A new trailer for the upcoming Blue Orchestra (Ao no Orchestra) anime adaptation has appeared, perfectly highlighting the music of the series and the various characters who will be performing for the audience. Potential viewers will be introduced to Hajime Aono, a professional-level violin player, who sets aside his instrument, and the girl with a passion for the violin who wants him to join the school’s orchestra club.
The series will premiere on April 9th, so until then, here’s a trailer to tide fans over.
An interesting fact to note, professional violinists were called upon to perform music for the anime.
- Ryota Higashi performs as Hajime Aono.
- Yurie Yamada plays for Ritsuko Akine.
- Takuto Owari performs as Nao Saeki.
- Kyoko Ogawa performs as Haru Kozakura.
- Harumi Sato performs for Ichirō Yamada.
- Karen Kido performs as Shizuka Tachibana.
- Tomotaka Seki performs as Yo Hatori.
- María Duenas performs as So Harada.
- Hilary Hahn performs for Ryūjin Aono.
Nippon Animation has set up an official Twitter account and a home page dedicated to Blue Orchestra, which provides fans of the series with updates, behind-the-scenes information, and bonus features like the key art below.
Hajime Aono’s Return to the Stage
Blue Orchestra follows the story of Hajime Aono, whose name is a pun on the title: Ao means “blue” in Japanese, and the Japanese title is Ao no Orchestra. Hajime means “start” in Japanese, which could lead to him being the lead performer in the orchestra.
That aside, Hajime began playing the violin at a young age and has proved his innate talent ever since. His father, Ryuji Aono, is a famous violinist in his own right, so perhaps it runs in the family. After discovering that Ryuji had an affair with another woman and left Hajime and his mother for this mistress, Hajime quit the violin and left music behind.
Upon beginning at Umimaku High School, Hajime hears someone poorly playing the violin. Though it grates his nerves, he decides to ignore it. A fated encounter leads him to Akine Ritsuko, the violinist who annoyed Hajime. Akine discovers his prodigious talent, drags Hajime back into the world of music, and has him join the Umimaku Orchestra Club.
Blue Orchestra Origins
Blue Orchestra began as a manga series written and illustrated by Makoto Akui. Shogakukan began publishing the series on April 25th, 2017, and there are currently ten volumes available for fans to purchase and read.
Are you looking forward to Hajime’s performance in Blue Orchestra? Do you think the series will inspire you to take up an instrument? Who do you think wins in a music duel, Hajime Aono or Kamen Rider Kiva’s Wataru Kurenai? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
