Trying out different types of anime is always fun for me and idol anime was a genre I never gave too much attention. Since Zombieland Saga Ive become more interested in idol anime and Im glad I did because picking up this anime was a great decision. Lapis Relights in my opinion is one of the best anime of 2020 and is super underrated if only because its an idol anime based off a mobile game. But its origin lends a lot to the anime as the production value is through the roof. The animation and art style bring so much life to the scenes and the amount of care and detail put into this show is hard to find elsewhere in this medium. For example during scenes where the characters are in libraries cafeterias or common rooms you will see other named sidecharacters in the background doing their own thing sometimes even interacting with their own friends. It might not seem like a lot but it makes the world of this anime feel lived in like it operates outside of just the story were seeing. Even the random background characters look distinct adding to this feeling even more. The characters were all very strong even if they leant a little hard on established tropes which while tired isnt a bad thing and actually worked for this series. Whats worked before will usually work again and this show proves that. The only thing that didnt work was the rivalry between the main girl and another girl which I feel could have been expanded more especially since their whole relationship gets resolved by the end of this season. But the MCs relationship with her older sister made up for that and became one of the most compelling parts of the series in the final few episodes. While that too maybe could have been fleshed out even more it was only a twelve episode anime and didnt really need to anyway. The main quintet are all very entertaining to watch and play off each other naturally. They feel like a real group of friends and are always fun to watch. The rest of the supporting cast is strong as well and you get to see a lot of them throughout the series. No one including the main quintet minus the main girl isnt really developed all that much but they didnt need to be. A second season might happen anyway so to complain about it now would be pointless. The songs a highlight for any idol anime are also very strong. None of them stick out after one listen but the sequences are produced very well with some excellent CGI and choreography. Lapis Relights might now blow you away but it is a very wholesome and fun show to watch that will put a smile on your face no matter your mood. Its brimming with life colour creativity personality and is actually very funny at times. Its a perfect gateway idol anime that would actually get you interested in watching more as it did for me. Give this anime a chance. It shined above many others from this year and made me invested in a story I wasnt sure I was going to like. Take a chance because you might just find a whole new world of possibilities waiting for you.
77 /100
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