Reviews

Your Lie in April, Volume 3 by Naoshi Arakawa

neilrcoulter's review against another edition

4.0

This is such an insightful reflection on competition—both the events, which are the situations of this volume, and the idea of competition itself. This volume of Your Lie in April surprised me by broadening the scope of the story from just Kosei's piano competition to the way competitiveness and dreams of stardom affect others around him, too—Tsubaki in softball, and Watari in soccer.

The story is tightly focused on a huge question: Who am I, apart from who I am in relation to other people? The conversations Kosei has with himself, with Kaori, and with a wise black cat are real and challenging. I see myself and my own aspirations and fears all throughout this book.

I can't predict what's going to happen in Book 4. Part of me wants Kosei to triumph; another part will be content for him to learn what he can from a failure. I'm eager to find out which way it goes.

oninka's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

saramarie08's review against another edition

5.0

Kaori signs Arima up for his first piano competition in two years, and she coaches/berates him into practicing and getting back to the level he was once at. She tries to get him to put his own emotion into the pieces, but this is something Arima has always struggled with. Similarly, it's time for all the sports tournaments, with Tsubaki competing in softball and Watari competing in soccer. Tsubaki becomes jealous of how close Kaori is to Arima, and she relives some of their childhood memories when she supported him through physical and mental anguish, including carrying him home after he hurt his ankle. She's pleasantly surprised to see Arima come out to support her in her tournament, and even more pleased when he carries her home after she hurts her ankle.

Read the full review, and find more graphic novel reviews, at The Graphic Library.

wilhelmina_reads's review

5.0

Just as strong as the last two. Your Lie in April remains a well written, beautifully illustrated manga. I only wish I actually knew the songs being played so it could have more of an impact.

Also, who knew Arakawa was such a Charlie Brown fan?

eileenmccoy's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

hellstern's review

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

rafaelsampaio's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

danholmes's review against another edition

4.0

4 estrellas, tal vez 4.5

Estuvo genial, me enganchó y tenía frases y momentos muy cutes. Este me gustó más que los anteriores y espero seguir leyéndolos.

bookish_brooklyn's review against another edition

5.0

This series keeps amazing me with its simplistic beauty and complex messages. Full review to come.

alice19850's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Read the whole manga.