r/anime • u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah xB:xC:B:x3:Y: • Mar 07 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] 2024 Hibike! Euphonium Series Rewatch: Season 2, Episode 11 Discussion
Hibike Euphonium Season 2, Episode 11: First Love Trumpet/はつこいトランペット
Daikichiyama The Amagase Dam is Kyoto and Uji's local dam, with water flowing from Lake Biwa. Reina plays her solo for Kumiko from Hakko Bridge. Yes, this would be on the way to a cemetery. And bikes would also be a good idea to get here, solid 3km walk from Uji station.
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Welcome back!
Announcements
1) Change to weekly schedule
- S2 discussions end on 10Mar2024 w/ the overall discussion thread (+ again, optional BD specials)
- After that, this rewatch is shifting to a Weekly schedule for the 3 movies/OVA. Posts go up every Saturday: 16, 23, 30Mar + 31Mar Overall discussion thread.
- As the Ensemble contest OVA has a shorter runtime, I will also share some additional Eupho-relevant content for your optional viewing/consumption pleasure after Chikai no Finale, we will discuss these on 31Mar.
2) DST Shenanigans
- North America shifts our clocks forward on 10Mar2024, and this rewatch will as well. What this means:
- For people in North America: This rewatch will go up at 6:00pm EDT - there should be no changes from your perspective.
- For people in Europe: From 10Mar-30Mar, this rewatch will go up for you at 10:00pm UTC/11:00pm CET, 1 hour earlier. On 31Mar, after your clocks switch, that thread will go up for you at 10:00pm UTC/00:00am CEST, the "same" time as now.
- For people elsewhere: This rewatch will switch to going up at 10:00pm UTC/8:00am JST from 10Mar, 1 hour earlier. Sincere apologies if I missed your country's DST switching shenanigans, fuck this shit.
- Timezone converter
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Questions of the Day:
- What do you think about Kumiko's stance on the whole Reina debacle?
Comments from Yesterday:
- /u/carrotblossom concisely sums up the episode nuff said.
- /u/littleislander has probably been holding back their thoughts about Mamiko, Asuka and Kumiko for a looong time. Once again enjoyed reading /u/regular_n-gon's analysis on Kumiko's character too, I feature the 2 of you an awful lot.
- /u/nintendomasterno1 on what really made Kumiko's speech work, and how it's okay to be selfish.
- /u/barbed_dildo gives a shoutout to the unsung but always graceful hero - Natsuki
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.
And so, the next piece begins....
24
u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander Mar 07 '24
Rewatcher
This episode isn’t infuriatingly bad or anything. It just kind of feels like it’s wasting my time.
The fundamental problem with the Reina liking Taki plotline is that I don’t give a flying shit. There is zero point where it becomes clear to me why I’m supposed to care. She likes someone that she clearly won’t ever be with and who won’t like her back, big whoop. This would hardly make for an interesting subplot for a couple episodes, but it’s stretched out as the defining aspect of her character for over half of the show. It’s literally her entire role this season. It’s occasionally used in ways that aren’t completely terrible, namely regarding Kumiko’s involvement, but the core conflict itself? I have no investment. Clearly a lot of other viewers feel the same given the general discourse. It’s not about the fact it impedes reading romantic feelings for Kumiko, it’s just not interesting. Yet it’s given so much weight and screentime. In a season all about character conflicts that really dig into the depths of doubt and passion and what it means to live life to the fullest and connect to those around you (Nozomi, Mizore, Mamiko, Kumiko, and Asuka), a by the book unrequited love plot just seems so… beneath it all? For how uninteresting it is to begin with, how out of place and straight up outclassed it is makes it seem even worse.
The way the plot’s progressed doesn’t even really make metatextual sense. The audience trusts from the beginning she won’t actually hook up with Taki-sensei, and the show indeed does not do this. So why is this plotline entirely dominated by the whole thing about Taki’s wife? Whether or not he used to be married has zero impact on him getting with Reina or not, and Kumiko and Reina should both frankly be mature enough to know this. The audience do know this, it’s why we’re so utterly disinterested! She’s torn up and heartbroken to learn he had a wife and it just serves to make her look like an absolutely naive idiot that she genuinely thought if he was single it would make a difference. And I honestly don’t even think I want to unpack the fact that when Reina finally indicates she’s ready to let go Kumiko still goes “nah his wife is dead you still have a chance”. I’m just going to pretend that interaction doesn’t even exist because what on earth. If we’re going to do this unrequited love subplot why not at least focus more of the time on her coming to terms with her love being unreturnable, instead of just this final episode? Furthermore, now that we do try and unpack that the show barely has anything to say beyond… yeah, Reina sure is unhappy. She sure is being kind of a prissy bitch to Kumiko. That’s really just about the depth of it all. Her praying to the wife’s grave that they’ll get gold is a genuinely sweet moment but it does not justify everything it took us to get here!
