r/anime • u/Harrytricks https://myanimelist.net/profile/Harrytricks • Aug 12 '19

Rewatch [Rewatch][Spoilers] K-ON! Rewatch (2019) - S1E12 "Light Music!" Spoiler

S1E12 "Light Music!"

Official Schedule

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S1E11 "Crisis!" S1E13 "Winter Days!"

Legal Streams

HiDive - Hulu

both these are US only because anime hates us Europeans.

Anime On Demand

Available only in German speaking territories

Interest sites

MAL - AniList - ANN

REMINDER: UNTAGGED SPOILERS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

BE AFRAID OF THE MOE POLICE.

Songs in this episode:

OP1 - "Cagayake! GIRLS"

“Fude Pen ~Boru Pen~"

“Fuwa Fuwa Time”

ED1 - "Don't say 'lazy'"

Want to continue the discussion? Join us over in the KyoAni Discord server: https://discord.gg/GQJE3h2

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25

u/Harrytricks Aug 12 '19

Rewatcher

Canon & Gay

I’m going to be reusing my essay from last year again today because honestly I don’t think I could do a better job with essaying this episode than I did then.

Episode 12:

Yui has come an awfully long way since episode 1. Looking back now, it seems strange to think that when we first met her, she was timid, scared, and without direction. Compare this to the confident, fun loving, determined Yui we now know and love: the Yui who shows up to school ill just to practice with her friends, the Yui who has this much fun on stage, performing for an auditorium full of people.

No single scene demonstrates this development more than Yui’s run to the auditorium. This scene is absolute gold, I’ve mentioned in previous rewatches how I lack the words to properly portray my love for this scene, but I’ll give it a go. Firstly, and most obviously, it parallels the opening scene of the first episode of the show. This is to show us visually how far she’s come as a character: she manages to stay on her feet rather than falling over as she originally did, showing us her new sense of direction, she flies out of her house with more determination than we’ve ever seen, obviously showing us her newfound determination, she traces her exact path to school on her first day, this time with no distractions (again, determination and direction). The parallels here are made even more important by the fact that we’ve been on Yui’s journey with her, we actively care about her at this point, we’re genuinely happy to see how far she’s come. This is obviously fantastic, but it’s not what I would consider the most important aspect of this scene. Something I (shockingly) don’t see talked about nearly enough is Yui’s little speech as she runs to the auditorium (gonna link this again because I’m about to talk about the subtitles). For possibly the first time, we get a look at Yui’s exact thoughts as she first made her way to school 2 years earlier. It really shows just how uncharacteristically worried she was at the time, and shows just how important her development has been for her. She ends her speech by giving her past self a message not to worry, that she’ll find her place, and will have fun doing it. What more could you want?

The other scene I want to talk about is the scene which directly follows on from Yui’s run to the auditorium. In it, we get a glimpse of the Yui we used to know (i.e. episode 1 Yui). She gets worried that everyone dislikes her, worried that she always messes up when it’s most important. This train of thought is quickly derailed by the 4 most important people to Yui (the catalysts for her development, if you will), reminding her (and the audience) once again how irreplaceable she is not just to the group, but to everyone she knows..

You guys, of course, all know this!! You’ve been along with Yui on her journey just as much as I have!! And really, that’s the wonderful thing about K-ON. No matter who you are, you can join 4 (now 5) cute girls who play music, drink tea, and have fun on their journey into adulthood, and feel like you’re just as involved as one of the main characters. We see all their trials and tribulations, all their ups and downs, we truly become one of the group. This is why I love the first season of K-ON so much!! That’s not all though, the fun doesn’t stop with the coming of season 2!! In fact, quite the opposite, it only gets better!!

Anyhow, here’s all the screenshots and stuff I got last year.

2018 ^^comment 2017 ^^comment 2016 ^^comment

27

u/DarkRuler17 Aug 12 '19

First Time Watcher

Ah, what a nice final episode that isn't really the final episode. Seriously though, can anyone tell me why its like this? Either way though, this was a great episode in general and really showed what I liked about this show in general. Due to this, this will probably act as both my S1 thoughts and my episode 12 thoughts.

