Kira☆Kira 5th Anniversary Live Anime KICK START GENERATION - What is the appeal of this anime celebrating its glorious 5th anniversary?

Kira☆Kira 5th Anniversary Live Anime KICK START GENERATION Review

Kira☆Kira 5th Anniversary Live Anime KICK START GENERATION (hereafter referred to as Kira☆Kira) is an OVA released by Media Factory on March 27, 2013. This work is based on the 18+ game created by OVERDRIVE, with stage direction by Takahashi Ken and stage production by SILVER LINK. The charm of the original work is maximized in a short 28-minute episode.

Overview

Kira☆Kira is a music-themed work that features three bands: Second Literature Club Band, DEARDROPS, and CaS. Each band member has a different background and personality, but they grow and pursue their dreams through music. This OVA was produced to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the original game, making it a special work for fans.

Main Staff

The original work is by OVERDRIVE, the stage director is Takahashi Ken, the character coordinator is Oshima Miwa, the sound producers are Saito Shigeru (Lantis) and bamboo (OVERDRIVE), the stage production is by SILVER LINK., and the organizer is the Europe and America Festival Executive Committee. These staff members have come together to faithfully reproduce the worldview of the original work while bringing out new charms.

Main Characters

Second Literature Club Band

Kirari Shiino <br> After graduating from high school, she debuted as a singer and is active overseas, mainly based in the United States. She is widely recognized among some music lovers, and her singing voice and performances have captivated many people. Her character is characterized by her strong will to pursue her dreams and her passion for music.

Kashihara Sarina <br> Although she has the gentle manner of speech and calm personality of a young lady, she also shows a strong-willed side. After graduating, she was put in charge of a subsidiary of her family's company and is doing an excellent job as president. Her character emphasizes leadership and a sense of responsibility, and she is a central figure in the Second Literature Club band.

Isurugi Chie <br> She is the captain and leader of the Second Literature Club Band. After repeating a year and graduating from school, she now works in the welfare field. Her character is portrayed as one who is kind and caring towards her friends, and has the strength to face difficulties.

Maejima Shikanosuke <br> The main character of Kira☆Kira, his name when cross-dressed is Shikano. After graduating from school, he went on to university and then got a job, leading a stable life. He hasn't been in a band since his school days, so he hasn't touched an instrument since he became a working adult. His character is depicted as chasing his dreams in the midst of an ordinary life.

DEARDROPS

Yoshitani Ritsuho
She works part-time while working as the vocalist for DEARDROPS. Compared to Shoichi, who continues to have success overseas, she feels frustrated that she has not been able to achieve results. Her character is portrayed as someone who is impatient and working hard to achieve her dreams.

Ooba Yayoi <br> She is a sensible girl her age, but she never compromises on anything related to band activities, such as how to handle instruments. She is the only one of the many social misfits in the DEARDROPS to successfully go on to college, but because she was too preoccupied with band activities, she has failed many of her classes and is in danger of not graduating. Her character depicts the gap between her passion for the band and reality.

Tamano Rimu <br> A girl with a free-spirited personality like a cat. After graduating, she didn't get a permanent job, and continues to live happily with her mother and stepfather Tamano. In the Second Literature Club, she is good friends with Sarina. Her character is portrayed as free-spirited and friendly.

Hidetsugu Gonda <br> He has been in and out of several bands in the past, but is now settled in DEARDROPS. Recently, he has tried to quit smoking but failed. His character is depicted struggling with his passion for music and the realities of life.

Shoichi Suganuma
He is the main character of DEARDROPS. He learned the violin from an early age and was active overseas from his teens, but due to certain circumstances he left the band and returned to Japan. After his time with the rock band DEARDROPS, he returned to the German Symphony Orchestra with the support of his peers, and has now grown to the point where he receives more praise than ever before. His character's story depicts his passion for music and his growth.

CaS

Aine <br> An angel of love who lives in this town famous for its hills and churches. Always cheerful, kind, and a little clumsy, Aine seems like an ordinary girl at first glance. Her motto is "Making others happy is my happiness," and for some reason, her favorite food is bananas. She is the vocalist and guitarist in the band "CaS," which is made up of fellow angels. Her character is portrayed as pure-hearted and with a love for music.

