Despite what some detractors might say, Kyoto Animation, particularly the phenomenal writing of Jukki Hanada and the direction of Tatsuya Ishihara, has delivered one of the most gut-wrenching and emotional narratives of the last decade. For those who have followed Oumae Kumiko's journey over the past nine years, season three serves as the culmination of all her efforts, struggles, and aspirations as she enters her third year of high school, only to be flipped on its head when a new face enters the picture at Kitauji.
Many will take issue with the presence of Kuroe Mayu, particularly when she takes away Kumiko's chance to play the solo twice, including the final performance at Nationals. This deviation from the light novel's material understandably upset many people, Kumiko being robbed of her "fairy tale ending" of winning Gold at Nationals through playing the solo with Reina. However, I believe a closer look of Kumiko's desires and struggles throughout this season, alongside the prior seasons and films, showcases that this narrative not only makes sense, but that such an outcome was the only one this iteration of Hibike! could've pulled off. I say that because the story was never about Kumiko playing with Reina or winning gold at Nationals for Kitauji, despite the anime giving off that impression. Instead, the focus has always been on Kumiko herself, each season of Hibike! exploring her relationships with those around her. Season one with Reina, season two with her sister and Asuka, and season three with Mayu, Taki-sensei, and the club as a whole.
Throughout this season, we see Kumiko grapple with two main issues: the aforementioned Mayu and, perhaps more importantly, her plans after high school. While her friends have decided on their post-high school paths—Reina, in particular, pursuing college in America—Kumiko debates whether to attend a music university, a scenario her former senpai Mizore remarks in episode 11 she “can’t even picture.” This decision, which will likely shape the rest of her life, preoccupies Kumiko's mind throughout the season and ultimately leads to her losing the chance to perform the solo with Reina to Mayu.
Episode 12 served to remind the audience of two things that are easy to forget. First, the inevitable split between Kumiko and Reina as they forge their own paths, paralleling Liz and the Blue Bird and its narrative with Nozomi and Mizore. Despite their promise to each other in season one, not everything can work out as they wish, and all good things must come to an end. Second, it reinforces the real point of Hibike! It’s not about the solo, winning gold at Nationals, or even the music. Hibike! has always been about Kumiko, her relationships with those around her, and how these relationships helped her grow into the young woman she is by the end of her high school years.
Losing the final solo to Mayu may not be the most popular decision among fans, but it was necessary for Kumiko to take the final step in completing her arc, all starting with KyoAni’s beautiful animation in 2015. Regardless of what occurs in the final 13th episode, I know the hard work of Japan's finest animation studio and the nine years they've put into this story will have been fully worth it.
