White Album 2 – Ahhh The Love Triangles (Anime Review)

I’ve been mellowing on this one for a couple of weeks now, as the ending kind of threw me for a loop, but now I think I’m ready. White Album 2; as the name suggests, this is technically a sequel, but not really. The only connection this makes with White Album is the mentioning of the main character as a famous artist, and the singing of the song. Other than that, they are completely independent.

Haruki is our main guy; he maintains excellent grades and can always be seen helping out others, especially the student council, though he is no longer a part of it. He is also the back-up guitarist for the light music club, which is one the verge of disbanding now that the only members are him and the primary guitarist, Iizuka. Haruki usually practices his… less than optimal guitar playing after the club is done, when he has the room to himself. Every now and again, he gets a treat from the room next door, a mysterious, talented piano player plays in harmony with his guitar, putting him at ease.

Though he doesn’t know who this person is, he find a sense of relief whenever they play together. One day, a third joins them; from the roof, a beautiful voice starts singing along with their playing. Haruki goes to the roof to find Setsuna; a beautiful girl at his school who he had met a while earlier. Eventually, Haruki finds out that the mystery student next door is Touma, a lazy classmate of his. After some convincing, the two agree to join the light music club and play with Haruki.

Then, our love triangle begins! Well actually, we find out the love of this triangle starts long, long before this, but still. Basically, we have two girls that are both obviously in love with Haruki. Of course, Haruki is in love with one of them, but isn’t so forward about it, thus causing mistakes. Ahhh, high school drama.

The anime takes us on a rollercoaster journey of fun and sadness; of course, along the way we get to hear some incredible music. Though, I do feel like the three would of been better of just staying friends. Of course, that doesn’t make for a good story and when you spend that much time with others, these things tend to happen.

I will say, one relationship in particular forms fairly early. Once it is formed, it becomes immediately apparent that it was a mistake. However, none are willing to admit it. Iisuka, Haruki’s friend, I feel plays the voice of what should be done, down the stretch. He wants Haruki to take the safe root, to not her the girl he is with. Unfortunately, that’s not the way things end up.

Overall, I would say this was a pretty good music / romance / slice of life show. I enjoyed it. Also, it’s not every day that one of these anime shows has a relationship that gets to the point where the two become intimate, that was a surprise. Harden your hearts for the ending, though. It will leave you screaming at the scream as the main character does all sorts of weird, stupid stuff.

But… I guess that’s what makes love great.