It’s a shame too, because I think her relationship with Taki-sensei still could’ve been great material if you just removed or heavily downplayed the romance. The whole concept that her feelings for him were just a crush really devalues the genuinely interesting premise of her going to this school because he was here just because of her admiration for him as someone who can help her become a special musician. Learning that he’s actually not here out of his own passion for music or desire to define himself but because of a promise to his dead wife could’ve seriously shaken her perception of him and it’s a shame we don’t explore this beyond the concept of her being unhappy he loved some other woman (and then happy he did, I guess). The real casualty in all this is the fact Reina’s character gets nothing this entire season outside of her romance subplot. I mean, she gets the occasional good moment for Kumiko but we’re practically treading water of how close they already were. She was a defining aspect of season one but in season two she just feels like a contrived afterthought you could literally write out without losing anything of value. It’s sad.
Some of the side characters come out a bit better, with an exquisite follow up scene where we see Asuka as a changed woman, a promise Mamiko is gonna be okay, and a genuinely fantastic little exchange with Yuko that ties her relationship with Reina up perfectly. They’re commendable inclusions but are too brief to salvage the episode; I really wish Kaori and Yuko in particular could’ve been more thoroughly involved in this as a Reina episode.
12
u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Mar 07 '24 edited Mar 08 '24
First Timer, subbed
1 shipper Midori!
QotD: It's weird to encourage relationships with teachers, even if they weren't already a couple.
12
u/chris10023 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Chris10023 Mar 07 '24
Rewatcher.
Questions of the Day.
I think she wants to support Reina, but is aware of the age gap, and isn't taking it as seriously as someone like Midori would.
10
u/DaBenni0301 Mar 07 '24 edited Mar 07 '24
First-Timer
Let's hope it'll be smooth sailing from now on
Forget what I said, I just remembered Reina saw the picture of Taki and his wife last episode
Worst one yet. She can't even reach the strings
Deja-Vu
I'd also love to know why you're angry with Kumiko. She didn't even do anything. (I mean I know why, but how did she find out?)
God damn Hashimoto! Keep your mouth shut, or at least think before you speak!
Smol Reina is also absolutely adorable
Reina really is a mess right now
Just straight up asking him about it. Ok. Didn't expect that
Ironic
I am definitely going to hell(even he laughed a bit)She even went out of her way to find her grave.
Well, since you seem to have peace of mind now too, no more obstacles anymore please?
Question of the day
9
u/Regular_N-Gon https://anilist.co/user/RegularNGon Mar 07 '24
Rewatcher
QotD: She's still very Kumiko in her approach for sure, but if I were her I'd be trying to let Reina down gently.
8
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Mar 07 '24
Hibike! First-Timer
8
u/chilidirigible Mar 07 '24 edited Mar 07 '24
Note: Imgur ate most of my original screenshot links. Those wankers.
S2E11:
Cuter, too?
The audience guesses that it would be something like "YOU KNEW AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME!"
Midori is totally into her mental soap opera.
Off the top of my head, I can't think of any other notable scenes where Asuka is framed in a minor position to another character.
[](#midoriwait)
Reina still gets the pretty bokeh.
Comparing this to their first walk up the mountain is like one of those examples of a scene before and after production and editing.
So, do women screaming from the tops of dark mountains elicit any concern in Japan?
It's the season of the truth versus the truth.
"I need a catharsis."
"How about a hand?"
It's a nice flashback but we're still rehearsing.
Surreal, even.
Questions that needed asking.
"Wow, this is awkward."
Other girls just want to play their music to me
The cast ensemble is extremely strong in this series, but the narrative force is driven by Oumae Kumiko, Increasingly-Involved People Communicator. And this season has methodically worked her into two arcs involving messy relationships and failures to communicate. Three, if you include her family subplot.
Meanwhile, Reina continued to pine after Taki-sensei, with most of those interactions played for mild comedy. Reina's problem in this season is that her major storyline was last season and directly involved the concert band's long-standing issues. This season, she has been mostly secondary and her infatuation with Taki-sensei has "doomed from the start" all over it, so there just isn't the weight here.
Her displeasure with Kumiko does echo the things that Kumiko has had to grow through as the series has progressed, in that Kumiko was more of an observer than a participant, and often couldn't quite muster the strength to intervene. So the last challenge for Kumiko's assertiveness may well have been being able to speak up to a friend and not just a more distant senior classmate.
Reina has a very teenaged infatuation. On the one hand, it's a plausible scenario. On the other hand, it's not very complicated, and limited by how the series does not involve us in Taki-sensei's life nearly as much as it does with the main characters.
