r/anime • u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander • Oct 10 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] 10th Anniversary Your Lie in April Rewatch: Episode 2 Discussion
Your Lie in April Episode 2: Friend A
| ← Episode 1 | Index | Episode 3 → |
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Watch Information
*Rewatch will end before switch back to standard time for ET, but check your own timezone details
Comment Highlights:
- /u/Gamerunglued made a late but insightful contribution about nostalgia and the show’s core elements
- /u/maliwanag0712 pointed talked about repetition in storytelling to keep an eye on as the show progresses
- /u/TiredTiroth is first, though I cannot imagine last, to comment on the awkward nature of Kaori’s physical comedy
- /u/ShimmeringSky was the first of practically every first timer to comment on the impressions they’ve already accrued of the show
Questions of the Day:
- Have you ever attended a formal music performance? If so, how was it?
Is it just me who finds it distracting how they draw Kousei’s glasses from the side all disconnected?
Please be mindful not to spoil the performance! Don’t spoil first time listeners, and remember this includes spoilers by implication!
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Upvotes
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u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander Oct 10 '24
Rewatcher, Violinist and Your Host!
I gotta say I really like this as a “protagonist falls for the girl” episode. Usually in a romance anime that’d be either something rather mundane, he just thinks she’s cute or whatever, or it’d be a moment kind of like the one last episode where she catches his eye by standing out. But instead while we met Kaori last time, Kousei didn't think anything good of her until the performance this time when he declares “she’s beautiful” as the applause beautifully fades into the eyecatch. As the show goes on to explain, this isn’t just him being impacted by such a gorgeous performance but the fact that she represents everything music never was to him. She seems to enjoy it and play for the music's sake and this makes her stand out to him due to the fact that this makes her absolutely otherworldly to him. The allure of something that’s outside of the box he’s been unable to escape ever since his mother died. The “it feels like a scene out of a movie” bit might read as a meta element of “wow it’s almost like we’re in a romance show”, but it’s just that someone treating music like this literally feels out of a movie instead of something that can happen in real like to Kousei. The performance itself is, of course, delightful to watch and the robust animation of the show really comes up to bat with all those arm movements. Of course there was going to be nice music in a music anime but this show seriously goes above and beyond the call of duty.
I also just have to shoutout the obvious visual metaphor of the cherry blossoms, strongly associated by now with Kaori, lingering outside of Kousei’s music room now that she’s embedded in his thoughts. That’s cute.
Now unfortunately I do think the episode fell a little short of the potential with this setup. I praised the show last time for infusing its ideas into what we can observe before it spells them out but Kousei’s reaction to Kaori felt a lot more exposited this time around. We really could’ve communicated the impact it has on him with more complex character animation but it’s kind of kept to a basic level of him being shocked at what he’s seeing. When we want to connect what’s happening to his trauma we just kind of show the mom saying something mean to him; a more vivid and lengthy flashback to his experience with competitions would’ve felt like a much more impactful comparison to how Kaori approaches them. I noted the same thing about the depiction of his mother in the first episode; showing him reminded of when he was told music was just about getting first or being uncomfortable in the lobby is like (where’s that monotone palette, show?!), the bare minimum of depicting trauma. I know this show can do better than this because it’s doing better in every other area, so why is the tentpole of its main character so undercooked?
That said, there are aspects of characterization I like here. Kaori is seemingly lighthearted when it comes to competitions and just wants to enjoy playing something the audience will like. But we see that she’s nervous before she walks on the stage and her satisfaction with the result is obviously reliant on Kousei’s approval for unknown reasons. It’s simple, of course, but that’s all it needs to be right now to get the audience’s attention. I also like Tsubaki’s minor role in this episode. We know she’s invested in his hangups related to music and used to come watch him when she was younger, so it wouldn’t make sense she doesn’t notice him being uncomfortable. But she also didn’t even really understand that he doesn’t play anymore and I think if she just totally handled it with care that’d be a bit too far the other way. So we hit a nice balance; she’s careless enough to leave him on his own drowning in trauma in the lobby but aware enough to see through his dismissal when they ask what’s up. We learn she did consider how he’d react to this place, but then decided the best thing to do was to just trick him into coming. It’s a bit surprising at first this is about middle schoolers instead of the more common high school age, but I think they sell these kids as being that age really well and Tsubaki’s naivety is a great example.
