Sound! Euphonium is probably the only music anime (that I know of) that actually feels like it was made for musicians. Most tend to simply have musician characters in it and focus on romance, drama, competition, comedy, ect. so they don't really show what it's like being a musician and interacting with other musicians. Not having another character commentate over the performances to let the music speak for itself (like Your Lie In April), having a teacher that will call you out on not practicing (which somehow people compare to Whiplash), and having them talk about things musicians care about like if competitions are pointless or the extreme frustrations of someone less skilled and passionate then you getting more recognition simply for having more friends (Reina's whole solo conflict) blew me away. It quickly became one of my favorite anime
Aaron KTJ yeah, but k-on was never really about music. The parts with music are still well done though. Mio for example always has correct bass technique. Compare that to any of the animated music on Fuuka. People still found stupid things to complain about because it's "yuri bait" whatever that means. Also funny how people assumed it would be k-on 2.0 before it came out
I was debating whether or not to watch this, but you saying it feels like it was made by musicians is easily enough to make it a certainty. I fucking _love_ when any media is about music and musicians and gets the actual feeling right, that kind of passion and desire to improve and patience and very specific style of interpersonal politics that comes with all groups. Thank you internet friend, you've set me on the path to the finale
TAP7a I'm glad I could spread the love for this great show! I dunno if I would say it was made by musicians, but the original source material almost certainly was. Regardless KyoAni clearly did their research to make the musicians move and sound accurate. The sound effects are also spot on
Oh man, ignoring for a second the actual analysis in this video I need to gush about the writing. The freaking *writing*, man. Everything from the flow of ideas to the word choice to just the way the words flow themselves is phenomenal. Seriously. I could have never seen Hibike but just sat here for 25 minutes and listened to the way the words streamed from his mouth. This is my new standard for writing for videos. I wish I could write like this one day. This was unbelieveable. Phenomenal job.
Something I'd like to add is that this is the one show I think best illustrates just how insane the social pressure can be at Japanese schools sometimes. Like when the seniors are alienating the freshmen or when people are dropping out of the band, that shit right there is something I wasn't prepared for when it hit me smack across the face IRL
I think the vocal performances in Hibike Euphonium was phenomenal especially in season 2. With Tomoyo Kurosawa as Kumiko it was one of the first times where I could really feel a difference in the way someone interacted with every character. The level of guardedness, openness, nervousness changed with every character depending on whether they were an extremely close friend like or a senior who she was friendly with like Reina. That's part of what made it so human to me. Baller video bro
For me Kumiko’s VA really puts me in the mood. The way her voice acts when it’s interacting with Shuichi is extremely realistic to what the feelings of Kumiko are, carefree unamused yet comfortable attitude that gets expressed neatly into her voice acting. Man even her gasps or weird surprised gutural sounds match perfect to the scenes lol
Around the 13-minute mark, you make a great point about seeing the humanity of characters by relating specific instances from our real lives--I always thought Sapphire was a fun and likable character, not just because of her affable personality but also because I, too, played string bass in high school, yet my appreciation for her character increased a thousandfold during one quick little cut during the last episode of Season 1 when she's tuning her bass, leaning over and plucking the strings from G-D-A-E in that order up to her ear, *precisely* the exact same way I used to tune my bass during practice. Little things like that go a long, long way.
