Kaikan Phrase

I still have a "hang-over" over Nana so I was browsing for some animes thats relevantly similar to it. Came across Kaikan Phrase but had a dout coz its quite old. But I somehow ended up watching it and have no regrets at all.

The story started of typically. A little bit slow but as it progresses you'll find yourself hooked. There's a lot of character development that would make one kind of attached to each band member. It was focused more on the band, on have they struggled, how they developed they're relationship to each other and how they overcame the obstacles ... they faced. It was pretty touching and inspiring. The "love story" started of a little bit late but for me it was just the right timing. You'll see how love can change someone.

Sound is ok, because the anime was done in 1999 so the music is a liitle off my taste. But I most probably would have liked it better if I saw the anime at that time.

I'll give the characters an outstanding. Each one of them has different characteristics that would make different kind of people relate to them. Nobody stood up annoyingly or overly dramatic. Even the female leads character was done just appropriately.

Obviously I had a fun time watching it. Time well-spent! 44 episodes just not enough.

I enjoyed the manga for this very much, though it did have some significant weak points, the adult themes and boldness of the storyline made up for a lot of shortcomings. Unfortunately, the anime production removed the one redeeming feature of the story completely!

The artwork is very dated, for something produced in the 90's, it looks like something from the 70's, and while they give us a lot of background on the other members of the bands, they water all of it down! This manga is really ONLY interesting because it's racy and because of the very titillating relationship between the characters. ... The anime story line made changes from the manga that sterilized everything that was interesting or compelling out of it.

It comes off as a big yawn and if you have read the manga, don't bother with the anime - you'll be disappointed. If you have watched the anime, now go read the real deal in the manga - it's 1000 times better.

Kaikan phrase is quite the squeaky clean anime, although it is adapted from Mayu Shinjou’s manga and those familiar with her works would expect an amount of smut and ecchi-ness but in contrast this anime has everything but those steamy elements.

The story starts off with making the band; each character is introduced with their set of problems as they try to become professionals. Whilst the band is discovering itself at the grass-roots level we’re frequently made to listen to their sounds, composed of catchy tunes Midnight Crow and Datenshi Blue (which are sang by the real-life Lucifer band – clever of the producers to ... make an actual band as counterparts for the anime band). The ballad Dakishimeru hokani also leaves quite an impression as it pops up from time to time when the characters go through hardships.

The manga starts off with the female protagonist Aine Yukimura but in the anime she isn’t involved until half-way through the series. Once Aine and the lead vocalist Sakuya meet though the story picks up pace; on the highs and lows of becoming and being big in the music and media scene, ending practically every episode on a climax- yes you just have to watch the next episode (it’s a vicious cycle).

The art of Kaikan Phrase is as expected from animes made in 1999; it is pretty good and you get used to it after the first few episodes.

It would’ve been better if there was a bit more romance in the anime though- would’ve done justice to Mayu Shinjou the mangaka but I guess the emphasise was meant to be on the music world for this anime instead. But otherwise it is quite the enjoyable watch, where we never quite know what Sakuya will say or do- his level of confidence is beyond measure. Expect lots of drama, many dilemmas and a whole lotta music ~ Kaikan phrase.