Piano no Mori: A thorough review of moving melodies and a story of growth

Deep dive into the charm and emotion of Piano no Mori

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

April 9, 2018 - July 2, 2018
0:10～

■Broadcasting station

NHK General TV

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 12

■Original Story

Makoto Isshiki

■ Director

Manabu Nakatani

■ Production

・Animation Production: Gainax Studios

■Works

©Makoto Isshiki, Kodansha / Piano no Mori Anime Partners

■ Story

Kai Ichinose grew up using a piano abandoned in the forest as a toy. This is a moving story about how he overcomes his harsh circumstances and, after a fateful encounter with his teacher, takes on the world at the Chopin Competition.

■Cast

・Ichinose Kai/Saito Souma・Ichinose Kai (elementary school student)/Shiraishi Ryoko・Ajino Sousuke/Suwabe Junichi・Amemiya Shuhei/Hanae Natsuki・Amemiya Shuhei (elementary school student)/Daichi Yoh・Pan Wei/Nakamura Yuichi・Lev Szymanowski/KENN

■ Main staff

・Original work: Makoto Isshiki・Director: Manabu Nakatani・Series Director: Ryutaro Suzuki・Series Composition: Aki Itami, Mika Abe・Character Design: Sumie Kinoshita・Chief Animation Director: Sumie Kinoshita・Art Director: Hirotsugu Kasuga・Color Design: Tomoe Yoshimura・Director of Photography: Mutsumi Usuda・Editor: Akinori Mishima・Sound Director: Yukio Nagasaki・Music: Harumi Fuki

■ Main Characters

・Kai Ichinose
The protagonist of this work. He grew up using an abandoned piano in the forest as a toy. After meeting Ajino, his genius piano talent blossoms and together with Ajino, he aims to go out into the world.

・Sosuke Ajino
Kai's elementary school music teacher. Once a gifted pianist, he was injured in a traffic accident and had to give up on his career as a pianist, but after meeting Kai's piano, he became Kai's piano teacher.

・Shuhei Amamiya
She met Kai at the elementary school she transferred to. Her father was a great pianist, and she received special piano training from an early age. After winning the All Japan Student Piano Competition, she went abroad to study. When she heard that Kai was going to compete in the Chopin Competition, she decided to enter as well.

・Pan Wei: A participant in the Chopin Competition. Originally from China. He has won international piano competitions and is one of the leading candidates to win the Chopin Competition.

Lech Szymanowski: A participant in the Chopin Competition. Born in Poland. His grandfather was the great pianist Dimitri Szymanowski. He took on the Chopin Competition with all his father's expectations.

■Subtitle

#1/The Chosen Hand#2/To Play Chopin#3/Mozart's Testament#4/The Best Piano#5/God of Competitions#6/Forest Piano#7/Reunion#8/Challenge#9/The Stirrings of Warsaw#10/Chopin Competition#11/Poland's Rising Star#12/fff (Fortississimo)

■ Related works

・Piano no Mori Season 2

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Period/#1-#12
・"To the Sea"

・ED1
・Period/#1-#12
・"Having a place to return to"
・Song: Aoi Yuki

・Piano music 1
・Chopin・"Etude in C major, Op. 10-1"

・Piano music 2
Chopin: "Waltz No. 6 in D flat major, Op. 64-1 'Muppy Waltz'"

・Piano music 3
- Mozart - "Piano Sonata No. 2 in F major K.280 - 1st movement"

・Piano music 4
・Beethoven ・"Fur Elise"

・Piano music 5
・Liszt: "La Campanella"

・Piano music 6
- Beethoven - "Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27-2 'Moonlight' - 3rd movement"

・Piano music 7
・Chopin・"Etude in E minor, Op. 25-2"

・Piano music 8
Chopin: "Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60, Pan Wei"

・Piano music 9
Chopin: "Etude in A minor, Op. 25-11 'Winters'"

・10 piano pieces
- Chopin - "Nocturne No. 3 in B major, Op. 9-3"

Deep dive into the charm and emotion of Piano no Mori

"Forest of Piano" is a TV anime series that aired on NHK General TV in 2018 and is based on the manga of the same name by Isshiki Makoto. The work tells the moving story of Kai Ichinose, who grew up using an abandoned piano in the forest as a toy. Despite his harsh circumstances, Kai's piano genius blossoms through his encounter with his teacher, Sousuke Ajino, and goes on to compete in the Chopin Competition.

The appeal of this work lies above all in the depth of the story and the growth of the characters. Kai Ichinose's passion for the piano and the bonds he forms with the people around him enrich the story. The beautiful melodies of the piano also color the story and deeply move the viewer.

