Karaoke Iko!

Middle school student Satomi Oka ought to be proud that his choir group placed second at a national competition. However, he views this achievement as a failure caused by his inadequacies. Furthermore, since graduation is fast approaching, his time as leader of the choir is coming to an end.

While Satomi is preoccupied with his inner turmoil, a smooth-talking gangster named Kyouji Narita approaches him and requests him as a singing teacher. Every year, Kyouji and his colleagues participate in a karaoke competition, where their boss personally designs a tattoo for the loser. To avoid such cruel and unusual punishment, Kyouji asks Satomi to help him find the best song suited for his vocal range.

Albeit reluctantly, Satomi sets his fears aside and agrees to join Kyouji at his karaoke practice sessions. But it remains to be seen whether the mismatched duo will overcome their respective obstacles or fail miserably.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Narita, Kyouji Main

Ono, Daisuke Japanese

Oka, Satomi Main

Horie, Shun Japanese

Hello Kitty Phobia Supporting

Yano, Masaaki Japanese

Aniki-bun Supporting

Nose, Ikuji Japanese

Long Face Supporting

Mine, Kenichi Japanese

Shaved Head Supporting

Nishi, Rintarou Japanese

Punch Perm Supporting

Nozuyama, Yukihiro Japanese

Tracksuit Supporting

Uchida, Yuuma Japanese

T-shirt Supporting

Ishikari, Yuki Japanese

Tear Mole Supporting

Miyazono, Takumu Japanese

Nakatani, Asami Director

Kimura, Eriko Sound Director

Imazu, Ayumu Theme Song Composition, Theme Song Arrangement, Theme Song Performance, Theme Song Lyrics

Wayama, Yama Original Creator

Reviews

Dec 31, 2025

vinsmokerlaw

Recommended

The story was moreso simple yet enjoyable rather than outright unique. The plot is straight up about a yakuza asking for singing lessons and thats it but its still very fun and the art style really amped up the quality of the overall anime, simple story but with IMPECCABLE ART. The characters, Satomi and Kyouji are very simple yet fun characters too, not to plain to be boring but straight to the point and characters you really start to connect and vibe with. The characters also for 5 episodes had a good amount of development and IM JUST GONNA MAKE THIS PLAIN AND SIMPLE, THIS ... IS THE BEST QUEER BAIT EVER AND IM HERE FOR ITTTT!!! THIS IS SOOO GOOD, PURE ENTERTAINMENT AND SATOMI AND KYOUJI'S DYNAMICS ARE TOP TIER AND THE ART IS IMPECCABLEEEEE!!! 10/10, 100% RECOMMEND AND ITS AN EASY WATCH :P

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Oct 4, 2025

Omelettea

Recommended

As someone who enjoys singing, this anime was a delight! It really tickled my funny bone. The humour really lighten my mood and is a great distraction from the negativity of life.

Sad to see it only has 5 episodes, but honestly I can see why it must end at 5. Any more beyond that would turn into a romance novel.

And morally speaking, that would be a disaster. It felt odd to see an impressionable boy having to deal with all those difficult feelings, but i'm glad he managed to compose himself. Somehow all the frustration we see the boy experiencing, is something we ... can all relate to at some point during our lives.

A touch of chaos to this supposedly lighthearted anime.. Makes people think. And the thoughts on it are pleasing to contemplate about. At least for me.

If you wanna see grown men singing badly to cure your small ache, I recommend this one. To those who enjoys music, and those enjoy midnight thoughts. Take care~

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Dec 23, 2025

patkarunungan

Mixed Feelings

Let's Go Karaoke! is one of the anime in Summer 2025 that some people point to as a hidden gem. Is it really the case? Well, it's a mixed bag.

§ Overview

Oka Satomi is failing as a singer and the leader of his choir. Despite that, he is approached by a yakuza member, Narita Kyouji, and asked to be the latter's singing teacher. That's because their gang members often compete in a karaoke competition. Satomi reluctantly accepts, and this is the start of an interesting dynamic between a middle school student and a gangster.


