Number of Episodes: 12 + OVA
What Wikipedia Says: In the town of Nagarekawa, Nanako Usami, an ordinary high school girl, is approached by her uncle to become a local idol or "Locodol", partnering with upperclassman Yukari Kohinata to form the idol unit, Nagarekawa Girls. As the girls use their talent to promote Nagarekawa and their businesses, they are joined by Yui Mikoze, who acts as the local mascot, and Mirai Nazukari, who serves are Yui's substitute.
What TTPO says: This is a harmless slice of life series with cute (but not overly so) girls trying their hardest to do their best for each other and the town they live in. While their manager is just a little on the creepy side at times there are just no bad people in this show whatsoever - 24 carat hearts abound. This lack of tension could have been a recipe for boredom, but the writers manage to avoid many of the obvious idol cliches (and thankfully most fanservice) and keep the characters pretty well grounded - idol work is a lot of work and not so much glamour in this series and our main protagonists are not on a rocket racing to the top anytime soon. There are even genuine cliffhanger endings to some episodes.
How About the Music? For a show about locodols the music is pretty low key but I can say the insert song which we finally see at the end of the series is worth the wait - ridiculously happy and with lyrics that summarise the philosphy (if you can call it that) of the series. Do yourself a favour and don't click on it now - just watch the series. The ED ("Mirai Shoujotachi" by Nagaregawa Girls) is also worth a listen.
So how does it end? (Spoiler Free.): Appropriately. The OVA comes in soon after the end of the series and is a nice bookend to the series while clearly stating Nanako and Yukari have a long way to go and there is clearly room for a second season.
Overall Grade: This was not an ambitious series but is was refreshingly fun and honest watching, well paced, and a welcome break from some of the more gritty actions series we have been watching of late. Grade B+.
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