Kin'iro no Corda

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Kin'iro no Corda
Image:Kinirocordalogo.jpg
La Corda d'oro characters
金色のコルダ
(The Golden String)
Genre Neoromance, Music
Game
Developer Koei
Publisher Koei
Genre Console role-playing game, life simulation game, visual novel
Rating CERO: A
Platform PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
Released PlayStation 2:
JP March 18, 2004
PlayStation Portable:
JP November 16, 2005
Game: Kin'iro no Corda 2
Developer Koei
Publisher Koei
Genre Console role-playing game, life simulation game, visual novel
Rating CERO: A
Platform PlayStation 2
Released JP March 15, 2007
Manga
Author Yuki Kure
Publisher Flag of Japan Hakusensha
Flag of the United States Viz Media
Demographic Shōjo
Serialized in LaLa
Original run 5 March 2004 – ongoing
Volumes 10
TV anime: Kin'iro no Corda ~primo passo~
Director Reiko Yoshida
Studio Yumeta Company
Network Flag of Japan TV Aichi TV Hokkaido, TV Osaka, TV Setouchi, TV Tokyo, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting Co., Ltd. Flag of the Philippines Animax
Original run 1 October 2006 – 25 March 2007
Episodes 26 (25 + 1 special)

Kin'iro no Corda (金色のコルダ Kin'iro no Koruda?), is a role-playing game from Koei's Neoromance series. The title is also sometimes written La Corda d'oro, Italian for The Golden String.

The story has been adapted into a shōjo manga series by Yuki Kure serialized in the Japanese shōjo manga magazine LaLa. Currently, eight volumes have been released in Japan with more on the way. The manga series has also been licensed by Viz Media and released its first volume on October 3, 2006. Chuang Yi English manga has also recently licensed the manga series in Singapore.

An anime series based on this manga called Kin'iro no Corda ~primo passo~ aired its first episode on October 1, 2006.

Contents

[edit] Plot

See also: List of Kin'iro no Corda episodes
Summary

Kahoko Hino is a student at a Seisou Academy, one with an ordinary life. One day, Lili - the mischievous musical fairy who had blessed the original founder of the school - finds Kahoko running late to class. Delighted that she is able to see him, Lili grants Kahoko a magical violin, and a place in the school's annual musical competition, which many students in the music department vie to partake in.

Kahoko refuses, only to be pressed on by the fairy, who constantly nags her until she finally gives way to his pleads. She reluctantly accepts the instrument. As she practices her pieces, Kahoko is amazed that she can play any piece on the violin as long as she knows the tune.

[edit] The Academy

Departments

Seisou Academy is seperated into two departments: General Education and Music. Those in the General Education department study as regular students. Meanwhile, those in the Music department choose an instrument as their course of study.

Clothing

Students of the General Education department wear grey. Depending on their gender, they wear white pants or skirts. The Music department is almost the exact opposite. They wear cream blazers and grey pants or skirts.

For those of the Music department, boys wear kerchiefs while the girls wear ribbons. The students of the General Education department wear neckties and short scarfs for males and females respectively.

To identify which year a student originates from, each year has been given a certain "color" on the kerchiefs, ribbons, neckties or short scarfs. Those of the first year wear light indigo, those of the second year wear red and the third years wear dark green.

Setting

Seisou Academy seems to be a very prestigious and elite school. There are music rooms for those wishing to practice after school hours, complete with either grand or upright pianos. There is also an auditorium, which is where the concours were held throughout the series. Students of the General Education and Music departments do not share classes. They are seperated into two blocks, one for each department.

[edit] Characters

Kahoko Hino (日野 香穂子 Hino Kahoko?)
  • Year: 2nd Year, General Education Department
  • Class: 2-2
  • Age: 16
  • Instrument: Violin
  • Birthday: February 27
  • Horoscope: Pisces
  • Blood Type: Unknown
  • Hair Color: Scarlet
  • Eye Color: Gold

Kahoko is the main protagonist of the series. She has a warm, friendly personality and is very honest. She is a second year at Seisou Academy and is in the General Education department. Kahoko has never played or touched a violin in her life until she meets the strange fairy, Lili. Though at first reluctant about playing the violin, she soon begins to love music. She is a polite and considerate girl who puts others' feelings before her own, though at times she can appear rather naive, especially in music. The boys involved in the concours have obvious crushes on her, though Kahoko is unable to figure that out. She lives in an apartment with her mother and older sister. She confesses to have a craving for sweet things.

