HIBIKE! EUPHONIUM 2

DESCRIPTION

CAST

ANIME DramaHibike! Euphonium
SPECIAL ComedyHibike! Euphonium 2 Specials
MOVIE DramaHibike! Euphonium: Todoketai Melody
MOVIE DramaHibike! Euphonium: Chikai no Finale
MOVIE DramaLiz to Aoi Tori
MUSICKimi wa Tennenshoku
MANGA DramaHibike! Euphonium: Kitauji Koukou Suisougaku-bu no Ichiban Atsui Natsu
MANGA MusicHibike! Euphonium: Kitauji Koukou Suisougakubu, Saidai no Kiki

REVIEWS

• 

  WillQ

  80/100
  Sound! S2 takes the stage set-up by S1 and tells a compelling story about hardships of performing and growing up

  Looking back on S1 of Sound! Euphonium, it didn't seem to have any overarching themes. One that comes to mind was the relationship between certain key characters and their instruments, showing how their personality and behaviour can change with a piece of brass (or wood) in their hands, but that's at least slightly far-fetched. Comparatively, S2 not only has a central theme, but also a plot building it up and then exploring. Namely - why those key characters are in the concert band, or rather, because of whom.

  This is a good point to mention that I'll take some liberty with mentioning plot threads from later episodes, but I'll try to avoid spoiling particular events as much as I can.

  The season starts right where we left off - the Kitauji High School Music Club has passed the first stage of the All-Japan Band Competition and continues to aim for the Nationals. In order to achieve that, additional coaches are recruited and students are putting even more focus into practicing. However, some issues from the past are rearing their heads again. The infamous "incident" that caused most of current 2nd years to quit is still finding ways to affect the band's life. Asuka continues to be an enigma, in a way that can seriously screw with people. Kumiko's relationship with her sister, which was only very briefly touched before, now proves to be its own bag of problems.

  The interesting thing here is that first few episodes tell a story which centers around none of the main characters. Instead it introduces two new ones, and the entire "conflict" is between the two, whereas everyone else is only tangentially attached to it, if even that. Thus the show takes its time telling us the nature of relationship of this duo and everything around it, and by the time we know everything, the entire situation is resolved. However, once that's out of the way, four other characters simultaneously go through a very similar story. In a way, the second part of this season retells the events of the first one in more detail and on more examples, which is quite an interesting story structure in my opinion. Those branching threads share some of the particularities, while differing on other aspects. One sub-plot is about the ever-lasting conflict of club activities versus studies - truth is, most of these characters won't become musicians, so every once in a while the reality knocks on the door and asks "are you sure it's wise to practice for some competition you probably aren't going to win instead of studying for your exams?" Which in turn begs the question I've mentioned in the opening paragraph - "why are you playing in the concert band in the first place?" And I'll have you know, those answers can be quite suprising.

  At this point its worth to mention that S1 adapted only one volume of the light novel series the anime is based on. S2 decides to go for two at once, which I haven't noticed in terms of the material feeling rushed or anything of that sort, but it does explain the structure of this season compared to the previous one. It seems like a good decision, although I don't know what (if anything) was omitted. Also, I have to say that it's interesting that despite looking as part of "main four" in the promotional material, there's even less Midori and Katou this season compared to the previous one, with the former being reduced to a goofball who likes to say simple cliches with completely straight face, and the latter being almost completely non-existent. Not that I'm complaining, those who were given attention are inherently much more interesting characters. Also, this shift of focus gives a nice feeling of getting closer to the characters that received more of it this season, even if this leaves others in a position of filler characters who already said their piece and can now be let go. But again, those characters were never made interesting in the first place, so it feels fully intentional and works well.

  There's really nothing to say about the production of this show - KyoAni has accustomed us to high quality animation and voice acting, and I'm not the right person to explain what exactly is high quality about it. What I can commend is the directing, with some amazing atmospheric scenes and scenery shots, good use of camera shaking during emotional scenes, cuts that feel just right and great use of background music.

  One thing I have to say is that the show started slightly losing me near the finish line with seemingly infinite torrent of scenes where characters loudly express their rather simple feelings towards each other, but there was enough nuance in the very last episode to leave on a high note. Additionally I have to shout out my very favorite scene of this season where Kumiko is trying to have a serious talk with Asuka, believing that her senpai for one reason or another respects her and might listen to her request even though she's been largely neglecting everyone else's concerns. However, to Kumiko's suprise, Asuka decides to challenge that notion - why does she think people respect her? Sure, you can take her behaviour as being mature, understanding, calm and collected, but you can also describe it as being wishy-washy, afraid of hurting others as well as being hurt herself and thus keeping her distance, which meant she never actually helped anyone or really had an effect on anything. While I think the intent was "why are you so sure others are honest with you", my first impression was "how can you be sure I'm being honest with you". In few sentences Asuka challenged pretty much everything the relationships in Kumiko's life are built on, which was a really scary thought, but also an interesting one. The entire conversation is definitely my favorite one in this show period and seemed like something out of an entirely different show, but it also fit really well with context of that episode and overall plot.

  I wonder if we'll see a return of Sound! Euphonium. The ending seemed like something that could've been the final scene of the entire series and I would be satisfied by that, but there're easily more stories you could tell with those characters and the themes this show revolves around. I love the melancholic atmosphere this show can so effortlessly create and I have to say that I've also quickly fell in love with the setting of wind ensembles. While there seems to be a limit of how much can you do with a coming-of-age story, the good ones are quite rare so it's always great to see one executed so well. I dread the return of more light-hearted, cutesy KyoAni, but even if they never produce anything in similar vein again, I'm really happy that this series happened.

