u/BEaSTPadwal15

I usually glaze the hell out of the series and will continue to do so. With S2 approaching (cannot wait for you guys to watch it btw!), I had a minor criticism of the series in regards to Chinatsu.

I think Miura kinda forgot how popular she had made Chi out to be. She was supposed to be popular enough to be featured in magazines. However, by the mid point of the series, this seems to be largely forgotten. I kinda wish they'd done more with this aspect. It would be a bit like Sakuta and Mai from AoButa with Mai being a big celebrity and such. Ofcourse, it doesn't really change the overall narrative of Blue Box at all, but I'm still curious. What do you guys think?

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Alright. I'm going to cover the entire plot of the movie as best as I can remember. For those who want to avoid spoilers, this is your final warning.

Part 1 ended with episode 10, with a lot of original scenes, and a lot of scenes from the season being cut.

Part 2, begins with a recap from everything that has happened since the first season, alongside the Kansai competition performance music. After the title drop, we get straight into an original scene, where Mayu as a child is asked by the professor if she can play the Euphonium. We then travel through the years, as Mayu keeps moving schools all over, but still sticking to the Euphonium. She enjoys playing music with everyone. Eventually we get to Seira high school, where she meets another Euphonium player, and they become fast friends. But the flashback ends with her saying "It wasn't meant to last." Back in present day, Mayu wakes up and longingly stares at her picture wall, with pictures of all her friends, yet she is in none of them.

We then switch POVs to Kumiko, who wakes up in her room. Tries to get out and get ready, but trips over on her sister's luggage, which she had dropped in front of her door. She realizes she's getting late, and goes to school, where she meets up with Reina, Hazuki and Midori. They also run into Kaho and the rest of the first year quartet, where they say they really liked the soli, but then realize that it might be insensitive to Kumiko and apologize. They also meet Mayu and Tsubame. After school activities, they go to the club room. But Mayu doesn't go yet. Tsubame finds her and they talk. Mayu is still not sure about what everyone thinks of her playing the soli.

After that it's time for the summer festival, and Kumiko and Reina have their usual retreat at Daikichiyama observation deck. Reina says she still wants to play the soli with Kumiko. We then go to another original scene at the school cultural festival. Kumiko's class is doing a cafe and she, Hazuki and Midori are dressed up in waitress gear. While Tsubame and Mayu show up to take pictures. Kumiko asks Mayu to take a picture with her. Mayu is hesitant but Kumiko pushes her. Kanade sneakily watches through the class door while Motomu runs into her asking what she's doing. Kumiko and Midori call the two inside. After the cafe ends, Kumiko and Mayu get changed back to their normal clothes in the changing room. Mayu asks Kumiko to take another picture of her. She brings up the soli again, but Kumiko says "Not right now, let's enjoy the festival." On the other side we get a scene with Kanade and Ririka. Kanade is playing Eupho by herself, while Ririka watches. Then we get into another performance "Paradise Has No Border" celebrating the band winning gold at the Kansai competition. While they're packing up, Kumiko hears Reina playing. Hazuki offers to take a load off Kumiko, so she goes and meets up with Reina. They played soli together during the celebration performance and once again reaffirm wanting to play together at nationals. Mayu overhears this and still thinks about giving up on the soli.

Next day, they meet up at a cafe to celebrate Midori getting accepted into the music college. Where Kumiko finds out about Reina going to Music School in America. On their way back, they talk about going to see Mizore's performance next time.

This part is the same as the tv show pretty much, but they go to Mizore's performance, meet up with their senpai and Mizore tells Kumiko she can't picture her coming to her college. On their way back Kumiko and Reina have their talk how they'll still be together when they're far apart. There is a change here though. When Kumiko gets home, she speaks with her parents about what she wants to do in the future, and then turns in her application to Mitchie sensei the next day.

The day after, Kumiko texts Reina that she's going to school first to get some practice in. This is where the scene happens where Mayu says she should quit again. But Kumiko tells her she doesn't have to, and that she's been working three years for this. The one who plays the soli should be decided on merit. Mayu says that's not what Kumiko really feels. Kanade sneaks up and tells Kumiko that Mayu is making a fool out of her. Mayu goes upstairs to practice. Tsubame is there. Mayu says that no one wants to see her play the soli, to which Tsubame says that she wants to see her play it.

