The big problem was that Taki didn't make the audition blind (having the trumpeters play in the next room or behind a curtain). That meant that the whole thing turned into a popularity contest - Reina was blatantly better, but anyone who voted for her felt like they were painting targets on their backs.
What's precedent ever done for us?
I don't think so — it seems that Taki-sensei is playing the Hobson's Choice card full-tilt. The situation seems to be specifically set up to be: his choice, or no choice at all. And when it finally dawned on the band what their situation really was (vis sa vis tradition vs. raw talent), they chickened out.
edited 17th Jun '15 5:49:52 AM by MyssaRei
By the way, the first set of Euphonium shorts is now out. Hazuki wonders about what would happen if you take your instrument in the bath with you
◊. Then wonders if everyone
◊ else would actually do so
◊.
Also, Kumiko takes a bath without steam censoring! Of course, she's heating her euphonium in reality
◊, you pervs. :P
edited 18th Jun '15 5:45:24 AM by MyssaRei
By this point, I can reliably notice episodes directed by Kigami. They all have that sort-of-darkish shading on character art. And intense depth-of-field effects everywhere.
Anyway, to the content of the episode itself. Kumiko taking her practice so far into overdrive she bled over it (The heat does make nosebleeds rather common), her not even noticing it is pretty hardcore, though.
That's a lot of notes. Nothing much for based Asuka, though.
Someone (probably) has some lingering regrets, I see.
Someone's sister is bitter.
That scene where Kumiko and Shuuichi was together in the river, were they trying to play in unison or are they playing without regard to the other's rhythm? I was slightly unclear on this.
That last scene; Kumiko does it on purpose, does she?
It reminded me of that minute-long running scene from The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. Probably inspired by that. Still a very fluid scene, though.
I think Kumiko and Shuichi were playing their own, different passages that they were working on previously. It's kind of a strange, competitive vibe between them right now. That scene on the bridge where they both try to one-up each other in how hard they're working—I guess that's the point of commonality between them, right now. They're both working toward something and not there yet.
Kumiko said, "I want to get better," last episode, right? She saw Shuichi but didn't go to him, only listening as he worked on the passage that had troubled him.
Author of The Second Coming (NGE) and The Coin (Haruhi).That tracking shot by the bridge aside, there were several scenes that were framed really well (and very beautifully) this episode. In particular, every scene where Kumiko and Shuichi are together. They're usually in the same space (the riverbank, the bridge), but are never together, and yet every time it's shown that they're moving toward the same ideal (see their shouting at each other from across the road XD). The distance is emphasized, yet at the same time (particularly in this shot
◊) it might be that distance isn't so huge after all.
Also, that scene where it's implied that Reina dropped the bottle from shock. XD Nuance.
Speaking of the heapings of Rule of Symbolism this episode, this scene is particularly subtle
◊. You know what those two bright stars are, besides the moon? It's Venus and Jupiter, and, this is important, they're on the same horizontal level, despite them being magnitudes of different in distance from the Earth. What's more, they're both visible to the naked eye. Let that sink in.
edited 24th Jun '15 1:05:31 AM by MyssaRei
That's a real life detail: Venus and Jupiter are very near a planetary conjunction right now, with minimal angular distance between them on July 1.
Author of The Second Coming (NGE) and The Coin (Haruhi).Kyo Ani nailing the tension again. I was shaking a bit through the whole thing. Not really an explosive finale, but a lovely and tense one. Natsuki wins the side character award.
Also, it occurred to me Taki-sensei could be a very effective cult leader.
Anyway, Nationals movie when?
edited 30th Jun '15 1:38:29 PM by majoraoftime
Episode 13
In Which Our Song Goes On.
…. …………… ………… IT'S TOO QUIET!!! SOMEONE MAKE A NOISE!!!!!!!
What the hell. Why is she putting her hair in a bun again?
Hmm. Taki-sensei's stroking a photo of someone he loved?
And thus we have a Kumiko and Shunishi scene that reminds us that her friendship with Reina has no romantic undertones. Sigh.
"S-sempei." ;__; Hazuki's so touched that Reina's playing the solo.
REINA'S CRYING AGAIN!!! But for a different reason!
So I suppose they did go on.
…… pretty… basic finale. I wish we could've gotten more closure on a lot of things, but that's what the later volumes are for.
edited 30th Jun '15 6:30:40 PM by kyun
Are you talking smack about triumphant return of Kumiko's ponytail? Cause you better not be talkin smack about the Kumiko ponytail.

Yeah, it was Yuko and Haruka for Kaori. Kumiko alone clapped for Reina, with Hazuki tentatively joining in shortly after.