Sayonara Piano Sonata

Sayonara Piano Sonata is the epitome of an underrated gem, lost to the waves of time and only standing out in an ocean of short manga due to extensive use of its brief runtime to develop the entirety of its cast, flesh out its themes and provide a satisfactory conclusion over the course of its three volume run. It accomplishes this in spite of its broad focus on a sizable cast of characters, backed by a memorable dynamic between both of its main leads, likable side characters that don't clutter up time from the main couple but if anything enhance it, a heartfelt and powerful story as well as extensive use of its artwork to convey how characters feel about music. These elements on their own don't stand out - and it'd be easy to dismiss this series as being a generic music romance series - but together bounce off each other to create an absolutely amazing experience.

The series on a fundamental level is about jaded music critic turned aspiring musician turned jaded garbage collector by the name of Naomi, who struggles with the fact that while he enjoys music he also resents it for causing a split in his family and dividing it, as well as living a rather distant relationship with his father in the same house - a man so lazy he often bribed his son to write music reviews for him due to a lack of motivation in his own life. He stumbles upon a seemingly soulless girl by the name of Mafuyu and from then on the story branches off to entangling both characters together, partially over their music but also over a shared background and pre-established connections they had with each other. Naomi in many ways is a character that thrives off of his knowledge of music, but has witnessed time and time again how much it has ruined the lives of others as well as his own - with the worst part being that he isn't immune from that blame, having written scathing music reviews on various musicians himself. This contrasts him with Mafuyu, whose mother similarly also broke off from her dad, and with Mafuyu's reason for playing music being to receive acknowledgment from her mom - in addition to pressure from music critics that would overanalyze her performances - she fell out of love with music, or so it seems.

The pretense that both characters have fallen out of love for music but are yet defined by and still cling onto that part of their lives despite distancing themselves from it is at the heart of both character arcs in Sayonara Piano Sonata, with musical tracks often referenced in the story symbolically to fit this character arc. It's clear the author has not only done their research on all the various tracks that are referenced and played by the characters over the course of the series, but even has differing perspectives on what exactly does it mean to romantically love music for what it is rather than be tied down by past experiences in defining how one feels about something. In this respect, one theme of the series is about recovering a passion once muddied and lost to scars from the past as well as personal failures - both characters deeply resent themselves, Mafuyu for what she assumes to be her role in breaking up her family, and Naomi for what he believes to be him ruining music for himself by becoming a vicious music critic who'd take out his own resentment on trying to play guitar and failing on music artists around him. It's this self-loathing that both characters are surrounded by at the beginning of the story, with them only starting to overcome it through challenging each other, playing music with each other and more than anything connecting with each other.

The shadow that both of their parents have set on them is another recurring theme in the series, with both characters eventually leaving their roles behind in order to become their own people and not be defined by their parents. Naomi refuses to return to being a music critic or return to even playing the guitar, picking up a bass and - in contrast to being the same critic who'd often criticize people for their lifeless performances - would instead thrust himself headfirst into playing the instrument that Kyouko argued is the heart of a band. Compared to that, Mafuyu selects a guitar that contrasts heavily with the piano, being a more standout instrument that represents her desire to separate herself from who she once was to becoming a different and more expressive person, as opposed to the wounded child who'd only play the piano endlessly to compensate for having a missing mother figure. This ties both characters together thematically and in many ways gives the characters an emotional bond where words fail to describe their feelings, with both realizing that playing music together is more enjoyable than simply playing it alone.

Two variables succeed in humanizing this story further - the first being the existence of interesting side characters that all receive some level of development over the course of the manga. Chiaki in many ways can be described as a standard childhood friend, but rather than sit on the sidelines and act as a simple romantic interest instigating a love triangle, instead acts as a catalyst for Naomi's development over the course of the story, introducing him to Kyouko and often encouraging him out of any slumber or slippage into self-loathing. Her dynamic with him genuinely feels like that of two old friends that in many ways have simply gotten used to each other's presence, and while traces of her romantic affection for him are present they do not distract from the focus of the narrative (aka Naomi and Mafuyu's dynamic). Her dragging Naomi out of his misery as he's drowning in self-hatred made for some of the best and most genuine interactions in the manga and I cannot appreciate her presence enough. Despite that, she fits the series' theme by having lost her passion for judo the hard way, yet shoulders on and tries to find new interests to involve herself with.

