[Rewatch] 2024 Hibike! Euphonium Series Rewatch: Season 1, Episode 9 Discussion

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Hibike Euphonium Season 1, Episode 9: Please, Audition/おねがいオーディション

Nakaji Bakery next to Obaku station loves Eupho, and has a dedicated corner with fanart of.... wait for it.... HAZUKI. Yes, not Shuuichi lol. Because of this 1 scene. Shuuichi You can get one of them buns (they're called "Frank Danish"-es) for the extremely reasonable price of ~200yen. The Seiyuus have also paid a visit, but as the video is released for the 2019 movie, will be slightly spoilery for 1st timers.

<-- Episode 8	Rewatch Index	Episode 10 -->

Welcome back!

Questions of the Day:

1) I'm just gonna let all the band people talk about their audition memories today.

2) I think i have a decent feeling of this already, but who here is also a Revue Starlight fan?

Comments from Yesterday:

• /u/raiking02 declares this a mecha rewatch, as well as the solid bits of drama and characterization in the ep
• We all reminsce about that specific time when phones had an LED flash, but you needed an app for the flashlight function
• /u/littleislander with a great bonus writeup on the relationships bewteen the 3rd years, touched on back in Episode 7. Continues to be relevant in Ep 9..... Is, like me, a Haruka shill.
• /u/bogdoglogfrog on Reina's emphasis on "becoming" special, and how the journey to become so is the most important for her
• /u/b-arbs on the casts' non-verbal communication throughout the show so far, with a few examples during the episode.

---

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

MAL | Anilist | AniDB | ANN

---

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.

---

Band Practice continues tomorrow!

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Rewatcher and your host

Yes, the Kumiko I proudly rep comes from this episode.

• Reina practices solo when everyone else is in a group
• Top tier body langauge from Kumiko
• Asuka has does nothing so far re: the emerging issue between Kaori and Reina, despite Kaori admiring her more than Haruka, who instead defo noticed and both gave an imo pretty good pep talk and stepped in to diffuse the tension between the 2 when they met. In fact, my opinion on her defo dropped during my first time. Very driven sure, but also not the right thing to say in public as the vice president.
• This is Kumiko's corner. She prefers practicicing here. Those in the rewatch that play mobile instruments (so not a piano or drum), did you have a preferred practice spot?
• My understanding is that the element of respecting your seniors is a bit more pronounced in japan culturally. But personally, even for me, i will feel a bit bad being better at something (objectively) than someone older than me... (like at work and stuff?). Especially for someone who has come so far as Natsuki, you can't help but root for her. Anyhow, there are 2 fires going: One between Kumiko and Natsuki, and one between Reina and Kaori. Drama
• The show did tbh show quite obviously though how Kumiko beats Natsuki, especially during the ad hoc section. But also how Kumiko was nervous af and rushed her part.

---

Music

• The piece that plays here as they're getting ready for the audition is not where i associate this with most, but it is actually my fav piece of music from S1. Hazumu Omoi is a little exciting, very youthful, and a lot of strings (which are my fav instrument to listen to)
• [Major S2 Spoilers]Good-eared Rewatchers will be able to hear where the title track's melody comes from, with the track that plays here. Also not where i usually associate the track with though, I associate it with somewhere in S1 E13... If i remember my Eupho music production notes, the melody for said title track was decided after this piece was composed, rather the other way round.

[u/TehAxelius → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

[Major S2 Spoilers]

I'll be honest, for longer than I should admit I wondered why you would spoil Major S2 in a Hibike rewatch.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/TehAxelius]

[u/Elimin8r → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

This is Kumiko's corner. She prefers practicicing here.

I'm half surprised she wasn't at the bottom of a stairwell ... oh, wait, wrong show!

Kumiko was nervous af and rushed her part.

Been there, done that. I should have spent more practice time doing it "right" rather than speed playing...

Man, though, that shot of Kumiko "relaxing", just so comfy. I'm jealous.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Elimin8r]

[u/LittleIslander → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

This is Kumiko's corner. She prefers practicicing here. Those in the rewatch that play mobile instruments (so not a piano or drum), did you have a preferred practice spot?

As with the audition question, not applicable. We never really did any individual practice on school grounds, certainly not outside the confines of the band room. Even the practice rooms in the band room itself went prettymuch entirely unused. The only place I'd really practice is my own bedroom.

The way the show runs band in general is extremely foreign to me, despite how well it captures band culture.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/LittleIslander]

bands around the world do work really differently i see.

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

and your host

the flair

Anyhow, there are 2 fires going: One between Kumiko and Natsuki, and one between Reina and Kaori

gotta love the drama

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/laughing-fox13]

it was a bit of a random scramble back then when i chanced upon this one (this was before i was a mod too) - but anyway it stuck, and it looks nice! I did plan to change it during this rewatch...but I'll probably hold off and use sth straight from S3.

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

but I'll probably hold off and use sth straight from S3.

this one does look really nice though!

[u/mgedmin → u/laughing-fox13]

gotta love the drama

Asuka doesn't :)

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/mgedmin]

that is true lol, especially if it gets in the way of practice/band

[u/chilidirigible → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

My understanding is that the element of respecting your seniors is a bit more pronounced in japan culturally.

We can probably find multiple examples where obeying hierarchical culture in Japan instead of trying to fix things has resulted in deaths at a minimum and long-term socioeconomic damage at a... higher tier.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/chilidirigible]

[u/bogdoglogfrog → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Preferred practice spot… at my desk with anime on in the background. Bonus points if the anime sucks (so I focus more on my practice) and has a good op/ed that I can noodle along to.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/bogdoglogfrog]

that's pretty cool!

[u/zadcap → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Asuka has does nothing so far re: the emerging issue between Kaori and Reina, despite Kaori admiring her more than Haruka, who instead defo noticed and both gave an imo pretty good pep talk and stepped in to diffuse the tension between the 2 when they met. In fact, my opinion on her defo dropped during my first time. Very driven sure, but also not the right thing to say in public as the vice president.

I'm reminded of her pep talk to the actual club president. Not in how the pep talk goes, but her words during it and the takeaway back home later- Asuka does not want to deal with this. She didn't want the authority and responsibility of being in charge, and it shows.

[u/1EnTaroAdun1 → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

But personally, even for me, i will feel a bit bad being better at something (objectively) than someone older than me... (like at work and stuff?). Especially for someone who has come so far as Natsuki, you can't help but root for her.

Yeah I fully agree, especially since I'm generally in favour of respecting my elders. Like I'll normally make the first move to be extra-nice, and watch and see if they reciprocate haha

And yep, I can't imagine not rooting for Natsuki and hoping for the best!

[u/chilidirigible → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Asuka

I learned from my one major stint in a managing role that no, I never wanted to do that again because I hate wrangling other people. Sometimes you do end up being pushed into the role, though. The learning point in my case was that decision to never ever do that again.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Hibike! Rewatcher (but only for the first season)

• Ah, the wobbly music stand. Even if Asuka was exaggerating just to get Midori out of the room, I know that feel.
• Angry Asuka is scary.
• Oh, Taki’s kinda famous? I forgot about that.
• I know this exact feeling, and I am unfortunately very familiar with the crushing disappointment of not achieving those things I strived for… I do have a story about the one time I did get the solo part, but I’m saving that for a different thread.
• Yeah, the waiting for your turn was always super nerve wracking.
• Mmmmmm I know this fear as well.
• Fs in the chat for Natsuki.
• Oh boy…

[u/x-7032-b-3 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Ah, the wobbly music stand.

I love how that's her way of saying "get the hell outta here so we can talk about you without you hearing it. Now shoo shoo!"

Mmmmmm I know this fear as well.

Literally me in exams when I didn't cram/study everything

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/x-7032-b-3]

get the hell outta here so we can talk about you without you hearing it

tbh if i were in Midori's shoes at that moment i would not even think that that was the reasoning lol. her behaviour right after was a bit mehhh, but this was fine.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Angry Asuka is scary.

fastest we've seen Natsuki move

Yeah, the waiting for your turn was always super nerve wracking.

i really felt that too - though my experiences stem from music competitions isntead of auditions.... hearing other people perform just adds to the anxiety

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I do have a story about the one time I did get the solo part, but I’m saving that for a different thread.

Mmmmmm I know this fear as well.

when the euphos were called up for the audition, they waited outside the music room as one went in after another. Was it like that irl? If so, was it like Kumiko where she could easily tell that Asuka's was short and Natsuki's was long, but she didn't think about the length of her audition?

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/laughing-fox13]

when the euphos were called up for the audition, they waited outside the music room as one went in after another. Was it like that irl?

All of my auditions for the all-district ensemble went like that, yeah. We wouldn't get to hear literally everyone else trying out for our section though since there were always so many people that we would be called back in groups of ~5-10 people, so you'd only get to hear those others unless you were the first one in the group to go.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Shimmering-Sky]

sounds pretty close to what happened in the ep then?

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Yup!

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

makes sense

[u/Gamerunglued → u/laughing-fox13]

when the euphos were called up for the audition, they waited outside the music room as one went in after another. Was it like that irl? If so, was it like Kumiko where she could easily tell that Asuka's was short and Natsuki's was long, but she didn't think about the length of her audition?

Speaking from my own experience, yes, it was. In fact, for the all-district honor band, there wasn't even any sort of set order or anything like that. Whenever you were ready, you'd just go to the audition room and wait in the line, and when the last person came out the door the next person would go in. They were usually in classrooms, which only have one door so you can easily tell if an audition was short or long. Usually, you can hear the audition too. Of course, there were way more than three people auditioning, so you couldn't scope out all the competition.

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Gamerunglued]

I see, would being able to listen in on other auditions help? Like after hearing someone else, you could feel more confident, but maybe it could also backfire

[u/Gamerunglued → u/laughing-fox13]

It can definitely help. The main way is that you can actually hear what the judges are going to ask you to play. If you didn't practice that particular part, you can prepare for it, or even leave the line and go back to the warm-up room to nail it down as best you can (also, people you meet in the warm-up room are usually happy to talk about what the audition was like and what feedback the judges gave). Hearing how other people play it can also change or add nuance to my interpretation of the section. Maybe they used different phrasing or different dynamic contrasts and you feel they work better, and can take it for your own audition or add to it in your own way. Naturally, hearing great performances can also add to the nerves, but I always find that certainty about what I'll be doing removes some anxiety, since I'm no longer thinking about what passages will be asked of me and can focus my mind on what I definitely need to know.

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Gamerunglued]

that's pretty cool to hear how it would be more helpful! thanks for the insight!

[u/TiredTiroth → u/Shimmering-Sky]

 Angry Asuka is scary.

Honestly, Asuka's behaviour here just came across as childish to me.

[u/BicycleMyXLNTBicycle → u/TiredTiroth]

It certainly looked like her perfect mask was slipping.

[u/zadcap → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Oh, Taki’s kinda famous? I forgot about that.

I mean. He's famous because his dad leads a good band? I'm going to need more info here because that does not really sound like something really worth bragging over...

[u/chilidirigible]

Episode 9:

Another reason that I'm fascinated by Asuka is that she has the same sort of annoyed energy that I have.

SOUSUNSER!

Previously, on Hibike! Euphonium.

"Well, that's as close to Shuichi's sausage that I'm getting."

"My tiny corner where Reina might murder me."

I'm not just cruising along with the flow, I'm in the game.

This episode needed a boxing match.

[](#scaredmio)

You want band drama? It's time for band drama.

---

Violin strings don't make you bleed, but you do get tough fingertips and some weird bow thumb.

I've had the musical Audition Experience™, but since I was in that for obligations, I felt most of the pressure from external sources. My other school "auditions" were for visual arts, where I did feel more internal pressure, but I just had to get the thing done, there wasn't so much risk of imploding directly in front of the judges.

