Final thoughts on Hibike! Euphonium 2: This season was something of a mixed bag. Kumiko’s role

Final thoughts on Hibike! Euphonium 2:

This season was something of a mixed bag. Kumiko’s role as the first-person narrator heavily shifts to her conveniently being in the right place at the right time to eavesdrop on every development in the ongoing drama. Hazuki and Sapphire are barely relevant anymore despite being main characters in the first season. The first three episodes were a closed arc involving Mizore, a character who was rarely if ever mentioned in the previous season. Her troubles seem so far removed from the Kumiko’s conflicts that it really felt like an awkward detour (especially with the yuribait imagery smack dab in the middle of the resolution). And while I can understand skipping over the nationals performance due to having played the same piece twice in the series already, I still couldn’t help feeling underwhelmed as much of the series had built up to it.

While my feelings on Hibike’s second season aren’t as high as the first, I almost forgot how good KyoAni can stick a landing. I’m referring to the two major character arcs, Kumiko and Asuka’s. The most well done part of this season was how it explored both their motivations and backgrounds for taking up the euphonium. Their reasons for pursuing music and struggling with it are very similar as they stem from familial bonds. The more Kumiko and Asuka interacted, the more they came to realize this. Seeing their development and relationship deepen with every conversation in such an interconnected way was a really satisfying experience.

For my other Fall 2016 anime posts, click here.