# Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life

Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life (Japanese: この音とまれ!, "Gather Around This Sound!") is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Amyu. The series began publication in Shueisha's Jump Square magazine in August 2012. It has been reported that over 7.5 million copies of the manga have been sold. An anime television series adaptation produced by Platinum Vision aired from April to December 2019.

## Plot

The story focuses on the Koto club of the Tokise High School in Kanagawa Prefecture. Takezo Kurata, in his second year, is the only member left in the Koto club, after all the senior members have graduated. While he is trying his best to recruit more members into the club, Chika Kudo submits his application. But, since Kudo is known to be a delinquent, one who destroyed his own grandfather's koto shop, Takezo is apprehensive about him. Things change when he discovers the truth. Also joining the club is the Koto prodigy, Satowa Hozuki, who has her own agenda. More members join the club in time, holding their own reasons for joining. However, in the end, they all have the same goal – to play at the Koto Nationals competition.

## Characters
### Chika Kudo (久遠 愛)

    Voiced by: Yūki Ono (vomic), Yuma Uchida (anime) (Japanese); Daman Mills (English) (anime)
    Kudo, fondly called by his first name by most of his friends, has a very childish personality. He is straightforward with his words, but does not clearly know how to express himself or understand others, since he has not had many friends, spending most of his younger years being a delinquent. He changes his attitude because of his grandfather, and develops an interest towards the Koto because of him. He feels like he needs to be responsible but he learns to understand what his grandfather said to him in his middle school year. He likes to help out his friends, but becomes shy when they thank him.
    Although he starts with basically no knowledge about the Koto, he is able to learn playing pretty quickly. He even has the ability to learn to play right after seeing someone else (for example, Satowa) playing it a few times. After learning that Satowa is a genius, he makes reaching her level (as a rival) his goal. He later develops a crush on her but does not understand his own feelings, leading to him wondering why he feels the urge to touch or embrace her. He has an earnest and diligent attitude when playing the Koto and it seems to flow into his music too.
    Chika currently stays with his aunt, Isaki. The one who understands him the most is his friend, Takaoka.

### Takezo Kurata (倉田 武蔵)

    Voiced by: Ryota Osaka (vomic), Junya Enoki (anime) (Japanese); Alejandro Saab (English) (anime)
    The president of the Koto club; settling into the role since there are no other senior members left after all his seniors graduated. He is also relatively new to the Koto, and initially feels the pressure of being the president, but calms down once he knows that he has the help and support from all the other members of the club.
    Initially, his personality was like that of a coward, and someone who lacked confidence, no matter what he did. This changes later, and he becomes quite the dependable senior and president. Mostly, he has a serious personality, and approaches everything he does earnestly.
    He has a crush on Kurusu, who reciprocates the feeling, even though they have not confessed to each other, being completely unaware of the other's feelings.

### Satowa Hozuki (鳳月 さとわ)

    Voiced by: Atsumi Tanezaki (Japanese); Amber Lee Connors (English) (anime)
    A prodigious Koto player. Initially, she shows off a stuck up attitude, but very easily settles down and becomes an integral part of the Koto club. Since the other members have practically no professional knowledge of the Koto, she becomes somewhat of a teacher to them. This role is subdued after Doujima starts teaching her.
    As a professional player, Satowa can play almost any of the types of Koto easily. A hard worker by nature, she tries to understand the 'meaning' of the song to understand its nature, to play it better. Although she started teaching the other members of the club, she herself admits that teaching is not her thing. She sometimes becomes unable to teach/explain concepts because playing comes most naturally to her, and she finds explaining/correcting difficult.
    When she started at Tokise, she was already estranged from her mother and the Hōzuki group. Estranged from her mother, who was losing herself under the stress of managing the Hōzuki group, Satowa tried to call out for her through her music. But this ended up in her excommunication from the group and abandonment by her mother. This breaks Satowa's heart. However, later, with everyone's support she is able to make amends with her mother after she watches her performance at the National Preliminaries. She is also officially reinstated as the heir of the Hōzuki group.
    She later has a crush on Kudo, but tries hard not to show or acknowledge it, until the end.

