Boxset Review: Show by Rock!!

By: Rae

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Cyan has been enamored with music since her childhood, and desperately wants to join a school club in which she can play. Unfortunately, her shyness and lack of confidence stand in the way. When she turns to a beloved game one night, she is shocked to find herself pulled into it.Shortly after she arrives in this mysterious world, a monster attacks, and Cyan destroys it with the help of a talking guitar. Soon, our heroine-turned-catgirl is invited to join Plasmagica and her band adventure begins.The girls become fast friends and start playing shows together, but meanwhile more dark monsters are appearing. What was the real reason Cyan was pulled into this musical new world? Is something bigger going on?WatchabilityI was really prepared to be not too fond of Show by Rock.At first glance, it seemed like a gimmicky explosion of cute and glitter and animals, like something out of a ten-year old’s acid trip. There was a lot of squealing and computer-animated cat… things.But after about twenty minutes, somehow, the cute and the weird came together to make a surprisingly enjoyable experience. Even better, it was a surprisingly enjoyable experience with a distinct lack of fanservice and bad sex jokes – for awhile I felt like every show I started watching that looked like it was going to be cute was actually just about boobs. I didn’t realize it until afterward, but I made it through all 12 episodes with absolutely no eye-rolling, discomfort, or “ugh.”Now, don’t get me wrong. Occasionally it was a little cliché, and it was more impressive at the beginning than at the end. The themes were pretty common – the power of friendship, and the power of dreams and self-confidence. I wouldn’t call it an incredibly refreshing piece of work.But it was a pleasure to watch. You’re not going to walk away feeling like the earth has shifted, but I’m willing to bet you’ll at least feel like your heart is a little bigger and brighter by the time the final credits roll.Show by Rock is kind of like a lighter magical girl series, but with more guitars. If this sounds like your thing, I think this is one short series worth checking out.Animation, Art & MusicI loved the Show by Rock aesthetic. A lot.I like a good, moody style. I am a big horror fan – dark atmospheres, black and white, etc… they have their place and I can definitely appreciate them. More colour doesn’t necessarily make me rate something as fantastic.But Show by Rock’s whirlwind of colours and character designs is just so happy, bright, and engaging. Every character design was unique in style, and the art style was great. Even better, the animation was pretty good as well. The end result was a show that was really fun to watch. Some of the music-timed animation was particularly enjoyable.I think the one complaint I have (echoed by some other Mithical staff as well) is the sort of out-of-place art style switch that happens during concerts and battles. Everything switches to a more computer-animated style, and all the characters become actual animals (with no mouths. None. Nothing.)I also really liked the music for Show by Rock. It was really fitting, and really catchy. Every band had a slightly different style, and songs featured prominently in most of the episodes.I’m still pretty impressed.BoxsetThe boxset is cute and full of colour, with pretty pastel discs. Honestly, it’s pretty nice-looking.But, as usual, the extras are a little lacking. And let’s face it, for many of us it’s the extras that really pull us to a boxset that we might not otherwise buy. You’ll get textless openings and endings, trailers, etc. It’s all okay, but also not really a selling point on its own.Still, the show is a great mix of cute and fun, and I definitely think it deserves some credit. This is probably a good fit for those who like something a little quirky and aren’t deterred by the after-school special feel.Buy Show by Rock!! from Funimation here!