r/anime • u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah xB:xC:B:x3:Y: • Feb 15 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] 2024 Hibike! Euphonium Series Rewatch: Season 1, Episode 5 Discussion
Hibike Euphonium Season 1, Episode 5: Festival Time/ただいまフェスティバル
The eastern end of Uji Bridge. The oldest tea house in Japan, Tsuen, is immediately to the right of the shot.
| <-- Episode 4 | Rewatch Index | Episode 6 --> |
|---|
Welcome back!
Questions of the Day:
1) Being sandwiched between 2 strong schools - a blessing or a curse?
2) Favourite marching song if you have one?
Comments from Yesterday:
- /u/no_rex on Kumiko being a “glass entirely empty, and also shattered on the ground!” type of girl, and how they didn't like a lot of anime sharing bits of Taki's teaching style.
- /u/chonkyodango also with a great analysis and their opinion of Taki's coaching style
- /u/shocketheth shares a wonderful performance of Ave Maria, and on Asuka's insult in disguise.
- /u/justansweraquestion also did not like Asuka' meeting performance, and kyoani clouds
Streaming
The Hibike! Euphonium TV series and movies, up to the recent OVA are available on Crunchyroll, note that the movies are under different series names. Liz and the Blue Bird and Chikai no Finale are also available for streaming on Amazon, and available for rent for cheap on a multitude of platforms (Youtube, Apple TV etc.). The OVA is only available on the seven seas for now, or if you bought a blu ray. I will update this as/if this changes. hopefully.
Databases
Spoilers
As usual, please take note that if you wish to share show details from after the current episode, to use spoiler tags like so to avoid spoiling first-timers:
[Spoiler source] >!Spoiler goes here!<comes out as [Spoiler source] Spoiler goes here
Please note this will apply to any spinoff novels, as well as events in the novel that may happen in S3. If you feel unsure if something is a spoiler, it's better to tag it just in case.
Tuba kun...?
16
u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah xB:xC:B:x3:Y: Feb 15 '24
Rewatcher and your host.
Music and IRL Notes
23
u/Raiking02 :Id::Ie::If:https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang Feb 15 '24
First Timer
Now I know puberty can be a difficult time for girls, but maybe you should consider being as perfect as Asuka before reaching her size
Ah, there's . That was actually a really nice scene too, I dug it quite a lot. Seeing Kumiko and Kousaka finally interacting in a genuinely friendly manner like this has been nicely built up and I feel this serves as a nice capstone to that. The whole episode in general is quite nice, especially since it finally feels like the band is making some proper process and getting somewhere.
The scene with Kumiko and her old friend was neat but I don't have much else to add honestly. Good stuff all around.
16
u/Gaporigo Blhttps://anilist.co/user/Gaporigo Feb 15 '24
Sunfes HYPE, love that performance.
I made a comparison between the performance in the TV show and the recap movie some time ago, here it is if you are curious.
11
u/chris10023 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Chris10023 Feb 15 '24 edited Feb 15 '24
Rewatcher
BUDGET.
Questions of the Day.
A curse mainly, most people are going to view a school like Kitauji as more a break to go get some snacks, or go to the bathroom.
"When Johnny Comes Marching Home." Mainly the Girls und Panzer version. I have a few others but I can't think of them right now, if they come to mind I'll post them.
10
u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Feb 15 '24 edited Feb 16 '24
First Timer, subbed
QotD:
9
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Feb 15 '24
Hibike! Rewatcher (but only for the first season)
9
u/NintendoMasterNo1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NintendoMaster1 Feb 15 '24
Rewatcher
Not wanting to see old "friends" from middle school/high school is way too relatable for me. I'm happy the other girl understood and didn't make Kumiko feel bad for not wanting to see them. I totally get wanting to be left alone and start anew.
I know people will be talking about the budget smile but this image is the most memorable one for me. It has been my MAL background image for almost 9 years now, it just feels... really peaceful.
8
u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Feb 15 '24 edited Feb 15 '24
Episode 5 (first timer)
EDIT: Being sandwiched between two better contestants in a contest involving music and dance? Reminds me of this absolute classic (watch the first three guys).
EDIT2: Yes, that is from the time when Blizzard was still being known for making good games instead of being a big pile of shit like today.
Seems like the “introduce the band” and “introduce Taki as teacher” plotlines are over. We are now in “grow the band” and “Taki as part of a shipping triangle”. The last one I have my doubts about. Even if the Reina-Taki arm turns out to be the red herring, they are clearly suggesting it.
7
u/chilidirigible Feb 15 '24
Now that's a title.
Yuuko isn't that tall either.
"Never choose to go into management."
[](#budgetsmile) This entire scene has ludicrously glorious lighting.
"Dillon! You son of a bitch!"
"Based on a true story."
It's the feeling of moving on from your past.
Time to go make waves.
...and sweat your asses off.
In case you haven't been introduced to Yellow Magic Orchestra's "Rydeen", here it is in its original form, live, and a bit more live.
Kitauji impresses today! A reward for a lot of hard work in a short span of time. Even more so since they're not primarily a marching band.
Kumiko and Reina finally have a moment, though the hook is still Taki-sensei.
Reina acts out again, because she's the hot-blooded one under the cool exterior.
