Anime Review: Lapis Re:LIGHTs Episode 1

Lapis Re:LIGHTs

Studio: Yokohama Animation Lab

Genre: Music

Streaming: Funimation

We always get a couple of idol anime every season, and the genre clearly has its niche audience. Idol anime don’t have as much influence in the West, with only a clear, small audience really following them. Still, every now and then idol anime merges with other genres to make it more accessible (And usually something special). One anime that comes to mind is Zombie Land Saga, adding an unusual humor element to make the show more than just an idol anime.  While it doesn’t have the shock factor that Zombie Land Saga had, this season’s new show, Lapis Re:LIGHTs has the potential to reach out to more than idol fans.

Lapis Re:LIGHTs mixes elements from idol, fantasy, and magical anime to create a rather unique experience. The show uses a magic academy setting that teaches girls how to be an idol and how to use magic. It’s a simple premise but one that isn’t explored often in anime (If at all). The anime follows protagonist Tiara as she pursues her dreams to attend the academy and become an idol. There, she meets her new companions, a group of girls with similar dreams.

Lapis Re:LIGHTs doesn’t do anything extraordinary in its first episode, but it does a lot right. It has plenty of heart with fun characters full of energy and diverse personalities. Most of the characters fill cliche character archetypes, but their personalities mesh well with each other. The academy itself is full of wonder, with tons of charming rooms, instructors, and students. There isn’t much idol action in this first episode, but everything hints at this changing in a couple of episodes.

Lapis Re:LIGHTs has gorgeous art and smooth animation, making it a joy to look at. The little magic we see is flashy and pretty, and even the mundane things (Like food) look fantastic in this anime. The voice acting is solid, with each performer delivering a great performance. There is one solo song performed in this anime, and it isn’t anything special, but it used to build the backstory of a character. There is little fanservice in this episode, so it’s fairly accessible to all audiences. The OP and ED are flashy, especially the OP. The music is nice, which isn’t surprising since this is a music anime.

Lapis Re:LIGHTs is off to a great start, and it is something that is worth looking into for a couple of episodes. Idol fans will certainly want to watch this one. Even if you aren’t a fan of the genre, if you are at all interested in magic anime, or just watching cute girls, this is one to check out.