The fascination with becoming a rock star is a dream that most people have at some point, and some aren’t willing to let go of. Television shows like the atrocious American Idol keep that fire burning, and I suppose if you’re aim is to perform karaoke in front of America (or any other country since the show has a number of versions), get a record deal, and not have to write your own music, then that’s just the thing for you. Anime can’t resist the premise of becoming an idol either, though with anime, you won’t find some cheap popularity contest.

Chance Pop Session is one of those slice of life anime titles that follows the events of three hopefuls as they try and rise in the ranks and show that they have what it takes to be “the next big thing.” Through the course of thirteen episodes we take in the hardships, the joys, and the tribulations that Akari, Yuki, and Nozomi undergo as they join the very prestigious Kisaragi Music School. The stars they all have in their eyes is because of one reason, and it just so happens that the school also happens to be the same one that produced pop’s latest craze; Reika. It will be blood, sweat, and a lot of tears that will help them along the way, if they can survive the pressure.

This isn’t a reality show disguised as anime luckily, and there has certainly been more than enough of that on television over the last few years. The J-pop industry though is a fickle one, just like the pop industry anywhere else, and Chance Pop Session tries to address that to some extent, though the three girls are really the star attractions. From a musician’s standpoint, there are many things that one can easily identify with, though that would depend on how deeply they’ve been involved in the industry, but here it’s all fiction . . . but it’s also something that really can draw you in as well. While Chance Pop Session easily falls into the shoujo category of anime, it’s also one that is never too far-fetched and may even hit close to home in some cases.

The thing is, it’s been a while since ADV originally released the quaint music series on DVD, and save for online sites, it’s not necessarily something that one can usually just walk into a store and buy. However, ADV is hip on ThinPak collections these days (as am I) and the time is perfect for Chance Pop Session to be given the chance to shine once again, draw in new fans or even allow those who have long been fans either complete their collection or replace it.

Themes are everything when it comes to ThinPaks, and for Chance Pop Session, ADV has decided to go with red as the basic color that serves as the background for all images in the series, and it works very well, particularly for one image. The characters are displayed very well in the artwork and are seen on the main faces of the packaging. It only makes sense to have Reika together with Kisaragi, and the image is actually a rather nice contrast. Reika is dressed in a tight, red body suit with her back against Kisaragi, her cigarette in hand (as usual) and cherry blossoms swirling delicately around them, and while this really is a great picture, it’s the girls that really are the stars here.

The reverse side of the collection has Nozomi, Akari and Yuki together, but this is where that red background really is utilized perfectly. All three girls are nude, but don’t get your hopes up. ADV isn’t trying to push adult material onto the market (hentai isn’t their thing) but the red amidst the red background, you will find music notation which is wrapped around the girls. It really is a fantastic drawing of the three of them, and using the music and the reds to blend into it is something that becomes almost impossible to look away from (I’ve caught myself glancing over no less than a dozen times while trying to write this review.)

The original release of Chance Pop Session was three volumes, and the same number is found here, though the covers have been changed, and I actually found that I liked them a bit better. Each of the three girls is shown individually atop a black and white sketch of Reika, and again we have a great contrast. The only thing that you won’t find with the ThinPak Collection are the How to be a Pop Star inserts, but you really don’t need those. They weren’t bad, but if you can’t figure out how to hit the road to stardom by now, you probably never will.

I know that some find J-pop quite an annoying part of music, but Chance Pop Session may change that opinion (and personally, I think there are some great J-pop artists out there.) Chance Pop Session is a riveting series that will have you hoping and dreaming right along with the characters in each episode. Drama’s and slice of life style anime are becoming more and more available for fans in North America, but as far as Chance Pop Session goes, it’s one that definitely stands out as being unique, and the appreciation that fans already runs deeper than any song that could ever be sung about it.

-mike-
 

Films Included: