Episode 11 — “Orchestra to the Future”
Hmm.
Mirroring past relationships to emphasize current ones is the hallmark of
Hibike! Euphonium. Reina’s audition for a trumpet solo against a
popular senior ended the first season’s drama to fix Kitauji’s concert band
club’s competitive attitude toward regional competitions and national
ambitions. An oboe and flute duet provided the story of friendship and
separation between a talented introverted musician and her extroverted musical
hobbyist. Then,
last week, we saw how a friendship between trumpet and euphonium players continues
after high school. Notice all the parallels between Reina and Kumiko’s
connection and those past characters and storylines.
Since Hibike! Euphonium’s first episode this season, Reina has pushed
Kumiko to join her in pursuing a musical career. Was Kumiko’s hesitation a
sign of her signature procrastination? No. Kumiko single-mindedly followed the
path of molding Kitauji’s concert band into a meritocracy with instant
willingness and wide-eyed awareness of its emotional pitfalls. Kumiko only
procrastinates when she doesn’t know how to answer, not that she doesn’t know
the answer. Mizore Yoroizuka’s clear, straightforward answer that she had
never thought of Kumiko as a musician showed Kumiko how to answer those who
wanted her to attend music school. Kumiko loved music but wasn’t a
musician.
How will that affect Reina’s friendship with Kumiko? Again,
Hibike! Euphonium’s mirroring reassures us that friendship persists
even beyond physical separation. Kaori, the trumpet player, is roommates
with Asuka, the euphonium player. Nozomi still supports her best friend
Mizore at music college. Asuka, the relationship savant, predicted Reina
would attend school overseas in an offhand joke. Kumiko and Reina could
have the most challenging circumstances to keep their friendship alive.
But Kumiko has the most tenacity to achieve her goals after she ends her
procrastination. Kumiko and Reina will be okay no matter what.
Heh.
Kitauji won gold, but was it fake gold? No! They continue to the
Nationals!
Will it be a fluke
like Hibike! Euphonium’s first school year for Kumiko? Taki-sensei
thanks Kumiko for her speech because he shuts down emotionally in those
situations. Taki’s late wife was the loud, friendly one in their
relationship. He needed her complementary energy. Ho. Kumiko didn’t need a
guidance counselor. All she needed was to chat with Taki-sensei. I see her
future now. High school band adviser and music teacher. Look at KyoAni’s
food porn. Midori received a confirmation letter from her college of
choice. Hazuki and Kumiko are left-behind buddies. Kumiko is still
procrastinating. But Reina will go to America for music school! Left
behind! Midori will forever be Hibike! Euphonium’s wisdom fairy.
More KyoAni food porn and a metaphor for friends going separate ways.
How about listening to Mizore’s university orchestra for perspective? Aw.
Reina apologized for her angry attitude about handling the concert band’s
frustration. OMG. Kumiko sounds like Asuka with fake petulance! Hug it
out! Kumiko acted like this because she visited Asuka and Kaori. Aw.
Reconciliation is nice to see.
Practice starts again, and Kanade is adamant that Kumiko plays the
euphonium solo with Reina. Kumiko plays “Hibike! Euphonium” so much that Mayu and Kanade want to play it with her. The eye catches
hint that Mayu still wants to forfeit the solo part. Please stop already!
And the Tuba section takes its turn.
Kumiko won’t budge on the meritocratic mindset of Kitauji. And she expects
Mayu to adhere to that or quit altogether. Aw. Kanade is overprotective of
Kumiko in her passive-aggressive way. Kumiko has fought too many emotional
fights about seniority to give her perspective now. She’s the president.
She owns her policy.
Girlie formal dress for an orchestra venue. Mamiko gets to play with
Kumiko’s hair. Kumiko tells her she’s not going to apply to music school.
Probably. Yup. KyoAni uses Hibike! Euphonium’s scene of Kumiko
dressing like a “grownup” to emphasize adult perspectives and leaving
childhood behind. Look how not-grown-up Satsuki and Yuuki are. Nozomi is
fine. Reina feels happy seeing her seniors maintain their friendship after
graduation. Harsh. Mizore never saw Kumiko going to music school.
Clarifying for Kumiko. She made up her mind and closed off that hope for
Reina. KyoAni puts this conversation at a crosswalk. Heavy-handed symbolism.
Ack. Reina freaks out. No contact after graduation! Reina can’t bear the idea
of distance causing her friendship’s death through a thousand cuts. Hug.
They’ll always be friends. She won’t change. She won’t let their relationship
die. Kumiko’s transformation as her generation’s Asuka is complete. She is the
rock to which everyone can lash their hopes.
And the last round of auditions begins for the
Hibike! Euphonium cliffhanger.
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