TV series
A tranquil tale about two boys from very different upbringings. On one hand you have Kai, born as the son of a prostitute, who's been playing the abandoned piano in the forest near his home ever since he was young. And on the other you have Syuhei, practically breast-fed by the piano as the son of a family of prestigious pianists. Yet it is their common bond with the piano that eventually intertwines their paths in life.
Availability
Checked Jul 22, 2026
The Piano Forest premiered April 9, 2018. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
A tranquil tale about two boys from very different upbringings. On one hand you have Kai, born as the son of a prostitute, who's been playing the abandoned piano in the forest near his home ever since he was young. And on the other you have Syuhei, practically breast-fed by the piano as the son of a family of prestigious pianists. Yet it is their common bond with the piano that eventually intertwines their paths in life.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
The names of those advancing to the second round of the Chopin competition are announced, and Shuhei is shocked when Adamski fails to make the cut.
Directed by Sumito SasakiWritten by Mika AbeGuest stars Katsuyuki Konishi, Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Hideyuki Tanaka, Kanehira Yamamoto, Eiichiro Tokumoto, Tomohisa Aso, Keisuke Misaizu, Takahiro Sumi
Episode 2
Following Sophie Ormesson, Wei Pang takes the stage. Though deeply influenced by Ajino, he demonstrates a depth and pain not found in Ajino's playing.
Directed by Yoshio SuzukiWritten by Mika AbeGuest stars Junichi Suwabe, Yuichi Nakamura, Mariya Ise, Koji Yusa, Hideyuki Tanaka, Bin Shimada, Natsuki Mori, Kenta Zaima
Episode 3
Out of the remaining 30 pianists, only 12 will advance to the final round. Shuhei takes the stage with just one goal in mind for his performance.
Directed by Tooru YoshidaWritten by Mika AbeGuest stars Junichi Suwabe, Katsuyuki Konishi, Wataru Urata, Reiou Tsuchida, Koji Yusa, Hideyuki Tanaka, Marie Miyake, Bin Shimada
Episode 4
Lech Szymanowski performs with his sister, Emilia in his heart. Despite the hometown preference for a Polish contestant, Kai's playing wows the crowd.
Directed by Junji AranWritten by Mika AbeGuest stars Junichi Suwabe, KENN, Katsuyuki Konishi, Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Koji Yusa, Hideyuki Tanaka, Marie Miyake, Bin Shimada
Episode 5
Once Kai's finishes his performance, it's all up to the judges. But one judge argues against allowing Kai to advance and requests a complete recount.
Directed by Yoshio SuzukiWritten by Mika AbeGuest stars Junichi Suwabe, Yuichi Nakamura, KENN, Katsuyuki Konishi, Ryoko Shiraishi, Chiaki Kobayashi, Hideyuki Tanaka, Bin Shimada
Episode 6
After the results are announced, Kai catches Shuhei at a bad time. The next day, they have a painful conversation in a park.
Directed by Masashi OmuraWritten by Mika AbeGuest stars Junichi Suwabe, Yuichi Nakamura, KENN, Hideyuki Tanaka, Marie Miyake, Bin Shimada, Kanehira Yamamoto, Eiichiro Tokumoto
Episode 7
In the last round, pianists perform with an orchestra. Rumors fly when Wei Pang doesn't show up as scheduled, while Kai worries about Shuhei.
Directed by Takafumi FujiiWritten by Mika AbeGuest stars Junichi Suwabe, Yuichi Nakamura, KENN, Mariya Ise, Koji Yusa, Hideyuki Tanaka, Bin Shimada, Risa Hayamizu
Episode 8
After reuniting in a practice room at the Chopin Academy, Kai and Shuhei take a morning walk through Warsaw. Shuhei is shocked by Kai's plans.
Directed by Takahiro TamanoWritten by Mika AbeGuest stars Junichi Suwabe, Yuichi Nakamura, Koji Yusa, Hideyuki Tanaka, Bin Shimada, Eiichiro Tokumoto, Risa Hayamizu, Hiroyuki Endo
Episode 9
A painful article is published about Wei Pang's past, but all he cares about is Ajino's opinion. Before Pang takes the stage, they meet on the stairs.
Directed by Fumio MaezonoWritten by Mika AbeGuest stars Junichi Suwabe, Yuichi Nakamura, KENN, Yuina Yamada, Mariko Higashiuchi, Yuuki Wakai, Hironori Kondoh, Wataru Urata
Episode 10
Though Lech wants to win for his sister's sake, the final day is Kai's chance to show the world who he is and how far he's come with his performance.
Directed by Kunpei MaedaWritten by Mika AbeGuest stars Junichi Suwabe, Yuichi Nakamura, KENN, Ryoko Shiraishi, Aoi Yuuki, Koji Yusa, Maaya Sakamoto, Bin Shimada
Episode 11
Kai's performance is a triumph, but Lech has the final slot -- and hometown support. As he plays, he has a vision of his sister, Emilia.
Directed by Takahiro TamanoWritten by Mika AbeGuest stars Yuichi Nakamura, KENN, Katsuyuki Konishi, Aoi Yuuki, Takahiro Sumi, Kanehira Yamamoto, Eiichiro Tokumoto, Natsuki Mori
Episode 12
The winners are finally announced to an electrified audience. Shuhei sheds tears of joy when he hears Kai's placement. Ajino receives shocking news.
Directed by Tooru Yoshida, Junji AranWritten by Mika AbeGuest stars Junichi Suwabe, Yuichi Nakamura, Katsuyuki Konishi, Aoi Yuuki, Mariko Higashiuchi, Yuuki Wakai, Koji Yusa, Hideyuki Tanaka
Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026
Available now in United States
These shows are available now and closely match The Piano Forest.
Soma SaitoKai Ichinose (voice)
Natsuki HanaeShuhei Amamiya (voice)
Junichi SuwabeSosuke Ajino (voice)
Yuichi NakamuraWei Pang (voice)
KENNLech Szymanowski (voice)
Katsuyuki KonishiKarol Adamski (voice)
Toshiyuki ToyonagaKosei Hirata (voice)
Ryoko ShiraishiKai Ichinose as an Elementary School Boy (voice)
NHK GJapan
NHKJapan
GAINAXJapan
GainaJapan
