UlasanAnime.com – This review delves into the anime “Natsuiro Kiseki,” exploring its connection to the Japanese music group Sphere and offering insights into the voice actresses and their characters.
The author admits to not being a fervent fan of Sphere, the idol group whose members voice the main characters. While appreciating individual voice actresses and some of their music, the reviewer holds certain perceptions about the group members’ popularity and talents.
One perception is that Ayahi is the least popular among the four. The reviewer finds this unfortunate, acknowledging that in any group of real-life idols, popularity disparities are inevitable. This perception isn’t based on talent, as Ayahi is often recognized as having the best singing voice within Sphere.
Minako is seen as the prettiest, at least based on general recognition. However, she is considered the least capable actress in the group.
You might also be interested in : Fierce Pirates
Aki and Haruka are noted as the most prolific members. Aki is clearly the most popular, while Haruka, despite her solo career before Sphere, is viewed as a slightly more controversial idol. Both have extensive experience in singing and voice acting, often landing roles due to their diverse skills and, in Haruka’s case, her wide vocal range.
The reviewer suggests that Saki might be the “best” character in the show, a sentiment echoed by others. It’s also posited that Minako and Ayahi having many lines isn’t coincidental. The anime, in this view, serves to showcase the Sphere girls, particularly those who don’t frequently get lead roles. Furthermore, the four main characters are believed to somewhat mirror the perceived personalities of their voice actresses.
However, the reviewer feels that Minako’s performance as a character doesn’t quite reach the mark. While tolerable, a specific scene on a boat, where Natsumi confronts Saki about her feelings, significantly tested Minako’s ability to deliver a convincing portrayal. Despite this, the reviewer acknowledges that given Yuka’s role (voiced by Tomatsu) was perhaps one of the most phoned-in performances in recent memory, it’s perhaps unfair to be overly critical of Sphere’s voice acting in an anime that essentially features them as themselves.
Considering the other performances, Aki’s portrayal of Rinko is described as adorable. Given Rinko’s limited dialogue and the low bar of “adorable,” Aki’s performance is considered a safe bet. Ayahi’s Saki, again, carries the emotional weight. The episode focusing on Yuka’s perspective as Saki is highlighted as one of the most interesting from a voice acting standpoint. The reviewer also notes that hearing Minako play a straightforward tomboy is a rare occurrence, adding a unique element to her role.
Regarding the story, production values, and music, the reviewer expresses no complaints. The writing is credited with saving the show. Seiji Mizushima is recognized for his solid directorial skills. Nijine’s previous musical work has been appreciated by the reviewer, and Masumi Ito’s involvement is also seen as beneficial. While the animation had its rough moments, it reportedly stepped up when it mattered. The anime’s themes and plot devices effectively obscure the basic premise while adding a predictable yet comfortable depth to the characterization, allowing for subtle growth, such as the hug Yuka gives Natsumi at the end.
The character chemistry is clearly established from the outset, with pairings like Yuka and Rinko, and Natsumi and Saki. However, there are several touching moments, such as Rinko’s flushed smile towards Natsumi, or how Yuka’s infectious joy influences Saki. This dynamic is subtly mirrored in the final episode, with Rinko’s mother knowingly exchanging a glance with Natsumi’s mother.
This particular interaction is considered by the reviewer to be a potential climax of the series. However, this might have been surpassed by the events a few weeks prior, during the visit to Saki’s future new home.