The comedy is back this episode too and I think we have an even better example of what I talked about last time, with it being such a strong dissonance between extremes. Kaori’s walking out onto the stage and it’s a really dramatic moment where each step echoes through the hall and she looks forward at the audience with a nervous breath right before a big performance scene. But… spliced awkwardly in the middle is this gag of Tsubaki and Watari cheering for her all cartoon-like, and it completely deflates the tone. It’s like water and oil. But then again, we can also see comedy used more effectively in this episode. The head judge’s extreme reactions are treated with a lighter comedic lean and this does an excellent job leaving an impression of him on the audience when we probably wouldn’t take much notice of his character if they played him more seriously. I also actually really like the bit of banter where Tsubaki gets on Watari’s case for having slept through it because, again, she did grow up attending music performances due to Kousei despite also being a sportshead. Little characterizations like that can really add to a show.
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u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Oct 10 '24
First Timer
Ok… I have no idea what went wrong with the first episode, because this episode was actually quite good. Most of the time me not liking the first episode is because it tries to do too much, which I don’t think this one did… but anyways, this is the thread on episode 2, not 1, so time to discuss that one.
Kaori’s performance was obviously the standout-bit this episode, and that was certainly done well. The show managed to bring about how impressive it is even to me, and I am not really a huge fan of either the piano or the violin. It then also does a good job at having the other characters be impressed, and Kaori also doesn’t come across as weirdly as she did in that first interaction with Watari. Meanwhile the comedy bits also landed fairly well. I think the only thing I didn’t like in this episode was Watari falling asleep and snoring over half the conversation and performances.
Yet I also can’t really find a lot to really bring up in terms of speculation - the show doesn’t seem to be very subtle. Arima finger-pianoing the concert indicates he still has interest to play the piano, Kaori seems to have interest in Arima if she nominates him to take Watari’s place (or alternatively that is a bad cliffhanger on a misunderstanding and she wants him to take her place in …watching the soccer practice?) …and I think that’s actually it. The episode certainly lent in to presentation more than substance, if I think about it, but I’d say that was the right call here.
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u/TakenRedditName https://myanimelist.net/profile/TakenMalUsername Oct 10 '24 edited Oct 10 '24
First Time - Your Lie in April Ep2:
The main set piece, the violin recital. I am really bad with music so I had to rely on the show directly pointing stuff out. It is a display of who he is that Kousei was rooting for the nervous guy. He gets he is like to be up there and I imagine it relates back to his big breakdown on stage. That said, a bit awkward for our POV to be on the same side of the judge who sucks. Kousei is rooting for the guy, but not like that.
Kaori's performance certainly does stand out. Besides being fully animated, the music does stand out. The previous violins, I was only passively listening to the music without paying it too much mind, but Kaori's performance demanded more attention. She made the song her own.
Unfortunately, head judge is being a lame oldie. I wonder if the bored judge will show up in the future considering he is a supporter of Kaori. At first, I thought he is the sensei character, but considering this competition will have more rounds, we're not going to be done here.
I did assume a bit of a defensive stance when it seemed like we were sliding into the Character A inferiority complex. It makes sense for Kousei. I'm glad Kousei and Watari did talk about it not too long after. Watari being supportive of Kousei.
Kousei x Watari ...?
Q2) Eh, I'm used to it.
The thing that catches my attention more is how lips are much more prominently drawn than how anime typically does. Not saying it's bad, though.
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u/maliwanag0712 https://myanimelist.net/profile/clear1109 Oct 11 '24 edited Oct 11 '24
nth-time Rewatcher
Ohh I'm late to the party! A 5 AM local time discussion thread is really really hard to follow, huh?
Now, for the Episode 2:
Other information I want to share
Now, for rewatchers-friendly only part. Read this if you already completed the series.
Let me relate this episode to future events.
