Your lie in April anime review
Spoilers for your lie in April and tw for death, trauma and family issues
“Even in the depths of the darkest oceans, some light always pierces through,” - Kousei Arima
Genre: tragedy, music (piano/violin), slice of life, romance, high school
Where I watched it: Netfilx
Characterisation: 9.5/10 ( The characters are all given very distinct, yet believable, personalities, as well as flaws - all of them hesitate and make mistakes, and all of them learn something about what they actually want in the process. Even Kaori, who is always impossibly cheery and energetic, and Watari, who has a light hearted and humorous demeanor, are shown slipping up and getting discouraged. All characters have detailed backstories and well explained motives, which only get better as the series develops them)
Setting: 8/10 (The high school where all the characters go is a pretty standard anime setting. The more noteworthy things include Kousei's house, with the dusty piano room, ever present even when he tries to forget, the hospital where a lot of Kousei's grief is set, and the various very grand theatres where the piano competitions are held and where Kousei makes, breaks and rebuilds his reputation, as well as developing a relationship with Kaori)
Plot: 8.5/10 (One of my favourite anime ever. The plot is full of twists and has quite a few mysteries and side plots, which all link together beautifully in Kaori’s letter in the end, offering Kousei, and the viewer, closure. While some episodes are heartbreaking as the viewer finds out more about the abuse Kousei was forced to endure from his mother, others are quite comforting and romantic, as Kaori makes him realize he can play because he enjoys it and as himself, and that he’s much more than his mother’s tool.)
Comfort: 5/10 (This anime really is a roller coaster to watch- Kousei goes through depressing life situations, which are executed in a way that makes the viewer feel the pain or fear too. However, there are also several feel good scenes at the start of Kousei and Kaori’s friendship, with her helping him find himself and move past his mother’s death and abuse. Their playing together is also pleasant to watch, but soon, their relationship starts to be tinged with loss and sadness as well. There are quite a few humorous scenes with Kousei’s friends, particularly the playboy and captain of the football team, Ryota Watari.)
Art style: 9.5/10 (I absolutely adore the way the characters are drawn! They all look realistic and developed, with the eyes truly reflecting their personalities. The setting is drawn in a very aesthetic way too, with cherry blossom trees, grand halls for competitions, and starry skies on shimmering waters. This alone made it truly a pleasure to watch! The colour pallet goes from vibrant when Kaori enters Kosei’s life and helps him to move on from everything that happened, to muted and dull when things begin to deteriorate for him, reflecting the mood. Sometimes, in flashbacks about Kosei’s mother, she is shown in black and white, or with no eyes, which makes her appear all the more wicked and terrifying. References to colour are also often made to symbolise emotions and outlook on life)
Addictiveness: 10/10 (The series is very addictive, with constant twists and urgent mysteries in the plot, as well as mysteries and developments with all the characters. This made it impossible to stop watching- there are major cliffhangers. Luckily, at 24 episodes, it is not too demanding to watch.)
Philosophy: 8/10 (This anime is quite psychological, with Kousei’s mother abusing him for most of his childhood and dying when he’s 14. This leaves him unable to play the piano- he sees the ghost of his mother whenever he does and can’t hear the notes as a result- and forces him to abandon his career as a piano prodigy. Because of this, much of the anime is about recovery- Kousei discovers himself and his own love for playing, separate from the metronome-like style his mother had forced him to adopt. He also gains more insight into his feelings as he does so, realising that, in a twisted way, his mother ways trying to help him have a livelihood and support himself after she passed. With this realization, he’s finally able to move past the ghost of his mother and look at life from another perspective. All the characters fight their own mental battles, some putting up cheerful fronts and falling apart later on in the series, and others making mistakes and questionable decisions to find their happiness.)