### Hiro Kurusu (来栖 妃呂)

    Voiced by: Sara Matsumoto (Japanese); Alexis Tipton (English)
    Kurusu is in the same grade and class as Kurata who, along with the whole Tokise High School, watches the Koto Club's morning assembly performance. After the performance, Kurusu approaches Takezo Kurata who is in the same class as her, and expresses her intent to join their club, in which he accepts her application and introduces her to the club. She later becomes the vice-president of the Koto club after witnessing the burden that Kurata has to bear as president.

### Tetsuki Takaoka (高岡 哲生)

    Voiced by: Yoshimasa Hosoya (Japanese); Robert McCollum (English)
    Kudo's friend from before the series started. He is good at studying, cooking and at fighting too. He is the one who understands Kudo the most. He also explained Kudo's situation to Takezo when he wanted to join the Koto club. Kudo hangs out at his place, even when he is feeling off, making him feed him. He also ends up being Kudo and his other friends' cram teacher when exams are due.

### Mio Kanzaki (神崎 澪)

    Voiced by: Shouta Aoi (Japanese); Christopher Wehkamp (English)

### Saneyasu Adachi (足立 実康)

    Voiced by: Haruki Ishiya (Japanese); Austin Tindle (English)
    A former delinquent.

### Michitaka Sakai (堺 通孝)

    Voiced by: Makoto Furukawa (Japanese); Anthony Bowling (English)
    A former delinquent.

### Kota Mizuhara (水原 光太)

    Voiced by: Yūichi Iguchi (Japanese); Jessie James Grelle (English)
    A former delinquent.

### Suzuka Takinami (滝浪 涼香)

    Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa (Japanese); Brandon Potter (English)
    A math teacher at Tokise High and the Koto Club's advisor. Initially he feigned ignorance of his musical background, though it is later revealed that his parents are world renowned musicians. As a child, he had no interest in playing music whatsoever other than listening to it. When he was seven, his father discovered his talent for writing musical scores and quickly took upon him to brand his son as a child prodigy. Because of this, Suzuka began to disdain music but his interest is rekindled after becoming the advisor for the Koto club. He often writes pieces for the club as well as gives practice advice, while leaving the actual koto-teaching to Akira.

### Gen Kudo (久遠源)

    Voiced by: Tetsuo Kanao (Japanese); Charlie Campbell (English)

### Takeru Kurata (倉田武流)

    Voiced by: Natsuki Hanae (Japanese); Ricco Fajardo (English)

### Mashiro (真白)

    Voiced by: Ayaka Asai (Japanese); Felecia Angelle (English)

### Isaki Kudo (久遠 衣咲)

    Voiced by: Nana Mizuki (Japanese); Lydia Mackay (English)

### Shizune Nishina (仁科 静音, Nishina Shizune)

    Voiced by: Masako Isobe (Japanese); Linda Leonard (English)

### Kazusa Ōtori (凰かずさ)

    Voiced by: Ayane Sakura (Japanese); Meg McClain (English)

### Fumi Hanamura (花村 史)

    Voiced by: Chika Anzai (Japanese); Dani Chambers (English)

### Ōsuke Kiryū (桐生桜介)

    Voiced by: Junta Terashima (Japanese); Matt Shipman (English)

### Sentarō Miya (宮 千太朗)

    Voiced by: Sōichirō Hoshi (Japanese); Howard Wang (English)

### Haru Kasugai (春日井 晴)

    Voiced by: Yoshitaka Yamaya (Japanese); Stephen Fu (English)

### Akira Dōjima (堂島 晶)

    Voiced by: Nao Tōyama (Japanese); Caitlin Glass (English)
    The apparent heir to the Tsubaki School. She became the heir after the death of her parents, causing her older brother to drop out of college and attempt to find a job in order to support her and their grandmother. In her childhood, her brother was a renowned koto player and inspired Akira to pick it up. After her brother had also quit the koto, Akira was forced to become better at playing the koto and became the face of their group. For malicious reasons, she became Tokise High's koto instructor, but later officially took up the position after realizing the club's genuine intent to play the koto.

