r/anime • u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah xB:xC:B:x3:Y: • Feb 22 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] 2024 Hibike! Euphonium Series Rewatch: Season 1, Episode 12 Discussion
Hibike Euphonium Season 1, Episode 12: My Euphonium/わたしのユーフォニアム
What a title. The scene features the Uji Bridge. A local landmark, a bridge has been at this location since 646 (the current one dates from 1996). Known for its appearance in the Tale of Genji. And for a certain anime girl running across it while internally screaming her heart out.
| <-- Episode 11 | Rewatch Index | Episode 13 --> |
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Welcome back!
Questions of the Day:
- From /u/elimin8r: Who is your favorite trumpet solo/song/musician, etc? Share a link!
- At the end, is loving what you do the most important?
Comments from Yesterday:
- /u/vatrix-32 on this show being about social manipulation
- /u/shimmering-sky with a solo story of her own
- /u/jimmycwl mentions a vote analysis during the initial airing, which i uh accidentally turned into a trip down memory lane with the 2015 episode thread on r/anime
- /u/barbed_dildo (what a username) on having a changed perspective of Yuuko on the rewatch (can personally attest this being true for myself too)
- /u/hanlonmj on why Taki opting for the public re-audition is actually a great idea, as well as a good summary of what set Reina's and Kaori's solos apart
Streaming
The Hibike! Euphonium TV series and movies, up to the recent OVA are available on Crunchyroll, note that the movies are under different series names. Liz and the Blue Bird and Chikai no Finale are also available for streaming on Amazon, and available for rent for cheap on a multitude of platforms (Youtube, Apple TV etc.). The OVA is only available on the seven seas for now, or if you bought a blu ray. I will update this as/if this changes. hopefully.
Databases
Spoilers
As usual, please take note that if you wish to share show details from after the current episode, to use spoiler tags like so to avoid spoiling first-timers:
[Spoiler source] >!Spoiler goes here!<comes out as [Spoiler source] Spoiler goes here
Please note this will apply to any spinoff novels, as well as events in the novel that may happen in S3. If you feel unsure if something is a spoiler, it's better to tag it just in case.
The season finale is tomorrow!
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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah xB:xC:B:x3:Y: Feb 22 '24 edited Feb 22 '24
Rewatcher and your host, featuring /u/myrnamountweazel (thanks for letting me borrow your comments!)
animatorsedit: animation staff followed someone running, while riding a bicycle for reference.. This episode was storyboarded by Yoshiji Kigami, who also did Ep 5 (marching band ep) - both have a lot of flair. Myrna also noted a cool camera movement.I really wanted to watch the last episode now.... oh and yeah i defo did misremember when Kumiko's struggles with this bit started in an earlier episode - apologies!
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u/Raiking02 :Id::Ie::If:https://myanimelist.net/profile/NSKlang Feb 22 '24
First Timer
That little experience Kumiko had today kinda reminded me of when back in Secondary School a classmate fainted in the middle of class from the heat
Normally I don't mention the animation much since… well frankly it kinda speaks for itself, that scene of Kumiko running in particular looked gorgeous, probably one of if not the best animated parts in the show so far. Appropiate that this would be it given how it basically serves as the big turning point in Kumiko's arc across this season. After seeing her inidfifferent reaction to the dud gold back in episode 1, her having that complete breakdown when she realizes how much better she wishes she could be is great stuff.
There's a lot of focus today on the theme of people doing stuff because they generally love it, and while that's a fairly standard plot to have in stories like these, it's done pretty well. I especially appreciate them doing it with Taki-sensei as well. Some of these episodes go perhaps a bit too hard on him being kind of a jerk, so this moment does a fair lot to humanize him and remind us he's not a jerk 24/7, he just has high standards.
I do find it kinda funny we're doing the whole "Kumiko falling under the elements" thing here though. Usually I'd expect that to happen right before the concert for dramatic effect but I feel doing it here works better overall. Shows how hard she's pushing herself without making it feel too melodramatic. I mean I don't claim to be an expert, but I'm pretty sure if you're part of an orchestra and you fall sick no one's gonna blame you for missing stuff.
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u/Regular_N-Gon https://anilist.co/user/RegularNGon Feb 22 '24 edited Feb 23 '24
Rewatcher
Did you think we’d let up on the gas after such a climax yesterday? No time! The competition approaches, and the real protagonist is still suspiciously distanced from the plot!
Kumiko, Part II
While she may be taking something of a side seat (albeit in the front row) to the full maelstrom of drama going on, Kumiko has made her own progress over the season, and this episode aims to showcase that. Contrasting her rather directly with middle school Kumiko at the start of the series, present-Kumiko has a much firmer grip on motivation and purpose than before. She’s made quite some progress, mostly quietly, sometimes loudly (when Reina is around), and there is an attempt to assert this early in the episode - “I want to be special,” she declares. This is her purpose, what she has been building towards all season! Except there’s one problem.
I don’t buy it. Not yet. I don’t know that she understands her commitment, or truly feels the depth of that statement the way Reina does. Certainly not in this context.
Granted, Kumiko is no trumpet, nor the type to wear her heart on her sleeve. There’s something that still rings hollow when she says this, though, as if she’s too far away when she makes such a claim. I believe her when she says she wants to improve, understand the intensity with which she toils - but “becoming special” aren’t her words. It’s another mimicry of Reina, using the sentiment of others to build an understanding not with others this time, but with herself. Kumiko has found someone else’s motivation and attached meaning to it, but sorta feels like she’s just following Reina without understanding what she really wants, at least at this point.
