Login

u/Flame0fthewest

I watched the live action movie, here are my thoughts about it!
▲ 60 r/YourLieinApril

I watched the live action movie, here are my thoughts about it!

I know there are people here who never watched this movie, didn't care about, already judged it, or just don't want to "ruin their memories".

I still wanted to write about it, so those who never watched it might learn a bit about it, and those who plan to watch it might decide if it worths their time or not at all.

Also, I can proudly say that I'm the first one in my country who translated this movie from english (properly), and it will be uploaded into a site.

Maybe it's not the best adaptation, but I think that the story is very good and I just wanted people to watch it.

Characters, casting, and relationship with the source material:

I think the casting was absolutely super! Not everything checks out when it comes to details, but the creators were trying for sure. In many scenes they tried to copy the outfits as faithfully as possible.

Tsubaki even had a red backpack, which was a detail absolutely no one would care about, but I still appreciate it. She was still funny, agressive, but the violence was toned down by a lot. (tho she still chases Watari and kicks Kousei's leg)

Her romantic feelings toward Kousei aren't forgotten and the movie handled it well, but not as much as the anime.

Kousei's casting was probably the best: the actor is good, and nailed the looks perfectly in my opinion. (you might know him from Alice in Borderland)

Kaori was great too. Some people had a problem with the actress beacuse she is not blonde, but come on, that would look weird in a live adaptation. I think she was very cute, charming, and nailed Kaori's personality well.

Watari was also perfect even as a supporting character.

Many scenes are literally copied from the anime:

Kousei meeting Kaori in park, Kaori meets Kousei in front of the school, all the concert scenes, Kaori headbutts Kousei before their performance, the hospital scenes, the Final concert etc.

The school looked similiar to the anime. The theatre as well. The hospital's rooftop.

Missing things:

Despite of the good things, the movie obviously didn't have enough time to portray all the characters. So some of them and their stories were completely cut out. Kousei's rivals never even get mentioned.

Kaori didn't collapse after her performance with Kousei. This happens much later, at night, in the school, when they went back because the girl "forgot" her bag.

Saki (Kousei's mom) barely appears, and her abusive nature was barely shown as well, so Kousei's character development is a bit rushed, even tho we learn everything we need.

Kousei's depression, his ignorance toward life isn't really shown in the movie. In the anime he was pretty much "just there" in his friends' life, but he wasn't really active, didn't talk much with them, and acted emotionless.

In the anime, other than not being able to hear the piano notes, he already seems pretty chill and "normal". It wasn't annoying, just a noticeable change.

Overall feelings and rating

The movie was not great compared to the anime, and I understand why people had a problem with it.

HOWEVER. Don't hurt me, but I loved it. After all, I watched the anime only in this April, I wasn't really read to let the characters go...

... and when I heard about the live adaptation, I just had to watch it. After that, I decided to translate it as well, so everyone in my country can enjoy it.

Because I spent like 3 days working on the translation, I might be biased, but I'd give it a pretty nice 7,5/10.

I think people tend to handle the numbers a bit too harsh anyways. They don't really like to give a 10 to most things, but they quickly deem many things as bad.

This movie is not perfect, but I think that it did its job.

It reached me.

Thank you if you read this :D

u/Flame0fthewest — 17 hours ago
▲ 153 r/YourLieinApril

I love this subject to I thought I might write a little bit about it. Because the anime shows us "hope" in many ways. And that's one of its main themes.

There was a time in Kousei's and Kaori's lives when they just wanted to give up. When nothing mattered and they just accepted their reality for what it was.

Until they met each other, inspired each other, and learnt how to maintain hope.

Because it requires maintenance. You have to realize that you might be able to change for the better. That not everything is over because of trauma, because of illness, because of your enviroment.

Having hope is hard, because it can offer you everything, but guarantees nothing.

Staying at home, ignoring the piano? Not caring anymore about life, because you'll die anyways? Just givin up on your dreams, because you might never reach them?

That's easy. NOT changing requires no effort at all. And it's comfortable. Constant sadness, the feeling of emptyness might not feel good, but at least we know these feelings, we can count with them. Choosing them is "safe."

Hope is very powerful and it can absolutely take control over your mind, but it can die just as quickly as it appear.

Even Kaori talks about it in a way, when he says Kousei that he might have made his first step, but that doesn't mean that he will stay in this "flow". Adrenaline and the sensation of success will carry you for a point, but eventually they fade away. So you have to move on your own.

Because having hope means you trust in something what is uncertain. You can't really count on that. Sure, it sounds great to perform in front of a huge crowd for their pleasure and for your own...

But what if you fail? What if you get a panic attack? What if, what if, what if... it's uncertain. Meanwhile if you don't do anything, you don't risk anything either, right? Then everything will remain the same, forever.