Originality: 9/10 (I have never seen an anime combine so many elements so beautifully: there’s the music aspect, with the rivalries between the top players and competitions, the romance aspect, with Kousei’s feelings for Kaori, who is dating his best friend and the two growing closer, as well as Tsubaki’s chaotic romantic discoveries, and there’s a more tragic aspect, with the relationship between Kousei and his mother, her death, and what later happens to Kaori)
Consistency: 8.5/10 (The series keeps up a consistently high quality throughout. There are some seemingly less relevant aspects, like Kousei becoming Nagi’s piano teacher and helping her perform for a school concert, but I think these help us build a picture of Kousei recovering and making his piano playing, as well as his life, his own)
The plot
Kousei Arima used to be a piano prodigy- he was one of the most promising young pianists in Japan, winning every competition he entered and shocking the judges with his seemingly impossibly accurate replications of the score. However, after his abusive mother died, he found himself unable to hear the notes, and remembering her and the physical and mental abuse he went through whenever he played. As a result, he resigned from his career as a pianist. Two years later, his best friend, Tsubaki Sawabe, forces him to come along to a date she arranged between her friend, Kaori Miyazono, and Kousei’s other best friend, Ryota Watari. He gets there earlier than the other two, and is instantly stunned when he sees Kaori. The group later goes to see her perform at a concert, which is also deeply shocking to Kousei- she plays with skill and passion, but instead of sticking to the score, she changes the pieces she plays to her liking. Afterwards, Kaori manages to persuade Kousei to accompany her on the piano at her next competition. Initially, Kousei bails, saying he can’t hear the notes, but after seeing how much Kaori needs him and how nervous she is, he changes his mind and the group rush to the concert hall together. The performance starts off good, but then Kousei stops hearing the notes, resulting in a catastrophic second part. This is just the beginning of his new piano career- with Kaori by his side, he soon falls back into performing, entering competitions by himself and meeting old industry rivals who have all but forgotten him. As Kousei continues playing and starts moving past the scars his mother left him, realising her ghost is just a figment of his trauma and her actions were a form of twisted and misguided love, his relationship with Kaori becomes stronger and the two grow very close. However, Kousei soon learns something life changing about Kaori, which causes him to deteriorate all over again, and this time there is no one but his mother’s old collegue, Ms Seto, to force him out of the dumps and make him carry on playing.
Masterlist
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Kōsei Arima, Haruhi Fujioka, Ken Robbins, Marin Kitagawa, Narumi Momose, Hero dating a deaf reader.
Deaf!S/O
[ HEADCANONS ] [ Kousei, Haruhi, Ken, Marin, Narumi, Hero ]
[ Your lie in April ] [ Ouran High School Host Club ] [ Kaleido Star ] [ My Dress-Up Darling ] [ Wotakoi ] [ Omori ]
Dear anon, Are you reading my mind? 🤨 cuz I was thinking on writing deaf!S/O too
By the way, thanks for requesting so lovely characters 🥰 I really loved writing this!!
Kousei Arima
Even if Kousei doesn't show it much he is a really caring person, and when he falls in love he loves deeply
You being deaf is not really a problem for him, he doesn't mind at all, and even when he has the problem that he doesn't hear when he is playing the piano he won't really dare to say that is the same, it may help him to understand you somewhat but still he will never take it as the same
He doesn't really waste much time before start learning sign language (at least the basic) even before start dating, it doesn't take him long to learn but still at first he tent to sign slowly for being nervous and trying to remember correctly how to sign what he tries to say (it could be pretty cute to see)
Although he doesn't have any problem adapting to whatever way of comunication you prefer, either with sign language, writing it down or even if you know how to read lips
As well he doesn't mind at all explain directly to you what others are saying or explaining it to you the situation, he always take a moment to explain what happen if you need it (at first he did ask you directly if you need him to explain, but after been together for a while he learn to identify whenever you need help so he just turn to look at you to know)
Whenever he needs to catch your attention or when he approatch to you without you noticing, either because you are distracted or busy he always do it gently patting your shoulder or taking your hand and when you look at him he always smiles sweetly, without fail
He isn't someone how get into fights but he will stand up for you if someone start saying bad things about you or directly insulting you (although if that happen is probably that Kaori, Watari and Tsubaki will step in to defend you too, may even before Kousei has the opportunity to do so)
Once he start playing the piano again it sadden a little him that you won't be able to hear it or experience it like he does, but that doesn't stop him from playing with all his heart and with you as one of his biggest motivations
If you end up relaying on him a lot for help he doesn't really mind, it makes him happy to be able to help you (and it actually comfort him since he still feel bad for not being able to help his mother), it only flustered him when someone else point it out and tease him for it (mainly Watari and Kaori)
If you ever bad for needing extra help or feel like a bother he panics a little, he doesn't like that you feel that way and he is quickly to comfort you, he isn't too good with words but he tries his best, remembering you that he is always helping because he loves you and that he will never consider you a burden
Haruhi Fujioka
Haruhi is really calm and mature person, and even when she is pretty independent she is really caring too is just natural for her care for her partner, disability or not
You being deaf will never be a problem for her, she just has to adapt to you and since she has a golden patience she is always there to help you out whenever you need it
As I said, she doesn't have any problem with adapting to what you need so she just go by whatever ways of comunication you prefer, either writing or with sign language, even if you know lip reading is fine to her but she reminds you to don't overwork yourself (specially if you are trying to don't bother others for your special needs), in either case she will learn sign language, you don't even have to ask
