ガールズバンドクライ S1

Update: I finished it, this show is absolutely one of the best anime I've ever seen. I've watched in multiple times, and can't imagine it not in 3D. I listen the band's music every day, and I know it will stick with me for years to come.

Story and animation: his show caught me by surprise. The 3d cg animation initially felt kinda artificial, but it gets smoother as time goes on, and adds so much to the show - especially in the music performances, which are the best I've seen in any animation. The characters are all very enjoyable in their own ways (I relate to Momoka the most), and seeing the main trio/quintet be earnest and messy, and having their own unique motivations, drama, and histories, is really enjoyable. In that sense, I find this a much more realistic portrayal of being in a band than say ぼっち・ざ・ろく (which I also love). There's small moments here and there that are unrealistic, but they're mostly the sorta things you can overlook.

Language: Despite being a band show, there isn't much of any music jargon, and while there were some things that went over my head in real time, the language isn't all that hard. It's certainly easier to understand than say ぼっち・ざ・ろっく! | L28, since it doesn't use so much niche humor. There are a few scenes (in ep 1 & esp ep 13) where the characters speak in 熊本県, which was cool... but also really hard to understand without subs!

Conclusion: While I have some mixed feelings about the ending, it was overall an amazing ride, and I'm so glad I got past my initial dislike of the animation style. Really looking forward to whatever additional content they produce, and seriously hoping for a S2.