Episode 1 — “New Euphonium”
First Thoughts.
KyoAni is back! It’s been seven years since I covered this show, but much has happened to the animation studio between then. A horrible arson fire destroyed its studio in the summer of 2019, killing many of the animators, writers, and production directors for its popular shows like Violet Evergarden and Hibike! Euphonium. A movie in 2018 showed us how musical goals can fracture the relationship between best friends. Another movie covering Kumiko’s second year adjusting to life without her beloved senior, Asuka, premiered in Spring 2019. And then, nothing. For four years.
A new movie debuted last summer, covering Kumiko’s first challenge as the new president of the Kitauji High School Concert Band. A December concert featuring ensembles became fuel for exploring Kumiko’s leadership skills, the new characters who butted heads in the 2019 movie, and it set up the drama for the third season. What would happen if another euphonium player arrived who played better than Kumiko? Would we have the same drama from the first season when Reina competed for a trumpet solo with a popular senior? Kitauji High School aims to win gold at the national contest, so what happens when ambition, friendship, and loyalty collide? Let’s find out!
Hmm.
Hibike! Euphonium lays the mirroring narrative device on the audience with a heavy thumb. Transfer student Mayu Kuroe is a senior from another powerhouse high school concert band. She’s also the embodiment of Asuka’s musical soul. She uses a silver euphonium and practices the same song that Asuka always did. When Kumiko first heard Mayu’s euphonium from the riverbank, she thought Asuka had returned from university for a family visit. The question in Kumiko’s mind from the Ensemble Contest movie was, “Would Reina pick me over a better player?” Kumiko better practice if she wants to avoid that question.
Heh.
It’s a spring day, and Kumiko walks to school. She meets her friends along the way as band practice provides the background music. It feels like no time has passed between the second and third seasons of Hibike! Euphonium. The three movies could have added together for another season, but the wait would have been too long. Ah. This was a flashforward. We need to meet the new first-year students.
Tsukamoto and Kumiko are (kind of) going out, but they’ve only gone as far as holding hands. The concert band has three officers now: a president (Kumiko), a vice president (Tsukamoto), and a “drum major” officer (Reina). Reina must be in charge of the marching band stuff. Yuuko and Natsuki forced Kumiko to become president! I saw Taki-sensei talking with a student in the faculty office. Who? Ack. It’s the first day of the new term, and Kumiko doesn’t know which homeroom she’s in. Matsumoto-sensei knows because she put all the band nerd friends together. Haha! Those band nerds respond loudly and in time to Matsumoto-sensei! Kumiko is still so attentive. She noticed an empty desk in the homeroom.
Aha. Sacchan still loves Micchan! And Kumiko is still prickly toward Kanade. The bass section needs to recruit members, but how? Tsukamoto’s poster relies on Midori’s accessory sense. Reina has questions about him and Kumiko. In that way! But Kumiko can tease Reina about her love for Taki-sensei. Speaking of recruitment — Kumiko hears a familiar song written for the euphonium. Reina pronounces Kumiko better than the mysterious player!
Eye catches will feature the concert band’s sections. First up: clarinets.
Hoho! Tsukamoto is a showman! The concert band’s outdoor performances will gather interested students. Four girls want to join the bass section! Ah. The loud one is the percussionist’s little sister. She has a whimsical vibe that matches Kazuki’s. Yayoi is not a pirate but dresses like one. Eccentric students in the bass section? Again? Midori carries the spirit of Asuka-senpai! Kanade, too! Kanade’s style of explaining the euphonium makes Kumiko cringe. After finalizing the band members, the club has to decide its goal: have fun or aim for honors. National Gold Medal!
But now the mysterious euphonium player and transfer student reveals herself. Mayu Kuroe knows who Kumiko is! Welcome to Kitauji.
The opening and closing credits show up in the next episode. The focus for both sequences is playing music with friends through the four seasons.
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