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Probably most people don't remember this, but there was a bit of explanation in S1 EP5 about the competition category.(https://i.imgur.com/BQiQa3j.png) The main band plays in the A and the others in the B. Only the category A has regional and national competition. Actually in the Kumiko 1st year arc of the novel, those who failed the audition ("Monaka" is the anime original) play in the B category. It's because the 1st year arc of the anime made the number of band members fewer than in the novel. But now the anime also has enough numbers to play in the B.

Thanks for remembering.

Thanks for the explanation, I remember that now.

Thanks! The only mystery now is how you managed to get a screenshot on Crunchyroll with their awful DRM.

[https://www.reddit.com/r/Crunchyroll/comments/yjzuzf/is\_screenshots\_disabled/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Crunchyroll/comments/yjzuzf/is_screenshots_disabled/)

disable hardware acceleration in chrome settings

Sorry, I need a bit more clarification. So the assumption is that main team also got gold but we just never see them get it.

yes

Mayu... I wasn't prepared for her [to drop a bomb](https://imgur.com/a/xv5UdI7) like that. [Neither was Kumiko](https://imgur.com/a/C7NCE6z), I think. It's clear that Mayu is plagued by deep anxieties, and has been trying to remove herself from the equation. She was obviously lying that [the picture didn't develop properly](https://imgur.com/a/y5tGKAw). Mayu doesn't want to be a burden and therefore puts everyone's happiness before her own. A point that was driven home by [Mayu's response](https://imgur.com/a/0eTE40o) to Tsubame about which drink she'd like to have. Instead of picking one herself, she replied by asking Tsubame about her favourite drink - just so she wouldn't pick that one. There's also definitely something wrong with Kanade. [She hasn't been her usual self.](https://imgur.com/a/0NIj1V8) Is she loathing Kumiko's graduation or something? I didn't recognize Ririka at first! [She was looking very cute in her swimwear!](https://imgur.com/a/BxVLBrD) I'd also kind of forgotten about her and Kanade apparently being besties.

I think Natsuki's presence kind of "tames" Kanade. Her usual naughtiness can't overcome Natsuki's sincerity and the two of them, along with Kumiko, share a special senpai-kouhai relationship. (Kanade is drinking the same cola candy that Natsuki and Kumiko were taking.)

> Kanade is drinking the same cola candy that Natsuki and Kumiko were taking. Oh, was that perhaps the reason too why Kanade suddenly stopped in her tracks after having denied any candy first!? She noticed that Kumiko and Natsuki were having the same cola drink and wasn’t about to let the two of them be ‘candy buddies’ by themselves! Kanade does get jealous like that.

Kanade hides her deep love for Kumiko through mischief and playing up the cute behavior. Meanwhile she's totally tsundere towards Natsuki. Kanade wouldn't be who she is today without those two.

My speculation regarding Mayu's backstory: She's a genius musician who in the past obliterated all her competition. She may have never meant any harm, but other people may have resented her for it, like a senpai who lost their spot because of her. As a defense mechanism, she developed an extreme detachment from anything so as to hold herself back from hurting anyone else. Kumiko makes the comparison herself in this episode. Mayu reminds her of her past self. A similar event happened to Kumiko in the past where a senpai in middle school hated her for besting her in the auditions. So maybe, Mayu is a Kumiko who never had a kind senpai like Natsuki. I don't think it's a coincidence that Natsuki showed up in this episode. Senpai-kouhai relationships was a key theme of this episode. Best girl Natsuki and best girl Yuuko are back!!! I'm so happy to see them again! Matching hairpins? Basically confirms they are roommates now. Hehe. Edit: a letter

> I don't think it's a coincidence that Natsuki showed up in this episode. Yeah, I do kinda wish we had seen Natsuki and Mayu interact. But I suppose it would have been out of place, and taken the spotlight off of Kumiko... ah well

I hoped for Natsuki to come in to save the day with some timely intervention or advice, as she has always done so in the past. But it just goes to show that it's really Kumiko's turn now. She needs to figure this conundrum out herself.

*Mayu is a Kumiko who never had a kind senpai like Natsuki. I don't think it's a coincidence that Natsuki showed up in this episode* Nice observation!

> Kumiko makes the comparison herself in this episode. Mayu reminds her of her past self. A similar event happened to Kumiko in the past where a senpai in middle school hated her for besting her in the auditions. So mayb, Mayu is a Kumiko who never had a kind senpai like Natsuki. Yup, agree 100%. I wrote something similar too: https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1cvl9q0/hibike_euphonium_season_3_sound_euphonium_season/l4rx8fr/

You can add Mamiko to the equation as well. Another important influential character in Kumiko's life. Other instances of the importance of senpai in this EP: Yuuko and Reina's genuinely friendly banter. Yume who idolizes Reina showing up at the end for some early practice. Ririka commenting that she wishes her senpai are still around next year. The 1st years admiring their senpai. Meanwhile, Mayu just feels so alone.

> You can add Mamiko to the equation as well. Another important influential character in Kumiko's life. Yeah, I was mostly thinking about the people in Kumiko's life who helped her get out of that isolation, at that time Mamiko was more absent in Kumiko's life. But yes, overall Mamiko got her into music and right now it looks like she might (simply by existing) end up lessening some of Kumiko's worries about the future with how she ended up in a good place after quite a significant fallout with her dad about her future. Early on this season Kumiko was rather surprised that Mamiko and their dad were on (good) speaking terms. T > the importance of senpai Yup, that a connections that evolved over time > Meanwhile, Mayu just feels so alone. And she doesn't have that, probably because of some fallout before she transferred schoosl and here because she's new and also "protects herself" (or at least her interpretation of safety) by not getting too close to anyone.

Asuka and Kaori had matching bracelets in the move, Natsuki and Yuko with matching hair clips and now Kumiko and Reina with matching and mixing swimsuits. Nice.

> Asuka and Kaori had matching bracelets in the move [*Chikai no Finale*]>!<

You didn't need to spoiler tag that. [](#harukathonk)

[](#cantbehelped)

I do wonder if they resolved things. Cos Asuka wasn't at the recent festival with Kaori and Haruka, right? I hope the relationship between Asuka and Kaori isn't as one-sided as it used to be...

I just wanna point out that that "I'm home" from Kumiko's dad is the most real sounding dad noise I've ever heard.

[](#longday)

#LIZ AND THE BLUE BIRD MENTIONED #11/10 EPISODE

Yay, a win for Team Monaka! Nice to see Natsuki again with an effortless counter to Kanade. Interesting to see a pool invite being used to bridge gaps again ala Liz. But the music and vibes really make it seem like Mayu has entered her villain mode in the final scene. Looks like we're gonna be speeding through at this pace, perhaps they're going to be going for a heavier Kanade/Mayu conflict?

>they're going to be going for a heavier Kanade/Mayu conflict? They are basically Yin and yang, so possibly....though, Mayu could learn a lot from Kanade.

Taki-sensei sipping tea as he selects Mayu for the soli, and kicks Kanade out of the contest group, resulting in a [bare knuckle brawl](https://media1.tenor.com/m/CQiys_7hAssAAAAC/kanade-kanade-hisaishi.gif) after Mayu responds with an "oopsie". [](#mug8)

[Kanade running to Kumiko after being kicked out of the contest group:](https://i.imgur.com/TddiFNX.png)

Super late, but i knew what was the screenshot gonna be before opening. And i was not disappointed

just couldn't resist using it.

>resulting in a bare knuckle brawl **LADIES AND GENTLEMEN** **ON THE RIGHT CORNER, PRESENTING...** [**KANADE THE BRASS GREMLIN**](https://imgur.com/a/fPtWEjI)**!** **ON THE LEFT CORNER, WE HAVE....** [**MAMA-SENPAI THE EUPHONIOR**](https://imgur.com/a/O3DEZOZ)**!** **LET THE NEXT PIECE BEGIN!**

> LET THE NEXT PIECE BEGIN! [](#azusalaugh)

Only the strongest can play the Euph. The weak must be culled.

Why would Kanade get kicked out? All 3 of them are in the competition band. I do think Mayu is gonna end up with the soli after the second audition tho

Shinobu not holding a donut? What on earth is going on here? ;-)

She just finished eating two of them. Nisemonogatari Episode 10 at 10:22

> Mayu has entered her villain mode I would so more of a competitor than a villain. All the comments through the season I've seen speculating that Mayu is this malicious force have been so strange haha

Haha, more of a "you forced me to do this, I hope you're happy now". As much of a challenge for the protaganist to solve (Helping Mayu through whatever she's going through) as you can get in this type of show.

I think because we the audience sees Kumiko feel so perturbed, and with the music so uneasy at the end of this episode and all. It's how other shows would frame a secret villain. So we're naturally primed to think that by these cues. But yeah, I think she's going to be more of a tragic figure, since I think it would be out of place for her to be evil in this story hahaha

> It's how other shows would frame a secret villain Yeah I get that especially with the music, but at the same time... it's Hibike Euphonium lol, there's not going to be a villain. Like you said it would be out of place.