We go to the auditions. We get the result that there will be a re-audition for the soli-part. Kumiko suggests to Taki to have the two be hidden from sight. We get a scene of the band members preparing for the public audition. Mayu tells Reina she will be in her care, while Kumiko and Reina understand what they want to say without using words. Kanade shows up and tells Kumiko to win the audition. Kumiko and Mayu pick their cards and while they wait, they have a heart to heart. This is again the same as the TV show, but we now have more context on Mayu's friend who quit because she couldn't win auditions. Mayu says that she and Kumiko are two peas in a pod. The audition happens just like in the show, with Reina picking Mayu. Kumiko gives a rousing speech. Reina heads out first, but Mayu follows after her. She asks Reina why she picked her. Reina says it's just because she thought Mayu was better. But Mayu notices that Reina is trembling, has her back towards her, and is barely able to hold onto her trumpet. Her eyes look as if she's seen a ghost.

Kumiko tries to go after Reina, but when she goes outside, Kanade runs up to her, and cries in her arms. She really wanted Kumiko to play the soli. Kumiko comforts her. At night Kumiko meets Reina at Daikichiyama observation deck again. Reina is crying her eyes out and apologizes to Kumiko. The scene plays out as it did in the anime.

Next day Kumiko is playing "Hibike! Euphonium" by herself when Mayu walks up to her. Kumiko tells her about the piece and says they should play together. Kanade asks to join them. She tells her the entire band knows it's something Kumiko plays when something's up with her. She also asks if she can play it when something happens, just like how Kumiko has been so far. Kumiko agrees and asks her to call Kaho-chan as well. She wants it to be passed on to everyone.

As the nationals approach, everyone keeps practicing. Finally on the big day, everyone reach the competition hall. They have special pins for the ensemble members. Kumiko meets up with Haruka and Kaori who have come to cheer them on. They wish her well. Reina and Mayu are practicing the soli-part by themselves. Kumiko walks in on them and cheers them on. Shuichi enters, and calls Kumiko and Reina out for a council meeting. Kanade walks up to the Mayu who is by herself, wishes her luck and finally calls her "Mayu-senpai". Before the performance, Reina gives a speech and they get ready for the performance.

The performance starts. Get your tissues ready. We are greeted with the track "Echoes of Tomorrow: Watashitachi no Jiyukyoku." It starts off with "Hitotose no Uta" (Season 3) and then morphs into "Mikazuki no Mai" (Season 1 and 2) as we see flashbacks of the band playing through seasons 1, 2 and 3. Then into Reina's soli from season 1 into "Liz and the Blue Bird" and we see flashbacks of Mizore, Nozomi, Natsuki and Yuuko. We also see visuals of Kumiko standing among all the band members facing towards the horizon. It then morphs into Reina and Mayu's soli. We keep getting visuals of the entire band playing across all seasons and original visuals of everyone facing the horizon in the sky while "Hitotose no Uta" draws to a close. Out of tears yet? Well, we aren't done yet.

Everyone takes a breather. And it's time for the results. After a ton of build up, Kitauji wins gold at nationals to a raucous applause and all the band members get choked up.

After getting the award, they take pictures with Kumiko narrating. As time passes, the final picture of the band together, morphs into a scene with Kumiko staring at that framed picture in the club room. Reina meets up with her and they have some fun banter. It's the day of their graduation. After the speech is over, Kumiko, Hazuki, Reina and Midori meet up. They congratulate Kumiko into getting accepted at the college, and how they all expected her to choose this path. They talk about their future, and Reina starts crying, which prompts the other three to also start crying. They then head out to meet with their juniors. Mitchie-sensei hugs her graduating students, this time bawling herself as well, in a contrast to season 1. Midori says her farewells to Motomu and the other juniors flog Mayu and Hazuki.

Ok. Now this part. Sorry guys, this is gonna be hard to type, but I'll do my best. Keep a few buckets ready. Right. So Kanade is looking for Kumiko, and she stumbles into Reina. Reina tells her Kumiko is in the storage room. Before leaving, Kanade thanks Reina for everything so far.

