Ep 1. Monotone/Colorful

Kosei Arima is a gifted pianist who loses his ability to hear the sound of his own playing after his mother, who also functioned as his strict musical instructor, passes away. This leaves him unable to perform for two long years, until he meets a girl named Kaori Miyazono and his life begins to change. In the first episode of "Your Lie in April," Monotone/Colorful, we are introduced to Kosei's world of muted colors and the monotony of his daily routine. He is trapped in a world where he can see the notes on the page but cannot hear them.

Kosei's world is shaken up one day when he is approached by Tsubaki Sawabe, his childhood friend and neighbor, who is excited to tell him about a new girl at their high school named Kaori Miyazono, who is said to be a prodigy violinist. Despite his initial reluctance, Kosei agrees to join Tsubaki and attend Kaori's performance at a local concert hall.

When the trio arrives at the concert hall, they are met with a crowd of people, all eager to see the young prodigy's performance. Kosei is struck by the sight of Kaori, who is surrounded by a bright and vibrant aura, unlike anything he has ever seen before. As she takes the stage, the room is filled with her energy, and the audience is spellbound.

In the middle of her performance, Kaori suddenly stops playing and begins to ask the audience if anyone has a metronome. Kosei offers his, and Kaori uses it to launch into a new piece of music, performing Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with a reckless abandon that captivates the audience and even causes Kosei to hear the notes for the first time in two years.

After the concert, Kaori finds Kosei outside and tells him that she wants him to accompany her in an upcoming music competition, believing that he would be the perfect pianist for her performance. Although Kosei initially declines, he cannot deny the pull he feels towards Kaori's passion and energy.

Monotone/Colorful is a stunning introduction to the world of Your Lie in April. The visual contrast between the dullness of Kosei's world and the bright and vibrant aura of Kaori's playing is striking, and the story does an excellent job of setting up the main characters and their motivations. The episode takes its time exploring themes of grief and loss, and it is clear that Kosei's inability to hear his own playing is a symbol of his emotional state.

The episode also introduces viewers to the stunning musical performances that will become a staple of the series. The animation is breathtaking and perfectly captures the emotion behind the music. The choice of music is also significant, as Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" represents the exuberance and joy that Kaori brings into Kosei's otherwise dull and lifeless world.

Overall, Monotone/Colorful is a perfect introduction to the world of Your Lie in April. It is a beautifully animated and emotionally resonant episode that sets up the rest of the series perfectly. Viewers will be drawn into Kosei and Kaori's world and eagerly anticipate what is to come in the episodes ahead.