Okay, so I've finished the series and I think because of pacing issues I would rate this a 9.5, but since that isn't an option I'm dropping it to a 9. I'm so happy that season 2 is already out so I can start binging it! I'm a huge geek for music anime and Kono Oto Tomare hit the spot. A must watch for fellow musical anime lovers.
I will update this review once the series finishes airing-- but, 5 episodes in, I'm pretty sure this is a masterpiece.
Just a heads up: I've never written a positive review on this site and I've been a MALer since 2010. Besides writing the occasional Yelp review, I'm not really a "reviewer" so please bare with me.
After my preface, I'm sure you could gather that this anime is quite exceptional. Kono Oto Tomare! moved me in ways that Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April) never could. There's something so pure, and original with this concept of musical anime. I was a big fan of Nodame Cantabile back in the day, and yet even Nodame does not pull at the heart strings like Kono Oto Tomare! does.
This series is focused on a high school Koto club. The concept is quite obscure since the Koto instrument is not really well known outside of Japan. In a sense this anime really connected with my Japanese heritage. The characters are out of place playing such a traditional instrument, but the producers of the Kono Oto Tomare make it work. I don't necessarily find it helpful when reviews just summarize the plot of an anime, so I won't be doing that here. I'm just here, trying to bring light to a very underrated anime of the season. Don't sleep on this beautiful and touching anime.
If you want to experience the true essence of Japanese culture presented through a goofy, high school anime. Kono Oto Tomare is for you. It will make you laugh, cry, and view music in ways you could've never imagined (and never fully realized through Your Lie in Anime)-- watch this anime.
