Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (April is Your Lie) is an anime adaptation based off the manga of the same name. However, there are two noticeable things to take consider about the source material. One is that the series is actually completed so expect a full adaptation. And two, it has won a Kodansha Manga Award for the shounen category in 2013. Thus, expectations coming into the series are relatively high. It also doesn’t take long for the series to take off in the beginning as we meet Kousei and his friends. The first few episode sets up the foundation of what’s to come. We meet Kousei who seems to be doing well at school with a normal personality. He has friends so loner isn’t part of his vocabulary but there are also hints showing that part of his past isn’t so very pleasant. The shift in balance of the series is reflected by the musical atmosphere. The way he meets Kaori could be described as a miracle as she is someone who really stands out in this show. But for what’s worth, the series isn’t just about music alone.
In many ways, the show is almost like a journey, at least for our main characters anyways. In the case of Kousei, it’s much more. To him, it’s about overcoming a deep scar that still remains in present day influenced by his past. This is clearly shown when he and Kaori goes up on the stage to perform but during the session, Kousei suffers a mental breakdown. We can see his grey and hollow world after realizing that he cannot “hear the music notes” from the piano. Of course, this can all be interpreted as a mental sphere as all these events are going through his mind. The talking cat, the water-like dream phases, and broken piano notes serves more as a metaphor. In this way, the show does an outstanding job in reflecting Kousei’s mental stability. It doesn’t take long for viewers to find out that the cause is Kousei’s overbearing mother. You ever been part of a family where your parents push you beyond your limits? I’m talking about the type where they expect you to come out as #1 every single time. Kousei’s mother is something along that line but what’s more so is her final moments that really stung Kousei in the heart. So for this show, it’s about how Kousei can recover from that in this journey infused with both music and interpersonal issues. On another level, there’s also Kaori and her problems. Although her past isn’t influenced by an overbearing parent, there’s something that is holding her back. It doesn’t take long for the show to make viewers suspect that she may not be a perfectly healthy girl like some of us think she may be. Just do take a note that the show can sometimes be staggering when it comes to transition between events from the past and present. The timing is a key and it nails it on spot when it finds its way. However, the show sometimes over-saturates it to a point where it may become an annoyance or overbearing.
Of course, these two main characters are only half of the main cast. On a lighter side of the story, we have Kousei’s childhood friend Tsubaki. She has an interesting past with him that brings out both a brighter and emotional side of the story. Her cherry personality is similar to that of Kaori and is always supportive of her friends. Then, there’s popular school athlete Watari who is more of the ladies’ man. Unfortunately, the series doesn’t focus much on his character as much as the others. We don’t see much about his background story and he lacks the impact of both emotional and social problems that is reflected in the other characters. What do these all four characters have in common though? There’s a sense of connection. All of them are supportive with one another in their dreams. In fact, without them, Kousei’s life would have been quite different than what he imagined it to be. Then, there’s the more emotional side of the story involving romance. I can say this show is labeled more as a romance square. There are obvious hints to who likes although some of the characters themselves don’t realize it until later in the story. However, do take not that the show isn’t just focused on romance and serves more as a sub-plot; albeit an important one to bring out the interpersonal issues with the characters especially towards at the very end. Another key thing to note about character relationships is how they react to certain situations. In many ways, it’s realistic and relatable to how some of our own lives. I also have to say that the growing bond between the characters remains strong from almost start to finish with every episode.
In a world where there is music, competition also exists. For Kousei, that also comes in sheer force with characters like Emi and Takeshi. In most shows, they would push this plot to a point where competition becomes a driven force. But in this series, Kousei’s concern isn’t so much about winning but about overcoming his own fears. After all, he already proved himself to be the stronger competitor in the past against the both of them. No, it’s more about how Kousei can live up to people’s expectations in the present. A good portion of the first half presents Kousei’s fight against his inner demons. The illusionary binds of his past is his major obstacle that only he can overcome. And this is where the show gets the more dramatic when we see Kousei’s multidimensional struggles. However, he also realizes for the first time that his friends are in his heart to fight with him (especially Kaori). And at the same time, it echoes Kousei’s present life and how he can find ways to change. This becomes a driven factor as Kousei also plays the role of a mentor after meeting an old friend later on in the story. This is somewhat similar to Kaori’s own battle as she literally fights for her life. With a tragic sense of tone, the show is able to capitalize on each pivotal moment and articulate them in a profound manner. It’s also fun at the same time to see how the show is able to mix in comedy with timings during appropriate moments to make you feel more at ease.
If there’s something else unique about the show, artwork can easily fit in that category. Taking a close glance at the visuals is like looking at lively water paint. The show has this serene-like mood wherever it goes. Each episode makes a solid effort to illustrate the backgrounds, characters, and setting with its pastel artistry. Character designs also reflect on their personalities well especially for Kaori and Kousei. It even shows the physical condition of Kaori later on as there’s a dramatic change in her looks. Similarly, the show also adapts metaphors with a precise mood to reflect on whatever message it’s trying to deliver. There are however occasions when the series becomes lazy in regards with the background characters. Well, it’s more like the characters that just appears in the background with their single dotted eyes. But overall when it comes to art, the show knows what it’s doing with it phenomenal production.
Ah yes, the music. This is probably a flagship for this series. It is a driving factor of Kousei’s journey to once again realize why he began playing piano from the beginning. As this series highlights both piano and violin play (rather than singing), it adapts more of a classic tone. Famous music such as Kreutzer Sonata (Beehoven) makes a presence in this show. At the same time, it’s interesting to see how the show reacts to the characters’ movements on stage. Their feelings are poured in a stylistic matter to synchronize with the movements while their music speaks by itself through talent. Other noticeable music played such as Etude in E minor and Lover’s Duet also makes their debut in the show to spice up the hype. Even the duet plays by Kousei and Kaori is important for their ability to move the audience beyond just the music notes. OP and ED songs on most parts has their lighthearted style such as the case of Goose House and Coala Mode. It also has some foreshadowing and imagery with a stylish portrayal that can just be so fun to watch. Finally, I give a lot of praise to the voice acting of this show. Characters are able to speak from their heart with their very real voice, perhaps an irony of the title. But for everything that comes and goes, music is something that I’d stress not to forget.
Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso has this powerful ability to convey and enlighten beyond just the musical side of its story. We get character relationships, interpersonal struggles, and all in all a journey that is filled with passion. Romance may not always prevail as a dynamic factor and the music may not be a suitable taste for everyone. However, the show captures the essence of personalities and issues. It effectively portrays a compelling cinema when it comes to performance (both in musical style and character). And furthermore, the show has a graceful portrayal at what having friends is like during the darkest of the hour. A show like this makes a lot of its concepts and themes relevant. It has a meaning that celebrates music culture and a journey of ground-shaking emotions.