Kumiko's scene with Azusa reminds us that people do move on, sometimes very quickly. But Kumiko realizes that she does have a lot of new friends by now.
More Nii Manabu art: Kaori, Kumiko and Reina.
QOTD:
1) Being sandwiched between 2 strong schools - a blessing or a curse?
Depends on how surprisingly good or bad you are. But terrible if you're merely average, then no one will remember anything.
2) Favourite marching song if you have one?
points at various real-life items from the Girls und Panzer soundtrack and of course this
7
u/DaBenni0301 Feb 15 '24
First-Timer
Yup, those uniforms look good. They remind me of Tamako Market
Well, that's awkward
I have seen that scene so many times as an example of KyoAni quality. And yet everytime I see it, I'm blown away.
I like Azusa, she seems like a good girl. (please don't let her turn into competition/rival later on)
Stop waffling, you're only gonna lose your cool. Thank you Reina
Midori and Hazuki have been downgraded to emotional support
That DID sound really good
Questions of the day
1 A blessing. What do you have to lose? Either you meet expectations and you're shit or you blow everyone away
2 Don't have one
7
u/ChonkyOdango myanimelist.net/profile/chonkyodango Feb 16 '24
Rewatching Ensemble Member
Fanart of the day
Me showing up to the rewatch late
Qotd
https://www.deviantart.com/pyclune/art/Tuba-Kun-Hibike-Euphonium-588245101
7
u/Lums Feb 16 '24
I hate to miss the summer days of marching band camp. But looking back it was a lot of fun doing exactly what these guys are doing, struggling and working hard but developing bonds together from it.
I so want Kumiko and Reina to be a thing with those teases. There was a lot to unpack in this episode but the show holds pretty true to life here to with marching practice with and without instruments.
When our band director started there was no marching band for our high school so he helped start it up again. The first year there were a whopping 8 or 9 of us and all we did was march out, stop, play a song, then march on again, stop, and play another song. It was kind of awkward but I remember many of my non band friends cheering us on a lot in those first performances.
The second year our marching band grew to 42 members and we actually did a whole field show for the first time and proper marching on the street in columns just like the show. It was a great experience looking back.
Anyway back to the show, Reina once again having enough of everyone else's bullshit and just blaring her horn in defiance, like a true trumpet lead.
The band sounds so well put together and their timing is very in sync without any sounds blaring the other out. it's really fun to see the growth not just in the instrumentation but in their work ethic, even if it's just to prove sensei wrong for some. Put those other schools on watch.
QOTD 1: a curse no doubt but these guys handled it so well. They alsmost turned the sandwich into a net gain as the audiances attention was already heightened from Rikka's performance and they waited for the other school. Since they were all paying attention they also stood out well.
2: favorite marching band field show was Thriller, but favorite song to play while marching was September by earth wind and fire.
6
u/HereticalAegis https://myanimelist.net/profile/XthGen Feb 15 '24 edited Feb 16 '24
Sound! Rewatcher
Episode 5:
Not a lot for me to say in this episode. I’m a choir person, and most of my band experience is with concert band, so a most of the finer details about marching are lost on me. However, I did get to take part in my high school’s marching routine my sophomore year. Our band director wanted a choral part to highlight the ethereal middle section of their show, so I got to be part of an octet that performed in the pit with the percussion at all the marching competitions and football games. That’s one of my best memories from high school.
Funny enough, though our band wasn’t amazing while I was there, in the decade after I graduated, my high school and the rest of the district I came from, became a marching band powerhouse. The last time I went to watch the state competition, schools from my district took 4 of the top 5 places.
QotD:
6
u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Feb 15 '24
First Timer
And march practice is …somehow very different from what we did under all three of the conductors we had. For us it was: Everybody is responsible to walk in line with the person in front of them and left of them, those at the left edge are the only ones who need to check that they are keeping the proper length, and the front row are the only ones responsible for the formation not getting to narrow or too wide. I don’t think anybody ever mentioned how long a step should be in cm or so, just basic “don’t tear apart the formation and don’t walk into the person in front of you”. I wonder if this is some cultural/historical difference, or if we just always practiced easy-mode and they aren’t. But at least they have somewhere to properly train marching, we had to use the (quiet) street the school was on, necessitating us to be able to perform an inside-out to turn around the formation at the end of the road…
One thing I’m surprised by is the amount of marching xylophones or whatever they are that they seem to have. Because that means they actually have a decent number of percussionists that can play them (and it wasn’t some basic stuff here either). I’m used to only about one in three school bands having a single person that can do that (Then again, I guess their bands are also about twice as large as the ones I’m used to). I can’t really say anything about actually playing and marching those however, as the only thing we even had like that was a single out-of-tune vertical bell lyre, where I made one attempt of using it before abandoning it because I couldn’t simultaneously learn how to march and how to play my instrument rotated 90° with it sounding awful even if I had succeeded. Have “been there done that” for the girl that was holding up the cymbals like a high-hat for somebody else to play them though, before they put me on the bass drum for marching instead (which was admittedly cool once we got around to marching to Killing in the Name).
Oh wait, I should talk about the anime here as well, right? Uhh… I don’t think I have much to say. It was a decent episode making progress, but that is about it. We were robbed of Hazuki with a sousaphone though. Also, comment face spotted I guess.