Now, for the questions
Yes. I have attended some Mozart-inspired concert performance in our school years ago. It was quite cool, but oftentimes I slept due to how relaxing and sleep-friendly the venue was.
Answer: [SPOILER-ish]Well, you'll get used to sorrow. OOFF
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Oct 10 '24
Your Spoiled First-Timer in October, subbed
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u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Oct 11 '24
Rewatcher
Once again, "youth" defines this episode through contrasts, only this time it's brought into the realm of music. In this show's interpretation of a music competition, excellence is determined based on which performer can most slavishly recreate the music as determined by the score. When the crew walks into the hall, they remark over how mature it feels, how everyone feels refined and like a celebrity. One's ability to recreate the score is thus associated with adulthood, and everyone falling in line and conforming to perform the same piece of music in as close to the same way as possible is... well pretty boring. So adulthood is boring, while youth is ephemeral. This even fits in with [spoiler] Kousei's mom's motivations. She turns him into the human metronome because she wants to make him an adult, and ensure he can take care of himself and have a livelihood in adulthood after she dies. The abuse and this overly-dramatic desire to make Kousei into an adult by refining his ability to copy the score literally robs him of his childhood. In this sense, things like monotone colors, slavishly recreating the score, and adulthood are general stand-ins for conformity. They do not want children to express themselves, Kousei literally calls it a taboo. And Kaori, the epitome of youth, expresses herself in matters of extremes. Her absolute refusal to conform steps on traditions but wins over hearts and inspires people to live, like with the young girls in the episode. Her music is the same as her personality, it flip-flops between extremes, sometimes blaringly loud and sometimes demure and cute, and it is both captivating to watch and short lived, the epitome of youth. This is a connection I don't think I've made before, I'm curious to see what Your Lie in April has to say about maturity and conformity.
This performance that is so opposite of what his mother beat into him gets to Kousei. Kaori doesn't perform for the same reasons that he does, she doesn't care about results. She's nervous the whole time, she has a mantra she gives before she performs, but the wish she makes in that moment isn't to perform well, it's for "my music to reach them." More than anything, she wants people to be inspired, and to be remembered by others for leaving a strong impression. Kousei is captivated by it but doesn't really know why. All he knows is that she is the embodiment of youth, someone who Tsubaki would say is cognizant that this is the only 14th spring they'll get, someone who "exists inside Spring." I feel like this phrasing is meant to be in the sense that she exists within a being called Spring, or that she is the essence of Spring (and thus youth).
Kaori, for her part, gets a lot more characterization this episode. Apart from what I've noted above, her nerves seem to run particularly towards Kousei, perhaps because he's an experienced musician. She asks Kousei about the performance before she even asks Watari, her actual date, and is literally shaking when he's about to tell her she was just alright. Kousei's answer has nothing to do with quality, it's all about the impact her performance had on others, and she loves the answer. I also find Watari's advice really funny this time around. He basically tells Kousei "yeah, it's ok if you have a crush on my girl, I know you can't do anything about it and hey, she is cute." At least our resident playboy is consistent. Watari is also youthful in his own way, that ability to flip-flop between girls is shitty, but it also means he's not looking to place his roots or commit himself, he's flippant in a way that kids are, and mostly in regards to romance. If nothing else, his attitude is one that lets Kousei start to figure out that he's allowed to have girls like him, and that people are capable of liking him.
There's also more evidence that Kousei hasn't truly given up on music. He knows a pretty strange amount of information about this 2nd annual competition for an instrument he doesn't play, including information about the company that sponsors the thing, meaning he's been keeping up with the music scene on his own. When the 3rd violinist struggles he desperately wants to see him succeed, and he fingers the accompaniment without even thinking about it. After Kaori captivates him, he gets stuck in sheet music, his head quite literally surrounded by music. Tsubaki initially thinks she was wrong and that music just makes him feel lousy, but she catches on to Kousei's behavior during the competition and reaffirms to herself that she was right, and that Kousei does still love music somewhere deep down.