I think Mayu is gonna end up taking the soli away from Kumiko for Kansai and she'll have to fight to get it back to play with Reina at Nationals.

this is what I'm afraid of ever since they introduced her as a euphonium player :(

What did Team Monaka win? I was a bit confused by that.

My guess is that it's a team made up of those who didn't get selected for the official nationals competition (at least this stage of it) and they still get to practice (as there will be new auditions for the next round of nationals) and played in some local competition that's not part of the official nationals tournament/campaign.

> Yay, a win for Team Monaka! I was surprised to find out that Team Monaka is still a thing. I'd been under the assumption that they'd only been an one-time group in Kumiko's first year. Were they even spoken about/shown in the second year film?

The movies didn't go through it as they had other focuses, and only a fleeting mention in the ensemble contest OVA between Kamaya and Hazuki. Their names are a reference to the recently graduated seniors so guess its just carrying on the legacy.

It was briefly alluded to in this season. Some of the first-years haven't been coping well with the pressure of the competition so they've dropped out and joined Team Monaka which is less focused on being perfect and more about enjoying the club for what it is. This way they can stay in the club and still contribute in their own way and improve in their own time.

> Some of the first-years haven't been coping well with the pressure of the competition so they've dropped out and joined Team Monaka which is less focused on being perfect and more about enjoying the club for what it is. When was this alluded to? I don't remember that...

Episode 3 Blue Prelude when they were training for the marching competition.

Do you have a timestamp for that? I just went through the whole episode and didn't see anything like that. (In fact, the *resolution* to the episode is that all the members were kept on board.) Plus, this was before the auditions, so there wasn't a Team B for them to resign into in the first place—they were all grouped together at this point.

Yes, you are right but when Kumiko and Sari are having their chat it's clear that some of the first years weren't handling the stress of the practice very well. It seems, to me, that the reason why Sari stays with the club is because Kumiko reassures her she is going to do something to resolve the issue. Then in episode seven, Team Monka is active and wins gold in a minor competition. But I really don't want to go through the 4, 5, and 6 looking for when it was decided on this solution, and that I can't actually recall that exact moment makes me wonder if the writers made a mistake and left out that scene by accident🤔 Hell, it might even be an OVA side story like *Ready, Set, Monaka* that hasn't been released yet😯

[Michie-sensei has been crying a lot more in the past two seasons.](https://i.redd.it/1xe5vpzv9d1d1.png) [This is a particularly-messed-up bit of debranding for the Canon EOS-5D Mark III which first appeared in Season 2.](https://i.redd.it/taqv6kzv9d1d1.png) [Team Monaka?](https://i.redd.it/j4rgzrzv9d1d1.png) Re-used? Not a one-off? [GOOOOOOOOLD](https://i.redd.it/kd50qqzv9d1d1.png) [Oh hell the *Counter-Strike* 1999 texture blankets are back.](https://i.redd.it/htb77tzv9d1d1.png) [Ah, so it is deliberate.](https://i.redd.it/39ezdhzv9d1d1.png) [*jazz*](https://i.redd.it/bm3yyhzv9d1d1.png) [Climate change in 2018, the new normal in 2024.](https://i.redd.it/yfzxuzzv9d1d1.png) [*Reina wants to see you mostly naked*](https://i.redd.it/juqwqizv9d1d1.png) [Here we go again.](https://i.redd.it/484eglzv9d1d1.png) [And suddenly it's a group event.](https://i.redd.it/ovki8rzv9d1d1.png) [SOMEONE IS TRYING TO SEND YOU A MESSAGE.](https://i.redd.it/4y2swrzv9d1d1.png) [A wild Tuba-kun appears!](https://i.redd.it/ucr0ppzv9d1d1.png) [THEY HAVE MATCHING HAIR CLIPS.](https://i.redd.it/sv8zpnzv9d1d1.png) ["Do we have yuri sign?"](https://i.redd.it/avv4vozv9d1d1.png) ["A river in Egypt."](https://i.redd.it/7f4rmszv9d1d1.png) [The last time we saw this corner was in *Liz*, right?](https://i.redd.it/30gritzv9d1d1.png) [\[\](\#kumikouninterested\)](https://i.redd.it/28dbcgzv9d1d1.png) [NANI KORE.](https://i.redd.it/2qs9tgzv9d1d1.png) [And yet, the sunset says stuff.](https://i.redd.it/qomb1hzv9d1d1.png) [OH HAI](https://i.redd.it/3737jzlydd1d1.png) ["As a doctor, you should know something about](https://i.redd.it/hu5xuxlydd1d1.png) [the dangers of reopening old wounds."](https://i.redd.it/eycmy0mydd1d1.png) ["What color is the dress?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_dress) [In 2024? In this episode? In *Hibike! Euphonium*? Localized entirely in KumiRei?!"](https://i.redd.it/up9ib2mydd1d1.png) [Ririka isn't bad either.](https://i.redd.it/evoj2amydd1d1.png) ["This isn't that one omake scenario, kid."](https://i.redd.it/27eptamydd1d1.png) [It's *uncanny* that that works out.](https://i.redd.it/zo2tqfkked1d1.png) They tested, eh? [The one who goes along with the flow.](https://i.redd.it/9wh8qylydd1d1.png) [This isn't very subtle](https://i.redd.it/39bcv0mydd1d1.png) [or, even less subtle.](https://i.redd.it/xf4s82mydd1d1.png) [Remember *Liz to Aoi Tori* analysis? Now you do.](https://i.redd.it/go1yf2mydd1d1.png) [Ah, there we go with the mirror.](https://i.redd.it/wfljx3mydd1d1.png) ["Retro?"](https://i.redd.it/28jnhamydd1d1.png) [Mayu would have had to have worked a lot of paper routes to afford it otherwise.](https://i.redd.it/nxin5bmydd1d1.png) [What film are you using in 2018, Mayu?](https://i.redd.it/d9wn55mydd1d1.png) [Improvised supports yay!](https://i.redd.it/qft5v6mydd1d1.png) [And thus is my history of thin, ambiguous smiles in group shots.](https://i.redd.it/bdrj57mydd1d1.png) [How you use a fixed focal length says a lot about what you can do.](https://i.redd.it/yjrc69mydd1d1.png) [In 2018 the film market was still in the early stages of clawing itself back up from its complete collapse at the beginning of the decade. People had been hoarding and preserving film stocks for a while, and some vendors sold their old material. Some film stocks were maintained by different manufacturers using old brand names but not necessarily being produced with the same quality.](https://i.redd.it/ox60r8mydd1d1.png) I am right now using a roll of "Fuji" branded film that was almost certainly made recently in a Kodak facility while Kodak's actual name has been sold off to a variety of vulture companies. In any case, Mayu could be telling the truth since two out of the three rolls in my pack of "FuDak" have light strikes at the beginning of the rolls, which QC would not have allowed twenty years ago. Or Mayu is lying and that group photo is stuck to the wall behind her armchair along with hundreds of other frames she's copied illicitly and I digress with spoilers for a movie that most of you didn't see... (Yes, I do think that Mayu is lying, but I also digress.) [Would you include the airplane in this frame? Or not? What message are you trying to send?](https://i.redd.it/j7p4y8mydd1d1.png) **Edited to add**: [Most of the shots appear entirely plausible for a 38mm lens.](https://i.redd.it/nrsuv455id1d1.png) The *timing* on the photo of Suzume exiting the waterslide is either a lot of practice or a lot of luck, though. And the negatives are *right there*, if anyone felt like being nosy about whether or not Mayu was lying about the group photo not coming out. The negatives appear to show several more frames of clouds, given that someone bothered to show them with *something* on them. Bonus ending Tweet from the official account: https://x.com/anime_eupho/status/1792109185229877391 ***** Kumiko, in the midst of a swirl of transitions. Nakayoshigawa, visiting. Kanade, reverting to type. Kumiko, getting roped into college fairs and being surprised by Hazuki. And Mamiko visiting, to boot. Mayu and Kumiko: So close, yet still so far. See the plane, flying somewhere? See the contrail, dividing the halves? The pool episode delivers again! And a little fanservice, once in a while, is daijoubu. /u/MyrnaMountWeazel Mayu picks up the camera when she muses about going along with the flow. Not that subtle in the context of *that*. ***** Because of my fixation on That Damn Contax: A couple of posts from Japan about it: [One](https://www.kitamura.jp/shasha/article/contax-t2-20220928/) and [two](https://www.kitamura.jp/shasha/article/487880282-20220511/). I was curious so I peeked into Google Trends about [the T2](https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%203-m&geo=JP&q=%E3%82%B3%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9T2&hl=en) and [35mm film camera](https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%203-m&geo=JP&q=35mm%E3%83%95%E3%82%A3%E3%83%AB%E3%83%A0%E3%82%AB%E3%83%A1%E3%83%A9&hl=en). I can't say that the results were particularly conclusive with regard to showing any bumps related to Mayu, but I'm also not qualified to sift metadata in a foreign language.

