Liz and the Blue Bird - KyoAni's Musical Masterpiece 

Tbh no other anime movie - or show, for that matter- can even touch Liz and The Blue Bird in how real character animation feels. No. Other. The moment when Mizore was about to rest her head on Nozomi's arm left me in tears, jesus christ, it was beautiful. All the close-ups on girls feet when they walked, Mizore's measured steps and Nozomi's cheerful skipping and how it evolved during the run of the movie. All the hidden glances, the body language that conveyed more than words. And this MUSIC! The solo scene is a masterpiece that grabbed my heart and squeezed it until I was choking. This movie is a gem. Soft, underrated, gleaming gem.

Is it me or KyoAni really is the best studio right now??

Kyoani has always been amazing with the small character movements, I am beyond excited for this film

If it weren't for videos like these, I'd completely miss the single showing it's playing in the theater near me.

I just watched this movie and I'm still crying. Most movies tend to have one emotional gut punch near the climax. This movie had several sprinkled throughout. A surprising scene that got me was the one where Nozomi playfully shines the light from her flute on Mizore's chest and Mizore just savors it. I know exactly how it feels when the tiniest, most insignificant gesture from the person you love means the whole world to you.

The greatest thing about this film is how it's conveyed even though our main protagonist is the almost always silent Mizore.

Yes, this Movie is an Masterpiece. I didn't watch Hibike Euphonium et, but now i have to do it

Whats this? A non-controversial Mother's Basement video?

it's subtly suggestive (and brilliant in hindsight) that liz and the blue bird have the same voice actor

The thin lines of the artstyle change the feel of this movie much more than I would have expected.

I accidentally watched Liz and the blue bird before the entire series. And that has made Hibike! Euphonium 2 so much more breathtaking. I would say Kyoto doesn't quite make the most emotional and philosophical films but its incredible to see things made without the expectation for the general public's understanding.

This movie is truly, truly a masterpiece. From the very subtle animation techniques to the gorgeously fitting music composition, I believe it far surpasses any of the other big hitting movies like Your Name or even A Silent Voice. I’m ashamed I had not watched it sooner. Thank you for making this video.

Being european is becoming more and more of an inconvenience it seems. :(

A Silent Voice and Liz and the blue bird from Naoko Yamada are truely masterpieces!

Being able to conceptualize and present the complex shifts in a character's state of mind is no easier than conceiving the logical setup of a plot, especially when it comes to presenting literal beauty to impress the audience. But most of works that use emotion to drive the story are overlooked by the audience, and it's often not a matter of taste but of aesthetics. Of course, this doesn't mean that the viewers of these will be more sophisticated, but it does open the eyes of those who try to position themselves differently.

I hope the lady who directed this stays healthy enough to keep at it. We need more competent folks like her. Just glad that she seems to be doing quite alright.

I felt a bittersweet void inside me after watching Kimi no Na wa. I felt heartbroken after watching Koe no Katachi. Anime movies have made me feel things that almost no real ones have,and I will gladly go ahead and watch this one too. Thanks for letting us all know Geoff!

Naoko Yamada..............isn't she the director of K-On, A Silent Voice and Tamako Market?

Did you start labelling all the shows and movies used so people would stop asking, "What anime is this?"

*KyoAni is very good IMO*

Stop sleeping on Kyoani! The best studio out here.

I missed this movie when I was at anime expo, and I regretted it because my friend saw it and loved it.

I hope more animes set their stories in highschool.

1. Thank God for this video or I would have missed the screening playing nearish to me in like two days! 2. As a flute player I FINALLY have an instrument cosplay I can do and I'm so damn happy T^T

Apparently neck-growth is a part of puberty in Japan

It is a certified MASTERPIECE, that 3rd moment is just... GODDAMN PERFECT. Though if you watch the Hibike series first, there are some tiny details that are easy to understand once you watch Liz no Aoi Tori.

Just watched it, i fricking love the ost where you hear slight bgm and walk sound. Absoluty nothing else and yet you can tell what's hapening in the character mind.