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• 

  Tubasas

  99/100
  Deep indirect feelings through with their rhythmic, harmonious sounding melody. Fantastically more than just music.

  Let’s see… where do we even start uh.. Hibike!
  This would serve as my succeeding review for all of Hibike! Euphonium. Two makes it more out of its first season, and it’s great! I see more Kumiko and the Kitauji High School Concert Band. The thing is, this series surpasses just more than harmonious music.

  It passes on to daily lives, dramatic and tragedy of all of one of these characters that I have seen with all my eyes. It’s more than music, music goes and flows with them as they go forth and music of course interacts with their daily rhythmic activities and such. It somewhat reminds me of Clannad with their ~AfterStory~ being season 2, but they’re totally different; Clannad is more centric on Slice of Life while Hibike! Euphonium focuses on music. What they have done with the characters are twice as terrific here, especially Kumiko. The series tries to show that what they’re doing is not just that, they’re showing that they’re like us, humans, and shows that we also struggle the same as them. Some scenes especially at the middle (≈ EP 6-8) are quite relatable to me because where I live is quite common as they’re portrayed here. (Forgive me if the next line sound spoilery to you; not really sure if they are) Parents conflicting with their sons and daughters about that their academics is much more important than what they’re having fun with and misunderstandings that we can’t just say it, that’s what I’ve seen with my own eyes both in here and real life. Conflicts exists no matter what the situation is, nothing ever goes as stable as ever and it’ll always either go up or down. Dark Ages and the Golden Ages exists for that matter. That goes the same for the Concert Band Kumiko’s in, they would occasionally have problems that are unexpected, and even unheard of that a domino effect comes in to show.

  And that’s where their main Music genre comes in to welcome harmony with these problems. They play harmoniously as always and greater than or with the first season. Music always keeps their notes and musical staves (staff) high. They won’t give up sounding off their music regardless of any situation from personal issues to their downfall. They don’t want to fall down on their knees because music has always been a passion for all of these characters, and that’s probably the same for all of you in different insights and hobbies. You don’t give up because it’s simply what you do and love to do, with and on it. The Hibike! factor is beautiful and mirrory of whatever is shown here, Music is what they keep themselves sounding high to the sky and to their lives and creates a harmonious composition with teamwork and equity.

  This is in fact, one of the greatest anime I’ve watched for this time period and I really recommend this to everyone hands down. I can’t wait for the movie, which is the sequel to this one and I bet it’s going to be fantastic. Hibike! Euphonium, for me, is a great musical composition through animation and daily human life as well. Music within drives the story from happy things to the most tragic ones and it will always be mysterious to our living. It’s always been there for us indirectly within our feelings and moments for both musicians and people like I do. To conclude this, I always tell myself this unanswered... “Is music composed of more than just feelings and lives? What if music also portrays human living, history and philosophy through playing even the simplest notes?”

  You answer it through your own composition, and that is your living with your lifetime decisions as you overwrite the notes in your irreversible staff. Be yourself.

  
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• 

  ABPAEAE

  96/100
  An improvement over the already great first season.

  The second season of Hibike! Euphonium, in my opinion, is better than the first. This season feels like a more refined and concentrated version of what Hibike! Euphonium is, and that improvement alone turns a good anime into a great anime.

  The story isn't any different on paper. The Kitauji high school orchestra continues working hard to achieve their goal of playing at the nationals. However, this second season shifts the main focus from playing in a respectable competition to the individual characters behind the music, their personal struggles, and giving some insight to the history that made them who they are today, and how it sets them on a path for the future. I think this is a fantastic direction to take this series. As great as the music is in Hibike! Euphonium, the characters all have so much potential to flourish and tell very captivating and emotional stories. Without spoiling anything, the ending for this season is well-written and satisfying, and the meat of the season consisting of character building also makes for a great watch.

  The art is still consistent with modern Kyoto Animation quality, which doesn't need an introduction assuming you've already watched the first season or other Kyoto Animation works. However, I noticed this season had many more scenic views, which I personally loved. Seriously, some of the scenes in this season are so crisp and high-quality with an immense amount of attention to detail, resulting in gorgeous and lifelike shots of suburban scenery and city night views. The animation and character design is still fantastic, resulting in an all-around 10/10 from me in the art department.

  The music in this season, though it did not feel like the main focus for me, was still great. The band performances have a tsunami of emotion behind them, and the background music for other scenes is beautiful. There's some fantastic cello pieces that really make me miss playing the cello and even evoked regret for not sticking with it longer. Emotional and impactful music like this can really add depth to anime, and is refreshing to see when most everyone else in the industry considers music an afterthought.

  As stated previously, character development really feels like the spotlight of this season. Though it's still not perfect, it's much better than the first season and it's still very much enjoyable to watch. There's still plenty of drama to be had, enough to make you feel like a single middle-aged wine cat mom getting invested into her favorite soap opera. However, Hibike! Euphonium's drama, unlike most soap operas, is very high quality. The drama between characters this season, mostly relating to character backstory, feels emotional and realistic. Maybe it was just because I could deeply relate to some moments, but Hibike! Euphonium definitely feels like it's a few steps above the typical high school anime "character A loves character B but character C likes character B as well" character interactions. Romance, while still not a main focus of the series, feels much more substantial and less forced than it was in the first season. It's still not perfect, nor is it what I keep watching the series for, but it definitely adds more than it takes away from the series.

  Overall, this season was a considerable improvement to an already good anime. The ending was well-written and interesting, and set what feels like a good foundation for future content to the series. I will definitely continue to watch what this series has to offer beyond the second season, and I hope that Kyoto Animation recovers soon to continue doing what they love and making great anime like this.

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