### Asano Izumi (泉 朝乃)
## Media
### Manga

Series is written and illustrated by Amyu and began publication in Shueisha's Jump Square magazine in August 2012. As of August 2024, it has been compiled into 31 tankōbon volumes.

#### Volume list

| No. | Release date | ISBN |
| 1 | November 2, 2012 | 978-4-08-870545-3 |
| Chapter 1 : Shinnyuu Buin (新入部員) Chapter 2 : Shikaku no Arika (資格の在処) Chapter 3 : Bokura no Nyuubu Douki (僕らの入部動機) |||
| 2 | March 4, 2013 | 978-4-08-870639-9 |
| Chapter 4 : Shinsei Soukyoku-bu Shidou (新生箏曲部始動) Chapter 5 : Dekinai Koto (出来ないこと) Chapter 6 : Hajimete no Hibiki (初めての響き) Chapter 7 : Sorezore no Omoi (それぞれの想い) |||
| 3 | July 4, 2013 | 978-4-08-870775-4 |
| Chapter 8 : Hibiki Todoke Bokura no Oto (響き届け 僕らの音) Chapter 9 : Oto no Yukue (音の行方) Chapter 10 : Mienai Kyōkai-sen (見えない境界線) Chapter 11 : Shirarezaru Oto no Ha (知られざる音の葉) |||
| 4 | November 1, 2013 | 978-4-08-870845-4 |
| Chapter 12 : Hontou no Riyuu (本当の理由) Chapter 13 : Koko kara (ここから) Chapter 14 : Michishirube (みちしるべ) Chapter 15 : Mukai Kaze (向かい風) |||
| 5 | April 4, 2014 | 978-4-08-880034-9 |
| Chapter 16 : Tsukisasaru Koto no Ne (突き刺さる言の音) Chapter 17 : Kotae (答え) Chapter 18 : Suteppu (ステップ) Chapter 19 : Chikakute Tooi Kyori (近くて遠い距離) |||
| 6 | July 4, 2014 | 978-4-08-880142-1 |
| Chapter 20 : Tonari (となり) Chapter 21 : Sagashiteta Oto (探してた音) Chapter 22 : Kantou Hougaku-sai Kaimuku (関東邦楽祭開幕) Chapter 23 : Kiryuu Ousuke (桐生桜介) |||
| 7 | November 4, 2014 | 978-4-08-880142-1 |
| Chapter 24 : Raibaru (ライバル) Chapter 25 : Ketsudan (決断) Chapter 26 : Kuon (久遠) Chapter 27 : Hikari no Oto (光の音) |||
| 8 | March 4, 2015 | 978-4-08-880320-3 |
| Chapter 28 : Ippo Mae e (一歩前へ) Chapter 29 : Kizuki (きづき) Chapter 30 : Yuruginai mono (ゆるぎないもの) Chapter 31 : Futari no Jikan (二人の時間) |||
| 9 | July 3, 2015 | 978-4-08-880431-6 |
| Chapter 32 : Oto no Shinjitsu (音の真実) Chapter 33 : Saikai (再会) Chapter 34 : Kage (陰) Chapter 35 : Sorezore no Ketsui (それぞれの決意) |||
| 10 | November 4, 2015 | 978-4-08-880508-5 |
| Chapter 36 : Tada no Ichido mo (ただの一度も) Chapter 37 : Doujima Akira (堂島晶) Chapter 38 : Taiji (対峙) Chapter 39 : Seishun-ryoku (青春力) |||
| 11 | March 4, 2016 | 978-4-08-880636-5 |
