April showers and May flowers

I just watched all the episodes of Your Lie In April that have been broadcast so far. I rather liked this teen-romance-between-classical-musicians thing. At first I was afraid it would be too much like Nodame Cantabile, where a free-spirited pianist slowly teaches her fellow student how to appreciate music again, but this show is different enough to be interesting on its own (nice shout-out to Nodame, by the way). Anyway, I don’t really have a review so much as a bunch of scattered thoughts.

First, there’s a lot of crying on this show. Do classical musicians cry this much in real life?

Second, I had no idea that Peanuts was that widely read in Japan. Teenagers can actually quote Charlie Brown out of the blue without having to explain where the line is from? Although “I’m not always going to be around to help you” sounds more ominous in the show.

Third, I think the book that the protagonist is reading in one of the early episodes is The Little Prince. The illustration on the cover looks familiar.

And fourth, I can’t tell the difference between a good or bad performance in classical music. Well, maybe if something was egregiously terrible and dissonant, but otherwise I have no idea what the characters mean when they say one rendition is rough and another is full of honest yearning. This reaction is to be expected, of course, since classical music is an elite pastime specifically meant to exclude those without the proper background, but what that means is that I’m watching the show for the characters instead of the music. I do kind of want to take up piano again, though.

Addendum: Based on further research (i.e., asking people who can read Japanese) the book in question is actually The Genius Liar by Ulf Stark.

2 Replies to “April showers and May flowers”

  1. I used to play classical piano. Something my mom made me do. Some songs are funny and ticklish, while the are just… Sounds to be played perfectly.

    The first song I truly enjoyed playing was a soundtrack from a hentai game (Yaei from Monster Girl Quest. You can find a video of my hand playing on youtube. Sorry I can’t link you it as youtube’s blocked here). Though simple and plain, it’s the first song I enjoyed out of my own free will. I played the song for a small concert and the ecstasy is something I’d never forget. I definitely was holding back tears of joy (and my personality is a lot like Arima).

    I’m now on episode 5, but I already got spoilered, so god help me I’m only seeing the bad foreshadowings.

  2. Ha, I’m right there with you. My mom also made me take piano lessons when I was a kid. I hated practising, but years later I kind of wish I’d stuck with it. Also, I believe I’ve found the video you were referring to. Good job keeping up with your piano skills. I’m somewhat envious.

    As far as the rest of the anime, I saw the whole thing without spoilers and spotted all the foreshadowing anyway, so you’re not actually missing much. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

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