Your Lie in April

    In “Your Lie in April”, or “Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso” in Japanese, follows high schooler Kousei Arima through the resurrection of his suppressed talent for playing the piano; the resurgence is sparked by his love interest, Kaori Miyazono, a young and beautiful violinist. This passionate portrayal of the reality of youth immerses one into the anime for its lightheartedness but many will soon recognize the tragedy underlining the storyline that gradually makes the viewer more and more engaged as they become invested in the characters.

    “Your Lie in April” might be a quick Netflix binge-watch as it only consists of one season with 22 25-minute episodes, but it won’t disappoint the viewer for the anime touches base on several issues and the seriousness of each one. The creators did not fall short in delving into the realities of childhood abuse and its resulting trauma. Kousei struggles to play the keys on the piano because of the torment he received from his late mother to play the notes perfectly, up to the point that he eventually becomes a child prodigy. However, the audience follows Kousei’s battle to overcome his inability to hear the notes he plays, even several years after his mother’s death, because of his own post-traumatic stress over his prior abuse that overwhelms him when he attempts to play the notes.

    Music is proven to be a bridge to the passionate emotions resonating within the main and supporting characters, expressing their thoughts as they transform throughout the piece. The soundtrack of the whole series was phenomenal with classical music conveying emotions not given justice otherwise as they are not easily depicted through simple dialogue. The beautifully illustrated anime leaves the viewer appreciative of the efforts made to convey the seriousness of the issues while also entertaining the audience with pastel colors floating in the air as music notes transcend.

   The anime may be criticized for its dramatic representation of teenagers and the cheesiness surrounding young love, but all is forgiven when in comparison to the actual plot of the show and the supporting visual prowess. The animation is stunning with vibrant colors that bring life to the characters and help with the transitions of time within the show as well as the various changes in moods guiding the interpretations of the audience. While the show is not without its setbacks (it tries to approach conflicts of abuse and illness in positive ways), it still stands out as a romantic tragedy that teaches several lessons of the briefness in relationships, and the importance of people who come into one’s life to aid them in sometimes inconceivable ways.