Refer to @mugiwara's review for a far more detailed, and my opinion, overwhelmingly precise review for Your Lie in April.
Story: 5
Your Lie in April has a rather predictable plotline which is summarized quite well by the synopsis. Unfortunately, this means that the story ends up being a skeleton; a skeleton needs muscles to move, and without them, the skeleton is powerless. Nevertheless, a skeleton and muscles are mutually reliant towards each other, and Your Lie in April does provide a solid framework on which the characters can interact and weave an overarching idea.
Art: 10
By the first episode, I had already been blown away by the art. Your Lie in April utilizes a massive color palette, and I felt that the art was nuanced so well that it boosted the tone of the story in the moment. In fact, color itself becomes a meaningful metaphor that adds depth to the anime.
Sound: 10
Now, I don't mean to portray myself as an expert, but I did play piano for nine years before getting to my goal and quitting (incidentally, this anime does tempt me to pick it up again). During the various classical pieces that were presented, characters often analyze and comment on the emotional nuances of a piece, the color the musician portrays in his music. Their analyses were illustrated perfectly by whoever was playing the classical pieces. The music itself seemed to come alive. It was color and life portrayed by sound. Your Lie in April has succeeded in opening my ears further to the subtleties of a piece of music.
Character: 10
Let me get off my chest right away that the side characters are relatively static. It is the development of Arima Kousei that provided the greatest entertainment to me. His evolution is breathtaking. Furthermore, the relationship between Kaori and Kousei was very organic in a sort of way. Unfortunately, I don't feel confident enough to feel that I can explain the depth of Kousei's development, but know that his is masterfully executed.
Enjoyment: 9
The very fact that I feel compelled to write a review for this piece is a testament to how much I enjoyed this anime. The subtleties of the anime, from its use of color and strikingly well written character development serve to make this anime a good look into the depths of the anime's being, almost. I did feel a pressure behind my eyes occasionally, so the anime conveys feels excellently as well.
Overall: 9
It would be very fair to give this anime an 8 overall. The utter inadequacy of its story brings down the stellar sound, art, and character development and it's lack of meaningful side characters does no good either. But life, as it has shown to Arima, is unfair, and I will give this anime an undeserved 9/10. The excellent art, sound, and development of Kousei drive me to give Your Lie in April that unfair extra point.
tl;dr Story is shit, but everything else is godtier, watch it. Has good feels.
P.S.: No matter how much anime I watch, none will make me truly spill tears like AnoHana. Saying this anime has more feels than that is unwarranted and unfair. Sorry, fans of Your Lie in April.
