La Corda D’Oro ~secondo passo~ (Special) First Movement

A look at the first part of La Corda D’Oro ~secondo passo~ OVA!

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Impressions:

The first part of a two episode OVA Special of La Corda D’Oro ~Secondo Passo~ aired on 26-Mar-2009.  I managed to catch hold of the episode recently. This episode opens with the beginning of a new school term and introduced three new bishies/characters that Hino Kahoko eventually meet. All the original participants of the intra-school music competition returned as well. Those who follow the TV anime series ‘primo passo’ will recall that the results of the last competition were not conclusive. So this time, the school held a special play-off competition involving the top three contenders to decide the overall winner. Well, guess which coloured hair bishie won?! 😛

On top of that, the participants of the previous concours are selected to form an ensemble to participate in a grand festival. That is, all except one of course. Poor Hino. Apparently, Seiso Academy’s new Chairman took a dislike to her and decides to brusquely exclude her from the ensemble in front of the others. Needless to say, everyone was surprised. Kanazawa-sensei couldn’t do anything about the situation since it is the Chairman’s decision. Hino, being the nice and modest girl that she is, masked her disappointment by cheerfully encouraging the selected members. Tsuchiura and Hihara though, felt that she shouldn’t be left out. Tsukimori and Yunoki on the other hand, felt that she’s not up to their level to participate in such an ensemble whereas Fumi and Shimizu were both still stumped by the Chairman’s decision.

I thought Tsukimori was being such a jerk. He’s pretty vocal about not having Hino in the team and goes on to say that the team should put their best face forward instead. What an elitist! He did nothing to encourage Hino to play better. Did he conveniently forget that it was Hino who inspires everyone during the past competition? Tsk! Hihara questioned whether performing well is something that is so important. Well, let me interject and say that music without heart, soul and love is bland and dull. Instead, the task of cheering Hino is left to the new transfer student, Aoi Kaji, who apparently has a crush on Hino. She was the reason he transferred to Seiso. Oh yeah, the other new guy that Hino met was Etou who apparently knew Kaji. But they’re not on good terms. Etou didn’t think much of Hino’s violin playing as well. He told her to quit it. Shame on him. He doesn’t yet know what charm will befall him for saying such a thing to Hino. I wonder if he has any connection to Akihiko Kira, Seiso’s new Chairman.

Let’s not forget Ousaki-sempai. After getting wind of the ‘sticky’ situation the ensemble is in, he has something up his sleeve and it involves Hino. In fact, he did the most to encourage Hino to continuing playing by trying to get her involve in a little concert for children. What a smart guy. You see, the thing is that the children’s concert is also part of the grand festival. Muahaha…I’m sure Seiso’s ensemble will be put to shame by Hino and a group of kids! Hell ya, you go Hino! Show that certain perfectionist blue hair bishie what it means to play raw music from the heart. 😛 Unfortunately, we have to wait till the second part to know the outcome and the continuation. The next episode is only expected to air on 5-Jun-2009. Sigh! It’s quite a long wait, ne.

By the way, there’s no OP but only ED in the episode. The ED theme is ‘蒼穹のスコア ～The score in blue～’ by Stella Quintet†.

**See ANN for more info on 'secondo passo' cast list.

Since it’s a long wait till the next episode airs, here are some more images from the ‘first movement’ for everyone’s viewing pleasure.

UPDATED 6-Jun-2009:
Check out my post (along with episode 2 Screencaps) on the Second Part of La Corda D’oro ~secondo passo~ Second Movement HERE!

Picture Gallery:

Everyone is back for the start of a new school term.  The girls noticed that Shimizu has added a few inches to his height.  That means that he’s taller than the girls now.  😀

Lilli is happy and impressed that Hino decides to carry on playing the violin.  Kanazawa announced a play-off competition involving Tsukimori, Yunoki and Tsuhiura.  Kahoko inadvertently ran into a stuffy looking dude and found out from Amou later on that it was the School’s new Chairman, Akihiko Kira. Apparently the standoffish dude is a descendant of the Academy’s founder.

Hino works part time at a music store to finance her violin lessons and to make use of the music facilities at the store for her practice.  Etou first came across Hino at the store. He sort of overheard her practicing in one of the store’s practice rooms.  Unbeknown to Hino at the time, Etou wasn’t impress with her violin playing.

The play-offs begin and the three guys each played a piece of their choice for the competition.  All three performed outstandingly but the winner is decided.  Well wouldn’t you know it, it’s Mr. Perfectionist Tsukimori-kun.  Hino could only reflect on how happy she was to be a part of the competition even though she knew she couldn’t measure up to others.

New transfer student Aoi Kaji made his grand entrance and immediately make known his special interest in Hino. 😀

Seiso Academy’s new Chairman decided to have the school participate in a grand festival by selecting participants from the concours to form a music ensemble and perform in a concert.  Much to everyone’s surprise, he told Hino that she wasn’t needed as she did not perform at the level he required. Well, he pretty much told her she’s unworthy.  Hino though, puts on a cheery face and told every one to go ahead and have a good time.

Dejected at hearing Chairman Kira’s comments, Hino knows she can’t be compared with the others but it hurts her to be told off in that manner.  Kaji found out the reason why she”s not in the ensemble and decides to cheer a depressed Hino by taking her out on a date.  Kaji revealed that he first saw Hino played violin in the park and was immediately enchanted with her that he transferred to Seiso.

Later that evening, Kaji walked Hino home after their date and ran into a familiar face, one that he didn’t feel like meeting.  It’s the other new bishie, Kiriya Etou.  Etou was kind of mocking Kaji about quitting violin which surprises Hino.  She wasn’t aware that he could play violin yet.  Etou continues to brush Hino off, saying that she’s wasting her time.  Hino remembered that it was the same guy who peered at her at the music store practice room.  She couldn’t hear him at the time but she realized he was mouthing the exact same words at her then. Kaji told Etou to bug off.

Kanazawa remarked that the ensemble isn’t gelling all that well because every one’s trying to be a prefectionists (in my words)…muahaha.  They’re missing something or someone, can’t you tell?!  I’m telling ya, they need Hino there to put some zest and sparkle to their performance and Ousaki knows this.  Both Hihara and Tsuchiura are missing Hino but Tsukimori is adamant that it is right for her to be excluded.  He wouldn’t want to perform at her level. Ya, ya…Tsukimori…we know you’re a smug perfectionist and it is shameful to be on the same stage as Hino.  And so the bickering continues…

Thank goodness for Ousaki-sempai. He knows Hino needs exposure and encouragement after being rejected for the ensemble.  He’s the only one who truly believes in her raw ability and her willingness to not give up.  So, he asked Hino to help him out by inviting her to be involved in a concert for children.  The children’s concert is also a part of the grand festival.  What fun cos we know where this is headed…haha.  Ousaki asked Hino to think it over.  At home later on, Hino thought that it’s crazy for her to stand in for Ousaki but the truth is that she’s afraid to go back on stage.  Ya, of course she should feel that way after the numeruous  times she has been ridiculed for her lack of skills.  Just because she’s a beginner doesn’t mean that she should quit it.  Ousaki is on the right track and Hino should agree and say yes to the children’s concert!

Second Movement Preview:

Expect Kaji to display his true skill and Etou falling prey to Hino’s charm.

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See Related tBP Post:

La Corda D’oro ~secondo passo~ (Special) Second Movement

News Snippet – 2nd La Corda D’oro ~secondo passo~ Ad is streamed!