I have to say, I'm really glad that you decided to write this video. As I've said before, I was also a band kid in high school (one of the 'blockhead' percussion members). While I watched the first season and thoroughly enjoyed it due to how relatable it was to me, I wasn't planning on watching the second season. I'm so glad that I ultimately did. Hibike has really opened my eyes to what my time spent in band really meant to me. I feel as though all this time I've been somewhat emotionally guarded, afraid of admitting to myself that I really cared for the people that I spent time with while in band. I was afraid of the pain that that kind of sentimentality would cause me. Hibike is one of the few works of art that has caused me to undergo deeply meaningful introspection. I've actually begun to reach out to some of my old bandmates and instructors through facebook. I feel as though 18 year old Mike's cynicism prevented proper closure on that chapter of his life, something that 23 year old Mike now has to rectify. All of this feels rather personal to me, but when a work of art like this comes along that speaks to such personal emotions it's hard not to put forth my most honest thoughts. I think that Hibike really is of a rare caliber of art that we rarely get to see, it's simply astonishing. Enough about me though, your writing continues to be spot on! This is an amazing analysis of the series, you covered the series from every conceivable angle and gave it all of the praise that it deserves. It was a blast getting to edit this one!
As a band geek, this was so relatable to the whole highschool band experience. From growing closer with your band mates, to losing touch with people who quit, to that one time at band camp. Just so nostalgic!
I'm right with you and many of the commentators here. When I first watched this it reminded me so much of my High school band days. It was so realistic and meaningful on so many levels. I loved how in the first season they had drama from the previous year that the main characters weren't involved in at all such a big deal. I saw such things myself all throughout high school band. They really captured all the different kind of people you see in a band and presented them so life like.
I've been wanting a great Hibike video for a while now. It's one of my favorite shows ever and I've watched so much of it (rewatched S1 three times and most of S2 two times) that it started to bother me that there weren't any super in depth analysis videos yet. Awesome work as usual dude.
Did Hibike! justice, makes me want to start finishing S2, gave me something to think about when watching it, and wasted an episode of that time needed to complete Hibike!. This is One Great Vid.
Found you while trolling for anime analysis videos (which seem to barely exist), and I'm enchanted by your ability to have Good Taste, clearly defined explanations of your view points and the media you're engaged in, a therapeutic rhythm, and good voice tone. Glad I managed to find you, damn. Thanks for selling me so hard on Hibike.
There is little that I like more in analyses than watching long essays about what specifically is great about shows I love :D And you pointed it out perfectly! I do watch shounen, fantasy and other ganres of anime, but I have a special place in my heart for good slice of life. There is indeed something very special about capturing reality through animation. And it always makes me happy to watch characters that seem like real people. It satifies my tastes, critical views, artistic views and all the others, I simply enjoy it. Good job on the video :)
Incredible job with this video, Hibike is my favorite show, and you nailed exactly how I feel about it right on the head. I cannot stress how great this video is. Mad props dude :)
All I can type is just high praise of this analysis. Very well put together, no points felt like a stretch and makes me really want to watch Hibike someday. Great job!
You have sold me on your channel. I found your channel through the anime subreddit from your video about Digibro killing SAO, which very accurately described how Digibro impacted many anime fans. This video was recommended to me on my home page and god damn do I love your analysis. Your style of analysis is very thorough and I really admire that. Just from these two videos I think you're on the level of Digi or Geoff for how much I like your analysis and style. You were able to say a lot more about Hibike than I ever could and putting my unorganized mass of thoughts and feelings into words that I can personally identify with is something I really appreciate from people like you.
I just discovered your channel and am pleasantly surprised. You easily (or so it seems) managed to put into words kyoani's genius character writing that I could feel but not explain, I think that's great ! Hibike! Euphonium became one of my favorite anime after I rewatched it entirely and I'm glad some people out there think it is a revolutionnary piece of its medium. Kyoani just takes japanese animation to a whole new level once in a while. Great video, please keep up the good work.
Man dude, you just earned a life long fan. If anything, I am a huge lover for words and this whole video was just a waterfall of words that was perfectly planned out from start to finish with the smoothest transitions. You obviously put so much effort into this video and the script and the fact that it only earned some 4,000 views is, well, kinda sad. You deserve a whole lotta more views and trust me when I say I'll forever try to be one of future thousands and most likely millions! Keep up the good work, but don't overwork yourself! (I'm not copying Phys! I swear!)