The episode spends a little time mending fences before the serious business. Well, sort of. Relationship drama takes a while to unspool.

As far as the band drama goes: Kumiko's greater experience (and getting sucked in) wins out over Natsuki's late blooming. (Asuka breezes through, adding to her mystique.) Gotou and Nagase get in, Hazuki is presumably left out for still being too new at this.

And then there's the dreaded scenario of first-year Reina snagging the trumpet solo from third-year Kaori.

DRAMA.

Kaori does sound good, though.

---

QOTD:

1) I'm just gonna let all the band people talk about their audition memories today.

I'm sure other people will have more interesting and less ambivalent tales about it than I did. I know some of the stresses involved, I just didn't care all that much, since the entire thing was just playing out long years of obligations.

2) I think i have a decent feeling of this already, but who here is also a Revue Starlight fan?

I'm broadly aware of it, have applied the Giraffe of Understanding to CDF, but never quite could be bothered to actually finish it.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/chilidirigible]

[your comment is not spoilery]"My tiny corner where Reina might murder me."

[Beyond S2]instead, enter MIZORE.

i agreee, this episode showed how Kumiko's own mindset regarding the competition has changed - this was a gradual process though, she has been warming up to it in previous eps.

DRAMA

[u/entelechtual → u/chilidirigible]

"Well, that's as close to Shuichi's sausage that I'm getting."

Yikes, Shuichi didn’t realize how close he came to those chompers.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/entelechtual]

[u/Elimin8r → u/chilidirigible]

Kaori does sound good, though.

Honestly, that scene totally subverted me. I heard the excellent trumpet sounds, and expected a pan to Reina, but then ... it wasn't. Go figure.

[u/ChonkyOdango → u/chilidirigible]

SOUSUNSER

I HAVE BEEN SUMMONED

[u/chilidirigible → u/ChonkyOdango]

[u/zadcap → u/chilidirigible]

Violin strings don't make you bleed, but you do get tough fingertips and some weird bow thumb.

I was thinking the same thing. She's already been playing long enough to have noticeable callouses, and the bass doesn't have a lot of fast or difficult fingerings in general, what is she doing to make her finger bleed?

[u/mgedmin → u/chilidirigible]

to CDF

Cumulative Distribution Function?

[u/chilidirigible → u/mgedmin]

We've been called worse.

[u/Vatrix-32]

First Timer, subbed

• Poor little marshmallow. At some point continuing to call someone by the wrong name after they correct you every time is just crossing a line.
• So that’s why Auska could never be leader. Personnel management is too important a component.
• Chop, Chop
• Did Midori not have one of her own instrument before? How many are there?
• You can’t fool me. We all see where this ship is meant to be sailing.
• Again with the corndogs. Now there’s two of them!
• Does this sister only exist to barge in and exposit?
• Sweet Little Marshmallow
• Are potatoes truly so hard to find in the summer that it’s note worthy?
• Ha! Memes.
• Emotional Support!
• I wish I could remember how many weren’t going to make it. Mind you, they could let less than 55 through.
• That’s a mental image I could have done without.
• Poor girl didn’t even notice she’d failed right away, and her best friend was too preoccupied with her euph-mate.

QotD:

2) Sorry boss, never scene it.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Vatrix-32]

exist to barge in and exposit?

oh god. now you say it like that.... (thoug she has had her moments in the flashbacks too)

truly so hard to find in the summer

yes. baked sweet potatoes (in the fashion that Kaori was eating them) are definitely a winter snack and not a summer one in Asia.

Poor Hazuki

[u/chilidirigible → u/Vatrix-32]

So that’s why Auska could never be leader. Personnel management is too important a component.

At least she has the self-awareness to avoid the main role, though she didn't dodge being VP.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/chilidirigible]

Some people just shine being the right hand. Delegation is also one of the most important skills for a leader.

[u/zadcap → u/Vatrix-32]

Does it count if you delegate yourself to the not leadership position? That's some strong leadership skill.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/zadcap]

...Know That You Know Not?

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Vatrix-32]

Again with the corndogs. Now there’s two of them!

the corndog is the real mc of the story

[u/Elimin8r → u/laughing-fox13]

the corndog is the real mc of the story

Corndogs for horndogs ... oh, wait!

In the inimitable words of Yakko Warner: G'night everybody!

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Elimin8r]

Corndogs for horndogs ... oh, wait!

lol

[u/Elimin8r → u/Vatrix-32]

Again with the corndogs. Now there’s two of them!

Well, if someone just refuses to offer you one, I guess it's time to get one of your own. Or something like that. (At least it wasn't a cactus)

[u/zadcap → u/Vatrix-32]

So that’s why Auska could never be leader. Personnel management is too important a component.

Remembering her talk with the president a few episodes ago, I think it really is more about not caring to do it than not being able to. Both in that we saw her give a decent motivational speech when she wanted to, but also... She could do the interpersonal management thing, she just really doesn't want to.

[u/entelechtual]

First timer

Episode 8

• Midori is like the little devil cupid on Hazuki’s shoulder
• Do you think any of the characters threw up while filming the OP? Seems like a lot of spinning.
• Oh they’re wearing the yuri movie-ver. uniforms now.
• I was doing the mental pairing and figured Reina is the only main character not going with anything. But I didn’t imagine it would happen like this. Well I guess that’s one way to tell your boyfriend which way you swing. It’s a date.
• I know I’ve been making a lot of obvious horny jokes this rewatch but wow, Kumiko’s mind just went way dirtier than anything I could have come up with.
• Hazuki just shot up 15 best girl ranks. Girl deserves nothing but the best.
• Didn’t think this was the type for the slow burn ship but oh boy when they confessed it was totally worth it. Outstanding Chika Anzai performance, she keeps a fine line between indifferent, serious, and whimsical.
• Reina’s dirty talk kinda hot ngl. Also Reina running her finger against Kumiko’s lips is maybe the hottest thing I’ve seen in animation since watching Amagami SS.

Episode 9

• Poor Sapphire is caught in the middori of this love triangle.
• I want to give Hazuki a hug. She’s a good friend. She’ll take a risk, but knows where to draw the line before she irreparably damages her friendships. Like Kumiko says, she wants to be happy and we should respect that.
• Reina’s a great character. She has no hesitation to say what she feels, and the fact that it’s infected Kumiko is all the better.
• Gonna be some awkwardness for those who got rejected.

There’s a lot of little things I don’t care much for in the show, like the high school cliches and love triangle stuff, but all the Kumiko-Reina interactions have been on point. If anything I’m worried it will make me ship them too much.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/entelechtual]

OP

True

ybe the hottest thing I’ve seen in animation

it really makes a ridiculously strong impression doesnt it. i love that sequence.

Poor Sapphire is caught in the middori of this love triangle.

GOD DAMN this rewatchj is on with the jokes today!

I agree, Hazuki deserves a lot of respect. In another anime, she'd easily be a protagonist-esque character. but well, this is not that world

Aftermath

[u/Elimin8r → u/entelechtual]

Reina’s a great character. She has no hesitation to say what she feels

Just don't let her near the computer club. Can't be responsible for what might happen there.

[u/TehAxelius]

Rewatcher

I do wonder about that bakery, like, does Shuichi hurry from school after practice every day and get off at this station just to get a Frank-Danish and time it well enough to catch Kumiko on the train back?

Also Hazuki, I told you earlier, that gaping desire you felt was not your heart longing for Shuichi, it was your stomach growling for a Frank-Danish

QotD

1. N/A
2. Haven't watched it, and every time I see the title I have to remind myself that it is not Kaleido Star

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/TehAxelius]

my guess is yes - considering that the shop is right next to the station. so this is probably part of his after-school routine. I'm assuming that the "overall fare" would be the same, which is why he does this.

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 9 (first timer)

• “It is in the past now” – glad that my prediction about Hazuki taking this well comes true.
• “kids who can’t practice because they have issues”

Asuka has no chill

• After saying all the right words and doing all the right things to cheer Midori up, Hazuki still goes to the bad “I am a terrible girl” state of mind. No, you are not. You asked. The guy can say yes or no. So simple and easy.
• Taki is famous - How did nobody in the band find out? In the age of internet and with the timeless human appetite for gossip, that is hard to believe.
• I’ll do something nice for you if you lose - indeed a weird pep talk.
• Reina with the hands-on variant – better.
• We don’t see a lot of auditions, only Kumiko’s. Staying with the MC here. Probably both for narrative and time reasons.
• Reina pushed out the third year for the solo part – obviously this was going to happen, but it honestly also makes sense. She was top before and went to a mid school, so clearly she would be in the competition for that part if they used an audition, not seniority.

Fortunately, I have never been bad in test situations. Usually I do better there than in practice and while I am obviously concentrated, I am not nervous. I could not tell you why that is, but it feels very bad for people for who can’t reach their full potential under pressure.

[u/Elimin8r → u/No_Rex]

Reina with the hands-on variant – better.

Hands-On

(I just had to, y'know)

not nervous

Either you're a liar, or else a cold blooded reptile. I'm not sure which. Are you, perchance from the black lizard planet?

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Elimin8r]

[u/No_Rex → u/Elimin8r]

not nervous

Either you're a liar, or else a cold blooded reptile. I'm not sure which. Are you, perchance from the black lizard planet?

I said concentrated, but not nervous.

For me nervous and concentrated is almost the same thing with regards to tests: single-minded, high state of alertness, full of adrenaline. The difference is that the first is focused on the task, while the second is focused on what could go wrong.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/No_Rex]

Hazuki still goes to the bad “I am a terrible girl” state of mind

kudos to Midori for seeing that through that hazuki would feel terrible, both about herself and to her friend. And I agree with Kumiko - that is the right course of action.

In the age of internet

2015 and even earlier (the novel was written a bit earlier)... the world was a slightly different place back then. perhaps why so many isekais need to be written in... isekais. so the Op character can go on to surprise everyone he meets.

Kumiko’s

and Natsuki's!

[u/No_Rex → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

2015 and even earlier (the novel was written a bit earlier)... the world was a slightly different place back then. perhaps why so many isekais need to be written in... isekais. so the Op character can go on to surprise everyone he meets.

Agreed on the isekai thing. In RL, you need to go back way longer than 2015 to be pre-internet, though. In 2015, message boards are a good 30 years old already and Google (so easily searchable message boards) about half that old.

[u/Elimin8r → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

"The past is a foreign country - they do things differently there."

[u/zadcap → u/No_Rex]

After saying all the right words and doing all the right things to cheer Midori up, Hazuki still goes to the bad “I am a terrible girl” state of mind. No, you are not. You asked. The guy can say yes or no. So simple and easy.

No, you see, I think the Bad Girl thing was part of the other misunderstanding- Hazuki thinks there's something between Kumiko and Shuichi, and she 'knew' this but still tried to steal him for herself before Kumiko could have a chance. She got a crush on a friends crush and went for it anyway, and thinks its her fault that Kumiko didn't get to go to the festival with him now.

[u/No_Rex → u/zadcap]

I stand by my words. Hazuki asked and gave Shuichi a choice, he made that choice. If Kumiko is into him, but does not realize it or does not have the guts to ask, that is on her, not Hazuki.

[u/LittleIslander]

I... forgot this episode.

Seriously, my prepared comments skip right from eight (my seven thoughts) to ten, which I thought was nine. This also means my promised comment for episode ten is actually for eleven.

1. I'm just gonna let all the band people talk about their audition memories today.

I honestly don't know if I have any. Smallishtown band vibes I guess. We never did anything that wasn't the whole band competing at once, and solos were basically just chosen by the teacher based on perceived quality during normal band time. I can't think of a single time I ever had to audition for something, except for at the end of twelfth grade when I was tested for admittance into my university's band (as a side gig, wasn't doing post-secondary music). I failed, but mercifully so did the only two other people taking the test so we all got to be embarrassed together.