Eric <br> An angel friend of Aine, she is a member of CaS and plays the keyboard. She is a strong-willed girl who is self-conscious and confident. She is very vocal, but this is her own way of showing her kindness. Her character is portrayed as having a strong exterior and a kind heart.

Menes
A member of CaS, she plays the drums. She is an angel with a free-spirited and hedonistic personality. Her character is portrayed as free-spirited and passionate about music.

Rika <br> A small angel who plays the bass as a member of CaS. She is very quiet and expressionless, and it's hard to tell what she's thinking. Her character is depicted as quiet and with a deep understanding of music.

story

Kira☆Kira's story depicts three bands chasing their dreams. The Second Literature Club Band is centered around members who continue their musical activities after graduating from high school, and aims to succeed overseas. DEARDROPS grows through music, despite the individual personalities and conflicts of each member. CaS depicts the pure hearts of angels who try to make people happy through music.

This OVA was made to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the original game, so it is a special work for fans. It carefully depicts how each band member grows and pursues their dreams. It also has a realistic depiction of the music scene and the changes in the characters' feelings, making it a very worthwhile watch.

music

Kira☆Kira's music reflects the individuality of each band. The Second Literature Club Band's music is characterized by a pop and bright melody, and is full of energy that cheers up the listener. DEARDROPS' music is characterized by a powerful rock sound, and conveys the members' struggles and growth. CaS's music is characterized by soothing melodies that exude the purity and kindness of angels.

The music, created by sound producers Shigeru Saito (Lantis) and bamboo (OVERDRIVE), faithfully reproduces the worldview of the original work while bringing out new charms. The music of each band changes according to the emotions of the characters and the development of the story, and is an important element in drawing the viewer into the story.

animation

Kira☆Kira's animation is handled by SILVER LINK. It is notable for its faithful reproduction of the character designs from the original work, while paying particular attention to the movements and expressions of the characters. In particular, the depiction of the live performance scenes is realistic and powerful, giving the viewer a sense of presence. Additionally, the backgrounds and colors are beautiful, helping to liven up the atmosphere of the story.

The direction by stage director Takahashi Ken effectively portrays the individuality of each band and the development of the story. In particular, the scenes depicting the changes in the characters' feelings and their growth are meticulously directed. Furthermore, the music and animation work together to leave a strong impression on the audience.

Ratings and Recommendations

Kira☆Kira is highly acclaimed as a music-themed work. It is widely supported not only by fans of the original game, but also by viewers who love music. The individuality of each band, the development of the story, and the fusion of music and animation make it a very interesting work to watch.

In particular, the story of each band is carefully depicted, such as the Second Literature Club band's aim to succeed overseas, the struggles and growth of each member of DEARDROPS, and the pure hearts and love for music of the angels of CaS. In addition, there are plenty of elements that draw the viewer in, such as the realistic depiction of the music scene and the changes in the characters' feelings.

The reason I recommend this work is because it is a highly polished work with a music theme, and it moves the viewer. It is a work that should be watched not only by fans of the original game, but also by viewers who love music. Also, the individuality of each band, the development of the story, and the fusion of music and animation make it a very interesting piece, so I would definitely recommend you to see it at least once.

Related information

Related information for Kira☆Kira includes details about the original game and other media mix works. The original game is an 18+ game created by OVERDRIVE, and has a music-themed story. Other media mix works include drama CDs and comics, which provide detailed descriptions of the stories and characters of each band.

In addition, there is also information about Kira☆Kira's fan events and live shows. At fan events, members of each band appear and perform live and talk shows. Live information also includes information about each band's concerts and festival appearances, making it information that music lovers cannot miss.

Kira☆Kira is highly acclaimed as a music-themed work. It is widely supported not only by fans of the original game, but also by viewers who love music. The individuality of each band, the development of the story, and the fusion of music and animation make it a very interesting piece, so we hope you will check it out.