The Piano Forest (2018)
A moving anime about two young pianists from opposite worlds whose destinies become inseparably linked through the transformative power of music.
The Piano Forest - Series Information
- Original Title: ピアノの森
- First Air Year: 2018
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 24 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 9, 2018 (United States - TV-PG), April 9, 2018 (India - U/A 16+), April 9, 2018 (Brazil - 14), April 9, 2018 (Spain - 12), April 9, 2018 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: NHK G
- Production Companies: NHK, GAINAX, Gaina
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: Piano no Mori (FR), Forest of Piano (UK), Piano no Mori (JP), The Perfect World of Kai (KR), Forest of Piano (PL), The Perfect World of Kai (US), Рояль у лісі (UA)
The Piano Forest - Plot
A tranquil tale about two boys from very different upbringings. On one hand you have Kai, born as the son of a prostitute, who's been playing the abandoned piano in the forest near his home ever since he was young. And on the other you have Syuhei, practically breast-fed by the piano as the son of a family of prestigious pianists. Yet it is their common bond with the piano that eventually intertwines their paths in life.
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The Piano Forest - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Junichi Suwabe
- Soma Saito
- Hideyuki Tanaka
- Natsuki Hanae
- Natsuki Mori
- Koji Yusa
- Anna Mugiho
- Kenta Zaima
- Marie Miyake
- Bin Shimada
Writers
- Mika Abe
- Aki Itami
The Piano Forest - FAQs
Where can you stream The Piano Forest?
The Piano Forest is available to stream on Netflix, including via the Netflix Standard with Ads plan. Both seasons of the series are accessible through these subscription tiers, making it easy to watch all 24 episodes without needing additional purchases or rentals.
Is The Piano Forest based on a manga?
Yes, The Piano Forest is adapted from the manga series Piano no Mori by Makoto Isshiki, which was serialized in Weekly Morning magazine from 1998 to 2015. The manga won the 32nd Kodansha Manga Award in the general category and spans 26 volumes.
Who voices the main characters in The Piano Forest?
Soma Saito voices the free-spirited Kai Ichinose, while Natsuki Hanae voices the disciplined Shuhei Amamiya. Junichi Suwabe portrays the enigmatic former pianist Sosuke Ajino. The cast also includes Hideyuki Tanaka, Koji Yusa, Natsuki Mori, and Bin Shimada in key supporting roles.
How many seasons and episodes does The Piano Forest have?
The Piano Forest consists of 2 seasons with a total of 24 episodes. Season 1 contains 12 episodes and aired in 2018, while Season 2 also contains 12 episodes and aired in 2019. The series concluded after its second season.
What is The Piano Forest anime about?
The Piano Forest follows two boys with contrasting backgrounds whose lives converge through classical music. Kai, raised in poverty near an abandoned forest piano, plays with raw instinct, while Shuhei comes from a prestigious musical family. Their intertwined journeys explore rivalry, friendship, and the pursuit of artistic greatness.
Does The Piano Forest feature real classical music pieces?
Yes, The Piano Forest prominently features classical piano repertoire, including works by Chopin, which are central to the Chopin International Piano Competition storyline in the series. The show's musical sequences were praised for their authenticity and emotional resonance, with the soundtrack composed by Harumi Fuuki.
When did The Piano Forest first air?
The Piano Forest first aired on April 9, 2018, on NHK G in Japan. The series ran across two seasons, with Season 1 debuting in 2018 and Season 2 following in 2019. The show concluded in 2019 after 24 total episodes.
Is The Piano Forest worth watching for non-anime fans?
The Piano Forest appeals beyond typical anime audiences thanks to its grounded storytelling, classical music focus, and emotionally rich character development. Viewers who enjoy coming-of-age dramas, musical narratives, or stories about rivalry and self-discovery are likely to find it deeply engaging and rewarding.
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