When watching anime, you may come acrosscharacters with fascinating hobbiesand aspirations, depending on the genre. Some may be renowned pianists or aspire to win music competitions, while others enjoy playing jazz with their friends during their free time.

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Tune into melody-driven anime like Your Lie in April, K-On!, and Carole & Tuesday for soulful stories and soundtracks.

Regardless of the reason for their love of the piano, these characters have put in a lot of effort to reach their level of expertise. They display incredible talent. If you have yet to hear their recitals, give these anime a go.

Haruka Carole and Kumiko Feature

10Haruka Nanami - Uta No Prince-Sama: Maji Love 1000%

Haruka bravely decides to pursue her passion for music and enrolls in Saotome’s prestigious music academy, even though she doesn’t know how to read sheet music. She taught herself to play the piano by watching others and never had any formal training.

However, she works hard and practices diligently, which leads to her rapid improvement and eventual success as a composer. In thiscaptivating reverse harem anime, Haruka becomes the talented composer for STARISH, an all-male idol group.

Haruka Nanami worried and panicking about being unable to play the piano

9Cid Kagenou - Eminence In Shadow

The animeEminence in Shadowmay not be music-themed, but features an exceptional piano scene. True to his chūnibyō fantasies, the protagonist Cid hauls a massive grand piano outside to perform Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.

Themighty herohas developed a passion for playing the instrument and has become highly skilled at it. He even ends up teaching his subordinates how to play. This character brings inspiration to the audience and stands as a great example of wish fulfillment.

Cid Kagenou playing on a grand piano in the middle of the night with feathers falling from the sky

8Carole Stanley - Carole And Tuesday

At the start of the anime, Carole is shown struggling to finance her aspirations of becoming a successful musician by taking up odd jobs. Having grown up without parents, she was used to being self-reliant, but meeting Tuesday changed her outlook.

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When a music producer noticed their talent, the duo could finally concentrate on their passion for music. Thanks to Carole’sexceptional skills in singingand playing the piano, this anime boasts some of the most impressive soundtracks in the genre.

Carole and Tuesday: Carole Stanley on piano and Tuesday Simmons on guitar

7Yin - Darker Than Black

As theDarker than Blackstoryline delves into Yin’s past, it becomes apparent that she has endured many hardships. Initially residing in Finland with her parents, she received piano lessons from a well-known musician.

However, following her parents' untimely demise, she flees the country. Despite being a supposedly emotionless Doll, she feels inclined to sit and play whenever she encounters a piano, as evidenced in an episode where her life is saved after she tearfully performs a piece.

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6Megumi Noda & Shinichi Chiaki - Nodame Cantabile

The animeNodameCantabileshowcases the talents of two exceptional pianists, Nodame and Shinichi. Despite having completely opposite personalities, they develop a strong connection after meeting each other, with Nodame falling in love at first sight.

Nodame, a lively young woman, enjoys playing the piano by ear and disregards musical notation. In contrast, Shinichi is a skilled, perfectionist musician who always adheres to the rules.

5Tamaki Suoh - Ouran High School Host Club

Tamaki Suoh is an exceptional pianist who has the ability to move even his poker-faced friend Kyoya to tears. Throughout the series, he showcases his musical talent and takes great pleasure in entertaining his friends and guests at the host club.

Tamaki loves putting on a show and sharing his passion for music with those around him. His piano scenes make for some of the most emotional moments in the anime.

4Kousei Arima - Your Lie In April

Kousei is an outstanding pianist who won Japan’s most prestigious piano competition, making him the youngest winner ever. From an early age, he displayed a natural talent for music and had perfect pitch, enabling him to effortlessly replicate tunes he heard only once.

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His mother, also a renowned pianist, trained him rigorously, but Kousei lost the ability to play the instrument after her death. The anime begins with him gradually recovering these skills with the help of his friends.

3Tsumugi Kotobuki - K-On!

Meet Tsumugi, also known as Mugi among her friends. She isthe cherished ojou-samaof the light music club. She serves as the pianist and leading composer.

Mugi is a happy-go-lucky girl with a kind-hearted disposition, always ready to lend a hand to her friends. Her piano skills have earned her numerous awards in various competitions, which she now utilizes to the fullest in her band HTT.

2Soul Evans - Soul Eater

Soul hails from a family of talented musicians, which explains his impressive piano skills. However, he chose to pursue a career as a Death Weapon to break away from his musical roots. Despite this, he still utilizes his musical abilities to wreak havoc on his enemies.

Although he initially fled from his family to avoid pursuing music, he actually takes pleasure in playing the instrument. While he doesn’t mind performing in front of Maka, he hesitates to showcase his talents to anyone else.

1Kai Ichinose - The Piano Forest

The Piano Forest focuses ona young boy with an exceptional piano-playing talent. After finding an abandoned grand piano in the forest close to his house, Kai learns how to play the instrument by himself.

Soon after, he befriends an aspiring young pianist and starts his proper piano journey. However, Kai loves playing in his unique style, which is still unsuitable for competitions.

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