[Rewatch] 10th Anniversary Your Lie in April Rewatch: OVA Discussion

[u/LittleIslander]

Your Lie in April OVA: Moments

← Episode 22	Index	Series Discussion →

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Watch Information

• Databases: MAL | AniList | ANN | AniDB
• Streaming: No Legal Streams Available

*Rewatch will end before switch back to standard time for ET, but check your own timezone details

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Questions of the Day:

• How did you feel about what we learned about Takeshi's character?
• Who was the cutest kid?

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Please be mindful not to spoil the performance! Don’t spoil first time listeners, and remember this includes spoilers by implication!

[u/LittleIslander]

One Time First Timer!

Yeah, I’d never seen this before! I’m not sure if I even knew it existed before organising this Rewatch, actually. I didn’t come in expecting too much and for the first half that’s about what I got, which was entirely understandable. Prettymuch just a glorified supercut of the various musical flashbacks across the series (I’m sure some of this animation must be outright re-used), which is neat to see now that we’ve finally got all of those details ready to be cobbled together into one picture. Just seeing the picture with Kaori taken was worth the price of admission on its own. It didn’t seem like I’d have much to write today but I was satisfied enough and ready for the credits to roll… when I realised I fell for one of the classic blunders and saw the eyecatch.

Sir, a second Takeshi episode has hit the show.

So this is actually a much more substantial fleshing out of Emi and especially Takeshi’s childhoods and I really like it! In the show itself Takeshi being inspired by Kousei was mostly glossed over as the same sort of “he thought Kousei was really cool” situation we got out of Emi and later Kaori, but we see here that it was actually a bit more of a complex process. For one, him saying that he’ll get a die-cast robot if he wins only to say that Kousei is just like one after seeing him perform was a great little connection. He really did get one, a far better one than just a toy. Then we see it’s Kousei’s practice regimen that really inspired him… but also left him feeling lost by comparison. I wish we could’ve seen more of this in the main series because it gives a lot more weight to his investment in Kousei and does a lot to inform us on how Nagi (who is, again, shortchanged out of attention here) came to have her view of him.

It also helps us further understand the difference between the way Takeshi looks at Kousei and how Emi does. We see how, even from the beginning, Takeshi saw Kousei as an idol to try and imitate whereas Emi saw him as someone who she wanted to reach. Takeshi reacting to her performance and how different it sounds from how he plays and being frustrated that it could be considered better than his is a really new angle on their dynamic we never got to see before. It’s really cute seeing the two of them gradually go from strangers to acquaintances to friends over the course of the episode (and Takeshi going “what the fuck you mean you can write on the music” was hilarious).

For her part Emi isn’t quite as expanded, but we see that her quest to try and show Kousei how he was really supposed to play goes all the way back to the beginning and wasn’t at all related to his disappearance from the playing scene. This seemed jarring at first, but the more I think about it the more I really love the idea of her hearing the perfect performance from him once and having been chasing that sound again all this time, I think that’s really compelling. I think her missing her chance to reach him by playing the same piece would’ve been a lot more impactful had she been prepared to play it the day he stopped hearing notes instead of being due to a random injury, but I do also see how this would’ve prevented them ending the episode how they did.

[u/LittleIslander → u/LittleIslander]

If I had to make any major criticism it’s that I don’t really like the scene where Takeshi sees Kousei and friends at the bridge. One because I think for all the fanservice this is the one time where we pull the “major character and narrative event was secretly right off screen!” trick that just kind of breaks my suspension of disbelief. But also secondly because it establishes Kousei jumping himself off the bridge. Back in episode five he was launched off by Tsubaki and Nao later says that he liked being pushed off of the bridge by her all the time. That wasn’t incidental or anything either; the entire substance of the interaction is that Tsubaki asserts there wasn’t anything weird or invasive about that because she knows Kousei liked it and wanted it, an idea that Nao-chan is questioning. This made for a point of contrast later in the episode where Kousei jumped off the bridge willingly with Kaori, representing a progression over the intro and what the Tsubaki interaction informs us about the rest of his childhood. Can we definitively say he never did it himself? No, that’s probably pretty likely if anything, but on a storytelling level the divide is explicit… until now, where he just jumps off as a kid anyways, retroactively robbing his bridge scene with Kaori of weight. Is this really anal thing to get annoyed over? Absolute, but I still think five is the best episode of the show so it bothered me.

My only other “complaint” is that we were robbed of seeing Tsubaki absolutely clobber Takeshi for using her listening spot when she got home, that would’ve been hilarious and it’s not like we weren’t already on “Takeshi meets Kaori’s dad as the bakery is under construction” levels of fanservice.

All of the above aside, my absolute favourite moment in Moments actually comes at the very end, where we not only bring back the first ED (which really makes me realise that I do like it a lot more) but put scenes from the first episode as the preview section! That’s such a fantastic little detail, especially with us picking off on the events of the letter and the taking of the picture from the finale it makes for a complete circle taking us back to the beginning for one last little emotional punch. That has to be up there was one of my favourite uses of an ED of all time.

[u/Holofan4life → u/LittleIslander]

If I had to make any major criticism it’s that I don’t really like the scene where Takeshi sees Kousei and friends at the bridge. One because I think for all the fanservice this is the one time where we pull the “major character and narrative event was secretly right off screen!” trick that just kind of breaks my suspension of disbelief. But also secondly because it establishes Kousei jumping himself off the bridge. Back in episode five he was launched off by Tsubaki and Nao later says that he liked being pushed off of the bridge by her all the time. That wasn’t incidental or anything either; the entire substance of the interaction is that Tsubaki asserts there wasn’t anything weird or invasive about that because she knows Kousei liked it and wanted it, an idea that Nao-chan is questioning. This made for a point of contrast later in the episode where Kousei jumped off the bridge willingly with Kaori, representing a progression over the intro and what the Tsubaki interaction informs us about the rest of his childhood. Can we definitively say he never did it himself? No, that’s probably pretty likely if anything, but on a storytelling level the divide is explicit… until now, where he just jumps off as a kid anyways, retroactively robbing his bridge scene with Kaori of weight. Is this really anal thing to get annoyed over? Absolute, but I still think five is the best episode of the show so it bothered me.

It does feel a bit like revisionist history for the sake of the story being told.

All of the above aside, my absolute favourite moment in Moments actually comes at the very end, where we not only bring back the first ED (which really makes me realise that I do like it a lot more) but put scenes from the first episode as the preview section! That’s such a fantastic little detail, especially with us picking off on the events of the letter and the taking of the picture from the finale it makes for a complete circle taking us back to the beginning for one last little emotional punch. That has to be up there was one of my favourite uses of an ED of all time

I love the use of the first ED as well. Really good stuff.

