Your Lie in April

Set in present-day Japan, the story follows a teenage piano prodigy who rises to fame. A mother’s death triggers a devastating onstage breakdown and a two-year withdrawal from music. The narrative frames school life, competitions, and medical scenes as the protagonist slowly learns to hear and feel again.

The events unfold across modern Japan, with scenes in homes, schools, concert halls, and hospital rooms. The story centers on urban and regional Japan where young musicians train, compete, and perform for discerning audiences. The film highlights a contemporary Japanese world where personal tragedy can turn ordinary spaces into stages for resilience.

🎶 Music

Music becomes a language that heals Kousei’s heartbreak and opens a colorless world. Kaori’s improvisational style teaches him to trust emotion over technique, turning performances into living moments. The theme shows how art can help cope with loss and invite the living back into one’s life. Through melodies and memories, music binds people across grief.

💔 Grief

The death of Kousei’s mother triggers deep grief and a rupture in his sense of self. His inability to hear the piano in his head marks a disconnection from the world he once knew. Over time, grief becomes a compass that guides him toward new forms of expression. Relationships with Kaori, Tsubaki, and Ryouta show how grief can be shared and transformed.

🎻 Expression

The film emphasizes expression over technique, with Kaori’s bold playing encouraging Kousei to express authentic feeling. Their partnership reframes music as a dialogue rather than a display. This theme explores the tension between discipline and spontaneity. Ultimately, expression becomes a bridge between life and memory.

⏳ Time

Time reveals the fragility of life and the urgency of seizing moments. Kaori’s illness and surgery add stakes to every performance. Memories of Kaori linger, guiding Kousei even after her departure.