Wow... It's a comment like more than 1 year later... But I feel this video deserves a like, comment and share! Good job! It was a blast watching it. Hibike! Euphonium is just amazing, hands down. It's like looking through a time portal, seeing the struggles of the band and the big questions they have to answer. That big question of playing for fun or playing for nationals hooked me in at first, after falling short of my own nationals. The emotions of the characters are spot on, exactly how I felt after failure or success. The characters are just so human. So human in fact that I see parts of myself in them, or in one character, is like a reflection of me. I was so shocked in Season 2, when they introduced Mizore as a main character in an arc. I'm also a teenage oboe player, so I was extremely invested in it, and... It's like looking at myself in the face. That loop of torment she put herself through because she lost the person she values the most is too familiar to me. The way she played afterwards, robotic and passionless, reminiscent of me almost dropping the oboe entirely. And when her friends finally pull her out of that loop, that gave me hope to get out of my isolated world. I've never felt so connected to a character like this before... Showing how amazing this show is. All in all, its an amazing show about the life of a band member. The accuracy of the show is incredible, the conflicts are realistic and, to a band member, it's like looking back, remembering the struggles and the happiness. I'm looking forward to the movie about Mizore and Nozomi.
I was agreeing with you throughout the whole 24mins. never has an anime made me feel so involved. and all the feels moments, other animes I have watched couldnt make me cry even in their feels moments but Hibike! Euphonium's stressed out moments, suspenseful moments and the tensions and all the crying really made me feel like I was somehow one of the characters. I was avoiding this anime when season 1 came out cos I thought it was boring. but now, even after I have finished watching both the seasons, all the feels still lingers around. also all the small little gestures they put into their characters were like you said what made them so human like. so far best anime I've watched.
Once i finished the second season, i was really hit with a huge wave of self awareness, about myself, and those around me. It almost became too much to handle and i was left in a strange state somewhat questioning the human experience itself. I think that Hibike really was something special; for a lot of reasons that I am not skilled enough to put into actual words. Thanks for doing it for me with this video haha x) I really loved how it flowed, felt more like 5 or 10 minutes to me, rather than 24.
When a show's character interactions remind me of Utena or Homestuck, I know it's a good pick, and you sold me on the idea that Hibike Euphonium is that kind of show. Looking forward to watching it as soon as I can, thanks!
Great video. Creators like you are giving me the tools to appreciate fiction I already enjoyed in ways I wouldn't have imagined. This is one of the best I've seen.
I've been in Marching Band for a year now but it'll be my only year in band due to me moving to a school with an extremely undeveloped band. Before this video I understood I would always remember band, but this video really opened my eyes up to not only the characters in this anime but the people I knew in real life. I didn't understand how many little interactions I would miss and the thought process/personality that surrounded me. Of Course, this also applies to everyday life in general. But in a band and or club setting it becomes much more apparent due to a long period of time with a certain amount of people. The amazing try hards to the laid back jokesters etc. each with other aspects that makes them themselves and how they change in your perspective. I feel that in the new school year I will be analyzing people's decisions/actions with way more thought than I ever have before and may be able to obtain a greater understanding. Even now no longer being in a band setting, this'll apply to everything in my life. So, thank you for making this video haha
I always appreciated this show for its portrayal of very human characters, as well as its theme of growing up and deciding who you truly want to be. Your level of analysis points out so many things that contributed to my enjoyment of those two aspects that I wasn’t able to overtly notice. Great job. I feel like I need to give this a rewatch now.
I agree on the whole line. This show has gone from not even being on my radar in October to being my favorite anime pretty much ever over the course of two months.
Dude this video is amazing, the analysis of the video is deep, so damn deep, I am really impressed, the writing is so amazing, so amazing Holy Chaos!!!