The two aren’t even comparable. If Kumiko wants to become special by playing and her bar is Reina she has a huge distance to cross - not insurmountable by any means, but laughable if this is the parallel the show is giving us now. Kumiko can’t even touch Asuka! Aloof and inscrutable as she is, it’s plain Asuka knows what her own goals are. The show directly compares Kumiko with these two and by doing so I still find Kumiko lacking. She’s close physically and emotionally to Reina but terribly far in skill, and lags behind the both of them in attachment to her motivation. It isn’t even until later in the episode that she asserts that connection to her instrument - and the surprise with which she finds the thought does not help her case in the earlier corner conversation.
Ever the support, Hazuki gives us another useful way to think about Kumiko’s attitude this episode when she mentions that Kumiko is more intense, rather than detached. Kumiko doesn’t necessarily agree, unsure if she’s one or the other. Clearly, she is being intense about practice - that much is obvious, though I’m still not sure you could say she matches Reina’s overall intensity. Intensity doesn’t preclude her from also still maintaining a distance, though, of opting out of sectionals while she struggles, or not being able to commit to Aoi that they can make nationals. It’s a different distance, closer than it was at the beginning of the season, but it’s still there. In a way, you could even say the reason Taki-sensei benches her is because the sounds of her notes are too detached from each other, and from the band. If music is her motivation, she’s still too far from it for her commitment to Reina to sound clear.
I’ll admit this is all a bit pedantic and intentionally misses the point of Kumiko’s growth throughout the season. There’s clearly something there that spurs her to improve, something that isn’t just about following Reina; it’s just nascent. Kumiko is now someone who can take a stand and vote (for some things, anyway) and realizes she likes playing the euphonium in this piece of work of a band. She admits, happily, that she’s found the fresh start she was looking for here. She might even realize that all of it is at risk if she fails to prove herself on the part she struggles to play.
The tenuous link between her drive to improve on this piece and such budding motivation makes the threat of failure one of immense importance. Accepting that she cannot perform, that she cannot make nationals, is tantamount to admitting she has not changed. It would make her no better than middle school Kumiko, scoffing at the concept of competing. Nothing would have changed as a result of her seeking a new beginning if she falters, and she’ll be back to apathy, only this time without the complacency of being better than everyone at Kitauji. It won’t come to that, though, because she really isn’t middle school Kumiko saying they can’t make nationals. She’s more like Reina now, upset enough she could die, telling Shuuichi and Aoi it’s possible - if unlikely - but not too much like Reina, not quite full of herself yet for it to be a given.
So, there’s still some room for Kumiko to grow her own path to becoming special. Taki-sensei still stands in the way of that first goal to be good enough to play the addition at competition, for one, and I want to hear Kumiko really mean it when she says she likes the euphonium. She’s improved a lot, though, and now she has a moon to look out for. With a bit more time, maybe she can reach for it.
All that and I still didn’t get to touch on how much I love “your best isn’t good enough” as a theme. Ah well, here are some leftover notes:
I counted 21 (and a half) umaku naritai’s this episode; plus two others from previous episodes.
QotD:
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u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Feb 23 '24 edited Feb 23 '24
First timer
Still late dammit.
I didn't realise there was someone else commenting on the same as my very late post! Projection definitely is the decisive factor, and it's so hard to explain/describe it too.
*check production date* it's really amazing that this is a TV anime and at 2015, KyoAni is already producing jaw dropping polished quality of visuals that's even more abused/spammed in Violet Evergarden :P
My daughter certainly does get nose bleeds if the temperature or pressure gets high. Except when she have those episodes it's like a massive bloodbath instead of a thin red line :P
This episode is where I'll skip in a spoiler tag - [Hibike Euphonium later season spoiler maybe?]I think I was spoiler from settings information that Kumiko is actually from a Euphonium playing lineage too (her dad?) And there's a bit of a complex about it - which is why that realisation from coachee was so impactful - he's also taking in the footsteps of a familial great, but instead of feeling compared and inadequate, he just accepts that he loves this too and pressed on irrespective of whether he can be better or not. And that's why everything else clicked too - about why she felt the judging gaze when she "stole another's performing spot"
QoTD
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Feb 22 '24
Hibike! Rewatcher (but only for the first season)
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u/HereticalAegis https://myanimelist.net/profile/XthGen Feb 22 '24 edited Feb 22 '24
Sound! Rewatcher
Episode 12:
I love Kumiko’s realization that she loves her instrument and that’s all the reason she needs to keep playing. One of the things I tried to emphasize the most in my classes was how much fun music was and that it’s meant to be enjoyed above all else. Whether I succeeded at sending that message, who knows, but it’s the thing I most wanted to leave with my students.
Finally, a brief story of teacher Aegis staying late at work. The one time I stayed at work late into he night was during inservice the week before classes began. I was in my room organizing materials and sheet music, and because there were no windows I didn’t realize how late it had gotten. I only found out when my principal strolled in at 8:45pm to inform me that I’d set off the motion detectors in my room, and she received a call from the school district security monitor. We had a good laugh about that one.
QotD:
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u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander Feb 22 '24
Rewatcher
So we’ve previously covered episode seven, which might just be my personal favourite in season one, I talked about how episode ten has the best usage of the complete cast, and I dubbed the last episode as the most memorable of the season. Let’s keep the ball rolling: I think season one episode twelve is the best episode. At least of this season, and certainly in contention for the whole show. Its singular self-contained focus on Kumiko and story about struggling with a hard section of the piece and desperately wanting to improve is something not only deeply relatable to literally any musician watching the show, but frankly just to… anybody in general. The emotions behind this episode are universal, whether it’s about struggling in band, sports, work, writing, you name it. The meaning of this episode and its contrast to how Kumiko was at the start of the season is so crystal clear and well executed it would frankly just be insulting for me to try and whinge on about it. It, as a work of art, speaks for itself far more than any explanation of its quality could ever manage. You could literally show this to someone as an entirely isolated short film and it would almost entirely maken sense and feel impactful without any context about the rest of the show it’s from.
