[Watch now] 10 best anime and manga to get guitarists excited about music! [Essential subjects in life]

Although the subject matter is jazz, the passion for music is as intense as any rock film. In particular, the live performance scene in which the main character, Dai, pours his soul into playing the saxophone is so overwhelmingly expressive that it's hard to breathe even for the viewer. The moment when the members connect with each other through an improvised jazz performance and a sense of unity is born is thrilling.

As a guitarist, even though we play different instruments, we can't help but empathize with Oh's stoicism in "aiming to become world champions through music." As the catchphrase states, "Play this once-in-a-lifetime moment with all your might," watching Oh and the others pour all their energy into every note is enough to make you feel as if you're standing on stage yourself. There are scenes of their fingers bleeding during practice, and of them struggling to get along with their peers, depicting the rigors and greatness of music in a realistic way. Seeing them never give up on their music will no doubt make you want to strum your guitar once more!

It's okay if you're not familiar with jazz. In fact, try to experience a new world of sound together with the main character as he dives into unknown music. At the final live performance, you will feel the excitement of every cell shaking with the applause of the audience. Please experience this masterpiece that will remain in the history of music manga!

"Beck" is a monumental music manga. The story of Koyuki, a guitar beginner, meeting the genius guitarist Ryusuke and starting a band from scratch evokes the youthful urge to "start a band myself!"

For example, there is a scene where Koyuki falls in love at first sight with a used Fender Telecaster. Any guitarist will grin at the encounter with the "one for destiny" that they have experienced. Even though his fingertips are worn out from practicing, his blood-stained efforts in preparation for his first live performance at the school festival are heartwarming.

And when the band's first performance arrives, even though the audience is sparse, they are able to connect with their friends as they play music - the depiction of that moment is truly emotional. As the story progresses, the film is packed with scenes that show the joys of being a musician, such as playing in front of a packed audience at a live house and competing with other bands at an outdoor festival.

The intensity of the live performance portrayal is so powerful that you can almost hear the sound, and after reading or watching the book, you will want to grab your guitar and plug it into an amp. The story is dramatic, and it also involves youthful elements such as friendship, love, and failure. This is a masterpiece that lives up to its catchphrase, "Everything you need to know about youth is here." This book is dedicated to all guitarists who want to be passionate about music.

"If you're an introvert, play rock music!" -- I'm sure many people were attracted to this powerful catchphrase.

"Bocchi the Rock!" is the story of a loner girl who is not good at being in front of others, and who breaks out of her shell with the help of her guitar. From a guitarist's perspective, the highlight is undoubtedly the growth of Goto Hitori, commonly known as "Bocchi-chan." The moving moment when she, who used to spend all her time practicing in the corner of her room, plays with her bandmates for the first time! She is shaking with nervousness, but as soon as she picks up her guitar, she becomes completely absorbed in her performance like a different person, and the scenes make you nod in agreement and say, "I know what you mean!"

The film also drew attention for its depiction of authentic equipment, including a Gibson Les Paul. The sound pressure of the distortion roaring from the amps and the feedback noise are all realistically reproduced, conveying the atmosphere of a studio rehearsal. In addition, in the daily life section, which is full of gags, you can laugh at the sight of Bocchi-chan putting a paper bag over her head as she fantasizes about failing a live performance, but get excited as she remembers her first stage performance...

The live performance starts with zero audience, but gradually people gather and the excitement builds, making you think from the bottom of your heart, "Music is the best!". This is a masterpiece that is filled with cute characters and laughter, and is bursting with pure passion for music. By the time you finish watching it, you'll surely feel like, "I want to play rock too!"

The story of the two women, Nana, has garnered overwhelming support as a life drama, despite being a music manga. The main character, Nana Osaki, is not a guitarist, but she has the soul of a rock star.