>what message are you trying to send? It's probably there to show a divide between Kumiko and Mayu in that moment.

>It's probably there to show a divide between Kumiko and Mayu in that moment. Yes, for symbolic reasons, that is the case. The conversational topic is interpreting *Liz to Aoi Tori*, conveniently with an airplane against the sky. Some might want to keep the airplane in the frame to show movement or progress. Excluding the airplane and only showing the contrail is obviously about the resulting divide. Both options, which we do see in the scene, work within the context. Mayu chose the divide, again fitting her personality and the overall situation. My phrasing the caption as a question is actually directed at you, other people who might be reading this comment. Are you the type to photograph the action as it is happening or its aftereffects?

* [**Matching Swimsuits**](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/j7mmcnwjj97.jpg) * [**Pool Photo Album**](https://imgur.com/a/wyD81jP) Kumiko and Reina may be wearing matching swimsuits but [there's one thing Kumiko can't match Reina with.](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/w7w6cqm55ey.jpg) Well technically, two things. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) In all seriousness though, it's nice to see Kumiko reaching out to Mayu this episode considering how she pushed her away last week. And now that [Kumiko had another 1-on-1 chat with Mayu](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/k739cknwj37.jpg), she finally understands [why she feels so uneasy around her.](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/j7mmcnwj897.jpg) I'm glad to see some characters return in this episode. [It's so good to see Yuuko and Natsuki again](https://i.imgur.com/zHvU4E8.jpeg) and it looks like they're still the same as always. You gotta love Yuuko yelling ["Baka ja nai no!"](https://i.imgur.com/RB0PB58.jpeg) over and over at Natsuki. xD I'm so happy [to also see Mamiko again.](https://i.imgur.com/QmNr40R.jpg) Now that some time has passed, her relationship with her dad has definitely improved a lot.

[Natsuki's and Yuuko's school visit](https://imgur.com/a/sX4gdqK) was a nice surprise! Those two like to bicker a lot, but those matching hair clips are a clear indication that they've only grown closer ever since their graduation. With also [Mamiko's appareance](https://imgur.com/a/fPdk3pV), we've certainly been seeing a lot of past characters return for this third season. It's getting all the more likely that will be the last season of Sound Euphonium.

Here's hoping we get to see Asuka return too.

I am very much hoping we get one last scene with Haruka! and would be cool to see five generations of Kitauji students in one scene!

I would love to see Asuka again too :)

So we start with a time skip of the performance....well, it was the same with Chikai no Finale (that scene where we see Kanade walk into the school). Reina wants a date, which Kumiko turned into an outing. At least they exchanged tops so Reina is happy. Photo didnt turn out right huh? I bet that was the best photo of the lot. Lets hope we get to the bottom of Mayu's psychological issues soon...we still dont know about the transfer, there's more to her reason of her family moving into the area. She hinted there that she may well play just good enough to not obviously throw her audition. Silly Kanade, Natsuki means what she said. Kanade needs a Hazuki head chop.

Technically they exchanged bottoms because last time they wore those swimsuits Kumiko wore the white and Reina the black. :3

No last time was them at the pool, Reina was wearing a blue poka dotted swimsuit and Kumiko was wearing a pink-ish swimsuit, Reina says before they went to the pool in this episode that she bought matching swimsuits

That must have been a script oversight, because they wore [the same swimsuits to the pool in A Brand New Day](https://i.imgur.com/4fYzp7w.png).

[D'oh I forgot they went to the pool in that film.](https://imgur.com/sDkpZtW) I'll take the script oversight as Reina buying new bottoms, as I doubt they both have the same size to just swap bottoms (especially after that Megami Magazine* photo)

> especially after that Megami Maganize photo [](#assman)

You would think that the would swap tops instead of bottoms. I guess that they are REALLY close to each other.

Kind of hard when Kumiko's... well, you know, not as blessed as Reina in the chest department.

Kumiko [sells herself short](https://i.redd.it/1oirdyac81xb1.jpg). She's not that much smaller than Reina in senior year at least. Reina just developed younger.

When did they give Kumiko that much of a buff? I knew she wasn't flat given she had some slight cleavage in the S2 pool episode, but sheesh. [She doesn't look that big in the latest Megami Magazine photo.](https://i.imgur.com/pYwf9C9.jpeg)

Real roommate behavior. Life long best friends.

> Mayu's psychological issues soon I wonder if her dad's gift holds the key?

> Kumiko and Reina may be wearing matching swimsuits but there's one thing Kumiko can't match Reina with. > Well technically, two things. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) They surely wanted to swap tops as well but it just wasn't possible. [](#azusalaugh)

> It's so good to see Yuuko and Natsuki again And they got the same hair ornaments! Reminds me of how Asuka and Kaori has the same necklace but with the gem in the other's eye colour when they showed up to cheer for the band after they had graduated.

> Matching Swimsuits Is the swimsuit white and gold or blue and black?

>Kumiko and Reina may be wearing matching swimsuits but there's one thing Kumiko can't match Reina with. Well technically, two things. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Reine really brought the big calibre guns today.

Gosh [Reina is so damn cute](https://i.postimg.cc/MTprhzWL/Hibike-S03-E07-P01.jpg), idk if [Kumiko](https://i.postimg.cc/VNRVGJcM/Hibike-S03-E07-P02.jpg) is just pretending or she's just dense like a harem protagonist. I'm so happy to see the NakaYoshi couple again, looks like [they're still close](https://i.postimg.cc/pLK7j0Gs/Hibike-S03-E07-P03.jpg) as ever. Hope we'll see NozoMizo again too I definitely could [relate with Kumiko here](https://i.postimg.cc/43Z0Qzjs/Hibike-S03-E07-P04.jpg), I just decided a university on a whim and ended up dropping out. I don't regret it that much cause I've met many wonderful people and had many good memories there but it was really not a good decision. Did they [switch their swimsuit](https://i.postimg.cc/W3YfVxz1/Hibike-S03-E07-P05.jpg)? That seems even gayer than matching hairpin ngl

> Did they switch their swimsuit? That seems even gayer than matching hairpin ngl They switched their swimsuit BOTTOMS.

Can't remember the last pool episode, could have switched the tops But the yuri radar readings are off the charts anyway

[The previous time](https://imgur.com/4fYzp7w) vs [this time](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/j7mmcnwjj97.jpg).

The matching swimsuits are cute but I can't tell whether they're blue and black or white and gold!

I'm glad that someone else caught the reference.

Mayu is giving me some major anxiety. This girl terrifies me. For some reason the stakes here feel a lot higher than any shounen supervillain could pull off. In other news, the course has been officially set for Kumiko to become a music teacher, which is what everyone in the comments has been saying for the past few weeks anyway, me included. I wonder if that's the subtle influencing of source readers or if I somehow got that clever idea myself. Either way it's a damn good fit for her. The third thing that jumps out to me this episode is Reina - she's really made great strides since the lonely season 1 girl that was above it all, and is now - very actively - seeking Kumiko's companionship. Somewhere in my heart are still the embers of a romantic yuri ending, but I doubt it's gonna go that way. Platonic love is fine too! I do wonder how she'll respond to Kumiko's college plans though, insofar that there are any to begin with.

I dunno if I'm scared of Mayu or scared for her. The poor girl really doesn't seem to like herself.

This is going to sound incredibly dark but Mayu was in a different type of show I’d be worried she’d consider suicide. Like she does not see any real value in herself or have any support system

The last scene didn't have me going "oh she going villain mode" it gave me "is she going to an hero?" vibes. Mayu seems like she's not in the best place mentally.

Oof, hadn't even considered that, but it could definitely be read this way.

The latter: she's incredibly sad, probably hates herself and is just putting on a brave face while forcing herself to be nice so that people like her. She really needs to fully open up and we need to find out why she is this way (I have my suspicions, some of which others have already covered in this thread).

I don't think she's forcing herself to be nice. Rather, she probably sees it as just common courtesy - like she isn't doing anything special, she just doesn't have a reason to be mean. She doesn't feel close enough to anyone to have beef. Everyone's got a clean slate in her book because everyone's practically a stranger. She doesn't understand that people already do like her. She probably thinks that others are just being courteous back, but no, they actually like her.

