bailey.clare - 2015-03-19 22:12:24

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, otherwise known as Your Lie in April, is undoubtedly one of my favourite anime to date. It's gentle storytelling, fleshed-out characters, and beautiful OST and animation leave an outstanding impression. So, without further adieu, let's get down to the details.

Story: 10

Simply put, the story is simple and beautiful. I eagerly awaited each week's episode, and frequently wondered why they only lasted a few minutes. You can read the synopsis if you're curious about the details, but I don't want to spoil a single thing, so that's all I'm going to say. 

Animation: 9

The animation is a little iffy at first glance. The characters are more detailed than usual, and it looks a little strange at first, but I quickly got used to it and grew to love it. The backgrounds are beautifully done and capture the tone of each scene perfectly, while the visual effects serve to enhance the storytelling and act as a visual representation of the character's emotions during key scenes. The quality stays consistent throughout the anime, with only a few hiccups that I struggle to remember. 

Sound: 10

This is a musical anime, and the OST is absolutely magnificent. Both the musical pieces played by the series' primary musicians and the background music are wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable. Additionally, the two Openings and Endings are great and suit the story nicely. Because this anime focuses on sound and music, there are a large number of auditory effects used to help tell the story. These, too, are excellent and very enjoyable. The voice acting is topnotch.

Characters: 9

The main cast of characters are wonderful and believable. The side characters also serve their purpose exceptionally well, with no major complaints on my part. I'm going to briefly talk about each of the four main characters:

Kousei Arima: The center of the story, Kousei is a piano prodigy known for playing exactly as the score intended. However, after the death of his instructor and only parent, his mother, he suffered a mental breakdown and lost his ability to hear his piano. Kousei's character is a tragic one, with a painful past filled with psychological trauma. Despite his losses, he's kind, earnest, hardworking, and decidedly amiable. I found myself routing for him from the get go, and became enthralled with his story and growth as a character.

Miyazono Kaori: A beautiful violinist and very willful girl, Kaori is like a whirlwind. She sweeps in, flipping tables and shouting abuse, and is ultimately the spot of colour Kousei needs in his life. Her character and story are magnificent, and she starts to grow on you the moment you see her. I recommend you treasure every second of screen-time she gets.

Sawabe Tsubaki: Kousei's childhood friend, Tsubaki is sporty and aggressive and acts as the "Big Sister" type. She's an important crutch for Kousei and is valuable to the story, though I personally did not like her character.

Watari Ryouta: A soccer prodigy and lady's man, as well as Kousei's close friend. Ryouta is funny, energetic, and occasionally says some valuable things. 

Enjoyment: 10

I love it.

Overall: 10

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso is a story that captures your heart and does lots of mean things to it, yet you keep coming back for a chance to see the warmth and kindness hidden just under the surface. It's painful. It's sweet. It's a swirling storm of emotions and canelés and it's amazing.

gregg02 - 2015-03-19 20:06:24

Everything is great about this anime.
The music, story, animation and the mood a must watch!

Definitely going to rewatch this

sydnee.hand - 2015-03-19 20:00:27

Hers was a white lie built on a grain of truth that snowballed as one lie after the other piled up. At first it was only hers, but then it became something that the two of them shared together – like a secret, a world upon which no other could encroach. He may have been “Friend A,” and she “the girl that loves my best friend,” but they were masquerading around a truth that neither one could openly admit because ultimately, the truth was much more painful.

Your Lie in April is a deceitfully masterful series that initially appears light-hearted and colorful, its palette boasting pastels that lend to the idea of it being another romantic comedy. Yet the moment we step past the disillusionment that it casts upon us by its false prefaces, we quickly realize that what we have immersed ourselves in is actually a tragedy in the making.

Tragic not because of a single element but because of all of its parts, and yet at the end of everything, this isn’t a series about tragedy. It is a series about learning to heal, learning to move on, and learning to accept the parts of ourselves that we’d rather pretend aren’t there. Part of that is accepting that sometimes we need a helping hand to take that first step. Part of it is learning to say goodbye when the time comes.

What is so compelling about the storyline is that it’s not merely an adventure into first love, it delves into the reality of post-traumatic stress disorder, childhood abuse, and chronic illness. It doesn’t paint any of these as artistic or tragically beautiful—they are horrible, they twist people, they ruin the best moments, and they have a long-lasting impact.

No one is completely black-and-white; everyone has their short-comings, fleshed out in full before our eyes. They have their hang-ups, their strengths, their struggles—and it’s in these characters that this series really takes off in full stride. It would be enough for them to be multifaceted with equal amounts of depth, but they take it a step further in painting the reality of youth.

Older anime fans may critically analyze the series as an unrealistic approach to young teenagers, but that pessimism overlooks the reality of what it was like for us to be that age. We were all that point when we found our first love, when we thought it was forever, when we poured our passion into something that ultimately would not come to fruition or last. That’s what being young is about—and that’s what Your Lie in April gives us. 

Granted that it may veer a bit over-dramatic at times in its representation of youth; there are moments of symbolism or hyperbole so overt that the cheesiness makes you shift a little uncomfortably in your seat (but I promise it’s not enough to gag you). Given that this is, however, a rather common trope that runs in series with heavier themes, it’s not necessarily a huge setback for an otherwise solid series. In the end, it is intended to be a fictional representation that conveys more than just what can be summarized in a few sentences or less.