The way she crawls out of poor circumstances and tries to rise to the top with her own songs shows us what it means to "live in rock". In the scene where Nana holds the microphone tightly in a live house and sings with a thunderous guitar riff behind her, the scene is so realistic that you can almost hear the cheers of the audience and the feedback from the amps.

The catchphrase used at the time was "Every girl needs NANA," and the work is filled with moments when music saves you and the importance of a place with friends. From a guitarist's perspective, attention should also be paid to Nana's boyfriend, Ren, a genius guitarist. Ren's playing on his Les Paul is silent but passionate, and the coolness of "telling things through sound" shines through.

Another band, TRAPNEST, also appears in the film, and the rivalry that develops due to differences in musicality is also exciting. Friendship, love, dreams, failure... the story is like the lyrics of a rock ballad, and before you know it, you'll be immersed in the world of NANA. This is a timeless masterpiece that rock fans should experience at least once.

Being possessed by the ghost of a legendary guitarist - it's a setting that rock fans can't help but get excited about.

The main character of "The Shiori Experience" is Shiori, a plain female teacher who finds an unconventional partner in the spirit of Jimi Hendrix. The story of a "Jimi" high school teacher possessed by a legendary guitarist who changes her life through music is sure to get any guitar lover's heart racing.

The moment Shiori strums her guitar for the first time in a long while, the soul of Jimi residing in her body explodes, and the classroom is filled with the same excitement as a live music venue - a fantastical scene that will give you goosebumps.

It's thrilling to see her usually timid, but on stage she plays the guitar with wild intensity. The death game element of "if you don't leave a legacy with your music, you die" is thrilling, and the fact that her life expectancy increases with each successful live performance is a thrilling one.

The story is also filled with stories about rock legends such as Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton, making it full of amusing stories. The songwriting and the bond between the band members are carefully depicted, and the story is not only unique in its ghost setting, but also very exciting.

The message contained in the keyword "27 years old" also strikes a chord with me. The soul of rock has nothing to do with age or gender! This is a masterpiece of rock praise that will make you want to grab your guitar and run out into the city after reading it.

"Carole & Tuesday" is a story about how music can create miracles. The music that the guitarist Carole and the piano player Tuesday, two people with different backgrounds and personalities, play together starts a small revolution on Mars in the future.

As a guitarist, the scene that really gets to me is when Carol writes a song with an acoustic guitar in hand. In a quiet room, he plays chords and searches for a melody, and suddenly his expression changes to one of "This is it!" Anyone who has ever composed music will understand the joy of that moment all too well.

The quality of the songs in the play is also well-known, and the songs provided by professional musicians are all catchy. In particular, the scene where the two perform the first song they wrote, "The Loneliest Girl," on a street corner at night is a great scene. There are only a few people passing by in the audience, but the two who sing with all their hearts burst into applause... This quiet emotion is a foreshadowing of the big stage later on, and it will give you goosebumps.

As the story progresses, the girls take on the hit songs mass-produced by AI with real human music. Their songs, which don't rely on the latest technology, gradually attract more and more people, and at the climax, they join forces with a large number of musicians on stage for a miraculous chorus. The ending, which reminds us that "music is food for the soul," will move you to tears. After watching the movie, you'll be left with a refreshing feeling that will make you want to jam with someone on your own guitar.

"Kids on the Slope" is a perfect combination of youth and jazz. There is one thing that guitarists should pay attention to. That is the "magic of the session."

Even in a piano and drums duo, there's a moment when you first play together in the studio and realize, "Now, we're feeling the same groove!" In this work, the scene where Kaoru and Sentaro connect with each other during a jazz session is a perfect example of this.

As the catchphrase states, "JAZZ was always playing between us." Even two people who don't talk much can understand each other as long as they have music. As a guitarist, you may have had the experience of communicating with your bandmates through improvisational jams or eye contact.

This film vividly evokes that feeling. The 1960s era is also fascinating, and the atmosphere of the early days of rock is palpable. In the film, the main characters are depicted as admiring the Beatles, and conversations like "Let's start a band with electric guitars next" may even pop up (let your imagination run wild).