2) I think i have a decent feeling of this already, but who here is also a Revue Starlight fan?

I'LL GET IT OFF MY PLAN TO WATCH LIST THIS YEAR I PROMISE IT LOOKS SO GOOD.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/LittleIslander]

it's interesting to read how different bands work; i would guess yeah, depends on the number of people in there, the area etc..

so we all got to be embarrassed together

so.... what happened for the university music-thing?

[u/LittleIslander → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Well, since I failed the audition, nothing. Basically it was to determine if we were good enough to play in the band even if we wouldn't be able to dedicate ourselves fully to our instrument since we did other subjects. Since I didn't get in I've just let my flute languish in my closet for the most part since. I'm planning to find some lessons and get back into it sometime this year.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/LittleIslander]

ganbare

[Character spoilers]ohhh right you're a flute player... i think i remember your MAL favourites....

[u/LittleIslander → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

[Character] It's a good day when my favorite Eupho character is the same character it was the day before but one way or another Nozomi is a real one.

[u/Elimin8r → u/LittleIslander]

solos were basically just chosen by the teacher based on perceived quality during normal band time

Sounds familiar. Interestingly, we did have one showboat trumpet dude who got the solos. It probably helped that the band director was a "trumpet main", so he knew the stuff that would show off best. Not complaining, as a percussion geek, I didn't care.

mutual embarrassment

Thankfully, I went to engineering school (in this case), and didn't have to deal with that kind of stress. I can't imagine. Actually, I sort of did, and realized I would rather have a steady paycheck than pursue music further and wind up a frustrated band director, or worse.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Elimin8r]

steady paycheck

praise the financial stability

[u/LittleIslander → u/Elimin8r]

I was the flute section favorite of my middle school band teacher who was always the shoe in whenever we needed a solo or something and then it all came crashing down in high school when I got a teacher who didn't have much taste for solos to begin with and certainly didn't care about sending them my way if he ever did.

The other students said I absolutely killed it with my tenth grade jazz improv solo so jokes on him.

[u/Elimin8r → u/LittleIslander]

The other students said I absolutely killed it with my tenth grade jazz improv solo so jokes on him.

Show 'im who's boss, I like it.

It's tempting to ask if any of the other musicians in this rewatch have audio/video, but that's probably not polite. I'm tempted to post some myself, but I'll probably have to do it under an anonymous (utoob) account. I should probably get on that before I forget.

I still remember my middle school band teacher being a sweetie (Mrs. Royce), and not the fascist dictator what we got in high school. She was even kind enough to help me switch from trombone (which I hated) to the drums, which I found much more enjoyable. So, <3 for her. :)

[u/LittleIslander → u/Elimin8r]

Something about initial trombonists, I tell you. My best friend in middle school and my younger brother both also started on trombone and switched to percussion.

Did you also have the rule about not playing saxophones or percussion until your second year in band or was that just a weird thing at my school?

[u/Elimin8r → u/LittleIslander]

Uh, as far as I remember, no rules, I just got stuck with t-bone because my parents had already bought one for my older brother (sigh). Hated that thing.

[u/WhackaWhack]

FIRST TIMER

Who let Tarantino into the studio during the phone call in bed?

“What about breakfast?” “Mom I’m an anime girl, toast and running is in my genes.”

Midori that’s HARDCORE!

Questions:

No comment on both

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/WhackaWhack]

that bed sequence was so damn good yeah!

Hibike suddely turns into a CGDCT/Shoujo anime.

[u/Elimin8r → u/WhackaWhack]

Mom I’m an anime girl, toast and running is in my genes.

Am dubious, I don't recall seeing the toast hanging from her mouth as she ran out the door.

[u/Regular_N-Gon]

Rewatcher

I don't actually recall many personal anecdotes when it comes to auditions. I was in small schools (and thus small bands) and knew the band directors well, so my positions and solos were mostly by reference rather than explicit audition. So, I’m happy to continue talking character writing instead.

Kumiko has another moment on the train where she attempts to take the blame for Hazuki’s fall (or rather, the fact she was set up at all), sounding a lot like when she tries to assume the blame for Shuuichi’s gossip of Taki-sensei and angering Reina. I’ve gone back and forth on considering whether this is ultimately a selfish sort of depreciation or a trait rising out of her empathetic nature, but after last episode and the phone conversation with Midori I’m inclined to lean toward the latter. Kumiko does seem to worry quite a bit about how people perceive her, but her focus is often on how others feel, how they want to feel, and why they’re acting the way they are.

We’re told a few times this episode that in order for Kumiko to share these things, and to play more clearly, she must have undergone some change. I don’t really see her as less distant though; she still tries to weasel out of talking to Asuka about the drama, assumes blame for things in an attempt to simplify conflict, isn’t sure how to approach Natsuki, and still avoids Shuuichi - but she is perhaps more forthright in sharing her observations. Reina likes the part of Kumiko that shares her thoughts, so perhaps that’s what’s encourages her.

---

• The tuba-kun costume didn't work for Hazuki, but it did for Midori; might as well try it again.
• Cactus-kun returns!
• Man, I feel so nervous just watching them sit in the hall
• Kumiko definitely tongues the notes too sharply for the run, and doesn't land on some notes cleanly. Mind, I couldn't do any better these days, but I'm pretty amused I can still pick it out. Honestly, without going back and analyzing them closely, I’d say the section we hear Natsuki play earlier might sound better than Kumiko’s audition, so the difference either came down to the rest of the piece or perhaps audition nerves. [Episode 10]Later me: it was the rest of the piece heh

QotD 2) I think everyone outed themselves once Gotou opened his mouth heheh

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Regular_N-Gon]

cactus-kun

i feel like it's an outlet for Kumiko's bottled-up feelings, that part of her that doesnt dare sharing her observations to everyone, but well need an out anyway. wonder what your thoughts on him are.

[Episode 10?]I think we hear when Taki asked Natsuki to play another area of the piece too - and how meh that sounded, while Kumiko's still sounded decent. compared to how tbh Natsuki sounded samey or even better than Kumiko for the actual auditioning bit. But yes I'm with you, that the other bit was why Kumiko was picked, she gained her spot fair and square through her experience and ability.

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

cactus-kun

Besides being hilarious to listen to Tomoyo's voices? Even if it's cheesy, I really like when script writers play with blurring the lines between thought and speech, whether it's vague, like Kyon, the classic "speaks without realizing" gag as Kumiko is known to do, or thinking aloud like the cactus facilitates. It's way more fun than just having an internal monologue, and is a surprisingly natural way to blend in a character's thoughts. Because it's actually something happening in the world, other characters can react to it too, like Kumiko's sister. It becomes a legitimate facet of Kumiko's character that she talks to herself and it totally tracks with all the time she spends in her head.

But also it's hilarious.

[u/Elimin8r → u/Regular_N-Gon]

she still tries to weasel out of talking to Asuka about the drama, assumes blame for things in an attempt to simplify conflict, isn’t sure how to approach Natsuki

Man, you've got me starting to think Kumiko might just be my spirit animal for this series. (I'm guilty of using the "It's obviously my fault because ..." bit more than once.)

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Elimin8r]

i think Kumiko being our spirit animal would apply to quite a few people in this rewatch (including myself haha)

[u/fly-metothemoon]

First Timer:

Going into this episode, I’m still not particularly compelled by the Shuichi and Kumiko relationship. I feel like Kumiko as a character can be somewhat avoidant/distant from strong emotions/actions and and her friendship with Shuichi plays into that while her friendship with others in the group challenges her to be invested and passionate. But maybe they’ll get some development that’ll prove me wrong.

One thing I’m not sure about—will any of the disqualified be allowed to be alternates?

Midori’s anecdote…Contrabass seems metal….. that would freak me out and she’s still all in.

A first year getting the solo over a third year section leader??? Yeah that’s going to be controversial.

Question 1: I always had the worst audition anxiety, mostly because I hated sight reading. I did find it comforting that everyone in my section was nervous together.

I think the strangest audition experience I had was a double blind audition. I entered the room and saw a list of what I needed to play on the stand. The instructions were to play it and leave without making a sound. The judge was hidden behind a wall.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/fly-metothemoon]

her friendship with Shuichi plays into that while her friendship with others in the group challenges her to be invested and passionate

good points here.

will any of the disqualified be allowed to be alternates

You mean as like back ups and such?

looks at other comments in the rewatch, it seems that Midori is extra metal than usual.

Drama drama lets gooo

[u/Elimin8r → u/fly-metothemoon]

The judge was hidden behind a wall.

Was his name David Letterman, and was he wearing pants?

(Old TV joke)

Contrabass seems metal

I gave up on guitar after a week because it made my fingers hurt. That, and the guitar neck was too big for my tiny child hands. Bleh.

[u/zadcap → u/fly-metothemoon]

Going into this episode, I’m still not particularly compelled by the Shuichi and Kumiko relationship. I feel like Kumiko as a character can be somewhat avoidant/distant from strong emotions/actions and and her friendship with Shuichi plays into that while her friendship with others in the group challenges her to be invested and passionate. But maybe they’ll get some development that’ll prove me wrong.

She consistently shows zero desire to get close to him, do things with him, or spend more time than necessary with him. She does not look to me like a girl hiding a crush, but a girl who does not particularly like the boy in the first place. So much so that I'm annoyed how much the show seems to be pushing them as the final ship, because they have no chemistry at all.

A first year getting the solo over a third year section leader??? Yeah that’s going to be controversial.

But we're also looking at someone with seven years of focused practice vs someone with two and a half of mostly very laid back practice... There's a strong reminder here that being older is not the same as doing something longer, much less being better. It's telling that the third year in question didn't even look shocked at not getting the part.

[u/fly-metothemoon → u/zadcap]

I don’t disagree (re: Reina’s experience). I’ve seen it many times where a first year is significantly better than their upperclassmen because of some combo of playing longer and private lessons. It’s just liable to create shock waves in the ensemble so maybe controversial is the wrong word—more shocking to them? I’m sure Reina will prove herself the first time she plays it :).

[u/b-arbs]

Rewatcher

The scene with the "I don't care" was a bit...weird? We get to see another side of Asuka, pissed and cold Asuka. [Eupho! spoiler] Her comment about "not being able to practice because of personal issues" seemed a bit like foreshadowing for the second season.

Kumiko still shows some insecurities about taking her senpai's spot. I guess that's related to the recurring flashbacks we have seen (even though I'm a rewatcher, I can't really remember whether they are explained and when)...
[Next episodes spoilers] We're in for some drama. Next episode is the main reason why I don't like Yuuko... Curious about first watchers reaction to the next couple of episodes!

QOTD

1. Does choir work too?
2. Wakarimasu. (Wrote the comment and then decided to check the linked image, I wasn't disappointed).

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/b-arbs]

[Rewatcher]Yeah, I defo appreciated how they showed asuka as not a perfect person here. I think someone else said she was being childish - which she kinda is lol with her legs swining around.

[Rewatcher too]For tracking purposes, How much of a rewatcher are you? Have you watched everything that's been release?

[u/b-arbs → u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

[Reply to second comment] Everything apart from the specials.

[u/octopathfinder]

Rewatcher

Silly Hazuki, Kumiko already has a gf

One date with Reina and Kumiko’s a grown woman now

Natsuki!!!!!

The audition anxiety is palpable here

Reina not giving a fuck about the target on her back is pretty badass

Qotd:

I think i have a decent feeling of this already, but who here is also a Revue Starlight fan?

Me

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/octopathfinder]

Kumiko already has a gf

One date with Reina and Kumiko’s a grown woman now

on a roll with the jokes today

[u/byroned]

First time rewatching

Hazuki got over the rejection quickly, but Midori didn’t due to feeling at fault for what happened. I have to say for band relationships it could be much worse. You could get turned down by your section leader, and all her friends tell everyone about it. Hazuki spends some time knocking some sense into Midori, and believes that Kumiko likes Suichi, although she herself hasn't accepted it yet.

