Your lie in April, one of the best ways you can begin 2015 with, the anime started back in October 2014 but ending in March 2015. I've been reminiscing for another anime similar to "Say I Love You" or "From Me To You". Finally my call was answered, Your Lie in April is anime that has cheeky adorable humor and lively/appreciable group of characters.
The story begins with the character Arima Kousei a pianist who developed some deep emotional scarring due to his mother passing away when he was much younger. His life kind of comes back together in middle school where lives a normal life with his childhood friends, Tsubaki and Ryota. Tsubaki invites Kousei to go on a double date because Ryota was going to be introduced to a girl who had a crush on him. That's where he meets the other main character Kaori.
While at first it felt rather cliché, I assumed that this was going to end up being anime where a side character being Arima falls in love with his best friends girl. In some sense it kind of did even play it that way up until later in the anime when you learn Kaori's motives. Although this anime was just so well constructed, it didn't push Arima's and Kaori's relationship up in your face but it was rather subtle and felt very heart warming. As previously stated, Arima has a mental breakdown during his life and even now he still has some issues and hasn't touched the piano since. Kaori eventually wants to help Arima be able to play again but Arima is hesitant but attempts it regardless and struggles through but for the most part succeeds.
I don't want to dive into anything that could spoil the anime so I'll leave it at that with the stories plot. Ryota on the other hand is character that doesn't get much light, we know little about him and his struggles but he is a great support character. I just wish they could've fleshed him out a little more like they did with Tsubaki especially since they are supposed to be close friends and all.
Tsubaki is the more interesting character and while the idea of a character like this wasn't knew the way she played in the stories situation was nice. She had unknown feelings for Arima for some time and while she wanted him to get better and play the piano again, a part of her doesn't like music for what is caused to Arima and the relationship they developed during their younger portion of their lives. Tsubaki never develops any hate towards Arima nor Kaori but feels uneasy as she isn't the one to help Arima out of his troubled situation.
Then there are some other interesting characters in the story who Arima once knew at a younger age who played piano like him. They have very well stories that just scream perfect, the stories behind each of those characters really reflects and explains the personality, rivals but friends at heart. I would go in to more into detail about these characters but while their explanation towards them isn't a big part its detail on telling it was amazing. Honestly don't want to ruin much about this anime in this review. So I'll let you find out about them if you decide to watch it.
It's time to get on the visuals now.
The art is simply gorgeous and I'm unsure on the budget of this anime but that quality tops out in one of the best looking anime shows this year and last. I am aware at the cost per frame but some of those piano playing scenes look fairly expensive if it was done on the cost per frame model. The rest of the show is no slouch each other, each background, location, character looks nicely toned out and not a drop of imperfection in sight. Something that I did want to point out thought was that during Arima's side views they cut out the part where his eyes are sometimes to show his eyes, while it bothered me initially I got used to it and sort of liked it more because you can see his emotions much clearer.
The OST was so good, I'm unsure if many of those songs played on the piano were created solely for the purpose of this anime or if it already had existed prior to that but regardless it was well suited for the anime, what I loved best is that they didn't replay the same song ever, at least not once that I've noticed so it was nice to hear a different song each time.
Now we have to talk about somethings that I personally didn't find to be as up to par with the rest of the anime. I'll start with something minor and more of a preference I would've liked, while this anime has a lot of emotions flying around especially romantic ones at that nothing is really done to answer these floating emotions. A lot seems implied, like I know you love me but nothing else at that. In one way I prefer it this way but why even make a push with announcing their love to other but never really going beyond that with the person? It felt like something was left out, but the anime wasn't really about the romance portion but making the effort felt a bit misleading at the end.
Another issue in the anime was around the end, just sort of does a fast forward with the assumption of what happened obviously but never really getting into it. I wish the anime could've gone a little further to see how their lives changed if they do a fast forward like that.
Of course these issues are extremely minor to the overall story but I do wish this anime could've got a little more, it had much more potential than what it gave but what it did give was pretty damn good. What could've made an anime like this a solid 9/10 would've been adding some more story to some of the other important characters, mainly those who were closes to Arima. Also the story feels kind of short sighted at the end where it’s a slight time skip with Arima and stop, nothing with the other characters that were shown throughout the anime aside from those in the same room which was 2 and a half.
Review
Story - 8 | Amazing!
The story was pretty unique, something like this isn't very commonly found in anime and if it is sometimes it isn't put as well together as it could be. The story in general around Arima was amazing especially how it all unfolds out towards the end, sort of changes your views alongside with the characters, felt quite nice.
Characters - 7 | Quite Good
The Anime had some gems in its characters design and story but what dropped this from a 8 or 9 is the characters that didn't get fleshed out. Characters like Hiroko Seto a close family friend and Ryouta Watari didn't get enough story or if any at all to really explain their role or how they were so close to Arima to begin with aside from knowing him while he was younger.
Art/Animation - 10 | Unforgettable
3D Visuals seem to be the new thing nowadays, I can't tell if this anime just had amazing 2D Visuals or Seemless 3D Visuals. Regardless it render style of 2D was gorgeous, beautiful, and vibrant. Every scene popped and the characters held up to the art and never once fell flat. The most nice looking things were the openings and endings of the anime itself, the songs with animation were just so perfect.
Music/Sound - 9 | Astonishing!
I'm one to enjoy all kinds of music, but when it comes to Anime nobody expects traditional piano music. It was a nicer side of this anime, the scores were amazing and very unique to listen to. I can honestly say the OST within the anime speaks for itself. As previously stated the Openings and Endings for the anime were up to par with everything else as well but I am one who always enjoys an anime intro and outro.
Enjoyment - 10 | Unforgettable
This is the wild card, personally I thoroughly enjoyed this anime. Everything came in nicely and while the anime had its ups and downs It never became boring or a bore to watch. The ending was expected but not as emotional as I thought I would've gotten. While might heart ached and wish for a season 2, the anime is a perfect one season story. Its complete in terms of its story but wish it can get more to flesh out more between the characters at the end. Nothing more than 3-5 OVAs of course.
Final Rating: 9 | Astonishing [Exact Rating - 8.8]
Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso or Your Lie in April is anime that comes short of perfection. While the whole anime together as a whole is extremely good, the one season made part of the story and characters suffer. You can put the blame more on the visuals, each show with Arima on stage takes up at least 20%-30% of the entire anime honestly which for some people might seem as a drag. This 20%-30% could have been used towards adding more story, add more romance, or at least flesh out some of the main characters in the anime. 20% of the anime in visuals would have been able to bring up the characters higher by adding more story to Hiroko Seto or Ryouta Watari.
This slight mark against the anime though doesn't shame it all, the anime is pure bliss. An unforgettable piece of work and an anime that everyone should get around to watching at some point if they are looking for an anime with a good story.
Despite this anime being hilarious and cute it has some dark parts to the story which aren't bad but Arima Kousei puts it best.
"Even in the depths of the darkest oceans, some light always pierces through"
- Arima Kousei