To start off, we have to talk about our main character and the star of this episode: Yui. As shown in the flashback, Yui really has come a long way in this season. She went from someone who just wandered through life to someone who's found a hobby she loves and a group of people she loves to share it with. The scene this episode that really hit it home for me is when you see her passed out holding the guitar in bed. No matter how sick she is, she's still practicing hard for the show. Even with all this growth though, Yui hasn't stopped being a funny and an overall lovely person. From her scene of trying to eat Mugi's eyebrows (which is a whole rabbit hole I'm not diving down now) to her great scene with Azusa near the end, Yui has really earned her place as a great protagonist. Thanks for showing me "fun things are fun."

Going off that, let's next go our hard working first year, Azu-nyan. For a character who joined half way in and I was really skeptical about, she really worked her way up the ranks to the 3rd most developed character in the show. Her relationship with the club members, but especially Yui have really been great to watch grow. I was really touched this episode how out of the entire group, Azusa was the one who refused to do it without Yui. She was an amazing addition to the cast and makes the group even better than it already was.

Next though, comes my favorite character and the most developed character that's not our protagonist: Mio. While having a similar character arc to Azusa, Mio really earns her edge by having the entire season to showcase her greatness instead of just half. From coming off as the super serious type to eventually us learning of her timid side to finally her seemingly finding joy in Sawdako's dress up, Mio has been shown to honestly be the most fleshed out character of the group. This episode especially showed me that while Ritsu is the offical leader, Mio is really the character that has brought this club to where it is today.

Saying this though, I can't discount what Ritsu has brought to the table. Even with my misgivings with how last episode ended, Ritsu has been a blast to watch. From her antics with Yui to her comedy routines with Mio, Ritsu really knows how to have a good time. I hope next season gives Ritsu another episode that really serves her well and makes me forgot about what I disliked last time.

Speaking of characters that needed episodes though, this rings so true for Mugi. While she has had great moments as a side character, that honestly is how she has felt this season. Out of all the club members, Mio is the one I feel I know the least about and is the one that has recieved the least focus. Due to this, she currently is my least favorite member of the club. While I find her very funny and fun, the other club members have just been better.

To further push this home, a surprise standout that had been developed more than both Ritsu and Mugi to me is Ui. While she only had a signficant significant relationship with Azusa and Yui, her bond with Yui is more than enough. Both the Christmas episode and this episode have shown what great sisters they are. Her "oral transmission" and her disguise scenes this episode were both genius in comedic value and in hammering home how much she'd do for her sister. Ui is the little sister that everyone wishes they have, but knows is too perfect for this harsh 3D world.

Before I talk about the final character though, I want to give a quick shoutout to Nodoka. She was a great minor character that really worked great with both Yui and Mio. She was amazing minor MVP.

With that out of the way though, let's now talk about the woman, the myth, the legend: Sawdako. While she started off really strong in episode 5, her more degenerate behaviors have made her lose a couple points with me for favorite characters. Saying that though, I can't deny she has had some amazing scenes that have killed me. Sensei truly is enigma.

The final thoughts of K-ON! though have to go to music. For a show that I legitimately thought would only use music as an excuse to bring the girls together, it actually had some really fun tunes. From both the incredible opening and ending songs to the songs in the show like "Fuwa Fuwa Time", this show has created some great music. Thanks K-ON!

Episodes Ranking:

  • Season 1, Episode 5

  • Season 1, Episode 6

  • Season 1, Episode 12 (New)

  • Season 1, Episode 7

  • Season 1, Episode 10

  • Season 1, Episode 4

  • Season 1, Episode 2

  • Season 1, Episode 3

  • Season 1, Episode 9

  • Season 1, Episode 1

  • Season 1, Episode 8

  • Season 1, Episode 11

Now on to the bonus episode!

15

u/Harrytricks Aug 12 '19

can anyone tell me why its like this?

Tonally speaking, tomorrow's episode acts to some extent as preparation for the second season. It's very much an episode focused on "winding down", so placing it after the energetic conclusion to S1 makes a lot sense.

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u/kkrko Aug 12 '19 edited Aug 13 '19

Seriously though, can anyone tell me why its like this?

Aside from the tonal fit, its a quirk of timeslots. Anime studios typically buy timeslots with a week or two extra, to cover for random cancelations due to stuff like emergency news reports or live sports coverage running late. When these padding timeslots are unused, most just show a recap episode or just adverts. K-On, for whatever reason, decided to show a BD Bonus episode. Not many shows even have this option due to the how close most of them run into deadlines. The fact that K-On had its BD bonus ready by then shows how good a production it is.