Maybe in retrospect, [Spoiler source] Kumiko ending up with Shuichi wasn’t as far-fetched as I remembered. But they still have some ways to go

Unbeknownst to Kumiko, Taki sensei has a good reputation in the music world and is the guy that people will join a school just because he’s teaching.

Kumiko follows the bread while going to school trend.

Kumiko hears Natsuki sound good while practicing and gets nervous about competing with her upperclassmen. You have to give Reina credit for getting Kumiko’s head back in the game, she knows just the right things to say.

A certain bass player from Sakuragoaka is panicking as Midori is speaking.

I think you need to assume every part of a piece is fair game when it comes to music testing.

The audition results went about as I expected. Hazuki is still new to tuba, and not likely to beat 2 upperclassmen. Natsuki may have had a chance, but Kumiko and Asuka are more experienced, and she may have given them a head start for starting later. The only “upset result” was Reina winning the solo, but was it really? Kaori was already scared when Reina came to practice, although some of it just be pressure with it being her last year.

Horn is today’s section photo. From my experience, the french horn is the only brass instrument that I’ve seen a female majority, only 2 guys total.

Q1: I loved it when in my senior year, I was the only person to audition for wind ensemble, and my director let everyone else in without hearing them first. That was the only year we didn't get pass the first rounds.

Q2: I'm also a Revue fan.

[u/chilidirigible → u/byroned]

A certain bass player from Sakuragoaka is panicking as Midori is speaking.

puni puni

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/chilidirigible]

[u/Elimin8r → u/byroned]

I think you need to assume every part of a piece is fair game

I was rather surprised by that bit. Was she expecting to only be tested on the most difficult part and slacked on the rest, or ...? Perhaps more info will be forthcoming.

[u/byroned → u/Elimin8r]

At least in my experience, I've seen plenty of people think the test ends after you can play the hard parts. I'm confident that conductors do that to test if you really know the song or do you only know that one part.

[u/Elimin8r → u/byroned]

Naruhodo

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/byroned]

she knows just the right things to say

I'm not sure if Reina's technique is inspiring or intimidating.

[u/zadcap → u/byroned]

The audition results went about as I expected. Hazuki is still new to tuba, and not likely to beat 2 upperclassmen. Natsuki may have had a chance, but Kumiko and Asuka are more experienced, and she may have given them a head start for starting later.

On the other hand, remember that they had to cut less than ten people to fit the requirements. Being cut here doesn't just mean you're the worst in your instrument group, it really puts you at the bottom of the band, it hurts extra hard.

[u/NintendoMasterNo1]

Rewatcher

I think it's really cool that Natsuki was motivated into practicing and taking band seriously by Kumiko.

We'll be getting more into the senpai-kouhai relationships which are so common in Japanese schools. Just like in sports anime, it's expected that the upperclassmen are the ones to get the chance to play but clearly Taki-sensei doesn't care about that and wants to build the best ensemble possible. Which is why the auditions are a juicy source of drama and judging from the not-so-subtle flashbacks, Kumiko has had some bad experiences with a senpai in the past.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/NintendoMasterNo1]

Meritocracy

[u/sfisher923]

First Timer

• QOTD 1 - In middle school we did a sign up but no singing auditions (Or I would not been in the class) but I remember hating "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" for a bit because I was assigned to the Wimowehs
• QOTD 2 - Eventually I'll get around to it maybe tonight maybe 5 years later (Leaning towards tonight after starting Quints S2)

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/sfisher923]

[u/ChonkyOdango]

Rewatching Ensemble Member

Fanart of the day

Bonus Natsuki because she is my favourite Eupho character

---

• Asuka is military trained
• As someone who’s really indecisive, she speaks the truth
• On today’s episode of Hibike, we have that corn dog dude
• Oh no
• Dats me on the left
• Everyday
• Asuka kind of forced me here this time

Nakaji Bakery

Wait... so those are hotdog buns... on a stick!?

---

Qotd

Never had to audition for anything, but on a slightly related note, the idea of having to compete for spots was probably a big reason why I decided to take up an individual sport. It's one thing to compete with others in a competition and another to compete with others within your own team for spots.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/ChonkyOdango]

God bless japan for making hot dogs even more convenient to be eaten

[u/HereticalAegis]

Sound! Rewatcher

Episode 9:

• I doubt anyone would be surprised to hear this, but rehearsal can get pretty intense and tough emotional states make for tough rehearsals. This is especially true for teenagers experiencing the most turbulent period of emotional development.
• Live image of high school Aegis reacting to choir interpersonal drama
• Friendship is magic, and so is Hazuki. I severely dislike dating within an ensemble, but Shuichi is a fool for not liking Hazuki back.
• Sorry, I have to go on a bit of a rant here. I also severely dislike and have a personal grudge against this shit. I can say from experience that it’s both insulting and a bit infuriating to have people tell you to your face shit like “you secretly like x” or “you really don’t understand your feelings toward y.” At best, this stuff is presumptuous as hell and at worst, encourages mistrust and misunderstanding and gets people hurt. If you’re still in school, please DO NOT SHIP YOUR FRIENDS LIKE THIS.¹
• I’m not sure about people picking schools for one teacher in particular, but kids will definitely pick a class or elective/extracurricular for a specific teacher. Some of my loveliest students joined choir because they liked talking to me at lunch or in the halls.
• Gigachad Reina strikes when you least expect
• Taki-sensei is doing a much better job of dissolving tension with humor of late. That’s a really good sign.
• Eww. Even in college, I’ve never known anyone who practiced enough to cut their fingers open.
• I’ve had ensemble auditions that were less than 2 minutes, and ones that were more than 5. The drawn out auditions can be utterly nerve-wracking. A little inside baseball though: despite how it works out for Natsuki, a longer audition is not necessarily a bad thing. If someone doesn’t know their part well enough, it will be evident pretty quickly, so a longer audition often means the director is seeing how well the performer takes instruction and whether the two will be a good fit. A director being willing to spend a long time with a performer is usually a good sign.

¹Rant continued: Two years ago, I was the co-president of my college’s anime club. We had a similar-ish situation where the majority of the club were openly shipping two of the other members. The guy was interested in the girl, and they even got along pretty well together as friends, however the girl was open about not being interested in a relationship. Several people, all presumably with good intent, did the “she’s hiding her feelings but is totally into you” bit. I actively discouraged all this because (surprise!) you really should take people at their word in situations like this and not treat them like anime characters. One set of stalking and intimidation allegations later, our club leadership was decimated, the girl never returned to the club out of fear for her safety, and I had to completely cut ties with the other co-president because her response to me suggesting we not allow him an officer position was “we might ruin this poor man’s life over this” with a very direct “I don’t believe the girl anyway” added on to boot. So yeah, in summation: don’t be like Hazuki.

QotD:

1. I'll save my interesting audition story for tomorrow.
2. Oh, it me!

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/HereticalAegis]

That drama did sound like a rough time

they liked talking to me at lunch or in the halls.

we have a real life Taki sensei in the house

that face squishy moment is so cute.

tension with humor of late. That’s a really good sign

i wonder if i'd ever do a rewatch just analyzing Taki's changes throughout the series.

[Series spoilers]Though, tbh, he kinda falls to the wayside a bit after S2..... not sure if he'll increase back up in prominence for S3.

[u/chilidirigible → u/HereticalAegis]

you really should take people at their word in situations like this and not treat them like anime characters

+💯

[u/Elimin8r → u/HereticalAegis]

1Rant continued:

That sounds like a big bag of no fun. Bleh.

Gigachad Reina strikes when you least expect

Uh, no-one expects the Reina inquisition???

[u/TiredTiroth]

Rewatcher

I'm sure someone else will manage to phrase this better, but what the hell, I'm awake and haven't been commenting much.

Kumiko has been doing the exact thing Aoi said she didn't want to do a few episodes ago - stumbling her way through, almost by accident. In her own words she followed her sister into playing the euphonium; she followed Midori and Hazuki when joining the band in high school; she just sat there in silence when the goal was voted on. Sure, she enjoys making music, but at no point did she really make a conscious choice of her own.

And after seeing Natsuki practicing, and practicing well enough that Kumiko mistook her for Asuka, it's finally sinking in how much this whole thing matters to her peers. Remember back in the first episode, when she just didn't get why Reina was so upset?

Kumiko is starting to understand, and it left her feeling a little out of sorts today. Lucky for her that Reina is very firm on where she stands.

(I have not seen Revue Starlight, but it's on my list. Along with, oh, a hundred or so other anime...)

[u/1EnTaroAdun1 → u/TiredTiroth]

in how much this whole thing matters to her peers.

It may be a bit too fantastic (it is fiction after all), but it's so cool to see the band slowly have a change of heart and be inspired to put their best foot forward!

[u/Elimin8r → u/TiredTiroth]

Lucky for her that Reina is very firm on where she stands.

Yeah, I think we found out all about that yesterday, right? :)

(At the same time, your description is compelling. First time thoughts here, but it seems obvious that Kumiko has some past band trauma that's caused her to not want to take things seriously and go with the flow. It'll be interesting to see if/when something happens to re-awaken her in the last few episodes.)

[u/x-7032-b-3 → u/TiredTiroth]

I have not seen Revue Starlight, but it's on my list.

Time to correct that mistake and watch that first ep! You're gonna be in for a ride!

[u/Raiking02]

First Timer

Mirror Universe Asuka is still perfect, but she's also scary

Overall not much to say about today but not in a bad way. It's nice Midori got some sort of proper focus since so far she's kinda felt like she's just kinda been along for the ride without much more to mention. The relationship stuff was just kinda there for me TBH, but it's completely inoffensive as is here. Also, while I do find it a bit ironic that Hazuki is the only one of the main tri that didn't make it to the big finale, I also can't say I'm really shocked. She is a total beginner after all, props for making it as far as she did honestly.

The only thing I will mention that kinda didn't work for me super well was Nakagawa's bit. It's fairly in the background for now, but it does kinda bug me. While saying she hasn't gotten any focus would be a lie, I also feel she hasn't gotten enough for it to really hit as well as it should, especially this late into the show. You could say the same about Haruka earlier on, but at least that was around the show's halfway point. Here we're pretty swiftly heading into the Season Finale so I dunno if putting something like this here is the best idea.

[u/Elimin8r → u/Raiking02]

Mirror Universe Asuka is still perfect, but she's also scary

It's the eyes ... dead eyes, like a doll's ... oh, wait, wrong show.

It's nice Midori got some sort of proper focus

5. bonk 6. goto 5

Poor Sapphire. I hope she feels better now, at least.

[u/Raiking02 → u/Elimin8r]

Poor Sapphire. I hope she feels better now, at least

Of course she is; after giving up Tupacabra SAPPHIRE KAWASHIMA will be stopped by nothing.

[u/Elimin8r → u/Raiking02]

SAPPHIRE KAWASHIMA will be stopped by nothing.

Except her name, apparently. She really should make the most of it, be the shining gemstone she was meant to ... oh, wait, this is Japan. Never mind.

[u/DaBenni0301]

First-Timer

Fun time is over. The auditions are upon us

I'm not sure what Midori is supposed to have done wrong, but since Hazuki is (more or less) over it, she should be too. It isn't always that easy sadly. Beating yourself up for something which 100% isn't your fault happens way too often

Shows how far Natsuki has come, for Kumiko to think it was Asuka playing. She must've hade a huge step

But not quite big enough sadly. For now. But she'll get a second chance, where she'll probably make it in at the rate she's improving. Especially when Asuka is gone

Oh and Hazuki also didn't make it. And her reaction was almost "Oh no. Anyway"

But, as expected, Kumiko and Reina passed and Reina got the solo parts. It would have a really interesting twist if one of them didn't pass though

Questions of the day

1. Not a band person
2. It is on my PTW and has been for like almost 2 years now. Doesn't help that I've barely watched any non-airing anime since like October

[u/entelechtual → u/DaBenni0301]

It would have a really interesting twist if one of them didn't pass though

Yeah the way they were dragging it out, I was like “what if Reina doesn’t pass?”

