12 Days of Anime – Day 11: Confession of the Year
Kids on the Slope, or Sakamichi no Apollon, was a very good show that missed its opportunity to be a truly great show. Muddling middle and odd ending aside, the show had some excellent moments. In particular, I was incredibly impressed with Kaoru’s confession in the third episode. For me, it stands out as the best of the year, even if – or perhaps, due to how – Ritsuko didn’t reciprocate. Here’s how I described it at the time:
Kaoru plays Someday My Prince Will Come by Bill Evans for Ritsuko. She thinks the song is for another girl, but he tells her it is for her; she is the one he likes. It’s immediately obvious that Ritsuko is unprepared for this and can’t return his feelings. The situation hangs between happiness and sadness. There is both unspoken grieving and relief on Kaoru’s part. The tension in the scene switches from intimacy to awkwardness. Then the scene ends.
So it was. This scene was handled deftly and with tact. Certainly one of the best moments of the year.
O-New 
Sakamichi no Apollon is gradually becoming overlooked this season. Great job for bringing it back up
2012/12/24 at 05:47
Thanks. I agree. I think it’s hard for people to accept a show that promises greatness but delivers only slightly above average. It was over, and then largely forgotten.
2012/12/25 at 05:42