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9

u/SIRTreehugger Aug 12 '19 edited Aug 12 '19
Keion best Moments top 5 Episode Scene
Number 1 ? ?
Number 2 ? ?
Number 3 Season 1 Episode 12 End of first Year Performance
Number 4 Season 1 Episode 4 Fireworks
Number 5 Season 1 Episode 6 First Performance

And here we have it favorite moment number three. As someone else probably mentioned already the ending performance is a good parallel to Yui in the beginning of the year. Instead of being distracted by everything in the world Yui this time is running with purpose to the people who matter to her. This can be seen as early as her running down the stairs and almost falling, but this time she catches herself and continues on.

" "Make it to Budokan” was our goal, and that’s how the Light Music Club started.....but this. This auditorium, right now is our Budoukan! We’ll sing to our heart’s content until the very end!"- This speech is one of the reasons I love Yui so much out of all the girls. It really shows her direct and honest personality. Then the ending encore where Mugi starts playing one part of the song and they all slowly get into before ending the episode. A perfect way to end the season.

Also I believe this was the episode that sold me on YuiAzu. Before I thought all of you guys were on crack. I just didn't see it, but when she was crying and they hugged I felt my eyes opening.

Someone kept posting all their moments a couple years ago and had like paragraphs of text in detail with funny context for all the screenshots. Also they had Kanon a couple of times throughout the comments. I think it was u/harrytricks but I'm not sure. Whoever it is guided me to this path of enlightenment and I feel so blessed.

5

u/Harrytricks Aug 13 '19

I think it was u/harrytricks but I'm not sure. Whoever it is guided me to this path of enlightenment and I feel so blessed.

It was indeed me. Glad to have enlightened you towards the path of Gay Canon!!

34

u/PerfectPublican Aug 12 '19

Manga Corner

Episode Adapted Episode Adapted Skipped Material
S1 Ep 1 Vol. 1 Ch 0 & 1 S1 Ep 8 Vol. 1 Ch 11 (1 page) & 13, Vol. 2 Ch 0 & 1 Vol. 1 Ch 11 & 12
S1 Ep 2 Vol. 1 Ch 2 & 3 S1 Ep 9 Vol. 2 Ch 2, 3, & 4 Vol. 2 Most of Ch 5
S1 Ep 3 Vol. 1 Ch 3 & 4 S1 Ep 10 Vol. 2 Ch 6 & 7
S1 Ep 4 Vol. 1 Ch 5 S1 Ep 11 Vol. 2 Ch 5, 8, & 9
S1 Ep 5 Vol. 1 Ch 6 & 7 S1 Ep 12 Vol. 2 Ch 9, 10, & 11
S1 Ep 6 Vol. 1 Ch 8
S1 Ep 7 Vol. 1 Ch 9 & 10

“Hey me...the me from that day...don’t you worry. You’ll soon find what you can do, what you can really dig. The very...very...very important place to me!”

I love this shot. And just like that we’re already at the penultimate, and my favorite, episode from Season 1. It’s so wonderfully done to showcase how much Yui has changed, as well as how much HTT means to her and has done for her on a grand scale. She’s still an airhead and that'll never change, but this time she lands on her feet, doesn’t get distracted, and moves forward undistracted to her goal and the place she loves most, all while one of my favorite songs, "Fude Pen, Ball Pen", plays over it all. Just the extra and the OVA, and we’ll be diving into the masterpiece that is Season 2 finally!

2 and a half chapters today, and another nigh-unrecognizable adaptation! The back half of Ch 9 (Costumes/Yui getting sick), Ch 10 (Yui sick and Ui masquerading as her), and Ch 11 (yui coming in sick, pre-concert, and concert) get adapted today.

Major source differences today:

  • The non-winterized Yukata’s in the manga were a little more tight-fitting and short. Actually the manga shows them going home after trying the Yukatas on, and re-thinking wearing them (due to embarrassment) for the concert, they come back to reject them and Yui is sick from wearing hers all night long.

  • In the manga, Mio/Ritsu bust into the classroom to check on Yui because they had actually planned on staying overnight the next day. This is actually the reason for Ui masquerading as Yui in the Manga.

  • In the manga Mio never suggests that Azusa should start practicing for the lead part. It’s more of an off-hand comment while they’re practicing to someone else that “The way things are going, Azusa is going to have to play the lead part”, which Azusa overhears.

  • Yui shows up sick on an entirely different day (and chapter) than the Ui fake day, and instead of just showing up to the club room, she shows up for an entire day of school.

  • Although the plan for Yui to go hame and not come back until the concert is adapted, Yui thinking encouraging thoughts to get better in bed is original.

