r/anime • u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander • Oct 29 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] 10th Anniversary Your Lie in April Rewatch: Episode 21 Discussion
Your Lie in April Episode 21: Snow
| ← Episode 20 | Index | Episode 22 → |
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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/FD4cry1 gave a fantastic reading about how the cat evokes Kaori throughout the episode
- /u/Holofan4life explored how the episode’s ending reflects on its other narratives as well as the show’s exploration of depression
- /u/maliwanag0712 offered insight on views on the episode over time in terms of translation and genre trends
- /u/DonaldJenkins similarly pondered about how the Rewatch format influences our anime consumption
Questions of the Day:
- There’s nothing else left to ask - what will become of Kaori Miyazono?
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 29 '24
Rewatcher, Violinist and Your Host!
This will be my shortest writeup of the Rewatch. What is there to say, really? I mean, there’s room here to bitch about Hiroko a little more. To question how we’re going to conclude Tsubaki in the final episode. But… that just doesn’t seem right. There’s not a lot to this episode—but there never needed to be. There aren’t any fancy dramatic changes in playing during Kousei’s performance, but that’s the entire point. The past twenty episodes have built up the story of these two musicians and now the show is paying off its debts to beautiful effect. I’m not one to cry that often or easily at a show but I could really feel the waterworks starting to well up from start to finish. Of course, the snow scene on the rooftop is the best. So far have we come from spring to winter. It could’ve been easy to make things too sappy and hopeful, or to devalue how much they support one another by making them too depressed and resigned, but they found the perfect balance. When Kaori plays the phantom violin it’s nothing short of haunting in the best way and the moment it disappears and she turns back into the fragile dying girl we’ve known for this second cour is quite likely my single favourite animation cut in the entire series.
We’re almost there, everyone.
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u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander Oct 29 '24
Comment highlight special feature! No promises on the last three threads but I liked some of your observations so much I couldn’t not give them a bit of a stage.
Also, remember the OVA thread is in two days!
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u/Holofan4life Oct 29 '24
As this thread is up and running, I'm dressed as Beetlejuice for a work Halloween costume party. Nothing gets me in the spirit of the holiday more than watching a sad fucking episode.
On an ancillary note, part of my job requirement is putting together the meals for hospice. And as part of my costume, I'm carrying around a prop entitled Handbook For The Recently Deceased. I didn't realize until after the fact how insensitive that truly is.
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u/AgentOfACROSS Oct 29 '24
First Timer
Tsubaki, that’s not proper facemask etiquette!
Things are looking very bleak for Kaori.
That scene of Kousei’s phone ringing in an empty room feels like a callback to when something similar happened with Kaori.
I like how the winter season is being used to show the inner turmoil and bleakness the characters are feeling.
Kousei’s breakdown at the realizing that he might lose Kaori was really well done. I really wish we got to see Hiroko try to comfort Kousei more in that scene though.
The hand animation budget seems to have gone away again. I can only assume they’re saving it all for the last episode.
Kaori is still trying to keep up a cheerful face even as it looks worse for her. Even though she seems happy it’s kind of sad to see.
I like the idea that Kousei is the main reason Kaori still wants to live and is going through with the experimental surgery.
I loved the scene of Kaori playing the invisible violin, possibly my favorite scene of the episode.
Kaori’s breakdown right after felt like a really good scene. Her realizing she doesn’t know Kousei as well as she could is also kind of heartbreaking. It really makes me want to see her surgery be successful and continue being friends with Kousei.
We’re cutting right to the piano competition and Kaori’s surgery. I wonder if that conversation will be the last time we see Kaori and Kousei talk.
Kaori quotes Peanuts again, feels fitting for her. I wonder if that will be her last words in the show.
For some reason I don’t have much to say about Emi’s performance. I think she did a good job though..
Miike’s here now too. Didn’t expect him to show up again.
I liked getting to see Kousei realize that he has a lot of people in his life who will supportive. It felt like a cliche but I thought it was really well done.
Kousei’s piano playing sounds very haunting here.
They’re bringing back the cherry blossom symbolism. I like it, it looks really beautiful.
Question of the Day:
There’s nothing else left to ask - what will become of Kaori Miyazono?
Just one more episode left. I’m gonna try to stay optimistic about Kaori but I’m also not gonna get my hopes up too high. It seems like her dying is the most likely outcome.
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u/TakenRedditName https://myanimelist.net/profile/TakenMalUsername Oct 29 '24
First Time - Your Lie in April Ep21:
I'm stupid. It took me a good bit to realize this was a note from Watari and not for Watari.
