T5W#106-Top 5 School Themed Anime

It’s sadly that time of year again.  Summer has gone and passed and hundreds of kids droop their heads in despair as the school bells summon them once again (Green Day got it right, “Wake me up when September ends).  Still, there’s always excitement to be had in starting a new year of learning from brand new discoveries to brand new friends.  So on today’s Top 5 Wednesday, I’ll be looking at my Top 5 School Themed Anime.  These are the school I’d love to have attended when I was younger.  It’s a mix of adventure, some supernatural and even slice of life (cause even that can be fun sometimes too).

 

#5-Ouran High School Host Club

I don’t think I could ever see myself as a “Host”.  But these after school club makes the concept look pretty cool.  Haruhi Fujioka breaks a priceless vase belonging to the Ouran High School Host Club and must pay them back by becoming a member herself…emphasis on “Herself”.  Yep Haruhi is a girl who dresses like a guy, so it’s up to the club to keep her secret…or exploit it to hilarious effect.  I’m considering reviewing this one at the end of the year in December.  It’s a series I never thought id find myself liking but man was I so wrong for doubting it.

 

#4-The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

When beautiful but weird student Haruhi Suzumiya announces she only wants to meet Aliens, Espers or Time Travelers, she creates a club dedicated to seeking them out and drags the only boy who would take a chance talking to her about it, Kyon, on as first official member of the SOS Brigade.  However, Kyon just so happens to meet an Alien, an Esper and a Time Traveler who all join the club, and Haruhi it totally oblivious, or is she.  On the surface, were I attending the school, it might not seem like much goes on in this club.  Stepping into the world of Haruhi Suzumiya, turns out, is a bizzarley enjoyable ride that took the Anime world by storm with it’s genre bending storytelling, deep character study and nods to just about every genre on the map.  There’s also that crazy Hare Hare Yukai dance that EVERYONE has tried to pull off…or make a crap ton of AMVs around it (guilty).  It’s definitely an afterschool club I’d want to join, even if it means I must accept Haruhi as my lord and savior (don’t ask)

 

#3-My Hero Academia

A school where can learn to be your worlds Superman, Batman or Wonder Woman?  It’s no wonder this show has caught on as much as it has.  Deku is a child without a special power, or Quirk, and yet longs to save the world like his idol, the World’s Strongest Hero All Might.  When Deku meets All Might and learns the truth about his powers, he becomes the mighty Hero’s pupil and enrolls in the legendary U.A. Academy.  This world is so freaking imaginative with everyones quirks and Deku’s path to becoming his own hero is littered with “F Yeah” moments.  The supporting cast is equally strong with lovable characters like Tenya, Uchaco and everyone favorite Best Girl, Tsu.  Sign me up, just don’t put me next to Kaachan, he annoys me more than he is actually threatening (seriously how did Deku ever look up to him for so long when Kaachan treats him like crap?)

 

#2-Little Witch Academia

After see a magic show performed by her idol, Shinny Chariot, Atsuko “Akko” Kagerri, aims to become a witch herself, enrolling at the prestigious Luna Nova Academy.  She also discovers the “Shinny Rod” that once belonged to Chariot and seeks to reawaken it’s power, hoping to see her hero who has vanished from the limelight.  If Harry Potter was an Anime, and focused on cute girls exclusively, it would Little Witch Academia.  It’s been a long time since an Anime had my attention so strongly.  It’s a feel good show with genuine magic from the animation to the loveable characters to the fact that it’s Studio Trigger having a freaking blast bringing this all together.  Plus, wouldn’t hurt to have a Professor as cute as Ursula, I’d take extra classes with her hehehe.

 

#1-K-On

Yui Hirasawa has never played an instrument in her life. Yet when she shows surprising natural skills with a guitar, she is strong armed into the Light Music Club.  Along drummer Ritsu Tainaka, bassist Mio Akiyama, keyboardist Tsumugi “Mugi” Kotobuki, and freshman guitarist Azusa Nakano, Yui brings a new kind of sound to Sakuragaoka High School.  This series has an amazing soundtrack.  But you’d be surprised to know there’s very little music playing (at least in the first season anyway) and that’s fine.  Yes, the tracks these girls can pull together sound incredible.  But the hilarity that comes from their friendship and adventures, THAT’s the exciting thing.  If heaven was a room with just these five, enjoying cake as the sun set in their little club room, I’d welcome it.  This anime is the kind you put on when it’s a rainy day or you’ve had a rough day yourself (maybe even at school).  Listen to one of the songs or enjoy an adventurous pratfall…and you’ll know things are going to be ok.