| Chapter 40 : Mou ichido (もう一度) Chapter 41 : Imi to Yakuwari (意味と役割) Chapter 42 : Itsuka (いつか) Chapter 43 : Kessen no Asa (決戦の朝) |||
| 12 | July 4, 2016 | 978-4-08-880730-0 |
| Chapter 44 : Zenkoku Yosen Kaimaku! (全国予選開幕！) Chapter 45 : Ōja no Kakugo (王者の覚悟) Chapter 46 : Mittsu no Parafurēzu (三つのパラフレーズ) Chapter 47 : Seishun wa Hohoemanai (青春は微笑まない) |||
| 13 | November 3, 2016 | 978-4-08-880813-0 |
| Chapter 48 : Suugaku no Oto (数学のおと) Chapter 49 : Seikai no Sono Saki (正解のその先) Chapter 50 : Satowa no Oto (さとわの音) Chapter 51 : Ongaku no Honshitsu (音楽の本質) |||
| 14 | March 3, 2017 | 978-4-08-881029-4 |
| Chapter 52 : Tenkyu (天泣) Chapter 53 : 1/14 Chapter 54 : Sutāto Rain (スタートライン) Chapter 55 : Natsukashī Ondo (懐かしい温度) |||
| 15 | July 4, 2017 | 978-4-08-881126-0 |
| Chapter 56 : Aoi Ito (青い糸) Chapter 57 : Howaito Kurisumasu Ibu (ホワイトクリスマスイブ) Chapter 58 : New Year Chapter 59 : Present |||
| 16 | December 4, 2017 | 978-4-08-881168-0 |
| Chapter 60 : Atarashī Kaze (新しい風) Chapter 61 : Futari no Jitsuryoku (二人の実力) Chapter 62 : Kōhai (後輩) Chapter 63 : Senpai (先輩) |||
| 17 | April 4, 2018 | 978-4-08-881389-9 |
| Chapter 64 : Shinfonī Burū (シンフォニーブルー) Chapter 65 : Sorezore no Rokudan (それぞれの六ろく段だん) Chapter 66 : Fill In Chapter 67 : Mimi Moto no Hon'ne (耳もとの本音) |||
| 18 | August 3, 2018 | 978-4-08-881475-9 |
| Chapter 68 : Otokogokoro (オトコゴコロ) Chapter 69 : Ichirinka (一凛花) Chapter 70 : I |||
| 19 | December 4, 2018 | 978-4-08-881389-9 |
| Chapter 71 : Gasshuku no Makuake (合宿の幕開け) Chapter 72 : Teitai Zensen (停滞前線) Chapter 73 : Gurīn Furasshu (グリーンフラッシュ) Chapter 74 : Yada (やだ) |||
| 20 | April 4, 2019 | 978-4-08-881810-8 |
| Chapter 75 : Ichiei Kōtō Gakkō (一英高等学校) Chapter 76 : restart Chapter 77 : Intorodakushon (イントロダクション) One-shot: 5x100 |||
| 21 | October 4, 2019 | 978-4-08-881810-8 |
| Chapter 78 : Wakaremichi (Zenpen) (分かれ道(前編)) Chapter 79 : Wakaremichi (Kōhen) (分かれ道(後編)) Chapter 80 : Hitori to Hitori (ひとりと独り) Chapter 81 : Mōhitotsu no sentakushi (もう一つの選択肢) Chapter 82 : Burū Mōmento (ブルーモーメント) Chapter 83 : Daijinishiteta Koto (大事にしてたこと) |||
| 22 | April 3, 2020 | 978-4-08-882263-1 |
