**Rewatcher, Violinist and Your Host!**

I gotta say I like the episode title here; so far they’ve all been *extremely* on the nose to what’s happening in the episode, but this is a bit more abstract. I guess it’s probably talking about the cat, but I kind of love the idea of describing Takeshi and Emi as shadows from Kousei’s past whispering about him.

So on that note, how about we start with them? Last time I saved the big focus for the end of my writeup, so I’ll switch it up. Viewed by the conventions of introducing rival characters, this episode kind of blows. I mean, we spend the whole time gassing up how Kousei is in a whole other league than them, using them for silly jokes, getting into their heads and how shit-their-pants scared they both are, and we blow off their relevance to Kousei with the fact that he *literally* doesn’t even know who they are. But that’s why I love it as a first episode for them so much. It kind of emphasises how different Kousei is than the usual model of the underdog protagonist (at least in background, as he does still have an uphill battle), and in light of that we fit the rivals to his character. The result is people who are a lot more immediately interesting than the super cool threatening competitors they appear as on the surface. They feel very human, and that’s very important because it’s used to drive home the fact that Kousei feeling so worried over the competition isn’t a sign he’s not ready for this—it’s a sign he’s, in fact, fitting right in with ordinary kids his age. I do have concerns they may end up feeling too much like they revolve just around Kousei than being their own characters; time will tell if this seriously drags them down.

But there’s only so much to do with them when the performances are being held off until next time, so what we’re left with is a script with a lot of room to spread the love around. Watari isn’t given a full episode like Tsubaki got, which is unfortunate since he’s a pretty flat character at the moment, but we at least get a *little* something from him as he too fails at his game. I do like this as another way to reinforce to Kousei that other people struggle too, while also doubling as some extra pressure not to follow in his friend’s footsteps. We’re also left with some time to spend with Kousei’s friends in the audience, getting some good insight on the social atmosphere around these competitions and Kousei’s place in things. This is slick scripting because it manages to vary things up by delivering it through Kaori even though it’s *really* developing Kousei’s role in this episode and where he finds himself entering the competition. I also have to say I liked the gag of Watari and Tsubaki getting all angry at this, and then Kaori shushing them to be quiet in a competition hall. That’s the kind of character motivated humour that I think hits better than generic tsundere violence. We also, to my delight, get a return of the “Watari sleeping through competitions,” gag and this time featuring a horrified Kaori and Tsubaki. That joke just really gets me.

[](#azusalaugh)

[two musicians sittin on the park bench five feet apart cause they’re not… err, straight?](https://i.imgur.com/tSvzjfU.png)

[](#kotohoops)

Then we learn that the cat visions aren’t just a visualisation device (~~or summons from a being ready to make Kousei a magical girl~~) but an at least closer-to-literal manifestation of Kousei’s trauma around his former cat Chelsea. Right from the beginning when she reassures him that he won’t be abandoned even if he fails, it’s clear there’s more to this cat narrative device than just a voice for his doubts or trauma. Chelsea is actually a part of the series I totally forgot about, but I think it’s a super effective way to show just how deep Kousei’s trauma cuts that it even invades the mundane things in his life like seeing cats. What I really like about it though is that it’s not just a flat attempt at trying to pull at heartstrings and reinforce how trauma his trauma is, but a springboard for characterisation. Kaori and Kousei’s relationship started very manic pixie dream girl, with a “you can overcome all your trauma if you just believe in power of the muuuuusic!” energy to it. But they’ve grown closer, and although she’s still giving him an inspirational speech it feels like a much more intimate heart to heart where she recognizes and listens to his trauma and tries to help him with it in a much more down to earth way. It’s a nice follow up to their conversation last time where he reassured her that she is a positive influence. Then we get another conversation with the cat where he gets to talk again about how he appreciates Kaori and is receptive to and empowered by the way she tries to make him improve his life. I really love the exchange “that doesn’t really answer my question”, “I guess not”, and then “you seem to be ready”. Even though Chelsea is just a cat, and she’s long gone, it feels a bit like a mother figure seeing that he’s in good hands and giving him a satisfied sendoff, and that’s a great light to cast over his relationship with Kaori as he moves forward to this competition.

Hello, everyone. Holofan4life here.

Welcome to the Your Lie In April Rewatch!

Oh, and nay I forget…

**First timer**

It’s been a while since I’ve sat down and watched what would be considered a sad anime. I’ve seen Angel Beats, Air, both Clannad series which are two of my favorite series, and even NieR this year which for my money is the best anime of the year. But in almost all those instances with the exception of NieR, I watched those series very early on in my anime fandom. So early, in fact, I don’t think Your Lie In April had aired yet.

