Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49

With an all male cast, you'd expect the producers to take the usual fan-service route as we watch the bight, glistening lives of these up and coming idols. But Shounen Hollywood gave me a pleasant surprise.

First, this show won't please everyone. That's just that. For the same reason not everyone loves a bubbly romance or a quirky comedy, it's all preference and personal taste. Also this is just going to be an informal review focusing on the pros of the series.

If you've been watching loads of fast pace, action packed shows and need a little breather, then maybe you might want to give this ... anime a chance. Shounen Hollywood is a slice of life through and through, and also one of the most realist works I've seen in a long time. The art style itself is more realistic then most anime (but hey different's not bad and it is all still just an art form). It's has a slow, easygoing pace most of the time, and that's where I think this series deserves some credit. It doesn't try to entertain it's audience with tones of drama, traumatic back stories, or shinning comebacks. Rather we see these teenagers as they struggle with their personal problems, insecurities, how they deal with each other, and how they ultimately grow together to make Shounen Hollywood (their group) a success.

Anyone familiar with the world of music would know that it takes A LOT of time and work if you want to make a name for yourself. And I like how Shounen Hollywood takes it's time, using a good majority of it portraying how they're just practicing to improve nonstop. Cause the reality is, your not going to get those fans unless you put your best efforts out there.

A last point worth mentioning is how fun this is to watch if you are a J-pop fan. Btw, I said this show was realistic but there's probably some people who would beg to differ. And I want to clarify that this show is realistic from a more Japanese perspective. Just different cultures, different values, different norms, you probably get it. So anyways back to my point. The Japanese idol industry is quite different then western pop music, and it was great to see it from a behind-the-scenes sort of way. There were several moments when I saw how several of my favorite guy groups had done or said the exact same things as these characters. And I laughed when realizing, like the Shounen Hollywood members, they probably get embarrassed having to say cliche catch phrases and pickup lines too. The songs themselves remind me of the J-idol style of music.

Despite what I've said about it, Shounen Hollywood does have times it could have been better. I truthfully enjoyed it but after all is said and done, I really can't say it was an extraordinary show. Other reviews say plenty on what kind of flaws it has so I won't. But since none of them highlighted what Shounen Hollywood did do right, I though I'd be the one to at least mention them.

(BASED IMO)

Hey, Uta no Prince-sama fans, this may be the right anime for you. Like idols singing and dancing? Idols with beautiful faces? We'll you have come to the right anime. Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49 is right for you! You'll be experiencing songs, and dances in some of the episodes!


STORY:
It's about boys trying to be idols so they'll be known worldwide. So far, each episode is telling their lives before they joined the idol group "SHONEN HOLLYWOOD" and random stuffs happen each episode.

ART:
The art is a bit realistic. But there are mistakes or other drawings that I don't like because it doesn't ... seem to fit the background perfectly. And their faces look like weird, I haven't seen an anime that has the drawing like this, but the character designer has done a good job.

SOUND:
The seiyuus used in each characters are just perfect, except for Amaki, Daisuke Ono would be perfect, Kakihara-san is not fitted with Amaki. The background song fits with the atmosphere of the anime, happy and joyful songs are perfect! The OP song & ED song are okay to me.

CHARACTER:
Their attitudes are like high school boys having their time of their lives dancing and singing happily, not like us otakus spending our time in front of the computer/laptop watching anime and stuffs. I really enjoyed some of the characters.

ENJOYMENT:
It's a bit dull. And the hell, it will also have a season two. I laughed.. because of their faces(no offense to the fans). Well, there are times that I copy them while dancing.
It was okay.

OVERALL:
In the end... Meh. Just meh.

Reason for me writing this review is to help people make a decision if its worth their time watching the most cringey boyband in the anime world.

The story well i cant say its bad but i cant say its fun. Lets revive the former idols and become better sound like interesting thing but most of it is spendt learning uninteresting character stories and a random president who says strange things and does stranger things. I felt like it moved at a snail pace and and thats saying something. Its one thing about having a relaxing and chill atmosphere that everyone can enjoy like some ... other anime got but when you only have watched 10 min it feels like you have sat there looking at the series in slow motion.

Its an idol anime with the most cheesy and boring songs in idol anime history. If you want nostalgia of how old boybands were then yes this anime fits you on the money but if you atleast want decent songs there are others.

The characters are like the story and sound uninteresting and cheesy to bot although some of the tries to pass themselves of as more serious its not that fun cheesy thing that many other idol anime has but its that feeling there you feel every bone in your body cribbling and you wonder what in gods name have i watched. To summarise you got 1 uninspired idol , one over the top idol whos happy about everything , 1 who actually just wants to sing , one who wonder what he even does there and one with an inferior complex which i dont understand.

I didnt enjoy this at all quite simply i just watched it full through cause thats the kind of person i am. I have watched bad anime full through because i want to review them properly although if its on going i cant do that. And this anime wasnt enjoyable at all it was just push through and hope something good happens but that didnt happen.

Overall if you like cute , cringey and uinteresting idol guys whos all random then this is the anime for you but if you want an anime with idols that makes you laugh , like and want to know more about then my advice is pick any other and you will hit better. I know i sound harsh on this anime but when i see it i cant give this anything good.