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14 Jun 2012

Kaikan Phrase Anime review


Synonyms: Sensual Phrase
Type: TV
Episodes: 44
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Apr 20, 1999 to Mar 25, 2000
Producers: Studio Hibari
Genres: Drama, Music, Romance, Shoujo
Duration: 20 min. per episode
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

I still have a "hang-over" over Nana so I was browsing for some animes thats relevantly similar to it. Came across Kaikan Phrase but had a doubt cause its quite old. But I somehow ended up watching it and have no regrets at all. Its Amazing.
I was so good that I started reading manga after watching anime. I wanted more of it but Manga was a lot of smut. Its quite different from anime. The main focus in anime is on the band and their success while the main focus in manga is on Sakuya & Aine's relation ship and its full smut, so I quit it.
I like Sakuya in the Anime more than the one in Manga.
Yeah both Anime and Manga are little or a lot different.
But I will DEFINITELY recommend the ANIME!!!


Kaikan Phrase revolves around a famous Japanese rock band called Aucifer. After the break up of their old band, guitarist Yuki & drummer Santa decide to form a new one. They recruit bass player Towa, young guitarist Atsuro, and after much persuasion, vocalist Sakuya. Together they form Lucifer and they struggle to make it in the music business, and also to stay together. As well, they have to deal with personal issues, such as parental objections, and watching their old bands succeed ahead of them. Sakuya is the most troubled band member, as he has to deal with his tragic past, and his relationship with teenaged lyricist Aine. 


The real life band called "Aucifer" was actually formed to promote the anime. It looked to be disbanded afterwards as Aucifer went inactive in 2003. They also created another band called "e.mu" to promote the rivalry in the story. The creators created two bands and promoted a rivalry to promote an anime series.


Probably one of the most troublesome main characters I've ever come across is Lucifer's vocalist, Sakuya. At first, he didn't even want to have anything to do with the band. The rest of the band members are pretty much at a loss when it comes to understanding him. The main reason why they even bothered with him in the first place was because they fell in love with his voice.
The reason for Sakuya's usually sour demeanor is revealed gradually in scenes where he and Aine get into conversations about the past.


Santa is the drummer for Lucifer, formerly the drummer for a band called "Climb." He left the band to create Lucifer when he discovered his girlfriend, Climb's vocalist, having an affair with one of Climb's other band members. When he left, Yuki, the guitarist, left with him.
Out of all the characters, Santa is the most vocal about their dream to reach the top. He has a lot of pride, and a positive but short-tempered attitude.
He probably has the hardest time dealing with Sakuya's sour personality, so different from his own. But in the end, he does try to form some sort of friendly bond with the lead vocalist of Lucifer. 



One of Lucifer's two guitarists. He and Santa were friends from the start, and is usually seen hanging out with Santa.
Yuki is designated as the leader of Lucifer. He has the calmest personality, usually thinking before he acts, and also the one who usually stops Santa from doing anything rash. The voice of reason.


Originally the guitarist for Lucy Lane, which disbanded since the rest of its members, composed mainly of college-bound students studying for exams, needed more time for their schoolwork and only saw music as a side hobby. He is now the second of Lucifer's two guitarists.
Atsuro, who was also brought up to become a college-bound student, finds himiself torn between the life of education planned for him by his parents, and the life of music that he finds himself obsessing over more and more.
Atsuro's sister also plays a big role in the early stages of Lucifer. She supports Atsuro even when his father decides to disown him from the family.


Towa, originally the bassist for a looks-only band called "Neon," and now the bassist for Lucifer. To many girl fans, and possibly male fans too, Towa looks awfully feminine o.o;. Blond hair, pink lipstick...? Eheh.
Towa ran away from home a long time ago to try to make his life as a musician. At the time, he left without a word to his family. He is oftentimes seen as an outsider, living alone in his own apartment, independent, and very solitary. He's more of the typical musician who seems to be meandering along, when in reality he does have dreams for the future - he just doesn't say them all out loud. 




I'll give the characters an outstanding. Each one of them has different characteristics that would make different kind of people relate to them. Nobody stood up annoyingly or overly dramatic. Even the female leads character was done just appropriately.
But there are a bit of differences between the anime and manga itself. In the anime, it gives more focus on the band Aucifer. In the manga, it gave more focus on the relationship between Aine and Sakuya. In the opening and beginning themes, they have real life actors portraying the characters.


The visuals are fine.The art was good for it's time but sometimes, details were lacking and movements weren't very fluid. It was quite enjoyable. 
You actually get to hear the music, it's good but not the best. I liked the song "C no binetsu" very much. Its the third opening song for the show.  I just cant get that song out of my head.
The voice acting is surprisingly good, except for the horrific Engrish. Each character’s seiyuu matches their personality well, and has enough of a diverse vocal range to match the melodic charm of the band.
If you really liked the manga and want to know more then go for it, if you really like the Music genre and a bit of romance on the side, go for it. If you hate slow relationships, don't watch it
Obviously I had a fun time watching it. Time well-spent! 44 episodes were just not enough for me.

Anime opening titles:
(C no binetsu)







2 comments:

  1. i just started watching the anime version cause i didn't know that there is anime of it but i like it. However, i already read the manga before and i really like the manga version...

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    1. I am sure you will enjoy anime version as long as you enjoy the music :)

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