Kids on the Slope

Kids on the Slope (Sakamachi no Apollon) is a 12 episode drama that adds in a nice Jazz element to it.   The series aired in Japan in the spring of 2012 and is based on the manga of the same name by Yuki Kodama

    Japan in the 1960’s, Kaoru Nishimi has been dumped on his aunt and uncle in Kyushu while his dad is away working.  Kaoru is a gifted student and trained classical pianist.  He is also the heir apparent of his families estate.  Even though the world is at his finger tips Kaoru leads a lonely and dejected life.  Moving all the time has not allowed him to become close to anyone and his father is frequently away for long periods of time.  On the first day at his new school he gains the attention of the schools worst student, Sentaro Kawabuchi, who immediately takes a liking to the fearless attitude Kaoru exudes.  Seeing this connection the class rep and childhood friend of Sentaro, Ritsuko Mukae, encourages Kaoru to become friends with the shunned delinquent.  They find a common thread with music.  Sentaro forces Kaoru to break out of his proper shell and explore the world of jazz music with him.  As the three friends go through high school together they experience the normal problems adolescent kids go through.

  This was a pretty well done coming of age story.  It reminded me of a more mature Nodame Cantible.  The themes explored in the story are isolation, love, friendship and trying to find your place in the world.  The series is relatively serious but not overly dramatic, there are no typical high school romance themes and no fanservice.  The animation style is a bit plain, but it grows on you and ends up fitting well with the story.   This series even deals with issues of racism and prejudice, not just with Japanese people and their views on foreigners but on foreign prejudices as well.  In the end I liked the series, not the least because of the fun jazz tunes through out.  It is a well told story with likeable characters and remains constantly in the realm of reality.  The series also seems to be sponsored by Yamaha.

   This is a show that fans of realistic and serious dramas will be happy with.  You may even enjoy it if you liked Nodame Cantabile, even though there is little humor.  It is available streaming through Crunchyroll and is on DVD in North America.  Check it out and get a light lesson in 60s jazz greats and life in post war Japan.