Not about winning after the struggle like Muse [School Idol Project], not a depressing story like Aqours [Sunshine!], nor Nijigasaki who has tons of member which truly represents a school club. Superstar is different, more like slice of life-ish idol story with only 5 members in it. That's what I thought when watching this show for like the first half season (?)
Let's talk about this first half that I was excited for. First thing you will notice is how good Sayurin's [Date Sayuri] voice when singing. The anime will let you listen to her singing at the very beginning of the first episode. More like 'Beautiful', rather than 'Unique' like how Love Live! characters always supposed to be.
Again the protagonist comes with orange-ish color (tho I don't recognize Ayumu as protagonist from Nijigasaki since the other members also gained the same spotlight). Kanon is a girl who love singing so much but something won't allow her to exploit her potential. It reminds me on how Muse told us that it's hard to be an idol who have to keep smiling while singing and dancing.
How they recruit new members is also amazing. Sumire with her ego, Chisato with her promise, and best of all, Ren with her past. I even cried in Chisato and Ren's case. Something new that I didn't get after Sunshine! ends. Soma Ria from Golden Loveriche once said that it's too common to use dead people as tearjerking matrerial. Sunrise can easily get out of the box thinking about this.
But the amazement on the story dimmed right after Ren joined the club. The drama feels rushed and half-heartedly written only to reach 12 episodes target. Yea, I admit that the story is not that bad, just the pace that is not right for me. It's just too fast even at the end of 12th episode I asked myself, "oh, it's ended already?"
Fortunately, critical pace problem can be covered with great insert songs. Nonfiction as example of insert song in 10th episode. They use rap as central point of the song. I was like, what the hell they're going to do. And when it showed right in front of my eyes, it ended to become one of my favorite. In twelfth episode, a scene will remind you to Muse.
Post-credit's Liella no Uta also my biggest point on why I always waiting for this show every week. Drawn in unique artstyle, combined with pretty good song, it just relaxing. Ah, FYI, Liella no Uta in 6th episode makes me fell in love with Paychan's [Naomi Payton] voice.