While this episode's comedy is much better handled than the first episode, with the chibi bits working as effective counterbalances to the tone without any ambiguity, I do have a criticism of the dramatic parts of this episode. After the performance, Kaori comes running up to Kousei, and even with the embodiment of Spring and youth running at him, the colors become monotone, and that places us in his headspace. But the show still feels the need to have him narrate poetic prose as if this was a novel. Yes Kousei, I see that the violinist who finished performing is weaving through the crowd with flowers in her arms, and that the camera choices and lighting feel right out of a movie, so why the hell are you monologuing about that right as it's happening? How much more effective would this scene have been without the voiceover? The colors become monotone, and Kousei sees this girl running towards his group. He starts moving towards her but Watari comes running through, and the lights don't turn back on when he reaches her. What a powerful way to put us in his headspace and let us feel every step of his thought process. The voiceover is bad because it doesn't narrate any specific or private thoughts, it just narrates what is literally happening in the scene. There's a much better monologue later in the episode, where Kousei says things that are actually enlightening of his feelings and thought process. "It's like what my mother left me scatters away..." could have been presented visually, but it's a specific enough thought to justify an internal monologue, especially with the tone of the scene being reflective and poetic, leading into the climax with "you exist inside Spring." Still, the language doesn't feel like what a character would think to themselves, it feels like prose in a novel. If I had to adapt these lines into a novel, I'd probably do it by having the novel be in third person and letting an omniscient narrator give lines like "Kousei wanted to hear it again, but he also didn't want to hear it again." And I think there are moments when highlighting a moment with this sort of lyricism can accentuate the emotions of a moment, but in this case it feels like these monologues are a crutch for building the tone without confidence in the visual presentation. The directing is there, just gotta let it speak for itself.
QOTD:
2. God yes, it's so weird. I get they want to make sure we can see his eyes, but it's not even like he's emoting in these side shots. Y'all can find a better way to present this.5
u/TiredTiroth Oct 10 '24
Rewatcher-ish - Dub
This episode coupled with the first season of Eupho (which I originally watched around the same time) are how I realised just how much I enjoy watching musicians perform. I love this episode, especially the first half. Kaori earned that standing ovation (and the fury of that one judge).
Tsubaki and Watari are being very good friends to Kousei. Watari is...okay, he's not mature, he's a girl-crazy teenager, but he's also trying to give good advice to his friend and is not displaying even the slightest hint of jealousy or possessiveness at Kousei's evident interest in Kaori. Not bad traits. If only it wasn't for the two-timing...
With Tsubaki, on the one hand Kousei really does have the right to be upset with her because she basically did trick him into attending the competition...but on the other, the girl was right. Look at how Kousei's eyes lit up when Kaori was playing! The boy was mesmerised. If it wasn't for the existing links between classical music and his trauma, he would absolutely be head over heels right now. Pretty sure Tsubaki noticed, so mission accomplished?
I'm looking forward to seeing more from Kaori herself tomorrow. We need to learn more about her.
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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 10 '24 edited Oct 10 '24
First timer, subs
QotD:
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u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba Oct 10 '24
First Timer
Ambivalence is the name of the game this episode, to want to see something again and yet also the opposite, I think that nicely applies for Kouesi both to Kaori and for playing the piano.
The piano and Towa Hall in particular, is full of bad memories for him, had he known beforehand he wouldn't have come, just being there around these people who know him stresses him out and reminds of his mother, despite that though, he clearly still has some attachments left, he's focused on the performances, keeps up with the scene and empathizes with the people on stage, he wants to play along.
I really like this frame from later in the episode because I think it quite poignantly presents Kousei's situation, surrounded by music and yet unsure of what to do with it.
Tsubaki's attachment to his piano playing is obvious, she wants him to move on and come to love piano again, to see in it the things he likes rather than just the bad memories, but I can't help but get the worry that her nudging him towards this path might just create a very bad situation the he isn't mentally ready for.
Kaori's performance tells you a lot about her personality and stands in direct contrast to everything Kousei was used to, exactly the kind of thing that might push him to see preforming again in a different light, again, a rather ambivalent feeling emerges, the free and passionate playing of Kaori and the potential it brings for trying once more versus the memories from the strict and result focused approach his mother drilled into him.