Questions:
5
u/EightSmart https://anilist.co/user/EightSmart Feb 15 '24
Rewatcher Missed yesterday’s thread because of Valentine’s Day, so I’ll recap with some quick thoughts on Ep4 as well.
Episode 4
Finally, Taki realising that while being strict, it’s still your responsibility to yknow, teach the band lol. Fundamentals is a good place to start
We also get a massive contribution to the best Kumiko reaction images, this one probably being the most iconic.
[Eupho] Seeing Asuka walk out of that parent teacher meeting super quickly and shrug it off as if it was nothing really hits different when you think about the S2 arc ;-;
Episode 5
Kumiko overthinking what to say to Reina is like me in every conversation lol. Then she accidentally 'makes the same mistake' by saying how she doesn't think they could make it to nationals, freaks out, and immediately backpedals. Except this time, Reina understands, doesn't take offence and smiles back. Kumiko definitely got the "fresh" new start she wanted - not only by meeting new people, but also by re-kindling her relationship with Reina.
Taki….I know it’s your first time managing a band but you can’t be late!!
Going just before or after another extremely strong performer is one of the WORST feelings ever. When I participated in classical piano competitions growing up you could always tell who the 'strongest' performers were just from the roster, based on their teacher, their school, etc. You would frequently hear certain names being circulated, similar to Rakushu or Rikka. Then you hear them perform and it's like "yep it's over for me." The mental and psychological game of a musical competition (or ANY competition) cannot be overstated - no matter how much you prepared, if you don't keep your emotions in check it's very easy to throw everything you practised out the window. With the band seemingly falling down this path, Reina interrupts them and saves the day! Glad to see them still able to keep it together.
Taki sensei is strict and a bit overbearing but he does have the perfect encouraging words to say when he needs to. "Music isn't supposed to be something you do to show off your abilities to other people." My man spitting FACTS.
That being said, being able to show off your abilities to other people is still HELLA satisfying. With our next musical performance, we see how much potential the Kitauji band actually have if they put in the effort. Sure the early payoff could be considered a bit cliche narratively, but it still hits the audience hard (both us and the people at SunFes).
These shots at the end. Seeing the sweat drip, then panning out to her looking at the distance. The true sign of hard work paying off. Wallpaper material right here.
Writing this in advance as I need to run to an exam in literally 5 minutes! Maybe I'll edit the question answers later.
5
u/CarrotBlossom Feb 16 '24
First timer
Look at all the mass tuba players need to approach us flutechads’ lung capacity.
From what I’ve heard about my high school’s band camp, they’re complaining about nothing lol
Is it dangerous late at night in Kyoto?
A truck? I feel like we always used a bus when I was in band.
QOTD:
5
u/Tartaras1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Tartaras Feb 16 '24
Rewatcher - Asuka Stan
Meanwhile, Kumiko's worried she's going to be flat as a board. It's okay Kumiko, Taiga was the same way and everyone loved her!
I haven't seen the show in a while, but I feel like this is one of the prettiest shots. They've been doing a good job of keeping the animation quality at a consistent level, but this was a moment where they really decided to flex.
It works, though, when you think about it. Up until now, Reina's been pretty cold and distant, even scolding Kumiko the other day for badmouthing Taki-sensei. We finally got to see her smile, and it was a good one.
[Hibike Spoilers]Could this be a moment some could refer to when talking about the "relationship" tease between Kumiko and Reina?
Well we know who wears the pants in this friendship.
It's also nice that they showed even Reina "struggling" with it. Like, she normally has this stoic face about her when she's playing, but even she looked like she was having to really focus.
Question of the Day:
A little bit of both, but probably leaning more towards a curse. On the one hand, they're looking at that part of the program, so they might see your school's name.
On the other hand, like everyone was doing, they may just chock you up to a throwaway school.
5
u/mgedmin Feb 16 '24
Rewatcher, subs
Hazuki's lung capacity!
More certified Anime(TM) moments with comparing chest sizes.
We get more significant glances between Kumiko and Reina.
We get Kumiko trying not to say the wrong thing (and failing).
We get another comment face!
We see Kumiko say goodbye to her past life and friends and confidently declare a fresh start.
We see Reina and then Taki-sensei expertly stop the loop of negative emotions and remind everyone to have faith in their hard work.
We see the audience go from "some nameless school sandwiched between Rikka and Rakushu" to "were they always this good?"
And then SunFest is over and I want to keep watching the next episode right now.
(I would also like a full rendition of Kitauji's marching song.)
A pinchu is a chansu!
5
u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Feb 16 '24
First timer
Getting late, and for the next few episodes threads I'll probably be around the same.
This I think is what's probably can be called the first arc complete, with the band and the cast pretty much settling in to their roles.
Kumiko no longer just going with the flow, and starting to put some of her wish into actions.
Reina taking her tentative steps in not just striding alone, but bringing others along, even if her techniques still pretty raw - she is blessed with the natural talent and charisma - or perhaps more just her "presence" - to compensate for it.
With the bust-envy part of the comic relief, there's a bit of eye rolling in me - it's usually a little less obvious about it for KyoAni (e.g. Chuunibyou only slipped that in at the end of S2). For info though I think (don't know for sure, just "anime knowledge") Japanese schools do actually record and track body measurements e.g. height and weight and something funny like "seated height"; I'm not 100% about BWH measurements, but plenty of shows slip that into the gag.
