Your Lie in April (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso) Review

More fall anime reviews continue with Your Lie in April!

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April)

From episode four onwards, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April) was an early standout as one the season's premiere anime. 

After the death of his mother, piano prodigy, Kousei suffered from a mental breakdown that prevents him from hearing the music as he plays and makes him view the world in monotone, which leads him to quit playing the piano. However, after his childhood friend, Tsubaki Sawabe, introduces him to Kaori Miyazono, a beautiful and free-spirited violinist with a style that reflects her personality, Kaori's music helps Kousei see the world of music in color once again. What follows is the makings of a beautiful drama with elements of romance and a touch of comedy.

No better word decides Kimi no Uso than beautiful, simply beautiful. Even though the first three episodes did not have me hooked, episode four the introduce story elements that would be the driving force of the entire series. More than halfway through the series, Kimi no Uso is one of the most compelling dramas since Nagi no Asakura and Golden Time. Despite using some of the most standard romance cliches, like the childhood friend, the series manages to set itself apart with a surprisingly dark backstory that is all too realistic and believable that covers a topic not often discussed in anime. Even though the series is a romance, the romance element is not the main draw, but rather the drama between the characters and Kousei's struggle to play the piano again. Kousei's struggle is also surprisingly emotional. In addition to the dark drama and romance, Kimi no Uso throws in some humor. While it is misplaced in the first few episodes, the humor actually makes the characters and world feel real. Even if someone has a tragic past, life can still be fun and humorous at times, and the humor in the series, for the most part, reflects this sentiment. 

What makes the drama and characters even more compelling is the presentation of the series. Being a music anime, Kimi no Uso's pieces of classical music played by the piano and violin, my favorite instrument, are charged with emotion and simply stunning to behold. To complete the package, A-1 Pictures' animation and visual symbolism is positively sublime! From the character designs to the visual style, A-1 Pictures are at the top of their game. Throw in one of the best opening songs of the year and you have one of the most stunning visual and audio experiences of the year. Providing the series does not take a complete nosedive in the next final episodes, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso should turn out to be one of the best anime of 2015, so expect to see an in-depth review when the series ends.

Watch if you like: Drama, Classical music, Stunning animation, Romance,

*8.7/10*

More Fall Anime Reviews:
Fall Anime Review: Part 1
Fall Anime Review: Part 2
Fall Anime Review: Part 3

The Fruit of Grisaia
In Search of the Lost Future
Terra Formars
Rage of Bahamut: Genesis
Wolf Girl and Black Prince
Yona of the Dawn
Yuki Yuna is a Hero

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