Kumiko is bidding farewell to her trusted Eupho in the storage room. Kanade finds her and asks what she's doing. Kumiko notes how this is similar to how they first met. She says she had forgotten her mouthpiece, to which Kanade replies that is so like her. Kanade congratulates Kumiko on graduation. She starts to struggle a bit (Kanade is literally us), so she turns around. Kumiko asks her to take care of the club from now on. Kanade tries to hold strong and says she will, but ends up breaking down. Kumiko turns her towards herself and embraces her. Kanade says "Don't graduate Kumiko-senpai. I want to keep playing with you." while weeping. (At this point, my memory becomes really fuzzy because I'm too emotional). Kumiko then gives the notebook with "Hibike! Euphonium" on it to a hesitant Kanade. Kumiko says she doesn't need it anymore, and that she wants it to be passed down to the next generations. Before leaving, she asks to play the piece together again with Kanade. And then it starts... Kumiko starts playing "Hibike! Euphonium: Neiro, Tsunaide", with Kanade joining her. The scene flashes back to Kumiko, Mayu, Kanade and Kaho-chan playing the piece together, which turns into a scene of just Kanade and Kaho playing together, then into a scene with the two playing it together with their juniors, then into Kaho playing it with her juniors, and then on-and-on, generation after generation, while we see the rest of the cast listening in on them and we get more flashbacks of Asuka, a montage of the entire series, and a grown-up Kumiko. The scene switches back to Kumiko and Kanade as they draw the track to a close. After which, the scene ends with them having fun, and laughing together.

THE END.

We get the credits sequence with a montage of scenes I have no idea what they were about, with "ReCoda" playing.

Goodbye Hibike. Thank you for all the memories. We will miss you!

Wow. Just wow. I was legitimately crying several times during the movie. I've been following this series for a while now. When I started it, I believe it was after Liz and the Blue Bird had come out. This series has meant a lot for me. To the point that I was even able to visit Uji last month!

I watched the first movie a few days ago as well and was similarly blown away. I doubt you will remember, but I had made a post last year with my criticism of the third season, despite loving it. The biggest one being the distinct lack of music. Well both the first movie and the second one, addressed every single one of my criticisms and more. I would say the movies are superior to the tv season by far. They also fleshed out Mayu and Reina, a lot better As I said before, this movie moved me. I was sobbing the whole time. And so were a lot of others in the cinema. I love Kumiko, I love Eupho, I love this series and I love Kyo Ani. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm gonna miss Hibike so much!

I can only hope it gets released to you guys sooner than later. But if anyone's interested, I'll make a spoiler post going over the entire second movie as best as I can remember. Happy trails, and let the next movement begin!

PS: I got that Natsuki card as an entrance gift. The other options were Kumiko, Nozomi, Hazuki, Asuka and Mayu. I consider it as an absolute win btw.

It was an amazing experience. They aired the first 2 episodes back to back.

The animation is as good as s1. There were a few spots where I felt like the faces looked pretty different from S1. Not bad animation, just different. Think we get used to it eventually. The new OP and ED were pretty good as well.

There was a stage greeting post the screening with the VAs of Chinatsu (Ueshama/Ueda Reina), Taiki (Chiba Shouya), Kyo (Kobayashi Chiaki), Hina (Kitou Akari/Akarin) and Yumeka (Aoyama Yoshino/Yoppi).

It was a great beginning for the new season. And I genuinely want the third episode to-NOW! I have more to say, but I'll make a separate spoiler post for those who want to avoid them. Cheers!

I lost in the lottery. Then had to go to war for the first come first serve ticket. But I'm glad I was able to secure one. It feels so good! Can't wait for next Sunday!

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"Lately, I've been watching Chiikawa, Koshien, playing badminton, watching the Momotaro play, getting in and out in 3 seconds at the Gigamart exhibit, and getting pissed off at how cats are treated in the books I read."

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Comments from the artist (TL):

Congratulations on the completion of Blue Box!

I made this visualizing the two returning home in the train, after dusk, from their amusement park date.
Thank you for such a wonderful story!

Sauce: miRai*Ciel

It is finally over huh? What a ride it was.

I still remember how my journey with the series started. I wasn't there when the manga began. I hadn't even heard of the series until a friend from my language school told me about in 2024. How time flies. My first real exposure to the series was when I had the privilege of attending the Stage Show at Anime Japan 2024. I had no previous knowledge about the series, but, what caught my attention was Chinatsu's Japanese VA being Ueda Reina. Now her presence in my life can't exactly be put into words. But that's not what this post is about. If I were to describe it, for me, she's almost what Chi is to Taiki.

Anyway, this was my first chance to see my favourite in person. And it was everything I could ask for and more. I even got to take a crowd shot with the cast which included Shouya Chiba (Taiki), Akari Kitou (Hina), Uchida Yuuma (Haryu) and Kobayashi Chiaki (Kyo). After that, I waited for the anime to air. And I was instantly hooked. I was always a Chinatsu fan, because she was voiced by my queen, but I grew to like Hina a lot as well. I remember picking up the manga after the spin the bottle episode. And from then I caught up chapter by chapter.