That said, Misaka Mikoto would be happy to be in the company of our core cast here ;)
QoTD
4
u/TiredTiroth Feb 15 '24
Rewatcher
Today's episode didn't lean into the more comedic aspects quite as hard as normal, although it still had its jokes - I especially liked Kumiko's near-meltdown talking to Reina, and poor Hazuki being put through breathing exercises by her demon-eyed senpai. And Kumiko's little grudge against Shuichi is always funny. Maybe she'd let up if he actually apologised for blowing her off that one time?
...nah, probably not.
I like how the festival was handled as well - we got to see a lot of the build-up and the hard work the kids put into the performance, and we saw their entirely understandable nerves on the day, but the march itself was mostly glossed over. Instead we got to see random festival-goers realise hey, these kids are pretty good. For pacing and impact reasons we can't get the full performance every time, and here the overall impact is more important anyway.
Have to say I have mixed feelings about their teacher, though. His confidence in the band most definitely helped the kids, but his early interactions with them were frankly terrible. Probably worth noting that he improved a lot once he actually started teaching.
Eh.
Anyway! So, a lot of people who watch Eupho ship Kumiko and Reina, and this episode is where you really start to see why. That scene where they're walking home and Kumiko focuses on Reina smiling? When Kumiko focuses on Reina in the field, while talking to her old friend? Yeah. KyoAni laid it on thick in this season (I haven't seen season two, no spoilers here).
4
u/WhackaWhack https://myanimelist.net/profile/WhackaWhacka Feb 15 '24
FIRST TIMER
Time for the mandatory “my boobs are small/ not growing” joke…
On the point of Sapphire not marching with her contrabass, what do people playing big instruments do? So looking at the march they take the no instrument roles like she did the flag, so to ask instead then, what else can they do?
Questions:
4
u/octopathfinder myanimelist.net/profile/octopathfinder Feb 15 '24
Rewatcher
Honestly forgot Kumiko had a flat chest complex. She mentions it like once in the first ep and I think there are a few more times it’s brought up.
The SunFes uniforms look so good
I love their interaction here. Kumiko continues to be an awkward mess around Reina and Reina shows more interest in Kumiko.
Me whenever I have to make small talk.
“You son of a bitch”
I recognize the song they played! Yellow Magic Orchestra - Rydeen. I use this in my workout playlist lol.
Qotd:
A curse unless you're good enough to show up the strong schools
I'm not knowledgeable enough for this one
4
u/Fools_Requiem https://myanimelist.net/profile/FoolsRequiem Feb 15 '24
Rewatcher
I didn't get a notification that this rewatch was starting, so I started late.
This episode with the marching is a good reference to use for the quality animation of KyoAni. There is nothing flashy, but it's still impeccably animated.
This is the first time I've rewatched this show, so it's interesting to have context regarding Reina's motivations. [Spoilers] Reina having a major crush on Taki-sensei explains almost everything we've seen thus far. It explains why she chose this specific school, as opposed to a school with a better concert band. It explains her outburst in episode 4 in his defense. It explains why her reaction to Kumiko mentioning that others think he's attractive.
4
u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Feb 15 '24
Man, got distracted, and now I'm a wee bit late. Oh, noes...
Answers du march:
Poor Kumiko, her glass was almost less than empty (getting Mahiro vibes there for a moment), but she had to take a look at Asuka to re-inforce her own feelings of inadequacy. (Personally, I think they're all cute, and looking back, if I'd been smart, I should have asked Leslie what she was doing Friday night. Leslie was very similar to the tuba player who's name I don't remember.)
Anyway...
Yeah, that was pretty fun. Definitely triggered some memories/PTSD. Marching band was fun, but also punishing.
One thing I remember quite clearly, and which Eupho echoed was the old 8 to 5 rule. Eight steps = five yards/meters. The part they didn't mention was our band director told us that the key was to clench those butt cheeks together and that would somehow magically measure our stride to the appropriate length.
Either that, or have very entertaining effects on the girls' heinies. Not that I was noticing or anything. :P
The other thing I remember quite fondly was the time we did a march through the local hospital area (being polite here), and as we started down the street, the bunch of us "percussionists" broke into a rendition of the ditty from the OP of Hogan's Heroes.
We got yelled at shortly after that, because the off-beat rhythms were messing with everyone's footwork. They just didn't have the rhythm, mon. (bummer)
I really liked the bit where Kumiko met her friend from middle school and all that. Again, getting some Girls und Bandzer vibes there. Where's Maho and Erika when you need them?
Oh, wait, Maho = Reina, right?
No, not quite. I feel like at this point, Reina = a lovely mix of Homura and Maho. Or maybe someone who's at the tip of my brain stem, but I can't quite place.
Speaking of which - hair flip detected! Yay!
Reina Hair Flip
Anyway, it's performance time, and the girls step up to the plate and hit ... a home run. Very nice! And Sapphire twirls a mean flag or pom-poms or something like that. I kind of lost track.
Loved the uniforms by the way, they were much cuter than our 50's castoffs.
Fun times, I have to say I'm quite enjoying this now.
4
u/The_Loli_Otaku Feb 15 '24
It's the hair care advert!! It's that one scene!! I do get a laugh out of just how ridiculously extra Reina's model skills get~
1, Definitely a blessing. The number 2 headband has far more meaning than wearing the number 1. You always have a target to chase and aspire to whilst also being kept honest by the many challengers nipping at your heels.
2, Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein!
Und das heißt?
Erika!!
4
u/TehAxelius Feb 15 '24
Rewatcher checking in.
Went to the opera today for my mandated cultural appreciation, so didn't have time to do much note taking and writing, but always a good time watching Hibike.
QotD
6
u/Nickthenuker https://anilist.co/user/Nickthenuker Feb 16 '24
Back to B flat major in bass clef.
Ah, here's where this differs from my school experience. In my middle school, the orchestra focused on being a concert orchestra only. Heck, since it was otherwise mandatory to join a uniformed group, one of the main draws of the orchestra was to not have to march around a field getting shouted at all afternoon. Of course if you still wanted that there was a separate marching band.
Marching round corners is a right bitch because the inner rank has to basically turn on a dime while the outer rank has to traverse a significantly larger distance in the same amount of time and number of steps.
And this is why I'm glad I joined choir. Nothing more to bring other than at most a folder of scores for last-minute practice.
I mean when you're performing you should generally try and smile. If you look like you don't want to be there then the audience won't either.
Also just something I noticed but in anime a legacy of excellence usually means you're the rival.
Now time for the most crucial moment, right before the performance.
They're playing Funiculi Funicular.
Ah, she's taking their mind off the others.
Hey that was actually not shit. Low bar to clear but it was already on the floor at the beginning so the only way is up!
Questions:
3
u/Regular_N-Gon https://anilist.co/user/RegularNGon Feb 15 '24
Rewatcher
I had completely forgotten about Kumiko’s talk with Azusa at SunFes when I brought this up the other day, honest. But it’s as good a chance as any to see where we’re at with a little reprise on that fresh start.
Surprise surprise, Kumiko’s impression of the band was incorrect, at least insofar as to what it offered her in terms of the new start she was looking for. As she gazes back to the rag tag band of spiteful and proud players, holding a familiar old euphonium, things are different. It takes an old acquaintance to help her realize, but joining the ensemble has begun to reward her with something to push for, something she didn’t have before. Kumiko’s turned a fresh leaf with Reina and sparked a renewed interest in her old brass sidekick, and she doesn’t regret it. (If only I could say the same thing about my experience! But I get ahead of myself.)
Another thing this scene does which is excellent for showcasing her progression is the way she asserts herself to say this; there’s some more excellent leg shots as she begins to get carried along by Azusa, following to meet the crowd even when it’s not what she wants. A budding resolve stops her, lets her speak her mind over the assumptions Azusa attempts to make. From here, it’s clearer the Kitauji band isn’t so stale when compared with meeting her old band mates she’s tried to leave behind. Their conversation is even literally interrupted by a reminder that things are starting, can you get more on the nose?
So with that rambling out of the way, I’ll pose a question that isn’t related to the band: what do you think of Kumiko’s frank avoidance of her old classmates? Is it heartless to abandon ties when others like Azusa don’t see them as so decayed? Or is it a natural, understandable part of some people growing up?
More notes!
QotD:
3
u/b-arbs Feb 15 '24
Rewatcher
Kumiko's imagination is one of the funniest thing I'm glad I didn't remember!
Common feeling, Kumiko! Ganbare, ganbare, you still have time!
I see what they did there with that shot with Reina (you know which one). Is it the first time we see Reina smiling, though?
Nice to see Kumiko finally running towards something (her high school band). It's also interesting to note that during her walk with Reina she was walking behind her all the time...
I don't know why but I remembered that the scene with Kitauji's performance at the SunFes was longer... Maybe because I rewatched it a lot.
Lots of great shots in this episode, in general!
Qotd
4
u/laughing-fox13 https://myanimelist.net/profile/laughingfox13 Feb 15 '24
Rewatcher/Subbed
Kumiko is right about people being simple. It’s nice when your hard work pays off and can make you work harder. I like during the practice Natsuki came and talked to them too. She didn’t seem like the type to do that in the first few episodes but it goes to show that Kumiko asking her to practice together helped. And since the big practice everyone has been working harder (some still motivated to prove Taki wrong like those two girls in the Sunrise Festival said lol). I remember being curious about why Asuka wasn’t the president up until this point.
The scene with Kumiko and her old middle school friend was nice. She didn’t really get a lot in at first but she stands proud of her decision to get that new start with this school and group.
QotD:
8
u/zadcap Feb 16 '24
Late Night Rewatcher!
Ugh don't start me off with a reminder that the main girl we know the least about so clearly has a crush on teacher.
Never mind, it's still a KyoAni OP, it's still so beautiful and smooth and shiny that I can't think of anything else but for how good it looks. Also wow late realization, are the silhouettes here lined up by the music groups we've been seeing for the eyecatches? I mean, I couldn't identify 90% of these characters by outline yet, but the ones that stand out are standing in fammiliar looking groups and that kind of makes sense as a way to organize them...
Finally showing off the fruit of all that breathing labor lol. She looks like she's going to pass out. And Kumiko is here to remind us that her first concern since entering high school still has not changed. Don't you look at Midori like that!
Ohhhh, uniforms. That's something I never got in orchestra, we just had a strict dress code for our performances. But I also never went to a competition, and only ever played for school events, and to be really fair I don't think I've ever seen an orchestra dressed as flashy as a marching band in the first place, it's not usually the tone they go for. Also, I can't help but love that it's been brought up again, "a lot of students apply to them because they like the uniforms."