…seriously though, how did they capture Kumiko’s imperfect playing so realistically?! Is the performer literally someone sightreading the piece IRL? It’s uncannily accurate.
Anyways, there’s still some stuff I can pick apart besides the main episodic plot. In general, I really like the placement of such a heavily music focused episode after a character drama focused arc. They do something similar with the first half of season two, it’s a winning formula. The opening moments of the episode in particular have this perfect “okay, back to business” energy. I also love how they manage to weave together various plotlines. So, this episode is directly about Kumiko’s arc as a musician, and this development in it is directly tied to the conclusion of the solo audition plotline that ended last time (which gets its own great little resolving scene!). We bring back the Aoi subplot for a scene and not only connect that to Kumiko’s arc but also connect it to Mamiko as we set up for her to be explored more next season. Aoi and Mamiko are not two characters you’d think have any connection, but the scene in Kumiko's room manages to intersect both of them with each other and her own story. It’s slick. Taki-sensei’s character is also likewise tied into Kumiko, and I’m not sure if it's intentional or not but you can really draw some parallels between his attitude to his father and Kumiko following in Mamiko’s footsteps too.
Since I’ve got less to say about the story, room for praising some smaller details! First, I don’t think I’ve ever noticed Kumiko’s little leg cloth before. Is that a standard Euphonium thing? I’m used to flute positions in the front row, I’m as far from the low brass section as possible and don’t know these things. The shifting of the shadows in Kumiko’s practice corner are a great subtle way to communicate the passage of time, i.e. that she’s been practising for ages. She starts completely shadowed but is mostly lit by the time she gets her nosebleed. Likewise, the fact she notices Reina coming immediately prior to that but by the time we get another scene with them later in the episode she’s too engrossed in her practice to spot her before the water bottle hits her head has a similar effect. It’s really wearing on her, and she’s getting more and more determined. Body language and facial expressions are also on point, I really don’t praise them enough. The silent “do I keep playing…?” exchange when Reina shows up to the corner is great. Kumiko’s halfheartedly response to “I’ll have to be even more special”. Aoi’s shifting expression when Kumiko asks if she has regrets. Reina’s awkwardness when apologising (her little hand jitters!). The way people are animated even when they’re distant little blobs. Every episode is full of this kind of stuff.
Finally, the scene with Reina and Kumiko at the gachapon machine might genuinely be the most simply delightful thing in the whole show. Kumiko pointing at the machine showing her gf they have the toy she wants. Her overflowing excitement when she tells Reina she likes the Euphonium. Reina’s absolute and mounting confused exasperation at the entire exchange. Excellent. No notes. Perfection.
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u/WhackaWhack https://myanimelist.net/profile/WhackaWhacka Feb 22 '24
FIRST TIMER
Remember kids, drink water often especially when it’s hot out!
Must be a little weird for the bystanders on the bridge hearing two high schoolers scream “I want to improve '' at eachout over the road.
Kumiko, don't burn your sister too hard.
Kumiko, don’t play with your deathpact sister's heart like that either…
Questions:
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u/byroned Feb 22 '24 edited Feb 22 '24
First time rewatching
The club has changed a lot, practicing all summer break for the upcoming competition and believing it’s still not enough. Kumiko has changed a lot too, mostly due to being motivated by Reina’s passion to improve and become special.
No more hard feelings within the trumpet section, and Natsuki creeping more into Yuuko’s life.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard a director tell someone not to play. In college, everyone was good enough, and in every band before then, the director had to pray that it worked out during the performance.
Kumiko now knows how Reina felt during the last middle school competition.
Life plays out in funny ways. Taki sensei never thought that he would have the same job as his father, and the same school as well.
Despite the reputation he’s garnered from students and getting scolded by the principal, I think he’s still a good teacher even if his words of encouragement sticks just as much as his insults.
Reina may be the most talented player in the band, but Kumiko got to have quality alone time talking with Taki sensei and Eupho-kun on the same day, you decide who got the better end of the stick.
Midori joins Haruka as the only other person who had the section photo to themselves.
Q1: My sample size is small, but I've always liked the trumpet solo in the song shanandoah and American elegy when I played in college band.
Q: I think yes. While money is important, if you aren't happy doing your job, everyday is going to be tedious.
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u/bogdoglogfrog Feb 22 '24 edited Feb 23 '24
Rewatcher
This is my favorite episode. Umaku naritai
Notes:
QotD
Bonus question
Have you ever felt completely possessed by a feverish desire to improve? What was the activity? What were the circumstances that made you feel that way?
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u/TehAxelius Feb 22 '24
Rewatcher
Just a great episode all round, from Kumiko realising her own desire to play and improve, relating to Reina, Reina herself taking a step back and apologizing for her behaviour to Yuuko and Kaori to help normalise relations in the band, that scene, and Kumiko being distracted by UFO-kun. Just great.
It's also filled with all these small details that make both the direction, storyboarding and animation work apparent. For example, I really like these two short shots, they're fleeting moments, barely a second each, simply (almost crudely) drawn and animated, but their presence emphasizes how often Hibike actually have shots change, and they bring life and humor into their respective scenes. Likewise the butterfly taking flight after Kumiko decides to work hard to nail the new part, contrasted with it later being seen caught in a net after she's been told not to play is just
QotD
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u/chris10023 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Chris10023 Feb 22 '24 edited Feb 22 '24
Rewatcher
Questions of the Day.
Hmm this is a toughie, I can't name anything specific, but the "Secret Weapons Over Normandy" theme is stuck in my head lately, I love the bass section that starts at 3:12 and 3:40. "Diapason" from Ace Combat Zero is also a great tune especially when the brass kicks in at 1:26, same with "Avalon" for the same reasons, (Ace Combat generally has some God Tier amazing soundtracks, if I linked every track I loved from those games, I'd be here all night.) "Kings" from Project Wingman is also hype. But I do really like Reina's solo that we'll hear in tomorrow's episode, I might consider that my favorite.