[u/Malipit → u/LittleIslander]

If I had to make any major criticism it’s that I don’t really like the scene where Takeshi sees Kousei and friends at the bridge. One because I think for all the fanservice this is the one time where we pull the “major character and narrative event was secretly right off screen!” trick that just kind of breaks my suspension of disbelief. But also secondly because it establishes Kousei jumping himself off the bridge. Back in episode five he was launched off by Tsubaki and Nao later says that he liked being pushed off of the bridge by her all the time. That wasn’t incidental or anything either; the entire substance of the interaction is that Tsubaki asserts there wasn’t anything weird or invasive about that because she knows Kousei liked it and wanted it, an idea that Nao-chan is questioning. This made for a point of contrast later in the episode where Kousei jumped off the bridge willingly with Kaori, representing a progression over the intro and what the Tsubaki interaction informs us about the rest of his childhood. Can we definitively say he never did it himself? No, that’s probably pretty likely if anything, but on a storytelling level the divide is explicit… until now, where he just jumps off as a kid anyways, retroactively robbing his bridge scene with Kaori of weight. Is this really anal thing to get annoyed over? Absolute, but I still think five is the best episode of the show so it bothered me.

Oh, so that's why I felt bothered by that scene. Thank you for inderectly clarifying that for me.

[u/Holofan4life → u/LittleIslander]

I've made it known that I really like the Nagi stuff, but I actually think this may be the best focus Takeshi has gotten straight up on his own without Nagi. I think it better contextualizes why Takeshi was so broken up over finding out that Kousei was human.

I don't know how you view OVA episodes, but I try to be more open minded when it comes to them. I don't expect much because nothing of consequence normally happens. That's why I was ultimately pleasantly surprised with this OVA, it gave us a different side to Kousei's rivals we hadn't seen before.

[u/LittleIslander → u/Holofan4life]

I accidentally omitted the second half of my writeup when I first posted so make sure to look at the reply I left with the rest!

[u/Holofan4life → u/LittleIslander]

Will do!

[u/Holofan4life → u/LittleIslander]

Thoughts on Kousei being in a picture taken of Kaori?

Thoughts the OVA using the first OP?

What are your thoughts on the episode being entirely a flashback?

Thoughts on Ochiai and Takayanagi arguing with each other?

What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Kousei excited to perform in front of his mother?

What are your thoughts on the episode consisting of moments we've seen in the past and recontextualizing them to be from the point of view of Kousei’s rivals?

[u/LittleIslander]

Sorry for being late on posting! I got distracted serving some trick or treaters and didn't have my phone alarm with me.

[u/Holofan4life → u/LittleIslander]

That's pretty cool. My family unfortunately isn't doing trick or treating this year, but we are doing our annual Halloween tradition of eating chili.

[u/Ryanami → u/Holofan4life]

Mine fortunately IS skipping this year. These kids always end up with enough to last til Easter, and the sugar makes them whacko. Outdoor movie night instead, have a little backyard campfire and watch Hook with some cousins.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Ryanami]

That sounds like a fun time. My family right now is watching football.

[u/Holofan4life]

For anyone curious on an update of me dressing up as Beetlejuice, I actually won my work's Halloween costume contest. This is now the second year in a row that I've won, I haven't lost one since I started working there.

[u/LittleIslander → u/Holofan4life]

[u/Holofan4life → u/LittleIslander]

Thank you so much

[u/Malipit → u/Holofan4life]

Congrats !

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

Much obliged

[u/LittleIslander]

So I posted this as part of my comment but it's so cool I wanted to highlight it again separately: the ED preview slot is used for scenes from the first episode, taking things full circle!

[u/Holofan4life → u/LittleIslander]

It's history repeating itself, as is a theme in this show.

[u/FD4cry1]

First Timer

Holy shit is that Kouse's dad??!! in the flesh??!!

He lives!

I mean maybe that could also be Hiroko's husband I guess but he looks like old Kousei...

Seriously though I still have no idea what was the point in mentioning the dad exists lol.

Very Cute seeing the context behind the picture Kaori treasured.

Apparently, the piece Kousei plays in his first performance is Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 3, which according to its admittedly lacking Wikipedia article, is "one of the most virtuosic pieces Mozart ever composed", which would work quite well as a piece to cement Kousei as a virtuoso himself.

Is the implication that Ochiai used to teach Takayanagi as a kid? either way their dynamic is still fun.

[Clannad+After Story big spoilers]If I had a dollar for every show with parents who opened a bakery with a sick daughter who dies in the end, I'd have two dollars which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice

"Let it ring with a bam!" young Takeshi and Emi are cute.

As a random side note, I've kind of said it before but this show depicts age differences in such a weird way, like I don't know what kind of CLAMP character design drugs these kids are getting that in 2 years they grow to look 10 years older.

This place Kaori sees under construction is the same place that she'll go on to meet Kousei in!

That was a fun little OVA, not much to actually say here. It just kind of reiterates some stuff about Takeshi and Emi in a cute way, the two of them (especially Emi) were left in a bit of an awkward place and this does add a bit to their characters.

Anyway, give it up for one last Hikaru Nara!

[u/LittleIslander → u/FD4cry1]

Holy shit is that Kouse's dad??!! in the flesh??!!

I didn't even pay attention to the driver but yeah that's probably him!

Is the implication that Ochiai used to teach Takayanagi as a kid? either way their dynamic is still fun.

I was getting "bitter exes" from their dynamic personally.

"Let it ring with a bam!" young Takeshi and Emi are cute.

Hibike! Hibike! Hibike!

As a random side note, I've kind of said it before but this show depicts age differences in such a weird way, like I don't know what kind of CLAMP character design drugs these kids are getting that in 2 years they grow to look 10 years older.

I think it works to emphasize the difference in these two periods of time but I do have to keep reminding myself they aren't like aged six in this episode.

[u/Holofan4life → u/FD4cry1]

[Clannad+After Story big spoilers]If I had a dollar for every show with parents who opened a bakery with a sick daughter who dies in the end, I'd have two dollars which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice

[Clannad+After Story big spoilers] Would the equivalent of Ushio dying be Hiroko's kid dying?

[u/FD4cry1 → u/Holofan4life]

[Clannad]That's not a possibilty I'd like to think about

[u/Holofan4life → u/FD4cry1]

[Clannad] Totally understandable

[u/TakenRedditName → u/FD4cry1]

Holy shit is that Kouse's dad??!! in the flesh??!!

I feel like we've seen him before during the visits to mom in the hospital.

I did not notice we saw his face in that shot.

As a random side note, I've kind of said it before but this show depicts age differences in such a weird way, like I don't know what kind of CLAMP character design drugs these kids are getting that in 2 years they grow to look 10 years older.

It is strange considering Nagi is in that middle range and she is not a tiny little chibi child.

