Episode 9 — “Dissonant Tuning”
Hmm.
Drama alert for Hibike! Euphonium! Kumiko insists she accepts
Taki-sensei’s decision, but she can’t hide her feelings of distrust. That
causes a rift with Reina, of course. Her inability to satisfactorily adjust
her playing is the best evidence that Kumiko is not a musician. She doesn’t
have the same instincts to follow Taki’s suggestions as Reina and Mayu do.
Kumiko could have just asked why she needed to make those changes. But we know
Kumiko is a procrastinator, so let the drama party commence.
Kumiko seeks to build a culture of meritocracy, one where the kids have
friendly rivalries, cheer for the ones who make selections for each
competition, and the rejected improve to make the next one. But the kids still
give a deference to seniority because they’re Japanese. Also, people usually
play favorites with their closest friends. Rejection from an audition will
hurt feelings. Hibike! Euphonium has pounded on this theme through the
three years it’s followed Kumiko. That’s boring. I know the point the story
aims to make and exploit the drama for character development. I get it
already. Let’s fast forward through the needless emotional repetition.
Heh.
Hey. These Kitauji kids are so tense this year. Hashimoto-sensei has
questions for Hibike! Euphonium. Kumiko doesn’t want Mayu’s pity.
She’s angry but doesn’t know why or at what. Taki-sensei rejected her
music, and not knowing why frustrated Kumiko. Kanade’s passive-aggressive
comedy routine gave Kumiko perspective on Taki-sensei’s idea of balance.
However, the younger student still wants consolation because the rejection
has hurt her feelings. The fact remains that the kids can only guess what
Taki-sensei’s criteria are for the auditions. Again, they could have just
asked. The seniors follow Taki-sensei faithfully, but it resembles blind
trust to the juniors.
Kids setting off fireworks isn’t a metaphor or anything. Right,
Hibike! Euphonium? Tsukamoto is angry on Kumiko’s behalf. Reina
sounds resigned about Taki-sensei’s decision to exclude Kumiko from the
solo part with her, but Kumiko doesn’t want to hear that. Reina says
Kumiko better get good enough to play with her at the Nationals. But Reina
takes her frustration at Kumiko’s failure out on juniors. She claims she’s
maintaining trust in their club’s adviser. How very Stasi of you, Reina!
How about some democratic transparency? Whoops. Kumiko lacks
self-awareness in trying to stop Tsukamoto from sulking.
The eye-catches show frustration with no resolution and the happy horn
section.
The section heads have questions about keeping morale up after the second
audition. “Get good” is not an answer. The situation is puzzling because
the kids think they can’t ask Taki-sensei why he chose the people he did
for the next round of competition. Did
Hibike! Euphonium always have that wall between the students
and their club adviser? Tsukamoto agrees with Reina that their decision to
hold an audition for each round makes them play better, but he doesn’t
like how it feels. Practice sessions are too tense. Everyone is curious
about Taki-sensei’s changing criteria between auditions. Well. Ask him!
Kazuki has assumed the attitude that multiple auditions inspire her to
improve. Midori notices how keeping Kumiko as the solo euphonium would
keep peace within the group. Meritocracy vs. politics. Reina hates them
all for questioning her beloved Taki-sensei.
Oh no! Best friends fighting in Hibike! Euphonium! Reina thinks
questioning Taki-sensei’s reasons equals questioning his authority. But it
could be as simple as asking what parts need improvement. The friends have
a fundamental philosophical disagreement. But Kumiko needs to take charge.
She’s the leader. Reina calls Kumiko’s distrust of Taki-sensei her failure
as a president. Easy fix: ask the adviser his reasons.
Oh, KyoAni and your metaphorical scene transitions. A dog off its leash
correctly uses a crosswalk on the walk signal. Free, escaped, but still
following the rules! Kumiko and Reina had a serious tiff. They’re not walking
to school together anymore! Finally! Kumiko has questions for Taki-sensei.
Answers? That’s Hibike! Euphonium’s cliffhanger.
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