Hibeki Euphonium is such a beautiful realism piece, no major drama but it's all incredibly relatable, and the animation is breath taking. Kinda sad it's yuri bait but it's still one of my favorite yuri and I refuse to change

THE CLOSEST SCREENING TO ME IS 4+ HOURS AWAY AND I AM LITERALLY CRYING

"it's much bigger on the inside" ah yes, Liz and the Blue Box

As a recovering high school Band Geek, I loved Sound! Euphonium. Thanks for making this review to remind me this movie exists. I would’ve missed it otherwise. Please continue to make more of these as anime films come out.

I guess you can call this video a *Blue Bird Lamentation.*

omg i found this movie by accident last week and instantly bought tickets for it so i don't know anything about it, gonna watch this after i see the movie

I got legitimately hyped listening to the final performance. I binged all of sound euphonium before watching this and in that show i could hardly ever tell what was good or bad. But I KNEW this performance was fire. Felt that shit in my soul

Thank you. Got a ticket and told some friends about this. Would have missed out if it wasn't for you!

I drove three hours to see this movie and I did not regret it a single bit. Unfortunately I missed the first scene but that gives me a reason to see it again!

thats some great video. as always :)

Saw the US premier at Anime Expo LA. Standing ovation by all in the Main Hall. I really miss cons.

I was literally just thinking about this movie. Going to watch it this weekend. :3

Hibike Euphonium 2 is definitely tops all of Fall 2016 in terms of artistic merit, though I haven't seen 3gatsu due to having previously read the manga. The acting and directing are some of the most realistically relatable and emotionally captivating work from KyoAni so far. Characters slowly reveal their depth and come off as complex yet coherent human beings. Even small things like jokes in the script play out naturally, usually through direction instead of dialogue; I personally find them miles more funny and cute than the typical overreaction or chibi face emphasis. I don't know if you read these comments, but I hope that some of the side characters from Liz are interesting and nuanced enough to convince you to revisit season 2 of Hibike Euphonium, where they receive the hours of characterization they deserve.

With only one day left until 2020, I think I can confidently say now that this is my favorite anime film this decade.

I hate how Kyoto Animation gets a bad rep from the rest of the anime community

Every moment in this movie is meaningful. Every shot, every music construct this great story. This anime film that did the things that normal can't do make me fall in love with anime again.

Watched the US premiere at AX and, like Geoff says, this works wonderfully as a work independent from its franchise. I knew absolutely nothing prior to getting in line for it. It was so captivating in a way that I know I can't describe and now it's one of my fav. anime films. If you don't mind movies that are on the slower and subtler side, do yourself a favor and watch/buy it!!

This is just one of the sharpest film reviews I've ever seen.

I'm excited to see tomorrow night in San Diego. Coincidentally finished the series last week! glad you made this review

Thank you for this. Seeing this movie was time not wasted.

If you were a fan who watched Sound! Euphonium, then you are going to love this film. It takes place after the events of Season 2 of Sound! Euphonium.

2 minutes in and you've already convinced me to watch this.

Was considering getting my brother tickets to this for a birthday present, until I found out the only two theaters showing it in Florida are in Tampa. Way too far a drive for only 90mins. Guess I'll be waiting for the blu-ray release!

I remember watching this movie in the summer. it really is amazing and it’s so much better in a theatre

You got me hyped for this.

This is probably going to get lost in the comments and its got nothing to do with the actual video but w/e, are you ever going to make a video on sangatsu no lion? I really love the show, and theres lots of topics you could potentially talk abt. It'd also be cool to see a whats in an opening, i love those types of breaking down video's. As far as i know you haven't made a video on it yet, if im wrong anyone feel free to correct me though

I just watched Liz & the Blue Bird for the 1st time today. I absolutely LOVE it! It's gotta be one of the best movies of any kind I've ever seen. Best yet, Geoff's right! I've only watched the 1st 3 episodes of Sound! Euphonium, so I know nothing about the series at all. Do yourself a favor & watch it!

Dang even just the mention of Your Lie in April had me teary-eyed

My favorite anime movie. I cried watching the video.

The cinemas in the UK never release any anime movies and that makes me so sad :////// Edit: okay, so it seems there are anime movies, just none at all anywhere near where I am :////////////

with any luck we get this movie here in Finland some time next year... we did get Your name. Only time will tell but I really do want to see it, legally if at all possible

I just got a commercial for Liz and the blue bird for this video

you had me a hibike euphonium

Saw it last night and all I can say is it certainly rates up there as far as the best anime movies (or movies period) I've ever seen. The first time I really felt the need to hook to movie up to my hi-fi system just to properly appreciate the music. I actually had no idea this was a Hibike Euphonium movie before I started the recognize the side characters, which tells you something about its standalone potential. That whole set of characters is a masterclass in how to pull off subtle, realistically complex emotions with body language, and voice acting/dialogue.