Kousei and Kaori kept inspiring each other. Once Kousei lost hope, Kaori gave him some. When Kaori lost hope, at the top of that hospital, it was Kousei who gave her a reason to keep going.

This always happened on the top of a building. It's probably not having a special meaning, but I like to think that it symbolizes "opportunity". A rooftop is far from the ground. But it's not reaching the sky either.

It's a place what excist between the two of them. Like a promise that waits to be fulfilled.

For me, other than showing us first love, living with traumas, and show us how to move on, this anime is also about hope.

How to gain it, how to use it, how to maintain it, and what it means.

u/Flame0fthewest — 11 days ago
▲ 10 r/YourLieinApril

This will be a rather long post, not sure anyone will bother to go through it, but this anime deserves a lot more than just a few sentences of praising and a some screenshots. If I do this, I want to do this the proper way. So here are my thoughts about the final 3 episodes, and some rambling.

- Kaori and Kousei changed each other -

I loved that the anime focused a lot on this at the end. We could see at the very first episode how Kousei regained his feelings toward music when he heard Kaori playing in the park.

At that moment he realized something he forget: the original reason why he loved playing the piano. His world became colorful once again. In his eyes, Kaori literally embodied living music.

We only learn in episode 19 that it happened the same way with Kaori. On stage, Kousei's soul was shining so brightly it was literally visible for her. Kaori was on the edge every day, and while she dragged the boy with herself on this adventure... Kousei did the very same, even if he didn't even realize it.

https://preview.redd.it/g8mibgmg6eyg1.jpg?width=3341&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9cda962268b5ab380291ca0d095e7a8b0819bbdc

His determination, devotion, and ultimately even his bravery was the reason why Kaori kept fightning. She was the guiding light for Kousei. For Kousei, it was Kaori. They were the light in the dark night.

In the hospital the girl's parents even tell this out loud, once again referring to the first episode. They show their gratitude because the boy "revived" their daughter's soul in a way.

Kaori and Kousei are similiar, because they both see music in their own way, and both of them can inspire others while playing. Their notes produce "sparkling", the proof that they pour their whole being into their music.

https://preview.redd.it/lce7uywc8eyg1.jpg?width=3317&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=354456bf61e75021ac4aebbfd1820b68b965eb89

- "Please, perform with me one more time" -

In episode 3, Kaori had to work a lot to convince Kousei to play with her. He didn't want to do it at first, really didn't want to.

He was hiding from the girl, he kept avoiding her even in school, even during lunch break. Yet, finally, he gave in.

I found it very touching that in episode 18, it was Kousei who asked Kaori to do the same for him. He was not afraid of playing anymore, he wasn't haunted by his past, and this was the strongest connection he ever felt toward anyone.

Shared spotlight on a stage. I really loved the detail that each of these scenes took place in a rooftop. In ep3 it happened on the school's roof, in ep 18 on the hospital's roof.

In both cases, the request happened just when they needed it the most. Kousei had to find his way back music, and he had to face his past.

Kaori had to regain her will to live, needed a reason to keep fightning, and I guess, ultimately to accept her fate.

https://preview.redd.it/e6txat6g9eyg1.jpg?width=3321&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=587a1ffd3eb287df79d353806ac49979786aafa8

- The Promise -

At this point Kaori was very sick. She could barely walk, her skin was palce, her lips lost color. But she took the challenge. She knew that there's a surgery that could have buy her some more time, even if it can't save her for long.

The surgery was risky, but she had nothing to lose. She was dying, and her purpose in life was to leave behind epic memories. One last concert? That's something worth living, or dying for.

Kaori realized how much Kousei grown during the time she spent with him. He was a fragile, sensitive boy who broke down easily. But he was also very strong. He was able to face his fear, his demons, for the sake of her.

So Kaori accepted the request. She wanted to play with Kousei once more. She made a promise... even though she couldn't guarantee that she'll be able to keep her word.

Once she was the one who dragged Kousei out of depression. Now Kousei dragged her out of her desperation. And she wanted to repay it.

https://preview.redd.it/uiy9ceysaeyg1.png?width=3313&format=png&auto=webp&s=90895335f4d9e095becdaaaf12034b13f515e00e

- The duet that never happened -

Kaori's health kept getting worse, and there was no way she could take part at Kousei's final concert. Her only hope was that the surgery could buy her some time. The surgery happened at the very same day as Kousei's performance.

The boy was devastated and lost his will to play, just like in the past. He couldn't imagine to lose another loved one. It was just too much. Previously he was able to overcome his fear and force himself to play, even if he couldn't hear the music.

But this was different. To give him hope, to show him the colors of music, Kaori played the violin for him.

It didn't happen in a literal way. Kaori didn't have a violin. She imitated playing, but remember this super interesting fact?