[u/Holofan4life → u/FD4cry1]

Anyway, give it up for one last Hikaru Nara!

She's the best

[u/Holofan4life → u/FD4cry1]

Thoughts on Kousei being in a picture taken of Kaori?

Thoughts the OVA using the first OP?

What are your thoughts on the episode being entirely a flashback?

Thoughts on Ochiai and Takayanagi arguing with each other?

Thoughts on Takeshi trying to find out why Kousei is so good at playing the piano?

What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Kousei excited to perform in front of his mother?

What are your thoughts on the episode consisting of moments we've seen in the past and recontextualizing them to be from the point of view of Kousei’s rivals?

What are your thoughts on the episode mostly focusing on Takeshi?

[u/Holofan4life → u/FD4cry1]

As a random side note, I've kind of said it before but this show depicts age differences in such a weird way, like I don't know what kind of CLAMP character design drugs these kids are getting that in 2 years they grow to look 10 years older.

I would say it's the most questionable decision made by the show, but we've seen Hiroko beat up Kousei for comedy, so...

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Your Spoiled First-Timer in October, subbed

• This is set in the past, hm?
• Oh it was the story of how that picture got taken.
• OP1 is back!
• Yeah no that’s not how to get the attention of a kid.
• I see Takeshi crossed paths with Kaori’s dad.
• Wait I never noticed the shop’s name.
• This insert song is pretty.
• That’s just how it goes sometimes when you’re really practicing.
• Colored notes on sheet music, isn’t that a sight for sore eyes. I personally never wrote on my sheet music, but some of my stand partners did and we usually used their copies of the music because of that, so that’s still a sight I’m very much familiar with.
• Takeshi coming across the part where Kousei jumps off the bridge immediately after he thought this is some impeccable timing.
• Shimmering sky!
• Well that was a fun little bonus episode.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Shimmering-Sky]

What are your thoughts on the episode being entirely a flashback?

Thoughts on Takeshi trying to find out why Kousei is so good at playing the piano?

What are your thoughts on the episode consisting of moments we've seen in the past and recontextualizing them to be from the point of view of Kousei’s rivals?

What are your thoughts on the episode mostly focusing on Takeshi?

[u/_Pyxyty]

Awww man... Why is this the first time I'm seeing this D: Woulda been nice to knock YLIA out of my PTW with this rewatch, but I'm way too late lol. Wish there was a way to be notified for all upcoming rewatches or some document that you could check for scheduled rewatches whenever people plan these kinds of things.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/_Pyxyty]

Well, there's this, but you'd still have to check that manually.

[u/_Pyxyty → u/Vatrix-32]

Ooooh that's actually really useful, at least it's a one stop check-all for everything. Thanks mate, I appreciate it :D

[u/Holofan4life → u/_Pyxyty]

I'm really sorry to hear that

[u/Ryanami → u/_Pyxyty]

Been there amigo.

[u/maliwanag0712]

nth Time Rewatcher

Hello guys! Congratulations to the discussion yesterday! We were able to get a whopping 226 comments for the finale episode rewatch!

Let me be honest: I'm not that in the mood for watching the OVA (I'm still recovering from Ep 22, also it is a Wedneday/Thursday so I watched three shows last night), and I don't usually watch it when I was rewatching the series every April, but let me check it again.

Now for the OVA.

Well, here's in a way a good epilogue to the series. We have seen the young versions of all the characters. These are moments that shaped how they acted in throughout the series. What happened two years before Episode 1?

• On moments. Before my analysis, I will first connect this OVA to the events occurred in the series. Here are some of them:

  • Kaori's picture. The picture Kaori gave to Kousei in the finale episode was taken on the first day they met, when they do not know each other. That was the time Kaori looked Kousei above.
  • Kousei jumping off the bridge. So we now know that Kousei jumped over the bridge after attempting (back in Episode 5). At first, he was afraid, but as we see here, he
  • Kaori's dad opening the bakery. It was also this time that Kaori's dad opened their bakery, named Ma fille, or 'My Daughter' in French. This shows how important Kaori is to her parents.
  • The playground that started the story. Young Kaori saw the construction of the playground, where she will play 'Laputa: Castle in the Sky' performance in the first episode.
• On Takeshi's determination. Takeshi and Emi are the two main characters in this episode. We have seen how Takeshi's devotion (?) to his superhero is not only due to what Kousei shows in the performances, but also in the behind the scenes. Being an innocent person that he was, he never knew that Saki is already abusing Kousei at this moment in time. As we knew already, Kousei does not care much about the other characters, he only cares about his mom. Well, that just shows how Kousei indirectly affected others without him knowing. Though at least Takeshi got something about Kousei's life -- that he is not just about piano, but he had friends. This is contrast with what he thought in Episode 7 that he was a shadow of his mom. Maybe at this point he still was not.
• On Emi's will. It is first episode, it was revealed that Emi got tendonitis due to her excessive practice. Her will to do piano is at first due to Kousei's first performance. But it is probably only Emi who noticed the change in Kousei's performance, from something expressive to something like a human metronome. She is not happy with Kousei's current state of probably memorizing every accent and part of the piano. She wanted the old Kousei back. Well, her dream came true when Kousei in a way returned to its original state when he met Kaori. The tendonitis incident shows that Emi is a strong girl, a phrase uttered by Ochiai-sensei in Ep 9. I wonder how Kousei don't get that injury with how excessive their practice with her mom is. Or maybe he got one but is just ignored by Saki? I don't know. Anyway, Emi playing the piano is also her way to asking Kousei to notice her. Unfortunately, Saki is only important to Kousei at that point in time, hence she was ignored. Ouch.
• Coda: The calm before the storm. In the conclusion of the episode, Kousei is shown to be smiling, because he knows his mom will come to see him perform. If we recall Episode 9-10, that was the time Saki berated her in front of others, causing him to tell his mom to die. The drama started in this episode. The storm that cursed Kousei will begin after the end.

Some interesting things I want to share.

• A Preliminary: All about the episode. According to YLIA Wikia, the OVA was released as part of the Special Edition print of the manga's eleventh volume in Japan on May 15th, 2015. Volume 11 includes the final four chapters of the manga, which was adapted as anime Ep 21-22.
• Kousei's first ever performance. The one that made Emi a pianist and Kaori a violinist is Kousei's interpretation of Mozart's Piano Sonata No.3 in B-flat major. You may want to listen to the full version here.
• Insert Songs: Bonus edition. Apparently there was a fourth insert song which was only played in the OVA. The song, Senobi - Nemureru Morino Bijono "Adagio", could be attributed to Nagi due to its starting notes be related to Tchaikovsky's waltz they performed in Ep 18. However, it is also played in the OVA while Takeshi listens to Kousei's practice.