The appeal of the story

The story of "Forest of Piano" begins with Umi's childhood, and carefully depicts his encounter with the piano and his process of growing up. The piano that Umi found in the forest is not just a toy for him, but a source of support for him and a guidepost to his dreams. This encounter with the piano becomes the catalyst for a major change in Umi's life.

Umi's meeting with Ajino Sosuke, who becomes her piano teacher, is also an important turning point in the story. Ajino was once a gifted pianist, but he injured his hand in a traffic accident and his career as a pianist was closed off. However, after hearing Umi play piano, he was moved by her talent and decided to return to the world of piano. This master-disciple relationship not only supports Umi's growth, but also tells the story of Ajino's own rebirth.

Also, don't miss Umi's relationship with Amemiya Shuhei, her rival. Shuhei's father is a great pianist, and he has received elite piano training since childhood. The contrast between Umi and Shuhei depicts the talent, hard work, and pure love for the piano. The scene where Shuhei finds out about Umi's challenge to the Chopin Competition and decides to enter himself also shows the depth of the friendship and rivalry between the two.

Character Appeal

Kai Ichinose is charming in that he does not lose his passion for the piano even in a difficult environment, and faces music with a pure heart. His love for the piano deeply moves the viewer. In addition, the way his piano skills improve along with Kai's growth is depicted realistically, drawing the viewer in.

Ajino Sosuke is not only Kai's mentor, but also his growth as a person. His past failures and his determination to overcome them evoke empathy from the viewers. Also, his continued belief in Kai's talent and support shows the beauty of the love between mentor and student.

Amemiya Shuhei is a character with a contrasting background to Umi, but he also shares a passion for the piano. Shuhei's approach to the piano and his relationship with his father give viewers deep insight. Also, his friendship and rivalry with Umi add tension and depth to the story.

Pan Wei and Lech Szymanowski appear as rivals in the Chopin Competition. Pan Wei is a pianist from China who has won international competitions. His piano skills and the pressure he feels make the audience feel nervous. Meanwhile, Lech Szymanowski is from Poland, and with a grandfather who was a great pianist, he bears the expectations of his father on his shoulders. His approach to the piano and his relationship with his family deeply move the audience.

The appeal of music

The music in "Forest of Piano" is an important element that enriches the story. Famous pieces by Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, and others are performed in the play, deeply moving the audience. In particular, the scene where Umi plays at the Chopin Competition combines the beauty of the music with his passion, drawing the audience into a whirlpool of emotion.

The opening theme "Umi e" symbolizes Umi's passion for piano and his growth. The ending theme "Kaeru Basho ga Aru Ito" (There's a Place to Return to) along with Aoi Yuki's beautiful singing voice conveys the bond between Umi and the people around him. The piano music played in the play will move the viewer's heart as the story unfolds.

The appeal of production

Gainax Studios produced "Forest of Piano." Director Manabu Nakatani carefully portrayed Umi's growth and passion for the piano, deeply moving viewers. Series director Ryutaro Suzuki and series writers Aki Itami and Mika Abe skillfully constructed the story's development, drawing viewers in.

Sumie Kinoshita, who was in charge of character design and chief animation director, depicted the characters' expressions and movements realistically, evoking deep empathy from the viewers. Art director Hirotsugu Kasuga created beautiful scenery of forests and pianos, enhancing the atmosphere of the story. Chie Yoshimura, color designer, enriched the story with beautiful colors, deeply moving the viewers.

Cinematographer Mutsumi Usuda enhanced the story with beautiful images and deeply moved the audience. Editor Akinori Mishima skillfully constructed the story's development and drew the audience in. Sound director Yukio Nagasaki enriched the story with beautiful music and sound, deeply moving the audience. Composer Harumi Fuki colored the story with beautiful piano melodies and deeply moved the audience.

Related works and recommendations

There is a second season related to "Forest of Piano". In the second season, the story after Umi's Chopin Competition is depicted, and you can experience even deeper emotions. In addition, the original manga is also recommended, and you can learn more about Umi's growth and the story of the people around him.

The reason I recommend "Forest of Piano" is, above all, the depth of the story and the growth of the characters. Umi's passion for the piano and the bond with the people around him enrich the story and leave a deep impression on the viewer. The beautiful melodies of the piano also color the story and leave a deep impression on the viewer. This work is recommended not only for music lovers, but also for those looking for a moving story.

"Forest of Piano" is a work that will deeply move and sympathize with viewers. Umi's passion for piano and the bonds he has with the people around him enrich the story and deeply move viewers. In addition, the beautiful melodies of the piano add color to the story and deeply move viewers. This work is recommended not only for music lovers, but also for those looking for a moving story. Please watch "Forest of Piano" and experience the emotion and empathy that it will leave you feeling.