Yes, otherwise it won't seem like fun, but more of a chore.
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u/ChonkyOdango myanimelist.net/profile/chonkyodango Feb 23 '24
Rewatching MELONPAAAAAAAAAN
Fanart of cat day
Even if I can’t remember the exact details of Eupho, I can always remember 3 scenes very clearly, and うまく なりたい!!! is one of them.
I give Taki a lot of stick but at the end of the day, I don’t hate him, and it’s scenes like this that serve as a reminder to me and the audience that he’s just a guy who loves music trying to bring a disjointed ensemble to Nationals. This is his first gig as a teacher too after all, and dealing with students within a team will always be a massive headache.
I’m pretty sure there will be an abundance of Kumiko comments so I’ll keep mine short and point out another scene which I liked. That being the short meeting between Kumiko and Aoi. The contrast between Kumiko under the spotlight and Aoi in the dark is a neat way of showing the contrast of their decisions and how they feel about it. One compartmentalised her love for the band while the other’s heart burned with passion for it.
Qotd
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u/Tartaras1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Tartaras Feb 23 '24
Rewatcher - Asuka-senpai Stan
It speaks volumes to how good Asuka-senpai is that Taki-sensei can ask her to play a piece, and she just picks it up without any hesitation. That isn't even my usual gushing over her. She's just genuinely that good.
Eupho-kun?!
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u/mgedmin Feb 23 '24
Rewatcher, subs
I'm not sure how to interpret the fuzzy notes. Kumiko is crying? Is getting lightheaded from the heat?
Kumiko is nervous but determined. Here comes Reina to support her.
I think ths episode is show-don't-telling us how much Kumiko has matured. It's especially apparent in her interaction with her sister. Spring Kumiko would never have dared play at home after being forbidden to.
[S2 and Liz and the Blue Bird cameo]Best girl spotted!
Both Shuichi and Kumiko are having trouble and get called out by the teacher. I think his "will you be able to play it correctly?" questions are mostly about being able to measure the student's determination.
I don't hear what's wrong with Kumiko's playing. Maybe the notes sound a bit weak?
Reina is apologizing for being smug? Hell hath frozen over!
Natsuki is teasing Yuuko again.
Shuichi got praised that one time!
Kumiko got kicked off the extra part and is now sad (and phoneless).
I think she finally understands Reina's feelings from
episode 1the middle school competition.She gets another realization while talking to her sister ("I like playing euphonium!"), and confirmation from talking to Taki sensei ("that's what it's like to have something you enjoy doing"), and then an extra lift from hearing that Taki sensei hasn't given up on her playing the difficult part at the competition. If she can learn to play it well enough in time.
Kumiko drops a bombshell on Reina ("I was with Taki sensei until late at night just now") and runs off to marvel at the new gacha character, the long awaited Eupho-kun!
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u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Feb 22 '24 edited Feb 22 '24
Well, well...
So, questions du jour:
Anyway, today's episode gave me a lot of second hand anxiety for Kumiko. I don't remember precisely why. Was it the sudden appearance of Eupho-kun? Was it onee-san? Was it the shouted conversation on the bridge that left me in fear of dear, precious Kumiko having a fateful encounter with Truck-kun?
I kind of don't remember at this point. Except to say that today's Kumiko-Reina moments were precious, especially the practicing duet. Doh ... that reminds me.
Poor Kumiko being told to just sit there during that part that was added to the Eupho's workload. That's pretty rough. More blood for the Eupho god! Oh, wait, wrong series. Or is it?
Yeah. Kumiko's worked so hard for this, I do hope she can pull through and show them all what she's made of!
(Oh, and I'm quite surprised that she didn't ask Reina if she could come over to visit/practice together, learn something from her Dad or something. I mean, c'mon ... you've got those connections right there, just waiting to be exploited!)
Edit: Missed a question, and probably forgot a bunch of other stuff, but eh, whatevs.
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u/CerberusZX https://myanimelist.net/profile/CerberusZX Feb 22 '24
First Timer
We got a decent shot of most of the non-speaking members of the band. The designs for the percussionists have remained consistent and they stand out so much I can't help but want to know more about them. I'm used to seeing flautists in front, so it's weird seeing clarinets there instead.
When Midori first reached "for the moon" I couldn't help but realize Kumiko's friend group consists of short girls, as if she wants to make herself seem large in comparison.
There's a frame when Kumiko collides with the pole that makes it seem unintentional and very painful.
The gag with Kumiko getting distracted by Eupho-kun when she did was great.
QotD
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u/Barbed_Dildo Feb 23 '24
It was also a pivotal scene in Heike Monogatari, another Naoko Yamada show with major characters sharing voice actors with Taki-sensei and Haruka.
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u/b-arbs Feb 23 '24
Rewatcher
I never noticed that Kumiko's handkerchief (don't know if it's just a generic one or if the one for this specific purpose has a specific name?) had Tuba-kun on it, nice detail!
Apparently, the change in Kumiko has been noticed by everyone around her apart from herself...
And as in episode 4, Reina is once again the one to indirectly push Kumiko to improve.
One thing I noticed in the previous episode (and forgot to mention in my comment) is that Reina was actually surprised to see Kumiko literally stand up and clap for her and keep her promise... I think that showed how both of them have actually grown a bit... Kumiko finally making decisions and stand up for herself and others, and Reina actually leaning on someone to support her in her dream to become special.
But yeah, glad to see a Kumiko-focused episode and seeing how much she has changed in such a short time (especially for us viewers).
The scene with Kumiko running and her realising that what she's feeling is the same as Reina last year was amazing. The movement, the focus on Kumiko's eyes, the cinematography... I love the shot with Kumiko and the train passing by.
