Some thoughts on K-on

WARNING: THIS POST KINDA GETS DERAILED INTO RAMBLING ABOUT MY OWN LIFE IN THE MIDDLE, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

Approximately 5 minutes ago, I just finished watching the 24th episode of K-on!!. As shocked as I was and still am about the fact, I still have tears on my face.

I remember when K-on first came out. In fact, I can still dig up that old “first impressions” post I wrote. To say that I liked the show or that I was impressed by it would be something that couldn’t be further than the truth. The BGM was quite boring for a show based on music (and I have to say that it didn’t really improve), the characters seemed flat and looked blobby, and overall, the ending song was the only thing I liked about it. Of course, the chances of me watching the show was greatly reduced by the legions of people cheering about how moe Mio is. Oddly enough, I didn’t watch Haruhi and Lucky Star at first for similar reasons, but I grew to absolutely love those two shows. Maybe that’s the reason that I decided to give the show a second chance. You know what, I am SO glad that I watched this show.

I can list out a bunch of reasons for liking this show.

There is plenty of background porn and actual things animated in the background.

The animation is fluid and completely amazing.

The swipes are adorable.

The side characters completely steal the show.

The vocal songs are fantastic and gets stuck in your head like nothing else. And-guh, I think I’m starting to cry again…

There is no plot to speak of, and almost everything are simple, everyday events. Who HASN’T spent a day worried about a phoroshoot? Who HASN’T experienced the bittersweet bliss of procrastination?

Who HASN’T set out to do something, only to end up sleeping before doing anything? I think that’s why I like this show. The characters, and especially Mugi (who is my favorite character) are endlessly curious and eager to explore and enjoy the life around them. Through the small interactions between people, the girls of Houkago Tea Time works their way into the everyday lives of the viewers. Slowly but surely, I found myself grinning throughout the episodes. Some of it had to do with my enjoyment of the jokes, but most of it was simply because the K-on world is a nice place to be.

Then, there came the realization that the girls are growing up and moving on. The impact I felt from that is probably greater because of where I am right now. When Yui was worried about her future, I could relate because I’m worried about MY future. I’m growing up. It was my 18th birthday a week ago. I was filling out university applications this morning. I’m absolutely terrified of graduation, and what it will do to me and my relationships with people. I probably won’t be able to just go and grab a taiyaki to eat with my best friend in a few months. My boyfriend was talking to me about living together. In a few months, it might be the last time that I’m living in this house, with my family, my pets, my everything. When I get to university, I probably won’t be able to keep posting at this blog either. Even then, I can’t help but worry about my grades, which aren’t close enough to 100%, and how the hell I’m going to get a good job i this kind of economy. It feels like everything in my life is graduating, and I’m Anzunyan desperately wishing for everything to stay the same, despite knowing that I am eventually going to graduate, just like everyone else.And that’s why K-on resonates with me. The characters inside? They care about their future, but they don’t let fear and worries take away from their enjoyment of life. They support one another, and find support in one another. It’s because of their love for live and everything in it that they’re so lovable to the viewers.Yui is Yui, with her clumsy ADD space case/cool for that one second personality. Ritsu is Ritsu, with her constant lack of memory for any and all official business. Mio is Mio, with her unending streaming of embarrassment but lack of hesitation for violence when needed. Mugi is Mugi, with her instantly recognizable eyebrows and plethora of sweets tucked away. Anzunyan is Anzunyan, even if she never admits to how easily she gets bribed by cake. Sawa-chan is Sawa-chan, with completely awesome ninja manouvers including the ability to appear out of nowhere. Ui is Ui, with her OH MY GOD MY EYES ARE BLINDED BY HER WIFE-NESS capabilities. 

And of course, K-on is K-on, with the endless wardrobes and the gags and the awesome visual effects and the little details in the animation and the long days of something but nothing and the procrastination which turn out to be more fun anyway and the friendship and the love and the everyday life that everyone loves. That is why I’m so touched by the show. That’s why episode 24 made me cry more than Clannad.So long, and thanks for all the cake.

via http://calamitousintents.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/some-thoughts-on-k-on/