CaptainSlow

What I Liked: The ballad-like OP and ED. The soundtrack, which is a mix of jazz staples and great ambient pieces. Animation is generally consistent, really shining during the performance portions. Character chemistry is fabulous, with a complex relationship web. Pacing is spot-on for the most part. Episode 7, and the cultural festival medley. The way that romance / "young love" is treated, and the fact the show gives space to the idea of falling out of love with someone (and it being okay).
 
What I Didn't: Sometimes doesn't feel as grounded in time / the time period as I'd have hoped, especially around the middle of the series. Makes rookie mistakes in the back story department - character back stories generally lack much depth or detail, and are sometimes entirely delivered through spoken exposition (e.g. Matsuoka). YMMV on the ending - depending on your views on SOL in general, it will either be disappointingly shallow or a reasonable albeit rushed conclusion.
 
Final Verdict: Fluidly animated and full of heart and soul, Kids on the Slope skillfully uses jazz music and performance as a means to convey emotion, mood and chemistry while offering a parallel to the often tumultuous times of the teenage characters. Unfortunately, issues with character exposition and temporality threaten to bring the series down, as do the show's adherence to some of the more frustrating Slice of Life tropes. Despite all this, Kids on the Slope is still a strong series about love, friendship and jazz.

NB: This anime was reviewed as part of the Anime-Planet Secret Santa 2016.