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If there’s one thing I truly hate about short-lived series, it’s the fact that the really goods ones suck you in and before you know it, they’re over. That’s been the case so often with many an anime series. Hellsing left me wanting more as did Serial Experiments Lain. Time to add yet another title onto that list though. Chance Pop Session has been an addictive piece of work since the beginning, and now the third volume sadly marks the end of the series. This last collection of episodes may, in many ways, contain some of the best episodes of the series, but that’s not to say that any have been bad either. Of course, there are a few moments where I thought to myself, “I thought that was obvious” but that’s about as far into detail as I’m going to go regarding that. I’m sure that those of you that have been following the series know good and well what I’m talking about, but it’s those that are in the dark that I don’t want to ruin it for. If you’ve been wondering about Kitsaragi’s past, worry no more. There’s a brilliantly done episode that details her career as a musician, why she left the life behind, the tragedy that befell her, and how the touching letter sent by a young Reika urged her to come back to the lifestyle that once made her so happy. It’s both a touching and dark episode, but filled with enough information that it becomes compelling, gripping, and extremely powerful. In retrospect, the series actually has been done amazingly well, and takes a fairly good look at the world of a pop idol, at least from a Japanese perspective. Of course, things are generally much different in the United States when it comes to this sort of thing as most musicians tend to have the attitude and idea that you need to walk over everyone to get to the top, forsake your friends, and use every dirty trick in the book just to get ahead. However, the relationship between R3 and Reika isn’t one of outright competition. Although it does exist, it’s more like a friendly competition, with no harsh words or feelings expressed at all. Like quite a few of the other episodes in Chance Pop Session, some of these also have animation that tends to mimic the look and feel of music videos. This is generally done as a way to essentially kill time, as it seems that the original manga itself lacked enough story to fill out a full 13 episodes. This doesn’t really take away from the series at all however, as it does give another opportunity to delve into the world of music. However, I will admit that if I ever have to hear the song “Pure Blue” again, I’m going to have to take some pretty drastic measures. This volume also concludes the series of “How to Be a Pop Star” companions. So, if you’re aiming to try make the cut on the next “American Idol,” you may want to study, live, and breath these. The advice actually isn’t too bad in some instances. Aside from that, there is also an in-depth interview with the Japanese voice actresses. One thing that’s not mentioned in the extras is that there’s a Reika video. My assumption is that it could very well have been something that appeared on MTV Japan in order to promote the series, but it could also have been an extra released on either video or DVD in Japan as well. You’ll find these at the end of the Japanese promo spots that aren’t set up to advertise the anime so much as various full length and single CD’s from Avex Mode. Lastly, you get the usual character and background sketches and a clean version of the open and close. I would definitely like to see a follow up for the series because there are so many possibilities and situations that could be utilized. Maybe an approach similar to Perfect Blue could be used. Anohter possibility is a parody, taking R3 and putting them in situations that are pretty standard fare for US pop idols. Even a mock “Behind the Music” might not be a bad idea. As a whole, Chance Pop Session really isn’t a bad series at all. It does end on a note, which is yet predictable, yet leaves you wanting a little more. It’s definitely an interesting look at the world of music from a slightly different perspective. Although not as realistic as those musicians and bands struggling in seedy nightclubs and cramped basements, it also is a plausible scenario. If you’re finding yourself to be a little burned out on mechas' and martial arts, Chance Pop Session is a good way to take a dramatic and pleasing break. Episode 10 – Advance
Episode 11 – Past During an interview about her musical creations, Reika and R3, Kitsaragi details the events of her life. We see events both touching and tragic, and conformation on something that perhaps all of us have thought for quite a while. Episode 12 – Beginning Nozomi’s father is obsessed with his daughter and R3 winning the award they have been nominated for, and he’s willing to go to any extent for that to happen. But, when a sleazy reporter discovers that the judges might be taking bribes, he decides to bring this to the attention of Kitsaragi for his own personal gain of course. Nozomi’s mother decides that it’s time that her daughter new the truth, and reveals a secret that will shock all of R3. Episode 13 – Angel Like I’m really going to tell you what happens. Go buy it. -mike-
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