My expectations for the show are decent, I would say. I don’t expect to love it as much as Clannad, but I do think it’s going to be quite exceptional. Of the new shows I’ve seen during rewatches this year, which have been Paranoia Agent, Samurai Champloo, No Game No Life, Penguindrum, Yurikuma Arashi, Sarazanmai, and Re:Zero, I expect to like it more than those with the exception of Samurai Champloo and Re: Zero. And if that’s the case, then that’s pretty good because I really liked all those series.

With that out of the way, let’s begin.

I’m watching the sub, by the way.

Smol Ame and Big Ame will always hold a special place in my heart.

The woke content detector meme only serves to expose the idiots who use it unironically.

Kousei on a swing

A black cat talking to him

It’s asking who and where he is.

This feels very Evangelion inspired.

Transitioning from the cat opening its mouth to the cat on the piano is pretty unsettling.

Watari playing soccer

Why is Tsubaki at school with only tape on her feet?

And he misses the goal

His team lost

I’m going to tell my kids this was Blue Lock.

At least he’s handling this loss better than Tsubaki.

Whelp, spoke too soon. He’s in the bathroom crying.

Oh, so that was Watari and Tsubaki’s last junior high tournaments.

Would’ve been nice to know that beforehand, show.

Kousei practicing the piano

The day of the Maihou Competition is June 2nd.

He can now play his selection by heart.

It’s like every second of his life now is consumed by playing the piano.

Wondering if he made Chopin his own.

One might say that Chopin was always a sub.

Also, I heard Chopin’s last name was Broccoli.

The cat still talking to Kousei.

He still don’t know where exactly he is in all this.

Kousei in the school infirmary

Apparently he passed out skipping meals.

Kaori is quick to scold him for that.

Dang, five packs of sandwiches from Tsubaki. That’s a lot.

A black cat

And Kousei is intimidated by it’s presence.

Kousei grabs his stomach and starts dry heaving on his knees.

Oh, he had a black cat as a kid, huh? Interesting.

I have a feeling I know where this is going.

Named her Chelsea because she would eat his candy when he wasn’t looking. Alright.

I feel like that’s a pun lost in translation.

Oh, that’s a bad scratch

And the mother the next day took the cat somewhere and abandoned it.

Let’s be real, she totally killed that cat.

[Anime spoilers] >!The writers of Mieruko-chan and Zom 100 be like “First time?”!<

Kousei says the scars left by Chelsea remind him of his mother.

Kousei blames himself for not saying anything over his mother taking the cat away.

Ever since then, he feels like he’s been in mom’s shadow.

Kaori listing Kousei’s flaws

“You’re not in your mother’s shadow at all.”

“You’re just you, no matter what.”

This is probably Kaori’s best scene so far.

Tells Kousei to give it everything he can. After all, they’re not Chopin.

That smile. That damn smile.

And she resumes kicking him lol

Their hands are pressed together

And now Kaori is quoting Charlie Brown.

Good grief

It looks like Kousei has finally come to an answer.

Kousei with the cat again

He doesn’t know if he’ll be able to play the music, but with Kaori by his side, he should be fine.

Gonna start believing because Kaori believes.

Believe in the me that believes in you!

Day of the competition

Gonna be number 14, just like Kaori.

Even got Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Jane Taylor gonna be upset that Mozart took the credit.

The stars seem to be aligning for Kousei.

The two rivals

Emi Igawa and Takeshi Aiza

A cut above the rest, it turns out.

This is a flashback, it looks like.

Finished behind Kousei though in an upset.

Takeshi really letting it known how he feels about this.

Emi suggests Kousei is not interested in anything, not even himself.

That just means she’ll have to force with all her might for him to look.

“I’ll make him care… Someday… I swear…”

Kousei forming his own harem it looks like.

Takeshi greeting Kousei

I like his Iron Maiden shirt

Sorry, I meant Iran Moiden

Funny enough, Kousei doesn’t know who they are.

More people than normal, but it still doesn’t look like a lot.

Kaori, Tsubaki, and Watari are all here.

Some people are trashing Kousei behind his back, it looks like.

Fuck the haters

Kaori feels that people don’t like him he plays to the music rather than making the music his own.

“The Human Metronome. Made of concrete. His mother’s puppet. A slave to the score.”

Kaori I think is hoping to be his concrete rose.

Takeshi freaking out because Kousei forgot them.

But in Emi’s mind, she knows he never knew them from the start.