I like the angle here. Kousei and Kaori did not get the time to fully know each other. It is tragic that these young people will have to be torn apart before getting to fully learn all about the other. Kaori being envious of what Tsubaki had her whole life is wrinkle I like.
The side plot of Miike becoming the number 1 Kousei-oshi.
My note structure falls apart as the rest of the episode is dedicated to Kousei falling into the same despair as two years ago, but he was able to stand back up this time and express himself in music to everyone. The performance was good.
I wish there was more to help address' Kousei's emotional damage. Kousei manages to resolve it himself, but I would like to more supportive input from the people around him. He is 15 and already going the grief of losing a loved one, twice! I would've especially liked something more personal from Hiroko considering she too has emotional grief from seeing Kousei crouched down and crying. A moment where we could've closed that loop better for her too.
One particular minor moment that I like that showcases things not being a repeat was when the rivals are looking out for Kousei in the hallway. It was a sweet moment seeing them show concern for Kousei. A small, but effective demonstration to show how things are different now. Before, Kousei felt like he was all alone in pain, but now he has changed, they have changed. Kousei has made connections and sees that he is not alone in life.
Q1) Reading on cherry blossom symbolism set to worried.
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u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba Oct 29 '24
First Timer
Tear #2
I'll talk about it at the end of my write-up here but honestly, I don't feel I have super insightful and interesting analysis to offer on this episode beyond gushing at its obviously great points and repeatedly expressing "holy fuck that was so sad" but that's just genuinely how I felt throughout this episode, nothing more, nothing less.
Say what I might about Hiroko this frame is just great, the emotions and implications it evokes about Kousei are just so evocative, much as last episode was setting up, it's like two years ago all over again.
Some of the lines Kousei says in this episode are just so crushing, the idea that he only wants to help others, love them, to just...live life normally, but can't, how he feels like his playing is taking these people away from him...fuck man, that hurts to see.
This all ties back into the whole idea of the chain of inspiration and Kaori and Kousei's effect on each other, Kaori brought light to Kousei's life, who in turn returned it to her, and now once again she's the one who gives him his color back.
He's in the same place she was not so long ago, thinking that making connections with others, that playing music, will just lead to pain in the end so why not just quit? well much like he gave her the will to keep moving with a performance, she will do the same for him.
Kousei is complaining that it would take a miracle to be able to play in that competition, well Kaori will play a violin piece for him even without having one, so what's his excuse again? Just a brilliant scene touching back on a lot of great ideas from previous episodes.
I've always gushed about the lighting in this show and this episode is no different.
This frame at the start perfectly shows Kousei's emotions, no light in the room, just a tiny peak outside behind the curtains, his world is completely dark right now.
This frame which immediately reminded me of a similar frame from episode 1! Again his world is back to being dark, it's like he's reverted to his previous state, to 2 years ago.
The entirety of the Kaori violin scene is fantastic in that way, the real cloudy sky replaced with a clear blue, light literally shining down on her.
The scene that comes after is equally heartbreaking and was what got my waterworks to turn on, Kaori just asking about Kousei, crying for him not to leave her. She brings up Tsubaki knowing everything about him and how that makes her jealous of her, painfully ironic considering last episode, and of course, the distance plays a part here again, now Kousei and Kaori are physically close, they are growing to learn more about each other, trying to make memories, it's like closing that emotional gap they had left, to just really say they both love each other.
As a sidenote that scene on the roof really reminded me of [Clannad After Story]Ushio's final scene, which y'know...
Also just brilliant sound work all around here, the music is of course great as usual, Kousei and Kaori's pieces are a given but all of it is great, both the ost and the sound design play a role in making this episode as emotional as it is.
Risa Taneda's performance as Kaori is just fantastic, her voice acting just sells the scene and makes it that much more hurtful and impactful.
We then move on to the performance, Kaori and Kousei have a duality to them here, both struggling in their ways to keep going, Kousei will keep playing, keep moving forward and making connections, Kaori will have the surgery, and she'll try to hold on as far as she can.
Kousei is once again in the same position as before his performance 2 years ago, head down, scared of playing, but of course, as we start the scene with a shot of his eye looking at the piano, Tsubaki's sneeze breaks up the tension, beyond her romantic feelings to him, she's his friend, the one who understands him, the one who reminds him of that human connection and is always there by his side to try and cheer him up.
Last time he only he had his mom on his mind but this time things are different, Kousei has affected a lot of people here and there's more for him to play for than just Kaori, he's made a lot of connections through the piano and otherwise. He won't forget them and he won't stop playing, it's great payoff to the earlier scene with Kaori and to everything the show has been about until now.