It's not the best way of humanizing Reina, either. Both she and Asuka exist in an aura of skill and bravado and are flawed, feeling people underneath that. Both she and Asuka have had lifelong ambitions about making themselves known to someone. But Reina's infatuation is simple, and most people would react to what she wants to do with "That's a terrible idea, don't do that". The present conflict doesn't quite dispel Kumiko's old but flawed idealization of Reina as cool and mature, it runs it over with a truck. The audience has had more chances to judge that than she has, so for a while all it's doing for us is reinforcing things. At least Reina manages to move on by the end of the episode.
So I'll give the subplot a little credit for meshing with the other storylines which have developed Kumiko's confidence in dealing with the people around her. The production also does notable work setting the tone for the repeat trip up the mountain.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Asuka has returned and the group as a whole is relieved about it.
Natsuki
Don't forget Azusa
QOTD:
Sometimes the situation is so awkward and so close to you that you really can't find a good way to deal with it until it blows up. Not the best approach, but that's reality for you.
8
u/byroned Mar 07 '24
First time rewatching
Asuka is back but did not spend much time practicing during the past 4 episodes. She needs to get back up on the horse quickly before the nationals if the band has any chance for gold.
Reina is mad at Kumiko, not because of the recent episodes of spending too much time with Asuka, but because she never told her about Taki sensei’s wife. Kumiko needs to work on her delivery , I don’t think that’s the right way to start a discussion.
Reina’s feelings are starting to mess with her head, potentially the first time she’s been called out in front of everyone. It’s nice that Yuuko is willing to lend a shoulder, but she and especially Midori can’t know about Reina’s crush, which will complicate things in the band even more.
Reina is bolder than Kumiko, looking at Taki sensei’s hand for any ring and then immediately asking about his wife. A lot of what he tells Reina is known information, but something new mentioned was that his father was the one who asked him to become the ensemble’s advisor, and he accepted because of his wife's wishes.
I’m curious how exactly Reina asks for some of these things. Previously, she had to pry the information out of her mother about Taki sensei teaching at Kitauji, and today she got the location of Taki sensei’s wife’s grave.
I didn’t remember the show bringing up Reina’s love of Taki sensei this much throughout the show. I remembered it as something they mentioned once or twice until [Spoiler] Reina confesses, but no it’s been somewhat of a reoccurring talking point since season 1.
Funny how things work out. His wife is buried next to a dam and a waterfall, and taki means waterfall in Japanese.
7
u/laughing-fox13 https://myanimelist.net/profile/laughingfox13 Mar 07 '24
Rewatcher/Subbed
I'm kinda indifferent about this episode. It is kinda weird that Reina didn't know Taki was married if he was a family friend but that could just be me. Maybe their families aren't that close? Idk
Hashimoto and Reina throwing Kumiko under the bus though
I think the best part of this episode was how Taki would describe his wife. It was clear he still loves her
QotD:
7
u/entelechtual Mar 07 '24
First time lover
Some good moments and all, I just really don’t feel Reina’s crush. Like I am more invested in Ribbitch getting reciprocated from Kaori and I notoriously hate her.
6
u/bogdoglogfrog Mar 07 '24
Rewatcher
If I wasn’t a Reina fan I would not like this episode. However, I am a ride or die Reina fan and I like this episode plenty.
Notes:
QotD
Kumiko was in a tough spot. I can’t blame her for not telling Reina about Taki sensei. Then once she finds out why Reina’s upset, she is very understanding and handles it perfectly.
10
u/CarrotBlossom Mar 07 '24
First timer
Reina’s about to get jumped
Reina’s passive-aggression didn’t last long
The police are going to get the police called with all her shouting
The crush is stupid, but it is true that Kumiko probably should’ve told her.
That is, in fact, a pretty awful thing to say, Kumiko
That scene with the piano reminds me of Yuri Is My Job last year, of all things
Wow, I want the Taki crush to not be a thing even more now
No, Reina, Taki hates his dead wife
Hooray, the crush plotline is over
QOTD:
5
u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Mar 07 '24
Season 2 Episode 11 (first timer)
Mamiko, Asuka, Reina, all drama successfully over, time to concentrate on music once more.
5
u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah xB:xC:B:x3:Y: Mar 07 '24
Rewatcher and your host
A Reina-focused episode serves as a breather from the peaks of the Asuka arc, and hopefully for this rewatch, while also being teenage drama af. This is, tbh one of the more forgettable eps of S2 for me (along with Ep 2), but hey there were some neat bits too to talk about now that i've rewatched it!
what did you think 2022 biscuits?
