A thorough review of A Cappella Samurai - Harmony Squad's Edo rescue mission!

The appeal and reputation of A Cappella Samurai - The Harmony Team Saves Edo!

"A Cappella Samurai: The Harmony Squad Saves Edo!" is a web animation that premiered on June 30, 2022, and is an original anime work by Junichi Shimizu. This work is a thrilling period drama anime set in Edo at the end of the Edo period, depicting the exploits of five samurai who created a cappella. The Gospellers participated as voice actors, making it a comfortable work full of songs and laughter.

story

It's the end of the Edo period. Although there are no records of it, there were five samurai who were the first to create a cappella in Japan. They were called the Hamoritai, and they saved the people of Edo with their beautiful singing voices. The Gospellers try their hand at voice acting, and you can enjoy this "exhilarating a cappella period drama anime" with songs and laughs.

cast

The members of the corps are as follows:

• Uesugi Ainosuke: Yoichi Kitayama
• Masujiro Uesugi: Kaoru Kurosawa
• Yasuzo Uesugi: Tetsuya Murakami
• Souta Uesugi: Yuji Sakai
• Umorisugi work: Yu Yasuoka
• Sadanobu Akabira: Toshiyuki Toyonaga
• Narrator: Morikuo

Main Staff

The following staff members were involved in the production of this work:

• Original story and script: Junji Shimizu
• Screenplay cooperation: Itaru Tanaka
• Music Supervisor: Tetsuya Murakami
• A cappella arrangement: Gospellers, Toorusu
• Drawing, character design, storyboard: Morikuo
• Animation production: Koide Yoshiro
• Voice: Munetaka Ohta
• Vocals Recorded by: Rie Mimoto
• Recording assistant: Haruka Doi
• Edited by: Koide Yoshiro
• Sound effects, MA: Satoshi Iihama
• Dentsu Sales: Kazuhiro Sato
• FOD Sales: Hiroshi Mizuno
• FOD Producer: Masahito Nakatomi
• FOD AP: Matsumoto Yoshi
• Director: Tsuyoshi Suzuki
• Producer and Director: Junji Shimizu
• Produced by: Fuji Television

Main Characters

Each member of the Umamori Squad has their own unique character.

• Yasuzo Uesugi: A warrior of the Akabira clan and leader of the entertainment group Uesugi-tai. He is the eldest of the five Uesugi brothers and came up with the idea of ​​a cappella. He is a good singer and a master of falsetto.
• Masujiro Uesugi: A warrior of the Akabira clan on duty in Edo, and sub-leader of the Uesugi Corps. The second son of the five Uesugi brothers, he has a wonderful high-pitched singing voice. He often takes the lead.
• Umamori Souta: He was a samurai who served on duty in Edo in the Akabira domain, but he joined the Umamori Corps because he was good at imitating percussion instruments such as drums. He was adopted as a baby, but it turned out he was the third son of the five Umamori brothers. A pioneer of voice percussion.
• Uesugi Ainosuke: He went to Tokyo as part of the advance party during the alternate attendance system, but was transferred to Edo duty. He is the fourth son of the five Uesugi brothers and has a distinctive low voice. He plays the bass in the Uesugi unit.
• Sugisaku Uesugi: A warrior serving in Edo for the Akabira clan. The youngest of the five Uesugi brothers, he is a master of chorus singing. He is known as the "Singing Young Lion."
• Sadanobu Akabira: Lord of Akabira, known as "Young Lord." Bored with children's songs and traditional performing arts, he wants to create a new culture.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: "The Birth of the A Cappella Samurai" Part 1 (2022/06/30)
• Episode 1: "The Birth of the A Cappella Samurai" Part 2 (2022/07/07)
• Episode 2: "Cat and the Usami Corps" Part 1 (2022/08/04)
• Episode 2: "Cat and the Umamori Squad" Part 2 (2022/08/11)
• Episode 3: "The Magnificent Usumori Unit" Part 1 (2023/02/03)
• Episode 3: "The Magnificent Usumori Unit" Part 2 (2023/03/02)
• Episode 4: "Mononoke and the Usami Corps" Part 1 (2023/03/23)
• Episode 4: "Mononoke and the Usami Corps" Part 2 (2023/03/30)

Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music used in each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: The Birth of the A Cappella Samurai
  ♪ Opening theme "Samurai Uesugi Tai"
  ♪ "Where are you guys?"
  ♪ "Wow"
  ♪ "The Monk of the Mountain Temple"
  ♪Ending theme: "I want to harmonize with you"
• Episode 2: The Cat and the Umamori Squad
  ♪ Opening theme "Samurai Uesugi Tai"
  ♪ "Oh, are you brothers?"
  ♪ "Wow"
  ♪ "Doowah"
  ♪ "Cat commotion"
  ♪ "Cat commotion (Nekoda + cat version)"
  ♪Ending theme: "I want to harmonize with you"
• Episode 3: The Magnificent Usumori Squad
  ♪ Opening theme "Samurai Uesugi Tai"
  ♪ "Counting song of the Hachinohe domain"
  ♪ "Wow"
  ♪ "Come in"
  ♪ "Ah, Akabira Domain"
  ♪Ending theme: "I want to harmonize with you"
• Episode 4: "Mononoke and the Umami Corps"
  ♪ Opening theme "Samurai Uesugi Tai"
  ♪ "Wow"
  ♪ "Toryanse"
  ♪ "Yagibushi"
  ♪ "Kiso Bushi"
  ♪Ending theme: "I want to harmonize with you"

Appeal of the work

The greatest appeal of "A Cappella Samurai - The Harmony Squad Saves Edo!" is the exquisite match between the beautiful a cappella harmonies and the atmosphere of a period drama. The members of the Gospellers participated as voice actors, and their high singing ability enhances the quality of the work as a whole. In addition, each episode has a different theme, so you can enjoy the story development.

Particularly in the first episode, "The Birth of the A Cappella Samurai," the scene where the Usumori Corps performs a cappella for the first time is memorable. By performing traditional Japanese pop songs a cappella, the show evokes the atmosphere of the Edo period while also suggesting new musical possibilities. Additionally, the second episode, "Cats and the Usumori Corps," incorporates many songs themed around cats, which, combined with the humorous storyline, entertains viewers.

The third episode, "The Splendid Umori Squadron's Story," depicts the Umori Squadron's splendid performance, making it a visual treat. The fourth episode, "The Monster and the Umori Squadron," is a serious development depicting a showdown with a monster. The scene where the monster is defeated with the power of a cappella is touching, but at the same time, it has an excellent balance of humor.

evaluation

This work is a very good blend of music and story, providing viewers with a new entertainment experience. In particular, the incorporation of a cappella music into the period drama genre gives it a unique appeal not found in other works. Also, the members of the Gospellers participated as voice actors, and their high level of singing enhances the quality of the work as a whole.

Each episode has a different theme, so viewers won't get bored. There's a good balance between humorous and touching scenes, making this a show that can be enjoyed by a wide range of viewers. Also, each episode features a different song, so music fans will be pleased.

Overall, the show is highly rated for its successful fusion of music and story, providing viewers with a new entertainment experience. In particular, the incorporation of a cappella music into the period drama genre has a unique appeal not found in other works. Additionally, members of the Gospellers participated as voice actors, and their vocal ability enhanced the overall quality of the show.

Recommendation

"A Cappella Samurai: The Harmony Squad Saves Edo!" is a work that successfully combines music and story, providing viewers with a new entertainment experience. In particular, the incorporation of the a cappella musical form into the period drama genre gives it a unique appeal not found in other works. In addition, the members of the Gospellers participated as voice actors, and their high level of singing enhances the quality of the work as a whole.

This work is not only for music fans and period drama fans, but can be enjoyed by a wide range of viewers. In particular, each episode has a different theme, and the story development is attractive so that viewers will not get bored. Also, there is a good balance between humorous scenes and touching scenes, making it a work that can be enjoyed by a wide range of viewers.

Please watch this work and enjoy the beautiful a cappella harmonies and the atmosphere of a period drama. "A Cappella Samurai - The Harmony Team Saves Edo!" provides viewers with a new entertainment experience, offering laughter and emotion while also making you feel the possibilities of new music.