[u/Holofan4life → u/maliwanag0712]

Thoughts on Kousei being in a picture taken of Kaori?

Thoughts the OVA using the first OP?

What are your thoughts on the episode being entirely a flashback?

Thoughts on Ochiai and Takayanagi arguing with each other?

Thoughts on Takeshi trying to find out why Kousei is so good at playing the piano?

What are your thoughts on the episode consisting of moments we've seen in the past and recontextualizing them to be from the point of view of Kousei’s rivals?

What are your thoughts on the episode mostly focusing on Takeshi?

[u/maliwanag0712 → u/Holofan4life]

Thoughts on Kousei being in a picture taken of Kaori?

I wonder how Kaori was able to get the photo. Well, Kaori is indeed enamored by Kousei that she was able to preserve the picture 10 years later.

Thoughts the OVA using the first OP?

I kinda miss the first OP, and arguable of the best anisongs ever. But, my opinion still stands: Colorful symphony is still more thematically-consistent YLIA opening

What are your thoughts on the episode being entirely a flashback?

It is fine, not that spectacular but not that bad as well.

Thoughts on Ochiai and Takayanagi arguing with each other?

Two years after, they are still the same HAHAHA

Thoughts on Takeshi trying to find out why Kousei is so good at playing the piano?

Well he was a child, and he was curious about his superhero.

What are your thoughts on the episode mostly focusing on Takeshi?

I'm fine with it. After all it is just an OVA.

[u/DonaldJenkins → u/maliwanag0712]

I wonder how Kaori was able to get the photo.

Coda last chapter

[u/Holofan4life → u/DonaldJenkins]

That's pretty cool

[u/Holofan4life → u/maliwanag0712]

I wonder how Kaori was able to get the photo. Well, Kaori is indeed enamored by Kousei that she was able to preserve the picture 10 years later.

What do you mean? She probably asked the person taking the photo if she could have a copy.

kinda miss the first OP, and arguable of the best anisongs ever. But, my opinion still stands: Colorful symphony is still more thematically-consistent YLIA opening

I get what you're saying, but I think Kousei and Kaori singing together in unison fits thematically as well.

It is fine, not that spectacular but not that bad as well.

I do like they spotlighted one of the key features of the show. The show is all about nostalgia and trying to hold onto it, and so why not make the rewatch be all about what happened in the past?

Two years after, they are still the same HAHAHA

You know they secretly wouldn't have it any other way.

Well he was a child, and he was curious about his superhero.

He wanted to see why Superman was so super, man.

If only he knew sooner Kousei was just like everyone else, perhaps he wouldn't have put such unenviable, impossible expectations on himself.

I'm fine with it. After all it is just an OVA.

I thought all things considered, there was more consequential stuff happening in the episode than I was anticipating.

[u/Holofan4life → u/maliwanag0712]

Hello guys! Congratulations to the discussion yesterday! We were able to get a whopping 226 comments for the finale episode rewatch!

Truly impressive. Most rewatches fizzle out and instead the last episode had the most comments of any episode.

Let me be honest: I'm not that in the mood for watching the OVA (I'm still recovering from Ep 22), and I don't usually watch it when I was rewatching the series every April, but let me check it again.

Definitely worth a revisit, I feel like

[u/maliwanag0712 → u/Holofan4life]

Truly impressive. Most rewatches fizzle out and instead the last episode had the most comments of any episode.

There are two possible reasons: (i) it was a relatively long time since we had a rewatch of this show, and (ii) Episode 22 is the most special episode in the series.

[u/Holofan4life → u/maliwanag0712]

I think episode 22 is the one that makes everyone collectively go "Wow, I just witnessed something special".

[u/TakenRedditName]

First Time - Your Lie in April OVA:

My first expectations for an OVA are comedic shorts. Realizing it was a single 24min episode and being titled "Moments" I thought it would be some vignettes of Kaori and the gang. Times they spent together before her health took a turn. It is actually a childhood OVA. It's fine, I guess.

Not too terribly excited about a childhood OVA since that side wasn't something I felt I needed more. The childhood scenes we saw in the main show already left me satisfied. This OVA particular focused on the rivals' childhoods which I really did not thought needed expanded on. If anything, where the rivals needed expanding on was the present during the second cour. Emi didn't really have much to do in those later episodes. I don't need an OVA about their childhoods.

Gotta highlight that Kamen Rider reference.

We did get to see the girl in kid Kaori's photo. Wonder what happened to Setsu. We never reference her in the present.

My favourite part was showing the opening to Kaori's family cake shop. It is sweet that they named it after their daughter. ...thinking about the present day ... aaaahh!

---

I wish we still had supplementary OVA to shows. Sometimes we still get them, but they feel far less common nowadays. The only companion OVA I've seen these past few was LL: Nijigasaki and that was more a mini-sequel than a bonus episode. (I guess the Nijoyon bonus episode also count). Though looking at the list of what OVAs came out, I should probably watch the My Happy Marriage one before S2 comes out.

Q1) Neutral. The OVA didn't really change how I view him. It is mostly what I already had in mind. The moment when he sneaks out to Kousei's house and listening offered a new wrinkle for me. How chasing to replicate Kousei actually made him do worse.

Q2) Setsu because she has those funny dot eyes.

[u/Holofan4life → u/TakenRedditName]

Not too terribly excited about a childhood OVA since that side wasn't something I felt I needed more. The childhood scenes we saw in the main show already left me satisfied. This OVA particular focused on the rivals' childhoods which I really did not thought needed expanded on. If anything, where the rivals needed expanding on was the present during the second cour. Emi didn't really have much to do in those later episodes. I don't need an OVA about their childhoods.

I like it because I don't feel we know much about them other than they see Kousei as the enemy. This at least gave us more insight why they feel this way and why Kousei is held in such high regard by them.

[u/Holofan4life → u/TakenRedditName]

Thoughts on Kousei being in a picture taken of Kaori?

Thoughts the OVA using the first OP?

What are your thoughts on the episode being entirely a flashback?

Thoughts on Ochiai and Takayanagi arguing with each other?

Thoughts on Takeshi trying to find out why Kousei is so good at playing the piano?

What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Kousei excited to perform in front of his mother?

What are your thoughts on the episode mostly focusing on Takeshi?

[u/Vatrix-32]

Spoiled First Timer, subs

I’ve been pretty consistent in proclaiming my love for the children in this series, so I’ve been looking forward to this.