Before that though, as I lived in the Ikebukuro area, the place where Chi and Taiki go on their dates all the time, I was able to participate in a lot of collabs! The first one being the pop up shop in Ikebukuro, where I got a Chi acrylic stand and a Hina clip. After that, there was the Sunshine Aquarium collab. You definitely know this place from their Aquarium date. Well during this event, there were photo spots all over the aquarium as well as a voice-over guide from Chi, Taiki and Hina. I got the badge of the Penguin mascot, as well as a Hina acrylic stand (Chi's was sadly sold out). After that, there wasn't anything until the Blue Box exhibition in Shinjuku. I was at a rough point in my life at that point, but I had nearly caught up to the manga, and couldn't miss this opportunity. It was a lovely exhibition, and they had a motion video for *that scene* from the manga. I also got the pamphlet which came with a bunch of stickers, a poster, and a greeting card, which I sent to a Yusa fan who reached out to me.
Then there was the Chara cafe collab after which I bought and read the prologue light novel. Then there was the Shibuya takeover event, the anime's 1st anniversary celebration event, where I bought Chi's lucky anklet, the animate cafe collab, followed by the release of the interlude LN and the Christmas Collab Cafe. I also managed to get into the stage shows for Anime Japan 2025 which aired right before the final episode of S1, where Taiki's VA apologized for making Hina cry, and also showed everyone's favourite scenes from S1 for Hina and Chi (while Kyo's VA asked one for Ayame as well). Then also the stage show at Jump Festa 2025 where they showed the first visual of S2. I also got to take a picture with a person in a Chinatsu costume! Miura-sensei later walked to the stage wearing this costume! Finally, I went to the stage show at Anime Japan 2026 where they showed the trailer for the second season and the reveal of Yumeka's VA Yoshino Aoyama who joined Ueshama, Akarin and Chiba-san on stage!

And that brings us to now. It has been a long journey, and I've loved every moment of it. The series has given me so much that I can't even begin to describe. Thank you Kouji Miura-sensei for letting us experience this wonderful journey. I will continue to engage with Blue Box content irl and otherwise as much as possible while sharing as much as I can. If you are still here with me, I would like to leave you with this piece I wrote.

In the box of youth in Eimei High,

lived a girl and a boy.

The girl preferred the ball,

while the boy favoured the racket.

And yet, one singular goal they shared,

making it to the national stage.

Every morning, they saw each other,

pushing each other to keep getting better.

The boy liked the girl,

but even more he looked up to her.

As time went on they relied on each other more and more,

and the bud in the girl's heart turned into a blossom forevermore.

On a frozen lake within the mountains,

the two laid their feelings bare.

Life threw at them whatever it could,

but they faced it together as good sportsmen would.

Alas what started as a selfish request to stay back and fulfil their goal,

ended with a heartfelt encouragement to pursue a newfound dream.

For however apart they may be,

they will always be bond together.

Within the memories of their Box of Youth,

- The Blue Box of Youth.

Thank you, and see you guys again!

Sauce: 桃チョコ

I came to a realization recently about the way the series turned out. We started with Taiki asking Chinatsu to stay back instead of going abroad and compete for nationals. And near the end, he encouraged Chi to go abroad and fulfill her dream.

These 4 panels have so much character development within them. At the beginning Taiki and Chi barely knew each other. And yet, Taiki encouraged her, albeit while also keeping his self interests in mind, to stay back and continue her basketball journey. And then in chp 244, we see how he selflessly encourages Chi to take the leap, despite being a couple now, no matter how much it hurts him.

It's quite poetic if you ask me. As a friend of mine beautifully put it: "Unlike the start of this series, leaving isn't the end of a dream but the start of a new one."

We have about 2 days before the manga's curtain call, and I can't thank the series enough for what it has meant to me. I don't think words will be enough, but I would like to give it a tribute on the day. See you on the other side!

I have already applied for the priority lottery myself. Anyone in Tokyo, or those who will be in Tokyo on 9th August, 2026 should definitely give it a go as well!

Seiyuus from Left to Right:
Sinon/Raiden Shogun - Sawashiro, Miyuki
Kirito/Xiao - Matsuoka, Yoshitsugu
Asuna/Anastasia - Tomatsu, Haruka
Eugeo/Kazuha - Nobunaga, Shinozaki
Suguha/Chiori - Taketatsu, Ayana