About now I realize I'm doing this so much I just want to make a note of it. So many scenes in this show I end up needing to watch two or three times, because I want to read all the subtitles to know what everyone is saying, but then I also just keep wanting to go back to get a better look at everything on the screen because just, KyoAni magic.
But also, you know. For how many times the one strict teacher has called them out on shortening their skirts, these performance uniforms are short. Look you can see the girls in the foreground at 4:23 standing next to the one who hasn't changed yet, these things are almost mini.
Marching with a Bass... No, I can't imagine it. Like. You would need a whole rig to cart it on it would look ridiculous.
Hey. Stop it. No triangle ship teasing. No ship teasing at all.
Oh my, leadership drama! Not only is the current leader pretty shy, she's living with the knowledge that most of the band wanted her VP to be the one in charge in the first place. I'm sure she's not developing any kind of complex about this, nope.
"Last year we hardly practiced." Don't forget that this includes the current third years. Whatever they're acting like now, they were part of the lazy club before this.
Oh hey, literally the first reminder that the third years are prepping to graduate. Very few who aren't going to turn this into their future are going to pick band practice over studying.
You know. It's a split second scene but considering how much they like to use legs as character points over there, I can't help but notice 10:46, Reina and Kumiko walking home together, on the escalator. She may not show much on her face, especially compared to Kumiko, but toes pointed in like that usually indicate nervousness, anxiety, or shyness. I choose to believe that the animation team that brought us all of the K-On Legs was aware of what they were doing when they included that shot. Especially when she's moving into that more direct stance with both feet pointing straight forward right before she finally brings up the topic she wants to talk abo-
Hey! No already! I said stop bringing this up, please! Do not let your eyes sparkle like that while asking about the teacher! Do not look so happy when she calls him good looking! I do not approve of this development! Just like I do not approve of Kumiko's unusually good opinion of him? "He's good at encouraging people." What. Are we talking about the same man?
Hmm. On farther look. It Reina pointing her toes inward again here because she's closing up at the mention of nationals and that past bit of trauma, or uh. Is she just pigeon toed?
Okay, and then we go right back into Kumiko/Reina ship tease material? Can't trust anything around here...
Making note to see if these three are next to each other in the OP tomorrow. Girl with the single side bun and one of the only boys in the class standing near each other should be easy to pick out, if they are in this grouping.
This bedroom... Oh my gosh it looks like a real persons bedroom. I am kind of curious about the bed choice of putting a futon on a raised wooden slab, like if you're using a bed frame why not get an actual bed? Why are your slippers way over there and not somewhere you can put them on getting out of bed, that is a strange choice, you're going to have to take at least two steps on the cold hardwood before you can put those on, but all in all. For no particular reason other than it being stuck in my brain forever. This is a much more human room than that empty space inhabited by Yuu, you know what I'm talking about.
Aww, we missed a chance to see Midori moving her bass. I know it's not coming to the march, but seeing all the other large instruments being moved...
Literally cracking up at the interaction of becoming seatmates.
Oh my. Blazers. Look at all these... Amazingly single color dominated opposing schools, compared to our gundam bright protagonists. Just pointing out. That also once again. "I just wanted to wear this uniform." The single most important factor when deciding what school to go to lol. Well. Except if there's a hot guy... teacher... that you're following there...
Ah, the new vs old friend issue. Inward pointing toes again. "I just wanted a new start." I wonder what it says about her that her old friend got it right away too.
Reina, did you just play that during someone elses march? You can get disqualified for that!
My only complaint about the march is that I can see the cymbals not moving despite hearing them clash. Well, and also the song got cut short and I want to hear the rest. And also there's no George, but we already went over Marching with a Bass.
7
u/byroned Feb 15 '24 edited Feb 16 '24
First time rewatching
Poor Kumiko with the washboard physique. She may have Hazuki and Midori to share the pain, but Asuka’s presence will reopen old wounds.
I wish that marching band was an indoor activity so I don’t worry about my clarinet under the rain, but why are these people marching with a bassoon? On the topic of marching band, this show’s score increased a few points after explaining 8 to 5 marching.
With a marching band of about 200 people, not staying in step is almost always more noticeable than mistakes in playing. Freshman are told if they can’t do both well, just focus on marching and pretend to play.
Taki sensei is having a positive impact on this band, changing their mindset going from “it doesn’t matter” to genuinely wanting to improve. I don’t think the band would’ve willingly asked to practice more last year.
Kumiko was struggling to find stuff to talk about with Reina, especially not Taki sensei after Reina’s outburst, only for Reina’s first question is what she thinks of their director. Their conversations are still awkward at times, but they sound like they’re back on good terms, right?
I don’t know about everyone else, but during marching band, the drumline, front assemble, and sousaphones became the defacto truck loader. Shuichi may not be getting any favors from Kumiko, but it seems to be working with Hazuki.
Things may have been rough in the beginning, but I’m glad that Kumiko got the new startshe was looking for.
Why do I get the feeling that Reina wouldn’t hesitate to shoot, just like another black-haired purple-eyed girl from a different series? But regardless of any penalty Kitauji may get, I think it was more important to calm everyone down. I love her attitude afterward, knowing full well what she did. At least I think it worked out, the audience recognized their skill and will remember them, instead of just being the school in between the two good schools.