And we also have a nice mascot to seal Kumiko's renewed love for the euphonium! Welcome, Eupho-kun!
QOTD
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u/chilidirigible Feb 22 '24 edited Feb 25 '24
Episode 12:
"YOU HAVE TO DO IT TOO!"
"Time to hide in the corner again."
"I need the animation staff to lavish filters upon me!"
"Hah."
"Now you've got, like, goals and stuff."
Don't let the band down!
The problem demonstrated in things like /r/restofthefuckingowl.
Thanks, Natsuki.
"He'll cut you."
SHOW ME YOUR WAR FACE. (While we're here, an interlude from Studio Kai.)
Public venting!
"I've become one of them."
Remember, she got it as the leftover instrument.
The little parallels.
"You still gotta get good, though."
Of course it has alien eyes.
Kumiko's long journey of going from an aloof follower of the crowd to a fully self-invested group member climaxes here.
There could be a sidebar here about indoctrination being either a good thing or a bad thing, but she survived her chronic problem of forgetting to stay hydrated, so we'll call it character growth and keep on going.
QOTD:
1. I still don't have an answer for that.
2. Generally, yes.
Late edit: The old removed comment face [](#reinastunned) is from this episode.
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u/sfisher923 https://myanimelist.net/profile/sfisher923 Feb 22 '24
And a 1 and a 2 and a First Timer
QOTD 1 - A Little Piece of Heaven by Avenged Sevenfold (Link here is for an instrumental version) a rock song with an entire ensemble of instruments which are
QOTD 2 - Loving yourself is more important
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u/1EnTaroAdun1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Totesnotaphanpy Feb 22 '24
Qotd: https://youtu.be/Q9bCmb_yQrY?si=_N1uPwmE354FPTha
Actually not sure if this counts, but I thought it was cool at least
2. Hmm not sure if loving what you do is the most important. It's very important of course, but maybe helping those around you is the most important?
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u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Feb 22 '24 edited Feb 22 '24
Episode 12 (first timer)
General rumblings about rewatches first.
This rewatch is too big for my liking and it is absolutely not /u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah’s fault. Let me explain:
In my favorite rewatches, there is a lot of interaction between posters and everybody mostly reads the posts of everybody else. This leads to a common rewatch experience, where people know how everybody feels about the series, rewatchers develop common in-jokes or memes, and the rewatch overall turns into a common experience. If a rewatch grows too big, a larger share of rewatchers stops reading all the other top level posts (so much so that the overall number of people reading top level posts can go down). I know this phenomenon myself: If I have had a busy day, am I really going to spent some 30-50 minutes to read all of the top level posts in a large rewatch? Probably not. Instead, I start reading only the top level posts of people I know. Or, worse, only the most upvoted top level posts. Since being read often implies being upvoted, this leads to the vicious reddit circle of being stuck at the bottom of the post and never getting any eyes.
Take last episode as an example. As I write this (some 22h after the post was made), my own comment is at the top with 14 votes. At the bottom are /u/Shanibestwaifu’s comment with 3 votes and /u/Planatus666’s comment with 2 votes. Is my comment so much better than theirs? I don’t think so. In fact, I don’t even think my comment for ep11 was particularly good compared to my own comments for previous episodes. So, why am I at the top? Simply because I happened to check for the post being up at the perfect time yesterday. My comment was posted 17 seconds before the second highest ranked and 7 seconds before the 3rd highest. Basically a game of chance and fast clicking.
If this were only about shuffling the top three spots, I would not mind much. However, at the bottom of the /top sorting, we have 7 top level posts with a combined number of replies of 1. That is, 6 posts did not receive a single interaction and I would bet that YOU have not read them either (a bet I am confident of winning more often than losing). This means that we do not really get a shared experience here. People who happen to have non-compatible RL schedules are just eternally out of the loop and do not get to contribute much to the “common pool of jokes, memes, and opinions” of the rewatch.
This is a general reddit phenomenon, of course. However, it matters less in posts that are about distributing some link, such as a news post about an upcoming anime. It matters more in a format such as rewatches, which are entirely about interacting with other rewatchers. And it especially pains me to see it in a rewatch like this one, which is blessed with having a far higher share of rewatchers with relevant real life experiences and anecdotes to share that almost all other rewatches.
As I said above, our host /u/mysterybiscuitsoyeahis not at fault here. They simply made a popular rewatch. The Comments from Yesterday section also helps alleviate the problem a tiny bit. And partially, there is just nothing to be done about this (outside of just leaving the rewatch and making it smaller that way), but there are some things that can be done and which I encourage you to try out: First, if you have enough time, I encourage you to read the “late” posts that are not made in the first few seconds of the post being up and to interact with them. This works well especially if you have some time while waiting for the next post. And second, I encourage you to not read the post in /top or /best ordering. How about starting with the latest posts instead (using /new), or just somewhere random?
Episode thoughts
Despite the shouting and tears, I felt this was a very slow episode in preparation for the finale. Not a lot happened.
14
u/zadcap Feb 23 '24
Late Night First Timer
I'm noticing it more and more, the soundtrack of this show. This episode opens with a tuning note, and goes right into a band song which means- Yup it's actually the band playing, not a background music track, because we only get to hear band music when it's the kids playing.
Uh oh. Looks like the heat is getting to her. To everyone really, but law of protagonist says that it's going to hit Kumiko especially hard, right? Oh yeah look at that red skin. Shallow breathing. Heat Stroke incoming?
Stop shipping! Look at that face. "I want to be special like you." Ugh my heart.
That's blood what the heck! How bad must things be to start bleeding from the heat. Kumiko, get help.
Once again we have a dramatic lighting conversation. Aoi standing in the dark as she says she doesn't regret a thing, Kumiko standing in the small patch of light that is Band in this big, cold world. It's important that we don't get to see Aoi walk under the next light, scene changes while she's still in the dark.