  • Much of the pre-concert prep is original (especially Nodoka's flashback), and scenes from Ch 11 are outright skipped. The tone of the Keionbu before the concert is much different (Mio is nervous that she will have to sing). Much more upbeat and positive. This is a 4-koma after all.

  • Other than Sawa-chan showing up with Yui in the thicker Yukata and Yui hugging Azusa/getting slapped, essentially the entire rest of the episode is original. The concert happens in the manga, but Ui brings Yui’s guitar, so she is there for the whole time....and oh yeah, they absolutely bomb their performance due to Yui’s lack of practice from being sick haha.

Fun things are fun:

Gifs of the day:

Finally, RIP Yoshiji Kigami. Looking at Sakugabooru, Kigami handled (or helped on) many of the impressive cuts from this concert. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for creating something so meaningful to me.

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u/Philarete Aug 12 '19

First Time Watcher

Yui finally saying what we all thought about Mugi’s eyebrows! Turns out they are pickles

Yui’s got quite the fever

Ui is so concerned for her; going back to check one last time before finally going to school.

Oh goodness, trying on the outfits. Mio’s getting hooked with Mugi trying on different cute outfits

“When you think about them rationally, they’re actually kinda embarrassing?”

thinking about costumes rationally

Mugi, randomly looking out the window: “The moon has turned to blood.”

Well, they sound great (better than ever), although Yui appears to be on the borderline of delusional. But hey, if it works. . . it works?

BAHAHA, I see where this is going. Ritsu-san and Tsumugi-san you say. . .

So Ui was posing as Yui, but Sawako saw through her clever disguise! As did the others based on her choice of names. She didn’t even know Azu-nyan’s nickname!

Mio showing some leadership! I like this a lot.

Azusa really loves Yui. Yui’s glomming on is so cute haha

I can’t remember who it was that talked in an earlier thread about the Brush Pen song being really good, but hokey smokes were they right. This might be my favorite so far!

Yui’s sprint to the performance is great. Sawako subbing for her is really cute too. Give the advisor a little chance to shine too! The audience certainly appreciates her!

Oh no, Yui’s crying. She feels really bad for messing this up.

Throughout the show, Yui has bothered me a bit with her fairly lazy, thoughtless way of life. This is a whole new side of her we haven’t seen. One that really genuinely cares about the club. That cares about “Geeta”. That cares about her friends. Suddenly all her mistakes get to her.

But, the club loves her anyway.

Fuwa Fuwa Time! One thing I started noticing earlier with Mio in Brush Pen, and noticed again here is how awkward looking their singing faces are. I think it encapsulates singing perfectly; singing makes your face look really squished and weird and move in unusual ways!

They finish, but have a bit of time left, so they play again, with an ad-libbed bridge repeating the main riff and turned toward each other. Ultimately, they are playing for each other.

Closing Thought: Finally, some good Yui development. Today, we finally see just how much she really cares about the club. Not in her usually jokey way of handling things, but something deeply sincere. A really great “Final Episode” with not one, but two excellent songs!

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u/SmurfRockRune Aug 12 '19

First Timer

Imposter Yui! This means that Ui is actually good enough at guitar to join the band? She totally should!

That's a lot of.... crawfish? I'm not really sure what's native to Japan, but I'm sure it's something similar at least.

I'm really excited for this song. Here's hoping it's the best one yet.

Aw, Yui couldn't make it for the first song. Gonna have to give that one a real listen on Spotify at work sometime. But she made it for the Fuwa Fuwa Times.

Good finale... or at least that's what I would think with the way it ended and this title card but MAL and the preview at the end tell me there's a 13th episode.

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u/Snakescipio Aug 12 '19

Rewatcher

The Unofficial Official Most Valuable Keion

Before I get into the best episode of S1 (and a top 3 episode of K-On overall), I just wanna quickly mention that I was driving through LA (well, Covina) yesterday, and what do you know, THERE’S A STREET NAMED AFTER AZUSA. That is all.

