Hello!! Kin-iro Mosaic - Review of charming characters and a heartwarming story

"Hello!! Kin-iro Mosaic" - The charm of a heartwarming Japanese-English school comedy about beautiful girls

Hello!! Kin-iro Mosaic is a TV anime series based on the manga of the same name by Yui Hara, which aired from April 5 to June 21, 2015. It can be viewed on AT-X, Sun TV, etc. and consists of 12 episodes of 30 minutes each. Animation is handled by Studio Gumi, directed by Tensho, series composition by Ayana Yuniko, and character design by Ueda Kazuyuki. Copyright belongs to Yui Hara, Houbunsha/Hello!! Kin-iro Mosaic Production Committee.

story

The main character, Alice Cartelet, is a 16-year-old blonde-haired, blue-eyed British girl. She has been homestaying in Japan for the past year, and has been enjoying high school life in Japan, welcomed into the home of her best friend, Omiya Shinobu. However, when Alice advances to her second year of high school, she is shocked to find herself in a different class from Shinobu. However, Shinobu comforts her by saying, "Alice came across the ocean, so this is nothing compared to you!" and tells her that even though they are in different classes, the distance between them will not change. The bond between Alice, Shinobu, the mismatched duo Koji Aya and Inokuma Yoko, and another blonde British girl, Kujo Karen, and the other five girls, shines golden today. The second installment of this fluffy school comedy about beautiful Japanese and British girls is about to begin!

cast

The voice actors for the main characters are as follows:

• Shinobu Omiya: Asuka Nishi
• Alice Cartelet: Manami Tanaka
• Aya Koji: Risa Taneda
• Yoko Inokuma: Yumi Uchiyama
• Karen Kujo: Nao Toyama
• Isamu Omiya: Yukari Tamura
• Honoka Matsubara: Ayaka Suwa
• Sakura Karasuma (Ms. Karasuma): Satomi Sato
• Akari Kuzehashi (Ms. Kuzehashi): Saori Onishi
• Inokuma Sorata: Megumi Han
• Mizuki Inokuma: Rie Murakawa

Main Staff

The production team is as follows:

• Original author: Yui Hara
• Director: Tensho
• Assistant Director: Munenori Nawa
• Series Composition: Yuniko Ayana
• Character design: Kazuyuki Ueda
• Chief animation directors: Kazuyuki Ueda, Masayuki Nonaka, Yuuma Yokomatsu, Hideyuki Kataoka
• Color design: Utagawa Ritsuko
• Art director: Chika Shibata
• Director of photography: Song Hyun-dae
• Edited by: Mutsumi Takemiya
• Sound Director: Aketagawa Jin
• Music: Ruka Kawada
• Music Production: Flying Dog
• English supervision cooperation: COCO Juku
• Produced by: GENCO
• Animation Production: Studio Gogumi

Main Characters

The details of the main characters are as follows:

• Shinobu Omiya : A typical Japanese high school girl with kind droopy eyes and a gentle personality. She has a strong admiration for foreign countries and blonde girls, and dreams of becoming an interpreter. She is good at sewing and daydreaming, and is said to resemble a kokeshi doll.
• Alice Cartelet : A blonde, blue-eyed British girl. Her small body and her tamakanzashi hairpin look great on her. She loves ninjas and Japanese culture. Although she has excellent grades, she is not good at sports, and she doesn't get discouraged even when she is pushed around by Shinobu.
• Koji Aya : A smart girl with twin tails. She appears cool on the outside, but is surprisingly not so on the inside. She seems to be the most sensible person out of everyone, but when it comes to Yoko, her personality changes.
• Yoko Inokuma : A lively girl who plays the role of the straight man. She eats a lot, moves around a lot, doesn't learn much, often plays the role of the straight man, and rarely plays the role of the boke. She stirs up Aya's feelings on a daily basis. She is reliable, kind, and dependable.
• Kujo Karen : Alice's childhood friend with a Japanese father and an English mother. She has flowing blonde hair, gray slanted eyes, and a bright smile. She is cheerful, easygoing, and a genius.
• Matsubara Honoka : A fashionable girl with long braided chestnut hair. She and Shinobu hit it off over "something" and become best friends. She is a member of the tennis club, but is better at ball juggling than tennis.
• Omiya Isamu : Shinobu's older sister and a first-year university student. She is sarcastic towards Shinobu, but that is only because of their love for each other. She is tall and has beautiful black hair, and works as a model alongside her studies.
• Sakura Karasuma (Ms. Karasuma) : The English teacher of Class 2C and someone Shinobu admires. She has a gentle and kind personality and is loved by her students. She is an admitted lover of cute things and keeps a rabbit as a pet.
• Kuzehashi Akari (Kusehashi Sensei) : Home economics teacher for Class 2A. She has a serious personality and is strict in her teaching, so the students are a little scared of her. Although she hides this from those around her, she loves cute things and keeps a cat.
• Inokuma Sorata & Mizuki : Yoko's younger brother and sister, twins in the fourth grade of elementary school. In contrast to their straightforward older sister Yoko, both of them are good at lying. They are called the "lying brothers" at elementary school.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: Spring has come
• Episode 2: Present for You
• Episode 3: You are so dazzling
• Episode 4: Rain or Shine
• Episode 5: Let's play with big sister
• Episode 6: The girl I'm curious about
• Episode 7: My Dear Hero
• Episode 8: Summer vacation is almost here
• Episode 9: A Special Day
• Episode 10: A Promise by the Sea
• Episode 11: A Little Longer Night
• Episode 12: Because I love you so much