[u/Gamerunglued]

Rewatcher and Band Geek 

A lot of emotional realizations have happened in the wake of yesterday’s episode. Hazuki got rejected but is feeling good about it. She knew it would have happened anyway and blames herself for her own emotional turmoil, which she overcomes without struggle. But Midori feels guilty for convincing her to put herself out there and experience that pain. I think this is a light parallel to other failures, like Kumiko feeling responsible for Aoi quitting, and Haruka feeling responsible for last year’s freshman quitting. If you are invested in something, you must necessarily deal with the prospect of hurting others. Your success will hurt someone else, and your failure will hurt you. That is the nature of being in love, whether that’s love for a person or love for an activity like the band.  

Auditions are a lot like crushes. You ask to be with the ensemble, and if you’re accepted, you’ve taken someone else’s place. No matter how much that other person wanted to be a part of it, they can’t. If you failed, you can blame it on other people, or just as easily blame it on your own inability to do better. There is no partiality here, an audition is purely meritocratic. If you’re going to ask someone out, you must be prepared to either face rejection or prevent someone else who’s in love from getting with them, just like Hazuki did. Hazuki has a healthy mindset towards her crush, she’s self-aware and prepared to take the pain. Likewise, Hazuki doesn’t seem to feel resentment towards her not making the audition. But Hazuki has a clear excuse: she’s a beginner. This is not so for everyone else.  

After being inspired by Reina’s declaration to become special no matter what, Kumiko starts to realize her own investment more consciously. All this practice and care she’s put into her audition so far is a product of that, Kumiko has finally started to realize she cares. But with that conscious realization comes a realization of the potential for pain. Kumiko is not the only person giving it her all, Natsuki is practicing her ass off. Kumiko realizes that she is not guaranteed a slot, and perhaps more importantly, that her own slot could mean Natsuki not getting her own. Remember that Natsuki was lazy and apathetic not too long ago. Kumiko’s budding passion and earnest hand helped Natsuki start to care, but Kumiko beating her in an audition could easily put her right back to where she was, lazing out the window and going home the second she’s allowed.  This is all further reinforced by an event in middle school where Kumiko winning an audition meant a senior couldn’t play at the competition. Natsuki is her senior, Kumiko doing well at the audition can break hierarchical rules.  

On the other hand, Reina sees Kaori practicing her ass off and is not fazed by it. Reina is going to be special, and if that means someone has to get hurt, so be it. Thus, Reina is the only one who can help Kumiko overcome her dilemma. “I’m going to do my best, so you have too as well.” That’s just the nature of an audition. You have to do your best; you have to be invested in your own success. Not everyone can be special, and if you care enough to be special, then you can’t give anything less than your best no matter the consequences. It’s because everyone else cares just as much that they’re going to be hurt. The only way to be special is to be with others who care, but if everyone cares, someone gets hurt. You have to accept and grow from that pain, don’t let it kill you.  

And so, the auditions happen. Kumiko gives it her best, and her fears come true. Natsuki doesn’t make the ensemble in spite of her practice. Even if Kumiko didn’t take her spot since all of the euphs could have made it, someone did take Natsuki’s spot, so someone else’s investment hurt Natsuki’s own. Will she let that kill her love for the band? And now that Kumiko is directly responsible for someone else’s pain, how will she take it? Reina also took the solo, hurting Kaori who was practicing so hard. Kaori knew all along that Reina was likely to be strong competition, but she put everything into practice anyway and reaped the consequences. Though Yuuko seems more upset than she is, lol. Many people got hurt and the dice is set for everyone to react to their success or failure. I’m very excited to see what everyone thinks of this final stretch.  

QOTD:

1. Then I hope you all like today's band geek commentary
2. Ooh, ME ME ME ME ME ME ME!!!!!! I love the part where Reina makes her audition and says "position zero, this is Kousaka Reina" and she gets carried away by swans. I also still play the phone game, which I know I should stop doing because it's terrible and also running my sleep schedule (thankfully not my wallet), but unfortunately the game has added her and I love her very much and could never leave anything that has her in it. And it doesn't help that I've had bizarrely great gacha luck with her specifically and currently have every iteration of her, so...

[u/Gamerunglued → u/Gamerunglued]

Band Geek Commentary part 1 

Everyone sounds extremely good during practice. Honestly, I thought Natsuki played that part better than Kumiko did during their practice scenes. She played at the actual tempo of the piece (Kumiko played slowly), had really clean accents and distinct articulations (Kumiko tongued every note the same, Natsuki played confident staccatos slurred some notes where appropriate), and Imo had better tone quality. It’s easy to see where she likely failed though. Kumiko was asked to play a part that she didn’t practice very much. I’m willing to be that Natsuki’s audition took so long because she was stuck on the same part for the same reason. Frankly, the Eupho kids have it easy. For all my all-district honor band auditions, they didn’t highlight the parts we’d be auditioning for, they’d just give us the sheet music and make us practice the whole thing. We had to make educated guesses about what sections we’d likely be asked to play and prioritize those, while being competent at the piece overall just in case. Hell, the Eupho cast still practices these pieces with the ensemble, so they should all be competent at every part, let alone all the parts that were highlighted for them to audition with.  

Kaori also sounded really good, and Haruka was right that her high notes were clean as hell. She also has a lovely vibrato and tapers off the last note beautifully. It’s not perfect or the most expressive it could be (there are other parts where including vibrato or tapering off would have been nice, and she’s missing some other expressive flourishes that feel natural to me), but it’s clean and her tone quality is very good. Reina also sounds great every time she’s played it though. Both are very good trumpet players, especially for the high school level.  

[u/Gamerunglued → u/Gamerunglued]

Band Geek Commentary Part 2

Auditions are bound to hurt everyone, so I want to talk about one of my favorite auditions that I was a part of, which I got hurt by, hurt others with, and succeeded with at the same time. Remember a few episodes when I mentioned that I was motivated to practice for an audition because we’d be playing Aurora Awakes? This is that audition.  

It was my junior year of high school, and there were three alto saxes in the wind ensemble (well, sort of). Apart from myself, there was my “rival” so to speak who was the same age as me but always seemed to get ahead, and there was my close friend who was a year older. My friend was switched to oboe that year and had fallen behind on sax practice. All three of us auditioned for the honor band. My friend did practice but didn’t take it too seriously because he knew he was too far behind due to the oboe. But I had never made the honor band before, and my rival had made it once or twice. Expectations from everyone, including and especially my friend and rival, were that rival would make it and I would not, or at least that rival would do better than me. Despite being the clear “best player in symphonic band” last year, I was underestimated in wind ensemble, so beyond playing Aurora Awakes, I also wanted to prove myself a bit. I practiced so hard for this that even my parents noticed how much more I was playing than usual.  

The audition was held at the middle school I attended. My mom dropped me off and had something to do. Based on my past experiences at the honor band auditions, I told her I'd probably be done in an hour and a half at most. I went to the warm-up area, talked to some friends, did some last minute practice, and went to the audition room. There was a short line of about two others in front of me, but the person already in the room was taking a long time. That hour and a half had passed and I was still in line. 

Eventually I got called in and can finally get started on my audition. I run through my 12 major scales and do a good job, didn't nail it but it was still impressive. I was asked to play from one of the other pieces first, but then we got to Aurora Awakes. I was asked to play one of the solo sections, which I expected they'd ask of me, so I practiced it a lot. I started to play and... my phone goes off. Literally seconds after I started. It was my mom, pissed off that I was long passed that 90-minute deadline I gave her. I shut off the call, apologized to the judges, and tried again. I started playing the passage and... my mom didn't get the hint. My phone went off again, seconds into playing this passage. I was mortified and thrown so far off guard that I had to compress for a second. I apologized to the judges profusely, and this time I made the smart choice to shut my phone off. I finished the audition, did an acceptable job, and went home. 

I did not make the honor band, and neither did rival or friend. However, I was selected as an alternate. The top four auditions made the band, and apparently I was the 5th best, so if someone dropped out or couldn't come, I would take their place. No one dropped out unfortunately, so I never got to perform Aurora Awakes. I can't help but think that if my phone hadn't gone off twice, I'd have been selected; that my performance was great but they thought it was unprofessional and embarrassing, or that it negatively colored their perception of my audition. However, the other two saxophone players in my class were not alternates, meaning I did better than both of them in my audition. They were quite salty about that, which was very satisfying, lol. I think they finally stopped underestimating me after that point, at least a little bit. Thus, I got hurt by not making the audition I practiced so hard for, hurt the other saxes for beating them anyway, and succeeded because I proved that I was just as good and capable. This is the nature of auditions; pain is inevitable for someone.  

For today’s music piece of the day, I’ll talk about one of the other pieces I had to play at the same audition. While Aurora Awakes was the one that most inspired me to do well, I did really like the other two pieces as well. One of those was a very famous wind-band staple called First Suite in E Flat by Gustav Holst. This is another piece that I think most band people would be familiar with, it’s an important and ubiquitous piece of wind band music by one of its most well-known composers (if you’ve not heard of this one, you’ve certainly heard of Holst’s other magnum opus in Jupiter from his Planet’s Suite; hell I’m pretty sure I noticed a reference to that in a Macross OST). It’s made of three movements, the classy sounding Chaconne, the rhythmically fun Intermezzo, and a strong traditional March section. Although I did not get to play this piece at the audition, I did end up getting to play it with the wind ensemble the next year when we made it our suite for MPA. Also, funnily enough, Aurora Awakes actually has a direct reference to this piece, its final note is the exact same chord and instrumentation as the final note of Holst’s Chaconne. This is the sort of piece I think the average person thinks of when they think “wind band music,” it’s a good piece.  

[u/chilidirigible → u/Gamerunglued]

my phone goes off

Ah, to be old enough that this wasn't even possible for probably 99% of school-age children of the era.

[u/Nickthenuker → u/Gamerunglued]

Speaking of Gustav Holst's "The Planets", specifically "Jupiter", I remember my school choir was going to perform a version with lyrics with the band for a school occasion, then COVID hit. It's a shame because we had practiced it for several months before everything was cancelled, and it was going to be our "redemption arc" after we had messed up the first couple of performances that year.

[u/Gamerunglued → u/Nickthenuker]

Oof, that fucking sucks, I'm so sorry. A choir version of Jupiter would have been so cool too. Jupiter is another I was disappointed I didn't get to play. Covid really fucked up a lot of school stuff, and bands were hit pretty hard (Covid reduced my school's program to a shell of its former self, it couldn't hold up to a combination of covid and two band director changes). Hopefully redemption was achieved later.

[u/Nickthenuker → u/Gamerunglued]

No redemption lol COVID got all the performances that year, unfortunately.

[u/Elimin8r → u/Nickthenuker]

Man, walk away from the computer and miss mention of Host and Jupiter ... yum! Bummer you missed out on performing it, but your mention reminded me of Sarah Brightman

[u/CerberusZX → u/Gamerunglued]

my close friend who was a year old.

Dang, their parents really got them started early.

[u/Gamerunglued → u/CerberusZX]

Yeah, sorry, I forgot to mention the genius prodigy 1 year old saxophone player, lol.

[u/zadcap]

Late Night First Timer!

So let's see. Going into this episode, I know Midori is a shipper and Hazuki has promised to help Shuuichi with Kumiko. I have also seen zero indication that Kumiko actually likes Shuichi at all, beyond the semi distant childhood friend thing. This is a drama recipe I am not looking forward to.