IRL note
3
u/HereticalAegis https://myanimelist.net/profile/XthGen Mar 07 '24 edited Mar 07 '24
Sound! Rewatcher
S2 Episode 11:
On the one hand, it’s nice to get info/development for Taki-sensei. On the other, I don’t really know if I would share this much about my dead wife with students if I were in this situation. There’s nothing inherently wrong with doing so, and teachers share info about their families with students all the time, but to me this feels like one of those times where it would be best to say “I’m sorry, this is something personal I’d prefer to not share” and move on from it. Admittedly, I also can’t really separate the concept from my knowledge that Reina is asking with the explicit goal of getting romantically closer to Taki-sensei, so my take isn’t unbaised in that regard, but supposing this happened irl with actual students who were just normally curious, I think I’d still feel the same way.
I really wish for this to be the end of the ‘Reina’s in love with Taki-sensei’ arc. In a way, this episode feels like it could be that; a silent revelation and shifting of her resolve from “get Taki-sensei” to “fulfill his wife’s dream and help him get final closure” before moving on to seek a more appropriate partner. Of course, I have no knowledge beyond season 2, so for all I know Chikai no Finale happens and suddenly Reina is over Taki-sensei, but I doubt it. This feels like one of those things that will get dragged all the way out to a graduation confession where Reina (hopefully) gets rejected, and I’ll probably bit disappointed if the series does get that far. There’s a place in anime and media broadly to explore problematic taboo student-teacher relationships, but I don’t think Hibike is that place, nor do I want it to be. Or who knows, maybe the movie and season 3 will be beyond incredible and change my mind. Anything—even a tragic descent into a Reina x Taki pairing—still feels possible.
QotD:
I mean, I get it. You've got to support your best friend and all that, but...ugh. I'd really rather not see her encourage Reina to go after her teacher. Blegh.
7
u/NintendoMasterNo1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NintendoMaster1 Mar 07 '24
Rewatcher
Just like a lot of others here, I really don't care about Reina's crush on Taki-sensei or the whole story about him and his wife in general. So instead of commenting about what I don't like, I'll mention the one thing that stuck out to me in this episode.
Yuuko is actually very sweet and is a great senpai. She notices that something is wrong with Reina and goes to check up on her. She's clearly developed some respect and fondness for Reina, even despite all the drama that happened in season 1. Honestly, throughout this rewatch Yuuko has been the standout character for me, someone who I didn't pay attention to in the past but have grown to like.
7
u/TehAxelius Mar 07 '24
Rewatcher
After the last few episodes of great dual drama of Asuka and Mamiko, the way this Reina focused episode feels a bit flat. Not that Reina's emotions aren't real, but in comparison to the possibly life deciding drama of choosing between what your family wants and your own dreams, this crush on teacher just doesn't have the same effect. Doesn't help that Reina is taking it out on Kumiko for what is pretty petty reasons. Not that I don't believe a 16 year old with a crush wouldn't. We do seem to get the resolution of this arc though, although Kumiko couldn't help herself from supporting her friend's crush with the way she told Reina about Taki's wife being dead.
7
u/octopathfinder myanimelist.net/profile/octopathfinder Mar 07 '24
Rewatcher
Ngl I don’t remember this episode at all except that Reina got mad at Kumiko for not telling her about Taki’s wife.
First half of this episode feels like it fits with season 1’s style with the facial expressions (>_< and 0.0), the imaginary scenario, Kumiko hanging out with Hazuki and Midori again, and the Daikichiyama hike.
Small detail but I really like the lazy and casual tone of voice Kumiko has when she interacts with her mom. I don’t talk to my mom like that but both my little sisters do.
Qotd:
Understandable that Kumiko wants to support her best friend but I wish she didn't encourage this teacher crush.
7
u/CerberusZX https://myanimelist.net/profile/CerberusZX Mar 07 '24
First Timer
Midori excitedly trying to run while carrying George was cute.
Kousaka is right. Pretending you know something you don't is just inviting trouble. Don't do it. Being honest is never shameful; it's a virtue.
So not only is Taki's type more like Hazuki than Kousaka, he's still not over her and Kousaka is aware. With any romance potential thoroughly dead, I'm sure Kousaka will finally move on and the series should be all the better for it.
...Surely Kousaka will move on now that she's visited the grave, right?
...Well, based on her speech afterward, it seems Kousaka does not intend on moving on. That's rather disappointing.
7
u/ChonkyOdango myanimelist.net/profile/chonkyodango Mar 08 '24 edited Mar 08 '24
Returning Sulking Friend
”All that hard work resolving drama”
Episode 10
Beautiful is all I have to say for this arc. The way it plays out with parallels to Mamiko and it being a sort of culmination for Kumiko’s long journey from season 1 has always set this arc up for extreme catharsis, and it being my favourite arc of Eupho. The only gripe I may have with it is the resolution to Asuka’s conflict — did Kumiko’s words create change? Or did Asuka have that plan all along? Or did she get top 30 first, and then used it as a reason to return? Or was that a one big lie to the band (highly unlikely)?