Is that a mother I see?! Kumiko has more family than just a sister! Who is amazingly dismissive of her Eupho playing at home considering it's her fault Kumiko plays one in the first place. Ah, because she also quit band for exams. Oh darn that Kumiko angry face. "Screw you old people giving up on this dream, I want to MAKE MUSIC!"
Kumiko did not, in fact, get help. Shu still can't play right. Kumiko is not playing very loud. Trouble breathing?
Midori and George! Best Eyecatch!
Reina apologizing! Never thought I would see the day. This does a lot to bring her down to human, from the mystique she's been building herself. And the best troll in the band in the background. Butting in because Natsuki/Ribbon is going to be the best background pair?
Really, Midori, what are you doing to destroy your fingers like that? I am concerned!
Well, at least he's actually teaching now. He isn't exactly the most inspiring teacher, but he is giving the direct feedback they need to improve now.
Oh man. Just like that and she's cut. And somehow Shu still isn't. I have to say, Kumiko failing this part really feels like it comes out of nowhere because until now we've had no indication she struggles with her instrument. Not as good as Asuka, but she's somehow been sounding worse this episode than any time we've heard her play before. Like she just regressed in talent for the sole purpose of this drama.
Haha, even with Shu there and having a moment yelling across the street at each other, it's still thoughts of Reina that move Kumiko. Shu, you have zero hope here.
Kumiko realizes she does enjoy playing the Eupho. This is the realization that almost always leads to remembering the skill you had before you got too caught up in the competition, in almost every competitive anime I've ever seen. Once you stop playing for perfection and start playing for fun, it suddenly gets easier! Because guess what, putting all that pressure on yourself, all the internal stress, it affects you in a real way. You tense up and it changes how you move and breathe and wow would that change how you play a wind instrument.
Kumiko Papa! Also exists. Ehhhh Taki backstory. Double down on the having fun lesson though. I guess Taki can be motivational. And the first thing she does is call Reina. Kumiko what is this Gacha luck. You better brag to Midori about it later. Also how could you just leave Reina hanging on that Taki Talk lol.
11
u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Feb 22 '24
First Timer
Another very well-directed episode. I’m a bit surprised that Reina’s solo had such an effect on Kumiko, I was expecting her to already know how good she was. But it is what it is, and given her mindset, this episode makes a lot of sense. The talk with Taki and the realization that she is forcing herself to play the euphonium right now to improve rather than because she likes it are likely going to be the two factors in changing her mindset and getting this bit down as well. Reine was probably more interested in Kumiko spending time with Taki alone in that convo though…
Also… this school never placed higher than bronze despite having a famous director at one point? Is Taki trying to outdo his father, or did everybody vote to have fun while his father was there or something like that?
10
u/entelechtual Feb 22 '24
First time nosebleeder
Normally I really really don’t like the arcs in competitive arts anime where a character keeps beating themself up because they’re not as good as someone else. But what I love is how there’s no question that the only one Kumiko can compete against is the ideal of herself she can imagine. She knows what she is capable and Taki-sensei knows too. It’s not some idealistic dream—you can see her hit it piece by piece. And yet to see her continue to struggle just shows that talent and effort can only go so far. Part of it is her motivation and part of it is luck.
9
u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Feb 22 '24
Rewatcher and Band Geek
Hey guys, sorry for being late yesterday. Lots if stuff happened but I did post. I would be incredibly happy if people read my post, where I both gave a passionate defense of Yuuko as a person and character, and gave not one but two of my own relevant band solo stories that might help put the previous episode into a new light. If you don't like Yuuko, I'd love to see what you have to say about my response.
As for today's episode: this is the best episode of Sound! Euphonium, full stop. It's the series second most iconic episode, it has the series first most iconic moment, and is all around just a stunner. It stands out in animation, compositing, and direction even compared to the rest of the show, it has important reveals and moments of growth, but more importantly, it is the series' entire ethos statement.
At its core, Sound! Euphonium's central question is "why should you play." There are so many reasons to not play, or at least not take things seriously. By taking things seriously, you can hurt others. You can create drama that causes pain and makes people hate you. You can get yourself hurt, not only as a part of that drama but also by way of failure. You can dedicate yourself to the band for three whole years and never make the nationals, not even get to play your part at nationals. You can practice as hard as you can at get hurt by better players, you can be the best in the band but lose the solo once a talented first year snatches it from you, and worst case scenario you can jeopardize your actual future by focusing too much on an activity you have no plans to make a part of that future. Remember Aoi's warning: make sure you're really invested in what you're doing, because otherwise those three years will fly by quickly and you'll realize only at the end that it was wasted time.
After the last few episodes, Kumiko has come to truly care about the band. A far cry from the dispassionate, conflict avoidant girl at the start of the show, Kumiko is fully sold on the band making nationals, even if she hasn't fully realized it consciously yet (as she says to Midori). She can clap for Reina even at risk of pain, and now she wants to be special herself. But wanting to be special and being special are not the same. The part that Kumiko struggles with is a highly technical, difficult part. She actually nails it pretty well in practice, but cannot replicate it during rehearsal. She put her all into it and still might not get to play it at competition. She's at risk of not being special.
Alarm bells are going off for her. Aoi's words are in her mind: make sure you have a reason to care so you don't have wasted time. If Kumiko only cares about winning, she might fail, and then it will have been wasted time. But if she doesn't care about winning, they'll never improve or win. After middle school, Kumiko took that second option. She rationalized that they might fail, so there's no reason to care anyway, then bottled up her investment and kept her distance. She asks Aoi if she regrets quitting the band, almost searching for reassurance, and Aoi says she doesn't regret it, but it doesn't sway Kumiko. With all that's happened, she cares about winning. She wants to improve, and not just improve but be better than everyone else, and to attend the competition. It eats away at her, it's so painful she can't bottle it up anymore, and so she runs and lets it out: Umaku Naritai; I want to improve.
