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Mei is an ordinary girl in contrast to her exceptionally talented older brother. While she diligently participates in her school's Wind Orchestra Club, he has earned acclaim as a musical prodigy. When their neglectful parents send a girl named Mel to live with them, Mei begins to realize that her feelings towards her brother are far more intricate than she initially believed.
I'm a big fan of music-themed anime and manga, so naturally I had to check this one out. However, I find that music-themed manga is generally harder to appreciate compared to its animated counterparts because viewers can hear the soundtrack in anime.
If you enjoy character development, then a musical manga might be right up your alley. The protagonist typically strives to become a better musician while trying to understand the world and people around them. In Andante, this holds true. What sets this manga apart is its emphasis on family drama. The introduction of Melvina into Mei and her brother Natsu's lives initially seems like an unwanted burden from their parents, but as they discover her musical talent, their perspectives shift. Nonetheless, their troubles don't end there.
The manga started off rather unremarkably, though it did pick up later, similar to Miho’s Kodomo no Omocha. While I wasn’t particularly fond of the main conflict that arose, it did add intrigue to the story. Although the ending was conclusive, I found it unsatisfying, wishing for a more fulfilling resolution for the protagonist.
Having read Miho’s renowned Kodomo no Omocha, I expected a fair amount of humor. However, the laughs were sparse due to the serious nature of the characters’ familial conflicts and the demanding profession of music. That said, there were still some funny moments that made me chuckle.
The protagonist Mei is a likable character. Despite her brother Natsu being the musical prodigy, she is neither exceptionally talented nor terrible at playing. This makes her relatable since perfection isn't common. She deeply cares for her brother and would do anything to support him, yet she tries to handle her own problems independently. Mei is a brave young girl who has yet to realize her full potential and determination.
Natsu, having shown musical talent from a young age, was always seen as destined for success as a composer and musician. He is handsome and receives considerable attention for his work and performances. Like Mei cares for him, he is also very protective of her. He often overworks himself to meet composing deadlines, spending hours in his studio creating new melodies and rhythms. His immersion in another world makes him somewhat mysterious, although this type of character is quite typical in musical manga, almost making him indispensable.
Melvina is the beautiful Australian relative who comes to live with Mei and Natsu under certain circumstances. Though from another country, she speaks Japanese well. She takes time adjusting to life in Japan due to her innocence and naivety about city customs and Japanese schools. Her voice is breathtakingly beautiful, and she loves to sing. Initially, her naivety annoyed me, but her actions later made sense, and I warmed up to her a bit.
The artwork in Andante resembles that of Kodomo no Omocha, featuring the typical 90s manga style with small faces, large eyes, and flat hair. One aspect I didn't like was the similarity between characters' faces. Mei and Melvina looked very alike to me, differing only slightly in height. I could tell them apart only by their hairstyles, which they changed frequently. It was odd because Melvina is described as very pretty, and for Mei to look the same undermined this fact.
All things considered, I give this manga a 7/10. While the plot was somewhat interesting, I didn’t particularly enjoy the major conflict that emerged, even though it did drive the story forward. I also wasn’t satisfied with the ending. The characters weren’t overly exciting to me, except for Mei. The art was okay. Overall, it was a decent read after the exciting part was over. I believe I would have enjoyed it much more as an anime adaptation, mainly due to the musical aspect.
-chp 5