Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso

Your Lie in April

"I met the girl under full-bloomed cherry blossoms and my fate has begun to change"

22 episodes of this series will bring you to the another level of teenagers' love drama. Echoed by classical music, coloured by sparkly glances from lover's eyes, engraved by friendship, love, trust, grief, and the struggle of youths fighting for their life. Yes, life isnt always as beautiful as we think or we want, even so you can still find beauties from the bottom of the sea.  Even from a lie, you can create your own happiness.

Arima Kousei, a piano prodigy, who dominated most of piano competitions at young age. He has an ephitet as a "human-metronome" thanks to his 100% accurary towards the score. His mother, who was also his instructor passed away when Kousei was only a step more to go to Europe, her goal. Soon after Kousei had a mental breakdown while performing a recital that made him no longer being able to hear the sound of his own piano even though he has no hearing problem. Kousei quit piano, but still hopelessly cling on it cause he has nothing else. Started from that day, he always see the world as a monotone, and hear of its sound as an ugly resonance.

"This is a punishment for me"

Since a child, Kousei is a clumsy boy, typical younger brother who cannot do many things by himself.  However, he has a childhood friends who always by his side, Sawabe Tsubaki and Watari Ryota. Like classical and metal music, these two are completely different with Kousei. Tsubaki is a gorilla-girl cause of her tomboyish appearance, Watari is an overly-easy-going boy, and yes, both are loud. Even though most of Kousei's time spent for practicing piano, they two will always wait and support him.

The story begins after 2 years of Kousei's hiatus over piano. Tsubaki is a baseball player, Watari is a soccer player, you can say both are the star in their school, while Kousei is still hiding behind the shadow of piano. One day, Kaori Miyazono, Tsubaki's classmate asked Tsubaki to introduce her to Watari and they will meet at the park the day after. Cause Kaori plays classical music, Tsubaki invites Kousei to come as well so if the conversation turned out to be boring they will have something to talk about. Besides, two and two is better than one and two. In the end Kousei joined them as a "Friend A", the supporting role, and the first time Kousei saw Kaori, his world changed.

"You exist inside a spring that cannot be replaced"

Kaori is a violinist. Her playing style really matches with her personality. Ultra-violent, mean, straight-forward, loud, noisy, selfish, but also beautiful. She believes that music is a freedom and musician isnt supposed to be imprisoned in a cage of music score. She refuses to play faithfully like the score, she is a violinist that plays music in her own way, the way she likes, the way she thinks it will reach the others and will never be forgotten. The completely reverse of Kousei's style. As they build their friendship and keep their role, a "Friend A" and "A Girl Who Loves My Friend", Kaori manages to help Kousei back to the music world.

"We arent Chopin after all, we are just us"

At first half of its episodes, you'll see tons of light pastel colour, the warmth of spring, and the melodies of hope and love. Finally Kousei has taken his first step forward to be a musician, but the loss of his mother makes there is an event-present sorrow hanging over his music. His growth is spurred with grief. If the death of his mother triggered something in him, he would likely meet another tragedy in order to move forward. Further, the story will be more like winter.

To be honest the storyline isnt anything new, but the way it is delivered make it to feel like one. A light-love-comedy and about how music connects people in various way. It tells about the life of youth that is unpredictable, doubtfull, mixed with joy and pain, yet so beautiful to hear. It is a series about learning to move on, learning to forgive and accept yourself at its fullest, that sometimes we need a help to make a first step or to realize something so important, how to be free, and how to say goodbye when the time comes.

"But you have me"

The animation is bright, with vibrant colour that wont make you feel bored. The artwork is pretty good and the recital moments are very lively. The other good part of this anime for me is its soundtrack. From its opening, ending, and the insert song around really match with the scenes. The classical and the "normal" one blend flawlessly to enrich the mood. Even though you have no knowledge about classical music, you can still enjoy it.

So if you are a fan of classical music, or just want a love-comedy drama, you must watch this one.

"What did you have in your heart?

What did you lean on?

For whose sake you played?"

...
"You"

sayadipong 16:42