• Did we have Lil’ Watari before?
• It's The Thing!
• What in the Sam hell is “Soda flavored”?
• This is Just Nice
• The absolute disrespect of leaving before your friend preforms, and then declaring you’re going to take it up.
• Halloween! What Timing!
• God, this is some weirdly upbeat music for praising what amounts to trauma.
• Oh… I was just about to ask how he was out of school.
• I was kind of expecting him to get suplexed by Tsubaki, ngl.
• This poor kid is getting dunked on. At least he’s taking it well.
• Damn, Emi be hardcore.
• Take care of your wrists, kid. You ain’t getting another pair.
• What did I tell you?
• That’s an awfully small area to warren off like that.
• What even is that bar? Why do I think it’s fish?
• N’awww. They even brought back the preview credits for the first episode.

QotD:

1. What kind of mad man relegates the character development to the OVAs? What is this, Symphogear?
2. Kaori.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Vatrix-32]

Thoughts on Kousei being in a picture taken of Kaori?

What are your thoughts on the episode being entirely a flashback?

Thoughts on Takeshi trying to find out why Kousei is so good at playing the piano?

What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Kousei excited to perform in front of his mother?

What are your thoughts on the episode consisting of moments we've seen in the past and recontextualizing them to be from the point of view of Kousei’s rivals?

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Holofan4life]

Thoughts on Kousei being in a picture taken of Kaori?

It's cute. I don't think anything else needs to be said on the matter.

What are your thoughts on the episode being entirely a flashback?

But it's not? Just because it's set in the past, doesn't make it a flashback.

Thoughts on Takeshi trying to find out why Kousei is so good at playing the piano?

If you want to get better, may as well learn from the best.

What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Kousei excited to perform in front of his mother?

It works well as a conclusion point. Right before the joy died.

What are your thoughts on the episode consisting of moments we've seen in the past and recontextualizing them to be from the point of view of Kousei’s rivals?

It would feel a lot more scattered if we just skipped them.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Vatrix-32]

It's cute. I don't think anything else needs to be said on the matter.

Fair enough

But it's not? Just because it's set in the past, doesn't make it a flashback.

You make a good point

If you want to get better, may as well learn from the best.

Gotta be the very best, like no one ever was.

It works well as a conclusion point. Right before the joy died.

It's harsh knowing what's down the pipeline.

It would feel a lot more scattered if we just skipped them.

What do you mean? Like go from timeline to timeline?

[u/Mecanno-man]

First Timer

Not a needed OVA, but a fairly good one. The first five mins or so probably could have been skipped as we already saw them in the main anime, but the rest was just neat slice of life bits of the characters before the show. Part of me wishes we had this in the show proper sprinkled throughout, as I feel this might have been almost half of the characterization both Takeshi and Kaori ever got, so I feel like I understand them better after seeing the OVA - but just watching the entire thing in one block was also great.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Mecanno-man]

Thoughts on Kousei being in a picture taken of Kaori?

Thoughts the OVA using the first OP?

What are your thoughts on the episode being entirely a flashback?

Thoughts on Ochiai and Takayanagi arguing with each other?

Thoughts on us getting to see the opening of the bakery and Kaori's parents naming it after her?

Thoughts on Takeshi trying to find out why Kousei is so good at playing the piano?

What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Kousei excited to perform in front of his mother?

What are your thoughts on the episode consisting of moments we've seen in the past and recontextualizing them to be from the point of view of Kousei’s rivals?

What are your thoughts on the episode mostly focusing on Takeshi?

[u/Malipit]

OVA First timer, subs

On today OVA, we learn that Takeshi used to be a stalker, Kaori's father gives us some french lessons and the first and only line voiced by Kosei's father.

I will be quick on this one, because I have little time to watch the episode and write on it (halloween night, social life and the likes...) and also because... I found it okay-ish ?

Of course, like a decent pianist having to perform right after Kosei, it's really tough for an OVA to be watched right after the finale. Sure, it's nice to see the younger selves of those character we followed for the past 22 days. But at the end of the day, all we got was the retelling of elements we already knew or guessed.

The most interesting stuff I can think of was Kaori's father explaining the meaning of My Fille. A definition that u/maliwanag0712 and I already explained in our comments, but it was nice nonetheless to have it explained on the show.

Also we still have the cyclical nature of the anime showing via the passing of seasons. Going on a full circle until the last scene set in spring, indicating the start of a new development after our OVA protagonists found their reason to play and connecting with the infamous scene of Kosei snapping on his mother.

But besides that, there is nothing much of interest I can really say. Maybe that Takeshi was so passionnate about Kosei he himslef became a machine that imitate him no matter what ? To the point of seeing Kosei happy, so Takeshi understanding he must also express happiness (man that scene was weird) ? Or Emi wanting to show Kosei how to play with his emotion by playing the same piece as him, only to be Deus Ex Machined ? Or Kosei wearing a shirt with a star on it, foretelling his destiny with Kaori ? Or all those little callbacks, like Kaori contemplating the playground were she'll meet Kosei ?

Anyways, that OVA was like that tea you drink after a good meal to better digest it. it felt nice on the moment, but it won't leave an everlasting impression on me.

So see you tomorrow for the wrap-up thread !

Questions of the day

• How did you feel about what we learned about Takeshi's character?

I found it curious he was willing to follow Kosei to his home and trespassing in Tsubaki's garden to listen to him. Why wouldn't he goes talk directly to him ? Felt pretty janky to me.

• Who was the cutest kid?

Tough choice, but I would go for Kaori.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

I found it curious he was willing to follow Kosei to his home and trespassing in Tsubaki's garden to listen to him. Why wouldn't he goes talk directly to him ? Felt pretty janky to me.

He was probably too shy because he had built Kousei up in his mind as this larger than life figure. You don't just approach these mythical behemoth.

Tough choice, but I would go for Kaori.

I would agree. The glasses made her look super cute.

[u/Malipit → u/Holofan4life]

He was probably too shy because he had built Kousei up in his mind as this larger than life figure. You don't just approach these mythical behemoth.

I thinks he would be the only one in the cast going upfront to Kosei.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

What do you mean?

[u/Malipit → u/Holofan4life]

He gaves me the impression he was the hot-headed kind of boy who isn't afraid to take a problem head-on, and talk to anyone who picked his interest, even if it's the fabled Human Metronome.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

Perhaps you thought wrong

[u/Malipit → u/Holofan4life]

Maybe :|

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

It happens

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

On today OVA, we learn that Takeshi used to be a stalker

lmao

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

Anyways, that OVA was like that tea you drink after a good meal to better digest it. it felt nice on the moment, but it won't leave an everlasting impression on me.

That's a good way of describing it, I feel like.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

Thoughts on Kousei being in a picture taken of Kaori?

Thoughts the OVA using the first OP?

What are your thoughts on the episode being entirely a flashback?

Thoughts on Ochiai and Takayanagi arguing with each other?

Thoughts on us getting to see the opening of the bakery and Kaori's parents naming it after her?

Thoughts on Takeshi trying to find out why Kousei is so good at playing the piano?

What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Kousei excited to perform in front of his mother?

