Kaleido Star

You have a dream don't you? Of course you do. Everyone has one. A dream to do something that no one else has ever done, or maybe someone else has done it and you want nothing more than to follow in their footsteps. It could have started when you were a child, maybe even recently, but no matter what, your heart doesn't let it rest. It's something you want more than anything, even more than you think you want it. Kaleido Star is the story of our dreams. How they all start from tiny things. Memories from days gone by that we think are insignificant,but at the same time, have really touched us and inspired us to become who we are today. Our dreams are not easy though. There will always be detours and obstacles in our way, and no dream can be reached without putting our own inner selves to the ultimate test, but if we can overcome these obstacles, befriend our enemies, and see the good in everyone's dreams that they aspire for as well, then your dream can come true. Despite the formulaic way Kaleido Star goes about fulfilling the dreams of the characters, it works splendidly because of how sincere each and every character is about wanting their special dream to come true, and how the series treats the sincerity of each character with a great deal of respect to the point that the formulaic contrivances such as the cliched "special training" and running away only to come back having "found yourself" feel like genuine happenings. Likewise, this series as it is couldn't be anything without its characters. The main focal point of the series is seeing the growth and struggle of all the members of Kaleido Stage from the primadonna to the lowly stagehands, and oh how they grow, and oh how they struggle. I credit this series immensely with how it puts each and every character through their own personal wringer, good guys and "bad guys" alike. It never lets them take the easy way out. Each and every accomplishment any character achieves is 100% earned. There are no gimmes. And oh the accomplishments! I can't go into detail because of spoilers but this is where the technical aspects really shine! For as much as people seem to tease GONZO for being GONZO, this is arguably their opus. A setting such as Kaleido Stage requires dazzling animation to fully bring out the Cirque du Soleil atmosphere of the stage, and the animation astounds every time, especially the climaxes of both halves of the series. They are so gorgeous, that don't be surprised if you forget to breathe for a moment. The soundtrack is also quite lovely with lots of wonderful performances, especially Ryou Hirohashi as Sora, who brings the same radiance and energy that Sora herself embodies. With outstandingly gorgeous animation, heartwarming performances, characters that make you believe that everyone in this world, no matter how heartless or cruel they may be, are all good people inside, and a story that invokes you to believe your dreams, no matter how great or small, can all come true. Kaleido Star is one of the best anime I have ever seen. Heartwarming, heartbreaking, and inspiring to all. This is the stuff true dreams are made of. Overall, I happily give Kaleido Star a 10 out of 10.

A certain expectation arises for an anime series such as this, which takes the effort to build a unique premise and story. Without the telltale signs of pervasive cliché, like a harem or giant piloted robot, I had good hopes for Kaleido Star. The show wasn’t even approaching flawless or astonishing on any technical level, or even in the way its story was written and reared, but what I found is that it had an intoxicating charm and that it was far more vibrant and ‘energetic’ than most anime. When I say energetic, I don’t mean just a cast of genki characters relentlessly talking quickly,and running around, I mean it had a certain sparkle in its eye, or a skip in its step that elevated it above its content, and even its technical quality of production. Something intangible was born from the sum of its parts, its voice acting, colourful animation, charismatic score music, and its amalgamation of so many fascinating characters and relationships. Even when I was shaking my head in the second season at how incoherent and silly the story had become, I was simultaneously glued to the screen, and enthralled by the climactic stage performances. Even though I’ve never considered myself a fan of anything to do with the stage or of shows that rely mostly on drama to hook their audience, I thoroughly enjoyed this series, both in the sense that it was fun, laidback entertainment, and in that it was occasionally emotionally stirring. The most prominent feature of Kaleido Star is undoubtedly its characterisation, and as such, each character