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Piano: The Complete Collection
Piano The Complete Collection
Genres: Television, Anime & Manga, Animation
UR     2006     4hr 0min

Contains the complete Piano Collection. Episodes 1-10. From director Norihiko Sudo (DIRECTOR: COMIC PARTY / ASST DIRECTOR: CASTLE IN THE SKY), with character designs by Kosuke Fujishima (OH MY GODDESS! / SAKURA WARS) an...  more »

     
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Movie Details

Genres: Television, Anime & Manga, Animation
Sub-Genres: Television, Anime & Manga, Animation
Studio: Right Stuf
Format: DVD - Color - Animated,Subtitled
DVD Release Date: 07/11/2006
Release Year: 2006
Run Time: 4hr 0min
Screens: Color
Number of Discs: 3
SwapaDVD Credits: 3
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 4
Edition: Box set
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Languages: English, Japanese
Subtitles: English
 

Movie Reviews

Beautiful, lovely show if you stick with it
Lee G. Gilman | Charlotte, NC, USA | 11/18/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Piano isn't your typical anime. There is nothing exciting or exceptional about the show, but that in turn is what makes it such a welcome break from the stereotypical mech-ninja-magic-fanservice animes that are all too prevalent.

Piano focuses on middle school student Miu Nomura as she struggles with the challenges of growing up. A kind and caring girl, Miu is also shy and outspoken, and has trouble communicating her feelings to others. She has been playing the piano since she was a young girl, but her heart is no longer into it, and her teacher Mr. Shirakawa notices it and is constantly harping Miu about it. Miu is also having her first crush, which further complicates things. This series is about Miu as she tries to communicate her feelings and decides whether to continue with the piano.

I think most of us can relate to Miu in some way. Many of us had taken up hobbies as children, whether music or sports or dance or academic clubs, and for some of us, the passion for those activities is gone and we continue to participate in them only as a monotonous routine. This was one of the major things that drew me into this series, the fact that it is so realistic and I could relate to the characters. Mr. Shirakawa is arguably the best kind of teacher, the type who is hard on their students because they want to see them unleash their full potential. The student typically hates this teacher at first, but later comes to understand their motives and truly appreciates them for helping them become a better person. I have had a few teachers like that, and they are the ones who are best remembered.

Piano is not for everyone. It is a slow paced look at a young teen's life, so you have to have patience to stick with it. If you do, you'll be rewarded with a truly heartwarming story, beautiful character designs by Kosuke Fujishima, and a wonderful soundtrack, where some of the piano pieces (including the introduction) were composed by Miu's Japanese voice actor. The show is spread out over ten episodes, which is probably an ideal length; I don't see this type of show working for a full 26 or 52 episodes. Ten episodes is enough for Piano to show Miu's maturing and opening up.

Again, if you demand action, comedy, magic, fantasy, or deep political/religious/psychological themes from your anime, keep looking. For those that want to relax with a gentle, heartwarming story that is beautifully produced, Piano is a perfect choice."
A definitely refreshing anime series that probably could hav
Dennis A. Amith (kndy) | California | 08/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I decided to give "piano - the melody of a young girl's heart..." a try because of the title. I figured that it should be a series that would feature awesome piano instrumentals and as a fan of Japanese dramas such as "Long Vacation" and "With You", I figured that perhaps I would get the same enjoyment out of this animated series.

Second primary reason for watching this anime series is that its created by Fujishima Kousuke (Ah! My Goddess, You're Under Arrest etc.) and features his character designs. As a fan of Fujishima's work, I'm rarely disappointed and definitely wanted to support his work.

"Piano" focuses on the life of a young teenager named Nomura Miu. She has become somewhat of an introverted teenager and perhaps from playing piano all the time and getting good grades at school, the things that happen to teenagers starts to kick in.

She has an interest in one of the guys in school, she ponders on how her best friend has a somewhat outgoing attitude and has fun, she thinks about her parents and how her father is busy at work, how her mother copes with her father being busy and also her sister who is working as a tour guide and traveling throughout the world.

Of course, these thoughts are now cutting into her love for piano. Her piano lessons are suffering and she's missing classes because she wants to be with friends and she doesn't know if piano is what she wants to do. In fact, her piano instructor has selected her to be the student to represent the class for a major piano recital and it stresses her out.

So, each episode is more like taking a peek at Miu's life and how she views her friends and family and her love or losing love for the piano.

No major cliffhangers, no three-way love triangle, nothing emotionally traumatizing. Just a straightforward anime on how a young teenage girl is coping with life.

And because the anime is done that way, it's actually quite refreshing and I really enjoyed it.

Because really, many teenagers go through what Miu had to experience. Teenage life is never easy and it's like an emotional rollercoaster.

As mentioned in my review, "piano - the melody of a young girl's heart..." is a refreshing anime series, simplistic and primarily focused on a life of a teenager who has to make decisions.

The typical anime cliche storylines of harem or love triangles are also not on this anime.

It's a straightforward series about a teenager who has the talent to play piano but now her personal life, her teenage life of interest in boys, wanting to hang out with friends and be there for them and also to be there for her family has started to become important. Where does the piano playing fit in and what happens when you start losing that interest?

I found myself watching this series in a marathon setting because I was intrigued by the storyline and although there was no cliffhanger that would keep me watching, the strength lies in its well-told storyline and the fact that all of us who have been teenagers have had the situations the main character, her friend or her parents have been in.

From the little things of losing a household pet and searching all over for them. To enjoying a hobby as a child but then as a teenager, you start to lose interest. And most of all, the relationships and bonds you have with family and your friends.

Granted, if you had a crappy life, to watch a series of a somewhat funtional family with a teenager on the straight and narrow may not be your cup of tea. But all in all, I found the series to be enjoyable, background art to be beautiful and just overall, I found myself hooked to the series and how much thought went into the storyline. Again, it's simplistic but yet effective.

All in all, if you are looking for a Japanese animation that is really different from other storylines out there and you want to step back from the action, adventure and emotionally depressing or dark anime out there, "piano" is a series I recommend.

Definitely check it out!"