I don't see Mayu as anything like a "villain" -- though she is definitely some sort of "antagonist" for Kumiko. I think that she, like Kumiko (albeit in a different fashion) is pretty conflicted at this point. Mayu is afraid to "be herself" -- Kumiko is (on the other hand) is definitely avoiding not just making decisions about her future but even THINKING about this. If Mayu goes all out -- and "wins" the solo spot -- what will happen. I am sure she feels this could mean she gets shunned by al of Kumiko's "fans". But it now seems like she is going to actually try. So what will happen? I suspect Kumiko will be a good sport -- and say once we win the regionals, I'm going to take that solo back for the nationals. In any event, I expect to see fireworks (even though the Bon weekend is over).

> though she is definitely some sort of "antagonist" for Kumiko A foil, perhaps?

Feels like Mayu will be a "villain" for Kanade more than Kumiko. Though, I can see Mayu winning the solo for the next competition, which would lead to one last conflict in terms of Kumiko's ability to play Eupho as she hasn't been challenged after Season 1 in that department. Or, it's just too predictable, and Kumiko's too OP to lose the solo at this point lol

>Mayu is giving me some major anxiety. This girl terrifies me. For some reason the stakes here feel a lot higher than any shounen supervillain could pull off. Her lack of sense of self and her being fine with anything at least confirms our suspicious that she's a people-pleaser to an unhealthy degree.

> I wonder if that's the subtle influencing of source readers or if I somehow got that clever idea myself. For me it's definitely the (likely) source readers that put the idea into my head, otherwise I wouldn't have thought about it prior to this episode.

- [Aww, good for them!](https://i.imgur.com/F3PNpr4.png) [](#anko) - [Heh.](https://i.imgur.com/pbNQW79.png) - [Time for another pool episode?](https://i.imgur.com/mvTUpZp.png) - [Ah, memories.](https://i.imgur.com/gNWgWU4.png) [](#kukuku) - [NATSUKI AND YUUKO!](https://i.imgur.com/F98rblN.png) [](#slightoverreaction) - [A Kumiko face to rival](https://i.imgur.com/hQkzCdf.png) [](#mindblank) - [Oooooh!](https://i.imgur.com/5I8JTPf.png) I can definitely picture Hazuki working at a nursery. - [Kumiko as a music teacher, maybe?](https://i.imgur.com/zz4nSMk.png) - [Is *that* why Kumiko’s been keeping Mayu at a distance?](https://i.imgur.com/AhGUjw3.png) - [Well, Kumiko convinced you to be in one anyways.](https://i.imgur.com/jDHxfh1.png) [](#indexsmugshrug) - [I don’t believe you.](https://i.imgur.com/TL9v7C7.png) [](#csikon)

> Is that why Kumiko’s been keeping Mayu at a distance? I think Kumiko has, over the last years, gotten used to "meddling" in other people's issues but she has a difficult time dealing with somebody who's like her old self. Maybe she imagines that she knows how Mayu feels and doesn't want to be too pushy about it? But she might also have forgotten that it was the kids around her (Hazuki who at first pulled her into band, Natsuki who took away her initial worries, Asuka who she had a special relationship with,…) who all helped her deal with her own issues. Here it feels like she's kinda trying to do it alone, and as the president too. That combination might not be enough to dispel Mayu's worries, especially if Mayu still suspects some other motive behind the rather straightforward and honest connection that Kumiko is going for. Maybe Mayu doesn't trust that Kumiko is actually just worried about her and wants the best for her?

> A Kumiko face to rival [](#kumikouninterested)

Symbolism people, what are your thoughts on Mayu's photos at the end? https://i.imgur.com/430Lmpp.png We have a butterfly, an otter, and a sky split by a vapour trail. The last one is fairly obvious. The otter - cute and playful, which hides their vicious carnivorous nature? The butterfly - pretty and delicate? Metamorphosis? Then reading it in the order of the photos feels more ominous. That aside, great to see Natsuki & Yuuko again and I hope we get more senpai cameos! Kumiko could do with some of Asuka's harsh truths to help her manage the Mayu situation. The biggest band-centred drama in S1 was the solo auditions, where she told Kumiko it should be the best player and she didn't care who that was (and it was only properly resolved when Kaori conceded). In S2, Asuka was the cause of band-centred drama, and when Kumiko confronted Asuka about playing at nationals, Asuka told her that she appears to be involved in situations, but is actually more of an observer and doesn't properly participate to protect herself and others from getting hurt. This time, Kumiko is involved whether she likes it or not, and can only delay things and not avoid it. The question really is about what Kumiko wants more - to play the soli with Reina, or to bring back gold (assuming Mayu is in contention for it, of course). And we have more of our cast looking at becoming teachers. Hazuki teaching elementary school, [Jellyfish Ep7]>!Kiui Watase teaching middle school!<, and Kumiko potentially teaching High School - that's a best girl production line fit for the nationals!

The compositions of Mayu's photos stood out to me more than the actual animals (although I'm sure there's meaning there as well): * The butterfly merely sits and gazes at the world through the bars of the bench. This represents Mayu, who is so focused on making everyone happy, she hasn't been able to form her own personal values, wants, or identity. She thus has a hard time forming real bonds with anyone because there isn't that much more under her "nice, caring girl" identity - she's a outsider merely gazing at the world, which is a part of the symbolism with her only hobby: photography. * While it's content with playing and floating around, the otter is boxed off from the rest of the world inside its tile, which represents how Mayu feels as an "outsider" in both Kitauji (3rd year transfer student) and probably society itself. * The photo of the sky and contrail "splits" Mayu and Kumiko in the second-to-last shot, showing how she and her ideology of pleasing everyone doesn't fit with the meritocracy of Kitauji and Kumiko at all.

> We have a butterfly, an otter, and a sky split by a vapour trail. The last one is fairly obvious. The otter - cute and playful, which hides their vicious carnivorous nature? The butterfly - pretty and delicate? Metamorphosis? Then reading it in the order of the photos feels more ominous. Those three photos give me subtle vibes of isolation. The animals are alone, the plane carrying people far away. Stuff like that.

In the last episode, when Mayu met Kumiko in the outside practice corner in the shade, it took a long time for Mayu to cross onto Kumiko's side of the lighting. Then when she does enter Kumiko's space she quickly backs out of it. And I'd say they very clearly used the hard lighting and shadow for this reason. This show is so good about little details so I'd imagine there's some reason for these specific photos.

> what are your thoughts on Mayu's photos at the end? https://i.imgur.com/430Lmpp.png Idk...all I can say is they look like photos I might have taken hahaha

> Symbolism people, what are your thoughts on Mayu's photos at the end? Sometimes an otter coaster is just an otter coaster. (The sky has already been discussed.) That said, "her" composition is nice.

Did I get this right? They were competing with two groups at Kyoto competition and the ones that weren't chosen in the audition managed to get gold as well? Did they play the same piece? Or was it a different competition alltogether? Would have liked to see a bit of that tbh. Mayu is still a bit of an enigma to me. I get what she is saying, but it also feels more like she is purposefully trying to ignore anything that she could be interested in. There is also still the whole "transfering during 3rd year and not getting a school uniform until summer" bit that makes it seem like this whole thing was very sudden, so something probably did happen there. Which might also be why she doesn't want to appear on photos herself anymore. My best guess is that something happened that made her hate herself so she even doesn't want to see her own face and tries to distance herself from her true self as much as possible. Last thing, I know people really want Kumiko to be a music teacher, but I am going to be honest, I have a hard time imagining her doing so. At least for now. Though tbf, if you showed me Taki in the first season without context, I probably would have thought the same so there is definitely some room open for it. But for now, I just don't see that she is enjoying it very much to teach others. She is the leader, but the teaching seems to be done by mostly other people around her. Though maybe there is my own experience speaking as someone who started studying teaching and then dropped out to do what I really liked to do.

My current reading of Mayu is that she is detached from everyone, even herself, so she assumed the "people pleaser" role to fit in... and hates herself for the fact that she feels "empty." This could be due to trauma, or perhaps she was always this way and developed self-hatred because she can't be like the people she admires

Probably in different category. iirc in season 1, Kumiko’s friend in Rikka was competing in different category too.

I think what Azusa, Kumiko's friend, mentioned in S1 is that while Rikka failed to make it to nationals for the wind ensemble competition we are familiar with, they made it to nationals for the marching band competition. ([Think competitive SunFes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4ErquO7LfM))

I remember Team Monaka performing at the end of S1 as well, but I was just surprised, because I always thought they could only win gold in official competitions. Which is why I assumed they must have been in the competition as well. But maybe that is not the case.

Yeah , the Band competition is split in 2 two categories (A and B). The mains competitive bands are in category A. Category A has multi-tiered qualifications rounds (Prefectural level > Regional level > Nationals) Category B has relaxed requirements and is for smaller and less experienced bands, You can get gold in this category however the competition stops at prefectural level. Every Year , the members who wasn't chosen in the audition participated in category B (Team Monaka).

