That is one long title over there. Fear not my salamanders. Like all Japanese anime's with long names this one has it's own abbreviation too: UtaPri(Uta-Puri as the Japanese slang goes). Think how Katekyo Hitman Reborn is fondly referred to as KHR by fans.
Story concept is relatively simple. This is a reverse harem harem. Ha! Now I'll let you go through your brain and scan all the stereotypes a reverse-anime might encompass.
This anime is truly unique because a) heroine is not a helpless dimwit who needs rescuing 24-7, b) heroine actually has a fantastic personality, c) like Marginal Prince(which by the way the quality of the anime was truly marginal, see what I did there?), this is a musical anime that features really catchy J-Pop songs sung by really talented seiyuu's. It's the kind I would have on my handphone(I am very picky about my songs, really).
Saotome Academy is a performing arts school run by an eccentric but demonically talented principal who is said to be a legend among singers. His team of teachers are comprised of a prolific action star and a pop superstar singer who is noted for his cross dressing styles. Now that I think of it, there are only these 2 people as teachers...that aside, moving along.
The school is divided into Idol Classes and Composition Classes. Idol tsudent classes are the singers/dancers/actors and Composition classes are students who make lyrics, melody, scripts and choreography for the Idols. You could say the Idol and Composition classes work together to produce a masterpiece of a song. Those 6 bishounen you see at the top? They're considered the school's 'shining stars'. Also because we don't care about other irrelevant characters with normal black hair brown eyes we shall bask in the awesomeness of this boys with impossible eye color and equally ridiculous hair color. Not complaining, but still.
Nanami Haruka pretty much spends the first few episodes meeting her own harem(albeit oblivious to it) and share a special bond with each of them. It is up to the audience discretion to decipher if they really like her as a talented composer or they do have a romantic interest in her.
Now, character introductions.
~*Nanami Haruka*~
Seiyuu: Miyuki Sawahiro
The object of everyone's affection, Nanami is a shy, clever girl who's always bringing out her full potential to be a better composer. Ever since meeting upon a chance an Idol by the name Hayato, she was determined since then on to compose songs only for him i.e she wants to write a song for him and have the honor of him singing her songs because she was so enchanted by his smooth clear cut voice. When her graduation exam ensues, she was to choose a partner from the Idol class. She was left with quite a dilemma when ALL SIX of them listed her as their preferred partner. Not wanting to hurt anyone, she chose all six and wrote a group song that enticed the eccentric principal himself, so much so that he decided these six boys would make a debut as a boy band who would go by the name of ST☆RISH.
~*Ichinose Tokiya/Hayato*~
Seiyuu: Mamoru Miyano
A gifted singer with a beautiful
voice(look at the voice actor, is this any surprise?) but has a
reputation of being a frivilous airhead as Hayato. His Tokiya persona
is a lot more stable. He entered Saotome Academy disguised as a twin
brother but is eventually found out and pissed of many people,
especially his nakama(the other bishounen's). He lives to sing,
without it he
goes crazy. Even his intention of
joining the academy was solely to sing wholeheartedly. He and Nanami
are implied to be the official couple.
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~*Ittoki Otoya*~
Seiyuu: Takuma Terashima
A childlike, cheerful and friendly
young man. He is also one of the contenders for Nanami's 'affection'.
Out of the 6 boys, he is the only one who's mentally stable and seem
to have a level head on his shoulders. Seriously, he barely gets into
trouble. He helps out and keeps the boys together in unity and peace
- like the stronghold for a pillar. Very sweet and sociable, this is
the guy you want as a best friend and boyfriend.
~*Kurusu Sho*~
Seiyuu: Hiro Shimono
A pint-sized metrosexual young man
who's very much into hats. Has a grumpy mood. Can be very selfish and
a little bit of a show-off. Apparently he's prettier than a girl when
he's dolled-up in a dress. People are always poking fun of his height
but everyone has a soft spot for him. He has a great respect for
Hyuuga-sensei whom I mentioned earlier to be a famous action hero and
have a great desire to act alongside him.
~*Jinguji Ren*~
Seiyuu: Junichi Suwabe
A tall, elegant and beautiful young man
you can say is the 'romeo' of the school. He often says cheesy
pick-up lines that almost all insipid girls in the school fall for
with the exception of Nanami, of course. He has a dark side that he
represses about his traumatic childhood and almost gave up on music.
Nanami manages to cajole him by promising to write a song that would
him proud to sing it. He's an excellent Saxophone player.
~*Hijirikawa Masato*~
Seiyuu: Kenichi Suzumura
A stoic and serious young man who is
the heir to a traditional Japanese family. Nurtured since young that
his appearance and personality match that of a powerful conglomerate
heir, he strives to use music as a way to express his repressed
emotions. He offers some wise advice for Nanami and always lends an
ear when she's needs someone to talk to. He is childhood friends with
Jinguji Ren.
Satsuki, the dark side of Natsuki
This is good ol' cute Natsuki.
~*Shinomiya Natsuki/Satsuki*~
Seiyuu: Kisho Taniyama
A playful, nerdy bespectacled young man
who seems to have a split personality. Dear God just dont remove his
glasses! He likes cute stuff like soft toys and baking cakes(which
are always disastrous but his friends are too polite to say
anything). He is said to be a genius when it comes to making songs.
His violent and temperamental Satsuki persona might have been
repressed as a defense mechanism as we do get a glimpse of his
childhood enduring over-bearing parents.
~*Ajima Cecil*~
Seiyuu: Kousuke Toriumi
A cursed prince of a long-forgotten
kingdom appeared in Nanami's dream one night ushering her to 'do the
right thing'. His attire resembles that of Indian/Middle-Eastern
culture and his dark complexion further clarifies so. (Oh, please his
name is CECIL! Obviously he's not Japanese). He is implied to make a
more notable appearance later in the anime. I CAN'T WAIT.
~*Ryuuha Hyuuga*~
Seiyuu: Koji Yusa
A tall teacher who is also a famous
action star. He seem to be well liked by his students. He and the
principal share a secret that might just involve Nanami and her
ST☆RISH entourage.
~*Tsukimiya Ringo*~
Seiyuu: Yuichi Nakamura
Note: THIS IS A MAN, DO NOT BE
DECEIVED. He is a popular singer who is noted for his trademark
cross-dressing as a way to make an impression on his fans. He comes
off as an airhead but beneath those long pink tresses, lies a
conniving and scheming bastard.
Originality: 10/10. Instead of having
the usual normal high school girl with very little intelligence, we
have a story about a bunch of kids trying to break out as
celebrities. Like, how cool is that?
Plot: 8/10. It does have it's mundane
moments but it promises to keep you hooked nonetheless.
Artwork: 9/10. Clear cut coloring and
drawing, it's artistic definition is impeccable. There aren't many
animes out there that portrays characters with accurate body
proportions.
Overall: 7/10. Some parts gets a little
boring and predictable.
Some character gallery for you.