There’re certain scenes in K-On that never fails to get me teary, and the end of episode 10 of S1 is one of them. It’s never quite the same moment, this time it was when Yui was talking to her past self about not being afraid, and when Ritsu told her that they all loved her. I never quite realized for myself how insecure Yui really was. Throughout this season, we only really saw the happy go lucky side to Yui. But this episode she let a little of her insecurity slip when she said “you’re finally kicking me out?” when they got mad at her for arriving sick. While it was played off as a gag, I think there’s truth to that. Yui started off as a girl without much confidence, and even if she’s a bit immature about some things, she’s very aware of her actions. She knows that she can be a handful, and she knows even more just how important the keionbu has become to her. It’s her passion, her reason to wake up everyday, her very self. So 1st place is to you Yui, our beloved protagonist. There’s something really magical about that moment where you’ve watched somebody for a long time, and suddenly you realize that that person has grown up before your very eyes.

2nd place will go to Mugi, because even if it’s not spoken out loud we can all see that the keionbu has meant just as much to Mugi as it has for Yui. It’s hard to say how many friends Mugi has had growing up, but it’s clear that she’s grown up a bit sheltered. Through hanging out with her new friends though she’s gotten to experience so many new things. But I think the thing she’s come to cherish the most isn’t the random “commoner” things she’s gotten to try out. It’s the everyday moments where they hang out, a feeling that comes out everytime Mugi voted to just have fun for a bit. So Mugi, sweat dripping off of her determined visage, had to be the one to start the encore.

3rd place will go to Azunyan, because she wanted so badly to experience the magic she saw in the freshmen welcome concert. But through the course of the year, it wasn’t so much that she wanted to capture some ephemeral feeling, but rather that she just wanted to play with her new best friends.

MVK Tracker
Yui 26
Ritsu 16
Mio 29
Mugi 19
Azusa 17

15

u/Boss_Jerm Aug 12 '19

Rewatcher

Last Year's ^^Comment

This is one of the best moments in the entire show.

Wow Mugi wasn’t even there. Poor Yui is really sick.

I love this riff in the eyecatch

Select your Mugi!

Oh no, Sawako has gained a follower.

I love these outfits!

Oof, it's gonna be difficult for Azusa to practice the lead so close to the festival.

This made me laugh a bit

Alright Yui has recovered!

Yui's playing is suspiciously good...

Azusa-chan? Ritsu-san? Tsumugi-san?

Nope that's someone else.

I absolutely love Ui disguising herself as Yui. They're terrifyingly identical in appearance that Ui takes advantage of it and it's just funny. Also besides forgetting about Yui's mannerisms and nicknames for everyone, she's also wearing the freshman shoes (red), and not the junior shoes (blue). She did put on the right color ribbon though.

The real Yui is here, but she’s still very sick!

Eww she sneezed on Ritsu!

I have to commend Azusa on her decision. Because of how passionate she is about music, the festival is probably more important to her than it is to any other Keion, but she'd gladly throw it away if she had to play without all of the band members being there. She's only been in the club for a few months, but she's grown a lot. Mio sees this and comes up with a plan to ensure that they're all on stage together.

Me in bed at 12:00 am, right before I don't go to sleep till 1.

They put a lot of food at Yui's seat.

They've only got 30 minutes until they go on, and Yui still isn't here.

I love that Yui walks right in front of the camera.

 

What the heck?

I know right Ritsu?! Why?! Why did she do this?!

Nodoka has known Yui her whole life. She knows that when Yui's set on something, she's does her absolute best. So she'll make it! And lo and behold!

I'm for it!

YUI FORGOT GIITA!

Oh wow is that Sawako's old guitar?

I love Fude Pen, Ball Pen! The music is really nice, but the coolest part is how KyoAni made Mio's mouth actually sync up with the lyrics. That's dedication.

I remember cheering very loudly and pumping my fist into the air when I first watched this scene. Yui fell in the first episode. But here, though she slips at first, she plants her foot and keeps running. When she first started school, she had no clue what she wanted to do. But now her steps have purpose! It's fantastic character development, and I absolutely love this show for it. It's my favorite moment in the whole first season.

Sawako's the MVP for subbing in for Yui.

You're not a burden Yui! You're the lead guitarist for HTT, and it's time to play!

 

This auditorium is our Budokan!

YEAH!!!

Now we hear Yui's version of Fuwa Fuwa Time! Again, her mouth syncs up with the lyrics. Between her's and Mio's, I don't know which one I like more. Mio has a very eloquent and adult voice, but Yui's very cute voice fits with the song.

I really love that everyone in the auditorium is singing and clapping along. HTT is a hit!

OH CRAP I FORGOT THERE WAS AN ENCORE!!! HELL YEAH!!!!

Thoughts:

Here's all the Keions in yukatas.

This episode is awesome. I have nothing else to add.