Similarly speaking, Kyouko as the extremely charismatic leader of the music club acts as yet another catalyst for Naomi's development, encouraging him to play music and often providing much of the context behind music played over the course of the series. Her presence brings the band together and in many ways pushes Naomi to reaching the realization that he does - yet even with that feeling like her own character, with a clear and overly romanticized perspective on music as well as life in general, a bluntness in her feedback that reflects her lack of social skills and clear love for history, making her infatuation with seeing Naomi beat Mafuyu feel natural. While her character arc unfortunately doesn't seem to be covered in the manga (which I assume is further expanded on in the light novels) there's still much to like about her character and in contrast to Naomi or Mafuyu's often darker monologues, she offered a breath of fresh air by having a more uplifting presence, fitting her place in the manga.

Both Naomi and Mafuyu's fathers, Tetsurou and Chisato respectively, are deeply involved in the motivations of both main leads yet exemplify a separate fear altogether; one of abandonment, which both characters reflect in different ways. Tetsurou is a lazy slob who doesn't do much of his own work and constantly tries to pay his son off to do his work for him as mentioned earlier, but also is implied to do so due to his own clinginess to Naomi and resentment of being left completely alone, covering a desire to be closer by constantly passing off chores and tasks on his son. Chisato on the other hand is incredibly paranoid over his daughter and jarringly verbally abusive on his daughter to hide the fear of her leaving him behind, and opted to overwork her and herself to compensate for the lack of a bond. Both characters in many ways only take steps to possibly change rather than completely change by the end of the series, but nonetheless are fleshed out characters in their own right.

Much of what this series conveys with its themes and character relationships would perhaps not be conveyed as well without absolutely gorgeous artwork courtesy of Aka Akasaka, now well-known as the artist and author behind the hit romantic comedy series Kaguya-sama. Reading this in many ways is interesting to get a backdrop on his beginnings as a mangaka, with a clear focus on eyes and subtle body psychology being evident even here. Backgrounds - while nowhere near what Kaguya-sama'd evolve into later in that series' manga - are nicely drawn, with plenty of gorgeous illustrations. One particular example that comes to mind is the garbage heap Naomi normally visits and his first encounter with Mafuyu, which is a particular location revisited over the course of the story for both practical and thematic purposes.

There is no reason to not read this manga if you're in the mood for a damn good romance series. With only 3 volumes, extremely competent and well-spaced paneling throughout and absolutely gorgeous artwork to look at, this manga is a joy to read and one of the easiest manga in existence to revisit again and again and marathon.

I cannot recommend this highly enough.

Thank you for reading.

Sayonara Piano Sonata was a good manga to read simply because it shows how each one affects the other and how music became the center of all things.

Story-wise, it was good. The pacing and the interactions of the characters though some characters should have been given some importance such as the parents of the Mafuyu since they were introduced latter in the story[the mother that is]. It would have been better if the parents' problems were a bit exposed rather than a preview.

The art was... okay. It was not bad, but there were times where I felt the artist was too tired to draw especially the details of the fathers of the two protagonists. I, honestly, love how the artist draw the characters [mafuyu and nao] well 'xcept for the fathers...

As for character development, I think it was good. The characters resembles the youth now a days where they want to break-free and escape. A breaking-free/following your dreams type of manga.

hmm... all in all, it was a light-hearted manga, nothing heavy comes from it though sometimes you need to research on classical music they're playing so you could follow. If you want a manga to just pass time and not to think to much I guess this is a manga for you. Enjoy reading it til the end.^^

sayonara piano sonata, as you can expect from the title it's about music (no shit sherlock) being only 16 chapter makes it compact and easy to read, i just read it overnight

a farewell piano sonata that get through the reader. that what i can say about this series. still, at first time i read the "piano sonata" on the title i imagine it was about classic music only like nodame cantabile. but, it seems like the writer had good sense of modern music as well, they put some rock n roll like paul mccartney's blackbird as well beside the chopin's fantaisie impromptu. i can say myself as music enthusiast, when it comes to music i'm very picky. thus i can say the writer had some sense on music

the story is good. still, i even say that story is "classic" from the character it has. the childhood friend, the strange senpai, the tsundere girl and typical main character of this harem sitation that would fit into story. the school life with not-too-realistic type of school life made it more classic than the music in the series. but, still had some elements that suprise me in the corner of the story.

as for the art. well. it's not that detailed like vagabond type drawing, but it's not that unique as well. it's just typical. maybe it comes from the novel illustration character design but still, it doens't hit me on the spot

in conclusion, i can give this series 7.8/10. despite how mediocre it is. this series ending still give more feels than your average love-comedy manga

“-Boy, What do you think mankind lives for? The answer is simple: Love and Revolution. In my opinion love, revolution and music are inseparable.-”

Story: 9/10
REALLY a good read, I love how everything was related to music at first but later it is more like a complement of their story
I felt the end a bit rushed, I get the idea about running away and living your dreams but where’s the revolution?! I mean I feel like there was something else, this manga needs a more volumes! A lot was not revealed, I guess I need to read the light novel, however they managed well to develop the story in few chapters.