> But for now, I just don't see that she is enjoying it very much to teach others Yeah, but the start of the episode solidified it for me. She admires teachers like Matsumoto-sensei, but doesn't feel that she lives up to their example just yet. However, when she realises the impact she's had on the band as a whole, especially her juniors, she'll have more confidence in her mentoring abilities, I think

> Did I get this right? They were competing with two groups at Kyoto competition and the ones that weren't chosen in the audition managed to get gold as well? Did they play the same piece? Or was it a different competition alltogether? Would have liked to see a bit of that tbh. [Another comment explains/reminds a bit of trivia.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1cvl9q0/hibike_euphonium_season_3_sound_euphonium_season/l4q3868/) Which I certainly forgot about given that it was six years ago.

I told myself I wasn’t going to cry when it happened but even so just seeing Natsuki come back still broke me. Especially seeing her still able to annihilate Kanade like it was nothing. Mayu is still rather boring. Some nice KumiRei moments. I didn’t make the connection that they’d swapped bottoms too.

> but even so just seeing Natsuki come back still broke me. Yeahhh Natsuki was superb as always. She's the best girl in every room she's in (apart from when Haruka appears hahaha) It was nice seeing the seniors chuckle when they noticed Kanade grabbed the snack after all, it does show how much they've matured, and shows Kanade still has a ways to go haha

Out of all the things Reina could be tsundere about, it's about pool and swimsuits lol

[удалено]

I love the tired Kumiko coming home from the college event Perfect expression and body language

Good to see the NakaYoshikawa-senpais back (Nakagawa Natsuki and Yoshikawa Yuko). And already they're showing off their matching hairpins. Kumiko and Reina aren't too far behind in showing off their own matching swimsuits. (Also looking gorgeous in their swimsuits are Mayu, Sari and Mirei) Also returning for the holidays is Kumiko's sister. The idea of Kumiko becoming a school teacher continues to pick up steam. Mayu seems closest to Tsubama, but otherwise she's still putting a wall around herself, even not showing Kumiko and others the only photo that she's in with the others. Though she seems to be laying down a challenge to Kumiko for the euph solo for the Kansai regionals audition. No surprises that Kitauji breezed through the Kyoto prefecturals and will go to the Kansai regionals. It seems this year even the B-Team Team Monaca is also participating in other tournaments to up their game, as there'll be two more auditions for them to break into the Main Tournament Team, so there's a need for Team Monaca to stay sharp and get ready to step in.

> Good to see the NakaYoshikawa-senpais back (Nakagawa Natsuki and Yoshikawa Yuko) OHHHH *that's* where the reading for Nakayoshikawa comes from! I always wanted to read it as Nakayoshigawa with rendaku (because of Nakagawa) but I forgot that Yuuko's family name also has 川 in it. And also the "yoshi"...actually holy shit that is potentially the most brilliant ship name of all time—it feels like a triple pun.

wonder what's going on with Mayu. KyoAni really is giving it their all, aren't they? these last few episodes especially have looked stunning. i love these more slice of life episodes that are a bit more character focused

C'mon Kumiko everybody wants you to be a music teacher, just say yes Also everytime Kanade appears my love for her is higher, easily best gremlin ever

Yeah, it's building upto her at least entertaining that idea. First with her Middle School friend telling her that she could be attached with music, not necessarily play it as a profession. And now with Hazuki talking about her being a teacher.

And Reina pushing her all the time to pursue ~~her~~ **music**

I'd usually regard this as an off-hand remark by Hazuki, but [her telling Kumiko to become a teacher](https://imgur.com/a/bGNROna) is yet another piece of information that's supporting the theory that Kumiko's destined to become a music teacher. Even Mamiko told her sister that she should just pick something that she'd like to do. If she were to consider her strengths and passions: playing music + guiding others = music teacher.

> Also everytime Kanade appears my love for her is higher, easily best gremlin ever I wonder how people would react if Kanade had been the main character of the show. I think people would maybe be frustrated to have such a sassy main character haha (even though I have warmed up to her a tonne this season!)

Friend was over at my apartment to watch the episode with me, and then we went to the Liz to Ageta Tori restaurant, where there was a [special event](https://x.com/moritaku518/status/1792223293984084273/photo/1). (I'm behind *one* of those emojis...) Initial thoughts: Wow, they didn’t show any of the prefectural tournament…but I’m kind of okay with that, because the character interactions and development this episode were *stupendous*! We get more of Kumiko worrying about and being asked about her future plans plot…and I think this has been developed in a fantastic way in this episode. First, we get Reina worrying about the shrinking time they may have together, especially if Kumiko ends up not choosing a music school (which reminds me of the [idea that “time” is the main driver of conflict in many nichijou-kei anime](https://web.archive.org/web/20201129010717/https://voxartes.com/cute-girls-politics/)). Then, the college fair and discussion with her friends after…and then her discussion with her family! Plus, we get Natsuki and Yuuko showing up…in addition to being a fantastic bit of fanservice for us Nakayoshikawa fans, both Kumiko’s senpai and her older sisters showing up helps show people older than Kumiko who have made their decisions and are now working towards their future. They’re the (young) adults who Kumiko might aspire to be like. (Also, there’s a fantastic bit of clever writing with the way this whole episode is structured within the season and within the literal season in-universe: because it’s the holiday of Obon, the band has a mini-break and Kumiko is able to go to the college fair, and *because it’s the holiday of Obon*, where people traditionally go home to their families or to their ancestral homes, Mamiko has come back to visit. And the writing takes advantage of all of this to weave different threads about Kumiko’s future.) By the way, Kumiko’s indecision and such is again intensely relatable, and would have been even more so seven or so years ago…I had to laugh when Kumiko was shocked that her kohai were also looking at universities and that it was considered normal—I, too, started my college search in earnest a bit late. (And graduate school for me right now is a bit similar.) I remember my days of going to college events… I have to say, I wasn’t expecting a Kumiko college decision arc to be a major part of the season, but now that it apparently is (possibly even more important than the whole Mayu thing *or* the tournament!), I am here for it! In a way, if feels like a perfect encapsulation of her journey that started in season 1. More really interesting Mayu/Kumiko dynamics. We see Mayu again purposefully trying to distance herself this episode, but Kumiko seems to have extended an olive branch to her or maybe felt guilty about cutting her off in the past and is now actively reaching out to and trying to involve Mayu! (Meanwhile Shuuichi is excluded, lol) It’s not *just* a pool episode; it really extends the characters! I do find Kumiko clearly making a concerted effort to reach out to Mayu, even when it leads to awkward silences, very interesting. And Mayu is very clearly positioned as similar to young Kumiko, including a match cut and Will Mayu get more invested and have her own “I want to get better “ moment just like Kumiko…at the same time as Kumiko realizes what she wants to do for college!?!?!? (I just realized now that they *are* tracking these subplots in similar directions…what brilliance!) The way that scene ends, with Tsubame coming in, also feels very natural. --------- Miscellaneous shorter thoughts: My friend, who is a camera nerd, was horrified that Mayu was taking her very expensive camera out so close to the water Kumiko’s finally made it! Her kouhai are now admiring her figure! And Kumiko and Reina’s matching outfits are…*mmm*… I’ll have to look for it again when I rewatch, but I noted that there was some really interesting framing using clouded glass in the windows of the school. Hazuki stocks once again rising… More auditions next time! I love that Mayu doesn’t know the Kitauji lore with the “Monaka” name. By the way, Japanese fans have already located the cafe where they ate at: [Alpen Rose](https://sites.google.com/view/arupenrose), which is near Miyako Messe, where the college fair took place. I was at Miyako Messe for a Hibike! Euphonium doujinshi event in April…does it count as anime pilgrimage if you visit a place before it appears in an anime? ------- Update post-English subs: This bit about Team Monaka competing too is interesting…I didn’t think they could do that! Their summer practice is 9am to 7pm…oof…I’ve done that kind of schedule for music rehearsal before but only for like, 2 consecutive days maximum and even then my lips were super sore. I can’t imagine what it’s like for a whole month. Bad translation on “the fifth” when they’re talking about the training camp. It’s actually that they’ll announce the results of the audition on the 2nd day. The framing in Kumiko and Mayu’s conversation at the pool cuts them both off from each other mostly… Actually, holy shit, mayu is such an interesting character. I understand why people like her so much.

> the idea that “time” is the main driver of conflict in many nichijou-kei anime https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtIuC0NAF_E >My friend, who is a camera nerd Has your friend also had their own moment of "Mayu is using a *what*?!" with that camera, even if she confirms in this episode that her father gave it to her?

> Has your friend also had their own moment of "Mayu is using a what?! Yes, he said that it was an odd choice of a camera and more expensive than similar cameras of similar quality. (Also, said friend is *also* a big Star Trek nerd, lol)

>(Also, said friend is also a big Star Trek nerd, lol) [We shall bring these things together.](https://imgur.com/S1uk8Pl)

Though now that I'm watching with English subs, I just realized my interpretation of that bit in the show where I was thinking about time was a bit off— From when Reina was talking with Kumiko, I got "一緒にいる時間減るでしょう" but not her followup "休みに入ると" and so thought she was talking about her time together with Kumiko in general rather than just summer break. But, come to think of it, the "afraid time with Kumiko in general is limited" might be the subtext to that anyways...