What a well worded and considered analysis, thank you! You spoke so eloquently too, I never noticed the time go.Though I can honestly understand why you found it so hard to make this shorter: I don't think you could say enough about how great this series is in 24 hours let alone 24 minutes. One thing you alluded to but didn't cover was the musicality of the series, in both its sound and styling. You pointed out that the percussionists are humanised through subtle allusions to their forgetfulness and the writers show a deep understanding of the type of people percussionists tend to be. I would go further, in suggesting that the characters in the band are reflected directly in their instruments. Asuka Tanaka, leader of the bass section, and the bedrock of her fellow band member's confidence, is a euphonium. Reina Kousaka, particularly in the first season, is a trumpet- she would regularly annex herself from the band and play short interludes which would set the tone for her fellow band mates and set the scene. Mizore the Oboist, is sweet and understated, but melancholic. The choice of audio was such a key part of what made this series so fantastic. Each tune they played reflected their growth as a band, and the quality of the music and their playing incrementally increased. As you said, considerations like this and the reverbation of the rooms, made the series so immersive. You were a band member too, following Kumiko as she learned about her colleagues and improved in her musical ability. Not only this, but the tunes picked for some of the characters marked or pre-empted watersheds in their relations with the fellow students. Mizore's hatred of Borodin's dance of the gilded maidens is a prime example. Whilst this isn't new in the medium, it was taken to new heights in this series, the music and audio was considered and integrated from the beginning of this project. I would like to see this shown to every school band in the world, to inspire and bring them to a new level of respect for themselves and their art. Animators too should see this work of genius and be humbled.
Absolutely fantastic video. Personally I still like Hyouka more because I feel it has most of this (though sadly minus the amazing voice acting) but also appeals to me more in terms of meta commentary on the nature of interacting with a work and visual style. That said I'm going to visit Uji in the next few days because Hyouka's Takayama is in too inconvenient a place.
I just find the way hbike euphonium got onto my favorites list to be kind of hillarious, i just completely watched the full first ending, and once i saw the red ribbon, i realised, its gonna be okay, these girls may go through hardships, but ultimately, throughout there lives; they will stay together
I always said to people that if they loved music this was a great series for them to watch because it depicts a high school band so well but beyond that wouldn't be able to put into words. thank you for explaining far better then I ever could similar opinion that I can point to now that I can show to someone if the topic comes up again.
No-Rin is an anime I find really heartwarming and fantastic, with an actual message and "Moral of the story" not usually seen in many slice of life fanservice anime. You should totally do a video on it if you haven't already, I'm new to this channel.
Yes!! A fucking fantastic analysis of the writing in my favorite KyoAni show and my favorite anime character of all time, Kumiko. I'm only halfway through the video but I just needed to yell for a second. This is so good.
I'm so happy this series is getting appreciated I absolutely loved it, I felt the same things you said, I loved how genuine and unfanservicing the anime was, and I loved how indirect and not obvious it was about giving out details, letting me investigate and understand instead of telling me bluntly and in exaggeration that this is the situation. But it was kind of ignored, actually... I didn't see many people talking about it, and recommending it to people didnt get them watching quickly because it's not really hyped like others that I thought were not even close to Eupho Anyway, I'm really happy that now that it's over and people are thinking back on series it's getting more noted and I can see more people talking about it... I really hope it will lead to more series like these and that more people can understand what I like so much about it
This was a great video. I wish I was able to convey things so clearly. How long have you been doing this sort of thing? I've been writing a hibike video of my own but this blows mine out of the water. Again, amazing analysis!
I was glad to find a video on this topic (half this video was conclusions I came to on my own, although put more eloquently). I was also glad I discovered your channel through it. Very impressed with your writing and analysis. Each sentence added some thoughtful insight, and that continued for 20 whole minutes. You know your shit, and you know how to write about it. Looking forward to your future RU-vid career. Keep up the good work, it will pay off!
