Those Snow White Notes

When his grandfather Matsugorou, a shamisen master, dies, young Setsu Sawamura loses the ability to make the instrument sing the way he once could. He leaves his old life and ends up in Tokyo, trying to reconnect with music and with whatever feeling his sound used to carry. A club worker named Tachiki Yuna gives him a chance to play as a warm up act, and Setsu begins using the shamisen to sort through memories, grief, and other people's emotions. The series follows his slow attempt to hear a new sound that feels like his own, showing how technique, memory, and daily life shape an artist without revealing any major plot twists or finale outcomes.

Released in 2021, the anime was created by Marimo Ragawa and Kanichi Kato, and features Nobunaga Shimazaki as the voice of Setsu. It adapted a music-focused story for television audiences with a strong emphasis on performance scenes.

The show put the shamisen and traditional Japanese music in the spotlight for many viewers, prompting conversations on social media and among music fans. While it didn't transform mainstream pop culture, it did raise curiosity about the instrument and inspired some viewers to seek out recordings and performances.

Audience and critical reaction was mixed, reflected in a 6.5/10 viewer rating from 23 votes. Many praised the series for its focus on sound, quiet character work, and atmospheric animation, while others found pacing slow and emotionally reserved. Major themes include grief, artistic identity, mentorship, and the search for a personal voice through practice and listening.

Those Snow White Notes didn't earn major industry awards, but it built a modest, appreciative fanbase that values its musical scenes and thoughtful tone. For viewers who enjoy slow-burning dramas centered on art and memory, it offers a steady, music-driven experience.