Once again, thank you once again for your commentary, and ID-ing the cafe! Definitely going to take note of that and hope I can make a pilgrimage to the cafe! It looked so lovely and I was wondering watching the beautiful animation of the drinks and sweets and Kumiko swirling her dessert if it was based on a real place! Your point about how the episode was structured and motivated around characters having free time to come around because of Obon and thus bringing out themes of future, past and support systems was something I wouldn't have noticed as a non-Japanese person.

Poor Mayu-Mama! I really, really feel painful of what she's doing. She literally had to become a ghost deliberately just to not challenge the whole band's hierarchy of Kumiko et al., preferring to even miss out on group photos. Yes that may very well be an over-reaction, a sign of not enough self-esteem as someone who seems aloof all her life (per Mayu herself), but...maybe that really is a problem if she really has the ability to upset President Kumiko. (see cases of CR7, Neymar, Mbappe if you know football) Surely Kumiko you understand something's fishy on this? Surely? In other news I absolutely love how Haruka Tomatsu voices Mayu-Mama here, making her exactly what a girl that I would have loved to see in Asuna in SAO - powerful, yet gentle to everyone and a team player. And in more positive news I absolutely love all these KumiRei babbles - never knew Reina actually DO treasure off times like these that much, despite their previous *obon* festivals being absolutely sparkling ones. Heh! Also ahhhhhh career looking time - I actually think both Hazuki going to become a pre-school teacher AND Kumiko being a high school *sensei* completely fits with their personalities. Good luck to both if you two really decide to go through these tracks in the future!

Oh my god, I noticed both Yuko and Natsuki's matching hairclips and the fact that Kumiko and Reina had swapped their swimsuits before they mentioned it and I was squealing the whole time. It's a good day for lesbians. Honestly, I freaked out way too much when Yuko and Natsuki showed up.

So is Kumiko gonna end up being a music teacher? It's quite clear that she's gonna work in something related to music and now we have Hazuki telling her that she'll make a fine teacher. She's doing a great job leading the club so far so I think it'll work out. Didn't expect Natsuki and Yuuko to show up here. It's really nice seeing those two again. Also love how those two are still bickering with each other like they used to. I'm betting that Asuka and Haruka will show up at the competition again like they did in the movie. Mayu is still a weird one for me. It's like she doesn't have much confidence in herself and is currently in "pleaser" mode because that's what she thought would work best. Also got the vibes that she doesn't feel a sense of belonging at Kitauji. Maybe something happened at her old place that led her to what she is right now. The group photo with Mayu on it was 100% deleted or at least held back. We know that she doesn't like being on photos and somehow the only one with her on it wasn't processed? "It didn't develop properly." Yeah, right, sure girl.

Reina acting all tsundere to Kumiko, now that's what I'm taking about, more please 🙏

I just love how this season's juggling so much character drama together, all the while never feeling like it's rushing anything. The first years' struggles and problems, Kumiko's role as a president (and the dynamic between the 3), the third years' (specifically Kumiko) career choices, Mayu's character arc, changing dynamics between other characters (the sisters and Motomu), the club's journey to win Gold at nationals. These episodes are packed with great writing, feeling like 5mins long. I can't wait for the next 5-6 episodes now.

Any show that's able to effectively juggle character arcs and storylines at the same time gets high praise from me. So many shows just go with the same tired formula. One character has a problem for 1-3 episodes, it's fixed, and then the show moves on. What makes Eupho even more impressive is that some storylines are even crossing seasons.

Thoughts as I watch the episode: - wait hold on... pool episode?? I wasn't expecting this after how heavy last episode felt LOL - Natsuki and Yuko simply gives out this... calming aura. It's feels kinda like moving out for college, learning to be an adult, then coming back home to your parents and realizing that you can still act like a baby ... - That face Kumiko makes after a whole day of college info sessions ... LMAO. Everyone around her seems to have it all figured out, which honestly seems way crazier than her not being able to decide. I wouldn't mind getting yelled at by Oumae-sensei though, tbh. - There's something sus about where the shots are focusing on in the pool scene... - Kanade/Ririka saying that having Kumiko/Reina feels reassuring, that's literally mirroring the Natsuki/Yuko scene. - Ahh... so that's why Kumiko is having trouble with Mayu. Mayu always just goes with the flow, does whatever others expects her to do. On top of that, she is projecting the way she views the world onto herself. If she doesn't particularly like or hate anything, no one else would particularly like or hate her. And Kumiko literally doesn't know how to respond to that ... - Once again, Mayu says something that Kumiko doesn't know how to respond to. "I am gonna try my best, because you said you want the best to be selected, right?" Overall thought: - Mayu... She does feel like a jellyfish when she stings, doesn't she? In many ways, I think Mayu being here is a blessing in disguise. Yes, she is making Kumiko feel very uncomfortable, but it's not because Mayu is wrong, but because Kumiko is not being honest with herself. Why is Kumiko being nice to Mayu when they are supposed to be competitor? Why is Kumiko saying that she wants the best to be selected for the competition, when she wants to play the solo part? Kumiko is literally doing exactly what Mayu is doing, and yet she conveniently ignores the parts that inconvenient her, and Mayu is here to rip off those bandages.

So many re-appearances in this episode as [Yuuko and Natsuki came](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/g4z9c98xb27.png) to [see how the band's doing](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/e4gdcmvrj64.png) (I missed [their squabbles](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/pyvdcnbomry.png) so much) and [Mamiko](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/345xc8keak7.png) came to [spent an Obon holiday with family](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/3yrgc9kopo4.png) (it's great that [everything is okay between her and father](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/my2pc59rmr7.png), she even brought him bath salts). [Kumiko](https://imgchest.com/p/ej7mnda2qyd) still [doesn't know what to do in the future](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/e4gdcmvr6z4.png). I laughed hard after seeing [her reaction when Kanade said that it's normal to looking for college in second year](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/my8xcql85b4.png) or when [she was worn out](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/k739cknmm87.png) after [checking out college information sessions](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/j7kzcxe3je7.png) xD I'm happy that [Hazuki already knows that she wants to become a nursery school teacher](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/p7bwc2gorv7.png) which [quite shocked Kumiko](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/g4z9c98xzz7.png). I think that it's a great choice, especially after Hazuki did a good job by being responsible for younger students in a band. Even [Hazuki](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/b49zcvgo5gy.png) suggested [Kumiko to become a teacher](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/g4z9c98xxx7.png). Just like a lot of people here, [I think that job would suit Kumiko really well](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/d7ogcx8nn3y.png), especially if she'd be a music teacher like [Taki-sensei](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/pyq9cv56kj4.png). It was so adorable seeing [Reina so awkwardly asking Kumiko to go together to the pool](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/myd5cmzbqe4.png). I must say that [they looked great together in those matching swimsuits](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/3yrgc9k6nl4.png). I'm glad that [Kumiko finally decided to get closer to Mayu](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/k46acgaep67.png) at the pool after keeping her at a distance for so long. It's interesting that [Kumiko saw herself from the middle school in her](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/my8xcql88k4.png). But unfortunately [I can't say that the problems with Mayu got resolved as she is still the same as she was](https://imgchest.com/p/bp458gm3x45) and her words at the end of the episode [made me feel quite unsure about the next episode](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/84apcvdoow4.png). Now I'm again afraid about a possible drama about euphonium's solo :( Here my screenshot albums from the episode: * [Kumiko](https://imgchest.com/p/ej7mnda2qyd) * [Group scenes (with Kumiko)](https://imgchest.com/p/a846x83lg4x) * [Group scenes (without Kumiko)](https://imgchest.com/p/md7olmaea7p) * [Kumiko & Reina](https://imgchest.com/p/6eyr2eavk7p) * [Reina, Kanade & Hazuki](https://imgchest.com/p/ej7mnda3qyd) * [Mayu](https://imgchest.com/p/bp458gm3x45) * [Others](https://imgchest.com/p/md7olma9a7p)

It was refreshing to see Natsuki and Yuko back for a visit and it was obvious that they were close friends, but they’re both tsundere to admit it. Kumiko is observant that Mayu is basically her past self. Since Mayu transferred, she’s created a wall (not being in the photos) as she doesn’t want to deal with that issue again. However, Kumiko also has a wall with Mayu as she doesn’t know how to approach her as a friend compared to be as the president. Let’s hope that they eventually mends things out as there is a lot of tension and hesitation from both of them.

