The hills may be alive with the sound of music, but so are the skies in Sora no Woto (Sounds of the Skies). The first new anime series of 2010 looks set to be a huge hit, setting a high bar for any anime that follows.
Sora no Woto is the story of Kanata Sorami, a young, female army private who enlists so she can learn to play music. She signs on as a trainee bugler and is soon assigned to the 1121 Platoon of Trois State. The troops are stationed in the Time-Telling Fortress in the small town of Seize.
There is a legend in Seize about a group of shrine maidens who sacrificed themselves to stop a fire-breathing winged monster. While most legends are tales of fantasy woven with a thread of truth, it seems as if there could be as much fact as fiction in this particular tale.
Sora no Woto seems to be heavily influenced by Hayao Miyazaki's Laputa: Castle in the Sky. From the artistic style and music to the story itself, it will all feel quite familiar to fans of that work. The new anime features vibrant backgrounds and an inspiring soundtrack by Michiru Oshima, who has penned the scores to shows like Full Metal Alchemist and Project Blue Earth SOS.
A-1 Pictures Inc, responsible for Persona-trinity Soul, is handling animation production.
Miyazaki fans will find this series a satisfying way to pass the time until the master releases his next movie, while regular anime fans will find this a rare visual treat.