I typically find this kind of analysis to be somewhat boring and it tends to overly intellectualize mundane things, but I actually feel like you avoided those traps quite well, and the stuff you focus on really is meaningful in the way that you say it is. I also have to echo your praise for this show (albeit in a less eloquent manner) and say that it really is perhaps the most realistic human drama that I have seen in anime. The personalities and interactions make so much sense, and the themes and symbolism are clear without being so blatant that it loses its narrative flair. In a year with some pretty good television, this is one of the best shows I've seen both in and out of anime. Can't wait to rewatch the entire show as a whole. PS: As for KyoAni's character animation - the Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya has my favorite character animation moment ever. It's the scene where Kyon reveals to Haruhi that he's John Smith. The several different emotions that flash across her face before she collapses are nothing short of genius (especially if you know the background to this with regards to the episode Bamoo Leaf Rhapsody). I think I've watched that one scene on its own at least 100 times.
This is a very well-made video. I picked up Hibike and left tit to sit afterwards, but now I am compelled to pick it up again. Just the "make it sound less 'anime'" line was enough to hook me - after years of hearing the same voiced doing the same performances I was getting weary of it. Plus, as an aspiring writer and manga artist myself, having compelling human characters is certainly something I aspire to, and your video has put in me a renewed sense of deliberateness to do so with even more care and precision. If it has been done, then I can too. Thank you.
I especially enjoyed the ending. This sounds silly, but it kind of felt like Kumiko came to life and chose the ending for herself. It wasn't the one from the novel, it wasn't even the one I wanted; but as a result it felt incredibly real. It also completed the series in a way we're the story felt complete, but not everything was tied up for the characters.
Lock, the way you talk about hibike is how i talk about Evangelion, i hope to see more from you in the future, I'm currently working on a novel length analysis of Evangelion so seeing other new anitubers making long videos is good
Back when I first watched Haruhi Suzumiya and the Hibike, KyoAni became for me the best animation studio because of the way they make things "subtlety" instead of saying it all out with words. Then I watched the hugely disappointing Musaigen Phantom World and I lost hope for that studio because everything I liked about the studio was lacking on that show. Then months later I decided to watch the second season of Hibike because I liked the first one but I had very low expectations because of my experience with Phantom world. But I really like this season and your video really helped me to appreciate once again what a great show Hibike Euphonium is.
Struggled to make it through the whole 24 minutes but am glad you're putting so much thought analyzing a show you love. Even if I can't see it that much myself. As for some suggestions if you don't mind. I do think you write out your scripts too "Matter of fact" like. With a video like this I think there needs to be more of an effort to convince me, you know? Otherwise everyone would be able to see it, and you wouldn't have to explain it in the video. Maybe its just me though.
I feel like the realism of Eva's characters is highly overstated at times. Much like Re Zero, it just makes Shinji go batshit insane every time something bad happens, without him ever becoming jaded to the experiences that happen so often. A better example of realistic despair is portrayed by Gen Urobuchi's works, notably Homura from Madoka Magica, where she gets used to death; she's far from emotionless, but she's just been forced to mature and get better at controlling her emotions.
The video in itself is quite insightful, but I'll upvote it just because of how well you synced your voice to Sleepy-senpai around the 21 minute mark :P
Watching this, I'd like to hear your opinion on Bojack Horseman, which many believe to have some of the most "Human" characters ever written in fiction.
I could talk about kyo ani works for days writing wise and directorial side. Mizori and her arc leading into liz is the blue bird is some of the highest tier stuff I've seen. Also the reina trumpet duel scene 👌👌👌
Dude, I can't agree with you more, except for one thing: Kumiko in S1 is not "pretending to be indifferent --> finding out that she actually cares about ppl/things around", to me she's more like "pretending that she cares about the surroundings just like everyone else while she actually doesn't care ---> realizing how the ppl/things around means to her while she develops her goals (to be special)"
I hate how euphonium makes me hate myself. I see Reina wanting to be different, and the best, and I hate myself for not doing anything about my intense passion like she does. I want to be great, but my doubts stop me. Reina makes me hate myself, and I love her for it
Immensely enjoyed the video! I would be interested in hearing what you had to say about Reina and Takis relationship, and Reina and Kumikos. Both being the two most controversial. It seemed you kind of skipped the hardest ones. I know it was not a review, but I felt you drew examples for the videos theme from everyone except them. More of a curious question personally then a critique of the video. I think what was presented here was very well done. Also Flip Flappers! Overrated? Hidden genius? Not seen it? Seems like a cool video.