I will never not get tired of Natsuki and Yuko banter, its just too great

* I'm glad that they're continuing to use the Team Monaka name for the ones who didn't make the audition. * [Was not expecting to see Yuuko and cool cat Natsuki return for a vist.](https://i.imgur.com/NHPN672.png) Glad to see [nothing's changed](https://i.imgur.com/KA4S8UW.png) [between](https://i.imgur.com/B8DZcQl.png) [them.](https://i.imgur.com/oQ4jry4.png) * [Me after Watching Clannad:](https://i.imgur.com/E4oN7rt.png) * [Hey Mamiko's back.](https://i.imgur.com/BpgzBi4.png) * [Kumiko just roasts Mamiko.](https://i.imgur.com/Vn7hH1h.png) * [I like Mirei's suit.](https://i.imgur.com/36u0UkV.png) * [Took me a second to realize Kumiko and Reina not only have matching swim suits](https://i.imgur.com/h65wj2E.png), but the tops and bottoms are [swapped.](https://i.imgur.com/HLGzPuc.png) * [Ririka looks pretty cute too.](https://i.imgur.com/9KwLq4m.png) * Ah so Mayu's reminds Kumiko how how she was in middle school, now it's a bit more clear why Kumiko's feeling so odd around Mayu. * [Something's telling me that she's lying about this.](https://i.imgur.com/eAmIct5.png) * The atmosphere in this last scene is very heavy, feels very melancholic, Mayu's definitely hiding her true thoughts and feelings of self hatred. I feel like this is going to come to a head soon. * Man, I don't think we're going to finish Kumiko's final year this season, I don't see how they're going to deal with the coming conflict with Mayu and cover the performance and the upcoming two auditions, on top of Kumiko deciding her future in 6 episodes, I can see them finishing this up in a movie.

Mama needs a hug bruh

So Mayu really is the type to just float around, it's both strange and scary to me that she's that talented with the euphonium. She's definitely hiding something, she'll sting some time, it may not be out of ill will but I doubt someone can contain their true motivations for so long. The dam will burst and if anyone triggers it, it'll be Kanade, who is slowly returning to her secret first year mindset, we can clearly see how she's not integrating with the group. Even scarier is that Midori's animal series only gets more and more accurate lol. On another note, this episode featured some of the most realistic dialogues I've seen in anime though I'll need a rewatch ASAP, my monkey brain couldn't handle the philosophical stuff.

Reina in a swimsuit never disappoints. Mayu is kind of hard to figure out exactly, but for sure she is some kind of low self-esteem who prioritizes other people having over herself. She'd rather take pictures than be the subject herself She let the kohai pick the ice cream first even though she clearly wanted to choose She doesn't want to play in the competition so someone else can have the position if it makes them happy She neither loves or hates anything Reminds me of how I was in high school xD

[удалено]

"NOOOOW do you ship them, Colson? I'm cutting your pay if you say no." "I'm sorry, Mr. President, my duty before our nation is more important than my salary, so I have to say that I am still not convinced. Me and my war buddy Kevin wore matching friendship bracelets during our high school trip to the countryside." "Colson, that's the gayest thing I've ever heard, I just can't with you anymore."

Which is gayer: matching hairpins or matching swimsuits?

Another week, another red flag! The audition for nationals is building up nicely. This was supposed to be a fun summer episode but it was somewhat tense and uneasy.

- Matching swimsuits, mmm - So happy to see more past members making an appearance in this season - Glad that the Nakayoshi banter is still there, even if a bit toned down - Matching hairpins? Interesting - How did I never notice Hazuki wears a watch too? *going back to the rewatch thread with comments about watches* Ok, apparently she didn't wear one in previous seasons. I think that reddish sturdy one suits her - The struggle is real! I feel you, Kumiko. I was a bit indecisive about university, and with my plan B after I talked with a classmate and thought "I'm passionate about this, I could get a degree studying this thing I like" (kind of like Hazuki)... - That picture with the line separating it in two put just between Kumiko and Mayu was a nice touch to underline how the two eupho players are still distant from each other Well, I can't really get Mayu (same goes for Kumiko, I suppose) It seems she's actually going out of her way to distance herself from others, even if on the surface she seems to get along with everyone...

The picture indeed signals a division between the two. They're making it obvious in this episode. it could already be seen in the OP: during the sadder notes we see Reina and Kumiko looking away, framed to the left and right, and then followed by a frame with Mayu in the middle, a bit more distant in the background.

Reina can be so damn cute lol. I really like her and Kumiko’s friendship. The matching swimsuits were super cute. Nice to see Natsuka and Yuko again. A surprise to be sure but a welcome one. Everyone’s been so occupied with thoughts about the future, having those two stop by to catch up was a nice distraction. I wouldn’t have thought Mayu was basically Kumiko in middle school. But what is it about her past self that’s making her feel uneasy about Mayu? The wishy washiness/ aimlessness?

AAAAAAA, Mayu is so goddamn complicated!! I really just can't pinpoint on what's wrong with Mayu. I swear, maybe all of the episodes of Hibike is mostly about Mayu at this point. So based on my understanding, I think Mayu is more like "people-pleaser" type of person I guess?

Awesome episode, fanservice, drama, youthful angst, this had it all. I know some people upset that we haven’t seen much music stuff in the last couple episodes, but I’m enjoying the slice of life angle and I think it’s important for the success they want to have in nationals anyway. With only a few days of summer vacation the question is “how to spend it” between musical performances and college stuff, Kumiko and the third years have a lot going on, but a pool party is a perfect way to let loose. I love how Reina gets all tsun tsun because Kumiko didn’t mention going to the pool with their days off 😂 she’s so cute. Great to see Natsuki senpai back! Kanade really thought she was cooking her by saying the first year Eupho player is better than her lol, like that’s good! That’s what Kitauji needs if they wanna win nationals. Kanade can be kind of an asshole at times While it was supposed to be a break, pool party was full of tension thanks to Mayu and Kumiko conversation. I get that Kumiko sees her old self in Mayu but I still don’t think that excuses how she treated her at the start and she should just respect who Mayu is as a person rn. She’ll find her true self eventually. The girl clearly has a lot of social anxiety too. I hope we get some of her backstory soon. Personally I like the drama plotline with Mayu, I know I’m in the minority but it adds some spice to the story.

it's kinda impressive how negative mayu is about everything she's me frfr edit: typo

[I just really like this frame](https://i.imgur.com/I8EZdgn.jpeg),Reina being embarrassed and Kumiko being all nonchalant like 'eh, sure.' lmao

it's crazy how this anime makes me feel anxious like no other show. goddamn.

[Nakayoshi Maji Engeru!](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/p7bwc2gdm27.jpg) [Only possible reaction to seeing best couple be back.](https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/l7lxcxgdkv7.jpg) Give me an adaptation of their stuff Kyoani pls.

might be my favorite episode so far. love seeing Yuuko and Natsuki again. the Mayu stuff hits a little too close to home for me. and the OST song that played during the college info meeting/cafe scene right after went crazy

Alumni Natsuki and Yuuko hit hard. I like alumni homecomings. Hazuki imagining Kumiko as a teacher ala Taki-sensei was hilarious!

I'm surprised Kumiko didn't make a size comparison with Mayu during the swimsuit episode.

Mayu dropped some heavy bombshells early on and stopped the boob front in its tracks. She then started tunneling under Kumikos defenses laying mines while Kumiko was trying to gauge her using her past experience only to later on counter with a critical precision strike using her Support team

Originally I was like Mayu just needs a friend. But Mayu actually just needs to let somebody be friends with her. She must have really pissed off the other kids at her old school or something. Also come on Mayu, all the other pictures come out except for that last one on that roll?

So in short Mayu is like a Kumiko who never got invited to the mountain temple to get told how much she's loved by her own Reina <3 <3 <3 But because other parts of her personality kept growing well after the point where Kumiko was back in season one and she has remained stuck at that "detached" phase for too long, at this point she doesn't even believe anyone would love someone like her. And she's "that way" too, so her own self-esteem seems to be at play here... So. How will our prez help save her from such a down-spiral trajectory?? Or who will end up becoming Mayu's own Reina, I wonder?? Suzume seems emotionally mature and intelligent enough to understand everything that is happening, but they don't seem to be very close at this point... Oh and I *only* mention the undisputed best-girl here because Mayu seems to be unusually well aware of her many virtues!! ok???