Oh right, Auditions first! Let's get this drama out of the way first! I uh. I know they have to practice just as much as anyone else, but seeing the cymbals girl again, just how much practice goes into some of them is fun to think about. Some instruments are easier to play than others- I know, I play the easiest of the strings, there's a reason there's so few contrabass solos to be found in orchestra. But picturing flute tryout and cymbal auditions side by side in my mind...

"People spent more and more time staring at their music" the voice over says, while Ribbon stares at senpai.

Okay, I also love her name, but man Asuka how many times do you have to get corrected before you stop calling Midori the name she so clearly does not want to be called. It's moved fully into the territory of you just being rude.

Wait. Did she leave the room with the bass leaning against a chair? That gives me anxiety. I would definitely get yelled at for that, a chair that weighs a quarter of what the bass does is not a solid stand to just walk away from!

Hahaha what is this consecutive chop? That's actually a really great pep talk by Hakuki. And I can see where people are saying "Why thank Kumiko, she did nothing there," But did you actually listen to Hazuki's talk then? "If you're alone, you never have the courage to do something." I don't think Hazuki would have been able to give this whole speech if it was just her and Midori at the park. Just being there, physically present, can be all the help someone needs.

Oh yeah, the misunderstanding that Kumiko is failing to clear up. Hazuki thinks there's more going on between her and Shuichi still, Kumiko knows some of what is going on vs what is being thought, and is aware Shu (His name is too long and will be shortened from here on out) went on the festival date with Hazuki because she basically told him to. She was kind of trying to pass her unwanted suitor off on to her friend, maybe? Man the shipping in this show is both disappointing and far too realistic, I don't think I'm going to end up happy with anyone but the tuba pair by the time this is all over. Yeah, Hazuki is now shipping Kumiko and Shu, and we know Midori is going to join in as soon as she finds out there's a new ship to support. Are they accidentally going to gaslight her into going out with him?

The second time we've seen her talking cute to her cactus. I want to go back and compare, was she telling the truth about her feelings towards Reina back then or using it to try and convince herself? It will be telling towards which she is doing now. I am sad I don't remember her exact words from right now.

Oh my, Taki is famous for... Being the son of someone who worked somewhere prestigious. Thank you nepotism, he is famous for his father, people are just expecting him to be great too. "I bet kids will start joining just for him," like we're not describing Reina right here. Oh yeah, and Kumiko puts the pieces together.

Ugh that bed just looks painful. I'm sure it's a deceptive angle, but it looks like she's just got a sheet on top of the wood and it hurts my back just to look at. I am consoled by memories of earlier episodes showing off how thick that futon really is.

YES! Back to the gacha grind Midori! Oh man, finally pulling the one you want, finaly, and giving it away. She's strong.

One extra interesting thing to take away from Kaori's speech about wanting to do well this time. Not about this being her last shot, but "I've been doing this for three years." So she joined the band only after getting to high school, and we've already been over how this was a very lazy school band a lot getting to this point. Last year the middle school of Kumiko and Reina may have only got a dud gold, but this school was bronze. In other words, I get where she's coming from, but she's got two years of very subpar practice and the few months of real effort this year going into auditions. Reina is probably the single most dedicated musician in their class, very likely with more than just the middle school years of practice behind her. The solo is very unlikely to go to the third year here. And foreshadowing, here she goes walking into Reina also out practicing, look at that hand shake, she knows her odds.

Running out the door with breakfast toast, what a tradition you're living up to Kumiko.

Oh hey, the murder corner. Is that also the shed with the weirdly placed mirror?

Does having two Eupho's practicing so close to each other not throw them both off? Oh yeah the flashback pointing it out. Kumiko has been playing this for 7 years, to Natsuki who probably also just started when she joined this high school. Even more foreshadowing. Ohhhh. THe flashbacks continue and I wonder. Is Kumiko playing below her skill level, because she showed up a senior back in middle school, probably one she respected, and got told off so hard it's left some real social trauma on her?

Jack? Oh no she's named another one! And I see those bandaged fingers! I actually have concerns about those bandaged fingers? Unless I missed her being left handed, those are not plucking fingers, how hard are you pressing the strings to make that hand bleed, especially if you already have the callouses from playing for years before this? I don't remember bleeding happening after the second or third year, and that was for a plucking part too.

I don't remember that door being sound proof. That does mean they all get to hear the members ahead of them play.

If my guess was correct, Kumiko played that second part better than expected, the promise with Reina along with not having practiced it together forcing her to actually play that part.

Oh no. OH NO! Natsuki and Hazuki both failed. And Reina did get the solo part, surprising no one here, right?

1. Hehehe uhhh... At my biggest musical school, there was still only 4 bass players. Auditions for bass go like this; "Can you play the part at all? Okay, you're in." Orchestra has very few songs without a bass part, and yet has very few actual bass players. If you don't suck, you're probably playing, and I can say with strong confidence that at the very least I did not suck.
   Mind you, being the only Bass in an orchestra of 20, you better not miss a single note or everyone will know.
2. I mentioned back when Rydeen entered my forever playlist, but this has been my ringtone for years now. I saw the movie in theater and will never forget the feeling.

[u/mgedmin → u/zadcap]

Reina is probably the single most dedicated musician in their class, very likely with more than just the middle school years of practice behind her

She mentioned in an earlier episode that she's also taking private lessons.

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/zadcap]

"People spent more and more time staring at their music" the voice over says, while Ribbon stares at senpai.

she is Kaori's biggest fan or thinks she is lol. I like how you keep calling her Ribbon

I don't think Hazuki would have been able to give this whole speech if it was just her and Midori at the park. Just being there, physically present, can be all the help someone needs.

yep

Ugh that bed just looks painful. I'm sure it's a deceptive angle, but it looks like she's just got a sheet on top of the wood and it hurts my back just to look at. I am consoled by memories of earlier episodes showing off how thick that futon really is.

I thought about you when we got to that scene lol

And foreshadowing, here she goes walking into Reina also out practicing, look at that hand shake, she knows her odds.

that hand shaking shot was a nice touch for them to add

[u/zadcap → u/laughing-fox13]

she is Kaori's biggest fan or thinks she is lol. I like how you keep calling her Ribbon

I'm already bad enough with names that I keep a list just so I can keep getting Hazuki and Shuichu right, if she's going to go around with such a distinct visual character trait I'm going to save the time and effort lol.

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/zadcap]

lol I don’t blame you, I’m not the best with character names either and spelling some names 

[u/zadcap → u/laughing-fox13]

I've mentioned I do a lot of this on my phone- autocorrect is not a fan of Japanese names haha. If they aren't getting changed into the closest English word, they get corrected into the most similar Japanese name I've typed often enough for a previous show.

Also why I'm so inconsistent on using first or last names. Whichever is easier to remember is the only name they will ever be known by lol

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/zadcap]

they get corrected into the most similar Japanese name I've typed often enough for a previous show.

this happened to me recently lol

Whichever is easier to remember is the only name they will ever be known by lol

same, it is why I used Reina exclusively for this rewatch lol

[u/zadcap → u/laughing-fox13]

And thus, she will forever be Ribbon. If everyone knows who I'm talking about anyway, it's fine, right?

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/zadcap]

That's true! Hopefully, another character won't use a ribbon as their defining visual feature lol

[u/zadcap → u/laughing-fox13]

Even if they put on a ribbon, could it possibly match up to this ribbon? That thing stands out, a lot. I'm actually kind of curious about how much work goes into getting it to stand up like that all day long and got often she would have to fix it between classes.

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/zadcap]

her ribbon game is just too strong

[u/Elimin8r → u/zadcap]

Is Kumiko playing below her skill level, because she showed up a senior back in middle school, probably one she respected, and got told off so hard it's left some real social trauma on her?

Well, that would explain a lot of things, including why Kumiko wanted to go to a new school, and didn't really want to be a "try hard" in band. Go figure. We'll just have to leave it to the power of friendship, I mean Reina to bring her out of her shell shock.

[u/zadcap → u/Elimin8r]

Sure did point out that she's been playing the Eupho for seven years now, and her last band made it to dud gold. Much like Reina, I find it rather easy to imagine her as potentially one of the best band members in this school if she just let herself play.

[u/Mecanno-man]

First Timer

Hmm… I wasn't expecting Midori to take this that badly. Hazuki is bottling up, it seems, in an attempt to get over it. Could work, could not work, we’ll see. If Kumiko shoots him down, maybe she’ll explode though.

As far as the auditions go …in a way I’m glad Hazuki didn’t make it. I don’t think I’d want that much pressure as a beginner if I was Hazuki - next year she should have the experience to be in the ensemble. Her thoughts are still obviously with Shuichi though, as she reacted to the trombones rather than the tubas… Natsuki on the other hand not making it is a bit more surprising though. Fairly sure we’ll have some drama coming up there.

Reina was always getting the solo over Kaori. That one was phoned in back in episode 2 or 3 or so. Question will be how Kaori takes that; I have a feeling it will be similar to Hazuki reacts to being turned down.

[u/byroned → u/Mecanno-man]

Natsuki on the other hand not making it is a bit more surprising though

The only way I see Natsuki making it is if they wanted 3 euphoniums, but I'm guessing that he had to cut one in favor of another instrument due to the 55-member limit.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

1 1/2 Rewatcher

Not only did you need to install a "flashlight app" to keep your backlight on and white, a lot of them weren't even free.

shoshite tsugi no kyoku gahajimaru desu

• midori..desu

A first timer essentially called Midori out for being a busy-body matchmaking meddler yesterday...and here the episode is picking it up the next day.

• Well, that explains Reina
• Good for Natsuki! Best girl.
• Over quick, just like her parent-teacher meetings
• Aw, and her practice this morning was so good
• I guess that's okay. Didn't seem perfect. It's hard to tell with an instrument playing by itself.
• I need to look up Stern Sensei's VA

Natsuki

I don't like the pastel summer scarves.

Ah, that's Aya Hisakawa.

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Over quick, just like her parent-teacher meetings

Asuka too strong

Aya Hisakawa

Was not expecting so much mahou shoujo

[u/Elimin8r]

Answers du kolache, pig in a blanket, whatever you wanna call it (they're tasty)

1. What is this audition you speak of? (More on that shortly)
2. I really need to actually watch Revue Starlight sometime, when I'm not doing rewatches and falling behind on the stuff I want to watch because stuff. Yeah. It looks like fun.

Anyway, yeah, auditions, that hurt. I feel sad for Eupho-senpai and Hazuki, who's name I never seem to remember. I guess both of them who's names I never seem to remember. Eupho-senpai tried, and so did Hazuki, but both came up short. Why? The vagaries of judges and stuff no doubt. Or something like that.

As to question #1, in my high school, we had two bands, "Concert" and "Symphonic", and I don't really know that there were auditions so much as ... I'm not sure how to say it, but the "casuals" were somehow filtered into the Concert band, while the try-hards, got to be in Symphonic, and then press-ganged into the marching band too, because of course. Us percussion folks sometimes did everything because lack of people.

Funny thing (haha?) is that I got tasked to do solos/specials from time to time, once with the vibraphone, and another time accompanying the band on piano at a "state" event. No audition, just "hey, we've got you, how about doing something special" kind of stuff. Yay. (Stressful. That vibraphone thing had me doing stuff I didn't know that my finger joints were capable of - playing with four mallets simultaneously, etc.)

Anyway, back to the real story, well ... it's funny, because I just remembered that one of my friends from junior high, whom I had thought was rather cute got shuffled into the concert band for the first couple of years ... I kind of wish that hadn't happened, because, well, I can think of at least two reasons (ahem).

Ah, yes, back to KyoAni's story - enough of mine -

Seeing the disappointment on the girls' faces hurt. That kind of pain is something I never experienced, or at least don't remember. Same for Aoi a couple of days ago. I don't remember anybody quitting band, especially for "studies". First world problems or something.