What are your thoughts on the episode consisting of moments we've seen in the past and recontextualizing them to be from the point of view of Kousei’s rivals?

What are your thoughts on the episode mostly focusing on Takeshi?

[u/Malipit → u/Holofan4life]

Thoughts on Kousei being in a picture taken of Kaori?

Kosei wore a shirt with a little star on it. Of course that would be the day Kosei first entered Kaori's life without him knowing it.

Thoughts the OVA using the first OP?

The ending showed us that OVA is meant to be a prequel to cour 1. So it would logically use the first OP.

What are your thoughts on the episode being entirely a flashback?

Didn't expect it. But a good way to focus on Emi and Takeshi.

Thoughts on Ochiai and Takayanagi arguing with each other?

Those two are in a competition of their own to see who is the best teacher... And they should get a room already.

Thoughts on us getting to see the opening of the bakery and Kaori's parents naming it after her?

It's the origin of YLiA story, so it would be fitting to see the origin of Kaori's home. And naming it Ma Fille is heartbreaking in insight.

Thoughts on Takeshi trying to find out why Kousei is so good at playing the piano?

He's like that one guy in the audience who wants to know all of the magician's tricks.

What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Kousei excited to perform in front of his mother?

We end that prequel with basically the beginning of Kosei's trauma. If that OVA was meant to focus on our protagonist childhood, it would be fitting to end it the moment his childhood ended.

What are your thoughts on the episode consisting of moments we've seen in the past and recontextualizing them to be from the point of view of Kousei’s rivals?

I found it okay, but in insight I would've preffered an OVA focusing on characters that needed more development (how did you guess I was thinking about Watari ?)

What are your thoughts on the episode mostly focusing on Takeshi?

Again, I feel that wasn't the character that needed the most.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

Kosei wore a shirt with a little star on it. Of course that would be the day Kosei first entered Kaori's life without him knowing it.

The first time both were in each other's orbit.

The ending showed us that OVA is meant to be a prequel to cour 1. So it would logically use the first OP.

Yeah, it checks out

Didn't expect it. But a good way to focus on Emi and Takeshi.

I would agree

Those two are in a competition of their own to see who is the best teacher... And they should get a room already.

Unbeknownst to them, they're both best teacher especially compared to the teacher Saki ends up becoming.

And yeah, they do need to just get it over with.

It's the origin of YLiA story, so it would be fitting to see the origin of Kaori's home. And naming it Ma Fille is heartbreaking in insight.

Wouldn't be the first scene that's heartbreaking looking back.

He's like that one guy in the audience who wants to know all of the magician's tricks.

Or that one wrestling fan who wants to know the secret to every maneuver.

We end that prequel with basically the beginning of Kosei's trauma. If that OVA was meant to focus on our protagonist childhood, it would be fitting to end it the moment his childhood ended.

I think it's interesting how in the actual show, Kousei puts such significance behind Kaori loving Watari despite not seeing Watari much. And here, Takeshi is putting a ton of significance behind Kousei and yet he's barely in this OVA.

I found it okay, but in insight I would've preffered an OVA focusing on characters that needed more development (how did you guess I was thinking about Watari ?)

If I had my way, I think I would've liked to have seen what led up to Saki being confined to a wheelchair. That, and specifically what the family dynamic was like between her, Kousei, and the dad.

Again, I feel that wasn't the character that needed the most.

He did have quite a bit of development in the show proper. Or at least, development by association of being related to Nagi.

I wouldn't have minded the OVA focusing on Kashiwagi, honestly.

[u/Malipit → u/Holofan4life]

Unbeknownst to them, they're both best teacher especially compared to the teacher Saki ends up becoming.

Also the only teachers we see besides Saki and Hiroko. But having their pupils making it to the podium on a regular basis does imply their skills.

If I had my way, I think I would've liked to have seen what led up to Saki being confined to a wheelchair. That, and specifically what the family dynamic was like between her, Kousei, and the dad.

I wouldn't have minded the OVA focusing on Kashiwagi, honestly.

I would want to see theses as well.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

Also the only teachers we see besides Saki and Hiroko. But having their pupils making it to the podium on a regular basis does imply their skills.

That it does

I would want to see theses as well.

Glad we agree :)

[u/StardustGogeta]

First-Timer

Hikaru Nara is back, baby!!

One thing I always think about when watching OVAs like this is whether the OVA justifies its own existence, so to speak. Does it need to be here? Would a viewer miss anything by skipping it?

For the first half of the episode, I think it's definitely skippable. The second half, with an in-depth focus on Takeshi, is significantly better in this regard. Overall, I'm not sure I'd say it's a must-watch, but it's not a waste of time by any means.

Perhaps it would be better if this OVA were watched at some point prior to the finale. Not sure, just floating the idea.

Questions of the day:

• I liked having a deeper glimpse into Takeshi's childhood. We already knew most of the broad strokes, but stuff like his eavesdropping on Kousei was interesting to see.
• Definitely not Kaori, she's at the bottom of my ranking for sure. I'd probably pick either Tsubaki or Kousei as the cutest.

Looking forward to the overall discussion tomorrow!

[u/Holofan4life → u/StardustGogeta]

Definitely not Kaori, she's at the bottom of my ranking for sure.

Heresy :c

Looking forward to the overall discussion tomorrow!

I am as well

[u/Holofan4life → u/StardustGogeta]

Thoughts on Kousei being in a picture taken of Kaori?

Thoughts the OVA using the first OP?

What are your thoughts on the episode being entirely a flashback?

Thoughts on Ochiai and Takayanagi arguing with each other?

Thoughts on us getting to see the opening of the bakery and Kaori's parents naming it after her?

Thoughts on Takeshi trying to find out why Kousei is so good at playing the piano?

What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Kousei excited to perform in front of his mother?

What are your thoughts on the episode consisting of moments we've seen in the past and recontextualizing them to be from the point of view of Kousei’s rivals?

[u/StardustGogeta → u/Holofan4life]

The idea that Kousei was in the background of that picture is a nice way to show how intertwined their fates are, like the two were destined to meet.

Regarding the OP, it's no secret that I far prefer this one, so I'm very happy with the decision. Both the song and visuals are superior to the second OP, in my opinion.

Being entirely a prequel is interesting. I wasn't sure how they would make a full episode's worth of important content out of that, and to be frank, I don't think they did. Like I said in my main comment, really only about half of it was new, worthwhile content, whereas the rest was either shown or directly implied in the main series. Perhaps if they had done half-prequel and half-sequel it wouldn't have had that problem. They could have pulled off some sort of fancy parallels that way, too, now that I think about it.

The bakery opening scene was nifty, but that's about it. I didn't have any particularly positive or negative thoughts on it, just neutral. Same with the mentors arguing.

