i walked into rainbow live not expecting much? because i gave it a try in the past buuut it was a really quick look? the start is kind of overwhelming and it feels REALLY out there, originally i thought it was just an idol series but it's not really while also being the case?

walk in expecting idols get "girls singing while ice skating with magical penguins turning into instruments so they can play along to their singing" is kind of a big difference but after you're done with the first cour (aka 12 episodes) which is mainly introduction to the characters and their struggles, it takes a turn in direction where things get a little more serious

i'm not going to go super into detail about specifics BUT, i'm going to compare it to aikatsu, i love aikatsu and think it's a really nice "feel good" anime, but it's really bad at balancing character screentime and the character development and those things combined for a long period of time can get a little shallow? like i feel most of the characters there go through one or two things for a couple of episodes and they reach their peak development and that's it for them

in pretty rhythm it's kind of the opposite; everyone's issues are touched little by little, given development and weight so that you actually care for them and they only reach their resolution at the very end? and the issues all vary and i think can be very relatable for a decent number of people, especially the intended audience which is children, because it doesn't limit itself to the struggles of performing like a lot of idol series do, but it extends to things like having problems at home, dealing with being pressured by family, people's expectations of you, expressing your thoughts, trusting your friends, learning to love others and yourself, etc?

i was just really moved at how they handled things, it's one of those things where the cast ends up feeling like a family to the viewer? fictional works that manage that always move mE AND THE ENDING WAS SO GOOD... SO GOOD...

and then i watched the spinoff movie aka king of prism which is a whole other story but iT WAS... GOOD... as long as you walk in ready for magical naked flying boys that whisper things like "good night baby, love you" in english and throw kisses at the camera (kissy noises included) bUT IT WAS GOOD... i'm looking forward to seeing and learning more about that cast and getting more cameos of the rainbow live cast