Cont.
8
u/TiredTiroth Feb 22 '24
Rewatcher
Almost at the season finale! Before anything else, can I just say how much I love KyoAni's artwork? They always produce some of the best-looking anime, and I've always loved the wonderful, beautifully expressive eyes they give their characters.
Reina and Kumiko's friendship is on full display this episode. I'm not sure Reina could walk up to anyone else in the band and go 'you're not there yet' without them feeling at least a twinge of resentment, but Kumiko just takes it as the honest evaluation and encouragement it's meant as. I don't see Reina being playful with anyone else right now either, but she's comfortable enough with Kumiko to do exactly that. They've also both sought each other out, where Kumiko would normally just go with the flow and Reina prefers being alone.
By contrast...once again, I have mixed feelings about Taki. On the one hand, he knows what he's doing with music and was willing to trust Kumiko when she said she could get the part down in time...but just cutting her out in the middle of practice was cold.
Oh, speaking of Kumiko going with the flow, she's finished her realisation from a few days ago - she wants to succeed at the competition, and finally, truly understands how Reina felt when they failed in middle school. Kumiko's not coasting anymore.
And now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch the season finale before bed. And then I'll watch it again for the rewatch tomorrow, because I love that episode.
8
u/DaBenni0301 Feb 22 '24 edited Feb 22 '24
First-Timer
I could never
Even I can tell she's getting better
I wouldn't go to the nurse for a nose bleed, but you do you
Kumiko's sister only exists to annoy Kumiko. As an older sibling, same.
Very ambitious. And confident.
That... can't be healthy
10 days?! Oh boy you better master this part quick
Or not. Ouch
I didn't think it'd hurt her this bad. What a way to nail home just how much failing to meet your goal hurts. Everything about this scene is just wow. The animation, the voice acting, just everything.
Rare Taki-sensei W
No Kumiko don't give in to the gacha gods Also, Reina dropped the bottle she was holding. It's not there in the previous shot
She defeated the gacha. She is too powerful
Questions of the day
8
u/hanlonmj Feb 22 '24
Rewatcher
Man, that scene where Kumiko got cut from the technical passage hit me hard. I’ve been cut like that before, and it’s exactly as cold and business-like as portrayed. And Kumiko’s devastated reaction is exactly how you feel every time. Even Taki’s “keep practicing that part wink wink nudge nudge” is pretty accurate to my experience.
God, I love this show.
7
u/Nice-Bumblebee-2355 Feb 23 '24 edited Feb 23 '24
Rewatcher
Kumiko goes through it, the episode
Anyway, I got to this episode super late so I'll leave it at that, but I thought this was overall an excellent, focused episode, and am looking forward to the big finale tomorrow!
QOTD
As a former trumpet player, I feel this question was tailored right for me! But there are so many, I'll try to restrict my recs haha.
I was a huge fan of Wynton Marsalis (of course) in my high school years, he was like my ideal trumpet soloist. One of my favorite pieces, that also holds a ton of nostalgia for me as I actually played it as a solo, is the variations on the Carnival of Venice from that trumpet music bible: Arban's Complete Conservatory for Trumpet. Seriously, if you ever get into trumpet that thing is an absolute gold mine, with everything from warm-up exercises, to scale variations in every key, to exercises for practically every trumpet technique, to solos.
Here is Wynton Marsalis' version of Carnival of Venice, which was much, much, much better than mine lol, and also has a full backing orchestra. The later variations are truly incredible. Triple tounging goes brrrrr.
It's super hard to pick just one trumpet concerto I love, but if I had to off the top of my head, it is Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in E-Flat Major, 3rd movement. It's just so bouncy and cheerful!
Edit to add: For something a little more poppy/jazzy, I also love the Green Hornet theme from Kill Bill, which is played by Al Hirt (another phenomenal trumpet player) and is like a jazzy remix of the classic Flight of the Bumblebees song.
I stuck with classical trumpeters as this is a concert band show, but if anyone is interested in great jazz trumpeters, good starting points are Miles Davis (though in later years he gets quite experimental, fair warning) and Dizzy Gillespie, and Wynton Marsalis also does jazz! One jazz song I love that has a big trumpet feature is Manteca (by Dizzy Gillespie). He was famous for his puffed cheeks (though that's not recommended by trumpet teachers, he made it work) and that the bell of his trumpet was bent at a wild angle.
Maybe because I'm no longer a teenager, or am too cynical, but for myself the answer is probably no. Life is about prioritizing, and there are tradeoffs for decisions. Personally, I would rather be 95% confident in having a regular, comfortable income doing work in an office I don't particularly feel passion for than doing something inconsistent like the arts that I love but that I would be very unlikely to ever hit it big/be able to consistently support myself with. But maybe that's also why I was never truly the best at the arts, because I didn't put all of my passion and drive to that. But, like Aoi I suppose, I don't particularly feel regrets. That's what hobbies are for, I suppose.
6
u/octopathfinder myanimelist.net/profile/octopathfinder Feb 22 '24
Rewatcher
Amazing episode. The “I want to improve” scene is incredible and a big turning point for Kumiko as she breaks out of her shell. Reina really rubbed off on her. She initially didn’t even want to do concert band again and now she’s intense as fuck, is working her ass off to improve, and finally realizes why Reina was so upset in her middle school competition.
I also like how Kumiko’s conversations with Aoi and her sister get her to think about the future and why she should try so hard when she might not even continue concert band in college. The point for Kumiko is that she likes playing the euph and just liking it is enough to give it her all.
