Hibike! Euphonium 3 – 12 – True Meritocracy
In an unprecedented move, both Kumiko and Mayu are chosen in the auditions to play the soli in the Nationals. But only one can play, so they’ll have another audition in front of the rest of the band, who will then vote who advances to the soli part. Taki-sensei tells her that it’s come to … Continue reading "Hibike! Euphonium 3 – 12 – True Meritocracy"
Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night – 12 (Fin) – Choosing Their Own Colors
Yukine is impressed with Mahiru’s ability to provide hard numbers for why JELEE deserves a spot at the New Year’s show alongside SunDolls, but stats aside, Yukine wants to know what Mahiru is doing this for. Mahiru’s answer is that when someone does something for her, she wants to reciprocate. Kano made her want to … Continue reading "Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night – 12 (Fin) – Choosing Their Own Colors"
Yuru Camp△ 3 – 12 (Fin) – Under the Cherry Blossoms
The final Yuru Camp for a while starts on a somewhat foreboding note, as Chiaki, restless on her first night of solo camping, has to pee, but hears rustling sounds outside and fears it’s a bear. Last month when I was camping in California, it definitely sucked leaving the warmth and relative safety of the tent … Continue reading "Yuru Camp△ 3 – 12 (Fin) – Under the Cherry Blossoms"
Urusei Yatsura – 46 (Fin) – The Spat That Never Ends
While I intrinsically knew that Ataru and Lum would end up back together by the end of this episode, I was able to suspend that inevitability and exist in complete suspense, if not that they’d reconcile, than how. Lum implies she’ll only let Ataru catch her in their game of tag if he confesses. The three … Continue reading "Urusei Yatsura – 46 (Fin) – The Spat That Never Ends"
Yuru Camp△ 3 – 11 – Jiunji.
This week Aoi’s cool Auntie gives her a bike. And not just any bike. A nice bike. Lightweight. Fast. Highly effective disc brakes. It’s a bike unlike any Aoi has ever ridden, and the experience of riding it for the first time reflects that. I myself own a reasonably-priced gravel bike (kinda between a mountain and … Continue reading "Yuru Camp△ 3 – 11 – Jiunji."
Hibike! Euphonium 3 – 11 – Their Selfish Wants
First things first: The prefecturals. Did Kitauji High win Gold? Why yes, they did, but Euph still made us hold our breath along with Kumiko, Reina, and the band members. This part of its storytelling is never not effective, especially when we see Kumiko’s face resolve into joy and relief on the stage with Shuu … Continue reading "Hibike! Euphonium 3 – 11 – Their Selfish Wants"
Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night – 11 – Carpe Nox
With over two Million with an M likes, Mei’s heartfelt bout of terrible singing went unexpectedly viral, but despite Mei hating her singing, the vast majority of comments are positive, supportive, and excited for the new song that’s now back on. Mei’s courageous stunt got Kano wanting to sing again; but the question that still eludes … Continue reading "Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night – 11 – Carpe Nox"
Urusei Yatsura – 45 – The End of Darlingelion
While the overall execution of this episode is outstanding—I really will miss Urusei’s gorgeous and inventive retro visuals and its vast ensemble cast—I still felt the need to dock a half-star from last week’s outing. First, because so much relies on Ataru feeling genuinely hurt and betrayed by the Fake Lum. Things happen so fast there’s … Continue reading "Urusei Yatsura – 45 – The End of Darlingelion"
Hibike! Euphonium 3 – 10 – No Filter
Kumiko walked into the faculty office wanting to ask Taki-sensei why he chose Mayu for the soli, but couldn’t do it. Instead, she asks why he chose four tubas. He basically says because winning gold in the Nationals is the goal—everyone’s goal. At the next practice, a complaint from one of the trombonists sets Reina … Continue reading "Hibike! Euphonium 3 – 10 – No Filter"
Yuru Camp△ 3 – 10 – The Road We Took
Rin arrives at Lake Yagiha Park and finds more than pleasant vistas of cherry blossoms and Fujiyama: she also finds a whole job-lot of cats. Mind you, these cats don’t like having their picture taken, and can also possibly tell Rin prefers dogs. One golden retriever of a girl Rin happens to be very fond … Continue reading "Yuru Camp△ 3 – 10 – The Road We Took"