§ Notes

1. It has only five episodes. The manga is just a ... single volume, and this volume is adapted into four episodes. The final episode is an anime original and tackles Kyouji's backstory.

That's why, in some sense, I consider the first four episodes as equivalent to the typical one-cour anime, and the fifth episode as the special episode.


2. The visuals and the character designs are nothing to write about. They are forgettable, though one might think that the character design seems seinen-like. There's no information whether the manga is shounen or seinen, but content-wise, it seems to be borderline shounen and seinen.


3. It's unbelievable that Doga Kobo, a studio more known for its adaptation of Oshi no Ko, Roshidere, and Shiunji Kodomotachi, made this adaptation, as this seems to be underrated compared to their more overhyped shows. Nakatani Asami directed this, who has another anime running for Summer 2025, i.e., Muchuu sa, Kimi ni.


4. It starts as boring for two episodes until it becomes an okay, if not good, anime. Its best episodes are Episode 4 and Episode 5.

If the anime only ended in Episode 4, it would have been alright as well. But the addition of Kyouji's backstory is a nice cherry on top.


5. Other stuff to note. I also gave it a humorous title of 'Karaoke Bromance.' It's not a BL, but the chemistry of Satomi and Kyouji is bordering on one. It's not to the point that it would make you uncomfortable like The Summer Hikaru Died, which is why, despite me scoring both a 5 out of 10, I give this anime an edge over it.


§ Conclusion

The boring first two episodes made me decide to score this only a 5 out of 10. Can you imagine other anime being boring for 6 episodes before being decent in the latter half? People would probably drop in such cases. Despite that, it may be worth soldiering on to reach the final two episodes.

Its one defining virtue is that at least, it's not another school anime. It has two elements of Japanese culture all in one anime: 1) the yakuza, and 2) karaoke.


NOTA BENE: A rating of 5 out of 10 means that 1) I find this anime to be average, 2) I enjoyed it to some extent, but it has some flaws. 3) Or simply, I rank it below my 6's but above my 4's.

A 5 means a passing score. If you're the kind of viewer who treats anything below a 7 as irredeemable, I'd encourage a broader, more nuanced approach to rating.

My enjoyment spectrum lies from 4 to 10. If I have scored an anime below 4, I actively dislike it.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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2025 Poggers

by Nephyle

38 Entries · 15 Restacks

Less Than 12 Episodes (4)

by Gino99

13 Entries · 4 Restacks

Animes with <13 episodes

by yasunagaoribe

45 Entries · 28 Restacks

Summer 2025 Simulcast List [Update 8/7]

In this thread, you'll find a comprehensive list of television anime acquired for simulcast release during the Summer 2025 season. Anime series licensed for hom...read more

Jun 27, 2025 2:20 PM by Snow | Discuss (17 comments)

'Karaoke Iko!', 'Muchuu sa, Kimi ni.' Unveil Additional Staff, Second Promo

The official website of the Karaoke Iko! (Let's Go Karaoke!) and Muchuu sa, Kimi ni (Captivated, by You) anime revealed additional staff, key visuals (pictured)...read more

Jun 21, 2025 9:25 PM by DatRandomDude | Discuss (4 comments)

	Poll: Karaoke Iko! Episode 5 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Kai200X - Sep 25, 2025	56 replies	by Yuniboo »» Jan 3, 9:44 AM
	Poll: Karaoke Iko! Episode 4 Discussion ( 1 2 ) gorkthe134th - Aug 14, 2025	66 replies	by Yuniboo »» Jan 3, 9:08 AM
	Poll: Karaoke Iko! Episode 2 Discussion FrancoMoe - Jul 31, 2025	33 replies	by Yuniboo »» Jan 3, 9:03 AM
	Poll: Karaoke Iko! Episode 3 Discussion ( 1 2 ) gorkthe134th - Aug 7, 2025	62 replies	by RGreatDanton »» Oct 11, 2025 5:17 PM
	Poll: Karaoke Iko! Episode 1 Discussion ropiel - Jul 24, 2025	47 replies	by RGreatDanton »» Oct 11, 2025 5:15 PM