By exchanging notes, you get to know one another, to understand one another. As if your souls were connected and your hearts were overlapping. It’s a conversation through instruments, a miracle that creates harmony. In that moment, music transcends words. – (Kaori Miyazono)

Japanese Name: Shigatsu Wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April)

Genres: Shounen, Drama, Romance, Music, School

Review:

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso was probably one of the most anticipated anime series during the winter season of 2014. With its dramatic story plot, it will definitely get the viewer sit at the edge of their chair, wanting to watch more of it. Although it may be an anime about music, it sort of has a different feel due to way the anime is written and directed.

This story revolves around two musicians, Kousei Arima and Kaori Miyazono.  Arima is a piano prodigy who has participated in many competitive piano competitions due to the request of his mother, who wanted him to fulfill her dream by being a successful pianist and performing in Europe. However, things suddenly took a turn for the worst when his mother suddenly passed away due to a sickness right before his competition that would decide if he was good enough to pursue a musical career in Europe. Because of that, he was unable to perform during the competition, and even worse, he loses his ability to play the piano. Arima became depress and begins to see the world in monotonous shades of black and white – the colors of his piano keys.

One day, Arima is invited to come and watch a violinist named Kaori Miyazono perform. What shocked him was that she didn’t follow the instruction that was written on the music sheet, as if she was trying to challenge the composer’s decisions. She played the song as if she owned it. Not only that, Miyazono is very determined to bring Arima back to the musical world by following her style of music, which relies expressing your emotion through music.

The main characters are very well developed. Not only that, since it was so well developed, it made me feel as if whatever they do had sort of like a deep connection with me. However, what I felt was lacking was the development of minor characters.  While these minor characters do play a big role in Arima’s life, they don’t stand out as much as I feel they should, and there is not that sense of dependence on the supporting cast like there may be in other series.

There’s nothing about the animation or the graphics that really stands out; they’re not amazing but they’re not bad. I find that they could have done better with the background and the scenery of the anime. But what I am impressed with is how accurate both Kousei and Kaori play their instruments. They were able to show which notes they played clearly and able to coordinate the time they hit the note with the song as well.

In my opinion, this is anime worth watching and I guarantee that it will not be boring! Some say that only people who understand music will like this anime, and while you may indeed have a more developed respect for it if you are musician, I think that any and all anime fans will be impressed with this fabulous series!

Flame Grade: 7 of 7