Hibike! Euphonium S3 — Episode 10 — 10 Second Anime

Kumiko visits Asuka for advice on repairing Kitauji’s morale before the band’s next competition.

Episode 10 — “Expressing Arpeggios”

Hmm.

Yes. Yes! Each season of Hibike! Euphonium requires a scene between Kumiko and Asuka. The rules are always the same, too. Kumiko still seeks Asuka’s approval. Asuka acts like an aloof cat but eventually gives Kumiko a metaphorical nuzzle on her knee. But Asuka still offers Kumiko a necessary perspective on Kumiko’s issues.

Two of Kumiko’s character issues have driven personal crises and the show’s emotional drama. The first is that Kumiko’s presidency has stifled her personality. Kumiko’s style has always let unvarnished opinions pop out of her mouth. But Kumiko felt uncomfortable talking plainly with Taki-sensei and with the concert band. Kumiko’s leadership style would have benefited from incorporating that part of her character.

Kumiko’s second character issue has been procrastination. It’s been with her since Hibike! Euphonium’s first season and comes to a head through her post-high school plans and dealing with Kitauji’s uncomfortable frustration. But Asuka told Kumiko she always overcomes her defect at the last second with the most impact. And so, that’s how it went for Kitauji’s performance.

Heh.

Wow, finally. Kumiko asked Taki-sensei why he changed the ensemble numbers between the two rounds of competition. Taki-sensei’s goals have always been to encourage a student’s improvement, but how do you balance that with the club’s goals of winning competitions? Aw. Taki-sensei gave her a piece of candy from Tsukamoto. But Kumiko still didn’t ask him why he chose Mayu instead of her for the euphonium solo in the last Hibike! Euphonium episode.

Oof. The band is in open revolt about the auditions. And Reina and Tsukamoto argue about whose fault it is. Reina insists everyone should trust Taki-sensei unquestioningly, but Kumiko knows students who can’t do that. They need an explanation of the audition results. Reina is a musician with no people skills. Her opinion is objectively wrong.

The eye-catches show the rift between Kumiko and Reina growing and the section responsible for the most drama in Hibike! Euphonium.

Is it time? Yes, it is time! We saw Asuka’s address on the postcard she sent earlier in the season. The foreshadowing paid off. Haha! Asuka lives with Kaori-senpai! These euphonium girls always end up with trumpet girls. Ohoho! Kaori asked if Kumiko got into a fight with Reina! Asuka predicted everything. Asuka! Asuka! Asuka! She’s surprised it took so long before Kumika and Reina had an angrily significant argument. Ahaha! Asuka wanted a lover’s quarrel, not drama over a transfer student taking Kumiko’s solo part. Kumiko and Asuka fell into their usual groove quickly. Asuka gets to Kumiko’s core: Kumiko needs closure on a decision. That’s selfish but also human. Asuka also pointed to how Mayu and Taki-sensei need Kumiko to show leadership because the two euphonium players are so close in skill that it’s a coin toss to choose one. And then Asuka does her business: Kumiko already knows what to do. Just do it already.

Here we go. Hibike! Euphonium includes the usual running scene for its heroines. When will Kumiko express her thoughts to the band? What does she consider the last moment?

Concert day for the Kansai district. Kumiko’s moment arrives. Words pop out of her mouth, breaking the tension. She explains how the executives asked Taki-sensei to have multiple auditions to try something different to make it to the Nationals. They’ve gotten better. They can win. Now, the “Kitauji, Fight!” cheer feels different. How could they lose? But we’ll see if the school moves on to the Nationals in the next Hibike! Euphonium episode.