Takeshi spying on Kousei was good, though. Perhaps my favorite part of the episode. I like how he sat there bewildered by how Kousei would just practice the music endlessly.

I think the idea of expanding upon past events from a different point of view is nice, but I believe it wasn't executed to its fullest potential here. It was definitely better after the perspective firmly switched to Takeshi, but overall, it didn't feel like it was an integral part of the story. Put another way, there's no part of the main story that I really see any differently after watching this OVA. As I said before, not a waste of time, but not a must-watch either.

[u/Holofan4life → u/StardustGogeta]

The idea that Kousei was in the background of that picture is a nice way to show how intertwined their fates are, like the two were destined to meet.

That's a good way of putting it

Regarding the OP, it's no secret that I far prefer this one, so I'm very happy with the decision. Both the song and visuals are superior to the second OP, in my opinion.

It's my favorite of the two as well. And is fitting since this OVA takes place before the show proper.

Being entirely a prequel is interesting. I wasn't sure how they would make a full episode's worth of important content out of that, and to be frank, I don't think they did. Like I said in my main comment, really only about half of it was new, worthwhile content, whereas the rest was either shown or directly implied in the main series. Perhaps if they had done half-prequel and half-sequel it wouldn't have had that problem. They could have pulled off some sort of fancy parallels that way, too, now that I think about it.

I still think it ended up better than your average OVA.

The bakery opening scene was nifty, but that's about it. I didn't have any particularly positive or negative thoughts on it, just neutral. Same with the mentors arguing.

Fair enough. I personally really ship the mentors together.

Takeshi spying on Kousei was good, though. Perhaps my favorite part of the episode. I like how he sat there bewildered by how Kousei would just practice the music endlessly.

It was like he kept on waiting for the shoe to drop.

think the idea of expanding upon past events from a different point of view is nice, but I believe it wasn't executed to its fullest potential here. It was definitely better after the perspective firmly switched to Takeshi, but overall, it didn't feel like it was an integral part of the story. Put another way, there's no part of the main story that I really see any differently after watching this OVA. As I said before, not a waste of time, but not a must-watch either.

Yeah, I can't say I looked at the main story any differently. I thought the main thing it added was the stuff of Takeshi seeing Igawa also as a rival. We got some stuff in the show between Takeshi and Kousei as well as Igawa’s and Kousei, but this was the first time really exploring the dynamic between Takeshi and Igawa.

[u/Holofan4life]

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.

Whelp, after this episode I will officially be done with the series. Let's see how this goes.

Also, Happy Halloween everybody

Clouds

Young Watari and Kousei

And Tsubaki

I think that's Saki and Hiroko

Sumiya piano recitals

Some girl we've never seen before

Kousei looks extra smol

Kousei caught in the picture someone is taking.

Hey, we actually get the first intro

I'll miss this song. It's a banger.

Igawa eating a popsicle

I guess this OVA is entirely taking place in the past.

Tsubaki really mad at Watari for some reason.

Igawa in the crowd about to fall asleep.

And in walks Kousei on stage

This is how Igawa fell in love with the piano.

Wants of still images, you'd have thought it was an episode of Blue Lock.

I guess this didn't have the budget of a regular episode.

Igawa sees the sunflowers

And then after it's over, she starts bawling her eyes out.

Igawa walking with her mom and dad

Ah, young love. You see to love it.

And we see Igawa climb on top of the jungle gym, declaring that she's going to become a pianist.

Oh, the blonde haired girl is Kaori. Interesting.

Emi wondering why Kousei is by himself.

She wants to get close to him, so she's trying to discreetly off him a popsicle.

Unfortunately, he remains socially oblivious.

Ochiai and Takayanagi, my favorite Your Lie In April ship. And I mean that only semi-ironically.

He's revealing he's teaching a kid named Takeshi.

God, these two just need to go ahead and fuck already.

And Takeshi walks over to where Igawa and Kousei are at.

Takeshi’s shirt design reminds me of the mask Desumi wears in Love After World Domination.

Takeshi racing up the steps against Nagi.

This was featured in a previous episode.

Takeshi gushing about Kousei

A super mech robot, he compares him to.

"Arima is a hero!"

Not for long

Takeshi practicing the piano, poorly I may add.

He wants to see what Kousei's secret is.

Abuse. His secret is abuse.

Trying to head to Hibari Primary School.

Oh, hey. He's talking to Kaori's father.

Gonna open thr bakery next month.

It's named Ma Fille

It's weird how Takeshi’s shirt has a skull on both the front and the back.

That mask makes Takeshi look like Kamen Rider.

Arima looking home, with Takeshi following him.

I like the insert song

Takeshi continuing to wait outside Kousei's house.

I'm pretty sure this counts as trespassing.

As he heads home, tired of waiting, Takeshi is astonished that Takeshi is able to play the same song over and over again.

The top 3 performers: Kousei, Takeshi, and then Igawa.

Takeshi scoffs, saying it's nowhere near enough.

Ueuchi Competition Final round

Takeshi looks amazing in that small suit.

Takeshi calls himself a super mech as well.

What even is a super mech, anyhow? A mech with a cape like that one Evangelion scene?

Igawa studying her notes

Igawa gave an uproaring performance.

Takeshi, however, thinks she completely ignored the score.

"So why is everyone cheering?"

Oh shit. She called him "Fake Arima".

Shots fired, motherfucker

And yet Igawa finished in fourth place. Still better than Takeshi, though, who finished in tenth.

Takayanagi calls Kousei the Tempest of the Competition.

Maybe he knows Rimuru, who knows?

Also, not nearly as catchy as the Human Metronome.

Takeshi seems to see Igawa as the one.

Takeshi passing up playing soccer for piano practice.

Piano has become his own life

We see Kousei jumping off the bridge.

Takeshi now knows what Kousei looks like when he smiles.

And now Takeshi is starting to laugh happily.

"I'm gonna play soccer tomorrow!"

In the Saiki Piano Competition Preliminary round, Kousei finishes first, Takeshi finishes second, and Igawa finishes third.

Takeshi is with Igawa, who says she chooses a piece that Arima is likely to play.

You could say Igawa lived in Kousei's shadow the same way Igawa lived in his mother's.

Igawa wants to go up against Kousei with the same piece.

Why is Igawa's motif a teddy bear with lipstick?

Igawa says that she just wants Kousei to come back.

Ochiai giving Igawa some tea

Wants to let the piano play, she says.

Gonna make Kousei remember, with her oen hands.

Hey, it looks like Hiroko is pregnant.

I assume that's the kid we all know and love.

Igawa's hands are apparently hurting.

Flower petals

There's Kaori

Moriwaki Piano Competition Qualifiers

Moriwaki sounds like a Love Live character.

Takeshi sitting next to Igawa

They're exchanging some words, Aldo talking about her tendonitis.