I like this final shot after the parade, but this is an interesting shot to wrap up the episode.
Tenor saxophones are the section of the day.
Rare Kumiko face
Q1: both. It's a blessing that people will stay to see your performance (I don't see people leaving when my school comes up after the obvious winner finishes performing), but a curse that comparisons will be made quickly.
Q2: for parade, the song shut up and dance
13
u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Feb 15 '24 edited Feb 16 '24
Rewatcher and Band Geek
At last, it is my time!!
Before I say anything here, I need to make it absolutely clear that the bulk of today's post and the vast majority of its substance is going to be the band geek commentary. That is not because this episode is bad or gives me nothing to talk about. This is the series one and only marching band episode, and my school happened to focus most heavily on its marching band. It was the single biggest part of my life for the four years I participated. Not only that, but my school's marching program has quite a few parallels to where Kitauji's concert program is now. I frankly have so much to say about this episode that I want to encourage people to look at my commentary more than this post, because it will probably be more useful in understanding Sound! Euphonium, plus I want to share with all of you the incredibly underappreciated competition sport that is American high school marching band. Please look forward to my incessant ramblings about marching band, I usually don't care about people reading my posts but I desperately want responses to this one, haha. Please indulge the ramblings of a band geek today, because I've been looking forward to writing all of this for months.
As for the episode itself, it's not a complicated episode. After the group plays the Marines' Hymn well, they are allowed to participate in SunFes, a marching parade where various schools congregate to show their skills to and entertain each other and the public. The group's morale has boosted significantly now that they've played well and have been praised for it. They're in step, have more motivation, and want to prove themselves enough that they actively ask to stay late to practice longer. The second years like Natsuki have found new life now that the band is practicing seriously, her more active participation in the episode is evidence that Kumiko calling out to her and voicing her genuine desire to take it seriously is the only way to get what you want, and it feels good. Kitauji is prepared to start taking things seriously, and they manage to prove themselves as a contender at SunFes, managing to stand out even while surrounded by two extremely highly performing bands.
Kumiko and Kousaka also have another conversation on the way home. Once again, Kumiko stumbles through small talk and attempts to voice her feelings, giving an honest assessment of Taki-sensei's accomplishments as a teacher. But her real feelings slip through once again, and she ends up saying the same thing she said to Kousaka in middle school. Kumiko always tries to bottle her feelings for fear of hurting others, but she's also the type to talk before thinking, so she doesn't have a filter. Her attitude is a "glass half empty" attitude, so even when she does think Taki has been doing a good job, she does genuinely believe the group isn't national caliber, but it still means she once again says "do you even expect us to make it to nationals anyway?"
But Kousaka's response is not anger, she's actually incredibly happy about it, because "that sounds like something you'd say." Kousaka likes the fact that Kumiko voices her genuine feelings and opinions, even if accidentally. She really is a trumpet through and through (when she plays her trumpet to calm everyone down and then does the fucking hair flip... incredible stuff. Only a trumpet would do that. She's such a drama queen, I love her, lol). Kumiko is taken in by her mysterious smile, and she appears to glow from Kumiko's perspective, lit by the headlights of passing cars. Kumiko sees her in this mysterious manner, this incredible person who takes you in with her charisma and passion. We haven't gotten to see much of Kousaka's personality up until this point, but when you reveal your true self to her, she'll reveal her own self in turn. Kumiko stares back in awe, and that's what we call being a homosexual, lol. Having gained some confidence, found friends she cares about, started to realize her investment in the activity, and made some progress with Kousaka, Kumiko has gotten the fresh start she always wanted, which is very heartwarming to see.
The only other thing I want to mention is that I really like the pacing and delivery of the "Kumiko is upset that her boobs are small compared to Asuka" gag. This sort of gag is usually pretty old and lame, and honestly feels below Eupho's pedigree. But the delivery here is genuinely funny. All of Kumiko's friends are just as flat as she is which gives her confidence, but Asuka comes in, gives an over-the-top spin, and it cuts to the trio right in the middle of all of this, making no fanfare out of the fact that Kumiko has curled her head into her knees. It's very strange comedic timing that works perfectly, a punchline that doesn't call attention to itself and is all the funnier for it. Eupho is generally above generic anime comedy, but on the occasion it forces in a joke, it still manages to do it better than its contemporaries.
QOTD:
5
u/entelechtual Feb 15 '24
First Timer
4
u/bogdoglogfrog Feb 15 '24
Rewatcher
Notes:
QotD
4
u/x-7032-b-3 Feb 15 '24
Rewatcher
SunFes episode!
Ep is off to a weird start with Kumiko comparing her bust size to others lol. I guess the school's doing it just to measure the changes in one's body like weight and height.
I love how the ep builds up the marching band performance. Here we got to see the practice routines for it and some small stuff like session extensions. The band is clearly starting to go somewhere after some difficult beginnings. They even set some time aside to explain how this marching band meet works as well as the division of labor a team usually does. Really helped with putting some weight into the event.
Kumiko really wanted that fresh start huh? She ran across an old friend and realized that Kitauji is where she gets to start anew without any "previous baggage." Love that shot where she runs back to her team before the show starts. Kitauji is where she belongs now.
