Sound! Euphonium the Movie: Welcome to the Kitauji High School Concert Band

"I hope we make it to nationals. I've had that wish since middle school. But back then, I was only saying it. I never thought of actually trying to make it happen. I thought that it'd be stupid to get my hopes up, only to embarrass myself. But... Wishes don't come true unless you mean it when you make them." I think many of us face this dilemma: to try our best with the possibility of failure or put in some effort and do average. At least I do. I am afraid of putting in all my effort and not achieve results which in a wayalso proves my limit. I know it is stupid, but I still feel the way I do. What I really like about this movie is that it tackles this (cliche) problem and motivates me in the process. The characters were enjoyable as well. My favourite one being Taki-sensei. His method of teaching his students and the respect and trust he gives them is admirable. He is strict but not demoralisingly rude. He thinks through and plans for how the students can improve instead of simply expecting them to practice more (because sometimes students don't know what to work on to be better and it makes them frustrated). I want teachers like that in my school. As a person who didn't watch the first season of this anime, I thought everything was done pretty well except for the pacing. It moved very quickly that at some points, I couldn't relate and didn't feel for the characters. Otherwise, it is worth the watch. I will probably watch the first season because I want to know more about the characters.

I can begin this review with telling you all that this is only a recap of the first season of Hibike! Euphonium. We all knew that we wouldn't get so much new material in this movie long before it came out (even though there are some scenes that weren't included here and there throughout the movie). So for those who want new materials by watching this movie, don't be surprised or disappointed if didn't match your expectation. Because as I already said this is only a recap. I also recommend people who are new to this show to watch the first season first and thenwatch this. It's better that way. ;) On the other side, for those who loved the first season and want a fresh-up for what this series were about before jumping to season 2, I truly recommend to watch this short one and half hour movie rather than rewatching the whole season 1. This is my reasons for it. Story: 7/10 I think the plot is very good made. It's a recap so you expect less story and scenes than what were in the series. I think they have done a very good job, but if I were to point out something negative about the plot it would be the events in the movie happens too fast. They jump from one scene to next in a instant. I think it would have been better to give each event a bit more screen time than it got. Regardless of that, I am glad they have included the most important scenes from the series. To spoil less as possible I will only mentioned some scenes that is worth mentioning. For instance most of the great scenes that surrounds Reina and Kumiko (our favorite yuri couple in this series, xP) have been included and they have been done very well too. Also they haven't forgot about the important scene that surrounds Reina and Kaori about who were going to play the trumpet solo in the competition. There are also other great scenes some other good scenes. Art: 10/10 Just like how KyoAni didn't disappoint in season 1 (and also currently in the second season), they certainly didn't disappoint here either. Personally I think they did a better job with the animation in the movie than in the series. The animation is great throughout the whole movie but what really amaze me and my reasons for giving it a top score is very small details with the animation that goes so well with the plot. For example in the last scene before the band begins to play Kumiko and Asuka have a small talk. Asuka is a bit sad here, but that fades away with Kumiko's positive words. This is also shown with the animation. Right after that the lights gets turned on and the band start to play. Maybe it's not a big deal, but to me it were a sign that this wouldn't be their last competition and that they would even aim higher higher to the nationals after this. There is also many other good details that can be told, but I like to hold it short. Sound: 7/10 Overall throughout the movie the sound were good. It's a music anime so it's expected to have good sound. But what I loved is that they have picked the best music pieces for this recap movie. In the series, as far as I remember, there is much more practice and a lot more music good pieces are played. But I am glad they took the scene were Reina plays a solo piece on the top of a hill. The music shows the sadness that is engraved deep in her heart. By remembering the scene before she plays that piece and by the conversation Natsuki and Kumiko have during Reina playing that piece, it's shown in a great way how Reina is feeling in that moment. This scene is one of my top favorite from both the series and the movie. There also other scenes were emotion are shown through music. This is another reason why I think they did good work with the sound beside having the band playing amazing in the last scene. Characters: 7/10 As you maybe understand after watching this movie (or series for that matter) the whole anime is seen from Kumiko's eyes. So we get to know the characters mostly throughout her point of view. That's why most of us love either Reina or Asuka best. I agree they are both great characters, but personally I love Reina best. Reading others reviews I see they aren't so happy that Asuka didn't get so much screen time, but personally I don't care so much for that. Since this is all from Kumiko's point of view it's pretty obvious that Reina is the one that should get most screen time. So for me it makes sense. I think the other characters got enough screen time. Maybe Natsuki is the only one that should have got a bit more screen time, so I am maybe a bit sad about that. Otherwise the characters were good represented comparing it to the first season. Enjoyment: 9/10: I think I enjoyed this movie more than I should, but I guess that's because I am also a big fan of Hibike! Euphonium. :D I agree that the series have a lot of more details, but if you want to watch the greatness of season 1, I recommend to rewatch this movie instead of rewatching season 1 once more. A lot of unnecessary moments are avoided in my opinion. Overall 8/10: I think it deserve the same rating I gave to the series. Overall I think they have done a good job. I agree with people that the producers have skipped an important part of the season 1 (hint: the events that happened with Kaori and the rest of the second-year band members), even though it were mentioned a bit about it. I would be glad if they also made a recap movie of the second season and maybe add more details about this event. Anyway, overall I think they did an awesome work with this movie and they have done a great job with recap the first season. (Sorry if I made a too long review to give you all headache. :P I am not the type of guy who write reviews so it's really not my specialty. I usually only do it for some of the series I love most that I think deserve a review from me).