| Chapter 84 : Ame Nochi Emi (雨のち笑み) Chapter 85 : Nemureru Shishi (眠れる獅子) Chapter 86 : Aratanaru Michi (新たなる道) Chapter 87 : Otonaki Inazuma (音なき稲妻) Chapter 88 : Tokise no Oto (時瀬の音) Chapter 89 : Tōshindai Nōto (等身大ノート) |||
| 23 | October 2, 2020 | 978-4-08-882444-4 |
| Chapter 90 : Yureru, Ao (揺れる、青) Chapter 91 : Yakusoku (約束) Chapter 92 : Asanagini, Hikari (朝和ぎに、光) Chapter 93 : Kigakari na Ko (気がかりな子) Chapter 94 : Kawari Yuku (変わりゆく) Chapter 95 : Diminisshu Kōdo (ディミニッシュコード) |||
| 24 | April 2, 2021 | 978-4-08-882602-8 |
| Chapter 96 : Mezame (めざめ) Chapter 97 : Īssu yo (いいっすよ) Chapter 98 : 7pm in July Chapter 99 : Nijumu, Kuro (滲む、黒) Chapter 100 : Rabu retā (ラブレター) Ex.: blue x blue |||
| 25 | October 4, 2021 | 978-4-08-882772-8 |
| Chapter 101 : Hanasanai, hanasanai (離さない、放さない) Chapter 102 : Senpai to Senpai (先輩と先輩) Chapter 103 : Doradarake no junshin (泥だらけの純真) Chapter 104 : Chikai (誓い) Chapter 105 : Chika (愛) |||
| 26 | March 4, 2022 | 978-4-08-883055-1 |
| Chapter 106 : Ai (愛) Chapter 107 : Tsuki to taiyō (月と太陽) Chapter 108 : I Chapter 109 : Yoake no Kotoba (夜明けの言葉) Chapter 110 : Ai (和) |||
| 27 | September 2, 2022 | 978-4-08-883232-6 |
| Chapter 111 : Zangetsu (残月) Chapter 112 : Kessen no chi e (決戦の地へ) Chapter 113 : Kizuato (キズアト) Chapter 114 : "daijōbu" no riyū (大丈夫の理由) Chapter 115 : Kaimaku (開幕) |||
| 28 | February 3, 2023 | 978-4-08-883377-4 |
| Chapter 116 : Meiryou no sentaku (明陵の選択) Chapter 117 : kanpeki no jōken (完璧の条件) Chapter 118 : Kapuritchio (カプリッチオ) Chapter 119 : Tōmawari no saki ni (遠回りの先に) Chapter 120 : Aniki (兄貴) |||
| 29 | August 4, 2023 | 978-4-08-883574-7 |
| Chapter 121 : Kobayakawa Akari (小早川明里) Chapter 122 : Manatsu no shiren (真夏の試練) Chapter 123 : Akashi (証) Chapter 124 : Muchi ni ame (無知に飴) Chapter 125 : Chibana no uta (智華のうた) |||
| 30 | February 2, 2024 | 978-4-08-883832-8 |
| Chapter 126 : Sensei (先生) Chapter 127 : Dear Chapter 128 : Nibiiro no ashioto (鈍色の足音) Chapter 129 : Shinka no daishō (進化の代償) |||
| 31 | August 2, 2024 | 978-4-08-884088-8 |
| Chapter 130 : Saotome Miran (早乙女女美蘭) Chapter 131 : My Story Chapter 132 : Watashi tachi no, wa nashi (わたしたちの、はなし) Chapter 133 : Shishi tachi no mezame (獅子たちのめざめ) Chapter 134 : Ajara (戯) Chapter 135 : Seresuto burū (セレストブルー) |||
| 32 | March 4, 2025 | 978-4-08-884332-2 |

