Enjoyed both the “Love Live!” anime and feature length movie, it is by far my favourite in the idol genre, much more so than similar franchises like “the iDOLM@STER” or “Wake Up, Girls”. With “Love Live! The School Idol Movie” wrapping up the story of idol group µ’s from Otonokizaka high school, was looking forward to the “Love Live! Sunshine!!” anime which features a new cast.
The plot synopis of “Love Live! Sunshine!!” is near identical to that of the original “Love Live!” series, although taking place in Numazu instead of Tokyo, the story focuses on nine girls who form an idol unit to try and save their school from being closed down.
Based on the first episode alone, it is too early to judge if the nine Aquors girls will have personalities that are different enough from the girls from µ’s. Especially with the main lead character Chika being a bubbly, lively girl much like Honoka. We shall discover in upcoming episodes what these girls are like and what personalities they have.
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Wonder if this new “Love Live! Sunshine!!” show will be able to capture the audience with entertaining idol content similar to -yet still different enough from- the original “Love Live!” series and not turn out to be a bland copy. Enjoyed the first episode so I hope that it using the same formula as the original will actually be its strength.
Whereas idol franchises like “Wake Up, Girls” contain more serious plot threads and darker moments, “Love Live!” is always positive, overflowing with life and colour. There is never any real doubt that the characters in “Love Live!” will overcome any of the challenges they face, a positive outcome being a certainty.
The animation by studio Sunrise is excellent, the character design style and overall atmosphere in “Love Live! Sunshine!!” is identical to the first “Love Live!”, albeit that the city backgrounds have been replaced by that of a Japanese coastal city. What struck me in terms of animation were the intricate and exaggerated facial expressions, many scenes were a real treat and often downright hilarious.
Being an idol series, there is of course plenty of music with energetic, upbeat songs.
Am looking forward to the rest of “Love Live! Sunshine!!” and am confident will adore this idol show and the girls from Aquors as much as the original.
You can watch “Love Live! Sunshine!!” on Crunchyroll.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
