First, it's more of a love letter to music, with a lot of (not so hidden) references to past music and current music industry.
So if you are here for the plot, or for animation quality, it's not for you. The story range from fun to cute, to cringy, to "omg really this now ?"
Now I'm a sucker for music, and if you are here with some music knowledge, then this show may be for you.
During the show (we are used to it) you have those mid episodes screens, and here it's all about music. Those 45rpm vinyls. And while I was watching the show, I was wondering what part of the audience watching this show even knew 1/2 of the titles / artists on them.
Being one of those "boomers" and even I still didn't know a couple of them.
And nicely enough, all those song titles where actually the title of the episode. (How many watching this show even know "It's too late" from Carole King (ep. 21) ? or "We've only just begun" from the Carpenters (ep.12) ? "Don't stop believin" from Journey (ep.23), and the list goes on...)
Thanks to Netflix I guess (sarcasm) we have all those songs nicely sung in english. So while I have to admit that all are nicely done, and nicely recorded and all fit the "music style" they were designed for, I'm indeed a bit mixed about that decision to go this direction instead of the Japanese seiyu singing them. (Probably what I liked the most about Bang Dream)
Finally the anime is ending in a way only the older audience can fully identify with and know what it was in the mid/late 80's when we had those live worldwide televised concerts like Live Aid, or the one to Free Nelson Mandela, etc.
Those live shows either had a real impact or not on the goal they tried to achieve, but one thing is certain, that's something we have yet to witness one single time again. Because it was BIG at the time, and it's engraved in our memories, older music lovers.
Unfortunately too, while I know it's a loveletter to that glorious part, it's also honnestly a bit cringy nowadays, at least it's how I personally feel, probably because I lost a lot of innocence and hopes during all those years.
Any big concert like that to shake those politics about the urge (it's even already too late anyway) to do something for climate ?
Or this anime is somewhat the "real" future some of you (hopefully I'll be gone by that time) will endure in 30-40 years or so ?
Anyway, Carole & Tuesday is a love letter to music, more than anything else. If you are not truely passionate nor moved by music, simply pass your way, I'm sure you can find better anime for the plot, for some serious messages, for friendship, etc.
Still a decent 9 in my books, for all the insights about music history.
