Originally written by Ayano Takeda, Sound! Euphonium started out as a novel series that soon spawned a manga and anime created by Kyoto Animation. Two years ago a spin off film called, Liz and the Blue Bird was released focusing on two characters from the original series. Then this film, Subtitled " Our Promise: A Brand New Day"in English continues the series and a new anime was announced to be released sometime this year. Only one Sound! Euphonium novel is available in english published by Yen Press… I've seen it in American bookstores more than once. Where is the manga version? Looking at Y'all Yen Press……
A group of high school students come together to in an orchestra club to prepare for a national competition. They must overcome their inner demons in order to play together at their best.
The whole series isn't based on an overly complicated storyline: A group of students literally are in a club to play classical music. What's might be hardest about this film and the other media that comes with it is keeping up with the characters. There's enough personality here that makes you sort of want to know each character background. Especially if you don't give a damn about classical music… Not that it takes up a huge role anyway. Classical music is more of an excuse to get all these different personalities together for all the messy drama that happens between them. Sure, Classical music is the structure that gives the characters a "why" for the reasons behind their actions but people who are not classical fans will get just as much excitement watching the characters try to get their shit together. I'm not too familiar with Sound! except watching Liz and the Blue Bird on a whim a while ago, so seeing that film could be required if you want some connection to the characters. The original novel series is long enough that I wouldn't read it myself unless I was really really into the story background…. which I'm not. Liz's characters make an appearance in Our Promise as more mature versions of themselves. You can defiantly see growth in at least one character. Like I said before, drama drama drama then more drama is all you really have to look forward to in a sometimes slow running 110 minutes. Events do stay realistic enough to keep you wanting more slice of High School Life pie…. Can we also talk a little bit about the underline lesbian vibe in both films. It comes out a bit stronger in this film, while it hinted at it a enough in Liz and the Blue Bird. I just wonder if anyone else who has seen both films felt that vibe too? I think it's a very interesting layer to add to the story. Those who love Classical music also will enjoy this film since there's still enough references to the music genre for you to appreciate how the film incorporates it in the story.
Kyoto Animation always has been spot on in showcasing days of youth in how they draw the animation. from Full Metal Panic!, Haruhi Suzumiya, Hyouka, and Free! their skill drawing the shape of the face that matches the shape of the eyes in character models gives off a high school youthful atmosphere when watching their projects. Sound! fits right in with all the other hit anime to come from the studio. I also always enjoyed how all the characters never look too cute but still manage to be cute enough without me having to not take them seriously.
I would go and watch the anime series for Sound! Euphonium out of curiosity. I would also check out the new series that's currently in the works. Sound! Euphonium as a series is defiantly growing on me. Watch if you like most of Kyoto's works.
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