K-On! (TV series)

K-On!
Company type	Animated television series
Industry	Animation, Entertainment
Founded	April 3, 2009; 17 years ago
Founder	Kakifly (manga creator)
Headquarters	Kyoto, Japan
Products	Television series, OVA, Film
Parent	Kyoto Animation
Website	www.tbs.co.jp/anime/k-on/

is a Japanese animated television series adapted from the manga K-On! created by Kakifly. The production, handled by Kyoto Animation, originally broadcast in Japan from April through June 2009, followed by an original video animation (OVA) released in January 2010. Its second season, consisting of 26 episodes and entitled K-On!!, was televised from April to September 2010, with a subsequent OVA debuting in March 2011. Additionally, a feature-length film adaptation premiered in December 2011. Initially licensed by Bandai Entertainment until its closure in 2012, the rights have since been acquired by Sentai Filmworks, covering both seasons and the movie, with streaming available on Anime Network Online and later on Hidive.

The storyline focuses on four high school girls who become members of their school's light music club to stop it from shutting down. Although their musical skills are initially limited, they form a band that serves as the core of the series’ plot and commercial success.

Cast

Character	Japanese	English
Character	Japanese	Bandai/Sentai (via Bang Zoom!)	Animax
Main characters
Yui Hirasawa (平沢唯, Hirasawa Yui)	Aki Toyosaki	Stephanie Sheh	Lili Troncale
Mio Akiyama (秋山澪, Akiyama Mio)	Yōko Hikasa	Cristina Vee	Catherine Fu
Ritsu Tainaka (田井中律, Tainaka Ritsu)	Satomi Satō	Cassandra Lee Morris	Muriel Hoffmann
Tsumugi Kotobuki (琴吹紬, Kotobuki Tsumugi)	Minako Kotobuki	Shelby Lindley	Candice Moore (S1) Patricia Chiu (S2A, eps. 1–24) Muriel Hoffmann (S2B, eps. 25–27)
Azusa Nakano (中野梓, Nakano Azusa)	Ayana Taketatsu	Christine Marie Cabanos	Candice Moore (S1) Catherine Fu (S2)
Secondary/supporting characters
Sawako Yamanaka (山中さわ子, Yamanaka Sawako)	Asami Sanada	Karen Strassman	Candice Moore (S1) Lili Troncale (S2)
Ui Hirasawa (平沢憂, Hirasawa Ui)	Madoka Yonezawa	Xanthe Huynh	Unidentified voice
Nodoka Manabe (真鍋和, Manabe Nodoka)	Chika Fujitō	Laura Bailey	Unidentified voice

Season 1

The first season consists of 13 episodes and was directed by Naoko Yamada, scripted by Reiko Yoshida, and produced by Kyoto Animation. It aired on TBS in Japan from April 3 to June 26, 2009. Additional broadcasts were carried out on channels such as BS-TBS, MBS, and CBC. While TBS initially aired the show in a 4:3 aspect ratio, widescreen presentations began on BS-TBS starting April 25, 2009. Between July 29, 2009, and January 20, 2010, seven Blu-ray Disc/DVD volumes were issued by Pony Canyon, with the last volume including an original video animation (OVA) episode. These releases also contained bonus short anime titled Ura-On!.

In April 2011, the series was additionally broadcast on Japan's Disney Channel.

Season 2

The announcement for the second season, named K-On!!, was made during the Let's Go live concert held in Yokohama on December 30, 2009. This installment consisted of 26 episodes and was broadcast on TBS from April 7 to September 28, 2010. The final Blu-ray/DVD sets, released on March 16, 2011, included a bonus OVA episode alongside additional short segments titled Ura-On!!.

Film

A cinematic adaptation of K-On! premiered in Japan on December 3, 2011, portraying the girls’ graduation trip to London. Produced by Kyoto Animation and directed by Naoko Yamada, the movie contained original story elements and featured songs such as "Ichiban Ippai" and "Unmei wa Endless" performed by Aki Toyosaki, with Yōko Hikasa providing the ending theme "Singing." Upon release, it debuted at number two in Japanese box offices, earning ¥317 million (approximately US$4.07 million) from 137 theaters and ultimately grossing ¥1.64 billion (around US$21.4 million) during its theatrical run.

