Kono Oto Tomare! – Anime Review (2019) [ENG/ESP]
Published on HivePostify by @yaslenysofia · Tue Aug 25 2026
ENGLISH
---
Greetings @theanimerealm community…
---
---
Today I'm here with an anime that deals with a type of music that might not be very common in anime, but is deeply rooted in Japanese tradition. Nevertheless, it's really appealing, especially the way they approach it. I liked it and wanted to revisit it, to see if they continue it in its anime version.
---
[Source](https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt9886006/mediaviewer/rm4876032/?ref=ttmimi122)
---
Kono Oto Tomare! (この音とまれ!)
---
It premiered in 2019, with a total of 26 episodes divided into two seasons; directed by Ryōma Mizuno and produced by Platinum Vision. It is a drama, school, musical, and romance series, and its creator is Amyū.
---
[Source](https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt9886006/mediaviewer/rm1088593665/?ref=ttmimi81)
---
Regarding the plot…
---
The story takes us to Tokise High School, where Takezo Kurata, a shy and solitary student, desperately fights to save the koto club before it's shut down. The koto is Japan's traditional national wind-string instrument, a long, curved wooden zither played horizontally on the floor or a low table—similar to a harp, but much more difficult to play. What he never imagined was that his saviors would be a feared juvenile delinquent named Chika Kudo, seeking redemption from his past and to follow what his grandfather loved, and a musical prodigy ostracized by her own family, named Satowa Hozuki.
---
As an essential group, whose involvement you wouldn't expect to see on this project, immerses us in an emotional rollercoaster where every note played becomes a cry for guidance, for identity, but above all, for healing. We will witness doubt, we will witness effort, we will witness empathy, and above all, we will witness an innate talent for an undervalued instrument that will unite broken souls around a powerful goal. Will they be able to save the Koto Club and demonstrate that beyond the instrument itself, it is the ability to transmit feelings and break down social barriers?
---
[Source](https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt9886006/mediaviewer/rm4016540417/?ref=ttmimi71)
---
Personal opinion
---
As always, the first thing that attracted me was its animation and character design. While not the best, I found it pretty and pleasant, nothing extraordinary. If it were really just about the instrument, I don't think it would stand out much, though I was proven wrong, because I ended up loving the melodies it manages to convey. Sure, the songs aren't 100% memorable (I'd say more like 80%), but they are beautiful, especially Tenkyuu (do yourselves a favor and listen to it), which is the last one they play at the end of the second season. If I remember correctly, it's a captivating melody, and the way it sounds... wow, pure gold. Now, although it follows the classic structure of a sports/competitive anime (a group of misfits, hard training, imposing rivals, and the goal of the Nationals), the story is sustained by emotional drama.
---
There's nothing like that forced melodrama: the tensions arise from believable traumas, family pressure, and the search for redemption; plus, the romance flows organically, serving as a driving force rather than a distraction. Let's talk about its characters, which I feel are the most important focus of the story, as the dynamic between the contrast of its three pillars (Takezo's hesitant leadership, Satowa's repressed pain, and Chika's vulnerability after her delinquent reputation) creates a magnetic chemistry; in addition to Chika's three friends, their transformation from mere background characters to committed musicians demonstrates brilliant character development where no one is left behind.
---
It's a shame this anime didn't receive a wide and deep reception, and therefore there was no sequel, although the manga is still ongoing if you watch it and don't want to be left wanting more. Listening to those melodies from that instrument is very calming and adds more nuance to the story itself. And something else you learn about this instrument is that it demands perfect synchronization; if a musician is selfish or harbors resentment, the instrument betrays them. That's why I feel the anime beautifully conveys that music can be a bridge to heal wounds, express the unspeakable, and unite people the world had already given up for lost.
---
[Source](https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt9886006/mediaviewer/rm3031730433/?ref=ttmimi52)
---
Positive points…
---
- Outstanding character development: The protagonists' growth is organic, believable, and moving. They go from being strangers with emotional wounds to a functional family, without leaving any club member behind. - Stunning soundtrack: The koto compositions are a technical and emotional marvel. - Drama and emotion handling: It achieves climactic moments with a brutal emotional impact during the performances. It's very difficult not to empathize with their struggles, traumas, and frustrations. - Organic romance: The romantic dynamics develop at a natural pace, serving as a pillar of mutual support and maturity without overshadowing the main plot.
---
[Source](https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt9886006/mediaviewer/rm251559937/?ref=ttmimi12)
---
Negative points…
---
- Average animation outside of the songs: It doesn't stand out visually in everyday scenes, and sometimes it feels like they overuse static images or fixed shots during dialogues. - Incomplete (No Season 3): It ends right in the middle of the story. Although the second season finale is satisfying as an arc conclusion, it leaves the viewer with the obligation to read the manga to see the National Tournament. Rushed pacing in the adapted manga: To fit certain arcs into 26 episodes, the anime cut small moments of everyday interaction and secondary development that provide much more context in the manga.
---
[Source](https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt9886006/mediaviewer/rm3146815745/?ref=ttmimi91)
---
My score…
---
9/10 Story │ 7.8/10 Animation │ 10/10 Sound │ 8.5/10 Character Design │ 8.9/10 Overall
---
Kono Oto Tomare! is a hidden gem that explores the power of art to break down prejudices, unite broken souls, and express what words could never say; a magnetic, deeply moving, and visually vibrant work that captivates you from the first chord, so I urge you to watch it 100%.
Tags: #theanimerealm#spanish#anime#review#pob#waivio#neoxian#archon