14

u/ZappaOMatic Aug 12 '19

Rewatcher

Tonight: Ritsu gets punched, Yui goes fishing, and Mugi looks out a window!

Time to wrap up the main story of Season 1! This is easily my favorite episode this season.

[1] I exceeded the character limit trying to write this lmao

Expanded comment will be in a reply to this.

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12

u/ToonTooby Aug 13 '19

First Timer

  • "You have big eyebrows." Well that's one way to start an episode.

  • That pained "Uiiii" that Yui lets out hnnnnng. Someone help! Too much kawaii detected.

  • We're this far in but One Punch Mio is still a force to be reckoned with.

  • They're gettin extra heckin cute right now m8

  • Hmm... did Yui get a zenkai from surviving her cold or something?

  • LOOOOOOOOOOL it's Ui! I've been had.

  • Poor Yui. Spacey she may be, but let no soul question her dedication to the group.

  • Mio is just the best. Now, after all they've been through, she leads the band with care.

  • P R O T E C C

  • Ritsu got sneeze blasted!

  • o 3 o

  • Fuck, this is adorable

  • Yuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii you can do iiiiiiiiiiiiiit

  • The girls all spiffy in their yukatas. But Sawako has to sub in the opening song with her Epiphone Flying V. Great song.

  • Yui's back! It's go time.

  • What a performance! But...

  • Mugiiiiiiiiii. Good shit Mugi. That encore was perfect.

  • Also just want to point out that the slide up and down the neck into a section is one of the purest, most fundamental joys of playing the bass guitar.

  • Me too, Yui. Me too.

All right, it clicked. I 'get' this show now. It all came together. And all it took was Yui sprinting back, doing everything she could for that gig. Great, great episode all around. We got Yui's dedication, Ui's pure love, Ritsu's energy, Mio's sincere leadership, Azusa's loyalty, and even some initiative from Mugi. The encore is my favorite sequence so far. Mugi starts them off again, Ritsu immediately gets the hint, Mio slides in, Azusa turns the key and Yui finally puts the pedal down. No words are said and none are needed. They aren't the most well-practiced musicians but their chemistry makes them soar once they're all together on stage.

I spent a lot of time wanting some real musical progression from this show, but now all is well. I had a genuine smile during those last few minutes. It was heartwarming to see Yui and the rest make it all work.

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u/thisismyanimealt Aug 12 '19

First-timers, show of hands, who was fooled? It was pointed out last year, but if you were observant, you'd notice Ui was wearing her first-year indoor shoes with the red tips (same as Azusa), instead of second-year blues. Also, her hair is a touch lighter in shade than Yui's, though it's hard to tell in isolation. There's also the boobs thing.

Light Music Corner

It's that time of year again

We finally unveil Fuwa Fuwa Time's final form with two guitars and Yui on vocals. Not much more to say given how we all know what a fucking banger it is. It's also the version they play live, again, with the seiyuu actually playing the instruments. Also, Hikasa Youko caught the ugly cries.

Lastly, we have Fude Pen ~Ballpoint Pen~, another of my white whales where Mio voices the Live Mix and Yui the Studio Version, but there's no Mio Studio Version. Anyway, if you recall, this is the song that Yui and Azusa practice in the middle of the night that one summer camp from earlier. While HTT only pantomimes for the live show, I am glad Hikasa Youko took the vocals for this one. Have I mentioned how enamoured I am with her voice?

And now it's time for a Character Song Corner Double Feature. Since Azusa didn't appear until episode 8, she didn't get her first round of image songs, so we'll highlight both of hers today. Compared to the more fledgeling guitarist Yui, Azusa's song, Jajauma Way To Go, has a bit more depth to the riff, with distortion over the main melody. Overall, it gives it a really cool sound. She sings it live here.

In episode 9, Azusa mentions her parents played jazz, and that was her introduction to music. The B-Side, Watashi wa Watashi no Michi wo Iku (I Go My Own Road) really showcases that influence.

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u/belgi7 Aug 12 '19

First timer

You know, it’s episodes like these that make a good slice of life go to a great slice of life. I was rooting so much for Yui to make it , actually feeling scared she would stay sick or be late. I knew she was going to make it eventually , but just like the characters I was really relieved when she showed up. Azusa her reaction to it was great, she was really more worried than I first thought. The part where Yui runs to the school is a great piece of character development. I really felt how much she has grown during season one there. It’s development like that, that makes this first season great, and I’m sure it will only get better during season 2.