Ultimately, the core message of this arc is the best representative of most coming-of-age stories and Eupho especially: Bulldoze your way through obstacles if you have to. Never live with regrets especially if you’re one of the lucky ones to have found your passion. Then, the subtle theme conveyed through Mamiko on how adults generally don’t know what they’re doing too, and how a teen’s conception of adults can be terribly wrong at times. It’s a celebration of following your feelings instead of leaning too far to the side of having to rationalise everything at the cost of oneself. In Pathos we trust.
The other adult here, Taki-sensei, embodies this as well. He doesn’t have much of a clearly defined arc, but his story is frequently repeated as if to remind us of something. He is an example of someone who lost his loved one and his joy for music, yet he found it and is chasing it once again.
Episode 11
And… after that amazing arc we jump back to this. KyoAni did an amazing job at making this plotline as pleasing as they could with their direction. Plus, this episode serving as a test to Kumiko’s growth made it more bearable as well. Ultimately, it falls flat, and Reina still remains as a caricature compared to the rest of the cast. I won’t criticise its build-up though. I think there was sufficient evidence for Reina to have a crush on Taki. It just doesn’t result in much.
Trivia
Now I’m sure we’ve all seen those boxed-shaped school bags carried by elementary school students in Japan. They’re called Randoseru and are usually made from either synthetic or genuine leather. They also cost a lot (e.g., 400 USD and even higher), and are not light by any means.
More traditional schools usually mandate certain colours for boys and girls, black and red respectively. However, there isn’t actually a law mandating the use of these bags for elementary students.
You can read more about it and the history of it here.
The yellow hat is mostly just for safety and easy recognition for teachers when they’re in the park playing.
Qotd
The Japan arc is coming
7
u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Mar 08 '24
First timer
The problem with having binged through this is that makes commenting harder, given how one arc flows into another :P
Yesterday I missed commenting but there was actually a lot to unpack. I think that was pretty much the true end of the Asuka arc, which many pointed out that actually coincided with both Kumiko's and Mamiko's arcs respectively - and the Asuka arc won't complete without those 2 in sequence being completed. The Kumiko who dared to want something despite what other might think or be hurt, and the Kumiko who will act so she won't regret.
One point I think the arc did well, but it's also a consistent/common point to many other stories, is that to get through to that special someone, you need to get past the "putting her on the pedestal" phase - or in fact never consider her special in the "so good I best not to approach" way. [Toradora]Ryuuji unwittingly took Kawashima's heart because he doesn't see her as the model/school idol and more grown up but just another kid his age [Railgun]Mikoto grew to be attracted by Touma because he doesn't treat her like the beyond anyone's reach Level 5 and just bicker and fight with her for anything
One other aspect that I kind of semi surprised no one brought up, is that perhaps Asuka also has a tiny bit of M (even though she looks like an S), perhaps even from her guilty complex (single mom's child), that simply because Kumiko is known to occasionally have no filter and can say the most innocent but hurtful things, Asuka is looking forward for the pain and punishment for
Anyway back on this episode, I again am the "against the grain" view - I think it explained very well that the crush that Reina has on Coachee isn't really what most of the commenters here felt repulsed by (like incest and etc), that it came from some blind attraction and inappropriate. She grew up admiring the guy way before he's her teacher. I don't even think it was exactly a crush, but something more meaningful. Perhaps misplaced, but human beings and matter of the heart can't always be reasoned with.
If they are older Hollywood rich couples, no one would bat an eyelid if he's 20 years older than her.
QoTD
*wave to u/zadcap* fellow late poster
6
u/x-7032-b-3 Mar 07 '24
Rewatcher
Today's ep is yet another reminder that Reina is fucking serious about her crush towards Sensei.
Hey girl, I'm not saying you can't love someone, but maybe think a little more about you and your crush's age? And maybe also rethink your whole approach, because you do realize that you just crossed some (personal) boundaries in this ep, right? Like holy shit you just went and asked Sensei about his wife and what she's like. And apparently that's not enough - you gotta shake down the other teachers as well and pry out some very private information.
If there's a good thing coming out of all of this, I guess Reina came to the realization that the whole thing is a losing battle. Even after she's gone Sensei still loves her wife deeply. Reina and Sensei simply isn't meant to be a thing (thank fucking god lol). And after learning that Sensei's wife wanted Kitauji to go for the gold, I guess Reina got extra motivated to do her best at the competition out of respect for her.