According to Seto, Kousei's "unique relationship with music" which allowed him to lose his hearing could also become a blessing.

Because her perceived music differently, he could imagine music so clear that his imagination basically became true. Kaori's shadow playing changed the world around him.

The snowflakes became light particles. The grey sky turned into bright blue. The cold winter turned into spring.

This scene was just extremely epic. Kaori didn't even have to "actually play", yet she managed to bring back Kousei's faith in himself, and his will to move on.

https://preview.redd.it/eb8rj0ladeyg1.jpg?width=3313&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dcb1663efa24c604bcdaab36427ad2e95fc700ff

The day of the surgery and the concert arrived, and Kousei was ready to pour everything into his music. He wanted to dedicate his piece to Kaori, to her mom, to his friends, and to his rivals.

During his performance, he never lost control. He poured all of his feelings into the piano, and the sparkles appeared once again. All the colors.

Grief, Happiness, Joy, Sadness, Pain, Relief. He used up everything.

And then, he felt that Kaori passed on. This was the saddest moment for me, and probably everyone else as well.

But she was still alive inside him, just as they both said. So Kaori's spirit appeared on the stage to play a last duet with Kousei.

I'm not going to describe it too much, I think words would only ruin those moments of true magic.

But it was phenomenal, and the symbolism was just epic. We saw Kaori "blowing up" and literally letting out her emotions and colors.

Then, as Kousei was close to finish the piece, she turned into sakura blooms. The moment we saw this in the mirror of Kousei's eyes was super artistic.

Although the two of them never had a chance to play a duet again, at the end, they still had a chance to make it happen. It was a beautiful and sad closure for the short life of a girl who loved music.

https://preview.redd.it/y73emri9feyg1.jpg?width=3297&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=60bb49a3ed7f6ee2e13ac90af6fda8877dc7a0f5

- Symbolism -

Sakura blossoms

I love the cherry blossoms in art, because it's a simple but perfect symbol of passing, fleeting moments, loss, joy, spring and happiness.

Kaori disappeared in Kousei's imagination by turning into sakura blossoms. Because that's what she truly embodied.

Her life was short, colorful, beautiful, sad, inspiring, touching. She bring new hopes, new experiences into Kousei's life, like spring.

Spring and Autumn

Kousei and Kaori met at the same place, the same way twice - once during spring, (ep2) when the world wakes up, and once at autumn, (ep 16) when everything starts to sense winter.

It showed that Kaori was slowly fading away.

https://preview.redd.it/4gevyxsrjeyg1.jpg?width=3325&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7ca9e8eb71832c1e1d4d4ff382fccbc356b058b

Trains

Not sure if this was intentional, maybe I'm just seeings things ever since 5 centimeters per second, but I have to write it down again.

I think the rails and the trains at the end were representing their lives. Two trains, on different rails. Facing different directions.

They are very close, but they can never "truly" meet. For some fleeting moments, it seems that they are side by side, together. But eventually that moment passes and they continue their journey on different paths.

https://preview.redd.it/zeew0dv4keyg1.jpg?width=1771&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=649c0f0f447e1039df46c6daf5e5f4d07cfba17d

Final thoughts

I'm glad this community excists, so I can ventillate my thoughts here, otherwise there's no one I can talk to about this.

This anime was truly an amazing journey, I'm glad I decided to watch it, and that I choose to watch it in April.

This might never happen, but I hope Kousei and Tsubaki ended up together. After all, they were always there for each other. They deserve each other. They shared their happiest and saddests moments.

And Tsubaki isn't the type who just gives up.

One thing I know for sure: none of them will ever forget Kaori, and neither will I.

reddit.com
u/Flame0fthewest — 14 days ago
▲ 61 r/YourLieinApril

Watched even more episodes. Now I know that Kaori is indeed very sick, and and despite of acting all happy and energetic all the time, she is hurt and scared.

I also noticed that she looks worse, and it's deliberate - her skin tone is very pale compared to others, her lips are grey (while everyone else's is skin-like or soft pink), her hair is all messy, becaue she probably can't fix it for herself.

Kousei keeps telling himself that it's not a big deal. Kaori will get better and then they can play together again, but I guess it won't happen. I managed to avoid spoilers related to the ending so far, but most people who compare this anime to "I want to eat your pancreas" must have their reasons...

So I'm just sad, I don't want the anime to end, I don't want Kaori to die, I don't want Kousei to experience loss, just right after he could fix his life...

Kaori showed him joy, love, and freedom, and they deserve so much better. Well, I guess I can't pretend that I'll get a good ending anymore, but I as humans we just do that.

There are 6 more episodes left. And it's the last day of april, so I'll start it watching now, and I'll either finish it soon, or at night, but I'll write about it for sure.

please let Kaori live, please let Kaori live, please let Kaori live

u/Flame0fthewest — 14 days ago