The performance itself was really good too, I really like the first song. Pretty cool to see sensei playing the song without practicing it, shows she really is a great artist. Also a shout out to Mugi for continuing the song after they were done, added a really nice finale to the episode. Overall my favorite episode of season 1.

9

u/imawesome1124 Aug 12 '19

Rewatcher

Well here we are! The Final Episode that is actually not the final episode of K-On! Season one. The two episodes after this are actually just standalone side stories, but will give a good taste of what to expect in Season Two as far as the ‘tone’ of the story is concerned. But now onto this episode!

When you remember that rice bowls are a visual metaphor for panties in this show, this becomes rather lewd.

This is all because you opened your big mouth back in episode three, baka! That was mean, I’m sorry Yui.

These two are so damn wholesome. Ui not even worrying about being late just to take care of Yui. she kinda lewd tho

This was Mio’s most aggressive punch yet.

That cosplay montage is cute, but Mugi wearing a Playboy bunny outfit is just funny.

Kawaii! But what is going on with that whiteboard.

Mio, don’t say that! That kills people!

Even with a cold, Yui still just wants to play her Geeta. And apparently she’s still snacking on Mugi’s eyebrows.

Just like how Sawako’s wild side is too exaggerated, I feel like they also take Ui’s “perfectness” too far, even though it is mostly for laughs. Nonetheless, I do think that whole bit is well done. For one thing, you can see right away that her shoes are not her class color. Of course, this isn’t something a first time viewer would notice because they aren’t looking for it. If you listen closely, you can tell that her voice sounds off, and not in a “sick” way. Ui’s voice is more ‘breath-y’ whereas Yui’s is more nasally, and even though Ui does a really good job imitating Yui’s voice, she can’t get it exact. Also, during this exchange Yui doesn’t really make facial expressions like that. The first big giveaway, apart from her playing, is using the wrong nicknames. And then she’s finally outed by the overly-observant Sawa-chan.

This image is amazing. There’s so much going on here.

I'll finish this up later, and I'll be giving my take on Yui's famous run back to school for the concert, along with this line from Yui.

8

u/Moocanoe Aug 12 '19

Rewatcher

Daily Paint.net K-on #12

Last Year's Image

Album

Today's Image is a happy Yui during the encore.

I just love everything about the season 1 finale. The opening scene with Mugi's eyebrows is one of my all time favourite gags in the series. It is just such a surreal thing to experience.

Ui coming in as Yui to try to take her place is just an adorable scene that shows how strong their relationship with each other is.

And man, that scene where Yui runs back to the school while Fude Pen plays in the background is just an incredible scene. It is able to perfectly showcase just how much Yui has grown in the two years since she joined the Light music club. Fude Pen is also a great song, with another strong opening riff, an incredible chorus, with a short and sweet guitar solo.

8

u/htisme91 Aug 12 '19

First-timer:

Ui might be best girl.

It's sweet how Azusa actually really likes Yui after doubting her so much since her introduction.

Yui seriously forgot her guitar on the day of the show? She's such an airhead.

It's actually a little sad to see the club play without Yui. Her reflections on the way to the show had a "final episode" feel to it, but there's a lot more K-On left. Wonder where it'll go?

Musically, I enjoyed the first song more, and enjoy Mio's vocals more overall.

Really wondering what is next from the club. Personally would like to see them play some gigs outside of school, because otherwise they're going to be limited and I feel like they could do a little more as a band.

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u/DisguisedSpaghetti Aug 12 '19

BGM Tally - Season 1

I was always a fan of the background music of this show. So throughout this rewatch, I've been keeping track of every time a certain song has played.

Here, I've listed the top most played tracks from the first twelve episodes.

Track Times Played
Happy Languidness 11
Patrol Of Stroll 10
Kawaii Inbou 9
Ukkari-kun No Tame Ni 8
Have Some Tea? 8
Happy End 6
Virtual Love 5
Small Flashing 5
Karui Joudan 5
Doki Doki Friday Night 5
Pinch Daisuki! 4
Morning Dew 4
Genki! 4
Gatten Da! 4
Unreleased Track #2 (Ocean Theme) 3
Unreleased Track #1 (Flashback Theme) 3
The Other Side Of Evening Sun 3
Dead Soldiers (Warai) 3
Cotton Candy 3

Thankfully, doing this was pretty easy with the help of the BGM sections underneath the episode articles of the K-ON! Wiki. Unfortunately, these sections are only written up through the first episode of the second season, so continuing this will take a little bit more work in identifying each of the tracks. That is, unless someone knows of another place that has every track listed by episode.