“He’s exactly the same as he was two years ago.”

I wonder what happened two years ago.

Emi feels he plays nothing but boring music.

The judging is now underway

Steinway & Sons, huh?

Wonder if they also specializes in time travel pianos.

Takeshi feeling that Kousei has returned where he belongs.

First person is good, but nothing spectacular.

Second one, more of the same

Takeshi freaking out in the bathroom now.

The nerves are seemingly getting to him.

Wait, am I to believe it’s only been two years since the last time Kousei played the piano? But he looks so young in the flashbacks.

More flashbacks of the piano incident.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Takeshi walking past a frazzled Kousei.

The words of Kaori resonating over everything.

Time for Takeshi to take the stage.

Last year’s champion, the overwhelming favorite.

Oh, so he chose the competition over performing in Germany. Interesting.

He may have won it before, but he hasn’t won it against the best.

Overall, I thought this was a pretty solid episode. It’s more straightforward than the last one, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I like we’re setting the stage for the competition which is sure to come to ahead next episode. The framing in particular was very good with the black cat almost symbolizing all the fears Kousei has. I think this episode played it safe by playing to its strengths– the backstory of Kousei as a character and all the inner turmoil he deals with– and in doing so it showed more of the strengths this show offers rather than its weaknesses.

I’d put this episode behind episodes 1, 2, and 4, but ahead of the other ones. It doesn’t have as high of highs as the last episode does, but I feel it’s more consistent as a whole. Moreover, it sets the stage for what I feel is probably going to be one of the better episodes.

**Rewatcher-ish – Dub**

> What was your name again?

Unintentionally *savage*. xD These two have built their lives around Kousei Arima…and he doesn’t even remember who they are. And they are so very over-the-top in their anger.

I do like how Kaori is shocked at her crush falling asleep the moment the first note gets played. Guess Kousei and Tsubaki kept the secret for him? 

This episode was mostly set-up for tomorrow and Kaori helping Kousei heal a little more, giving him advice he *should* have gotten years ago only nobody was around with tge right perspective. I do want to raise one point, though – when Kousei collapsed, either Tusbaki *immediately* knew what the problem was or she found out in very short order. A long and trusting relationship like that counts for a lot.

**Spoiled First Timer, subs**

* But why are you comparing yourself to composers? Why not, like, Glenn Gould?
* [Now That’s Passion](#kaorusmile)
* This is what you get, for trying to be competitive in someone else’s anime.
* Five egg salad sandwiches. I wouldn’t be stand so close to him, if I were you.
* Well, great. I just found out what “Chelsea”, only to find out it’s another venerable candy line that’s been put to pasture in recent years.
* My boy, your mom is not a good person. Stop honoring her in death.
* [**…Scar?**](#curious)
* Y’all better not start quoting Marmaduke.
* A quick look tells me a new version of Köchel came out this year, and they stopped trying to fit things in chronologically.
* That’s the kind of unintentional shade that could cause a mass extinction event.
* I mean… if no one likes this format, you could always start shifting to an alternative? As a contest itself, it sounds indescribably boring, reflected in their abysmal turn-out numbers. So where’s the money coming from? Donations? Contestant Fees? Do they have a cash prize, or is it all just for exposure? Is it working as a feeder for some other program that people don’t actively hate?
* Ah, so here is our European with crazy hair after all.
* Be a little more biased, why dotcha’, judge boi?

**QotD:**

1) So far, more or less. Why would he be worried? Their performance is entirely unrelated to his.

2) NA

**First Time – Your Lie in April Ep7:**

The black cat that haunts Kousei. I found it an interesting point when it was brought up before and we get more of that now. At first, I figured it was the ghost of his mother that he projected over himself, but the cat is not *solely* his mom, the cat is also Kousei looking back at himself. It is a mental manifestation of all his insecurities.

Poor little Kousei, getting scratched by his kitty … [OH NO, IT’S HIS HAND!](https://i.imgur.com/IOSMqrd.png) Poor cat will get terminated by mom.

[](#howcouldyou)

[There has been 200% more Peanuts references in this show than what I was expecting.](https://i.imgur.com/ZCrHg1x.png)

[This random sequence](https://i.imgur.com/8qVWqG0.png) of Kousei walking into the building feels a tad too deliberate just to be taken as innocuous. Basic visual storytelling would mean it represents Kousei crossing between barriers. He is walking from his friends back into the world of the piano. The specific barrier too catches me because that is quite the wide pillar to utlise for this scene. I guess the represents how big of a gap between worlds Kousei is travelling.