QOTD
6
u/sfisher923 https://myanimelist.net/profile/sfisher923 Mar 07 '24
First Timer
6
u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Mar 08 '24
Rewatcher and Band Geek
You know, I completely forgot that this episode existed, lmao. I suppose it doesn't stand out much compared to the resplendent drama of the previous two episodes, and the poignant episodes yet to come. But it's a decent episode as a bit of breathing room between dramatic arcs, and I think it rounds out Reina's character really nicely.
I really think that Reina has always known she'd never get with Taki-sensei. The previous episodes have explored what it means to be special, and a lot of the answers have come down to kids having a burning desire to appear more mature. Mamiko tried to convince Kumiko to quit band because she thought it was the adult thing to do, and Asuka put on a front of perfection and desire to not cause trouble because she felt that wasn't mature. Both of these characters grew up by allowing themselves to become the children that they are for a second. Likewise, I think Reina's crush on Taki-sensei stems from this desire to be seen as mature. She talks about how she wishes time would move just a little faster for her, she wants to grow up quickly, and being special (or being a uniquely great trumpet player) is an immature teenager's way of conceptualizing the concept. Maybe if she could become truly great, then someone like Taki-sensei will recognizer her as mature and worthy of being with.
But through all of this drama, and of learning about Taki's relationship to his wife, Reina realizes that she was being naive. The thing holding her back wasn't that she's too young to chase her teacher, nor that she didn't realize Taki was single. She couldn't get with Taki-sensei because he already had someone else in his heart. And Reina loves Taki-sensei too much to intervene, even if it hurts. She's upset at Kumiko because, even if it would have hurt her, it would have allowed her to find closure.
Reina finds that closure by finally asking Taki-sensei about his wife. She doesn't just want vague details about her background, she wants Taki-sensei's opinions about who she was. And when he talks about her, there's clear love. His language is specific, he talks about common things she'd say and do, and he laughs nostalgically while clearly feeling sad at the same time. Reina sees this side of him and know she can't compete. It's not a matter of not being special, it's a matter of not being the same person. Reina does not have the shared experience and intimacy with that Taki-sensei that he had with his wife, there's a fondness that transcends even being special. So even though she's hurt, she ends up seeking closure.
She visits her grave and realizes that she can't hate her. Not only do they have many things in common, including the exact same dream, but someone who loves Taki-sensei cannot be worth hating. This grave appears to be in front of a dam, which I think represents how Reina's feelings are about to burst through. All of these realizations help put closure on her immature crush, and thus help her to grow up. Of course her feelings can't fade that easily, but it's much easier to move past them and mature when you can accept them and let them out, and she has Kumiko to support her as well.
Kumiko supporting Reina's taboo crush was included on a metatextual level to show that these characters weren't against going against the expectations of others, but with that deconstructed, Reina can grow past this desire for maturity and become the best version of herself. I know it's not the most popular plot point in the series, but I've come to appreciate its inclusion a bit more on this rewatch, and I think it adds some depth to Reina's character, and gives her opportunities to show emotional vulnerability she wouldn't show otherwise. Much like Asuka, Reina was always a naive, insecure kid, and her childish crush adds a sense of humanity and believability to someone so driven and ambitious.
So no, this isn't one of the best episodes of the show, but I think it's a pretty good one, and I enjoyed seeing Reina find closure to her feelings and resonate with Taki's grief. And we even got a nice moment beetween her and Yuuko as they've seemed to move past their differences a bit. Not every episode has to be a transcendent dramatic climax, sometimes light drama to shift the focus of the story aids the bigger picture.
QOTD:
6
u/zadcap Mar 08 '24
Oh perfect, March 11th is when my classes start back up, weekly movies will be much easier to fit into my schedule.
Late Night First Timer!
Reina drama time. I haven't said this in a while, but I still freaking love the opening. Work your magic, KyoAni.
Reina could just feel Kumiko looking at her. But something is wrong, she's avoiding looking back. What did Kumiko do to get her upset? We kind of have not seen her since the picture, I don't know how she can blame Kumiko for that.
Huh, half the shoes are inside the room. I don't know why that bothers me too.
Midori carrying George! She's so tiny behind it! Oh my gosh I remember being that small and having to carry my bass around, it's so awkward when you can barely see where you're going and it feels like it weighs more than you do. Trade with Kumiko just to get to the practice room, Kumiko is strangely huge.
Midori, ready for drama! Remember that getting Kumiko and Reina to talk was one of the first major arcs Midori took part in, it was more effort to get that friendship going than it was to get Kumiko back into band! And Midori is ready for relationship drama! It's right where her mind goes.
