Hibike! Euphonium is about a girl named Kumiko Oumae, who just entered Kitauji High School. In junior high, she was a band member who played the euphonium. She checks out her school's band and finds one of her old bandmates, Reina Kousaka, there. Because of a certain incident, the two of them aren't really on the best terms. Still, Kumiko joins band and, of course, gets stuck with the euphonium. As the band members of Kitauji High School works hard to get into the Nationals, Kumiko and Reina slowly but surely become closer to each other. (Oh, how they teased the yuri in this anime!)
The story is pretty well-told; it's not perfectly-executed, but it's definitely well-told through the eyes of Kumiko. Most of the characters are well-developed and interesting, as well. However, there are some annoying characters in the mix, too (coughYoshikawacough). The voice acting is very well-done. The ED is very catchy, and I just plain fell in love with the OP! I don't know if it's necessary to say this, but the ED for the last episode was a wind orchestra version of the OP. That's pretty clever, if you ask me. Speaking of which, the way the band music is played in each episode is realistic; they're all improving little by little, just like in real life.
Now, here's something I can go on gushing about for hours on end: the art and animation. Obviously, as I've mentioned before, it's from Kyoto Animation. Kyoto Animation always manages to release an anime with beautiful animation, and the animation in Hibike! Euphonium is certainly no exception. With nice, vivid colors and serene animation, I liked the art and animation through and through. I noticed a little change in the characters' design, but this change is so insignificant that it's nothing to rant about.
Overall, Hibike! Euphonium is a good anime. If you like a good story accompanied by Kyoto Animation's ever-so-stunning animation, I'd recommend it. I'd also strongly recommend it to those who are or were in band; it might get you pumped up to play whatever instrument you play!