is given a strong dream or ambition that they strive towards over the course of the show, as well as a heavily fleshed-out personality. Almost every character is likeable and easy to become attached to. If you find that you’re a sucker for getting behind your favourite characters and empathising with their hardships, then Kaleido Star is a good bet. By the end of the show, the real emotional impact lies not in the conclusion to the plot, but in the final send-off for a great cast of characters you’ve come to know and love. Relationships are dealt with, but almost always in the form of friendships, rivalries and companionships. Rarely does Kaleido Star tread in the thorny realm of romance, and when it does it’s usually just for a cheap gag. Don’t be deterred though, the friendships that are grown over the course of the series have more weight to them than most romantic relationships in anime. I’m not sure if the characters interactions are massively realistic, but they are believable and earnest enough to work. Really though, the rest of the series is in orbit around Sora Naegino, the heart and star of the series. Fortunately, she is really a great protagonist, particularly in the first season. She is portrayed very much as being a real person, with holes poked into her resolve to achieve her dreams, and struggles that she must overcome, not with superhero talent, but with hard work and perseverance. I must admit to being in admiration of her from time to time. Most importantly, through all the harsh training she endures, you end up really wanting to see her succeed, which really makes the stage performance scenes what they are. The animation used in the stage show scenes themselves is certainly quite good. Although the level of detail in the cel animation is overall surprisingly low, the stage scenes are carried by a high degree of fluidity in the animation and strong use of artistic direction, such as the use of colour and dramatic camera angles. The music definitely helped to create the sense of tension and beauty required. I do think they could have been done better, and rendered in more lavish detail befitting the scope of the shows, but for a 51-episode tv series it’s production is definitely solid. Unfortunately, off-stage doesn’t allow for the same graceful movement to overcome the simple visual style. The background art lacks personality and detail. The character designs range from completely bland and uninteresting to memorable. Sora and Rosetta, fit into the latter category, while most of the other character designs leave little impression. The music had a very strong presence in the series, and it was definitely good quality, with rousing instrumentals and melancholic strings tugging at the heart when required. However, it was far too repetitive; far more music is required for a series of this length to stop the tracks from overstaying their welcome. The OPs and EDs were relatively good. I watched the first and second OPs every episode, but was appalled by the 3rd. The plot, looked at in isolation, is very weak indeed, marred by inconsistency and incongruence, especially in the way the plot for season 1 is wholly confused by that of season 2. The way terms like “true Kaleido Star” were thrown about really annoyed me, in much the same way as the over-use of the Angel/Demon analogy in season 2. It all felt so contrived and silly, as though it was an attempt to give the stage some sort of misplaced mythology that ended up just being a distraction from the performances themselves. Furthermore, Leon Oswald’s backstory, and his frequent visions of Sophie grated my patience, because they were a symptom of the overall problem with the second half of the story, which is immature and simplistic plot development. Everything was given parallel and faux meaning with such forceful blatancy that it became a nagging irritation. However, unlike most series, the plot is not the backbone of the show, and with its strong characterisation and emotional themes, it can stand on its feet without the need for a concrete story to support it. Kaleido Star is no great achievement as an anime series from a technical or cynical perspective. If you watch past the first season, the plot becomes haphazardly thrown together and nauseatingly unsophisticated. However, for its colour, vitality and charm, Kaleido Star proves to be a worthy entertainer/ Perhaps ones could look at the series for advice about why it is so enjoyable - like Sora’s stage play, it is unpretentious fun, and manages to keep itself at an arms length away from derivative clichés. And more than just light-hearted fluff, it has the potential to wet the eyes of all its viewers through Sora’s trials and mesmerising triumphs.