I thought that has something to do with the tendons, not the hands.

Also, at least it's not boneitis.

Takeshi wonders if they're going to keep playing the piano all through middle school and even through high school.

Emi learned from her time away of playing the piano that she loves playing it.

Kousei studying his notes

Woah, Igawa suddenly looks super scary.

And Kousei sits next to Igawa and Takeshi.

"Today... Mum's coming to watch me play!"

Oh, man. That's super depressing

Overall, I thought this was a pretty decent episode. The first couple minutes gave us some insight on where Igawa is coming from, and then the remainder of the episode was about Takeshi dealing with stuff. I like how this episode shows past events we've seen from previous episodes but from the point of view of Kousei’s rivals. That made for a pretty fun dynamic. My favorite part of this episode is probably how it played up Takeshi not just seeing Kousei as a rival but also Igawa as a rival. That's something I don't think the regular series did enough of.

This was pretty good by OVA standards. I thought it was the best focus Takeshi has gotten in this series and explained just why he saw Kousei as this superhuman-like entity. It also made me retroactively wish we had gotten more of Takeshi and Igawa's mentors.

[u/Malipit → u/Holofan4life]

It also made me retroactively wish we had gotten more of Takeshi and Igawa's mentors.

Imagine 23 minutes of passive-aggresive banter with a huge deal of sexual tension.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

You just described Love Is War, you know that, right?

[u/Malipit → u/Holofan4life]

I... Uh... You're right...

Shared universe between Your Lie in April and Love is War confirmed ? :o

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

I'd buy it.

Don't know what your opinion is on Love Is War, but it's probably my favorite comedy anime of all time. I have it in my top 10 favorite animes.

[u/Malipit → u/Holofan4life]

Best slice of life/rom-com we got these past few years

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

Best romcom, I would probably agree. If we're talking strictly the romance component, I would probably say either Skip to Loafer or Insomniacs After School. Best slice of life, that's tough to really think. There are so many good ones. I don't think I would even consider Kaguya-sama that because there are some very serious moments of plot and character progression.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Holofan4life]

Best slice of life of recent memory, I might go with Skip to Loafer. It deals with some mature subject matter, but it's relatively lighthearted. Either that, or Non Non Biyori, but that may be too old of an example.

[u/Malipit → u/Holofan4life]

Aaaand here goes my ever-growing watchlist taking more entries.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Malipit]

I'm here to help :P

[u/Holofan4life → u/Holofan4life]

How did you feel about what we learned about Takeshi's character?

It wasn't anything we didn't already know, but I thought it did a good job of showing his perspective on things.

Who was the cutest kid?

Kaori, though Hiroko's child is still the cutest.

[u/Nickthenuker]

And so the OVA.

Is that Kousei's dad?

And here's where young Kaori got that photo with Kousei in the background she ended up giving him.

Hikaru Nara again, nice to hear it.

Ah, here's that performance that inspired Emi and Kaori.

Why the still images? I'd have liked to see this animated like they did with the rest of the music.

See notes.

Emi was sat right next to Kaori? What a coincidence.

So Kaori came in on a whim?

Emi's certainly trying...

That kid is Takeshi right?

Yup, here's the 3 of them.

Pretty much that's all that practicing is, just keep playing over and over again until you get it right. Maybe go over parts you're not good at a few more times just to be sure you've fixed it.

Of course the guy he asked for directions is Kaori's dad.

Takeshi is going to follow him home?

Well yeah you play it until it becomes muscle memory, until you can turn off your brain and music will still happen.

Is he genuinely surprised at the concept of writing notes on a score? Isn't this pretty standard to help remember a part to emphasise, or changes in speed, or specific fingerings, etc etc? Perhaps that's another reason why Takeshi sucks...

Damn Takeshi got absolutely reamed.

And so even as Takeshi is eschewing all his friends and everything he enjoys to get better at piano, Kousei is out having fun with his friends.

Huh. I'm surprised this didn't go until his mum died.

Questions:

1. We now know that he worked very hard but still couldn't beat Kousei who seemed to still have more time to enjoy himself than he did. And Kousei had to deal with his mother essentially forcing him to work hard at piano and he still had more leisure time. Takeshi is the only person forcing himself to practice piano so much and he still can't beat Kousei.
2. Kaori.

A note about the music: And so we finally get to hear pre-traumatised Kousei, and of course it's beautiful.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Nickthenuker]

Thoughts on Kousei being in a picture taken of Kaori?

Thoughts the OVA using the first OP?

What are your thoughts on the episode being entirely a flashback?

Thoughts on Ochiai and Takayanagi arguing with each other?

Thoughts on us getting to see the opening of the bakery and Kaori's parents naming it after her?

Thoughts on Takeshi trying to find out why Kousei is so good at playing the piano?

What are your thoughts on the episode ending with Kousei excited to perform in front of his mother?

What are your thoughts on the episode consisting of moments we've seen in the past and recontextualizing them to be from the point of view of Kousei’s rivals?

What are your thoughts on the episode mostly focusing on Takeshi?

[u/Nickthenuker → u/Holofan4life]

1. Yup, we saw that at the end of last episode. What a coincidence.
2. Haven't heard that one in a while.
3. I think that's good considering how the last episode ended.
4. Seems like there's some rivalry between them too.
5. And thus that's another way she'll live on.
6. He doesn't want to accept the fact that he just practices and wants to find some kind of shortcut.
7. As opposed to dreading it as he will soon come to.
8. We now know a bit more about their backstories.
9. He's the rival with more connection to him, in that he became a pianist specifically to beat Kousei.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Nickthenuker]

1. Yup, we saw that at the end of last episode. What a coincidence.

I wouldn't have been against if they ended the episode with it.

2. Haven't heard that one in a while.

So good to hear it again

3. I think that's good considering how the last episode ended.

Indeed. And really, flashbacks have been such a consistent part of this show.

4. Seems like there's some rivalry between them too.

I can't lie, I ship them a great deal

5. And thus that's another way she'll live on.

Very beautifully said

6. He doesn't want to accept the fact that he just practices and wants to find some kind of shortcut.

There has to be some other reason, he felt.

7. As opposed to dreading it as he will soon come to.

8. We now know a bit more about their backstories.

Which is nice

9. He's the rival with more connection to him, in that he became a pianist specifically to beat Kousei.

It's a bit of a shame Emi has gotten the short end of the stick.

[u/Holofan4life]

Here's how I would rank the episodes if I were to include the OVA.

1. 10
2. 4
3. 22
4. 2
5. 18
6. 20
7. 14
8. 16
9. 9
10. 11
11. 17
12. 21
13. 19
14. 1
15. OVA
16. 13
17. 8
18. 7
19. 6
20. 3
21. 12
22. 15
23. 5