Kono Oto Tomare

Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life (Japanese: この音とまれ!, “Stop at 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, and has been compiled into 23 tankōbon volumes as of October 2, 2020. It has been reported that over 2.3 million copies of the manga have been sold. An anime television series adaptation by Platinum Vision aired from April to December 2019.

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 comes to know 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.