She always offer you to explain or traduce what others say, although most of the time she doesn't traduce completly what the others hosts say, they are mainly just caotic and saying random things, so if you ask she just explain that they are being themselfs (still, if you want she will try to explain what the hell they are into now)
She isn't clingy but if you prefer to stay by her side she doesn't has any problem with it, and she isn't shy at all she has no problem with holding your hand (only if you want to, she doesn't have problem with avoiding pda neither)
Haruhi can be pretty oblivous at times or being too distracted in her own thoughts so comunication is really important, you don't have to worry or be shy while asking for something (even if isn't help is okay), Haruhi isn't someone who judge nor even shy you just have to be more direct while asking for something
Deep down it makes her really happy being able to help you and even more if you tent to relay more in her for help, she is used to be all alone since her mother died or being surrounded by her chaotic friends so she is grateful to have just peaceful time with you
Also, Haruhi isn't someone who gets into fights but she won't think twice to stand up for you if someone dare to say something bad about you, specially if it really affect you, although while she still tries to solve the problem without fighting the others of the club won't be as peaceful as she is (even if you aren't in the club, since you are important for Haruhi you are important to them), they will step in and mess with whoever even thing bad about you (mainly Tamaki and the twins)
If you ever feel bad for being deaf or like a burden she is quickly to reasure you that you don't have to feel like that, being deaf if something you didn't ask for and something you can't control either, so you don't have to be ashame or feel bad for being the way you are, besides you will never be a bother for her, caring for the person she love is natural in her and will never be a problem
Ken Robbins
Ken is gentle and a little shy, he gets pretty flustered just by being on a relationship with you. For him you being deaf is not a problem but he really gives it importance, always take it in consideration as well your needs
He will never think less of you though, is just that he knows pretty well how is to live with an special condition since he has a weak heart and has to be careful with some things (even so, he doesn't treat it as the same)
He is easy to adapt to the situation and pretty quick to react so he has no problem with adapting to your needs, also he always treat you with a lot of courtesy and he end up getting used to ask you from time to time if you are alright or need help with something (it doesn't matter if is something that has nothing to do with your disability he always tries to help you)
Since the Kaleido Stage has world fame and in almost all the presentations fills up is for sure that at least more that one of the staff has to know sign language, so if he doesn't know yet it won't be a problem to learn it (it would benefit his work too), even if he doesn't mind writing down to talk to you it would be better to talk with sign language since when he isn't busy in the Kaleido Stage he is with his family
He is pretty busy with his work in the Kaleido Stage but he doesn't mind if you pay him a visit, after a while you will be know between the staff and they just let you in, also Kalos won't mind too much if you are there as long as you don't interrupt rehearsals and don't break his trust. However, as much as he loves having you around he prefer for you to don't go close to release date or at presentations since everyone is more busy and stressed, and the artists who are there since a long time could be pretty mean and aggresive
He always take time to traduce to you what others say or explain the situation if you need it, and his friends (that now are your friends too) are willing to learn sign language too, although since Sora is so cheerful all the time she just forget that you are deaf most of the time and always greet you with words or talk to you directly. Also, you are free to go with his family too, his mother will totally love you and even when she may doesn't learn sign language she has no problem with writing down and make signs to make more clear what she is trying to say
If you tend to rely in him for help he doesn't really mind he is happy to help you out, still he can't help but get flustered and blushy whenever you do it (but that just lead Mia and Anna to tease him a lot, even Sarah is always pointing out the cute couple you two are)
Marin Kitagawa
Marin can be pretty extrovert and easy to speak her mind out, and even when she is always draging the attention to her unconsciously she isn't someone who falls in love easily, but when she does she does deeply and with all her heart
For her you being deaf it will never be a problem, Marin loves you nonetheless and you loving her too is enough for her to make all her efforts to be with you. It isn't easy for her to adapt to your needs but that won't stop her to try again and again until she is fully adapted
Since she really is talktive when she gets distracted she just forget that you can't hear her and start talking her mind of, specially at the begging of your relationship, and when she was just about to scold you for ignoring her is when she noticed how nervous you were since she was talking a lot or may even you didn't noticed that she was talking, mentally beating herself she quickly apologize for forgeting it and promises to make it up for you (even if you don't mind or didn't even noticed)
Even if you didn't asked her she wants to learn sign language because she wants to surprise you, although it take her a long time because she is just getting too distracted by daydreaming about how will be your reaction when she talk to you the first time with sign language, or even how you will react the first time she sign "I love you" to you. At the end she ask her friends and even Gojo to help her because she can't stop getting distracted
Also, while she learn sign language she has not problem with talking to you by writing it, mainly texting you and always uses a lot of cute emojis and stickers. If you know how to lip reading is something that suprised her a lot and may even ask you how you do it and if you could teach her, however if you don't tell her directly that you can do it it would take her a long time to find it out
