Despite this, Hibike! is probably the most consistent and well-put-together storyboard/production that Kyoto has produced. The goal of the characters is simply to win gold in their concert preliminary. Such a basic premise might sound boring (especially to those who have no attachment to band music), however it makes it easier to flesh out the "meat" of the story and address multiple themes and ideas when the audience can easily follow along. Because of this, Hibike! has surprisingly complex characters and deeply emotional scenes, which is fairly unusual for a seasonal club anime. The last episode is the performance itself (which is typical for performing arts anime), meaning that the viewers do not hear the fruits of the band's labors until the very end. The show paces itself accordingly in the buildup to that moment, and even pulls a full circle moment with the opening and final scenes, which really helps to round out the deeper meaning of this arc. The culmination of the final act is certainly something worth investing in, and there is still plenty to look forward to in season 2.
A show about music naturally needs good music, and I am not just referring to the pieces that the band members play. Kyoto knocked it out of the park with this story, as the ambient soundtrack of each scene fit the mood perfectly, and their stunning animation really sold the magical elements of it all. To understand what I mean, you'd have to experience it for yourself (especially the bridge scene!). Considering the year this anime came out, it's honestly criminal how no one speaks about the animation quality (it feels as though it's a 2020s anime). Because of this, I believe that even those who do not particularly enjoy band stuff or high school drama can find themselves lost in the momentum that this series carries in each episode.
Review Ends Here, Character Analysis Below---------------------------------------
Our dual protagonists of Kumiko and Reina are strong overall characters that experience character growth in their own ways, however it's really 3 of the side characters (in my opinion) that molded the stakes and "band drama" to what it needed to be. The first is the band instructor, Noboru Taki, who depending on who you ask could be considered the antagonist of this story. The reason he is such a great character is because he's polarizing: on one hand his mannerism is too crude and alienating, but on the other he genuinely tries to help his students get better by not being too easy on them. This harsh yet meaningful teaching style generates plenty of plot points that effectively allows Hibike! to function as a story. In other words, without the presence of this character, there wouldn't be conflict or plot progression at all.
The other 2 characters are involved in the drama itself, which I will avoid explaining for spoiler reasons. Asuka is integral as a comic relief and mentor figure from the perspective of the protagonist, however we later learn that the reason she is so relaxed is because there is a little spite to her carefree attitude. This reflects how the drama was negatively impacting the mental fortitude of the band members, to the point where they'd rather not address it but dance around it instead. This "elephant in the room" weighs heavily on the atmosphere of select scenes, and overall the tension building was pretty remarkable from a cinematic standpoint.
Natsuki is the final character I will mention, because unlike Asuka who grows detached from the petty politics of the band, Natsuki finds herself motivated to jump back in. She isn't initially interested in reaching gold or even practicing in general, but soon finds herself mesmerized by the younger members' zeal. While she doesn't achieve all that she wishes to, it is nice to see the actions of the main cast having a positive impact on members who find themselves on the periphery between "caring" and "not caring". While other characters in the band also go through this, Natsuki stands out because the unofficial "older sister" dynamic she has with Kumiko and the other first year brass players. Despite being a minor character, Natsuki's own little character development helps to enrich the entire narrative, primarily through her actions and not through words.