These two piano rivals are suffering from a years-long internal conflict where [they just want to be friends with Kousei.](https://i.imgur.com/BvMmIQa.png) Come on, you know that’s what you want all along deep down.

[](#slowgrin)

I keep forgetting the timeframe because the kids look so young when they’re all small, but that’s only like [~2 years ago.](https://i.imgur.com/DFY9kL8.png) Tiny Kousei here is supposed to be like 12.

For a second, [I thought they were hinting at a new rival.](https://i.imgur.com/YPC8JhZ.png) This guy has the feel of those types of quiet rivals in music competition anime.

I do like the revelation that Kousei comes to at the end, when he realizes everyone else on stage is like him. [The other people are afraid too.](https://i.imgur.com/VHBwA4J.png) Kousei’s big thing is that he is afraid of being alone and now, he has started to see the people around him.

[](#anko)

___

**Q1)** Of the two, the girl ended up having a different quirk than I thought. Wasn’t expecting her to be an angry bear. Wasn’t expecting the guy to be last year’s champion. As for Kousei, the opening bit with Watari set up the pattern of none of the four winning their big event (so far), leaving Kousei as the last one left. I dunno, I fee like Kousei could lose too, but it is not like I predict one of the other two to win specifically.

[](#hardthink)

**Rewatcher, french subs**

**Part 1/2**

Suddenly, the ~~Team Rocket~~ Kosei new old rivals : [Emi and Takeshi.](https://imgur.com/a/1IKGwXT)

On today’s episode, we got to explore how it feels to face your fears and being in someone’s shadow :

It announced right at the start when Kosei is having what’s look like a dream (maybe an instrospection while his searching his mental image?), talking to a cat in a dark place.

That cat is later implied to be Kosei’s [internal fears and regrets](https://imgur.com/a/ULN2VM8), embodied in a form of a former pet he couldn’t save due to his own mistake and, afterward, his lack of violition against his mother’s will.

Fears that’s engrained so deeply he’s feeling extremely nauseous upon seeing the real life cat on his way home with Kaori and that striking image of the [cat’s maw filling the whole screen](https://imgur.com/a/fMoZOSh), as if it was ready to consume Kosei for his great journey to the unknown.

But that cat isn’t an evil figure, given his neutral tone and his questions that are just the reflections of Kosei’s own. The way it emerges from the shadow to stand in the light in front of his « owner » indicates that Kosei is done bottling up his fears and sorrow, he’s ready to face them even if it will long and difficult.

Leading to that beautiful scene with Kaori, where he’s opens up to her about his cat Chelsea, while Kaori encouraging to be how he wants to be, not how his mothers wants. I also liked how they started that scene sitting on differents benches followed by Kaori getting up to reach Kosei’s hand, that girl is commited to supporting Kosei until the end. [Also that smile is so precious it made my day.](https://imgur.com/a/tqVkgeR)

That lead to the other central theme : living in someone’s shadow. We see during Kosei’s firsts competitions flashbacks he got a reputation to play according to the compositor’s style and her mother’s will, not his. And him playing for his mother’s recognition, like a human metronome, make him forget about the human side of theses competitions, the one where he interacts (and befriend?) his fellow competitors.

By a domino effect, Emi and Takeshi have fallen to the same situation toward Kosei. Both are presented as excellent pianists (heck Takeshi is even the current *champion)* but still no match to Kosei. Do they resents him for being better than them ? No. Because he wouldn’t even consider them and leaving them without giving them a chance to best him. And so both spent a couple years chasing a monolithic figure of perfection, even turning down once-in-a-lifetime opportunities in order to wait for his hypothetical return.

And that’s why [they’re so pumped](https://imgur.com/a/waPzFni) when the final boss of local/regional piano music is returning. They are prepared and ready to make Kosei finally notice them. Likewise, Kosei is also trying to emancipates himslef from his mother shadow trough Kaori’s « coaching ». [We have several frames where, while surrounded by shadows, Kosei is standing or heading towards light.](https://imgur.com/a/TFiyIDs)

**rewatcher**

This school’s sports team isnt doing any good. I feel on them seeing the team lose, my school lost majority of their football games. Easy money I made with betting

Charlie Brown mentioned 😀

Leaving before the announcement was announced, that’s so badass ~~poor childhood~~

“Why are you so smug? You aren’t his manager” give me a good giggle

His friends are so nice to back him up and ready to fight for Kosei.

Sleeping in the middle of the performances, good way to be rude

These cliffhangers grrr

QOTD: I remember expecting them to be snobby

QOTD: nope