Art: 8/10
I really liked the character design, especially Mafuyu and Kyouko, Naomi and Chiaki seemed a bit average to me, also Nao’s and Mafuyu’s fathers felt a bit plain, I enjoyed a lot the musical scenes, it was like you could almost listen what they were playing.

Characters: 7/10
All of them had well defined personalities, Mafuyu’s story was touching, main characters complement each other, they had more like an emotional love than a physical one and I liked that. Kyouko was the coolest character in the whole manga, and the mind behind the plan and we couldn’t even get to know her story!
Some characters should have been given more importance such as the parents of Mafuyu and Nao, I guess, again, I need to read the light novel

Enjoyment: 10/10

Overall:
I would really like to see this well adapted on anime, It was a good experience listening to the music in the manga while reading it, like it complemented the feeling behind the story
Basically, it’s a short read about friendship, love and music with a satisfying end.

there isn't much information about this manga right now, mostly because it was just recently that translations started. so far only 8 chapters are out and its hard to make a real critic about the manga just yet. but for the new readers to have a bit to go on. i will resume this: "read it"

Story: it begins with your pretty much standard track of thinks, boy meets girl, girl is a prodigy, boy works very hard to get the girl, and so goes on and on, yet even knowing all this, you are still pull into the plot. the main point in the story is music, or at least is what they try to make you think, but after a bit its become pretty obvious that the relationship between the characters is more important, after all there need to happen interesting things in the band because after all you can't hear the music in the manga ha.

Character: coming with such a popular theme the characters have to have some kind of thing that makes the story fairly interesting, i believe they actually pull the trick, the character feel well made and have solid personalities. the main characters in a way relate and complement, after all thats what a band is all about.

i personally like this point, simply because you can see how one affects the other and how they all need each other.

art: what can i say, is good not great... dot

enjoyment: this is where this manga shine on its own, when you put a fair story with good character you get a simple good manga, yet personally speaking this is fun to read, it has no complexity, or tries to make you thing of the deep meaning of life, it's simply made so you would enjoy reading it.

this is a manga that would probably never have and incredible urge to read, yet you would read it every time you found some new chapters, in that way this manga is pretty great

well this is all for now, i don't want to start making a super long review with the story just beginning lets wait a bit and see how thing turn out

P.S) well one thing you should know about me is that i really enjoy music mangas, ironically i don't know i shit about music, but still thats why i enjoy this manga so much, with any other plop i would probably never consider even reading it.

Sayonara Piano Sonata, or Goodbye Piano Sonata, is in my opinion, one of the most underrated Light Novels that I've ever read. Of course, that's my opinion. If you disagree with it, just... go away. Please.
ANYWAY...
Story -8
It starts off with one of the main characters, Naomi, wandering through a junkyard. There, he meets a girl playing on a piano, who just happens to be a famed piano player who had escaped from her stifling life at home. Naomi helps her with something, and she asks him to forget about her, then just walks away.
The gist of the story is him forming a band with the girl, and a few of his schoolmates, including his childhood friend. The story, while heavily driven by music, also has some great drama. I'll leave it at that and go into it a bit more during the character segment.
Art - It's Light Novel art, which is typically pretty good. The artist did a great job of portraying the characters as well as the instruments they play.
Characters -9
Like I said, the story has some great drama, especially with the developing romance between the protagonist, Naomi, and the girl he met in the junkyard, Mafuyu Ebisawa. There are some very, VERY slight harem aspects, although it's nothing major, and it's only implemented later in the story. The gradual romance between Mafuyu and Naomi was definitely one of my favorite aspects about this read. There's a few side characters, but none of which i want to go into right now.
Enjoyment -10
Yeah, if i haven't made it clear, i love this series. It kind of makes me sad that some of the better Light Novels are incredibly underrated.

Overall -8
There are some minor flaws to the series, but nothing major. At least, noting that should stop you from picking this LN series up. If you think you might like it, give it a try! Unless you're incredibly picky, it won't disappoint.