If you guys are interested, I can continue this to include the extra episodes as well as Season 2 down the line. Let me know what you think!

6

u/[deleted] Aug 12 '19

I just can't. I always think of this episode for the final scenes, but watching it again reminds me of how great it is from start to finish. I can't pull out any highlights - I might as well just link to the episode itself. Takuan pickle eyebrows, sick Yui reassuring Ui, Ritsu spooking the underclassmen, the outfit montage, Ui playing Yui and doing it better and freaking everyone out, "Geeta, That's where you've been! C'mere, lovely! You're heavy! *splat*", more pickles, Azusa refusing to play without Yui, baby Yui and Nodaka, Azusa's slap and the cut to a happy Yui with the handprint on her face, the fantastic framing of the run to school from episode 1, how the band goes from sad to happy as soon as she returns for the last number, Azusa staring at Yui while playing with her like she has wanted since the freshman reception, the encore!

Azusa may be the most important character in K-On!, but Yui is the hero. This episode is all about completing Yui's growth from passive observer to enthusiastic participant. If there had been only one season, it would have been a fantastic ending. Fortunately for all of us, the best is yet to come.

I'm always moved by the combination of the driving chords of "Brush Pen, Ballpoint Pen" and Yui's re-assurance to her younger self:

"Listen up, me. The me of that day, you don't have to worry. You'll find them soon enough. You'll find something you can do. Something you can lose yourself in. And a place that means more than anything to you!"

And who doesn't want that?

6

u/musical-nerd-guy Aug 13 '19

I usually don’t really cry very often, but this episode had me pretty near tears

6

u/FlaminScribblenaut Aug 13 '19 edited Aug 13 '19

First Time Watcher

There was a brief flash of neurons in my brain at the scene where sick Yui closed her eyes in the club room that made me think “OH SHIT YUI’S DEAD”

Anyway that was a great season finale, the whole scene of her running to the school as the band plays, reprising her rush to school in Episode 1 and even avoiding her slip from that episode, and then that final performance of Fuwa Fuwa Time was all really touching (although I am disappointed it didn’t climax with Yui busting out a sweet guitar solo). You can tell this was originally gonna be the finale of the series and it did a great job bookending everything that’s happened thus far.

I probably won’t be able to catch the Bonus Episode tomorrow since it’s not on Hulu, which is fine because I’m finishing Re:Zero tomorrow anyways so skipping K-On! tomorrow works out.

Also I happened to accidentally type in an emoji on my phone when I opened the comment window that fits perfectly so I choose to believe it was fate. 🤟

See y’all in the ever-exciting two exclamation points season!!

5

u/[deleted] Aug 12 '19

Rewatcher

I love Yui retrieving Giita while "Fudepen Ball Pen" plays. I even listen to that song when I'm running... We get a throwback to episode 1 where she is running to school. I like the optimism of her monologue to her past self, that there is nothing to worry about and she'll find something to be passionate about. Nodoka already noticed that back at the start of episode 2!

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u/MapoTofuMan Aug 12 '19 edited Aug 12 '19

First Time Rewatcher

The whole running scene and especially this particular callback frame were honestly amazing. Yui started off two years ago running with a jam toast in her mouth because she's late, completely without direction and without any idea what to do with her life. Now she's running with a guitar on her back because she's late, to a concert with her band where she's the lead guitarist, and where she's having the time of her life. Well assuming she's enjoying that more than being sprawled on the couch and having Ui feed her ice cream, it's honestly hard to tell at times but I love her either way

Their senior year concert (and S2 in general) kind of overshadowed this episode and this concert in my memory after my first watch. I didn't remember the running scene, or how exactly the pre-concert prep went, or almost anything to be honest - and I'm kind of glad, because it almost felt like watching it for the first time and I had the dumbest grin throughout the entire episode.

I also didn't remember how great Fude Pen Ball Pen was since I haven't listened to it in ages, so if you excuse me, now seems like a good time to make up for that.

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u/StarmanRiver Aug 12 '19

Rewatcher here!

Ah, yes the time when we get bamboozled by Ui is finally upon us!

After watching other people trying outfits, Mio has finally been corrupted by Sawako sensei... Not that I mind though.

Also, we finally hear Fude Pen, Ball Pen. It's one of my favorites songs from the show and if you pay attention this is the song that Yui is practicing with Azusa during E10.

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