What defines a masterpiece? Well, for me it isn’t something that is objectively perfect, it’s something that I find enough personal significance in point that I could consider it subjectively perfect. Kaleido Star may not have the prettiest dress at the ball, it might not appear or sound unique, but the way it pulls together all of its elements makes it so much more than the sum of its parts. Perhaps some people may not get the same experience that I got from Kaleido Star, but it does have undeniable strengths that captivated me through 51 fulfilling episodes. Passionate people worked on this and createda product of consistent quality, so why have so few people watched it? Well, the answer is probably that 51 episodes show with a seemingly female target audience is something many people might not want to devote nearly 20 hours too. I almost passed on it too, but after I watched the first episode I knew it was not just a simple show catered to a certain audience. With a protagonist who has the same drive you’d expect of a shounen lead and intense rivalries that reaped some of the most satisfying battles I have ever seen in an anime without ever being violent, Kaleido Star’s range of appeal becomes very wide. It evokes a myriad of themes that are carefully woven into the show, they apply to anyone’s lives which increases the potential for anyone to resonate with it. Some of the themes include following your dreams, not pushing down others to move yourself up in the world, real people are not as simple as they may seem on the surface. Also, even with a predominantly female cast, the main focus isn’t feminism, but it does empower its female characters at many points and always treats them respectively. As the name implies, Kaleido Star is like a kaleidoscope, the story has multiple layers and the characters have many sides which become more evident as you watch. Story: 10/10 Kaleido Star tells the story of a dopey young woman who leaves her home in Japan to join a world famous acrobat circus known as Kaleido Stage in America to become a trapeze artist. The show opens on Sora, the leading lady, coming to a city in America that vaguely resembles San Francisco, in a time period that looks like the early 2000s but is intertwined with anachronisms to keep the audience intrigued by the setting. She comes to America with a dream of becoming the star of Kaleido Stage, a world-famous circus, and to perform alongside her idol, and the current star of the show, Layla Hamilton. Sora arrives late to her Kaleido Stage audition but the owner gives her a second chance, which causes her peers, including Layla, to ostracize her for receiving special privilege. She practices twice as hard as everyone else in order to prove to her peers that she was worth special consideration, once people catch on to her dedication they warm up to her. Most of the characters who become Sora’s friends begin by scrutinizing her for her unrefined talents and overly optimistic personality. The process of people treating her harshly, then once they see her dedication to her dream they become friends with her is repeated multiple times with new cast members. After seeing Sora struggle through blood sweat and tears to approach her dream, it feels incredibly uplifting as the people who once heckled her cheer her along, and at the end of every training arc is a beautiful and cathartic performance on the Kaleido Stage. My favorite moments of Kaleido Star were those performances. Everything that occurs in a training arc felt like it was building up to the performances, they punctuate the story well, only happening once every few episodes, the longer the wait the more stunning the performance. Separating the main arcs are brief one episode long stories that act independently of the main conflict. These episodes may seem like filler, but they each had something incredibly valuable to say. For example, in episode 6 Sora found a sickly seal on the beach and is compelled to take care of it; that entire episode serves as a metaphor for the life of single mothers who struggle to follow their dreams and sustain their children. Episodes like this serve to balance out the pacing and connect one arc to the next; they also add more development to the supporting cast, while the main arcs develop Sora and the rival who she struggles to prove herself to. The director has a keen eye for detail, consistently offering metaphors as another way to experience the story. His sincere care for the product he has created comes across with incredible panache; I will definitely watch his other work, Aria, after reviewing Kaleido Star. It’s worth mentioning that the 51 episodes are divided into two seasons. In the second season Sora regresses back to being at the bottom of the food chain, new characters join the fray so inevitably more rivalries are formed. The pitch for the second season may seem like a retread of familiar ground to some, but I believe the addition of new cast members, one being a major rival, cause Sora be seen at a different angle, which further adds to her character. She is forced to question her dreams in the second season. Instead of desiring to be the best of the best, she explores why she has her dream and now that she is achieving it how can she make the most of it. Characters: 10/10 Sora's goofiness and optimism felt offputting initially, but it grew on me as I saw she was more than just a dope, she has dreams and is willing to work harder than most serious people would. She takes training very seriously, sometimes even at the expense of her safety. It gets to a nearly ridiculous point when she's covered in bruises that it looks like she's been in a war zone, but it adds to the endearment of her character, her realistic dedication is what made me take her seriously. She comes under scrutiny by many of her peers at Kaleido Stage but avoids it