Lili (リリ Riri?)
  • Hair Color: Blonde
  • Eye Color: Purple

Lili is the fairy that lives on the campus of Seisou and is the one who gives Kahoko the magic violin. Lili is the same fairy that promised the creator of the academy that he would bless the school with the gift of music, as a sign of thanks for taking care of Lili. He flies around the school waiting for people to notice him, and if they respond, he blesses them with a "magical" musical talent or whim.

Len Tsukimori (月森 蓮 Tsukimori Ren?)
  • Year: 2nd Year, Music Deparment
  • Class: 2-A
  • Age: 16
  • Instrument: Violin
  • Birthday: March 25
  • Horoscope: Aries
  • Blood Type: A
  • Hair Color: Blue
  • Eye Color: Gold

Len is a surly, quiet and rather cold violinist who normally behaves contemptuously toward and around everyone. He was a child prodigy, coming from a family of reknowned musicians. His mother, Misa Hamai, is a very famous pianist and his father is a well-known violinist. Because of this, many people take his brilliance for granted. He seems very cold towards those that he comes into contact with, even his admirers, to whom he rarely pays any attention.

Before he met Kahoko he didn't believe music was enjoyable, though after spending time with her, Len slowly began to enjoy music and his music changes because of her. He slowly warms up to Hino and even gives her advice on how to hold and stand properly with the violin. People think that he acts harshly towards Hino, but deep down in his heart he is really concerned about her (though he may not show it). As the series progresses, he realizes his feelings for her. He's slowly affected by Hino and his mother says that he has changed his character. His mother knows that Hino is the one that affected him or changed his personality.

Ryotaro Tsuchiura (土浦 梁太郎 Tsuchiura Ryōtarō?)
  • Voiced by: Kentarou Itou and Ayumi Tsunematsu (young Tsuchiura)
  • Piano by: Masaru Okada
  • Year: 2nd Year, General Education Department
  • Class: 2-5
  • Age: 16
  • Instrument: Piano
  • Birthday: July 25
  • Horoscope: Leo
  • Blood Type: O
  • Hair Color: Green
  • Eye Color: Gold

Another second year General Education department student, and one of Kahoko's closest friends. He and Kahoko met after he ran into her, nearly knocking her down a staircase, saving her in the nick of time. Their friendship eventually grows, and she even confesses to him that she knew nothing about violins. He looks out for her and often helps her. Their relationship is often mistaken as that of a couple by other people in the school and even by Ryotaro’s ex-girlfriend. He is popular among the other students and had the respect of most male students. The female students admire him but find him a little hard to talk to.

Ryotaro is the star of the soccer team, being very skilled at the sport (and even outdoing some third years). He is a very gifted pianist but quit playing in public because of an unpleasant experience at a junior concert. Kahoko accidentally discovered his hidden talent, and he forced her not to tell anyone. He, however, revealed that secret in public when he helped Kahoko in the first round of the concours by being her accompanist, after which he, as well, was chosen to join. He doesn't get along with Len, and they often get into disagreements over petty matters. His feelings for Kahoko seem to gradually deepen as the series progresses.

Kazuki Hihara (火原 和樹 Hihara Kazuki?)
  • Year: 3rd Year, Music Department
  • Class: 3-B
  • Age: 17
  • Instrument: Trumpet
  • Birthday: December 12
  • Horoscope: Sagittarius
  • Blood Type: B
  • Hair Color: Light Green
  • Eye Color: Brown

Kazuki is an energetic third year who plays the trumpet. He is tall and in shape (he runs every morning). He's very friendly - in an almost aggressive way - and outgoing. He has little sense of social boundary. Kazuki has an enormous appetite, as he is constantly eating (especially baked goods). He quickly befriends Kahoko. Because of him, Kahoko learned the true meaning of music, that it is enjoyed by everyone. After that Kahoko began to love and enjoy music better. In the middle of the series,he starts to call Kahoko "Kaho-chan", instead of the usual "Hino-chan", this suggesting he has a rather obvious crush on her. He also admits to Azuma that he has a crush on Kahoko, saying "don't make fun of me" when asked. Basketball is one of his favorite sports. He has an older brother named "Haruki" in the series (Episode 15).