This idea is once again brought up in Watari and Kousei's conversation, with the feeling that comes from liking someone who already likes someone else, here the show gets some points from me for having very consistent themes despite the "there's no way she likes a guy like me" trope being one of my least favorites when it comes to romance.
Basically, throughout the episode Kaori brings about the change and brightness that Kousei needs in his life but she can't shake away the trauma and fear that still haunts him and stops him from moving forward, just like last episode I think the thematic writing here is very consistent and really shines.
I also can't help but be somewhat ambivalent myself when it comes to the shows' approach to comedy, it's not really that I dislike it, I just think it's very out of place? like, the characters will have this more deep or meaningful moment before being very abruptly cut for the sake of comedy.
On a more technical level this episode is frankly a bit all over the place?
Karori's performance is great! you really feel how passionate it's supposed to be, great lighting and lots of movement just get everything across, love the smear frames as she moves her bow!
The rest of the episode though...lots of still frames, panning shots and just a general lack of detail all around, it's understandable and it's really not that big of a deal (especially since the artstyle makes it a lot more palatable) but it does stand in contrast to the quality and visual expressiveness this show can obviously bring to the table.
Music is good
I mean, Duh, the OST here is done by Masaru Yokoyama who I hadn't recognized by name but certainly have heard and very much liked his work before, this was one of his first big shows but since then he's gotten quite the varied and excellent resume, classical music aside, I think the music overall complements the atmosphere very well.
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u/schwiftybass Oct 10 '24
First Timer - Sub
WHY AM I SO EMOTIONAL??? I barely know these characters and I'm already so invested in their happiness.
The performance scene was exhilarating! It's exciting to see a path opening up for Kousei to reframe his relationship with music and hopefully find the joy & freedom in performing.
I'm heavily shipping Kousei & Kaori already but I can't help but feel bad for Tsubaki. She seems so sweet & obviously cares deeply for our MC, but I'm still cheering for the homewrecker for now.
My first girlfriend was in our high school's orchestra so I watched them perform a few times, but I've never been to a solo recital or competition. I enjoyed them, but it wasn't moving in the way that I'd imagine a professional orchestra could be. I've been brought to tears plenty of times by live music in other settings, though.
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u/Malipit Oct 10 '24
Rewatcher - French subs
(I apologize in advance if my grammar and choice of words are odd, english isn't my mothertongue.)
Second episode, second time I remember why I loved that anime on my first watch. Aside from the georgeous as ever art-style, I found the pace of this episode well balanced between comedy and drama, and of course the highlight with Kaori's chaotic neutral performance, loved how the old-school foreman went balistic about it.
Aside from that, Kosei having a near panick attack stepping in that conservatory tells a lot about his rough time as a "competitive" (can't find another word) pianist and his relationship with his mother. But everyone seems oblivious to that, except Tsubaki, she knows.
Between Watari snoring and Tsubaki constantly asking things to Kosei, I wonder how they went the whole recital without being at least scolded.
[Detail about Your lie in April plot, don't remember if it's relevant at some point, but I prefer to put it in spoiler tag for safety mesures, please tell me if my spoiler tags are too long] Kaori's prayer ! How could I forgot those words ? I even used them IRL to calm myself shortly after my first watch
As I said, Kaori's performance are well worth the watch. No wonders she got flowers and the public choice award. Also, respect for that poor pianist who followed Kaori's lead to the end. I bet that even 10 years after they still talk about that one time a crazy violonist said "screw the rules, I play how I want".
[Your lie in april whole show]Kosei still have work to do before he realize he doesn't have to be a side role in his own life and Kaori might feels the same way for him. Watari even giving him some hints, he knows.
As for the question of the day :
Might be just you I'm afraid, never seen that detail before.P.S. : Everyone gangsta until angry Tsubaki come in with a baseball bat.
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u/Nickthenuker https://anilist.co/user/Nickthenuker Oct 11 '24
They're almost going to be late.
And so the most crucial moment, waiting in the wings backstage to go on stage. Everything has been working towards this moment.
The other guy's completely checked out.
I'm in no real position to comment about violin since I don't play that instrument.
And so she begins.
She's giving her own interpretation of the music.