by inviting them to parties and being just nice in general to everyone. Sora is the type of character everyone would want to root for because of her power to bring people together and put an end to discord. All of the supporting cast that surrounds Sora grow and change as people throughout the show, it never felt like a moment was wasted. Even the smallest cast members are given care and attention so that they’re compelling and not forgettable, the writer really never misses a beat. The supporting characters all start out as simple one sentence long descriptions, but as the episodes proceed the cast members become realistic and relatable people with themes that anyone can connect with, which is the reason why I’ll remember the ones that resonated with me long after I finish this review. Some of the themes that form the characters are, regretting not following your dreams, changing your dream upon discovering something else you’re passionate about, and the scrutiny from people who judge you for following your dreams. The themes proposed in the show are never forgotten, they stick with the characters and form them into believable people. For example; Sora’s friend Ana loves making people laugh, once we discover why it brings her such great joy, her character becomes a real person with dreams of her own, not just a one-dimensional comic relief side character. The major cast consists of Sora and her friends and coworkers at the Kaleido Stage. One of her greatest friends and employee at the stage is Ken, the guy who’s is always there for Sora, from the moment she arrives he is friendly. When she loses hope or strays from her dream, he is there to guide her back onto the right path. Despite not being able to participate in the sport himself he still offers wisdom and advice that could help anyone, which is thanks to his experience on the sidelines. He reminds the viewers that all people need someone to rely on to help them overcome obstacles in their lives. On the flip side is Layla. She has a harsh and unwelcoming personality, but it makes her sympathetic mannerisms more perceivable thanks to a visible contrast between her coldness and kindness. In the first season, she’s Sora’s rival and pushes her to be the best acrobat she can, sometimes to seemingly unrealistic ends, so that she can grow not only as a performer but as a person. In the second season She pushes Sora to question why she is pursuing her dream and what it stands for, she does this so that Sora can better grasp what she truly wants from life. I connected with Sora throughout the show, so when Layla questioned if her dreams were what she really wanted, it made me contemplate what I aspired towards. There were many times Layla imparted her worldly experience onto Sora and the viewers, which convinced me that the director made the right choice to include her prudently in the show. There are a couple of acrobats that Sora faces off against on the stage, but her and Layla's battle is the most visually stunning in the show, and it felt infinitely satisfying to see her obtain her dream after hours of time spent working up to it. Art 9/10 Visual quality in the bulk of the episodes is solid, but it’s clear that a large percentage of the budget was put towards animating the performances, which was a good choice considering how important they are to the show. The increased animation quality in the most spectacular moments only serves to heighten suspense and emotion. The show's character designs are fairly standard, but their given life through the development. Sound 9/10 All of the music is good, it’s for the most part standard and repeated throughout the show, but it does shine when it really matters. Beautiful orchestral music enhances the trapeze scenes reflecting the performer's reaction, it significantly adds to the emotional impact of these moments, making them my favorite scenes in the show that I constantly awaited. There are multiple openings/endings and all of them are incredibly upbeat and catchy. They are very much tonally in keeping with the rest of the show. I watched the English dub and it's serviceable, but some of the minor one-note characters are poorly voiced. There were a few occasional awkward pauses and wooden deliveries, but the Sora and the other leads are well voiced. Enjoyment: 10/10 If you want a show just for the sake of entertainment this one’s got you covered. The metaphors in Kaleido are everpresent but never intrusive or heavy-handed (unlike the ham-fisted allegory that Angel Beats was, it forced onto the viewers the idea that succeeding in school would lead to the best life possible). If you want to ignore the metaphors in Kaleido Star and solely watch it for entertainment’s sake you have that option. If the idea of searching for a hidden meaning in a show sounds off-putting then don’t worry because a side character known as Fool appears in every episode and lets the audience know roughly what theme is being tackled in a cryptic manner. The most enjoyment I got from Kaleido Star came from the performances. They’re thrilling and cathartic, you never could quite be sure of the outcome of each one, she fails many times along the way, leading up to the final and most satisfying performance at the end of the show to complete Sora's character arc. Final Score: 10/10 I tried my best not to spoil it much, but even if you do feel you know too much about the story don't worry. It's not a show about twists and turns, while it does have it's fair share of them, it's about the journey each character goes through along the way and the messages they each have to offer. Kaleido Star has so much to say about life and the human condition that I feel as though I could watch it forever. It’s 51 episodes of pure brilliance, and I'll be returning to it throughout my life as I confront the obstacles that Sora and her friends faced.