Azuma Yunoki (柚木 梓馬 Yunoki Azuma?)
  • Year: 3rd Year, Music Department
  • Class: 3-B
  • Age: 17
  • Instrument: Flute
  • Birthday: June 18
  • Horoscope: Gemini
  • Blood Type: AB
  • Hair Color: Purple
  • Eye Color: Gold

A student in his third year and a flute major, he appears to be a very considerate and kind, this helps to hide a meaner and more intimidating man. He is tall and smart, his hair longer than that of the female characters. He comes from a family of flower arranging. He also used to play the piano, but due to a family rule that the youngest son cannot be better that his brothers, he turned to the flute. According to the first Corda game, his favorite song is Gabriel Fauré's Après un Rêve. The charming and considerate flutist is the "prince" of the harem; he has a worshipful trio of fans that hate any girl he shows any attention to, Kahoko in particular. He has strong feelings for Kahoko, but acts like he really hates her.

Keiichi Shimizu (志水 桂一 Shimizu Keiichi?)
  • Year: 1st Year, Music Department
  • Class: 1-A
  • Age: 15
  • Instrument: Cello
  • Birthday: August 26
  • Horoscope: Libra
  • Blood Type: A
  • Hair Color: Blonde
  • Eye Color: Pale Blue

Keiichi is a first year and is the youngest male competitor. He plays the cello. He is very drowsy all the time and often seems confused or in a daze. Keiichi can be found sleeping anywhere, anytime. Kahoko first met him lying on the ground, fast asleep. His life seems to revolve around music - he tells Kahoko that he sleeps, wakes up, plays the cello, then repeats the process, other than eating and visiting the library - and he loves to play the cello. He enjoys reading as well as studying the history of music and structures of instruments. In time, he becomes interested in Kahoko because of her carefree music.

Shouko Fuyuumi (冬海 笙子 Fuyūmi Shōko?)
  • Year: 1st Year, Music Department
  • Class: 1-B
  • Age: 15
  • Instrument: Clarinet
  • Birthday: November 3
  • Horoscope: Scorpio
  • Blood Type: A
  • Hair Color: Cyan
  • Eye Color: Pale Pink

The only other female competitor from the school, Shouko plays the clarinet and is also shown to play a little piano from Episode 26. Shouko is a first year at Seisou, a small, slim and extremely shy girl. She is very hesitant and easily intimidated. During the training camp, her vacation house was used, indicating she comes from a very wealthy family. She looks up to Kahoko as a role model and wants to be like her. She and Kahoko are good friends; Shouko even calls her "Kaho-senpai" later in the series.

Nami Amou (天羽 菜美 Amō Nami?)
  • Year: 2nd Year, General Education Department
  • Class: 2-1
  • Age: 16
  • Instrument: None
  • Birthday: February 9
  • Horoscope: Aquarius
  • Blood Type: B
  • Hair Color: Light Brown
  • Eye Color: Light Blue

A General Education student, Nami is in her second year. She is from the journalism club and is set to report on the contest. She does the craziest things, just to get her hands on the "juiciest articles". She is close friends with Kahoko and Fuyuumi.

Hiroto Kanazawa (金澤 紘人 Kanazawa Hiroto?)
  • Job: Music Teacher
  • Birthday: March 1
  • Age: 33
  • Horoscope: Pisces
  • Blood Type: A
  • Hair Color: Grey-Lavender
  • Eye Color: Gold

Kanazawa is the teacher put in charge of the concours. A rather lazy man, he has a technical assistant: Shinobu. He is always seen smoking, and sometimes when outdoors he is seen feeding his cat. He seems to know about Lili, but claims that he cannot see him. In the anime, his talent is singing.

Shinobu Osaki (王崎 信武 Ōsaki Shinobu?)
  • Year: 3rd Year, College
  • Instrument: Violin, Viola
  • Birthday: October 17
  • Age: Around 20-23
  • Horoscope: Libra
  • Blood Type: O
  • Hair Color: Red-Orange
  • Eye Color: Gold

Shinobu is a Seisou graduate, who is in his 3rd year of college currently. He comes over to the academy three days a week to observe and lead practice in the Orchestra Club. He is the only character who plays more than one instrument, majoring in violin and playing a little of the viola. In the past, when he was still a student at Seisou, he won the competition. His sole reason for playing the violin is for others to enjoy music the way he does. He has a gentle heart, and was the one who cheered Kahoko up after she started questioning her abilities when relying on the magical violin compared to the music department's students hard work in Episode 12. He teaches children who hope to be violinists in the future, and has requested help from the concour participants to help him with it.

