Anime Review: Kaleido Star

Kaleido Star is one of those animes that makes you want to be in it. After watching the entire anime (51 episodes) I felt as if i needed to join a circus.

Sora Naegino, the main character, is so cute that you cant help but fall in love with her. Normally that happens to one of the supporting characters in an anime. For example: Faye and Ed in Cowboy Beebop, Orihime in Bleach, Simca in Air Gear, Misa in Death Note, Etc... I could go on for pages with these. There is something about Sora's Character that affects both those in the show and watching the show.

Sora is a 16 year old girl who, after coming to America on vacation to watch a performance on Kaleido Stage with her parents when she was 6, decided to become a performer in Kaleido Stage. By any means necessary. So after leaving her home in japan on the day of the audition, traveling by plane to America by herself, and getting lost in the city, she still does not give up. After an encounter with a thief who tries to steal her bag, she gets taken to a police station where they think that she's a runaway. They keep her there for a while so she decides to start warming up in the station. Only then do they realize that she's here for the Kaleido Stage auditions. They offer to drive her over to the stage where she, again, gets lost trying to get to the audition room. When she gets there, they say that she missed the audition and will not be allowed to tryout. This breaks her heart and she leaves the stage area and stands by the ocean. The set manager comes out and offers to allow her to stay for the performance. While backstage, Sora accidentally inures one of the cast members. The Owner of the stage tells sora that she has to be the one to substitute in the Trampoline act. She starts off very clumsily but midway through one of the audience members shouts "You can do it!" Sora realizes that she's not allowed to give a bad performance and snaps out of it to perform to the end flawlessly. On her way out, the lead female star, Layla Hamilton, stops her and tells her that it was a disgraceful Debut and that she should leave the stage immediately and never return. She runs out crying only to be stopped by the Set manager, shouting that she passed the audition. She starts to dance around and all is well. She is shown to her dorm room and inside is a strange doll like thing... That talks. he says his name is Fool. And that he is the Spirit of the stage. And thats only the first episode.

Every Episode is Packed with comedy, cuteness, drama, action, and emotion. In addition to all that, every frame of this show is a piece of art. It is beautifully directed and the writing is equally as brilliant.

If i had to come up with something bad about this series, i have two complaints.
1: It's too short. Even after 51 episodes and 3 OVAs, i wanted more.
2: A Little more variety in the Background music. Most of it is trumpet fanfares and around episode 40, that got a little annoying. but it doesn't distract.
I literally Fell in love with Sora so when the show ended, i felt like i was dumped by a really awesome girlfriend. It made me depressed that it was over. I hear that there is currently in production a Manga that takes place 15 years after this series. If you know if any scanlation teams are working on this, let me know.
I Need More Kaleido Star!!!!!

The Audio quality for the American release leaves something to be desired. The American Voice actors are one of the worst Dubs I've ever heard. And I've heard a lot of bad dubs. I think thats why it managed to stay out of the spotlight. I definitely recommend watching this anime in Japanese with Subtitles. Sora is played by the same girl who did the American version of Excel Kobayashi from Excel Saga so as you can probably tell, her voice is rather annoying. Especially after 51 episodes.














Overall ratings:

Action: 9/10
Not the main focus of the show but when it is there, it flows nicely, is well choreographed, and Looks entertaining.

Fan service: 2/10
Cuteness is all you get. Sucks to be you, you filthy perverts.

Storyline: 10/10
As strong a storyline as i've ever seen.

Artwork: 10/10
The best there is. No Doubt about it. :)

Character design: 10/10
Every Character has a strong design and personality. You won't ever forget them.

Overall: 10/10
I feel confident in saying that this is the No. 1 Anime of the last DECADE.

Final Decision:
MUST OWN. Get your ass off the computer right now and buy it. I'm serious here.

And to finish this off, I have one last thing to say.

My Wings are my Dream... And on To the Sky!