Thank you for doing this, until now i've known and understand all of this things but hardly know how to express myself, there's a lot, and i mean a lot of people that acuse Hibike of being yuribait and have nothing else to offer, and i want so badly tell them why they're wrong, this helps me doing that and understand a ittle bit more my own thoughts, great video you've just won a suscriber
The Kumiko speaks, not the words but how she sounds when communicate with other is just so natural, it hooked me in haha! Especially that line from the episode they won a dud gold.
This is probably the most well-explained video on the topic of KyoAni's masterful character work in pretty much everything they do. Even for shows I don't consider to be that great like Hyouka or Tamako Market (even though I really do like the latter), small things like character action and interaction make it so much more enjoyable. However, i would argue that the character work done in The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya and in all of K-On are even better ;) Also, seeing as the length of the video is for some reason getting a lot of attention I have to say it barely even mattered to me because of the way you flowed between ideas so efficiently. It didn't feel like 24 minutes at all.
Hey, I really like your video and I am not saying this only because I LOVE Hibike! Euphonium and you explain the most important thing about it. You have potential to do something better than this video, that I already think is pretty good. Good job and good luck.
I played trombone for a very short time when I was 10. I stopped because I lost interest and because of one moment of embarrassment in front of my friends. (also my teacher made me uncomfortable I think) This show reminded me of what made me want to play a brass instrument in the first place. tho now I feel more like playing the trumpet than trombone. I wonder if it's too late for me to learn an instrument like that at the age of 23....
oh god thank you i love this show. im at the point where askua i think is trying to get the girl who used to be a tenis player to play tuba she bullshiting so hard you may not know this but like man and woman a intrument and its player are bound by fate i never heard such a SHUT UP! i am dying of laugter. that is pure gold. i can totally see someone doing that in real life this girl is so over the top from her loving papers on her instrument to the welcome removeable hand to No one wants to join my section IM SCOUTING YOU she is great
iiiiii may or may not have stayed up all night watching the show. I love this show. i Just got to the thats hot moment you talked about. I see what your saying but for me it was Asuka's blow me random jokes and the casts diverse reactions to how over the top she is that sold them as real people to me. then again I was in Drama in Highschool I saw lots of people with her kind of delightful crazy in drama
Holy shit, consider my appreciation of this show multiplied tenfold. I never stopped to consider just how many leagues above other anime these characters really are. Where are all of the Asukas in anime?
Just in the middle of the second cour for this amazing series. Not so good as the first one, but still great. To my amazement, KyoAni has managed to surpass K-On! (hear Yuri shouting K-On! in the mid-episode eye-catch, if you please), which I thought would be near impossible. But somehow they've managed it, weather with an even more involving storyline or with even more moe, but made in such a way that, like in K-On! (again, Yuri shouting, please) but even better, it conveys very convincing slice of life situations in an even more dramatic and endearing way. I'm just speechless (despite how much I've written hear, which of course denies the speechless thing) at how wonderfully amazing this anime is!
I like this vid and agree with all that you say about Euphonium. Only part I don't agree on is Evangelion. It's a classic, and it's one of those anime that if you haven't watched it you have to watch it just to say you have, but it just freaked me out. It has left a lasting scar on me that makes me nervous and scared anytime I see the "Psychological" tag on an anime. If I've missed out on a bunch of other good psychological anime, I blame you Evangelion.
