On one hand, it's a beautiful looking - but more importantly, beautiful sounding - anime. There are some parts that give me chills, tears, the works.
On the other, there are some parts, mainly in the 2nd half of this show, that take me out of the experience, and make me care significantly less about the parts that are supposed to have the biggest impact.
Honestly, if they removed a couple scenes, they probably could've ended it at Episode 13, and I would've been perfectly content. I know, they gotta follow the manga or whatever, but it all just felt so drawn out, and kind of pointless to the overarching narrative, in the 2nd half. The last few episodes are still good, but they'd better be, considering it almost felt chore-like to watch the episodes before.
Fortunately, the show is saved somewhat by the music. The performances all provide some astounding classical music, and those scenes are all easily the best the show has to offer. Despite how little I cared for the events leading up to the final couple episodes, the music ultimately brought me back in. Which says a lot, considering I have no connection to the piano or classical music in general.
Your Lie In April, up to episode 13, is a fantastic anime about dealing with loss.
I just wish they didn't forget that for the rest of it.