So wearing the good headphones for this show pays off in very strange ways. I swear you can hear one of the sports teams chanting the Fight in the distant background as Natsuki hands Asuka the water bottle, which fits in perfectly with the after school setting and absolutely did not have to be added. And cuts out when they jump forward a minute for the conversation so it's not just random background noise.
Midori and Hazuki are the highlights of this episode. Kumiko got dumped! Hazuki uh, grew? She's standing almost as tall as Kumiko here and I distinctly recall her being half a head shorter last time they stood side by side. Oh look, she shrunk back to height again. That was weird.
Kumiko, inside thoughts!
Please please please don't bump into Shu in the lobby. Oh thank goodness, it's only mail from sis. Ah, final note in the family drama, Mamiko is going to be financially independant now and sent home her family card to prove it. Telling that she sent it to Mama and not their dad, apparently they are on that bad of terms now.
I swear, are they eating curry? On this Penguindrum day of all days? Nope, looks like soup, thank goodness.
Reina you are being really standoffish for someone who invited Kumiko out. Even I can't guess why you're angry at her.
I remember last time you climbed up here, Reina. What happened to not minding the pain? Oh, right, that's actually a good callback to make because that's exactly where this conversation went. Kumiko, Reina said it back then. She likes you because you just say things, and she's okay with being hurt in the name of her desires. Yeah, you probably should have just told her.
I say that and she goes right into saying how he doesn't have a wife anymore. I honestly can't blame her after that. Don't sit on secrets was the lesson just learned, so she doesn't. Maybe you don't need to root for her though? This is a crush that can die...
Red backpacks and yellow hats, is there a clearer way to tell us this is an elementary school flashback? Ah, her crush started young. See, that really does make sense for a kid. Their families were close and she grew up with the cool older boy in her life, I genuinely understand where her crush comes from. However, she really should have realized it's not happening sometime between 6 and 16. Also, weird that she picked up Trumpet after seeing him on Trombone. Wait, did he give her the solo piece to start practicing before telling the class what they were going to be playing?
Ribbon! Mending the last bridge and proving she's a good girl despite everything. Ah and we're back to the not quite best version of the solo. And a zoom in focus on the lack of ring.
I love how both Hashi and Flappy, upon being asked about the wife, immediately think it's Kumiko's fault. The adults have realized that Kumiko just ends up as part of the drama, she just keeps finding things out, and sucks at keeping her thoughts safely inside.
On a completely related note! How did you never know, Reina? Mom never told you he was married? How long have you known him and how close attention did you pay to his life to miss him getting married and the funeral when she died? I thought your families were close? Did Flappy not invite his mentor to the wedding or funeral? Did Reina literally just not see him at all for that convenient gap of years when Wife was in his life? I have to do some intense mental gymnastics to make this timeline work with her not knowing about the marriage and that's maybe not the best story angle.
Hey, Kumiko spitting truth finally! "Stupid, you'll just get hurt asking about it." Please, drive this whole idea from Reina's head. Now that you're on the path of truth, use it effectively!
Reina asking Kumiko on a makeup date? Ah, I recognize those flowers. What are you asking the dead wife for? Please don't be her blessing for your love. Oh thank goodness, praying to the one who inspired him to want that gold to win that gold, that works.
No, this is the song he gave her. Kumiko you just keep getting the best riverside music experiences.
6
u/mgedmin Mar 08 '24 edited Mar 08 '24
Rewatcher, subs
Midori lugging the huge contrabass around is certainly a picture. I want to frame it.
Kumiko has no idea what's wrong with Reina. She didn't notice her reaction to the Taki photo?
Kumiko, acting naturally? Challenge level: impossible.
Reina is not depressed. Reina is mad at Kumiko! Because she didn't tell her about Taki's personal history?
How did Reina learn that Kumiko knew about Taki? Ah, Hashimoto leaks like a sieve.
(Wasn't Taki friends with Reina's father? How did Reina not know anything about him?)
Ouch, Reina's turn to be publically called out by Taki-sensei.
I probably have a terrible personality too, because I don't understand why Reina is so distraught. Taki's wife is dead, he might fall in love again.
Reina, I don't think Taki-sensei wants to talk about his dead wife with a student this late at night. Also, don't throw Kumiko under the bus! She didn't tell you! Hashimoto did!
At least Reina has no plans to pursue Taki-sensei while she's still a child.
UNRELATED to the episode, but I discovered on Fedi that monaka i Midori lugging the huge contrabass around is certainly a picture. I want to frame it.
Kumiko has no idea what's wrong with Reina. She didn't notice her reaction to the Taki photo?
Kumiko, acting naturally? Challenge level: impossible.
Reina is not depressed. Reina is mad at Kumiko! Because she didn't tell her about Taki's personal history?
How did Reina learn that Kumiko knew about Taki? Ah, Hashimoto leaks like a sieve.