Just finished it, this show is just so beautiful and entertaining to watch.

I've been excited for this movie. I wasn't really when I first heard about it, but I've just heard so much praise for it as more people have been able to see it. Kind of funny that this movie is getting a dub before the actual show.

I need this. I need this right now.

The music playing in the background for this video is gorgeous! I live in the UK so I don't know if it'll be showing where I live :(

I'm so frustrated with Eleven Arts. They showed Maquia in my city, but not this. 😣 I LOVE Yamada's works, she's up there with Hosoda and Miyazaki as one of my favorite anime directors. I'm just hoping they add my city later.

Gosh I really cried to this its so freakin emotional and it hitted me to a personal level

Must be nice to have that kind of friendship 🥲

I was searching up the song “bluebird” and this came up lol

I just finished Hibike Euphonium! Nice timing XD

Well, I didn´t love Hibike, but something about it made me watch it. Now I realize it was the animation more than anything. And if the movie is as beautifully made as you say it is, I definitely have to watch it. Thanks for the recommendation c: And also for the other movies you mentioned: more to watch!

Hibike Euphonium is my favorite anime ever. I am very excited for its associated movies!

The song bought me to tears as well, super powerful

I need to rewatch this. Never noticed how important ther other characters were.

Saw it at Anime Expo on a whim and loved it

Le geoff: "This will be a spoiler-free video." *proceeds to spoil the whole storyline* lmao geoff, y u do dis?!

This film is the closest I've seen a drama get to perfection.

You had me at Kyoani~~

I actually got an ad for Liz and the Blue Bird while watching this video

No wonder even Makoto Shinkai is a fan of Naoko Yamada of KyoAni.

It was brilliant. If by chance you're going to watch this at home, please, please have a good surround sound system. The Blu-rays in Japan comes out Dec 5.

Bro I cried watching this review.....Can't wait to watch movie!

Just booked tickets for monday!!!

Sound! Euphonium in general is just so underrated and overlooked in the anime community as one of the best imo

Well as long as I don't see Big Bird painted blue, and locked away in a cage, I might give this a try. Lol

Just watched this movie as it came out online, and honestly this movie was amazing and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants some good characters and story

Quick question: Is this a real story about close friends? Or do they just make a couple out of them.

Everytime I see, hear or remember the last song/scene of Your lie in April tears come to eyes. Damn feelings.

I love living in Poland and not being able to watch any good anime legally unless I buy it on dvd on Amazon UK for some crazy amount of money. I truly, freaking love it.

I saw a video with two girls playing music; one with a flute and the other with an oboe. I love oboes, so I grabbed it. Frankly, I didn't know quite what to make of it. I knew I sort of liked it, but I didn't have the framework to really understand what was going on. But after I stumbled over Sound! Euphonium on Crunchyroll everything fell into place. I knew what the background was and it all made sense. And I understood the scene of Kumiko and Reina playing the duet behind the building. So I would recommend seeing season 1 before Liz and the Blue Bird so you know what they're trying to do and why it's important, rather than just random people trying to play random music. I really think it helps. As for music making you cry, I admit it. The duet at the end was powerful for me. Also "Fine on the Outside" from When Marnie Was There. The music in that context really struck a nerve.

Reckon I’ll have to leave my happily solitary brain at the door to truly enjoy this one.

All you had to say was Naoko Yamada and I am sold.

When You mention these anime movies it's already too late for me to go see them, because I live in Japan.

Just finished this film. I loved it!

Been hype for this for months now bc as an oboe player and seeing the oboe getting recognized doesnt usually happen

Not a movie I personally want to watch, but seeing your review I can tell the quality.

I dont remember how I discovered this movie. but it did lead me to watch the show.

Eleven Arts, PLEASE bring this to Europe... I NEED to see this!

Man Geoff, I also live in Canada but there is no showing here, you so lucky =(

I didn’t even know this movie was a spin-off of anything. This movie stands extremely strong by itself with no prior knowledge.