Aoi Kaji (加地 葵 Kaji Aoi?)

Aoi, who's blond, is one of the new characters who appears in the second game and was introduced later in the Chapter 47 of the manga. He's a new student in the General Education department, who transfers to Seisou and is sorted into Kahoko's class. He previously played the violin but dropped it and now plays the viola. He first meets the Kahoko on the streets of town when he hears her playing the violin. Aoi is now her number one fan. He admits that he doesn’t have confidence in his own performances since he lacked training, but he has very sharp hearing and can easily spot flaws in others’ performances. He is also very fast in tuning his instruments. He addresses everyone politely, as he (like Azuma) was also brought up in a respectable and wealthy family. He, however, was allowed more freedom by his family. He doesn’t get along with Azuma, often exchanging cynical remarks with the upperclassman, and he is perhaps the only one other than Kahoko to know Azuma’s true personality.

Akihiko Kira (吉羅 暁彦 Kira Akihiko?)

Akihiko, who has black hair and currently 31 years old, is the other new character who appears in the second La Corda game. He doesn't remember people's faces all that well, so even if someone had met him before, he won't remember them. He's the son of the family that founded Seisou Academy. Akihiko is the most recent and youngest director in the history of the school. In the second La Corda game, it is revealed that Kanazawa was his senior when both of them were still in school. It appears that Akihiko has some obscure relationship with Lili.

[edit] The Selections

  • Opening Theme - "Brand New Breeze" by Kanon
  • Ending Theme - "Crescendo" by Stella Quintet

Music Played On The First Selection

  • Theme: Opening Up
  • Kahoko: Tristesse (from Étude No. 3 - Opus 10-3) by Frédéric Chopin
  • Kazuki: Unter dem Doppel Adler by Josef Franz Wagner
  • Keiichi: Cello Concerto No. 9 in B Flat Major (G.482) by Luigi Boccherini
  • Azuma: Morning Mood by Edvard Hagerup Grieg
  • Shouko: Romance in G Major by Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger
  • Len: Polonaise No. 1 in D Major (for violin and orchestra - Opus 4) by Henryk Wieniawski

Music Played On The Second Selection

  • Theme: Something to Believe In
  • Kahoko: Kanon und Gigue in D-Dur by Johann Pachelbel
  • Ryotaro: Fantasie-Impromptu by Frédéric Chopin
  • Kazuki: Auf Flügen des Gesanges (On Wings of Song) by Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
  • Keiichi: Le Cygne by Charles Camille Saint-Saëns
  • Azuma: Meditation from Thaïs by Jules Massenet
  • Shouko: Romance by Charles Camille Saint-Saëns
  • Len: Chaconne by Vitali

Music Played On The Third Selection

  • Theme: Irreplaceable Parts
  • Kahoko: Mélodie by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
  • Ryotaro: The Revolutionary Étude by Frédéric Chopin
  • Kazuki: Serenade by Franz Schubert
  • Keiichi: Sicilienne by Gabriel Fauré
  • Azuma: Partita in A Major by Johann Sebastian Bach
  • Shouko: Three Romances No. 2 by Robert Schumann
  • Len: Tzigane by Maurice Ravel

Music Played On The Final Selection

  • Theme: Setting Free
  • Hino: Ave Maria by Schubert
  • Ryotaro: La Campanella by Franz Liszt
  • Kazuki: Jupiter from the Planets by Gustav Holst
  • Keiichi: Prelude from Suites for Solo Cello No. 1 by Johann Sebastian Bach
  • Azuma: Vocalise by Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov
  • Shouko: Clarinet Polka, A Polish Folk Song
  • Len: Caprice No. 24 by Niccolò Paganini

Music Played On The Special Episode - Episode 26

  • Kahoko: Opus 12 Salut d'Amour by E. Elgar (accompanied by Shouko)
  • Ryotaro: S.541 Liebestraume (Dreams of Love) No. 3 in A Flat Major by Liszt
  • Kazuki and Kahoko: Gavotte in D Major by F.J Gossec
  • Keiichi: Prelude from Suites for Solo Cello No. 1 by Johann Sebastian Bach
  • Azuma: Notturno d'Amour (Serenade) by R. Drigo
  • Len: Opus 50, Romance No. 2 in F Major by Beethoven

[edit] External links