The sound is completely on point, and the soundtrack artfully matches the emotions intended to be represented in each scene. From the actual classical music to the opening and ending, everything fits in like a jigsaw puzzle to give a full, satisfying final piece. When the characters analyze someone’s playing as harsh, rigid, and stilted, we can hear this—whether we are knowledgeable about music or not. Your Lie in April conveys emotion to us not just visually but aurally as well.

The animation is wonderful with bright, vibrant colors that bring the characters fully to life. There is an amazing, visually perceivable transition for the characters as time passes, particularly in regards to Kaori as the series moves on. It occasionally has some stilted moments but nothing outrageously noticeable to detract from the overall quality.

Ultimately, Your Lie in April is a story that starts out of the gates moving a bit slowly, but the pace matches the tone of the series. Structurally, it is a solid story of youth that dramatizes some aspects but never distracts from the intended message. On top of its other strong points, it’s aurally and visually a joy to the senses – and to anyone appreciative of a series willing to realistically approach the conflict of childhood abuse and the resulting trauma in a positive way. It’s not without a few setbacks, but in the end, Your Lie in April fashions itself to be a stand-out romance series that reminds us that while some relationships may be transient and brief, some people will come into our lives at just the right time for just long enough to touch us in a way we never thought possible.

treva58 - 2015-03-13 07:26:08

This is absolutely one of the best anime's in the genre in a long time. Wonderfully entertaining, Beautiful music, Character development that actually made you crave the characters, the art direction is gorgeous, and the story is very solid and heart touching. A must watch for any Music and Drama anime lover. 

jarred62 - 2015-02-14 08:53:25

Heart warming story. At first, I got the impression that the story revolves around Kousei Arima trying to get out the shadow of being "mother's robot", to find the charm in his music. Also, everyone around Arima seems to be moving forward. Tsubaki Sawabe, the childhood friend and baseball superstar who works hard in her sport, but struggling in the fact of the inevitable change of her relationships between Kousei and Ryota Watari. Watari is one of Kousei's best friend and the school's superstar soccer captain. [continue when have more time]

rosenbaum.lonie - 2015-02-01 09:24:54

To be said in a line "This anime is well made". 
Every second of it has been made with good insight, beautiful artwork and great character design. The story is filled with humor but at the same time filled with  deep sorrow. The music sweeps in as we watch, the best for those who have a sweet tooth for the piano.

 Don't know how it will end but, this one is a definite top ten in my list.

Suggested to all :)

stiedemann.micah - 2015-01-16 04:23:06

This series is beautifully made! The story, music, and animation woven together masterfully.
The pacing is well balanced and the ideals behind each characters are portrayed clearly. Drama and music comes together in a way that one cannot stand with the same impact without the other.
The music complemented the musicians thoughts and intentions very well. Instead of having cookie cutter pieces of music for every scene, parts of a score would be customized from haphazard and unbalanced to soft and enticing depending on what the scene needed. 
Animation in this series is very pretty. It's the kind of animation where everything feels alive. The motions and movements capture the feel of the moment and music very well throughout each episode.
So far, I am loving this series and although I am dreading what I see happening towards the end, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso is one beautiful and masterfully made series. This is definitely on my "Buy" list. Something done this well is worth owning.

margarette.shanahan - 2014-12-30 15:07:43

READ THIS IF YOU WANT A SHORT EPIC REVIEW.

First thing I want to say is MUSIC.

Holy **** the music here is great! Opening, Ending, OST everything! I am really in love with this anime.

The story is actually good but not perfect, not like the wow omfg best unseen story ever, but it is good and the nice pacing makes it better. So the story gets a 9.

Animation... Wow it's like so beautiful *_* boner everytime I see something :DD But seriously It's so freaking beautiful, and very modernized if you get me. Just take a look at this 10/10.

Sound oh well, you can pretty much guess what I want to say 100/10.. If you've seen Guilty Crown and love the epic music, then you need to see this!! It isn't like action feel like GC but it is fucking epic like it and creates HYPE.

MC is a little bit the pussy MC but isn't actually a 100% pussy, which I love. There is development all the time and it makes you happy to see him develop :'). 10/10.

I am at ep 11 and I've enjoyed it SO much, it makes me both happy and sad and that's what I am looking for in an anime. Nothing else really matters to me except enjoyment, as it is what matters for me if I enjoy it or not. The other factors helps to create enjoyment, but yeah I've enjoyed it so much, so overall 10/10.

eichmann.camilla - 2014-11-23 16:48:13

Really, really good anime. The drama isn't to much, the animation is absolutely beautiful and the characters a likeable.

lorena.fahey - 2014-11-01 00:02:10

The anime is wonderful and inspiring and contains good slice  of life. I think it is worth watching.  It is a very good anime. For the second time i tell you should watch it. Its graphics are beautiful and cheerful.  
All what i said in the above was my review up till first few episodes . 

This anime is a wonderful anime but it has an extremely sad twist which will make you want to cry by the end of every episode. I love this anime. I am not exaggerating when i say it is in my top 10 lists of anime and my top drama anime. It is a brilliant anime that gives and presents the themes of love, sadness, hope and despair very well.  If you liked clannad after story you will love this series, and i am not saying that it is as good as clannad, it is much much much better than clannad or any drama series ever made in anime history

The characters are definitely lovable especially Kaori Miyazono. This anime is a beautiful and a sad slice of life anime, maybe the best you will ever see. 

I definitely encourage you to watch this anime and give it a try. The anime gets better and better all the way till the end. You should watch this anime