Sakamichi no Apollon (Kids on the Slope)

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Alternative Titles

English: Kids on the Slope

Synonyms: Sakamichi no Aporon, Apollo on the Slope

Japanese: 坂道のアポロン

Information

Type: TV

Episodes: 12

Status: Finished Airing

Aired: Apr 13, 2012 to Jun 29, 2012

Premiered: Spring 2012

Broadcast: Fridays at 00:45 (JST)

Producers: Dentsu, Fuji TV, Toho, DAX Production, Sony Music Entertainment

Licensors: Sentai Filmworks

Studios: Tezuka Productions, MAPPA

Source: Manga

Genres: Drama, Josei, Music, Romance, School

Duration: 22 min. per ep.

Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

Statistics

Score: 8.36¹ (scored by 133,595 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #180²

² based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #494

Members: 288,072

Favorites: 5,961

8.36

Ranked #180Popularity #494Members 288,072

Spring 2012TVTezuka Productions, MAPPA

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Episodes: /12

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Synopsis

Introverted classical pianist and top student Kaoru Nishimi has just arrived in Kyushu for his first year of high school. Having constantly moved from place to place since his childhood, he abandons all hope of fitting in, preparing himself for another lonely, meaningless year. That is, until he encounters the notorious delinquent Sentarou Kawabuchi.

Sentarou's immeasurable love for jazz music inspires Kaoru to learn more about the genre, and as a result, he slowly starts to break out of his shell, making his very first friend. Kaoru begins playing the piano at after-school jazz sessions, located in the basement of fellow student Ritsuko Mukae's family-owned record shop. As he discovers the immense joy of using his musical talents to bring enjoyment to himself and others, Kaoru's summer might just crescendo into one that he will remember forever.

Sakamichi no Apollon is a heartwarming story of friendship, music, and love that follows three unique individuals brought together by their mutual appreciation for jazz.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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Background

Pre-airing event on April 7, 2012. The anime officially aired on April 13, 2012.

The final episode received an early screening at a special event held at Odaiba Cinema Mediage on June 24, 2012. The regular TV broadcast was held on June 29, 2012.

Episode Videos

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Related Anime

Adaptation:

Sakamichi no Apollon

More characters

Characters & Voice Actors

Kawabuchi, Sentarou

Main

Hosoya, Yoshimasa
Japanese

Nishimi, Kaoru

Main

Kimura, Ryouhei
Japanese

Mukae, Ritsuko

Main

Nanri, Yuuka
Japanese

Katsuragi, Junichi

Supporting

Suwabe, Junichi
Japanese

Fukahori, Yurika

Supporting

Endou, Aya
Japanese

Mukae, Tsutomu

Supporting

Kitajima, Zenki
Japanese

Matsuoka, Seiji

Supporting

Okamoto, Nobuhiko
Japanese

Taichi

Supporting

Iwasaki, Megumi
Japanese

Kaoru's aunt

Supporting

Jou, Masako
Japanese

Mariko

Supporting

Satou, Amina
Japanese

More staff

Staff

Maruyama, Masao

Producer

Watanabe, Shinichiro

Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Nakazawa, Kazuto

Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation, Animation Director

Sugawara, Seiki

Episode Director

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Opening Theme

"Sakamichi no Melody (坂道のメロディ)" by YUKI

Edit

Ending Theme

"Altair (アルタイル)" by Motohiro Hata meets Sakamichi no Apollon

More reviews

Reviews

Jun 28, 2012

12 of 12 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

Stark700 (All reviews)

410 people found this review helpful

Let's do a trivia here! Are you someone who wants to know what it is like back in the 1960's? Ever wanted to build an escapism from the harsh reality of today's world? Want to just sit back and enjoy some old school music after a stressful day? Well, perhaps you've found a series worthy to invest your time into because Kids on the Slope is there and sure to give you something to think about.

Kids on the Slope (also known as Sakamichi no Apollon) is a story taking place in the beginning of summer, 1966. It stars the protagonist Kaoru Nishimi, an honor student read more

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May 22, 2015

12 of 12 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 5

ratchet573 (All reviews)

365 people found this review helpful

I love jazz. Some of my favorite memories of my time living in Florida have to be going downtown to listen to the local jazz festival. Sitting in front of that gazebo and getting into the spirit of the musicians is something you can only experience if you listen to jazz. It’s so different from any other musical genre and I was excited as hell to get to watch an anime centered around this amazing style of music.

The problem is Sakamichi no Apollon isn’t as much about jazz as it is about lame characters. There’s jazz in the series, and it definitely plays a part, read more

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Feb 20, 2015

12 of 12 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 8

iron2590 (All reviews)

112 people found this review helpful

First of all, I must say it's been a while since I've enjoyed a series as much as I enjoyed Sakamichi no Apollon.

The story itself has an amazing pace, and in my opinion, has the perfect combination of romance, drama and music. The developments feel very natural and there are no fillers. The only "complain" I can have from the story is that the ending might feel a little unsatisfying. Luckily, if you end up feeling unsatisfied like me, you can read the extra volume from the manga and I can assure you that you'll feel a lot better after reading it.

