We haven’t had much going on in Australia with the Your Lie in April series since it wrapped up its home video run back in 2016 with two separate parts being released for it. A new complete collection arrived this year from Aniplex USA (check out our review) and now the distributor is bringing out the series in its dubbed form on Hulu as a complete run today. The show was streamed in bilingual form previously but departed at one point before making its return here.
Animated by A-1 Pictures and airing for 22 episodes, they adapted the original work began in 2011 in Monthly Shonen Magazine by Naoshi Arakawa and finished in February 2015 with eleven volumes. It was well thought of at the 37 Kodansha Manga Awards as well where it won the Best Shonen Manga award. The anime adaptation is being directed by Kyohei Ishiguro based on scripts by Takao Yoshioka while Yukiko Aikei is serving as both character designer and chief animation director.
The Japanese cast includes Natsuki Hanae as Kōsei Arima, Risa Taneda as Kaori Miyazono, Ayane Sakura as Tsubaki Sawabe, Ryota Ohsaka as Ryōta Watari, Yuuki Kaji as Takeshi Aiza and Saori Hayami as Emi Igawa.
Directed by Patrick Seitz, the English cast includes Max Mittleman as Kousei Arima, Erica Lindbeck as Kaori Miyazono, Erica Mendez as Tsubaki Sawabe, Kyle McCarley as Ryota Watari, Erika Harlacher as Emi Igawa, Erik Kimerer as Takeshi Aiza, Stephanie Sheh as Nagi Aiza, Julie Ann Taylor as Nao Kashiwagi, Robbie Daymond as Saito, Carrie Keranen as Hiroko Seto, Cristina Vee as Koharu Seto and Wendee Lee as Saki Arima.
Plot concept: Based on the award-winning original manga Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso by Naoshi Arakawa, Your lie in April focuses on a piano prodigy who is unable to hear his music after suffering from the trauma of losing his beloved mother and piano instructor. With both of those things stripped from him, Kousei Arima’s life becomes lackluster and monotonous.
One day, Kousei is introduced to a violinist named Kaori Miyazono. Though he has a terrible first impression of her, Kaori’s music completely enthralls him. Free, powerful and passionate – Kaori’s bold performance breathes life back into Kousei. Brought together by music, can the heartfelt sounds of this girl’s violin lead him to play the piano again?
