Blue Giant, a critically acclaimed anime film and manga, follows the inspiring journey of Dai Miyamoto, a high school student and jazz saxophonist. The story meticulously captures his unyielding dedication to achieving mastery in jazz music. For aficionados desiring to explore similar anime, many series ingeniously meld musical, dramatic, and thematic tapestries.
10 Most Iconic Musicians In Anime, Ranked
Groove with anime legends like ST☆RISH, Houkago Tea Time, and Fuuka.
Whether it’s exploring classical melodies, diving into death metal’s rebellious spirit, or unfolding poignant stories interwoven with musical pursuits, top-rated entertaining anime, like Kids on the Slope and Detroit Metal City, immerse viewers in diverse auditory and emotional landscapes akin to the evocative journey depicted in Blue Giant.
10Sound! Euphonium
Sound! Euphonium chronicles the journey of Kumiko Oumae, a student who becomes a euphonium player in her school’s concert band. The anime explores the intricate dynamics of the band members, their aspirations, struggles, and the dedication required to make music together.
Kumiko, alongside her friends, navigates the challenges of adolescence and the pursuit of musical excellence. Sound! Euphonium intertwines the nuanced relationships within the band, offering a heartfelt and melodious tale that reverberates with the exuberance and melancholy of growing up, mirroring life’s harmonies and dissonances.
9Tari Tari
Tari Tari revolves around a group of high school students approaching graduation. The central figure, Konatsu Miyamoto, frustrated by the strictness of the school choir, decides to establish her own musical ensemble.
10 Best Coming-Of-Age Anime, Ranked
Dive into the top-ranked coming-of-age anime, where shows like Your Lie in April, Evangelion, and Naruto offer poignant life lessons.
She gathers a diverse group: Wakana Sakai, who withdraws from music following her mother’s death; Sawa Okita, an aspiring horse rider; Taichi Tanaka, a badminton player; and Wien, a transfer student from Austria. Through a series of school events, the anime depicts their journey of friendship, maturation, and collective efforts in making music.
8Love Live! School Idol Project
Love Live! School Idol Project is ashowbiz animethat revolves around a bunch of high school girls led by Honoka Kosaka, who establish an idol group named μ’s to save their school from shutting down due to a lack of new student enrollments.
The girls face numerous challenges but remain determined to improve their skills, gain popularity, and eventually compete in the ultimate school idol competition, Love Live. The anime seamlessly blends music, high school life, and the emotional aspects of pursuing dreams.
7Forest Of Piano
Forest of Piano follows the story of Kai Ichinose, a self-taught pianist from an impoverished background, and Shuhei Amamiya, a classical pianist from a family of musicians. The two form an unlikely friendship over a mysterious, broken piano in the forest, which Kai miraculously can play.
The anime explores their different paths as Kai seeks to broaden his world through his self-developed playing style, while Shuhei follows a more traditional, disciplined approach to music. Both aspire to succeed in the competitive world of classical music, challenging each other musically and personally.
6BanG Dream!
BanG Dream! is an anime centered around Kasumi Toyama, a high-spirited girl who discovers a star-shaped guitar in a pawn shop, inspiring her to form a band. She is eager to create exciting music and recruits four other girls to join her band, Poppin’Party.
The anime follows their journey as they balance regular high school life with the challenges and excitement of being in a band. BanG Dream! emphasizes the drive to pursue dreams, providing a colorful and energetic story filled with catchy music and the spirit of youth.
5Kids On The Slope
Kids on the Slope is ajosei animeset in the 1960s, revolving around the lives of Kaoru Nishimi, a classical pianist, and Sentarou Kawabuchi, a jazz drummer. Although different, they forge a deep friendship over their shared love for jazz music.
Alongside Ritsuko Mukae, their mutual friend, the story explores the trio’s aspirations. Jazz serves as a medium to express their unspoken feelings and struggles. Kaoru, initially reserved and introverted, learns about friendship, love, and heartbreak, profoundly influenced by Sentarou’s free spirit and passion for music.
4Detroit Metal City
Detroit Metal City centers on Soichi Negishi, a gentle and polite young man who dreams of playing Swedish pop music but becomes the lead vocalist and guitarist, Johannes Krauser II, of an indie death metal band, Detroit Metal City. The band is notorious for its dark, vulgar, and explosive performances.
The anime hilariously portrays Negishi’s internal conflict and discontent with his alter ego, Krauser, who embodies everything he despises. He strives to pursue his true musical passion while maintaining the ferocious persona that unexpectedly becomes a significant underground sensation.
3Your Lie In April
Your Lie in April narrates the story of Kousei Arima, a piano prodigy traumatized by his mother’s death, rendering him unable to play music. His world transforms upon meeting Kaori Miyazono, a free-spirited violinist who reintroduces color into his monochrome life. Despite Kousei’s struggles with his past and music, Kaori propels him back onto the stage.
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Kousei, Hiroko, and Takeshi turn Your Lie in April into a heart-wrenching symphony of complex characters.
However, beneath Kaori’s vibrant exterior lies a heart-wrenching secret. The anime beautifully intertwines music, love, and tragedy. Kousei’s journey of recovery creates a deeply moving story that resonates profoundly with viewers.
2Nodame Cantabile
Nodame Cantabile is amusical animeabout the lives of two musicians studying at Momogaoka College of Music in Tokyo. Shinichi Chiaki is a perfectionist, multi-talented instrumentalist with dreams of becoming a conductor, hindered by his fear of flying. Megumi Noda, or Nodame, is a whimsical, albeit highly talented, pianist with a peculiar playing style.
Their worlds collide, combining their futures in a delightful, chaotic manner. Through a cascade of classical music performances, the anime dives into their evolving relationship, personal struggles, and journeys toward musical mastery. The story melodiously blends romance, comedy, and classical music.
1Show By Rock!!
Show By Rock!! is a vibrant, music-themed anime that follows Cyan Hijirikawa, a shy high school girl who gets transported into the musical world of Midi City. In this realm, music can combat dark monsters, and bands aspire to perform at the illustrious hall, Strawberry Fields.
Cyan joins the band Plasmagica, composed of anthropomorphic animal characters, aiming to become the top band. Plasmagica encounters other bands, each showcasing diverse music genres and colorful personalities. The series merges upbeat and diverse music genres with themes of friendship and determination, delivered through thrilling performances.
