Sakamichi no Apollon - Recommendations

Alt title: Kids on the Slope

Sakamichi no Apollon

If you're looking for manga similar to Sakamichi no Apollon, you might like these titles.

Nodame Cantabile

Nodame Cantabile

In the world of classical music, Chiaki Shinichi is a stellar talent in the making; yet with everything going for him, he is nevertheless tied down by his own phobias. Unable to leave Japan because of his fears of flying and sailing, he finds himself in the company of another naturally-talented person, the very weird girl Noda "Nodame" Megumi. Together, the two find themselves in a slowly more intimate relationship, as they struggle to develop their talents and overcome their shortcomings.

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Reasons you might like Nodame Cantabile...

AirCommodore AirCommodore says...

Another josei drama/romance about music and musicians, though you can enjoy both without prior knowledge of jazz or classical music. Both have very likeable casts, and a similar art style and flow.

I would definitely recommend that you keep your music player handy (or at least youtube), so you can listen to all the songs mentioned- it makes both way more enjoyable.

pashluna pashluna says...

Both Nodame Cantabile and Sakamichi no Apollon are based around people discovering and refining their own musical prowess.  As another user said, both of these stories work a treat if you play the tracks mentioned whilst reading.  Although Sakamichi no Apollon is more of a drama whereas Nodame Cantabile is more of a comedy, both are also similar in that they are heavily character-focused.

Twin Spica

Twin Spica

When Asumi was just a baby, Japan's first manned space rocket, the Lion, malfunctioned and crashed into her hometown of Yuigahama. The impact killed many of the townspeople and critically wounded the girl's mother, who lay in a coma for several years before passing away, having never regained consciousness. With the help and friendship of Lion-san, a mask-wearing ghost who claims to have come from the rocket, Asumi grew up focusing on her dream – to someday travel to space. Now a young adult, she is determined to beat the odds and attend the newly-formed Tokyo National Space School to achieve her lifelong goal. Alongside Lion-san's guidance and several new, dear friends, Asumi will try her hardest to touch the stars.

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Reasons you might like Twin Spica...

AirCommodore AirCommodore says...

Yeah, one of these is about outer space and the other is about jazz, but despite that they have very similar themes and atmosphere. Both are mainly about a character that used to be a loner making lasting friendships, and throwing themselves wholeheartedly into their dreams. Both also feel very nostalgic and wistful.

Blue Giant

Blue Giant

Miyamoto Dai, a student with a taste for basketball, changes his life the first time he sees a live jazz performance. The incredible music strikes a chord deep inside him, and he immediately decides to dedicate himself to the saxophone. He has no skills, no formal training, and no idea what he’s up against, but his obsession drives him to play that instrument day after day. Will passion be enough to become the player of his dreams?

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Aoi Akuma no Serenade

Aoi Akuma no Serenade

From the moment Rachel Carradine hears the dark, rich tones of Blackie Madigan's alto saxophone, she knows her heart and her hard-fought, well-ordered life are in danger. As the daughter of a jazz musician, she knows the seductive power of the music just as she is familiar with the insecure, irregular, bohemian existence of the musicians. She escaped that lifestyle once and promised herself that nothing on earth could induce her to embrace it ever again. Yet hearing Blackie's Orpheus-like melodies, she is faced with the greatest temptation of her life.

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Blue Giant Explorer

Blue Giant Explorer

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Blue Giant Supreme

Blue Giant Supreme

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Straight no Chaser

Straight no Chaser

Shuuhei is an endlessly enthusiastic pizza deliveryman with almost no ambitions or skills, and he's determined to date Hitomi, a classmate back from high school who made the mistake of kissing him once. When he asks her what she likes in a man, one of the things she mentions was the ability to play a musical instrument. In response, he decides to learn to play the trumpet. But learning about the trumpet and jazz music is going to change his life in more ways than he imagined.

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Clavicōrdio

Clavicōrdio

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Kimi ni Kanaderu Boku no Oto

Kimi ni Kanaderu Boku no Oto

Early Showa era. Seiji, a boy born into a poor family, who loves to play the piano that his late father taught him, meets Natsu, the daughter of a ryokan inn. Fate brings them together through the music of the piano. However, Natsu has been promised a political marriage as the heir to the ryokan. The two realize their love for each other, but a harsh fate awaits them. This is the author's first serialized work, depicting a love that is carried through despite being tossed about by the times.

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Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle - side F.P & M

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