The film showcases a London café modeled after the Troubadour Cafe in Earl's Court, which has since become a notable destination for fans. K-On!: The Movie was made available on Blu-ray and DVD on July 18, 2012.

Future

Despite speculation about a third season, director Yamada and writer Yoshida opted to create Tamako Market, utilizing much of the original K-On! production team.

International release and distribution

The anime aired across Hong Kong, Thailand, and Taiwan via Animax, with English-subtitled and dubbed versions produced by Red Angel Media broadcast on Animax Asia beginning March 16, 2010. The second season started airing on Animax Asia on October 20, 2010.

At Anime Expo 2010, Bandai Entertainment acquired licensing rights for DVD and Blu-ray Disc releases of K-On!, with English dubbing handled by Bang Zoom! Entertainment. The series was distributed across four volumes starting April 26, 2011, offered in both standard and limited editions. Bandai later issued the complete first season on DVD under their "Anime Legends" label on February 7, 2012. Following Bandai’s shutdown, Houston-based licensor Sentai Filmworks obtained rights to the first season, reissuing it on DVD (September 23, 2014) and Blu-ray (September 1, 2015), as well as streaming it via their HIDIVE platform. Sentai also secured the second season license, releasing it in two box sets on DVD and Blu-ray during June and August 2012 with the original English voice cast returning. The film received a North American BD/DVD release on May 21, 2013.

Both seasons along with the movie were available for streaming in the United States and Canada through Netflix from November 2019 until November 2021.

In the United Kingdom, Manga Entertainment (now operating as Crunchyroll UK and Ireland) issued individual DVD volumes throughout 2011 and released a complete first-season DVD on April 30, 2012; however, a planned Blu-ray box set for 2012 was cancelled. In Australia, episodes from both seasons were broadcast on ABC Me, with availability via ABC iview. The film was distributed on Blu-ray/DVD by Madman Entertainment (currently Crunchyroll Store Australia) within Australia.

Critical response

The initial Japanese DVD volume sold roughly 8,000 copies upon release, ranking seventh on the Oricon charts during the week of July 29, 2009. The corresponding Blu-ray Disc edition sold approximately 33,000 copies that same week, securing the top position on Oricon’s BD chart. By August 2009, it had become Japan’s best-selling anime TV Blu-ray Disc title at that time, surpassing Macross Frontier which sold around 22,000 units. It ranked second only to Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone, which moved about 49,000 copies. However, in October of that year, Bakemonogatari overtook K-On! with sales reaching approximately 37,000 units. Eventually, after releasing volume three of K-On!!, total Blu-ray sales for the series exceeded those of Bakemonogatari. Combined sales of both franchises surpassed over half a million Blu-ray copies by February 2011.

In September 2010, the Kyoto prefectural government utilized K-On!! characters to promote participation in Japan’s national census. In addition, Sharp and Bandai announced plans to produce calculators adorned with designs featuring K-On! characters in 2011. The anime also boosted tourism in Toyosato, Shiga Prefecture; the elementary school that served as the model for the series opened parts of its premises as an exhibit space for enthusiasts. Matthew Li from Anime Tourist commended this venue as a museum-like experience that deeply connects with fans by displaying cherished props from the show. Furthermore, K-On! inspired real musicians such as Hiroto—the bassist for The Sixth Lie—who formed a band influenced by the series during his junior high years.

Awards and nominations

K-On! received the Best TV Animation Award at the 2010 Tokyo Anime Awards, with its sequel, K-On!!, earning the same distinction in 2011. Additionally, K-On!! was honored with the Best Television prize at the 15th (2010) Animation Kobe Awards. The film adaptation gained a nomination for the 35th Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year in 2012 and won Best Film at the 2nd Newtype Anime Awards. It also achieved the Theatrical Film Award at the 17th Animation Kobe Awards.

External links

Official anime website