Gekijoban Hibike! Euphonium: Chikai no Finale

I haven't seen any of the anime series this movie is from. I saw "Liz and the Blue Bird" and I am committed to seeing all things that Naoko Yamada is involved in because I loved "A Silent Voice". I was never involved in any music program in high school. But this movie made me see the appeal of Band. As a kid I was more into sports, that was my extracurricular activity. But this movie made me realize how much I was missing out by not going out for band. The time, the discipline, the teamwork, are all on display here and make me recognize the power of music. The downside is the movie feels incomplete. I guess now I have to watch the series.

I've actually never seen the original series or previous film, so I came in completely blind without any fore knowledge. Generally speaking, I think the film does a good job of getting newer audience members with the story despite the film being an ensemble film. The basic premise is all there and I never got lost in the story. At times I did feel like I wished I had seen everything that came before just to get a deeper experience with each individual character but the overall film still entertained and kept me engaged. I'll definitely go back and take a look at everything I've missed as I'm now curious to see everything I've missed.

It's still got that Kyoto Animation magic - gorgeous visuals, authentic character expressions, and music sequences that feel alive. But this one focuses heavily on the new first-year members, which means Kumiko and the original cast take a bit of a back seat in emotional depth. The themes of mentorship and leadership are strong, but it's not as intense or emotionally charged as May the Sound Reach You.

The concert scenes remain a highlight (especially that climactic performance), and the quieter moments show KyoAni's signature subtle storytelling. Still, for long-time fans, it can feel more like a side chapter than a full-on emotional climax.

If I'm being real, this one's more for people who already love the franchise - it won't hit as hard for newcomers.