The art is okay, read more

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May 19, 2020

12 of 12 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 8

Ezekiel_01 (All reviews)

38 people found this review helpful

Treasure your Friends, Unlike Love Affairs, Friendship is for Life.

Kids on the Slope follow the story of Nishimi, Kaoru as he started a new life in the far countryside of japan. Kaoru has been struggling to form meaningful relationships with peers of his age, due to his constant switching school because of family circumstances. This unfortunate lifestyle is the sole reason why he felt alienated when encountering new people. He develops “Anxiety Nausea” as a coping mechanism whenever he becomes socially stress or nervous when people approach him. But everything changes once he forms an unlikely friendship with Mukae, Ritsuko, and Kawabuchi, Sentarou.

The story by itself is simple and down to earth but it excels in handling most of its genre elements. It focuses more on the coming of age slice of life aspect than romance and music. The plot values the importance of forming and preserving personal relationships. It teaches us to have the perspective that not everybody can be interpreted easily by just looking at them on the surface. Kids on the Slope have balance spacing when it comes to school drama and romance even though it is rather slow.

When it comes to the romance aspect of the show, it was never the primary focus. The romance part is used as a means of the narrative to tour our main character's internal feelings that would be very hard to show without any timed triggers. Romantic relationships exist in the show, as a form of subplot. Ultimately the purpose of romance is to strengthen the bonds of our main characters. Sometimes true love is not always about hugs, kisses, and sex but rather about the mature acceptance and respect, seeking the best for the person we love even it is painful.

For Character Relationship, the only thing worth mentioning is Bon (Kaoru’s nickname) and Sentarou interaction. Their relationship is the deciding factor whether you will like the series or not. It can be interpreted some sort of homosexual relationship for the attraction of female demographics, understandably because this show is “Josei”, or a remarkable example of a brotherly bond between two close friends. As a guy, I chose the latter interpretation. Bon and Sentarou are the complete opposite of each other when it comes to strengths and specialty. What establishes their relationship is the deep admiration for a certain music genre as a form of escapism in their daily lives, a special bond they both share. As Bon and Sentarou's friendship grew over time with a little help from Ritsuko, they both realize they share more common characteristics and weaknesses.

So far there isn’t much to say to the supporting cast, most interactions, character exposition, and development are focus on Bon, Sentarou, and Ritsuko. Some characters do have a fair share of exposition and development.

Another thing I see in the narrative that was handled incredibly well is the “conflict”. Sure the conflict and stake are most of the time are misunderstandings and sometimes 1st world problems. For me as an adult, I see the first world problem is quite common for teenagers, based on experience. But it is nice that these conflicts wouldn’t last for more than at least 2 episodes and not longer than 3 episodes. This is an amazing tactic the story uses to flesh out and develops our main characters. For every problem they encounter and every simple squabble, they manage to fix, it is a reflection that they are still innocent kids but willing to accept mistakes to maturely grow. They learn from their mistakes and they are willing to help each other out unconditional which I love to see in a slice of life anime. It’s well written and natural. The conflict presented is not too overdramatic and grey. It interprets problems as a part of our life that we must engage it forward than running away from it. It is a nice message that the story has to offer.

For the technical stuff like Music and Animation, I say this anime did an amazing job adapting the source of the highest quality. First of all the background and character design is great, special mention when it comes to lightning and shadowing. The anime has a good soundtrack. The OST’s is incredible in setting the mood. Musical performance is off the roof! The animation for performance accuracy is outstanding, that’s one amazing drum roll! There is a passion put on it. The direction with the music I say well-thought-out in the story narrative. Using music as a medium to express essential character emotion and resolve is something to credit the show for.

(Final Thoughts)

To Me Kids in the Slope, not a groundbreaking anime when it comes to the story especially for a slice of life, school drama romances type, I think it did what it wanted to accomplish, it has a good story and satisfying characters. I liked how the characters grow and develop over time. The main characters interaction and solid bond make me keep on watching the anime. I always like how the story explores Bon and Sentarou's struggles in life. Their friendship, I say the most remarkable thing the anime has to offer and the music is a good bonus. If people are looking for a simple, relaxing, and not too long coming of age slice of life, I will gladly recommend this anime.

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More news

Recent News

'Sakamichi no Apollon' Gets Live-Action Film for 2018

The cover of Shogakukan's Flowers June issue (pictured) has announced that Yuki Kodama's Sakamichi no Apollon will receive a theatrical live-action adaptat...read more

Apr 28, 2017 2:16 PM by Sakana-san | Discuss (19 comments)

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According to the official website, Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs has announced the winners of the 16th Japan Media Arts Award. Animation Category Grand Prize Hi ...read more

Dec 12, 2012 11:15 PM by dtshyk | Discuss (46 comments)

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	Poll: Sakamichi no Apollon Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) HawthorneKitty - Jun 28, 2012	439 replies	by old_deluder »» Feb 27, 9:50 PM
	Yureka is the worst Pa-in - Feb 17	2 replies	by jjashael »» Feb 17, 9:40 PM

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