Marin can be pretty clingy and espontaneous so it would take her a while get used to approach to you without startling you in the process, she will try her hardest to remember to always enter in your field of vision before touching you or at least do it gently, but at the end she learn it the bad way since her friends and even Gojo end up scolding her a lot for always scare you like that
She will never let anyone say something bad about you, it doesn't matter if that person do it behind your back or directly nor even if you don't care for others opinion, if she hear someone saying something bad about you she get furious, and she can be really intimidating when she is angry so just by her look that person is already regreting even opening their mouth
Also, if you ever feel bad for being deaf or like a burden she giggles and call you silly for it, in her eyes you are perfect and she loves you with all her heart so you will never be a borden for her, if you still feel bad she offer to cheer you up with a treat
Narumi Momose
Narumi tend to act sweet and innocent with the rest of the world but once you accept her as the mess she is she stop trying so hard and just is herself, as well she accept you just the way you are
Narumi can reasure you a million of times that you being deaf is not a problem and even when she mean it it take her a long time to adjust to your needs, specially at the start of your relasionship, since she can be easy to get distracted and a bit clumsy she from time to time forget that you can't hear her and just talk to you so normally, although when she realice what she did she deeply apologize
Most of the time you two comunicate by texting each other or simple signs, she had promised to you that she will learn sign language even if you insist that is not necessary, although it would take her a long time just because she ends up procrastinating a lot, is more probably that Kotanagi and Kabakura learn it first and she will find out when she sees one of them talking to you with it, she will be too embarrassed to admit that she had been so distracted to start learning it, but if Hirotaka already learn it too that will hit her prideful side (for how asocial he tend to be)
She has no problem with traducing what others say and explaining things to you when you need it, but since she can be very distracted at times you have to ask her if she could do it
After a while Narumi just get used to you being deaf and end up clinging to you whenever you two are together, she did it with the excuse of helping you but she end up liking it a little too much and she does it automatically all the time you two are together outside, although whenever she has to work in her doujinshi she prefer for you to don't be near her, nothing personal is just that she is so stressed that is scary, and she won't have head for anything aside form the story
And if you tend to rely in her for help she gets super flustered, she knows she isn't the best and still you trust her a lot! she find it pretty cute too
She wil find a lot of troubles to confront other if they are speaking bad about you since she isn't the type to get into fights, she prefers to focus on comforting you, but if it deeply affects you she will stand up for you (more like calling them idiots while being really mad)
If you ever feel bad for being deaf or like a bother she panics and a million of thoughts runs in her mind wondering what she should do, at the end she tries to comfort you by telling you that you aren't a bother and that you are perfect in her eyes and that she loves you just the way you are, just before becoming a blushing mess the moment she notice what she was saying
Hero
Hero not just is a big brother but he also, along with Mari, had always been looking after everyone on the group, he is naturaly caring so that obviously will be present in your relasionship
Hero has no problem with you being deaf, if he has to adapt to the needs you have he will without much troubles, and he is always taking you in consideration as well, it isn't like he thinks less of you he just want to make sure you never feel left behind
He won't have any problem with writing down to talk with you, but since his friends could be chaotic and energetic (specially his brother) it going to be better to talk with sign language
Speaking of he won't have any problem with learning it and he will do it pretty quickly, specially since he will learn it along side with Mari, she wanted to learn it too since you two are friends and that will lead Kel, Aubrey, Sunny and Basil wanting to learn it too but at the end just Sunny and Aubrey will be the ones who succed (at least the basic) since Kel give up when it started to get complicated and to Basil end up being really confusing
Hero always takes a moment to make sure you are fine and ask you if you need help with something and no matter how much times you tell him that you are fine or that he doesn't have to worry so much he keeps doing it. Also, he is always explaining to you the situation or what people are saying if you need it
He can be pretty clingy at times, and even if he isn't really shy he gets flustered when you are the one getting clingy, if you prefer to stay close to him because you feel more secure that way he will be really flustered and flattered, even if you don't tell him he will notice it at some point (or will be Mari who notice it since she is really perceptual)
As well, if you tend to rely a lot on him for help he will be really flustered too, he doesn't mind it at all he is already used to helping and taking care of the others and still you make him feel really special, and as a plus every time Mari notice you seem to be struguling with something or when all of you were going to do something else she always tell Hero to help you since is something a caring and loving boyfriend should do (Mari loves teasing Hero)
Non of your friends will let anyone tell bad things about you, even taking it really personal when is about you being deaf, and while Hero and Mari will stand up for you trying to avoid getting into a fight Aubrey and Kel will react pretty aggresive
If you ever feel bad or like a bother that will make Hero nervious, he tries to comfort you pointing out how all your friends (him included) are really happy to be your friend and they don't really mind it that you are deaf, also he focus on trying to cheer you up, maybe he can make some cookies for you
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Who is your birthday oshi? ~Week of July 23~
Birthdays & Anniversaries ~Week of July 23~
The following members, ex-members, and single releases have birthdays, anniversaries, and a release (!) this week.
July 23
Zhōng Ānqí (Anchii) (ex-Ice Creamusume; 34)
Kubota Nanami (OCHA NORMA; 19)
Coconuts Musume - Halation Summer (1999)
Country Musume - Futari no Hokkaido (1999)
July 24
Morning Musume - Do it! Now (2002)
Country Musume ni Konno to Fujimoto - Uwaki na Honey Pie (2003)
July 25
Hirayama Yuki (ANGERME; 17)
Morning Musume - The☆Peace! (2001)
Morning Musume - Onna ni Sachi Are (2007)
Berryz Koubou - cha cha SING (2012)
July 26
Coconuts Musume - Watashi mo "I LOVE YOU" (2000)
Petitmoni - Seishun Jidai 1.2.3! / Bicycle Daiseikou! (2000)
Maeda Yuki - Omae no Namida wo Ore ni Kure (2006)
Tsubaki Factory - Shuukatsu Sensation / Waratte / Hana Moyou (2017)
🆕 OCHA NORMA - Chotto Joucho Fuantei?… Natsu / Ocha no Ma Mahoroba Ikoinoba ~Showa mo Reiwa mo Wacchawaccha~/ Shekenaare/ Yoridori ME DREAM (2023)
July 27
Morning Musume - Iroppoi Jirettai (2005)
Kobushi Factory - Samba! Kobushi Janeiro / Bacchikoi Seishun! / Ora wa Ninkimono (2016)
July 28
Okamura Rise (ex-Hello Pro Kenshuusei; 25)
Heike Michiyo - scene (1999)
Taiyou to Ciscomoon - Uchuu de La Ta Ta (1999)
Iida Kaori - Door no Mukou de Bell ga Natteta (2004)
S/mileage - ○○ Ganbaranakutemo Eenende!! (2010)
July 29
Akiyama Mao (Tsubaki Factory; 21)
C-ute - Wakkyanai (Z) (2006)
Mano Erina - Sekai wa Summer Party (2009)
Happy birthday/anniversary week!
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Round 2 of Who Is Queen Of Manipulation? will not be ready to go until at least another day passes, so to hold y'all over until then....
Manipulation Consolation time!
This is where those who lost their matches go against each other to determine who gets a consolation prize (like being part of the eventual Manipulation Queen's court), and who goes home empty-handed. This way, if you wanted to see your fave win, you may still have your chance!
Sasha Waybright VS Double Trouble
Junko Enoshima VS Anise Tatlin
Eliza Regan VS Keito Nichi
Swindler VS Misaki Shokuhou
Tsubaki Kasugano VS Terra Markov
Cora Mills VS Sonia Reed
Medusa Gorgon VS Maleficent
Akari Yukimura VS Nana Hiiragi
Lana Lang VS Ami Kawashima
Murmur VS Zhan Tiri
Mia Sutton VS Mikan Tsumiki
Echidna VS Celestia Ludenberg
Yurippe VS Nanami
Ume Kurumizawa VS Yuno Gasai
Miku Izayoi VS Wang Liu-Mei
Edelgard von Hresvelg VS Amanda Waller
Heather VS Green
Rosemary Applefield VS Lunar Edomae
Kiyomi Takada VS Grace Monroe
Kaori Miyazono VS Ai Hoshino
Mai Valentine VS Regina George
CeleCele VS Namine
Ursula VS Eua
Prospera Mercury VS Shion Sonozaki
Dahlia Hawthorne VS Lila Rossi
Miyo Takano VS Balalaika
Starlight Glimmer VS Lusamine
Satou Matsuzaka VS Kanade Otonokoji
Mother Gothel VS Chel
Akito Sohma VS Satoko Houjo
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