Kids on the Slope is a another series from Shinichiro Watanabe as well as music done by Yokko Kanno.

The show takes place in 1966 as we follow a student names Kaoru Nishimi who just recently moved to Sasebo to live with relatives of his. He is mostly the type of person to keep to himself but that begins to changed when he been Sentaro Kawabuchi who is in the same class as him and is known throughout the school as a guy who doesn't listen to rules. They are at odds with each other until a mutual friend of both of them, Ritsuko Mukae brings Kaoru over to her dad record shop where in the basement they have a Jazz band, and in that band is Sentaro. Kaoru then begins to take an interest in Jazz and even begins to have a friendship with Sentaro as well as Ritsuko.

Many times the show could've gone into the trap of other shows that focus on teen romance especially the love triangle aspect. While in this show it almost approaches that, it luckily goes into its own that flows well with the show. I liked how what really brings Kaoru and Sentaro together is Jazz and how they express their emotions through playing it.

The only thing that did bother me at first while watching the show was the expected unexpected events that happen through out the show. It's not so much a problem with the show because, its actually the overall theme of the show. How Jazz and life and similar because they both are unexpected. 

Once again the characters in this show just like all of Watanabe shows are very well developed and have great interaction between each other. They are very memorable and interesting as you begin to learn more about them through out the series. What is more interesting is how they begins to change and act as they find out more about each other and their past really using that to development both sides.

Music is very special in most of Watanabe shows and this one feels the most personal and we'll used. The primary focus is the characters but the driving force that connects them is Jazz. I like how they like to play Jazz mostly for recreation and passion, not to become the very best in the world which is quite common in many Animes.

The shows feels small, but very personal, you travel through the school year with the characters and not from a distance. If you are a fan of Music especially Jazz than this is a show for you. It also has a great story with memorable characters that go through a youthful journey. 

Rating: