Also, if KyoAni was a person I'd love to be their friend. KyoAni work is to die for.
{Spoilers, but it's slice of life? But it's also like a sports anime? Meheh}
So the first episode was basically a recap of the last episode of the first season which was a good refresher, but honestly you could skip the first half if you're watching the two seasons back to back. And then after that it gets intense. There's just a lot of dimension and different problems going on. There's Yoroizuka's complex with Nozomi which later turns into a great ship (friendship or romance, you decide), there's Reina's emerging feelings for Taki sensei (obviously), Kumiko's changing relationship with her older sister, everyone's efforts to make it to Nationals, the senpais leaving, Asuka's family drama, and Taki sensei's secret goal. All of it together combine to create something more than a light-hearted slice of life. There's so many components going on that it's hard not to relate to one, if not multiple, of the going-ons. I love how they all strive to better themselves, but they also aren't blinded by the hunger to win. You could argue and say that they don't have the hunger and drive to win, but I think they holistically have a healthier view on competition. They see it as a hurdle to overcome, but one to overcome together through hard work. Maybe it's the nature and attitude of concert band which makes it similar competitively to sports, but different because it's more along the lines of competing against yourself last year. There's just a general air of respect which fosters friendly interaction.
At many points throughout the season I felt like crying. I think a lot of it has to do with where you are mentally and at what point in your life you watch an anime that makes it poignant for different reasons. If I weren't moving away to college in T-2 days I wouldn't have felt so strongly when Kumiko's talking to Mamiko about the past, how she idolized Mamiko and didn't understand where she was coming from. As the oldest of three daughters I naturally sympathized with Mamiko. I was the experimental child, I'm currently the trailblazer. There's just something about the order children are born that puts them in a different mindset just under their own familial circumstances. And there was a pang in my heart as Kumiko cried in the train because I can totally see my younger siblings putting up a brave front for me and crying later. I only know this because my mom tells me when my siblings are emotional about something, but don't want to tell me. I hope Mamiko forges her own path.
It was kind of my favorite mini-arc where Taki sensei becomes a more fleshed out character. He opens up to Kumiko about his late wife and I really don't know why but the Italian Whites really got to me. "I'm always thinking of you" It's such a sweet sentiment. Taki sensei is secretly so cute T^T both inside and out :3
I can't really put into words what Asuka's arc did to me. She had to work so hard for something she loved. She had to become this perfect person for her euphonium, her one connection to her dad. I hope one day she can reconnect with him and they can have a little euphonium duet or something. Honestly, just for all the characters I wish for them to have eternal happiness. They're all so pure and deserve the best.
This season really took me for a lot of twists and turns. With all of the training and camps and rehearsals and sectionals, my confidence grew that Kitauji would go to Nationals and fulfill Taki sensei's dream of actualizing his wife's dream. I thought, "This is it. They're going to get gold!" My sights were set high. I mean they made it through the Kansai regionals, so was it such a pipe dream? And when they got bronze I was so proud of them, but my heart also sank. But they kept their heads high. They didn't beat themselves up too badly and promised to do better next year, to keep trying their hardest. And isn't that the most important part? Continuing on even when things didn't work out the first time. That's something I'll try to work on while going through college.
Kitauji, fight!
This whole season just filled me with such joy. There were so many little moments of happiness. The OP was happy. The ED was happy. When Haruka got her solo and stepped up to the challenge I was happy. When Asuka was able to play in Nationals I was happy. When everyone promised to do better in the coming years I was happy. When Mamiko and Kumiko turned out to be alright it was happy times. When Natsuki and Yuko were revealed to be the new president and VP I was happy. All's well that ends well.
*cries a little bit though because the senpais still left even though they had a great send-off party but Reina's trumpet solo made me teary-eyed and I just hate good-byes but this season was still great*
Obviously I would say you have to watch this. The feeling is so great. KyoAni made it so it was obviously quality. There's some great songs. Great plot and it's easy to become emotionally invested in these fictional (sadly) characters. Might want to watch the first season before this one, just a suggestion, to be truly enthralled with this season. It ended on a high note. It was a fluffy, happy, emotional roller coaster of a time.
This made me laugh so much because it's such an awkward but honest answer. Sums up Kumiko tbh
Awh smol Sapphire.
They're already so talented and special so yES
Who's the senpai? Kumiko or Asuka?
Gotta love these scenery shots
HAHA omg this face kills me every time
Kumiko: Stop acting like an adult, you're a kid
asdfghjkl; when Asuka just drops the truth
Yoroizuka has grown so much from the beginning and I'm happy for these two
Me now that I've turned 18 but I'm still 5 inside
Why do school festival arcs never grow old? They're the best
Rikka is a great minor character
Aren't they just the coolest? I wish I could go to their performances for real
Smol Kumiko coming to snatch your heart ugh
This part actually wrecked me. I really did tear up :')
Good job Midori!
NOOOOOO
That awkward moment when your crush doesn't understand what you meant
I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU ASUKA YOU DID IT
*snickers* Also these two are the serious silent power couple
Best wing-women ever
UNTIL NEXT YEAR!
*plays the Hibike! Euphonium song*
Honestly I feel like I could do live reactions, but at the same time so many people already do that and they've got better personality than me...but maybe someday?