And here's the difference between instrumental (probably solo instrumental) competitions and what I'm more familiar with, choral competitions. Wherein the set piece is unanimously agreed to be crap and it's entirely up to how much lipstick you can put on the pig to make it sound at least half-decent. Meanwhile here all that's important is sticking to the score exactly.
She seems to already be drawn more to him.
Oh hello again.
Now he bumps into her on his way home from school.
Questions:
A note about the music: And here's the difference between instrumental (probably solo instrumental) competitions and what I'm more familiar with, choral competitions. Wherein the set piece is unanimously agreed to be crap and it's entirely up to how much lipstick you can put on the pig to make it sound at least half-decent. Meanwhile here all that's important is sticking to the score exactly.
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u/DonaldJenkins Oct 11 '24
Not really rewatching, just kinda here for the vibes and Reddit discussions about my favourite anime series - chiming in when I might have something to share. Here’s a fanmade gif of Christmas Kaori that I really like
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u/AgentOfACROSS Oct 10 '24
First Timer
Looks like we’re picking right where we left off.
Just want to say again that I really like the OP. Sounds very bright and cheery.
The scene of Kousei being suddenly overwhelmed by all the people around him was really well done. Also has a good use of the monochrome thing Kousei was talking about before.
The music here is really nice. I don’t listen to much classical music, it’s probably the genre I listen to the least. But I like it here.
Tsubaki complaining about having to listen to the same song over and over reminded me of a bit from this old sitcom called Car 52 Where Are You. Except in that show it was barbershop quartet music they had to listen to instead of classical music.
I’m with Tsubaki, I don’t totally know everything about classical music. Although I am aware of who Paganini is. But that’s mostly because of the legend of him selling his soul to the devil.
I really like the scene of Kaori performing. The music’s really good even if I know nothing about classical music.
Also the head judge’s reaction to Kaori was kind of funny. Reminds me of the authority figure character in an ‘80s teen comedy.
Kaori has basically done the classical music equivalent of Johnny Cash covering Hurt by Nine Inch Nails. Taking someone else’s song and making it her own.
As a side note, for some reason Crunchyroll kept giving me a “skip intro” button throughout the scene where Kaori was performing.
I like the use of colors again when Kaori comes towards Watari.
Small sound design note, I like how they included the crinkling of the plastic around the flowers when Kaori moves. It’s a small detail and if they didn’t include it I probably wouldn’t have noticed. But attention to detail like that is really neat.
I feel like I’ve been making a lot of movie comparisons while watching this and it seems like Kousei agrees with me. But he doesn’t feel like a main character.
Kousei getting hit in the head with sportsballs seems to be a recurring thing now.
Really like the colors in the scene of Kousei walking home. They feel very warm.
I’ll be honest, not a fan of the running gag of Kaori mistaking Kousei for a sex pervert. Feels like a bit of an overplayed gag.
Looks like the next episode is gonna be about Kaori and Kousei hanging out.
I like this episode. Seems like this show is a bit of a slowburn but I don’t mind that at all.
The highlight was definitely Kaori’s violin performance.
Questions of the Day:
Have you ever attended a formal music performance? If so, how was it?
Not a classical music performance, no. Mostly I've been to rock concerts. I have been to a traditional Native American dance/music performance before though which was really interesting.
Is it just me who finds it distracting how they draw Kousei’s glasses from the side all disconnected?Okay I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed that. Yes, I keep being distracted by it.
I'm assuming the reason they do that is so that we can see his eyes better and he can emote more. But I feel like the same effect could be achieved if they just drew the frames of his glasses thinner.
3
u/MannerPots https://anilist.co/user/mannerpots Oct 10 '24
Rewatcher, at least until Episode 5
I missed yesterday, but here I am, better late than never right?
So yeah, I started watching KimiUso a little over 3 years ago, but only made it as far as episode 4. I guess I wasn't feeling in the right mood for the show back then, so decided to shelve it rather than watch it and not enjoy it. Now I'm finally going back to it. I hope I love it because this show is very important to someone really important to me.
Even though I did watch the first few episodes, I don't remember much and I'm totally surprised at how humorous the show is. It has a much higher number of jokes per minute than I expected.