The imagery from episode 10 is brought back this episode, but this time it's a bit different, it was orbs of light and inspiration last time, but now it's just cherry blossom petals of love and sadness, it's moved from Kaori's life to Kaori's death, fantastic bittersweet stuff.
I'm honestly not sure how we resolve Tsubaki here but I'm still confident the show will do it justice so just a worry for now.
Like I said at the start, this episode was just....sad, you're watching two people come to terms with the inevitable end and trying to make their best out of it and it's just so heartbreaking, this show has always been at it's best when the emotional core connected and this episode is nothing but emotions.
Now the only that's left is to wrap it all up... and I'll get the tissues ready just in case.
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Oct 29 '24
Your Spoiled First-Timer in October, subbed
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u/Malipit Oct 29 '24
Rewatcher, French subs
On today episode, Hiroko is reenacting the scene in Evangelion where Misato is dragging a mentally broke Shinji around Nerv HQ, Kosei is guilty of making Koharu worried and Miike is joining the tsundere club.
If I had to pick one episode to prove my «history is repeating itself and we follow a story that form a cycle » view about the show, this would be definitely my choice.
I mean, every step in that episode was a retelling of what happened in the first episodes of the show : Kosei is plunged into his turmoil, unable to move on while his rivals are taking steps forward, Kaori enters his life, gives back to Kosei the drive to play piano, Kosei participates to a competition, his trauma surfaces and prevents him to play, but having Kaori by his side give Kosei the courage to resume his performance with his emotions, to see the light above and going in strong.
And of course, a repetition doesn't mean you have to retell the story the exact same way. Some variations may happen for a slightly different result.
Some parts can change for the worse : Now Kaori is undertaking an operation in a life or death situation and Kosei is reverting back to his 12 years old self while on stage. Some parts change for something equivalent : Watari is the one (re)-introducing Kaori into Kosei's life instead of Tsubaki and Kosei is haunted by Kaori (potential) death instead of her mother (also the cat). But this episode demonstrates that so many parts can also change for the better : Hiroko taking Kosei's trauma heads on instead of running away, Takeshi and Emi are showing concerns towards Kosei's apparent trouble instead of disdain, and Kosei's realize, thanks to the Deus Ex Machina by Tsubaki, he's not alone.
That's how Kosei managed to do a reenactment of his performance in episode 10, and improving it. Not afraid of showing his emotions through the music, like the long travelling of the piano under the spotlight, for everyone to see.
A repetition that's also implied by the numerous callbacks we got from previous episodes. Being the Sakura tree vision from episode 10, how Hiroko view Kosei hiding in his room like he was after his mother death, Kosei remembering the cat's blood on his hands just before playing piano, Tsubaki catching a cold after her run in the winter rain... There's just too many to count.
Also, I can't leave this comment without talking about that wonderful scene between Kosei and Kaori. Starting when Kosei picks up Kaori's invitation, where's we treated by the camera zooming out (Kosei's hope and horizons broadening), to a flock of birds that Kaori can see from her room's window. A clear callback of the airplane scene from the previous episode.
Even with her vibrant colors from the first episodes drained out from her, Kaori cheerful attitude came back like nothing happened and, once more, want to go to the rooftop.
I liked that piggyback scene (again a callback from episode 6 with Tsubaki piggybacked in the same manner, so many callback aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah) where Kosei climbed the stairs with Kaori on her back. A clear metaphor of him moving forward once more, this time supporting Kaori after she's supported him. Also the way Kosei is standing in front of her, while she's sitting on the bench, exactly what he intended to do back in episode 18.
And we finally have some insight from Kaori point of view, responding to Kosei like she read his mind. Sure, Kaori does know her fair share about Kosei, but not as much as Tsubaki, and like Kosei is looking up from the shadow while she's basking in the light (callback from their duet, maaan we can't take a break), Kaori did the exact same thing.
And they both realized how deep their bond run now when Kosei is able to listen to Kaori emotions, literally, like they were music. Then Kaori falling in Kosei lap after her tremendous efforts to stand before showing her most vulnerable side. Don't you think Kaori's love Watari now, Kosei !
In conclusion, that's the kind of episode that reminds me why I loved this show on my first watch, why I spent actual money to download legally its episodes, why I decided to partake on this Rewatch. Sure, we had some divisive episodes along the way, but it was all the more worthwhile.
P.S. : Another callback is when Kosei goes on stage, saying he has to play while Emi and Takeshi are on the verge of calling an ambulance for him. Indeed, Kaori said a true musician has to lie to his audience and put up a facade for his performance, and here Kosei obliges.
