Yuuko Amamiya
main character
TV
7.7
My TrackerPLANNING
Episode: 0 / 12
My Score:
Anime DetailsFINISHED
Estimated watch time
4h 48m
⚡ 3 days at 5 eps/day
Tags & Tropes
Heterosexual90%Tragedy81%Age Gap72%Male Protagonist70%Female Protagonist70%Ensemble Cast60%Classical Music60%School60%Primarily Female Cast60%Drawing60%
TVFINISHED2008 FALL7.7 / 10 AniList score
ef ~ A Tale of Melodies
ef - a tale of melodies.• ef: a tale of melodies.
Synopsis & Story
In a story set years in the past, Himura Yuu is a studious and diligent young man intent solely on maintaining his top academic position at Otowa Academy. One day, he meets a mysterious girl named Amamiya Yuuko, who, to his surprise, recognizes him. Memories of a distant childhood, memories rather left forgotten...meeting Yuuko again will force Yuu to confront the regrets and sorrows of their collective pasts and presents. In the present, Kuze Shuuichi may seem like a womanizer, but upon closer inspection, is a man who would rather be left alone. Hayama Mizuki, however, is not the type of girl who would let him be, especially after hearing the beautiful sounds of his violin performance. As Mizuki attempts to become closer to him, Kuze attempts to push her away—the tale of their budding relationship is darkened with undertones of an imminent tragedy.
Trailer
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A streaming link is not listed for this title yet.
Featured Cast & Voice Actors
Franchise Universe & Related Entries
Aniphoria guide
ef ~ A Tale of Melodies: should you watch it?
At a glance
ef ~ A Tale of Melodies has been well received, with an average AniList score of 77/100 — 63% of 10,698 ratings are 8/10 or higher.
It ranks #17 highest-rated anime of 2008, and #36 most popular anime of 2008, and #7 highest-rated anime of Fall 2008 on AniList.
Of the 16.7K AniList users who started it, 4.3% dropped it, so it is rarely abandoned; 14.2K have finished it.
At about 4 h 48 min in total, it is a short commitment — a weekend binge.
Best for viewers who enjoy Drama, Mystery, Psychological — especially heterosexual, tragedy, age gap, male protagonist.
Where it fits in the series
- Watch first: ef ~ A Tale of Memories (2007), ef: a tale of melodies. - prologue (2008)
Episodes
12 episodes are listed.
Main cast & creators
- Original creator
- minori
- Director
- Shin Oonuma
- Series composition
- Katsuhiko Takayama
- Character design
- Nobuhiro Sugiyama
- Music
- Tenmon
- Music
- Eiichirou Yanagi
Opening & ending themes
Openings
- OP1“ebullient future (English)” by ELISA · eps 1-2
- OP2“ebullient future (Instrumental)” · eps 6
- OP3“ebullient future (English 2nd. Version)” by ELISA · eps 11
Endings
- ED1“Egao no Chikara” · eps 2-3
- ED2“Negai no Kakera” · eps 6
- ED3“ebullient future (English)” by ELISA · eps 10
- ED4“ebullient future (Japanese)” by ELISA · eps 12
- ED5“ever forever” · eps 12
Theme data from AnimeThemes.moe.
ef ~ A Tale of Melodies FAQ
- How many episodes does ef ~ A Tale of Melodies have?
- ef ~ A Tale of Melodies has 12 episodes of about 24 minutes each, roughly 4 h 48 min in total.
- How long does it take to watch ef ~ A Tale of Melodies?
- About 4 h 48 min back to back. At two episodes a day it takes 6 days; at one hour a day, about 5 days.
- Is ef ~ A Tale of Melodies finished?
- Yes. ef ~ A Tale of Melodies has finished airing — the final episode aired December 23, 2008.
- Is there a season 2 of ef ~ A Tale of Melodies?
- No sequel is listed for ef ~ A Tale of Melodies as of October 2026.
- What should I watch before ef ~ A Tale of Melodies?
- Watch ef ~ A Tale of Memories and ef: a tale of melodies. - prologue first — ef ~ A Tale of Melodies is a direct sequel.
- Is ef ~ A Tale of Melodies based on a visual novel?
- Yes. ef ~ A Tale of Melodies adapts the visual novel by minori.
- Who animated ef ~ A Tale of Melodies?
- ef ~ A Tale of Melodies was animated by Shaft and directed by Shin Oonuma.
- Who sings the opening of ef ~ A Tale of Melodies?
- The opening, "ebullient future (English)", is performed by ELISA.