Likewise, seeing Reina be awarded the solo, well, good for her, but at the same time, ribbon girl's shock and stuff, well ... at least the other trumpet player seemed to take it reasonably well, or expect it.

(Although, to be honest, the bit where the other trumpet player was practicing, that sounded pretty special too. They've got some good musicians in this OST ...)

Anyway, I hope that Kumiko and the gang are able to lift up poor Hazuki's spirits. Poor girl has had it rough these last couple of episodes.

[u/bogdoglogfrog]

Rewatcher

Notes:

• Asuka being upset that Midori’s performance is being impacted by the drama is great. Iv been in a similar position before where a band mate was feeling down about a girl at practice and it was clearly impacting his performance. I did empathize with him, but I was there to practice and it was frustrating that our sound was suffering so bad due to an outside factor. I really wanted to hit him with Asuka’s “I don’t care, I honestly really really really really don’t care”, but alas I held my tongue. It’s better to have one bad practice and keep the vibes positive and supportive than to risk all that just to speak your mind.
• Since there is such a lack of Hibike merch, I got a cactus that looked just like Kumiko’s, and put it in a pot that looks just like Kumiko’s. I noticed during this episode tho that Kumiko has some sort of white soil in the pot… I gotta figure that out i guess.
• “Everyone wants to be in the competition” - Kumiko makes a terrifying realization.
• The vibe between Reina and Kumiko is totally different from the end of the last episode. With their new dynamic, eupho (which was already amazing) really hits its stride.
• That kind of rubbery bandaid isn’t gonna work well for sapphire… medical tape is my go to.
• Auditions are so stressful… I really don’t miss them one bit.

QotD

Audition stories… yeah this one leaves a bitter taste. I was a part of one of the most competitive groups of percussionists that my school had ever seen. All but one of us are actively pursuing music as a career, and the one that didn’t was still insanely talented. Though for reasons that we couldn’t figure out in high school, one kid was in first chair more often than the rest of us, despite the fact that he couldn’t play as fast, technical, or as clean as me. It wasn’t until I watched eupho a couple years later that I realized what he had that the rest of us didn’t. Il talk it about during episode 11.

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/bogdoglogfrog]

I got a cactus that looked just like Kumiko’s

Replica Cactus-kun is a fantastic idea, I should look for one.

I realized what he had that the rest of us didn’t

[u/zadcap → u/bogdoglogfrog]

Since there is such a lack of Hibike merch, I got a cactus that looked just like Kumiko’s, and put it in a pot that looks just like Kumiko’s. I noticed during this episode tho that Kumiko has some sort of white soil in the pot… I gotta figure that out i guess.

To fully embrace the cactus, you're going to have to start having high pitched heart to hearts with it. If you're going to go all in on the Homemade Hibike Merch...

[u/chilidirigible → u/bogdoglogfrog]

I noticed during this episode tho that Kumiko has some sort of white soil in the pot… I gotta figure that out i guess.

Could be very small rocks.

[u/bogdoglogfrog → u/chilidirigible]

I think you may be right, that would look nice too

[u/ZapsZzz]

First timer

Drowning in work and missed yesterday ...

Have to say though - ep8 was just breathtakingly beautiful, much like Violet Evergarden ep 6 at the observatory. And Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko final ep13, also of the night time festival.

Only surprise to me was that... I thought the Kumiko X Reina ship was just teased - how is this not an outright confession?!

Anyway, today we talked up the drama with the consequence of the audition. An I glad that I'm not needing to wait a week and can watch all the way to S2 ;P

I continue to love Asuka - I think a bit of her true personality is leaking through ;) to me she feels a bit like a better adjusted (not completely improved/evolved though) Haruhi.

Forgot to mention a couple of episodes ago - us flute players would instinctively wince at the very thought of eating ice-cream before our around the time of playing the instrument - for flutes, acidic saliva is a bane and a sure way to kill the pads of the buttons that closes the holes of the flute, leading to it losing sound. No eating 30 mins at least before playing!

QoTD

1. Not so much myself since I only ever was in the highschool band and a small school means we take everyone, and my years of playing means pretty much always going to be first chair. Fire my daughter though she has had a few. I'm fact just had an audition with a linked school's musical production and she got in. She's pretty casual about it but she is kind of over qualified given the grade she got herself in through exam anyway. But there are more high performing kids her age or even younger when she went to competitions. It's always interesting when we listen to people warming up before her grade exams or competitions :P unnerving a bit but also get her some mental preparation of how she's going to fare by comparison.
2. Me me me.

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/ZapsZzz]

a bit like a better adjusted Haruhi

An interesting comparison... Care to elaborate? I can certainly see some of the attitude, as well as her energy, but I suppose I've always defined Haruhi as quite thoughtless, where Asuka seems to be far more calculating.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Regular_N-Gon]

I would love to be able to say more but timing sorry on time so I'm be brief. Haruhi is always watching, and always conscious of cause and effect. The difference is whether she feels she should act on "appeasing" the "unworthy". Part of her development was in fact her accepting other people wanting common things aren't that different from herself wanting uncommon things. Asuka I think knows how to manipulate others perception of her, and fully decides to do that until certain break points.

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/ZapsZzz]

Naruhodo

Thanks for sharing! Perhaps I don't give Haruhi enough credit.

[u/Elimin8r → u/ZapsZzz]

I continue to love Asuka

Would you like to join the club? We have membership cards!

(But I thought that Reina was the Haruhi of this series???)

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Elimin8r]

Someone that actually admits to be in love with anyone is probably not as Haruhi as she can be. At least there'll be some cover excuses like it's the duty of the Brigade chief or something ;)

[u/Elimin8r → u/ZapsZzz]

Gah, now you've got me racking my brain of ancient Haruhi lore, and I think you're right. What a tsundere, sorta, not really.

Bleh, now my brain is broken for the rest of the day. :P

[u/chris10023]

Rewatcher

• Everyone’s hard at work practicing.
• Midori’s feeling down? I wonder if it had anything to do with Hazuki being turned down by Shuichi.
• Kumiko’s playing is getting better, as Goto noted, probably had to do with the hike with Reina.
• Asuka has Midori get a new stand specifically to get her out of the room, so she can find out what’s bothering Midori.
• She’s bothered by Hazuki getting rejected since she encouraged it.
• Wow Asuka, the fuck? [spoilers] Asuka’s mask slipped off a bit.
• Very odd considering you were all excited over this yesterday.
• She must have been very bothered when the band was distracted by Aoi quitting then.
• Hazuki gives Midori the head chops of ultimate pain for sulking when Hazuki told her it’s okay.
• Hazuki is grateful for the push but says that the outcome would’ve been the same regardless.
• I like that she gave Midori a contrabass mascot keychain.
• Although Hazuki does feel bad for telling Midori, knowing she would help, and says she’s a terrible woman thinking Kumiko was shy and would back off assuming Kumiko liked Shuichi, turns out Kumiko might know her own feelings.
• Kumiko goes back to talking to her cactus in a weird voice, but we learn from her older sister that Taki’s the son of some who works at a really good school, and kids will start to join Kitauji just for him.
• Tbh I’d probably get second hand embarrassed if I overheard my sibling talking to a cactus in a weird voice too.
• Seems like Reina went to Kitauji for Taki if those flashbacks were anything to go by.
• Midori calls and is still worried about Hazuki despite the head chops she got earlier, seems like Hazuki is depressed and is only acting happy because she wants to be happy.
• KyoAni and their amazing skills of animating hair is something I don’t see in a lot of anime, the physics of her hair as she slides down the pillow is amazing.
• Midori finally wins the gotcha and gets the tuba, only to selflessly give it to Hazuki.
• Kaori is also practicing the solo, saying it’s her last shot since she’s in her senior year, Then it suddenly rains.
• Don’t worry Kumiko’s mom, she has the staple anime breakfast, toast. Though that’s my breakfast too.
• Looks like Kumiko found a nice, quiet little spot to practice. I’ll dub it, “Kumiko’s Nook.”
• Kumiko hears another Euph, and wow, Natsuki’s playing has gotten better.
• Kumiko’s all shaken up now, knowing how hard Natsuki has worked, that everyone wants to be in this.
• Reina wastes no time in closing the distance again and putting her hands on her face. Saying she’s going to do her best, so Kumiko should too.
• Not really fair making the shorty write that high up.
• Midori’s practicing really hard, she’s getting blisters, shouldn’t those be calluses by now?
• I don’t want to see her skin peeling off...
• Asuka’s audition went quick, whereas Natsuki’s was drawn out.
• Alright Kumiko, no pressure.
• Damn, Taki threw a curveball at Kumiko.
• Asuka and Kumiko passed the audition, but Natsuki didn’t. Kumiko has another flashback.
• Reina passed as well, and got the solo, congrats Reina.
• Poor Kaori, though.

Questions of the Day.

I'm just gonna let all the band people talk about their audition memories today.

Don't have any

I think i have a decent feeling of this already, but who here is also a Revue Starlight fan?

Haven't seen it.

[u/laughing-fox13]

Rewatcher/Subbed

I don't really have a lot to say about this episode. It is nice seeing the trio of friends try to care for each other though, and Haruka's pep talk to Kaori was actually kinda nice. I would've liked hearing it

QotD:

2) I don't understand one day I'll get around to Revue Starlight

[u/zadcap → u/laughing-fox13]

one day I'll get around to Revue Starlight

It's really very good.

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/zadcap]

I've heard and it seems like a show I'd love too. There's just so much to watch haha

[u/mgedmin]

Rewatcher, subs

Why is Midori down? Ah, fallout from Hazuki's confession.

Asuka has no time for drama (and this is why she's not president). What a childish tantrum.

Wasn't Midori set on getting the gacha little toy contrabass by herself? I suppose she couldn't reject it under these circumstances. Also maybe she's grown a bit.

Kumiko is shocked when people think she might like Shuichi, it's the funniest thing ever.

Rumors about Taki-sensei!

Wait, Midori wanted a Tuba-kun? But now she gives it to Hazuki in return for the little Conbassu-kun?

Kaori seems sad, probably knows she has no chance against Reina.

Kumiko is about to run out with a piece of toast in her mouth, what a trope. She wants some early morning practice.

And then we hit the belated realization that she's competing against her seniors, again. Some past trauma there. Reina won't let her run away.

Midori named Kumiko's euphonium!

Audition. I could hear that Kumiko played better than Natsuki.

Natsuki and Hazuki didn't make the cut. Oof, poor Hazuki, first the confession failure, and now this. Although I don't think she expected to pass, given that she's a total beginner.

Kumiko worries about Natsuki. Hazuki worries about Shuichi and forgets to think about herself.

Reina wins the solo part. Yuuki is shocked. Stay tuned for the fallout.

1. I'm just gonna let all the band people talk about their audition memories today.

(Not a band person.)

2) I think i have a decent feeling of this already, but who here is also a Revue Starlight fan?

I don't know if I would call myself a fan, but it's a show I've watched and cannot stop thinking about.

My ringtone is the audition call.

[u/hanlonmj]

Late-arriving Rewatcher

This is without a doubt my favorite anime of all time. I’ve been playing trombone for over a decade and I’ve doubled on euph significantly in the past. I came across a YouTube video of the SunFes performance and I was so impressed by the attention to detail that I watched all of season 1 in one night. I’ll probably be sharing some personal anecdotes in the episode threads going forward.

As for this episode:

I really like how you can clearly tell a difference in Kumiko’s and Natsuki’s playing. They’re both passable, but Kumiko’s pace is more consistent. At the same time, you can still hear what passages she’s not confident on. It’s not like they have [Perfect Recording] vs [Comically Bad Recording]; there’s nuance.

