Gurasu Haato

Love love loved it. A little cheesy at times but just what i needed.

If you're looking for good vibes and a heart warming story that doesn't get too cringey over and over again.. this might be just what you need right now.

I really enjoyed the tunes and watching the bands journey although Naomi is basically a wizard...

Only watched the first episode. But I feel compelled to review. Who the hell is responsible for the audio/sound/music? 'Cause it is freaking awesome. How the ambient sounds fill the spaces in the backgrounds, give me goosebumps. The emotions come alive here.

Why am I only crediting the audio group? Been years since I've enjoyed a tv series or movies (last one I've enjoyed is Bocchi the rock). I thought I only enjoy musical shows. But this series - Glass Heart makes me realise that it's the ambient sounds. The screen is like a stage, there are spaces to be filled. There are times when it is fades in and fades out. There are places in need of the bass, the mids, the trebles. And I mean not particularly to be filled with instruments. Just the sound of a simple drop of a pen off the table can fill a particular shot. Silence all the times the dialogues are spoken makes the sound dead. It creates a doll. Heck, even puppet shows back then are alive.

Enough rambling. A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE AUDIO GROUP! You guys rocks!

Back to real life.

How can a work of art-be it a manga, an article, a novel, a song, a drama, or a film-reach out across time and distance to deeply, almost surgically, affect someone's heart?

To me, the core of Glass Heart lies in music and love-the love for music itself, and the feelings between people that are too large, too ambiguous to be easily put into words. These emotions are difficult to articulate, but they move us all the same. They wound us. And they heal us.

The characters in Glass Heart love music. Because they love it, they get hurt-and because they love it, they are also healed.

Leaving aside how dedicated the actors were-how they learned unfamiliar skills and threw themselves into their roles-their performances were so immersive that you forget you're watching actors. You simply believe: that's the character talking, walking, writing music, playing, singing. Every gesture feels authentic.

The camerawork and transitions in this series are beautifully fluid, and above all, the music is deeply moving. Each song carries its own meaning and weight. You could say the music is the lifeblood of the show. The creators behind these songs did an absolutely incredible job.

I can't help but mention GIVEN, the band-themed anime that also left a lasting impact on me. I was once completely captivated by the music in GIVEN and became a fan of Centimillimental, eventually falling in love with the story as well. Among all the band-themed anime out there, GIVEN stands at the top for me-though it lives in the 2D world.

But Glass Heart brings that band story into the 2.5D space-almost even into the 3D. The realism in every performance, especially in the final episode, made it feel like I was watching a live concert Blu-ray. TENBLANK, the fictional band, felt real-as if they had actually held those live shows in the past.

As a fan of both Denise Ho (HoCC) and Centimillimental, I'll never forget the emotional resonance I felt-whether listening to them on streaming platforms or attending live performances. Those moments had a profound impact on my life. That's why I understood the fans in Glass Heart-those who loved Fujitani, TENBLANK, or Touya. The things singers say during concert MCs, the feelings they convey, can reach fans so precisely, from so far away. They uplift. They move us to tears.

I mean, I was just watching the Blu-ray and I couldn't stop crying!

And okay-can I just say it? Fujitani Naoki and Takaoka Shou, you two need to get together already! Akane is adorable, sure, but honestly? She has way more chemistry with Sakamoto than with Fujitani.

Lastly, I truly hope the songs from Season 1 get released on streaming platforms soon-and I'll be waiting eagerly for Season 2.

Glass Heart unfolds a moving story of redemption and ambition. It's a tale of chasing dreams and confronting pasts, though at times the pacing feels rushed, compressing major developments into too little time.

The music is where the series truly soars, goosebump-inducing and masterfully composed. Its soundtrack blends emotional resonance with rock intensity. Sho's guitar sizzles with precision and flair, Kazushi's keyboard brings lyrical depth, and Akane's drumming provides the heartbeat of the band. Each performance is electrifying, culminating in powerful live scenes that feel authentic and hard-earned. Naoki's vocals elevate it all: soulful, commanding and unforgettable.

Naoki Fujitani is the emotional and narrative anchor of the series. A reclusive genius dubbed the "Amadeus of rock", he's a perfectionist haunted by a brain tumor and a brush with death. His backstory, from leaving his family to forming TENBLANK with virtuosos, is deeply layered. Takeru Satoh captures every nuance; his playful intensity, creative obsession, and vulnerability; with magnetic charisma. The writing around Naoki is exceptional, grounding the entire series.

Yet beyond Naoki, the character work falters. Akane Saijo lacks emotional nuance; her transformation from rejection to resilience feels too sudden, and her romantic arc is underdeveloped. Sho Takaoka exudes effortless stage charisma, but his character remains mostly reactive, with late emotional bursts that lack narrative buildup. Kazushi Sakamoto shows flickers of jealousy and creative tension, yet his motivations stay vague, making his clashes with Naoki feel abrupt and unearned. These characters orbit Naoki rather than evolving alongside him, leaving the ensemble emotionally imbalanced.

Despite these flaws, Glass Heart is a thrilling, emotionally charged ride. For fans of music-driven drama, it's a must-watch; flawed, but unforgettable.

This film was such an eye-opener - raw, emotional, and at times heartbreaking. It beautifully captured the struggles and meaning of life through the eyes of musicians. Every episode had purpose; not a single one felt dull. What touched me most was their growth - how they supported each other through pain and uncertainty. They wanted to walk away, not out of selfishness, but because they believed it was the only way to protect someone they cared about.

But in the end, they stayed - because taking the music away would've meant taking his life, too. Every song hit deep and inspiring.

Thank you for creating TENBLANK!