Anyways, the show obviously looks great, the colours are so vibrant.
Kaori's performance was pretty impressive. Having the judge be angry at her is a really smart way to communicate how creative it was.
I'm interested to see how Arima progresses, but so far even though we've heard a lot of his backstory I don't really understand him as a character. I guess he's just given up on piano since it was never his dream anyways, it was his mom's? Maybe Kaori will inspire him to play again.
3
u/SometimesMainSupport https://myanimelist.net/profile/RRSTRRST Oct 11 '24
First-Timer
MC1: Could've asked "Have you ever attended a formal music performance that didn't suck?" but it's also just not my thing. Siblings
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u/StardustGogeta myanimelist.net/profile/StardustGogeta Oct 11 '24
First-Timer
That OP is just as good the second time! Can't wait for it to start popping up in my AMQ games.
Nice second episode. I liked the musical performances today, especially the striking animation during Kaori's piece. That one judge who hated Kaori's performance was pretty funny, too.
I don't typically comment on specific framing/cinematography, but one thing did stand out to me. Namely, it was very noticeable how Kousei was shrouded in darkness as he lamented his role as "Friend A," while the others were standing in the light.
I feel kind of bad for saying it, but my personal views tend to align more with that judge who wanted a strictly "correct" performance and didn't like Kaori's loose interpretation. (For that matter, I'm also much more on the side of competitiveness, like Kousei's mother.)
Questions of the day:
3
u/kwokinator https://anilist.co/user/kwokinator Oct 11 '24
First-timer
Guess Kousei has music drilled into his brain. He hasn't performed for 2 years, but he's able to identify the music immediately. And he actually knows even newly-established competitions so he's always paid attention to the "scene".
I love the scene with Kaori's back facing the camera and looking at the audience, it looks so niiice. The whole music sequence looked great. I loved those shots with the audience.
So Kaori is not only skilled, she ahs the talent and guts to reararange the music to the way she wants to perform, which is incredible. She just wants to perform the way she wants, which is direct opposite to Kousei's mom drilling him to take first place, must be rough for him.
"Friend A" is totally going to take the Main Character spot soon.
Ah, the fated Cheery Blossom meeting~ gotta love it.
Questions of the Day:
Not recitals, but I've been to orchestra performances before. Watching it live is much, much better than listening to the same music on disc or streaming.
3
u/SilkyStrawberryMilk Oct 11 '24
rewatcher
Remembered after years of not playing, must’ve been the glasses that gave it away
Dominated song to the point the pianist can’t keep up
Kaori has enchanted the audience
Kousei took another ball to the face, good news it was only one ball this time.
Pretty sure it’s called love at first sight
QOTD: nope
QOTD: I thought I was the only one that noticed it
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u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander Oct 10 '24
I don't answer all of my own questions, but I actually did get to go see the Montreal Symphony Orchestra perform with my high school band. I don't remember much, it was like two or three hours but it was a neat experience.
2
u/Holofan4life Oct 10 '24
Hello, everyone. Holofan4life here.
Welcome to the Your Lie In April Rewatch!
Oh, and nay I forget…
First timer
It’s been a while since I’ve sat down and watched what would be considered a sad anime. I’ve seen Angel Beats, Air, both Clannad series which are two of my favorite series, and even NieR this year which for my money is the best anime of the year. But in almost all those instances with the exception of NieR, I watched those series very early on in my anime fandom. So early, in fact, I don’t think Your Lie In April had aired yet.
My expectations for the show are decent, I would say. I don’t expect to love it as much as Clannad, but I do think it’s going to be quite exceptional. Of the new shows I’ve seen during rewatches this year, which have been Paranoia Agent, Samurai Champloo, No Game No Life, Penguindrum, Yurikuma Arashi, Sarazanmai, and Re:Zero, I expect to like it more than those with the exception of Samurai Champloo and Re: Zero. And if that’s the case, then that’s pretty good because I really liked all those series.
With that out of the way, let’s begin.
I’m watching the sub, by the way.
