The story is a slow burn. Its character driven, meaning you will spend a lot of time learning about the characters. You will learn about most of them, some of them in great detail. I thought the story overall was paced well throughout most of the anime. If there is one complaint, I think it is somewhat predictable. You can see future plot points happening a mile away. Other than that though not much to complain about in this area.
The art style and animation in this series is phenomenal. Listen, A-1 Pictures tends to get a lot of criticism for their animation, and rightfully so. However, I am happy to report that this is one of their best based on what I've watched. Your Lie in April is a spectacle to watch, even rivaling Sword Art Online at times. Very few corners were cut, and needless to say, it was simply beautiful to look at.
The music in this anime is probably one of the best I've watched. The soundtrack, the instruments, all of it sounds incredible and helps elevate scenes to greater heights. For an anime thats focused on the power of music, this one succeeds in every regard.
I watched Your Lie in April subbed. Each actor portrayed their roles well and really helped bring these characters closer to being more than just characters in a story. No complaints here.
The characters of Your Lie in April are probably where the show will get the most criticism. First off, most characters in this anime are developed very well. You get to see a look into their past, observe their present, and think about what that all means for their future. There is probably one character you can relate with. However, not all characters get the development that they deserve, and some who don't deserve large development end up getting it. I think the camera stays on certain characters too long, as some characters with bigger and more interesting things happening sometimes take a backseat to give these smaller, less interesting characters a chance to bloom. I would like to note that this doesn't happen a lot, but just enough to be a mild annoyance. Another complaint I have is the melodrama. Yes, the characters can sometimes be dramatic, which is a product of the writing. Sometimes, it seems like the characters are reading off a script, as the dialogue can sometimes be fairly dramatic. I can see why it could be a little much for some people. Even I thought it was pretty cheesy as times. I know in this section, it may seem like I really went hard on the characters, but I want you to realize that these characters aren't bad. They are well developed and the message they deliver is truly thought provoking. Even if there are a few problems here and there, the characters and their journey is what hooked me and kept me watching.
Overall, I loved this anime. This is one I'll remember for along time. This is one I plan to rewatch every year. If you are a fan of music anime, or just looking for a good coming of age story, Your Lie in April should suit your needs. If you are still on the fence about it, I suggest you give it a try. It took me two attempts, and I don't regret returning one bit.
Thank you for reading my review. If you have any comments on my review, please feel free to send me a message.