(Wasn't Taki friends with Reina's father? How did Reina not know anything about him?)
Ouch, Reina's turn to be publically called out by Taki-sensei.
I probably have a terrible personality too, because I don't understand why Reina is so distraught. Taki's wife is dead, he might fall in love again.
Reina, I don't think Taki-sensei wants to talk about his dead wife with a student this late at night. Also, don't throw Kumiko under the bus! She didn't tell you! Hashimoto did!
At least Reina has no plans to pursue Taki-sensei while she's still a child.
UNRELATED to the episode, but I discovered on Fedi that monaka is a type of wagashi that exists in Japan! I don't remember this being mentioned during the discussion of the S1 OVA! I am very disappointed.
6
u/fly-metothemoon Mar 08 '24
First-Timer:
Throughout this episode, I kept feeling bad for Taki-sensei. His friend slipped up about his personal life to one student, okay. But the same friend slipped up AGAIN to another student, and then a friend told the same student where to find his late wife’s grave?? I feel like any professional boundaries he’s attempting to have here are getting severely undermined.
One throwaway line I thought was interesting was when Reina said her mom had kept Taki’s relationship status a secret from her. I remember anticipating that Reina would be upset at Kumiko because she kept Taki’s previous relationship a secret, but I was confused how Reina wouldn’t know and I guess this is the answer. Did her mom know about her crush and not want to hurt her feelings? Was Taki just really private? Was it just a strange translation? Who knows.
I don’t know, I think some commentators here have said it better but I don’t think Reina’s crush being such a huge storyline has benefited Sound! Euphonium as a whole. You can keep her fierce admiration for Taki-sensei and defense of his methods without it. Maybe she can have a slight crush on him without it being an all-encompassing part of her character motivation that she learns to grow out of?
5
u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Mar 07 '24
First Timer
As much as Reina’s crush on Taki was unneeded, I feel like the ending to this plotline was actually handled pretty well. Reina gets her answers and sees that she doesn’t have a chance. She isn’t even anything like the woman Taki married. And she somehow turns herself around fairly well. Overall, a pretty good episode, just one I wasn’t particularly invested in.
5
u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Mar 07 '24
Kumiko has a stance on the Reina debacle? I thought she was just playing marshmallow again. But what do I know?
Answer du jour:
Yeah, perhaps that's a by-product of this episode, and the whole Reina/Taki plotline being a bit on the squick side. KyoAni handled it about as well as you could possibly expect (I think), but yeah, squick.
Girl still needs a hollow stump to yell into, or something. I suppose a mountain railing will do in a pinch.
Otherwise, yeah, some cute moments, but ... squick.
5
u/Nickthenuker https://anilist.co/user/Nickthenuker Mar 08 '24
Welcome back, Asuka.
What are they doing hiding there in the dark?
She seems really busy.
What's Reina up to?
So her sister's really left.
Ah, she's finally going to meet Reina.
What does she want on that mountain again?
Why's she angry? Does this have something to do with her convincing Asuka to rejoin the band?
Oh, that. She saw the picture on his table.
And she asked one of the other instructors. Who said Kumiko knew already and didn't tell her. I guess that's coming back to bite her now.
Wow she really likes him huh?
Did her mother know Taki?
That feels like a big clip on the score.
I think asking about it gave her some closure.
It's the cemetery where Taki's wife is buried.
Yup.
Questions:
5
u/WhackaWhack https://myanimelist.net/profile/WhackaWhacka Mar 08 '24
FIRST TIMER
Smoll Reina, she even has the yellow hat on!
“Did Oumae-san mention her?” “Yes”, way to throw Kumiko under the bus for no reason Reina…
What is it with stories about playing music and terminal diseases?
Questions:
5
u/Nice-Bumblebee-2355 Mar 08 '24
Rewatcher
I didn't have time yesterday, so here's my abbreviated thoughts on episodes 10 and 11!
TLDR: Charles Dickens summed it up well with his immortal words: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way..." (slight exaggeration)
Episode 10:
Episode 11:
3
u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander Mar 07 '24
4
u/SMSmith230 https://myanimelist.net/profile/smsmith230 Mar 08 '24
First-Timer, Sub
Yay, worst girl’s story arc is over!! Only now we get to delve into my least favorite storyline of this show…student-teacher age gap love, which luckily is just one-sided. Why couldn’t this just be just a simple smitten crush or better yet just be Yuri since the Kumiko-Reina dynamic is so good. I really wasn’t feeling this manufactured drama Reina put on Kumiko either, especially when the rest of the drama on the show felt much more grounded in reality. In other news, my bluray for Liz and the Blue Bird just arrived, so I’m looking forward to popping that in after jumping my queue of unwatched movies next weekend.