Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life

"Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life" (この音とまれ!) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Amyu, which began serialization in Shueisha's Jump Square magazine in August 2012. As of August 2024, the manga has sold over 7.5 million copies. The series revolves around the Koto club (a traditional Japanese stringed instrument) at Tokise High School, featuring characters like Chika Kudo, a delinquent with a controversial reputation, Satowa Hozuki, a koto prodigy, and Takezo Kurata, the club's sole member. The story follows their journey as they overcome personal struggles, develop their skills, and aim for the national competition. It explores themes of friendship, growth, and the passion for music, and the anime adaptation by Platinum Vision aired in 2019.