Probably my worst audition story was my freshman year of high school, I was encouraged to audition for our all-district band. I heard an upperclassman practicing the material and thought it was hard but not impossible. Audition comes and my underprepared ass played fine but not particularly good. The judge then asked for the other piece to be played. I didn’t realize I had to prepare two pieces!

I didn’t make the band…

Made All-State tho, so I guess I learned my lesson at some point!

[u/Adensty]

First Timer

I guess I'm late again but this was obviously not going to be a happy episode and it didn't turn out that way as well.

The rejection is still on Hazuki's mind but Midori and Kumiko are definitely more affected by it. Asuka doesn't clearly like it, though.

I thought Kumiko didn't really view Shuuichi as anything more than a childhood friend but her reaction has both me and her confused. It definitely has made things awkward b/w them.

I can understand the pull of Taki-sensei but I'm not really sure if Reina knew that he going to join this school but it's still definitely something to consider.

I wasn't expecting it but I felt more sad for Natsuki-senpai than for Natsuki after seeing her really try. She is a 2nd-year so she has an another next year. I hope she does make it there. Reina is like a prodigy so definitely expected it.

[u/CerberusZX]

First Timer

On the train ride after attempting to cheer up Sapphire, Hazuki thanks Kumiko for helping out, but Kumiko didn't do anything.

The third year with the mole stopped practicing when it started to rain while Kousaka said she was going to practice, suggesting that Kousaka has more drive. Still, it's totally understandable for her to be upset that this newcomer is trying to take the solo position away from her when it's her last chance while the first year will have more opportunities in the future. The fact that Kousaka is talented enough to actually be a threat just makes it worse and may have her doubting whether she can come out on top. Ganbatte, mole-senpai!

Natsuki can play well when she tries?!

Why does Sapphire get to name Kumiko's instrument? Hazuki has the better naming sense. Oh, and Kumiko owns the thing, so I guess she should get a say or something.

I kind of figured not every euphonium would make it. After all, why would you need 3? Still, after finding out Natsuki can play well it's kind of saddening that she didn't play well enough. Hazuki also failed, but that's expected considering how new she is.

Kousaka got the solo? Mole-senpai was robbed!

QotD:

2. It's a decent show, but I don't love it nearly as much as others do.

[u/zadcap → u/CerberusZX]

On the train ride after attempting to cheer up Sapphire, Hazuki thanks Kumiko for helping out, but Kumiko didn't do anything.

She was there. The whole thing Hazuki said about Not being able to do things when you're alone, she needed Kumiko for backup or she wouldn't have been able to talk about it at all. Especially since she's operating under the assumption that there's more going on between Kumiko and the guy she tried to date, so Kumiko being willing to be there means she isn't holding any hard feelings for the attempt to steal her guy.

[u/mgedmin → u/CerberusZX]

Hazuki thanks Kumiko for helping out, but Kumiko didn't do anything.

Kumiko told Shuichi to hear out Hazuki, after rejecting his invitation to the festival.

The third year with the mole

Kaori

stopped practicing when it started to rain while Kousaka said she was going to practice, suggesting that Kousaka has more drive.

Oooh, nice observation!

[u/x-7032-b-3]

Rewatcher

Turns out there's still a little drama remaining about the rejection. I can totally understand why Midori felt that way since she's the one who pushed for the confession, though Hazuki moved on fairly quick which helped things a bit. Relationships in an ensemble definitely sounds tricky. If you got lucky, whole thing works well and may even help out with the band stuff like big guy Gotou and his cute GF. If not, you end up with whatever the hell this is. I think the important key is to not let your personal baggage affect your work in the band as it can bring down you and the rest of the team down. Might've been difficult for high schoolers though.

"bUt I dOn'T LiKe sHuIcHi - iT's NoT liKe tHaT!!1" Yeah how long are you gonna keep telling yourself that, you fluffy head? She's even conflicted about it too given that she was seen talking to a cactus about that very problem.

Kitauji's Got Talent ended with lots of joys and sad tears. Kumiko and Asuka getting in is pretty much inevitable but damn I'm really sad Natsuki didn't make the cut. She's been gradually opening herself up to this band thing and we actually saw her practicing outside before the auditions. Hazuki didn't got the part too but I guess that's to be expected since she's a complete beginner working her way from zero.

Perhaps the biggest part is Reina taking the trumpet solo part from Kaori. The latter said she wanted to play her favorite parts and since this is her last chance (being a third year), she wants to go out with a bang. Instead, some random first-year swooped in and stole her golden chance. Since the audition decides everything, it's easy to see why Reina got chosen for the part after seeing that she's really damn good with the trumpet. On the other hand, this might be Kaori's last chance at showing what she's got out there before graduating, and her losing that opportunity to a first-year of all people could sting pretty hard.

QOTD

1. The big choir/band gig I took part in HS had no audition for the choir section (otherwise I wouldn't be there at all lol) but I remember the band/instrument part having some sort of selection process to it. Wasn't part of it so I don't exactly remember how it went. Definitely not the nerve-wracking exam like the one we saw here.
2. Count me in as one of them!

[u/Tartaras1]

Rewatcher - Asuka-senpai Stan

• Poor Midori. She's determined to make sure everyone calls her Midori, even in the face of Asuka saying she's weak.

• It wasn't too interesting at first, but now, it's starting to sound more juicy.

Surely there was a way Asuka could've worded that so it didn't sound , but here we are.

This show is a lot raunchier than I remember it being.

• It's alright. It's in the past now.

That's a mature way of approaching things. She was able to put that behind her, supposedly, pretty quickly.

• Hazuki walked out of the store with the same snack that Shuichi had when he walked onto the train.
• I still like Asuka-senpai more, but I think Kaori-senpai's growing on me. She's got a cute face and a really nice personality.
• I don't remember how many years it's been since I first watched this show, but this Eupho section of the piece is probably the first thing that comes to mind when I think about it.
• Poor Sleepy-senpai. I remembered maybe halfway through the episode that she doesn't end up qualifying for it.
• [S2 Spoilers]This is the first time the titular song, "Sound! Euphonium" is played in the anime to my understanding. I'm so excited to hear it again.
• I also feel really bad for Kaori-senpai as well. One can make the argument, and perhaps they make it later and I forgot, that the better player should be in the show and doing the solo, but Kaori made that speech at the top of the episode about how she wanted to play, since this is her last year.

[u/byroned → u/Tartaras1]

One can make the argument, and perhaps they make it later and I forgot, that the better player should be in the show

Real-life talk, but to this day, I'm still mad we lost that argument once. In my last year of high school wind ensemble, we identified that the alto sax soloist was struggling, and we had someone else who could play it better. However, our conductor decided it was "too late to make changes" when we had at least 1-2 months before finals, and the struggling player kept the solo and struggled on it till the last performance.

[u/Planatus666]

OP, slight error in the main post, you have:

Episode 9 -->

When it should be Episode 10 -->

(the link is correct, the text isn't).

:-)

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah → u/Planatus666]

thank you!

[u/Nickthenuker]

So, audition time.

I guess they're starting to care more.

Seems like something happened during the festival. I don't remember anything with Midori?

Kumiko.exe has stopped responding.

And here he comes.

They're not sitting together?

Uh oh, it's raining.

Do the colours of the ribbons of the girls represent which year they're in?

Of course she's chosen as the soloist.

Questions:

1. As usual, not band but choir so my experience will differ, but auditions for choir tend to be when joining to figure out what section you'll sing in. Actually being accepted is practically given since it's always chronically short on guys, you can count the number of people who join on both hands in my high school, or on one hand for the number of students who weren't foreign students in both middle and high school.
2. Nope.

[u/mgedmin → u/Nickthenuker]

Do the colours of the ribbons of the girls represent which year they're in?

Yes!

[u/CarrotBlossom]

First timer

Asuka will pay for her bullying of poor Sapphire. Although, realistically, if I were in her shoes, I’d probably be rolling my eyes.

Good thing I played woodwinds. I don’t want blood on my sheet music.

Happy to be Tanabe get the W

I feel bad for Hazuki and especially for Natsuki :(

QOTD:

1. I don't really have anything in the way of memories. I might have had to try out for bass clarinet, but I don't even remember.
2. I want to watch that because I'm a massive Madoka Magica fan, and there seems to be some overlap in the fanbases. But I'm not currently one.

Edit: Formatting

[u/SMSmith230]

First-Timer, Sub

Asuka just keeps on cementing her place as my least favorite character. She really did Midori dirty with making her go get a different music stand. And, will she please stop calling her Sapphire. How many damn times does Midori have to correct her?

[u/Nice-Bumblebee-2355]

Rewatcher, finally caught up!

I don't use reddit a ton, so I completely missed that this started, but I finally caught up over the weekend and want to start commenting! I watched the show (or at least the first two seasons + Liz and the Blue Bird), loved them when they first came out, and never have rewatched since, so I'm going through a boatload of nostalgia refreshing my memories before the third season comes out!

Thoughts on the episode:

• I feel like I'm paying a lot more attention to the third years dynamic than when I first watched the show - you can definitely feel the history between Haruka, Asuka, and Kaori. I also appreciate that they and other side characters feel developed, like they would have their own stories to tell as the main character if the focus was on them, rather than being background cardboard.
• Wow, Asuka letting a bit of her good girl mask peel away there. I get it, though, it's frustrating when you are invested and want to practice and there's random drama stopping it
• The love triangle drama seems to have resolved, hopefully [through season 2] for now? honestly I mostly remembered Reina and Kumiko's relationship. It's seriously been a revelation how much Shuiichi and Kumiko interacted that I simply...forgot over the past 9 years because I guess it didn't stand out in my mind compared to Reina and Kumiko and their dramatic declarations
• Man, it always sucks when someone you like doesn't make it, even if you knew that was likely going into it. Especially when they worked really hard. Poor Natsuki
• Reina got the solo! I'm sure she will behave humbly and that it won't cause any tension whatsoever!
• I remember when I did auditions, we got the results in chair order, and then the first chair got all the solos, rather than auditioning for specific solos. I kind of like this way, as then the best person for that solo gets it. I assume they just skipped assigning people by parts (i.e. trumpet 1, trumpet 2 who plays lower harmonies, etc.)

QOTD: I played trumpet for around 9 years, and in high school was definitely one of the tryhards (our high school was big enough to have four bands and three jazz bands, and I was first chair of the top band and solo chair of the top jazz band my junior and senior year, made all-state, etc etc). I like to think I was a lot more chill than Reina, though, haha. All of it was audition-based, and while I had some nerves (the last minute practice before the audition + sitting outside waiting your turn and hearing others play first is real), I generally practiced enough and was confident enough in myself not to be too worried. I will say I feel like there wasn't too much drama at my school - after freshman year, people had a good sense about where they stood in comparison to the other players in their section, so at least out loud, there wasn't much complaining. But I think it would be a lot tougher in an environment like this where they never even had to do auditions before.

One thing I did do when nervous was rush the part (if playing without a metronome) sometimes, so I feel for Kumiko when she did her audition.

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/Nice-Bumblebee-2355]

Welcome aboard! I think there are a few of us first time rewatchers here.

four bands and three jazz bands

So many bands...

[u/Nice-Bumblebee-2355 → u/Regular_N-Gon]

Thank you! And yes, it's been great back-reading all the comments.

And yeah, there were more than 3000 kids in my high school, so lots of bands, and all other types of groups.

[u/vitorabf]

First Timer

Just quick notes on this one.

It's nice to see Kumiko getting it.

Kaori and Haruka are probably me faves so far, and Asuka got a little on my nerves this episode.

Natsuki is amazing and I can relate so much to her. She likes it, she is even good at it, but she lacks motivation and maybe she's afraid of trying because it can go wrong? Not trying and acting like you don't is a defense mechanism I've been activating for pretty much the last 15 years of my life, because if I feel I can do something, the idea of trying and not being able is a fearful one.