Music also shines brightly as a part of youth, from the sound of records they listen to while sitting on the slope to the jazz medley they perform at the school festival. The heartbreaking final scene will move you to tears at the miracle of music connecting two people even when they are apart. If you pick up a guitar and think back to your own youth, the passion of those days will surely be revived.

Some of you may have already heard of this romantic comedy about young musicians.

"Kazeha" is a refreshing story about music and love, and is full of scenes that will tickle the guitarist's heart. Above all, it is packed with the "common things" that happen from the formation of a band to the success of their first live performance.

The excitement of the main characters entering the studio for the first time and the joy of seeing the number of people gradually increase in the live music venue that was initially empty. Each and every moment is carefully depicted, and you'll definitely find yourself nodding along as you say, "That's right!"

Another heartwarming point is the heroine Fuuka's innocent nature and outstanding vocal aptitude. Encouraged by her singing voice, Yu tries his hand at composing and responds with a guitar solo, a development that is the epitome of youth. Furthermore, with the addition of Sakura, Yu's childhood friend and popular singer, the story becomes one in which the sophisticated music of the professionals clashes with the rough-hewn music of a beginner band. Not only does it create a love triangle, but it also creates musical excitement, making it impossible to take your eyes off the band's accelerating growth.

As the catchphrase states, "A love triangle that begins with music," the story becomes even more dramatic as bittersweet love stories are also woven into it. Watching the members bond over practice and live performances will make you think, "bands are great." After watching the show, you'll want to get in touch with your own band members... this is a youth band anime that will awaken that kind of innocent passion.

Up until now, we've been following the hot-blooded series, but "Detroit Metal City" is a unique music comedy manga. If you're a guitarist, you've probably had the experience of thinking, "I didn't want to play this song..." at least once, right? The main character, Negishi, is exactly that way.

"This is not the kind of band I wanted to be in!!" he says, as he ends up going wild as the frontman of an unwanted death metal band. However, this miscalculation is what makes it so interesting! Negishi usually plays refreshing songs with an acoustic guitar, but once he puts on makeup, he drives the audience wild with his devilish guitar playing and insulting shouts, which is hilarious.

From a guitarist's perspective, Krauser's (Negishi) guitar technique is also noteworthy. From fast playing to power chord riffs, he reproduces the beauty of death metal style to the fullest, and the contrast with his "real technique" is also hilarious. The live scenes are also strangely heated, with call-and-response with the audience and a parade of extreme performances (destroying instruments! Breathing fire!). But then there's a scene where a pop song that Negishi secretly wrote becomes the key to the story, which makes you tear up, and you can feel the love of music even amid the laughs.

Above all, it is unique in that it depicts in an extreme way the pleasure and fear of making people go crazy with music. There is a strange catharsis in seeing Negishi give his all on stage, even though his musical style is different from his ideal. It is a must-see for guitarists, as it makes you laugh and makes you think, "Music can be free."

The greatest appeal of "K-ON!" is how it exquisitely mixes sweet, relaxed everyday life with serious music scenes.

Just as you're relaxing in the club room, enjoying tea and sweets, Yui's Les Paul roars out at the school festival live show, and the atmosphere changes in an instant. Kyoto Animation visualizes the exhilaration of a world expanding just by a beginner making a sound with delicate fingerboard drawings and the sound effects of the cheers of the audience, creating a sense of realism so real that you can feel the temperature of the stage on your skin.

The play has over 80 songs, and the songs "Don't say 'lazy'" and "Fuwa Fuwa Time" are particularly catchy and easy to play. The original work is a four-panel comic with a focus on everyday gags, but the anime version has significantly enhanced the characters' growth drama and live performances.

Therefore, you can enjoy the relaxed mood of the original work and the passionate music parts of the anime. After watching it, you will surely want to take out your guitar and remember the excitement of the day when the F chord rang out.