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.
