10 Second Anime - Hibike! Euphonium - Episode 10



Most students accept the results of the auditions, but there are some hard feelings. Taki-sensei offers a way to move forward.

Hmm.

This episode focused mainly on how an older student treats a younger student who has won a position through competition. We saw in Kumiko's flashback that she had faced a senior student who was upset and angry that Kumiko was better than she was. That's the explicit message an audition imparts, that someone is better than everyone else. In the present circumstances, Kumiko was worried that Natsuki was going to make a scene like the junior high girl did.

While Kumiko's past was concentrated into one person, those feelings appeared to be separated out into two people for Reina's audition drama. The one who couldn't accept the loss was Kaori's number one fan Yuuko. Interestingly enough, besides all the tension spread by rumors of nepotism because Reina and Taki-sensei's fathers are friends, was that Kaori herself didn't accept the decision. Taki-sensei's solution to bringing back harmony to the band is for everyone to hear who really is the best trumpet soloist. I'm sure Kaori will know as soon as she hears for herself how Reina played at her audition.

Heh.

Natsuki senpai is best senpai!



No wonder Kumiko was shedding tears of relief. She thought Natsuki was calling her out like the girl in her past did, but Natsuki saw that Kumiko was stressed about the decision to leave Natsuki behind. We found out why Natsuki's audition was so drawn out - she was being made to play music parts she hadn't practiced. Anything can happen in competition, where even totally different musical numbers might have to be played, so only the best musicians should be part of the team. Natsuki had only been playing for a year, so she wasn't surprised at the result.

With the ensemble in disarray because of their preoccupation with Taki-sensei and Reina, that meant it was back to sectional practice. Which meant it was time for Natsuki to lean against the window again.

The other bass players made Kumiko go ask Asuka what she thought about the soloist position. They buttered her up with compliments first, about how Asuka thinks she's special. I'm beginning to think Kumiko has a lot more talent than she realizes, if gifted students like Asuka and Reina keep mentioning her specialness.

We haven't seen this playful Asuka in a while. I liked how she said she doesn't care at all who the soloist is. From her musical perspective, I believe her, as we saw her scary eyes when she didn't want to hear about Hazuki's rejection. But I also agree with Kumiko that she put on a bit of a mask because Kaori is one of her best friends. Maybe she only cares that Kaori gets some closure over the results of the audition so that the band can get back to playing music.

Interesting that Haruka and Taki-sensei came up with the same idea. Haruka really was cut out to be president of the club.

Matsumoto-sensei had some nice words for the rookie teacher. I liked how his idea came when she said that you can only admit when something sounds good, something his father had said to her at some point. The copy counter on the machine was at 55 at that point, the same number as the competition ensemble, but his inspiration came when all 65 copies were done. When everyone heard how good Reina was, they could only agree she deserved the soloist position.

Reina and Kumiko are making their mark for best couple.

Reina only lets out her feelings in front of Kumiko. I get the feeling she's imagining Yuuko's head for bongos in that last scene of frustration.

That Yuuko girl really reminds me of Dekomori from Chuunibyou, except she's obsessed with Kumin-senpai. Yuuko's not as endearing, though.

Confession time for Reina.

No, not for Kumiko. For Taki-sensei. Her father the professional trumpet player is friends with Taki-sensei's concert band instructor father. They've known each other for years, but I'm sure Taki-sensei only sees Reina as the little girl he's always known her as. Reina can claim she loves him, but that's probably a schoolgirl crush she's carried for years and doesn't know how else to feel towards him. Their relationship explains why Taki-sensei was watching a video of her and Kumiko's school performance and the crazed look on Reina's face when Kumiko said he was good looking.

This was the first time we saw a flash of anger from Taki-sensei. And over such a trivial thing as blankets.

Man, I miss KyoAni's version of Haruhi...

I've been waiting for this middle card to show up.

Next week, the band gets to practice in an actual concert hall. They'll start to get the feeling that what they're doing is the real deal. And, they'll start to see what Taki-sensei has been training them for. I can't wait.