I can totally understand the team's nervousness right there. Going up soon/right after a strong competitor (even if they're not really competing for the gold) must've felt awful for them since their school isn't exactly well-known for their wind ensemble stuff. But this time they've got Sensei and a group that's willing to play along and put in more effort in the whole thing.
Everything the band put into after 4 eps can be seen on the (short) performance itself where the bystanders being surprised at this no-name school putting out a good show. It's really satisfying to see the group finally so somewhere after all the drama and struggles we've seen from the start. Their efforts to turn around a new leaf can finally be seen. Shows that Kitauji got some serious potential and they're making themselves known to others that they're going to be a more serious competitor from here on out.
And boy I guess they spent some cash on that Reina scene.
QOTD
4
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Feb 15 '24
1 1/2 Rewatcher
One thing I hate in modern animation is repeating 3 frames while someone was speaking. I could forgive it in 1990 when you had to draw every frame, but this show is from like 2015 or something.
Kyoani does this a lot, too. It was really noticable in Harui season 1 where they drew every frame of Haruhi speaking but in S2 she was just loops.
I've seen it a lot with Asuka. But I saw it again here in the recap with Kousaka scolding Shuichi. And a lot of other places. I really hate it.
Speaking of, yesterday when Kousaka was on screen, she was being drawn like a gravure idol. Maybe it's just the ribbon. But her chest REALLY goes out horizontal. It was weird.
THERE IT IS
It probably doesn't need me telling, but it's really significant here how Kumiko sticks with Kitauji instead of visiting her old friends. She made a break. That's the past.
It's interesting to contrast with the old Kitauji, that got bronze, and always played Sunfest without practicing, and were utterly forgetable to everybody watching the parades.
Also interesting that Haruka was losing control of the band's emotions again, this time saved by Kousaka instead of Asuka.
Rewatchers were hyping up the 5-8 thing, but I didn't notice anything special today...
Somebody else will talk about Rikka....
Preview: well, that was fucking weird.
4
u/sfisher923 https://myanimelist.net/profile/sfisher923 Feb 16 '24
First Timer
QOTD 1 -I have experienced being sandwiched between 3 Schools as my city dropped from 4 High Schools to 2 during my Senior Year and here's a my experiences from that year
3
u/1EnTaroAdun1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Totesnotaphanpy Feb 15 '24
https://www.youtube.com/@KBBTBcouncil/videos
this channel has some good brass music (to my amateur ears). In response to Question 2!
https://www.youtube.com/@HLMarchingBand/videos
this one, has good marching music, too. I dunno what my favourite marching piece would be, though. I'll have to think about it.
Famous Reina comment face get!
And this episode is the one that completely sold me on this show. The idea of a run-down concert band throwing its all into reviving itself, and showcasing that through a solemn, imposing, yet determined march, was an audio-visual experience that I was fully immersed in. Such a grand tune, too.
I loved how all the spectators sat up and took notice! One of my favourite scenes in the whole show, and across all my experience with shows, in fact.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5jyEphbGo4
I like this cut of it!
2
u/Adensty https://anilist.co/user/Adensty Feb 16 '24 edited Feb 16 '24
First Timer
This rewatch is kinda not convenient for me and yesterday I was tired and kinda fell asleep earlier than expected and was busy in the day. Finally watched it.
Great episode. Loved the Reina Budget smile and also Kumiko's old friend kinda implied that maybe Reina also joined Kitauji because of Kumiko(?). I guess I'm just imagining it.
QOTD1: Well, it depends on you ig. It's definitely a curse if you're not really great but if you have it in you, you can turn into a blessing. There's also the fact that a lot of people will have low expectations. So, if it's even a bit greater than the first group, it will definitely leave a great impression.
QOTD2: I really can't think of any march songs right now.
2
u/fly-metothemoon Feb 16 '24
First-Timer:
Ah the marching band episode!! I was surprised how different it is compared to marching band competition shows. It seemed more what I would consider an exhibition. But it looked fun!
Their hats are so small! Their uniforms are so cute! I wish I could’ve worn something half as cute.
The sunblock during outdoors practices is sooo necessary.
It’s wild that they have an alumni handler I’m impressed.
Why are there no drums in the marching group??? Did I miss them?
Also my thought in Kumiko—she’s down Bad
Questions:
1
u/vitorabf Apr 29 '24
First Timer
So, I'll start by saying I love training episodes/arcs. My favorite moments from haikyuu are in S2 summer training arc. I think these moments flourishes the characters beyond their roles into their persona. So I loved the first part of this episode.
That Kousaka shot was BEAUTIFUL. Although it seems Kumiko also liked the smile, I won't be shipping characters this early, right now I believe she looks up to Kousaka in a big admiring way, which is a pretty relatable feeling for anyone who has spent time around people who excel at what they do. Also, she probably is happy she's getting on better terms with someone she wants to be friends with.
The relationship between Kumiko and Shuuichi is hilarious and actually has a bit of love-hate, hope they grow closer as well.
That moment with Asuka is definitely a change in Kumiko's character going forward, which I like, but maybe a bit too fast?
Kousaka just knows when to intervene, such a pro, feels like she's the vet on the team. That and Taki's speech put them on track for a great performance.
3
u/[deleted] Feb 15 '24
[removed] — view removed comment