### Anime

An anime television series adaptation aired in two parts from April 6 to June 29, 2019, and October 5 to December 28, 2019, on Tokyo MX, BS11, AT-X, GYT, Wowow, and HTB. The series is animated by Platinum Vision and was directed by Ryōma Mizuno, with Ayumu Hisao handling series composition, and Junko Yamanaka designing the characters. Shouta Aoi performed the series' opening theme song "Tone", while Yuma Uchida performed the series' ending theme song "Speechless". Aoi also performed the series' second opening theme song "Harmony", while Uchida also performed the series' ending theme song "Rainbow". Funimation has licensed the series, and released the dub as it aired.
| No. | Title | Original air date |
| Part 1 |||
| 1 | "New Club Members" Transliteration: "Shinnyū buin" (Japanese: 新入部員) | April 6, 2019 (2019-04-06) |
| 2 | "Having What It Takes" Transliteration: "Shikaku no Arika" (Japanese: 資格の在処) | April 13, 2019 (2019-04-13) |
| 3 | "The Koto Club Reborn" Transliteration: "Shinsei sōkyokubu shidō" (Japanese: 新生箏曲部始動) | April 20, 2019 (2019-04-20) |
| 4 | "The First Resounding Note" Transliteration: "Hajimete no Hibiki" (Japanese: 初めての響き) | April 27, 2019 (2019-04-27) |
| 5 | "Let Our Sound Resound and Reach Them" Transliteration: "Hibiki todoke Bokura no Oto" (Japanese: 響き届け　僕らの音) | May 4, 2019 (2019-05-04) |
| 6 | "An Invisible Boundary" Transliteration: "Mienai kyōkaisen" (Japanese: 見えない境界線) | May 11, 2019 (2019-05-11) |
| 7 | "Unknown Sounds" Transliteration: "Shirarezaru oto no Ha" (Japanese: 知られざる音の葉) | May 18, 2019 (2019-05-18) |
| 8 | "A Sign" Transliteration: "Michishirube" (Japanese: みちしるべ) | May 25, 2019 (2019-05-25) |
| 9 | "A Piercing Sound" Transliteration: "Tsukisasaru gen no Oto" (Japanese: 突き刺さる言の音) | June 1, 2019 (2019-06-01) |
| 10 | "Near Yet Far" Transliteration: "Chikakute tōi kyori" (Japanese: 近くて遠い距離) | June 8, 2019 (2019-06-08) |
| 11 | "The Sound We Are Searching For" Transliteration: "Sagashiteta oto" (Japanese: 探してた音) | June 15, 2019 (2019-06-15) |
| 12 | "Rivals" Transliteration: "Raibaru" (Japanese: ライバル) | June 22, 2019 (2019-06-22) |
| 13 | "Kuon" Transliteration: "Kuon" (Japanese: 久遠) | June 29, 2019 (2019-06-29) |
| Part 2 |||
| 14 | "A Step Forward" Transliteration: "Ippo mae e" (Japanese: 一歩前へ) | October 5, 2019 (2019-10-05) |
| 15 | "Becoming Aware" Transliteration: "Kizuki" (Japanese: きづき) | October 12, 2019 (2019-10-12) |
| 16 | "Their Time" Transliteration: "Futari no Jikan" (Japanese: 二人の時間) | October 19, 2019 (2019-10-19) |
| 17 | "Reunion" Transliteration: "Saikai" (Japanese: 再会) | October 26, 2019 (2019-10-26) |
| 18 | "Their Determination" Transliteration: "Sorezore no Ketsui" (Japanese: それぞれの決意) | November 2, 2019 (2019-11-02) |
| 19 | "Confrontation" Transliteration: "Taiji" (Japanese: 対峙) | November 9, 2019 (2019-11-09) |
| 20 | "Another Chance" Transliteration: "Mōichido" (Japanese: もう一度) | November 16, 2019 (2019-11-16) |
| 21 | "Meaning and Role" Transliteration: "Imi to yakuwari" (Japanese: 意味と役割) | November 23, 2019 (2019-11-23) |
| 22 | "Morning of the Showdown" Transliteration: "Kessen no Asa" (Japanese: 決戦の朝) | November 30, 2019 (2019-11-30) |
| 23 | "Champions' Resolve" Transliteration: "Oja no Kakugo" (Japanese: 王者の覚悟) | December 7, 2019 (2019-12-07) |
| 24 | "Beyond the Right Answer" Transliteration: "Seikai no Sonosaki" (Japanese: 正解のその先) | December 14, 2019 (2019-12-14) |
| 25 | "Tenkyu" Transliteration: "Tenkyū" (Japanese: 天泣) | December 21, 2019 (2019-12-21) |
| 26 | "Starting Line" Transliteration: "Sutātorain" (Japanese: スタートライン) | December 28, 2019 (2019-12-28) |

### Stage play

A stage play adaptation ran in 2019 in three locations: August 17–25 in Tokyo, September 7–8 in Fukuoka, and September 14–15 in Osaka. The play starred Takuma Zaiki as Kudo, Kazuki Furuta as Kurata, Hinako Tanaka as Satowa, Kouhei Shiota as Adachi, Kotori Kojima as Sakai, and Tatsuki Jōnin as Mizuhara. In preparation for the play, the cast members trained for four months to learn how to play the koto.