A review of the Ginban Kaleidoscope light novel series.
Japanese title: 銀盤カレイドスコープ (1)ショート・プログラム：Road to dream
English title: Ginban Kaleidoscope (1) Short Program: Road to dream
Author: Kaibara Rei
Illustrator: Suzuhira Hiro
Available volumes: 9 volumes (finished)
Publisher: Shogakukan
Label: Super Dash Bunko
An accident has occured to Sakurano Tazusa, a 16-year-old figure skater, before the all-Japan championship; Pete Pumps, a 16-year-old Canadian boy who lived in Tokyo, now inhabits part of Tazusa's mind as a separate personality. He died but needed to stay 100 days before going to heaven. At first Tazusa was confused and upset, but gradually they became close. Tazusa challenged the all-Japan championship with a new program from Pete's suggestion. Can Tazusa win the championship and qualify for the Olympics?
There are some differences between the novel and the anime version. In the original story, Pete is an amateur figure skater, but in the anime version, he is described as a stunt pilot. Additionally, the anime version is equivalent to volume 1 & 2 of the original work, so it's regrettable that volume 3~9 (most part of the series) are not animated. Ginban Kaleidoscope is filled with a detailed description of skating and the minds of the athletes, which is the strongest points of merit as a light novel. Although not animated, the best volumes of the series are #8 and #9 because of these points.
Super Dash Bunko is Shueisha's label, which is famous at Weekly Shounen Jump and Cobalt Bunko. Therefore, there are some works from this label that are caricatured by Ultra Jump. As for the works from this label that got animated: "Happy Seven", "Ginban Kaleidoscope" and "R.O.D". "Kure-nai" is also going to get animated in 2008. Although not animated, "Yokuwakaru Gendai Mahou" and "Hatsukoi Magical Blitz" are also major works of this label.
Reviewed by: wakataka423
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