This is one of those shows that I almost passed up but, luckily, decided otherwise- it's not nearly as childish or whimsical as the title image depicts. Shigatsu is all about growing up; it might be disguised with a lot of music and perhaps even a bit of romance but underlying it all is a group of kids learning how to deal with circumstances and how to overcome setbacks. In this way, it is similar to shows such as Glasslip or Ano Hana. It differentiates itself by focusing on music in a similar way to how food was emphasized in Gourmet Girl Graffiti; music will literally bring color to scenes.
Arima is a child prodigy who was famous/infamous for his robotic ability to play piano pieces perfectly according to sheet music, in the process winning every competition that he entered. To achieve this, he sacrificed his childhood to practice more and meet his mother's strict demands. After his mother passed away, he was left psychologically traumatized, unable to "hear" the music that he plays. However, he suddenly meets an exuberant girl named Miyazono, whose passion-infused music is the direct opposite of his own. Suddenly, she asks for him, the disabled pianist, to accompany her at a violin concert. Can her persistence and artistic prowess help bring life back to Arima?
There's a lot to like about this show, some highlights being the cohesive plot, outstanding female lead, and nice classical background. There are also contentious points as well, mostly stemming from the somewhat-foreshadowed but still ballsy ending. Even with the uneasy conclusion, I believe this show is one of the best in the season. It really serves as gentle reminder not to let your past hold you back, and to live life to its fullest. I highly recommended this piece especially for those who like music or character development.
Animation:
The show is drawn in a fairly saturated and often very bright color palette. Backgrounds are drawn with a good amount of detail and given its timeframe in April/May you can expect a lot of colorful, nicely drawn sakura blossoms. The show does a superb job of using contrasting colors to make the background stand out vividly without overpowering the characters in the foreground. Lighting and shadows are also well done, giving night time scenes a nice vibe. Most unique is the usage of colors and visual effects to emphasize the tonality of music being played. The character design is a bit different from your run of the mill show; while lines are crisp, the overall drawing style is softer. All the characters are readily distinguishable and emotions are well expressed.
There isn't much action in the show, and likewise ecchi isn't the focus of the show- though you do get a bit of it early in the show; it seems it's a general trend that the protagonist and heroine must have a negative first impression of each other.
Sound:
The first OP comes across as both soft and playful, but the melody isn't anything special. The second OP is likewise soft and playful but is a bit faster paced and with a stronger theme. Though I'm normally not big on guy songs, the first ED strikes a nice vibe and has a nice melody to boot. The second ED is a slightly somber piece that fits with the direction of the plot. The BGM, fittingly, is full of piano pieces, some of which are classical pieces that viewers might recognize, other non-classical pieces are also good and successfully build anticipation. Occasionally, the sound is purposely distorted to emphasize Arima's inability to hear what he's playing.
The VA cast is very strong in this show, led by Risa Taneda's boisterous performance as Miyazono. You also get Ai Kayano, Saori Hayami, and even Mamiko Noto in supporting roles. Nevertheless, just like how Yuno was the defining voice in Mirai Nikki, Miyazono's performance is dominating here.
Story:
This show does something rarely seen in anime these days, well multiple things actually. First of all, there is actually a very thorough conclusion that introduces a layer of depth on top of the entire plot. Second, the show's title is actually aptly named, though the realization won't come until the very end of the show. Third, there is a random obsession with black cats that, though partly explained, is carried throughout the show as some kind of metaphor that I couldn't quite work out. But honestly, if you're looking for a show that will leave an impression, you sure have found it.
Shigatsu plays with many themes such as family relations, the loss of someone close, and childhood friendships. It's a coming of age show that has its fair share of comedic moments as well as serious, even outright depressing moments. The plot is pretty linear and major events are pretty well foreshadowed. The show is well paced and spends just the right amount of time switching between focal characters. Without getting into the details of the conclusion, just know that you're in for a pretty interesting ride.
Character:
The main character is amazingly unlikable; he procrastinates, hides from responsibility, has no self confidence, and is pretty much a recluse. My distaste for his personality goes almost so far as to compare with Yuuki from Mirai Nikki. That said, he is definitely a dynamic character who grows from his experiences and interactions with others; though it often feels like a two step forwards one step back kind of a progression. His presence is overshadowed by the many overachievers around him; his childhood friend is a sports ace, his best friend is a chick magnet, his former piano rivals are now district stars, and then there's Miyazono- blunt, aggressive, childish, and yet beautiful. After leaving just about the worst impression possible with Arima, she starts approaching him when her interest, Arima's best friend Watari, isn't around. Their relationship as fellow artists soon blooms in ways that Arima would never have imagined possible. Miyazono's character is an outstanding work; her musical prowess and boisterous presence is magnificently balanced with her inner fragility and occasional feminine charm. The show also spends a fair amount of time completing the relationship polygon with Arima's childhood friend, Sawabe. Overall, this show really impresses in this category.
Value:
Every once in awhile we need a reminder, a push from behind to move on as human beings; this is one of those shows that has that catalyzing potential. Shigatsu combines good presentation with a well executed plot and meaningful characters to create a symphony of awesomeness. This show is a very enjoyable watch that quickly grows after the first few episodes. Due to the ending and many foreshadows, there is also significant re-watch value. Definitely go and check it out, I greatly enjoyed it- and I promise that's not a lie.