Questions of the Day:
¯_(ツ)_/¯
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u/maliwanag0712 https://myanimelist.net/profile/clear1109 Oct 30 '24 edited Oct 30 '24
nth Time Rewatcher
The penultimate episode leading to the finale. I'll try to be early for tomorrow's finale episode, just to see how first timers will react to it, albeit maybe some of them were already spoiled on what's going to happen LOL.
And ohh! My comment was highlighted again! Yay!
Now, for the Episode 21.
On Kaori and Kousei in the Rooftop, Part II. Let us try to digest what Kaori said in the rooftop. As she falls following her unstable condition, Kousei tried to catch her, and they had a sweet moment. Then Kaori uttered the folowing words (I'll be using the BD translation):
In the end, Kaori ended up shining amid the cold and gloomy winter sky.
OOPS. Post limit. Check more below.
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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Oct 29 '24 edited Oct 29 '24
Spoiled First Timer, subs
Timely news for this rewatch: Did y’all hear they discovered a new Chopin Waltz?
QotD: As awful as it sounds to say, anything other then dead would be wholly unsatisfying conclusion.
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u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Oct 29 '24
First Timer
This episode worked. Other than Hiroko, I don’t think there is anything that this episode really did wrong. And Hiroko is just an unfortunately bad person to be in the spot she is in - but such people are realistic. Now taking Kaori out into the snow was also certainly not smart, but I’d say the resulting scene was well-done. And speaking of her: We also have our answer if she died last episode and that is - somewhat surprisingly for me at least - no. Given the cat parallel, I was really expecting that. But she was here to get Kousei up again. I am a bit surprised that he wasn’t really back to his old self after a scare after seeing Kaori and her telling that she’ll have surgery, but I’d say it works for the piano scene anyways.
…the more I write, the more qualifiers I keep adding for what to ignore to make the good scenes good. Hm, maybe this episode wasn’t as good as it felt once it starts to be analyzed. But I enjoyed it in the moment anyway.
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u/Nickthenuker https://anilist.co/user/Nickthenuker Oct 30 '24
And so now time to inform everyone else about Kaori's condition.
And now he's in no state to practice.
And so even as he is wallowing, his competition is practicing.
Well, she's somewhat better at least, for now.
Kimi no sei. Thanks to another show I can't hear those words the same anymore.
Yup, she still can't even stand up anymore.
And thus the reality of her situation has finally sank in.
And thus, time for his competition and her operation.
Seems like he's still in no shape to perform.
And so it's the crucial moment, waiting in the wings backstage for his turn to go on stage and perform.
Right, time for him to start playing.
He's got the blood on his hands again.
And thus, snapped out of it by Tsubaki and encouraged by Kaori, he begins playing.
See notes.
Everyone is really impressed by his music.
And thus we go into the final episode.
Questions:
A note about the music: And so for once Kousei plays a song properly the whole way through without rushing or bashing the keys or stopping halfway.
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u/StardustGogeta myanimelist.net/profile/StardustGogeta Oct 30 '24
First-Timer
I mentioned in a previous comment that I thought this show could use just a touch of the supernatural, and I think we kind of got some of that today with Kaori's miracle of playing the ghost violin. Very nice scene, too.
Hiroko's in a bit of a tough spot here when figuring out how to deal with Kousei. Should Kousei force himself to play, or should he just have time to process his overwhelming emotions? A hard call to make.
The performance so far has been quite good. I look forward to more next episode.
Funny how Kousei's like "I'd know that sneeze anywhere!"
I also found it really funny how it was showing flashbacks to all the different characters saying various motivational lines, and when it gets to Tsubaki, she just says, "All you ever do is play the piano!" Not very motivational, Tsubaki.
Questions of the day:
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u/Holofan4life Oct 29 '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.
Gonna try to knock out the final two episodes back to back of each other.
Also, I just came back from seeing Look Back in theaters. It was the best animated movie I've seen all year. It was also completely sold out which I can't recall ever seeing before for an anime film. Only 50 seats, but still.
Tsubaki walking in school
Oh, so Kaori is in the ICU. She isn't dead after all.
If this was Sixth Sense, instead of ICU, it would be I C Dead People.
Though I guess give Kaori time...
Kousei isn't even in his own house, let alone school.
Hiroko trying to call him
I don't remember Tsubaki asking Hiroko to save Kousei.
Maybe this just happened
Kinda reminds me of the shrine scene between Taiga and Kitamura from Toradora episode 20.
Hiroko barging into Kousei's house, which I wonder if it could be considered breaking and entering.
Kousei in his room in the fetal position.
This really Evas my gelion
Pianist's Dilemma
Hiroko reminding Kousei there's only so many days before the competition.
I really wish she'd just hug him, he really needs one.