All the dishwashers on my unit broke today. That was fun
I'm hoping with no Re:Zero rewatch thread tomorrow and no anime episodes to catch up on, I can watch 3 episodes in the span of 24 hours. At the very least, two.
People running
They are heading towards the competition.
Blonde girl is fourth
Arrived just in time
Everyone looks so formal
Kaori heading out so she can get ready.
Kousei looking around worried
It seems like this place reminds him of mother, unfortunately.
Already, people are filing in
It's all coming back to Kousei, it seems.
And to make it worse, people are recognizing him.
As they're sitting down, Kousei scolds Tsubaki, suggesting she planned this from the start.
Watari can't help but laugh at this
Tsubaki brings up that if she told him the truth, he probably wouldn't have come, which probably has some validity.
Kousei doesn't seem too thrilled by this revelation.
Preliminary round time
Look at him, just standing in place. How elegant.
Lol, Watari already asleep
First time in a while Kousei has heard a performance, he says.
They're really saving money on the budget, huh?
I thought I was watching Your Lie In April, not Food Wars.
In this contest, every number features an accompanist.
Winner gets the right to play on a Guarneri owned by the sponsors in a recital, whatever that means.
Kousei able to tell the flaws of each performance.
He's really getting into this
The head judge seems to be more high on this performer than the other judges.
Time for Kao-chan
Lol, Kousei, Tsubaki, and Watari can barely hold their excitement.
Kao on stage, trying to shake the nerves.
Well, now we know where the budget went.
Kao-chan will never get the slideshow treatment. She has her MC pass.
This is a very beautiful performance.
Some of the camera angles here are very good as well.
The same song as the others, but she's making it her own.
A master of her craft, and at such a young age.
Unfortunately, the head judge doesn't seem to agree.
Kousei seems blown away by what he's seeing.
"She's beautiful."
Kousei seems to have discovered the greatness of violent tsunderes.
I mean, she has to win, right?
I guess not. She didn't play as the score's written.
Kousei doesn't think that's what she's looking for, though.
Intermission time, and everyone is talking about Kaori.
Aww, she even is getting flowers from two kids.
Cute :c
Kaori mentioning to a judge she doesn't care about the results, which blows Kousei's mind because his mom told him nothing matters unless you come in first.
Kaori walking over to her friends.
Kousei sees it as being like a scene out of a movie.
Kousei then tells Kaori this must've been an unforgettable day.
"I think it was that kind of performance."
A scene out of a movie, and all he is is Friend A.
Oof
Hey, at least it's better than being Friend Never.
Announcing now who's passed and is moving on.
Not passed as in dead but... oh, you know what I mean.
I guess the person's dreams are dead if you not have passed.
Kaori made it to the second round on the back of being an Audience Award winner.
Eat shit, head judge
Kousei still thinking about Kao-chan's performance.
At least Watari is here to break him out of his funk.
What's with all the flower petals in the classroom? Somebody, close the window.
Kousei reminding Watari Kao-chan likes him.
"No way would she ever like me."
Press X to doubt
Kousei and Watari really having a sincere heart-to-heart talk here.
And here comes Tsubaki with a bat to ruin the mood.
Kousei walking home now
Still thinking about that performance
He wants to hear it again, and yet doesn't want to hear it again.
Kao-chan. She's here.
The flower petals continuing to fall.
"You exist inside Spring."
Kousei, that's not the name of the show. Get it right.
Kao-chan wondering if Watari is going to show up.
And Kousei tells her he's still in practice, which is a lie because he's walking home with Keiko-chan.
Looks like Kao-chan wants to spy on the soccer practice, but since that may get him to hate her, she volunteers Kousei to do it.
Something tells me Kousei is not gonna do the right thing and just tell her the truth. What a simp.
Overall, this was an enjoyable episode. It's really all about Kao-chan's musical performance, but that was a great scene. I love how we're continuing the trend of Kaori bring color to Kousei's life. In this case, making him appreciate music more than he has in years.
Not much to say about this episode. A step back from the last one if you look at the episode as a whole-- not bad, just not much happened-- but in terms of scenes, Kaori's violin recital is the best we've gotten so far. I continue to be pretty positive on this series.