The graceful motions of the swings, the dazzling lights of the stage, the crowd cheering with delight. These are some of the spectacular imageries of Kaleido Star, a phenomenal story about a young acrobat who reaches her dream through sheer dedication and practice. Facing countless challenges only to overcome them all, she rises higher and higher until the circus tents—no, the sky itself—could no longer limit her reach. The premise of Kaleido Star will probably be one of the most down-to-earth synopsis you’ll ever read, but such familiarity is what gives the show its peculiar charm. Aliens, ninjas, and fifty-feet kaiju are lacking here; instead, the storyfollows an ordinary teenage Japanese girl who moves to California to pursue her dream of becoming a world-famous acrobat. Kaleido Star is glamorous, lifelike (arguably), and spirited, but there’s one term that describes it better than the rest: inspirational. Sure, the chronicles of a budding acrobat might not sound like anything special, but the show’s colorful characters would be enough to sway even those most ignorant of the circus scene. Sora Naegino first appears as your standard bubbly teenager, but right from the get-go, we see her perform splits and somersaults for her dear life to make up for her late arrival for the Kaleido Stage troupe audition. Judging her desperate performance is Layla Hamilton—world-class gymnast, Kaleido Stage’s icon, and an ice queen of a woman. Unimpressed by the girl’s amateur party tricks, Layla kicks Sora out of the audition, possibly sending the poor girl back to Japan with her parents. It’s a powerful introductory episode that shows the futility of Sora’s passion, but most importantly, it demonstrates the steep difficulty of entering a professional troupe. Of course, for the show to go on, Sora will eventually find her way to become a member of the Kaleido Stage, but the fact that Layla’s test is by far the easiest challenge in Sora’s 51-episode journey foreshadows the many struggles that our rising star will soon face. This isn’t made any easier with the presence of Kalos, the leader of Kaleido Stage who, much to Layla’s objection, lets Sora join the troupe. Now, not only must Sora heed to Layla’s unreasonably high standards, but she must also please Kalos by stealing the spotlight in her debut. Another one of Sora’s challenge comes in the form of social integration. The first hurdle Sora faces in Kaleido Star isn’t learning the crazy stunts but trying to make friends with members of the troupe. Others worked hard to join Kaleido Stage while Sora gets a free pass from Kalos; how can she not be hated at first? This kind of issue harshly reflects real life and is something I once unfortunately faced during my career as a journalist. Getting special attention isn’t always nice, and Sora learns this the hard way by being ostracized by the rest of the troupe. With trial after trial being pitted against Sora, it seems as if the writers indulge themselves by hammering the poor girl to tiny bits. This is a major complaint from most viewers—especially for the weaker second season—but I honestly don’t find it to be much of a problem. Perhaps some will feel that Sora is being abused too frequently, but the main appeal of the show anyway is seeing her battered and bruised, only to rise to the challenge like a phoenix. Kalos, Layla, and the pressure from the crowd are all fundamental obstacles that give Sora the push she needs to become the star of everyone’s desire. At some point, you’ll certainly find yourself cheering for Sora along with the audience. I know I did! As Sora gradually masters her assigned performances, the members of Kaleido Stage slowly warm up to her. The charming duo, Mia Guillem and Anna Heart, are the first of the troupe members to befriend the lonely Sora. The three make an irresistibly adorable group, and before long, Sora and her great charisma draw in more performers to her, such as the petite Rosetta Passel. Seeing the progression of her friendship is indeed heartwarming, but it also serves as proof to how charming Sora is as a protagonist. In fact, the entire cast of Kaleido Star save for two later characters are likable. I’ve hinted at this before, but many feel that the second season is considerably weaker than the first. Common reasons include Sora being pounded with ten times the number of challenges than before, two new “evil” characters entering the troupe, and the story progression grinding to a halt. In truth, none of these issues are anything major, and I daresay they’re even exaggerated. As I stated repeatedly before, Sora’s confrontations with her different challenges are the meat of the show, so the more difficulties she must face, the more exciting the show gets. The two new characters in season two, Leon Oswald and May Wong, might not be the most pleasant of all folks, but they’re not actually horrible either. Most will perceive their sole existence in the show to making Sora’s life miserable, but the two also have their own fair share of problems to deal with. Every character in the show have their own flaws, perhaps some more than others, but that’s what makes the cast of Kaleido Star so believable. Yes, that includes Leon and May too. And for the finale of Kaleido Star, let’s just say that it’s possibly one of the most beautiful endings I’ve ever witnessed in my time watching anime for over a decade. This type of spectacular presentation isn’t foreign to Kaleido Star, but the finale really takes everything up a notch and builds them into a jaw-dropping last act. Everything Sora worked hard for, every blood, sweat, and tears shed by her, culminate in this final performance. The journey from the first to the final episode feels like a time well-spent. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I was nearly in tears after seeing the astounding grand finale. Glamorous, powerful, and inspiring, Kaleido Star is the culmination of everything one could ever hope for in an anime. Sora’s rise to fame is an unforgettable emotional journey that will touch the hearts of even those apathetic to the shoujo genre. Although Kaleido Star is not without its flaws, giving it anything less than a full score is a disservice to its near-perfection.

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