In this post, we take a closer look at the current status of the series “Sakamichi no Apollon”, also known by the following titles:
- Kids on the Slope
- 坂道のアポロン
- Sakamichi no Aporon
- Apollo on the Slope
Status#
Based on our analysis, the series is NOT FINISHED. ❌
Here’s how we reached that conclusion:
- All related entries are marked as finished on MyAnimeList
- The series is listed as ended on Trakt
- The original source material has not been fully adapted, according to MangaUpdates
Taken together, these points indicate that Sakamichi no Apollon is still ongoing in some form.
Watch order#
Sakamichi no Apollon ↗ ↖
Sakamichi no Aporon
Summary
Constantly transferring schools since childhood, Kaoru Nishimi has always been seen as a social outcast when he transfers due to his intellectual nature and wealthy background. But after moving to Kyushu for his first year of high school, things begin to change. Kaoru befriends the class president, Ritsuko Mukae, and, unexpectedly, the notorious school delinquent, Sentarou Kawabuchi. While Kaoru is an honors student, Sentarou is constantly getting into fights and skipping class. However, these two opposites find a common ground in one thing—music.One day, Kaoru is invited by Ritsuko to visit her family’s record store, where he finds Sentarou in the basement showcasing his skill in jazz drumming. Kaoru, being a classical pianist, knows nothing about jazz. But inspired by the performance, he begins to open his mind to the genre alongside Sentarou. The duo begin to practice in after-school jazz sessions in the record store’s basement. As he spends more time improving his skills in jazz, Kaoru finds a person whom he can truly call his friend and comes to learn the joys of playing music.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Background
Sakamichi no Apollon won the 57th Shogakukan Manga Award in the General category in 2011. The series was published in Polish by J.P. Fantastica from July 2, 2015, to April 20, 2017; and in Spanish by Milky Way Ediciones from September 29, 2015, to June 28, 2016.
Sakamichi no Apollon: Bonus Track ↗ ↖
Kids on the Slope: Bonus Track
Summary
Once again, we join Sentarou, Kaoru and their friends in a short jam session of friendship, music and love.- Junichi and Yurika, after Junichi’s move to Tokyo
- A short story about Kouta, Ritsuko and the guy who answered the phone when Kaoru called Ritsuko
- Tsutomu Murae (Ritsuko’s dad) and how he finds his way into Jazz
- Sentarou Kawabuchi and how he discovers his new resolve
- After story…
Background
Sakamichi no Apollon: Bonus Track was published in Polish by J.P. Fantastica on July 19, 2017.
Sakamichi no Apollon ↗ ↖
坂道のアポロン
Summary
Introverted classical pianist and top student Kaoru Nishimi has just arrived in Kyushu for his first year of high school. Having constantly moved from place to place since his childhood, he abandons all hope of fitting in, preparing himself for another lonely, meaningless year. That is, until he encounters the notorious delinquent Sentarou Kawabuchi.Sentarou’s immeasurable love for jazz music inspires Kaoru to learn more about the genre, and as a result, he slowly starts to break out of his shell, making his very first friend. Kaoru begins playing the piano at after-school jazz sessions, located in the basement of fellow student Ritsuko Mukae’s family-owned record shop. As he discovers the immense joy of using his musical talents to bring enjoyment to himself and others, Kaoru’s summer might just crescendo into one that he will remember forever.
Sakamichi no Apollon is a heartwarming story of friendship, music, and love that follows three unique individuals brought together by their mutual appreciation for jazz.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]