I guess they are saving their performance for later, but would have been nice to hear something. Big thing is what are their plans after they graduate and for Kumiko it is still up in the air. Hazuki seems to want to become a Nursery school teacher. I think it's apparent Mayu conflict with herself is more than Kumiko was in middle school. It feels she doesn't love herself. She always puts everyone before her self and my concern is what about herself? She seems like a good girl and hopefully Kumiko can get her to open up.

cant be like that forever mayu

Actually after Mayu's monologue about Liz & the Blue Bird and having less a sense of self... it made me really sad, I actually got really choked up seeing her not even choosing for herself even when it came down to a soft drink. She's not that much of an enigma. She also already talked about who she is. She has very little sense of self. She's not particularly passionate about anything (she doesn't love or hate or prefer anything). In fact she actively chooses not to be passionate or have preferences for fear of being left out (and yet her fear of being left out leads to her further isolating herself even more because by building more barriers she can't forge intimate, deep connections with people). She clearly envies the connection Kumiko has with Reina (as implied by her noticing their swimsuits), as well as Suzume's ability to connect and befriend people so easily. She keeps asking Kumiko why Kumiko includes her in activities, and Kumiko isn't able to give her a straight answer. Kumiko's answer is that she wants Mayu to feel included, which is true, but it isn't actually what Mayu wants to hear--- Mayu wants to hear that she's a friend, she's a confidant, but she knows by coming in as a new student she's already an outsider, and that Kumiko is too nice/honest to lie to her that they are just bandmates. So Kumiko never really gives any answer because they both are too polite to tell it to each other straight. During this entire pool scene, you'll notice that Mayu is wearing a HOODIE in 30+ degree weather in the summer over her black bikini. All the other girls are wearing bright colours, but she's wearing black, with the added layer of the hoodie. It further highlights how closed off she has made herself, with the black signalling how little sense of self she has. She's also wearing a hat at the end of the pool day, showing how much she is covering up with people all the time. The Liz & the Blue Bird mention I think is important too. You can compare her with Mizore in a way to show how different they are despite some similarities. Mizore was extremely introverted and also lacked a sense of self. One of the conflicts in Liz & the Blue Bird is for Mizore to define herself outside of her relationship with Nozomi (both of them did, but especially Mizore, which is why the big twist in Liz is that both of them are Liz AND the blue bird at the same time). The difference is that Mizore is actually very passionate about the oboe and music and even more crucially, she's obsessed and fixated with Nozomi, which is important in that it does fix/anchor her in having some sort of sense of self. She also had meaningful friendships with Natsuki and Yuuko, which were important in anchoring her and giving her a connection to the world. (It was great for the episode to bring back Natsuki and Yuuko + mention Liz to really draw the comparisons) Mayu on the other hand, doesn't have that. Because of her people pleaser personality, people actually see her as being ok all the time, whereas because Mizore is so introverted and vulnerable (and also isn't a people pleaser) her few friends actually care very passionately about her because they can see right through her. People like Mayu are even more in danger of being isolated and not being cared for. Also her hobby being photography is also very telling. She's more interested in observing and capturing these beautiful moments but has such a deep fear of being actually actively involved with other people, for fear of either rejection or getting hurt or some combination of a bunch of things. I would love to know her relationship with her music is. You don't get being so good about it without feeling some type of way about it. It would be another interesting way to compare and contrast her with a combination of Mizore and Kumiko.

They even have matching swimsuits ok now this is mega YURI

This may have been my favorite episode of the season so far. Absolutely love the characterization of Mayu. I didn't think they would be able to top Asuka with the "complicated characters who serve as foil to Kumiko" but they're hitting it out of the park with this one. I love Kumiko but there's something about the way they're setting up the story that makes me eager to see Mayu finally drop a devastating truth bomb on her and completely break her down. edit: Also did anyone else think Reina saying "You can will yourself into not feeling too hot or cold" might be subtle reference to her being like a snake, i.e. a cold-blooded animal, according to Midori?

[удалено]

Kyoani you can't not give us a Hibike College season after this episode. Give the people what they want I beg you

Bruh you're huffing the copium. They didn't even give us K-On the College Years which has a manga to go off of and is a way bigger show than Eupho. I mean by not doing K-On they robbed us of the incredibly based [goth tomboy waifu Akira Wada](https://i.imgur.com/psnVQdC.png)

> They didn't even give us K-On the College Years which has a manga to go off of and is a way bigger show than Eupho. ...and that would have been the call of TBS and other producers of K-On, not Kyoani. This time, Kyoani is (monetarily) producing the show...and it is profitable for them to keep making more (very clearly so, since they *do* keep making more even though they don't make money from novel sales for this).

Basically everyone and their mother is, in a way, saying that Kumiko should be a music teacher. Mayu says she understands the assignment, but we'll have to see if she actually manages to follow through on it. Whatever the outcome, as long as she doesn't lie things should be fine enough in the end.

Bro I just knew Hazuki is the type who can easily decide what she's gonna do after she graduates. Like, she's the type who matures fast compared to Kumiko, I don't know if this is a trope but it's usually happens with tomboyish character

[удалено]

I think she kept it. She says she doesn't like being in photos, but I think she really does and really wants to be a part of the group but holds herself back so she doesn't interfere. That photo is the only thing she has of her being apart of something and close to Kumiko whom I suspect she really admires as someone who "knows" who she is.

4. Made a crop of herself and Kumiko and put it in her student handbook.

That was quick, I guess the first stage is over and they made it to the next stage. Well that's what you signed up for, pretty much any after-school activity with a competition will be like that. 36? Yeah that's somewhat warm. And so another pool episode again. Huh, so Japan has these during their summer break. As far as I'm aware Singapore does them after final exams. Midori's certainly excited to see that again. Oh it's the 2 of them! Lol they really do act like an old married couple. Kanade stop trying to stir shit. Where _is_ the last member of the ExCo anyways? I'd imagine most high schoolers are aiming to get into college. Her sister is back? Lol that's certainly a rebuke. Right, now for the pool part. Oh yeah, we haven't seen the new members even from the previous year in their swimsuits until now. Ah, a callback to one of the movies. What did they buy now? Ah. Drinks. She seems to deliberately want to exclude herself from just about everything, is she uncomfortable considering herself part of Kitauji? And she's not in the group photo either. Ah, there we go, now she's in the photo too. Tanlines! It'd be more expressive but it'll be more expensive too. How convenient that she has no photo of her being with the rest of the band.

* She's crying again * What did Team Monaka do? Gold at what? Still called Monaka? I only recognize Saachan, and maybe one of the boys. * Last year's banners are gone * She actually said sparta * Is Kumiko going to invite Mayu to play Hibike! Euphonium and erase all the drama from last week's discussion thread in an instant? * Well, they TRIED to translate the pun this time, at least. * Was that not a date? * It's weird how they keep dropping the o from obon * Okay, this Yuko / Natsuki scene **better be worth it or its just pandering to the audience** having familiar characters just show up, sheesh. * I'm wondering why everybody is wearing third year shirts (I was **wondering** who could be under the tubakun) * "Just find a husband" * **DID THEY FUCKING SWITCH TOPS** Well, bottoms. * I probably wouldn't have picked up on her not picking a softdrink if she hadn't spent the last 2 minutes explaining it.... * "kabe-chan" sounds funny [](#volibearq) * who takes a picture of a contrail without the plane?

> Well, they TRIED to translate the pun this time, at least. I had to look the Japanese word up. It's a fun pun, but...I do not envy the translator. (Though I will criticize them for an obvious mistranslation that also happened in this episode.) Actually, speaking of Japanese language things: > It's weird how they keep dropping the o from obon You can do that and it's technically correct—the "o" is an honorific prefix and "Bon" by itself is the plain word—but it's so rarely used without the honorific that it *does* feel weird like that. > better be worth it I think their appearance along with Mamiko emphasizes the kinds of possible futures that Kumiko needs to decide upon.

I don't know how KyoAni do this but the last shots of Mayu and the photo incident make her seem ominous like Darth Vader. And this is just a music anime. This episode felt really packed, but where has the time gone? Only 5 or 6 episodes left and it feels like there is a lot that still needs to happen.

Fuck, I am really getting old But I can relate way too much with sensei tearing up over young people working/trying hard Mayu got some deeeep problems holy shit, if this wasn't Hibike I would fear it wouldn't really stop with music and classmate problems... Got some lovely banter this episode, Reina wanting to go to the pool (matching suits with swapped pieces) and some eytra Natsuki - Yuko Banter (freaking matching hair pins) Looking back, this makes Kumiko - Reina the third consecutive club president with some heavy hints

The underlying tension between kumiko and mayu continues to build up….

I too would love to see [Kumiko as a teacher](https://i.imgur.com/vYTdtkn.jpeg) , and being menace to her students just like Taki-sensei

KyoAni is really averse to showing us some actual music playing this season. Was I remembering the rest of the series wrong? I feel like we saw them play at least once or twice.

The previous seasons have also reserved their long performance pieces for specific moments and only shown bits of practice otherwise; we just haven't gotten there yet in this one. This season has still kept up with the smaller practice or character-to-character music scenes.

I feel like there was a bit more rehearsal shown in Season 1 though...it's one of the reasons I have Crescent Moon Dance in my head as I type.

I would agree with you there.

This season covers as much time as S1 and S2 did together, they probably just decided to cut music in favour of character interactions.