Your lie in April Review! | aka the show of tears and music

Hi friends! I am here to share my thoughts on a show, one that has swept me away. Listen, I don’t really watch anime. I’ve seen RWBY, some of Death Note, and The Promised Neverland*. But I randomly decided to try one episode and accidentally watched the entire thing. If that doesn’t convince you, well, read on!

*which i may also have to write a review on because um wow

Kousei Arima is a fourteen-year old piano prodigy. Or at least he used to be. Two years before, his mother died and he lost all will and ability to play the piano until one day he meets this magnificent violinist named Kaori who begins to rekindle the love of music he thought he’d lost.

I KNOW, IT SOUNDS REALLY CHEESY. But it’s actually heartbreaking to watch Kousei struggle through his trauma, and the music just adds an incredible layer of emotion.

but anyways the visuals. STUNNING I TELL YOU ABSOLUTELY STUNNING.

This is only my first piece of proof so buckle up folks

Do you see how gorgeous it is??? And how cute they are together AGHHHH. The animation is absolutely stunning most of the time.

“You exist inside of a spring that cannot be replaced.“

The characters are all amazing. Kousei’s two best friends, Tsubaki and Watari, are perfect additions to the cast. Watari is the player, always flirting, and Tsubaki is the classic “childhood friend who has a crush on her best friend but doesn’t know it” trope. But she’s also so much more than that! Not to mention, romance is not the focus of the anime. It’s more centered on music and Kousei’s character development.

“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.”

That isn’t to say there aren’t super sweet moments between the characters. There are also hilarious, perfectly-timed moments that lighten up the mood!

AND THE MUSIC. Marty, I’m screaming.

The renditions of classical pieces are so beyond beautiful. And the music that fits into certain scenes and the endings/openings…there are no words.

I seriously need to find the OST. It was just that gorgeous. It made me rediscover my own love of piano and music. This show is definitely not for everyone but if you’ve ever connected with music, I’d suggest giving it a try!

“The moment I met her, my life changed. Everything I saw, everything I heard, everything I felt, all the scenery around me… started to take on color.”

There were a episodes that felt slightly filler-y. Also, it might feel like the plot’s too stagnant and repetitive at times, and the ending’s a bit predictable. But like I said, the sheer emotion of the music and characters make it all worth it!

I cried quite a few times watching this show. Like, a lot of times. I also laughed but I CRIED. I don’t cry that easily. There are moments that just strike a chord within you, accelerated by the striking visuals, passionate inner monologues, and incandescent music.

“A lump of steel, like a shooting star. Just seeing the same sky as you makes familiar scenery look different. I swing between hope and despair at your slightest gesture, and my heart starts to play a melody. What kind of feeling is this again? What do they call this kind of feeling? I think it’s probably called..love. I’m sure this is what they call love.”

Basically, this show isn’t for everyone. There are long, drawn-out musical performances and tirades about music. Kousei can be frustrating at times, with his performances. But if this is for you, be prepared to ride an emotional rollercoaster of music and love and really, really pretty visuals.

And that’s it! I was kind of crying while writing this lol. Tell me: have you seen this??? Have you read the manga???