a side dish romance to make sure everyone's got their love life covered. It's a deep human experience full of inexplicable emotions and time that is needed for love to blossom.
(Ahhh.... I'm sounding like a josei fan now. Ok maybe I am becoming one.)
The characters: Ehhh Nishimi was one of those new student stereotypes played out in many other animes but he's still good. The true striker with this anime is that the character's backgrounds are revealed in a very subtle way... It's not full of lengthy flashbacks and background story time-wasters... Sakamichi really does well in that it delves into each character's past and background as the anime progresses in a not in your face manner. The inexplicable actions of Ritsuko, the Yurika Jun-ni sub-plot ahhh it's beautiful. Apart from the jazz of Ritsuko's basement, there is a quiet beauty that speaks to the heart in this anime.
Music: This is one anime where music speaks louder than words a lot of times. Jazz is such a freeform expression and I'm not a big fan of it but it is done so well. It's Nishimi's language of love, remorse, each clash on the cymbal is Sentaro's inner pain and struggles released. Jun-ni's trumpet arpeggios are too good. Not to mention Mukae san's upbeat bass.
Voice: It's solid and good work. Ritsuko's voice can get annoying but it has it's charm But the music overshadows it IMO.
Enjoyment: You'll be surprised. I'm a guy and I connected from the first episode. It's strangely good. I don't know exactly how to explain it. But aside from the jazzy improvisations and sounds there is a quiet beauty to this anime. go watch it now.
