Let's start off with straight up the best thing about this anime: The Visuals. Are you serious? This anime is so incredibly beautiful from the art style, the character designs and of course, the brilliant animation by the one and only Kyoto Animation. I'm gonna have to say it. This is hands down the most beautifully animated anime I have ever seen. It easily just tops Nagi No Asukara it's so good. I will have to admit that it was kind of hard to guess this was by Kyoto Animation at first but after watching it a while, it becomes very obvious. What gives it away are the character designs. They still retain very distinct similarities to many of what I like to call K-on character designs but they are made to be more detailed and refined. On top of that, you know the animation can't go wrong with Kyoto Animation. Again, it retains many similarities to the moe blob characteristics pioneered by the studio. And the overall backgrounds and all that sort of stuff are just beautiful to look at. If you don't believe me, just watch EP8 and I dare you to tell me otherwise.
Now of course, Sound Euphonium is more than just a visual spectacle. Great attention is also given to the characters. With a band of about 50 or so characters, as much effort as possible is given to many of the side characters instead of just solely focusing on the main ones. And of course, not everyone gets a detailed focus and great amount of screen time. But it is such a relief that the anime at least addresses these characters.
If we were to look at the more focused characters, this is where it gets real interesting. Kumiko is the main character and it is so amazing to see her development throughout the course of the anime. From when she first started the band in highschool to the end, we see her drastic change in attitude towards music. It was definitely as inspiring as it can get. And on top of that, let's talk about the relationship between Kumiko and Reina. This was one of the most unique and adorable relationships I have ever seen in anime. Their chemistry is unbelievably great that (I know it sounds so weird) they could literally be a couple. It was definitely a highlight of the anime. Even some of the other characters like Sapphire I mean... Midori, Hazuki, Kaori, Haruka & even the Senpai-crazy Yuko turned out to be very interesting important characters just because the anime took the time to flesh out these characters.
The story of the anime is pretty straight forward though. It is basically a competition-driven anime with the band aiming to reach the nationals. It's a simple premise but this anime does not mess around. I can confidently say that this anime has no such thing as filler. It focuses so intently on the aspects of the band and how the members face trials and tribulations in order to improve themselves, to overcome conflict and to achieve their goal. That is what I wanted to see in so many others of such anime and this one delivered exceptionally well. And even during times when practice is over, it is backed up by interesting conversations between the characters and it can get funny every now and then in order to balance out the seriousness that goes on.
And if all that wasn't enough, we have the main theme of this anime: The Music. This anime has the advantage because music plays a big part in it. And it is during times like these that the soundtrack actually matters to me. If the music is done nicely, it can have an effective emotional impact on the audience. As for the theme songs, while I can easily say they are not the best things I've heard, they are both nice to listen to. This is especially true for the opening theme which after multiple times, it does start to hit me with emotions. That might probably be the result of the show itself though.
Well of course, this anime isn't perfect. There are some teeny weeny problems I find here and there. I did find that the anime does try to rush certain scenes especially during the beginning where it wouldn't be weird to say that some clips lasted for only 5 frames or so. In this first season, we hardly get to know a lot about Asuka. I know that there is some interesting backstory behind this character and I wish to know more about it. And also, it was a really unsatisfying way that the anime ended. There definitely was more that needed to be covered. And that is exactly where the second season comes into play.
I want to see the 2nd season so badly. I love this anime so much. I cannot stop thinking about it. But of course, I'm just gonna leave this series aside for now because there are others to be watched. And I have faith in Kyoto Animation with their reputable track record that they can actually use this 2nd season to the fullest. If they do it right, I know it is a bit too early to say this, but this anime could potentially end up in my Top 10. I will be anxiously praying that it actually happens. But until then, if you have not watched this, I DEFINITELY HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