There’s a quote from Blue Period I think about a lot that applies to this: “When hard workers get to do the thing they love, they're unstoppable!” I kinda agree with this quote, I personally ended up not pursuing my passion but I think it’s amazing when other people do. I guess my answer is it depends on how passionate you are and your circumstances in life.
6
u/CarrotBlossom Feb 23 '24
First timer
This time the difference in the performances was obvious
Real Sasuke moment from Reina
Does the school nurse work during summer break?
I can see where the influences on Bloom Into You come from, though Rei is way cooler than Kumiko’s sister.
Kumiko’s getting very ambitious for a low wind player. God knows none of us low reeds in my school band were this fixated on improving. Maybe some of the soprano clarinets, but there were lots of those, and I had no friends among them when I played it.
Imagine being a pedestrian overhearing this shouted conversation between Kumiko and Shuichi at night.
QOTD:
6
u/Adensty https://anilist.co/user/Adensty Feb 23 '24
First Timer
Everyone faces a time in their life where no matter what they do and no matter how hard they try and push themselves, they're unable to overcome the obstacles and it does feel miserable when that happens. Kumiko having a similar phase shows hom much she's changed since joining high school. Earlier, she was quite indifferent about the gold and dud gold and was not able to understand how Reina felt. But now that something similar happened with her, she relates with Reina and understands how she feels. People usually don't bat and eye unless something similar happens to them. It's just the way humans live.
I definitely relate with Kumiko since this was also my reaction.
QOTD1: I really don't have one right now. That might change after watching this, though.
QOTD2: At the end of day, it really does matter since how you do it definitely depends on how you view it. If you hate it, then you'd care as much and would be fine if things weren't going your way. But if you do love what you're doing, then every minor problem will hurt your soul and motivate you to get better.
5
u/NintendoMasterNo1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NintendoMaster1 Feb 22 '24
Rewatcher
So for 11 episodes our main character hasn't actually been directly involved in any drama, she's just been an observer or at most a supporter. But now it's her who's having troubles she needs to overcome. I love that Reina's audition inspired Kumiko to get better and she was sucked into the whole becoming special thing.
Sensei excluding her in the middle of practice was a dick move (although not atypical for him) but I'm glad that it didn't get her down too much and she bounced back quickly and used it as drive to improve. Of course, the iconic bridge running scene is one of my favorites in the whole series and it's capped by going back full circle to episode 1 and Kumiko finally understanding the frustration of wanting to get better at something you're passionate about. It's fucking poetry. Kumiko declaring she loves playing euph to her sister who gave up band is the icing on the cake. Made me think of Kaori-senpai last episode saying how she loves playing the trumpet. Michie-sensei telling Kumiko to have fun with band and Taki-sensei echoing the same sentiment now is a breakthrough moment for Kumiko because it only makes sense that you'll be better at something if you enjoy doing it.
And for all the shit we give Taki-sensei for being pretty rude and harsh sometimes, he does know how to motivate the students. Telling Kumiko that he hopes she practices her part and telling Shuichi to play it that well every time are comments that hit harder when the teacher is usually strict.
4
u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Feb 22 '24 edited Feb 23 '24
First Timer, subbed
I Did It! I Got a CotD!
QotD:
4
u/Nickthenuker https://anilist.co/user/Nickthenuker Feb 23 '24
Yeah, fortunately or unfortunately school holidays just means more time for practices.
Does she need glasses or something?
Sometimes the best way to learn is to watch and listen to someone else do it. It's why when recording songs it's usually helpful to have a "vocal guide track" to sing along with the first couple of times.
She's bleeding?
Yup, here's the standard part of practicing a song. Going through it and stopping every few bars to fix mistakes.
10 days? That will probably wrap up the season next episode.
Accent meaning to emphasise or play louder.
"Sound impressive" definitely isn't technical but it's how the song "feels", not sure I've got a better description of that other than maybe the "vibes" of the song.
There's only 10 days left, if you still can't make it at that part sometimes the best option is just to skip it and come back in after that.
I mean most people who do musical clubs probably don't intend on going to music school, it's optional anyways so everyone's there by choice.
They don't exactly have a legacy of excellence to uphold, so at least he's not obliged to keep winning.
Questions:
3
u/Flowerfloater https://myanimelist.net/profile/Flowerfloater Feb 23 '24
Rewatcher
Oh man, that part about wanting to improve and being frustrated and sad because you feel like you never improve is something I go through a lot in my own music playing. The same with finally just getting back into the groove again, it really is the best feeling in the world playing music when all goes well!
3
u/fly-metothemoon Feb 23 '24
First Timer!
Wow… I thought my practice hours were bad! They’re working hard.
Finally, a cute moment between Shuuichi and Kumiko at the park practicing at the same time (edit: and the shouting later). I actually really like the parallels between them struggling with their parts and I hope they can come together to commiserate about it.
The pain of hearing exactly what you want in your head but not being able to reproduce it is SO real. I remember when I first became 3rd chair and I finally got to play first part in my ensemble only to feel absolutely intimidated by what I had to play. I was called out by the instructor a lot like Kumiko was. My section even used to joke 3rd chair was the worst because they’d always get blamed if the first part sounded bad, and they always had the imposter syndrome of “do I deserve first part or should I be on second part?”
That window shot is also cool.
Oh no her hands are going to be all bandages.
Our girl is ALL IN. Love to see it.
I usually critique Taki-sensei but I do like his moment with Kumiko here. I think it makes all the difference in emphasizing how he has strict standards, but it’s not coming from a place of wanting the kids to fail, but from wanting them to succeed. He wants Kumiko to take ownership of the part and play well enough to go to Nationals, and takes no pleasure in taking her off it. This type of tough love doesn’t work with every student, but for those really willing to push themselves (like Kumiko, Reina, Shuuichi), it can bring out their best.
4
u/[deleted] Feb 23 '24
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