Sometimes a chance encounter is all it takes to create something amazing. When runaway rich girl and aspiring musician Tuesday meets orphan and street musician Carole, it doesn’t take long for them to connect over a shared passion for music. After an impromptu performance from the duo goes viral on Instagram, the story of how they achieve stardom unfolds.
“Carole and Tuesday” is an anime series recently released on Netflix. The plot follows the titular duo Carole and Tuesday as they seek to become musicians — on Mars.
Yes, this series takes place on a Mars that is inhabited by humans and made to look like Earth. On this terraformed Mars, most music is generated using artificial intelligence while Carole and Tuesday perform utilizing an electronic keyboard and acoustic guitar. They perform for the sake of performing and out of a love for music, and that itself is a defiance of the algorithms that dictate the popular music in their society.
This series is a love letter to music. Each episode is named after a song; Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” and Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” are among some of the titles used for episodes. The show also name-drops artists such as Daft Punk and Michael Jackson regularly.
However, the real crowning jewel of the series is the performance. Carole, voiced by Atlanta-based musician Nai.BR XX, and Tuesday, voiced by Japanese-American musician Celeina Ann, perform wonderful original songs such as the relaxing opening theme “Kiss Me,” the upbeat “Hold Me Now” and their absolutely breathtaking ballad “The Loneliest Girl.” Some other artists featured include bassist Thundercat, who has worked with artists such as Kendrick Lamar and British platinum selling artist Lauren Dyson.
With wonderful music, beautiful animation and positive representation of LGBTQIA people and people of color, I strongly recommend “Carole and Tuesday,” available for streaming on Netflix and available with Japanese audio and English subtitles or English dubbed.
Sourced: John-Mark Smith
