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Past piano prodigy is asked to be a free-spirited violinist's accompanist

Your lie in April

22 Episodes

2014

Alternate Titles

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso

KimiUso

Genre

Drama; Romance; Music; Comedy; Tragedy; Psychological

Synopsis

After the death of his abusive mother, piano prodigy Kōsei Arima became unable to hear the notes he played. One day, he is tricked into tagging along with his best friends to a violin competition. Seemingly, the girl responsible for this request is fellow musician Kaori Miyazono, whom he has already had a disastrous first meeting with and who claims to be in love with his footballer friend. Not only does she quickly become his favourite contestant at the competition, but she also seems determined to have him play the piano as her accompaniment, despite his condition. Can she breathe music back into Kōsei’s life? And why does she seem so desperate to have him play with her as soon as possible?

Cherry blossoms bloom along a road

Content Advisory

This is not a comprehensive list of every individual use of strong content, merely a guide to show you how extreme it gets and how strong it tends to be. Also, the tags I’ve given each segment (e.g. Very Strong Language) is based on my own system and does not necessarily reflect the tags the BBFC (or other national equivalent) use. According to my system, the ‘Mild’, ‘Moderate’, ‘Strong’ and ‘Very Strong’ adjectives are based on strength, not on volume. Now, obviously, the strength of any type of content is subjective; what I consider strong might just be a relaxing weekend for you. Hence, I have added an explanation for my decision to allow you to make your own informed decision.

Please also note that the ‘colourful’ language I am referring to here is based on Bang Zoom! Entertainment’s English Dub. The Japanese Dub may (and probably does) differ.

Suicide Themes

One character considers this, suggesting another join them.

Mild Sex References

Just your average ‘pervert’ accusations and the like!

Mild Nudity

One scene depicts a female character naked, however no breast detail is present and it’s censored.

Mild Bloody Violence

Pretty much played off exclusively for slapstick comedy, however, there are some serious uses, too. These include some scenes of abuse and the death of an animal.

Strong Language

One use of ‘shit’ in an episode. Other milder language is also used.

Kaori looks at you after playing the melodica

Reasons to Watch

This is the difficult part. I don’t want you to see this entry as an oversized ‘DON’T WATCH THIS’ post. Equally, I don’t want to influence your opinion with a biased review – there’s a reason this website is called ‘Anime Insights’ and not ‘Anime Reviews’! In this section, I’m going to try to convey to you some of the reasons (in no particular order) that I’ve seen this show’s fans give for enjoying it!

Known as one of the best tear-jerkers in anime.

Even if you don’t cry, it’s still an emotional roller coaster!

One of the few music anime that is focused on instruments. There are a fair few idol anime, but not many about instruments. Presumably, this is because it’s harder to animate instruments that sync up with the audio. Even this show uses 3D for some of the piano segments!

Should you not be a fan of classical music, well, this show may well turn you into one.

Barrier of Entry

Viewers may be put off by the show’s odd interjections of slapstick comedy.

I have read (and agree) that this is a show that will only appeal to an audience looking for an emotional experience. It doesn’t work as anything else.

Music

Kousei holds his phone's camera up to you

Opening Themes

Hikaru Nara by Goose house (Ep. 1-11)

Nanairo Symphony by Coala Mode (Ep. 12-22)

Ending Themes

Kirameki by Wacci (Ep. 1-11)

Orange by 7!! (Ep. 12-21)

Orange (Acoustic Version) by 7!! (Ep. 22)

Hardcopy Notes

Unlike a lot of more recent releases, all special features (including two English Dub commentaries and an English Dub blooper reel) are available on both Blu-Ray and DVD.

Trivia

While the individual rigid cases used to house the individual parts of the UK release feature panels of the original manga, the large art box that is used to house both parts features a watercolour illustration from the anime’s first opening. The illustration was provided by Mieko Hosoi, a character designer who often works with director Ryōsuke Nakamura and is probably most famous for her work on Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions. The reason she provided this image is because it was Ryōsuke Nakamura who directed the first opening of Your lie in April!

Staff List

Animation Production: A-1 Pictures

Director: Kyōhei Ishiguro

ADR Director: Patrick Seitz

Series Composition: Takao Yoshioka

ADR Script: Patrick Seitz & Kirsten Perotti

Music: Masaru Yokoyama

Original Creator & Original Character Design: Naoshi Arakawa

Animation Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Yukiko Aikei

Art Director: Hisayo Usui

Lead Voice Actors

Natsuki Hanae as Kōsei Arima

Risa Taneda as Kaori Miyazono

Lead Voice Actors (Bang Zoom! Entertainment)

Max Mittelman as Kōsei Arima

Erica Lindbeck as Kaori Miyazono

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