Theme songs and music

Details of the theme songs and insert songs are as follows:

• OP1 : Yumeiro Parade (episodes 2-9, 11-12)
  • Lyricist: yuiko
  • Composer: Meis Clauson
  • Arrangement: Hiroshi Uesugi
  • Sung by: Rhodanthe*
• OP2 : Kiramekiiro Summer Rainbow (Episode 10)
  • Lyricist: yuiko
  • Composer: Ishihara Ritori
  • Arrangement: Hiroshi Uesugi
  • Sung by: Rhodanthe*
• ED1 : Yumeiro Parade (Episode 1)
  • Lyricist: yuiko
  • Composer: Meis Clauson
  • Arrangement: Hiroshi Uesugi
  • Sung by: Rhodanthe*
• ED2 : My Best Friends (episodes 2-12)
  • Lyricist: Takeshi Nakatsuka
  • Composer: Takeshi Nakatsuka
  • Arrangement: Hiroshi Uesugi
  • Sung by: Rhodanthe*

The appeal and evaluation of "Hello!! Kin-iro Mosaic"

"Hello!! Kin-iro Mosaic" is a school comedy with the theme of cultural exchange between Japan and the UK, and its appeal is wide-ranging. First of all, the characters are very unique, and although they each have different backgrounds, they are depicted deepening their friendship. The relationship between Alice and Shinobu in particular is touching as a symbol of intercultural understanding. There are also many humorous scenes that will make the viewer smile.

The animation quality is also high, with beautiful character designs and background art. The color design and art direction are particularly excellent, making it soothing to watch. The music also matches the atmosphere of the work, with the theme song and insert songs adding excitement to the story.

The story development is also clever, and each episode has a different theme, so viewers will not get bored. In particular, the process of deepening friendship even after being separated into classes and the episodes during summer vacation are very moving and leave a deep impression on viewers. Also, do not miss the performances of the supporting characters, especially the episodes about Shinobu's sister Isamu and the teachers.

Recommended points

"Hello!! Kin-iro Mosaic" can be recommended for the following reasons:

• Appealing characters : The story of friendship and growth woven by the unique characters moves the audience. In particular, the relationship between Alice and Shinobu resonates in the heart as a symbol of intercultural understanding.
• Humorous scenes : The show is full of humor that comes from small everyday occurrences, making viewers smile. You can especially enjoy Yoko's tsukkomi and Karen's easy-going behavior.
• Beautiful animation : The character designs and background art are stunning, making it a visual treat. The color design and art direction are superb, making it a soothing experience to watch.
• A moving story : There are many touching scenes, such as the process of deepening friendship even though they are in different classes, and the summer vacation episode, which will stay with viewers.
• Fascinating supporting characters : The episodes featuring Shinobu's sister, Isamu, and the teachers are also fascinating, and the exploits of not only the main characters but also the supporting characters are not to be missed.

summary

Hello!! Kin-iro Mosaic is a school comedy themed on cultural exchange between Japan and the UK, and has many charms, including charming characters, humorous scenes, beautiful animation, a moving story, and charming supporting characters. This work will make viewers smile and move them, so we recommend you watch it at least once. This work, which depicts the importance of intercultural understanding and friendship, will provide you with a heartwarming time.