-This review contains spoilers for content within and preceding this season, and is written from the perspective of an anime-only viewer.-

Coming off the Ensemble Contest OVA from the previous year, Hibike S3 takes on, most of all, the final lap of the journey and answer to Kumiko’s path. The past, present and future truly close in here as the cast reminisces and recalls, many newcomers join in for the present, and the characters we’ve followed along with for years must decide what to do after everything is said and done. With that established, this season had many hurdles to clear; not only as seemingly the final entry for the main series, but coming out of a multitude of real-world events which would have affected the production of this season. If you ask me, I’d say it turned out very well.

Hibike S3 carries on the heart, soul, and magic of the series that many, myself included, have consistently returned to for. Week in week out, Kyoani continued to deliver carefully crafted episodes packed with gradual character building, which might feel odd to say because this season went by relatively quickly. It’s no secret that there are less performances than usual this time around, but the pieces that were performed were used incredibly tastefully and are integral to not only the characters but the plot overall, from the ending in Episode 4, the auditions of Episode 12, and the finale. There is a fair bit less breathing room compared to the previous seasons, where I found it to be a major plus for the individual scenes and the overall feel of those seasons, but this time around I find it working thematically with time closing in on our 3rd years, especially with the consistent reminders of Kumiko needing to make decisions. Many of which she has to make here, as she truly steps up as a leader and a person. It’s worth noting that while she becomes much less awkward, some of it still flows in her interactions.
Never change, Kumiko.

Then there’s the sudden new entrant; Mayu. In an earlier opening visual, she’s depicted walking in a different direction to the others, which had me thinking she’d be the ‘problem person’ of sorts. As reality has it, she’s really a great character not only herself, but for the conflict here; an initially unaccounted for factor who questions not only the methods of Kitauji, but the inner, deepest feelings of the seemingly unwavering President. There was initially a strong air of mysteriousness to her, but we come to learn what’s really going on and why that is. In trying to fit in, she ends up practically standing out the most. Her feelings of being an outsider are incredibly valid and they make her moments with Kumiko sting as hard as they do. All of which leads to the climax of the season — the soli auditions. With this sequence came a bold change in the script. To my knowledge, in the novels Kumiko wins the auditions and gets to play with Reina, which is not the case here. Speaking from an anime-only perspective, I would have loved to see them perform together once more, but I can see why this decision was made. With everything leading up to this, it did appear that Kumiko’s hesitance with going on to pursue music at a professional level was going to affect her performance. In the heart-shattering Episode 12, I personally guessed whose audition performance was whose. It’s a very complicated conflict, and it can be rather difficult to determine which to go with, as both have valid reasons for being chosen. For the sake of Kumiko and Mayu’s particular paths, I believe this is a reasonable and more compelling route to take.

Now, a moment to talk about Liz and the Blue Bird!
In both movies occupying the second year of the series, a brief moment of the piece playing (or being performed by) with Kumiko and Reina is depicted, perhaps telling of their relationship at the time. It’s a story that is every bit about them as it is Mizore and Nozomi.

Now, we’ve officially arrived at the point where it is truly and fully applicable. Over the course of the season, many scenes involving the two are filled with their usual back-and-forth, but there’s also a hint of distance that wasn’t there before. It’s first addressed officially by Reina in Episode 5, leading to one of the series’ most beautiful sequences and one of my personal favorite episodes overall. The sense of urgency and clear passion for each other is STRONG. Reina continues to seek assurance from Kumiko that she’ll stick by, and Kumiko affirms those feelings, but perhaps not in the way she was hoping. This is briefly interrupted by another conflict, but that concerns the methods of Taki-sensei and the desires of the students collectively rather than a personal one. Perfectly in-character for Reina, might I mention. We return to it once again as the rounds of auditions continue, with tensions at an all-time high. With the characters at their most vulnerable, the time comes for the curtains to open, for the bird to be uncaged. Again, the effect of Episode 12, all the heartbreaking it is, is perhaps the most divisive yet effective telling of both understanding and acceptance. This is truly an integral part of Hibike’s modus operandi.

And yet despite all the tension and consistent week to week bundle of emotions..
Hibike delivers a truly inspiring, catharsis-inducing finale to wrap it all up. After all this time of practicing, arguing, resting and boundary-breaking, everything is put into one final performance where the past and present meet once more with the outcome that has been yearned for since the very first second this series began. It’s a testament to not only the efforts of the characters we’ve followed for so long, but also how I, a member of the audience, could cry the very same tears of joy the characters did. (In fact, I teared up the exact frame Kumiko does).

For some extra thoughts –
Kanade truly shined this season. I was really hoping to see more of her in light of the much shorter second year, and I very much got that. She’s definitely become one of my favorites as well. Also, the appearances of the senpai from previous years were perfect. It was a blast to see them again, and they also played an important part in reminding us about the future.

Overall, this third season of Hibike! Euphonium has elevated and brought a new experience to what was already a series that meant much to me, oozing with passion in just about every aspect. It really is a special experience. I’d like to give my thanks to all involved, past and present, in the creation of this series. Thank you Hibike Euphonium!

To quote the words of Reina Kousaka herself: