It's been a while since music has been a subject of anime series; the last were jazz drama Kids on a Slope and the romcom Nodame Cantabile. So it's nice to finally have a show that focuses on musical instruments instead of mechas and monsters.
Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April) is a sweet romcom that follows the trials of a former piano sensation on his road back to being a performer.
Kosei Arima was a talented child piano prodigy. His mother was very strict when it came to his practice, as she dreamed that one day he would perform in Europe. But when Kosei was 11, she died of an illness; the stress of her death left Kosei unable to deal with the sound of his own playing, and able to only see "monotone" in the world, and not appreciate colour or excitement.
Two years on, and Kosei hasn't touched the piano once. But life takes a dramatic turn when he is introduced to the free-spirited violinist Kaori Miyazono. Their meeting will set Kosei on a journey of self-discovery, help him to realise that music doesn't have to be as serious as his mother made him believe, and lead him back to playing.
The anime is based on the award winning manga series written and illustrated by Naoshi Arakawa in the anthology magazine Monthly Shonen Magazine. It is a delightful show that will warm your heart and maybe make you shed a tear - perfect to watch during this wonderful festive time of year.