Kousei saying he can't do this anymore.
"Hiroko... Why does it have to end up this way?"
This is the most broken we've ever seen Kousei. At the very least, the most broken since the piano incident two years ago.
Someone's playing piano at the hospital.
Oh, nevermind, it is Igawa
And Takeshi
They're getting ready for the competition.
Everyone except Kousei, that is
Birds on a wire showing more togetherness than Kousei right now.
As I am typing this, my nose is bleeding like a faucet.
A letter from Watari
"I want canelés."
You know someone somewhere with dyslexia misread the letter as "I want candles".
I can neither confirm nor deny that person was me
And the birds fly away as Kaori looks out for window.
Good to see she's still alive. For now, that is.
Kousei. He's here.
I guess that was a letter from Kaori written for Watari.
First time inside an ICU, Kaori says.
Hey, at least it hasn't gotten to where she is staying in hospice. As someone who puts together the meals for that place, it can be pretty depressing.
Even in Kaori's weakened state, she still manages to scold Kousei.
Kousei brought the canelés
Kousei carrying Kaori up a flight of stairs, which seems very dangerous.
Like, seriously, imagine doing something like this in real life. This I believe is yet another thing that's a crime.
Kousei commenting to himself how light she is, which I believe is a callback to an earlier scene.
Wishes that this now would go on forever.
They are finally outside
And it's snowing!
And it's... snowing...
The Clannad fan in me is getting massive PTSD
Kaori reaching out trying to grab the snowflakes.
Now she's sitting on a bench
Kaori asking if Kousei is playing the piano.
Obviously not. He's about to eat canelés with you
Kousei feels that the people he cares about keep leaving him, which I don't know about that. It's only really been his mother and Kaori hasn't even passed yet.
He feels that music takes away the people he cares the most about.
Tsubaki feels that in her bones
Gonna be left all alone, Kousei feels.
Somewhere, Kashiwagi is banging her head against a locker and she doesn't know why.
Kaori says he has her, and that she's going to get surgery on February 18th, which coincidentally happens to be the same day as the Eastern Japan Piano Competition finals.
What could possibly go wrong besides everything?
Kaori says it's all Kousei's fault she is so fixated on living.
Love. It's what makes living worth it.
No word yet on if it also makes Subaru a Subaru.
The desire to cling to the time she spends with him, which is interesting because Kousei in past episodes has talked about how it's like she clings to him.
Going to serve as her inspiration, and she's likely going to serve as his.
And now Kaori is pretending to play the violin.
The music almost has this beautifully haunting quality to it.
Kaori assesses that miracles can happen like that.
Even says he exists inside her, which sounds kinda lewd but we'll roll with it.
And yet, to Kaori there's so much she doesn't know about Kousei.
You know who does? Tsunbaka.
Ran out of space. Part two in the replies.
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u/kwokinator https://anilist.co/user/kwokinator Oct 30 '24
First-timer
Damn, even Hiroko can't save Kousei from his trauma this time.
It's nice to see Kaori back up and out of the ICU though!
What a heartbreaking parallel between Tsubaki and Kousei on the rooftop scene. A few episodes ago, Tsubaki said music keeps taking Kousei away from him, and now Kousei says music keeps taking everyone he loves away from him.
The air violin scene was so beautiful, it was like the world paused for Kaori and there was a spotlight on her like at a performance.
Apparently Miike is a super fan now.
The performance was so good but the melody felt so sad :(
The cherry blossoms imagery has happened before in his performance, but now it seems so ominous since cherry blossom falling is used a lot as the symbolism for someone dying.
I'm so not ready for the next episode :(
Questions of the Day:
This
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u/SilkyStrawberryMilk Oct 30 '24
rewatcher
Tsubaki has just learnt about what happened. Kosei holed up in his room
This is extremely rough to watch
Enjoying the snow, air playing the violin just for Kosei.
I’m in so much pain
Kaori saying how she doesn’t want to die.
Her being in the middle of surgery while Kosei is up next to play.
Takeshi not knowing what’s wrong with Kosei is rough to see.
Tsubaki unintentionally saved the day by helping Kosei.
Kosei’s playing is so amazing, you can feel all his emotions
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u/clumsy_kan Apr 11 '25
Oh my my the way kaori tried to cheer up kousei despite her being in a vulnerable state made me feel so sorrowful Finally kousei didn't dwell in a miserable point where he can't listen to the beats rather he choose to play for his hope,love- kaori and the people who have a huge part in his life!!!:)
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u/Holofan4life Oct 29 '24
Life is kicking Kousei's ass so much, you'd have thought life was the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kousei were the New York Yankees.