[First Impressions] High School Star Musical [Episode 1-2]

I’m quite late with this one because my university and internship program went crazy, but on to cheerful subjects! High School Star Musical is a successor to the UtaPri-wave.

Synopsis: The series tells the story of the five students; Yuuta Hoshitani, Tooru Nayuki, Kaito Tsukigami, Kakeru Tengenji, and Shuu Kuga as they struggle to enter the musical department of Ayana Academy, a school focusing on music. They need to be accepted to the Star Frame Class, which is directly taught by the members of Hanasakura-kai, the most talented from the musical department who stand at the top of the pecking order within the academy. Luckily, they are spotted by Itsuki Ootori, one of Hanasakura-kai members.

Let me tell you the truth, I thought I would be wasting my time with this anime and this thought echoed in my mind till the second half of the first episode when I actually realized that it might be something more than just a shallow idol-making story. That doesn’t yet take the main characters out of the stereotype-zone, but I was at least glad that it tries to take itself seriously and bring some real problematics.

I have an issue with the main character, Hoshitani Yuuta…but at the same time I actually like him; he seems to be the cheerful, overly confident main guy that gives part of his confidence to others as well, such as the cutie-sweety Nayuki Tooru (Tohru?) and shares some moments with the rest of the team too…it’s almost as if he’s the heroine in a reverse harem. No, I’m not kidding. I can feel the BL from a mile away, or at least bromance. The reason he even enrolled to this high school is because he wants to meet a guy, that he doesn’t remotely know nor did he even ever talk to, whose dance inspired him. Great!

The rest of the cast goes between average to averagely interesting. Silent Kuga Shuu is the only one that I might have genuine interest for because I can’t really foresee what his issue is, while the others are pretty much obvious (arrogant rich guy, little brother of an already affirmed idol, stage fright yadayadalù), unless the anime will try to prove me wrong and I’ll make sure to mention whether it did or not in my final review. Must add that the 5 don’t actually start on good terms, but I gladly noticed that they can cooperate quite well and I look forward to see how will their friendship develop in the end. There’s a mini-drama going on through the Hanasakura-kai guys as well, mainly between Ootori and Hiiragi (hello, Namikawa Daisuke-san! Glad to see you in another smartass, glasses guy role!), which seem to be almost polar opposites. That’s also something that I found interesting because it makes me wonder why Ootori seems to be the only one “divided” from the rest and what his special case is to be able to be that cheeky with the rest of the team.

Something that I’m confused about are the songs in this show. If it’s trying to be a musical, it fails because a “musical” is something that forwards the narration or adds something to it using songs (like a background story or a goal). These guys just sing for the sake of singing and don’t particularly add anything to it in my humble opinion. And some of the dancing just looks awkward. I still wonder why Jpop anime idols tend to be that colorful and overexcited ? I don’t remember the real deal to be like that. XD (I specify MALE Japanese idols. I already know the overly happy AKB48 girl group). Correct me if I’m wrong. xD

Last thing to add, why does the guy above look so much like Kaneki from Tokyo Ghoul? …oh I see. So this is what Kaneki is doing after dealing with ghouls! It all makes sense !

Conclusions: it can provide enjoyment if you’re into the idol-making schools type of shows like UtaPri and Shonen Hollywood or just generally into Japanese idols. I don’t recommend it to the people that cringe easily at cheesy dances and lines. XD