Kaleido Star (2003–2004) User Reviews

Stick with the original series.

[minkscooter · 9/10 · 7 January 2007]

This is a fantastic show that my wife and kids and I could all enjoy together. The show is very colorful and the main character, Sora Nagino is very likable: a great example of motivation and optimism. Especially if you have a daughter in a sport like gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, or figure skating, you should not miss this show. Just do yourself a favor and avoid the "New Wings" series continuation. Unlike the first season, which ends very satisfyingly after 26 episodes, the "New Wings" series continuation seems to forget everything that was achieved in the wonderfully developed story of the first season. The character interactions in the first season are so inexplicably compelling. You're drawn in so naturally, you hardly think about it. Not so in the second season, where the character interactions seem contrived, and especially Sora seems shoe-horned into a role that doesn't work. I had to wonder if the creative geniuses of the first season, considering the show finished, moved on to other work, and someone frantically drummed up new writers to keep the show going in order to milk a successful title for more money. That's just speculation, but I can tell you what my wife and I experienced: "New Wings" is a letdown from the high of the original series, and one that is easily avoidable. The first season works perfectly all by itself and needs no continuation. In fact I prefer not to use the words "first season" at all for the 26 episodes that make up the real Kaleido Star.

Don't miss it! Kaleido Star has great animation and great music. The character of the Fool adds a bit of magic and comedy that works surprisingly well. The voice acting for the ADV English dub is right on. Make sure to get all 26 episodes, because this show really has that special combination of elements that makes you want to keep watching.

An excellent tale of the importance of having hope for tomorrow!

[mbillmyer735 · 10/10 · 18 May 2006]

This is a great anime that is all about the struggle to be the best you can be. Sora's spirit is almost always high and she tries so hard to be a performer worthy of being Layla's partner. This anime shows how important it is never to give up hope even in the darkest times. Sora's friends play an important part in her life just as friends do in real life and I thought it was captured really well. This is an anime that is great for all, young or old. There's not any violence or inappropriate language and that makes it possible for families to enjoy together. There is some humor that only adults will understand, but only because most children haven't experienced enough of life to understand.

Great show!

[TimothyMcKann · 15 June 2005]

When I first heard about this anime from a friend, she told me everything about this one. But after seeing the preview, I thought to myself if it was good enough to collect it, and it was. But when I bought the first 3 volumes on DVD, it was amazing. I know it's very hard for Sora to focus on her goal. All she's got to do is believe in herself and she can do anything that her heart tells her to do. What this show really shows us is that we can have a great dream like Sora did. She has the courage to be what she wants to be, and always has her friends to watch her back and help her through tough times. I know the show will get more interesting after I collect the other volumes on DVD. And it was cool for Tiffany Grant to play the roles of Charlotte and Jonathan the seal. So in closing, own this one on DVD. You will see what I mean.

I Hate the circus

[guzmandelarosa-84053 · 1/10 · 11 March 2022]

Kaleido Star won't be famous as otros animes because all of the characters, except May Wong, don't want that Sora returns to Japan because the stage without Sora won't be fun in the world and I recommend that You don't watch this anime.

Bit too much to be honest

[Irishchatter · 2/10 · 27 June 2018]

From seeing the positive comments on here, I thought this was actually going to be entertaining, funny and wonderful. However when I got down to watch it myself with episode 1, omg I really thought the character Sora was quite irritating to look at and the jokes were getting to be way too much to even handle! Now maybe this is because this anime is targeted to younger children and I'm a woman in her near mid 20s, but I've even seen way better kids targeted anime series then this one as an adult tbh!

Anyways I didn't enjoy it and had to stop mid way through episode 1. It was pretty brutal to watch and just not my cup of tea, I'm giving this 2/10....

I don't want to work in a circus

[gester-87704 · 1/10 · 11 October 2022]

I saw this anime for the first time in my country when I was little and I had fun with this anime and I saw that everything was perfect, but I cried when I saw the tragedies of all the circus artists and that is why now I understand why those artists always fought each other them, besides I don't have fun with that filler of the circus and I wouldn't be pacifist with those loser and grumpy artists. Besides, those artists demand a lot from me that I stay with them, because it would be a funny show to make people laugh at us because they tell me that they would not work if I did not stay with them and that is why I do not want to have those losing artists. That's why I don't recommend this anime for family.