Story: 10/10
K-On!! is more of an episodic series, this is true. There is only one real "arc" in the whole show. It is really just the girls doing daily stuff. The thing is though, it's not like the episodes are filler, or forgotten, as there is an overarching story with tons of development and growth. I would go into more detail, but I'd be spoiling the fun for you, the story you really have to experience for yourself. It's a ride of emotions the whole way through.
Art: 9/10
I feel like people brush off the art/animation of this show as just being cute and write it off as bad. This could not be further from the fact. Yes, K-On!! is extremely cute looking, but it doesn't use its cuteness as a way to be lazy with its art and animation. There is still plenty of detail and visual gags. My favorite thing to bring up when I talk about the animation is how it is musically accurate. This meaning that when the band is playing their song the animation isn't random strumming, drumming and keyboard playing, the animation matches up with how you'd play it in real life on real instruments. KyoAni did an amazing job here.
Sound: 10/10
It's a music anime, what'd you expect? The songs and sound are amazing. First I'll start with the OST. The OST is a perfect mood setter and captures perfectly the scenes it is used in, it is always used at the perfect time which just strengthens how great this show is. Now the songs, simply put they are phenomenal. Fuwa Fuwa Time is catchy and gets stuck in my head all the time, Pure Pure Heart is legitimately such a good song, Fude Pen was a nice change of style, etc. There are also a lot more songs not in the anime that you can listen to (like songs sung by Ritsu, Azusa, Mugi, even Nodoka and more) if you like what you hear. Also as for the OP's and ED's, Go Go Maniac! and Listen are insanely catchy and Utauyo!! Miracle and No Thank You are great songs and have amazing animations. As for the voice acting, it's downright the best voice acting I've ever heard in anything ever. They all sound distinct and unique. The VA's play their roles so well its crazy, they are such a perfect cast. Mio and Yui's VA's also have to sing in character, which is super impressive.
Character 10/10:
K-On!! has the greatest characters of all time. Yes, I am going there. I have never seen a more likable cast of characters in my entire life. Even the weaker characters in my opinion like mugi are phenomenal. In this section, I'll briefly go over why every major character is so great. Mugi is super sweet and kind. Mio is always looking out for the group's back, and has great development to boot. Ui is the type of sibling everyone would want. Nodoka has really clever utilization and fits the role of Yui's childhood friend perfectly. Ritsu is insanely funny and has amazing interactions with Mio. Sawa-chan can get a bit grating with the dress-up scenes, but she really does care about the girls (she's funny as well). Azusa also looks out for the band well, while also being the precious little junior for the seniors. Yui is honestly my favorite character, she is so likable and charming. She's stupid at first it seems, but then you realize that she is actually a genius, just at a couple of things. Her clutzy nature is just so amazing, I find myself laughing at every joke she makes or funny thing she does.
Enjoyment: 10/10
Everything I've gone over so far is what makes this anime so enjoyable, but there is one thing I didn't mention. Someone who cant personally connect to the characters and settings around them may not enjoy it as much as someone who did. But if you can get emotionally connected like me and a ton of others did, you'll see how enjoyable this show is.
Overall: 10/10
Amazing story, characters, art, music and more just culminate and make this masterpiece of a show. Connect to this show and you WILL feel something. This connection and bond you see in the characters will show you how great this anime is. As long as you get emotionally invested in what's going on, prepare for an amazing emotional rollercoaster, one that you will never want to end.
