Random Rant: Why Is Love Live So Good?

A story about a group of students who band together and form an idol group to garner enough interest to save their school. Sounds clichéd right? It probably is, but that’s not what makes Love Live so wonderful. On paper, it’s probably nothing new. But what makes it so great is that there is thought, effort, and emotion put into it. It isn’t half-assed, or even overdone. There is genuine care and enthusiasm that bakes the series.

All of the μ’s members are unique in their own ways (If maybe a tad archetypal), and with great writing, they feel human and genuine. Particularly Honoka, mostly because of the situation she was forced into by the end of the first season and the beginning of the new season.

The show got a lot of flak for ending the first season on such a drama bomb finale, but I am probably one of the few who thought it was fine. Especially more so now that the second season rolled with it. Having it end on such a high note would have most likely pigeonholed them into certain scenarios. Ending it like such led to the second season having a clear goal in mind.

This is what a lot of fans or watchers missed. This gives the show a sense of continuity. Honoka is obviously still having the after effects of what happened. Instead of going the easy route of being a rehash of the first season, they decided to continue the story. This is a good thing. This is good story telling and character development. It gives us a different perception of Honoka, and even makes her feel more human. Retconning or not acknowledging the ending of the first season would have been distasteful.

One thing that I feel kinda sucks regarding the new season, is that because of their new clear goal, it was also established that the 3rd years would most likely be graduating by the end of the season (Unless they drag it out for some reason). As Eri had sorta dropped in one of their conversations: “As much as I’d like for this to go on forever, it can’t.”

Everything has to come to an end. As much as I’d love for the series to go on, it eventually has to come to a stop once they’ve run out of gas. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the series stops or ends after the new season finishes. Of course I’d be sad, but it had a good run. From selling only 430 copies of their first album back in 2010, to the anime airing which blew up sales figures (36k on their 6th single), to their Endless Parade concert. At most, I can realistically imagine the franchise running for maybe a year or two more. But nothing more, nothing less unless they manage to extend its life cycle with spinoffs or another anime season (Which I doubt).

Love Live has so many heartfelt moments from start to finish. All of the 9 members get their chances in the spotlight, and with clever writing, they get to have different reactions and feelings regarding the various scenarios that happen through the episodes. This is a show that cares about and understands its characters on a level above "cute faces to sell to otaku," without ever taking itself too seriously or trying to be anything other than what it is at heart.

I have a very personal history with Love Live, so me writing this blog post would have probably come off as very biased. But these are my genuine feelings about the series. It probably wouldn't win any awards, but it feels genuine enough that it leaves an impact. I love it, and I’ll continue to support it until the day it disappears off the face of the planet. Foreshadowing of a proper review of the series soon? Maybe.