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.
Cast: Soma Saito, Natsuki Hanae
12 episodes
1. Chosen OneShuhei Amamiya transfers into Kai Ichinose's elementary school. As an aspiring pianist, he's shocked that Kai has no teacher after hearing him play.TV-PGCC25minApr 9, 2018
2. To Play Chopin's PiecesTo Ajino, who hurt his musical abilities in a car accident, meeting Kai seems like fate. But Kai just wants to be able to play a certain Chopin piece.TV-PGCC25minApr 16, 2018
3. What Mozart Has LeftAjino sets a Mozart piece as Kai's entry for the contest, but Kai worries that he hasn't found his own style of playing. Shuhei is favored to win.TV-PGCC25minApr 23, 2018
4. The Best PianoAfter Takako's performance, it's time for Kai to take the stage. With his mother, Ajino and Shuhei's father watching, it's time to show his skills.TV-PGCC25minApr 30, 2018
5. God of CompetitionAfter the contest, Shuhei transfers back to Tokyo and Kai finds that the piano in the woods is broken. Takako vows to win for Kai's sake.TV-PGCC25minMay 7, 2018
6. Forest of PianoThe piano in the forest goes up in flames, but Ajino tells Kai that it can live on within him. His mother tells him to concentrate on his music.TV-PGCC25minMay 14, 2018
7. ReunionFive years later, Shuhei returns to Japan determined to see Kai again. After some searching, he finds his friend in a very unexpected place.TV-PGCC24minMay 21, 2018
8. A Letter of ChallengeAn injured Takako travels to Tokyo with her teacher Shiba, who first noticed her at the competition five years before. There, she meets Kai again.TV-PGCC25minMay 28, 2018
9. New Signs in WarsawAt the Chopin competition preliminaries in Poland, Kai nearly has a meltdown, but Shuhei performs as usual. Shuhei is frustrated when they meet again.TV-PGCC25minJun 4, 2018
10. The Chopin CompetitionThe first contestants take the stage for the Chopin competition. Kai is shocked that a Chinese pianist's playing sounds just like Ajino's.TV-PGCC25minJun 11, 2018
11. New Wind from PolandShuhei takes the stage at the competition, impressing everyone. Taking a walk to calm his nerves, Kai meets Polish pianist Lech.TV-PGCC25minJun 25, 2018
12. FortississimoIt’s finally Kai’s turn to play. His playing transports the audience to the forest as Shuhei, Takako and Ajino reflect on their friend’s journey.TV-PGCC25minJul 2, 2018
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The Piano Forest
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.
Creators and cast
- Created by
- Yukiko Yagi, Eiji Maesaka, Katsuyuki Tsukahara, Tomoko Shibuya
- Cast
- Soma Saito, Natsuki Hanae
- Studio
- NHK, GAINAX, Gaina
Maturity rating
TV-PGCheck the rating before watching with younger viewers.
Audio languages
Japanese
