There is no art form more polarizing than the musical. On one hand, their catchy tunes and enthusiasm can be uplifting and positive. On the other hand, however, there is the criticism that this relentless optimism comes at the price of real-life relatability.
Like its live-action counterpart, anime musicals are no stranger to this delicate balance--in fact, the best anime musicals tend to be the ones that use music as a vehicle to express a whole spectrum of emotion and experience.
Here are the top ten anime musicals, according to IMDB.
10 Zombieland Saga (6.9/10)
Zombieland Saga takes an unconventional approach to idol culture. Protagonist Sakura Minamoto dies in a traffic accident very suddenly, stymieing her dreams of becoming a pop idol. At least, that's what anyone, including Sakura, would think. Fast forward ten years later, Sakura wakes up as a zombie in the Saga district with no recollection of her past life. A man named Koutarou Tatsumi reveals he resurrected her and six other girls in order to revitalize Saga with an idol group.
This group of un-dead girls, given another chance at life, agrees to go along with Koutarou's plot. The result is idol pop music that transcends the divide between the living and the dead -- and a 6.9 out of 10 on IMDB.
9 Forest of Piano (Piano no Mori) (7/10)
As a Netflix original anime (at least in it's English dubbed iteration), Forest of Piano earned 7 out of 10 stars on IMDB for its unique portrayal of two young boys from very different backgrounds. This coming-of-age story contextualized within the world of classical music provides protagonists Kai and Shuhei to connect via music in a way that they couldn't through any other means.
The collision of Kai's free-spirited world with Shuhei's more structured world makes for several beautiful piano ballads. The obvious care and devotion to one another add an additional layer of depth to each measured composition.
8 White Album 2 (7.2/10)
White Album 2 is one of those rare cases in which the sequel is broadly considered to be better than the original installment. Protagonist Haruki Kitahara is a guitarist and sole member of the Light Music Club until an accidental harmonization with a beautiful piano medley and clear vocals spurs him to action. He recruits Kazusa Touma and Setsuna Ogiso to join the waning club based on their chance collaboration.
IMDB gives White Album 2 a 7.2 out of 10, a solid improvement from the previous series score of 6.5. Reviews praise the original composition of plucky guitar, powerful piano, and lilting vocals.
7 K-On! (7.6/10)
K-On! is a light-hearted anime filled with the sights and sounds of an all-girl band. Navigating the seemingly never-ending obstacles of school, drummer Ritsu, rhythm guitarist Azusa, bassist Mio, keyboardist Tsumugi and lead guitarist Yui stick together through thick and thin. IMDB gives this series a 7.6 out of 10, with reviews praising director Naoko Yamada's ability to elevate a show without dramatic tension as "insightful and lovely," focusing "more about character, less about the plot."
The band, After School Tea Time makes no presumptions about stardom or instant hits. Instead, the girls produce music that is easy to listen to and makes the show, as a result, an easy watch--especially after a long day.
6 Detroit Metal City (Detoroito Metaru Shiti) (8/10)
As far as musicals go, Detroit Metal City is pretty out-there. IMDB reviewers gave it 8 out of 10 overall for its original take on the genre. One reviewer wrote, "With quirky humor and interesting ideas this feels more like a television series than a movie but still manages to provide both the laughs and the shocks." Following the double life of Soichi Negishi, a normal J-Pop loving student by day and death metal front-man by night, this anime's black comedy can be whiplash-inducing.
No stranger to hyperbole, this musical depicts fans of death metal as wild, bizarre, and dangerous--but still somehow endearing.
5 Tomorrow's Cantabile (Nodame Cantabile) (8.2/10)
Protagonist Shinichi Chiaki is a guy who has it all -a prestigious family background, a world-class education, and a superior musical talent that, paired with his perfectionism, will surely get him far. The only thing stopping him from reaching his goal to perform in Europe is his fear of flying. Enter Megumi Noda, "Nodame" as she prefers to be called, a haphazard and unkempt student at Shinichi's musical school - as well as his next-door neighbor.
There is more than meets the eye with Nodame, however, as she is revealed to be an amazing pianist. Nodame accompanies Shinichi on the piano while he masterfully balances compositions on the violin. The musical tension, as well as the personal tension between the two musicians, provides ample intrigue --earning this show an 8.2 out of 10.
4 Kids on the Slope (Sakamichi no Apollon) (8.3/10)
Another musical of two students from different worlds brought together by their shared love of music, this anime garnered 8.3 out of 10 stars. Directed by Shin'ichirô Watanabe, the jazzy interludes breaking up and connecting scenes creates a sense of brimming intent across this 12-episode series.
Kaoru Nishimi, the new kid in class, is shy and brainy, not quite comfortable in his skin or at playing piano with his strict aunt. Sentaro Kawabuchi, resident bad-boy, and Ritsuko Mukae, the cute head-of-class, introduce Kaoru to the world of jazz, and the rest is history.
3 Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad (8.3/10)
Until he met guitar prodigy, Ryusuke Minami, protagonist Yukio "Koyuki" Tanaka was an average 14-year old kid. Fate seemingly intervenes in Koyuki's life when he saves a peculiar looking dog named Beck from a group of kids, which leads him to Ryusuke. This chance encounter results in Koyuki's joining the band, named after the dog Beck, and provides the junior-high-school studio with a new perspective on Western music, as well as new friends.
The anime dives into the creation and mastery of several original rock and roll songs, which the viewer gets to experience through Koyuki's newfound awe. Whereas the live-action adaptation of the manga ends with Beck, re-branded as Mongolian Chop Squad, killing it at the Grateful 5 musical festival, the anime continues on until a fateful encounter before the band's US tour takes off. Overall, the anime's tasteful balance of original rock music and authentic personal relationships earned it an 8.3 out of 10.
2 Nana (8.4/10)
The eponymous protagonists in Nana grapple with a budding relationship while also transitioning into adulthood, earning the musical a solid 8.4 out of 10 on IMDB. The anime's score infuses an electric pop/rock energy into the musical, giving life to a ubiquitous feeling of constant, dizzying motion.
This anime is not just a staple in the musical anime genre, but also in the queer category, as it implies a deeper connection between the two Nana's. This becomes increasingly relevant as the anime depicts and underlying potential between the two protagonists that is is not made explicit. Nonetheless, the anime follows true to the manga and depicts the diverging and converging moments of the protagonists' lives as they chase their respective dreams for love and fame.
1 Your Lie in April (8.6/10)
The tried and true tropes in Your Lie in April make it an instant classic, buoyed by a musicality that fits like a glove. The protagonist, Kōsei Arima, was once a piano child prodigy, but after experiencing a trauma, he can no longer hear the sound of his piano. Enter the manic pixie dream girl Kaori Miyazono, whose energetic and free-spirited approach to violin inspires Kōsei to get re-acquainted with the piano. A pivotal white lie earlier on informs the title of this anime -- and without spoiling the plot it is safe to say that it is emotionally devastating.
It seems only right that this musical earns the highest score on IMDB at 8.6 out of 10, as it is widely regarded as one of the best musical anime of all time.