I'd recently started a YouTube channel on a whim, and even covered the series in one of my earliest videos,

當時我因一時興起就開始了Youtube的頻道，甚至曾經在我早期的影片評價過這動畫

describing it as a bit slow and certainly nothing too exciting,

形容這動畫為慢熱，而且沒有什麼特點

It's been three years since then.

三年經過了

I graduate in May, the future is no longer then and I can confidently say,

我將在五月畢業，而人生的下一階段近在眼前。現在我可以肯定地說

Sound! Euphonium is my favorite work of all time

《吹響吧！上低音號》是我最喜愛的作品

When we first meet Oumae Kumiko, she doesn't seem like the type of character a story should revolve around.

當我們首次遇見黃前久美子，她似乎不像一個能當故事主角的角色

Indecisive and awkward, she absent-mindedly blurts her thoughts out loud and second-guesses her decisions, even those as banal as ice cream flavors.

她優柔寡斷且笨拙，會漫不經心地漏嘴說出心底話，會在事後懷疑自己的決定，即便事情小如選擇雪糕口味

Kumiko would much rather blend in with the crowd,

久美子寧可埋沒在群眾中，也不願當觸目的一個

then stick out, avoiding confrontation where possible and accepting whatever's put in front of her.

盡可能避開衝突，輕易接受眼前的一切

She only started the euphonium in the first place because nobody else wanted it.

她演奏上低音號，只是因為以前沒人願意演奏

She doesn't put herself out there for fear of being let down,

她不會暴露自己在有可能失望的懼怕之中

a safe weak play shielding her from pain, but also the true joy of accomplishment

安全但軟弱的行動保護她免受傷害，但也同時讓她不知道成功的喜悅

the series opens to her final middle school competition, and Reina's despair at their failure to advance

故事由她初中吹奏樂比賽掲開序幕，麗奈對比賽結果失望不甘

Kumiko is the type of person who's okay with settling for a dud goal. She wouldn't let herself believe

久美子是那種對取得廢金的比賽結果滿足的人

they could do any better, but Reina is a different sort of person. Where Kumiko is content

她不會讓自己期望更多，而麗奈卻不一樣

just looking ahead, Reina sets her sights high. Laying it all on the line for the chance to be special

久美子滿足於平凡的結果，而麗奈的目標則更高。從麗奈說出她想要變得特別，就可得知

Thoughts of Reina's drive pushed Kumiko away from the band, afraid to commit herself wholeheartedly towards a goal

對麗奈的想法使久美子遠離社團，害怕這會使她全心全意去實現目標

She always keeps "one foot in, one foot out"

她與身邊一切一直保持微妙的距離

I now see so much of my old self in Kumiko at the start of the series.

在這作品的序幕裡，我從久美子身上看到了過去自己的倒影

Aimlessly wandering through life without much direction. I went to university because it's what everyone around me did,

漫無目的地過著生活。我上大學，全因為身邊的人都這樣做

I only chose my major because it's the one I was told would best position me for medical school.

我選擇這個專科，全因他人說這是日後進入醫科大學的最好方法

Why did I want to do that again?

說起，為什麼我當初想要那樣做？

I'd shuffle from one class, one obligation to the next with only exam weeks connecting the loose threads.

我上了一節又一節的課，完成一個又一個的義務，中間只有考試週連接著彼此

Even my Youtube channel, originally created as an outlet free from my daily grind, started to fall into the cold pattern of routine

就連我的Youtube頻道，都由最初作為忙碌日常的放鬆手段，逐漸變為乏味的常規事務

Soon days turned into weeks, weeks into semesters, and semesters into years.

日子就這樣飛快的過去

Where was the experience I could call my own, was I doing anything of my own volition was, I doing anything at all?

我能稱為親身經驗的東西到哪裡去了？我是出於自己的意志去做這些事嗎？說到底我有在做任何事嗎？

My mind would always come back to Sound! Euphonium. Funny how certain things can have such an impact on you without you even realizing it.

此時我總會想起「吹響吧！上低音號」。一些事總會在你無自覺下對你產生巨大的影響

Just look at Kumiko that image of Reina never leaves Kumiko's mind

比方說麗奈那個失望不甘的表情，從沒有離開過久美子的腦海

she wants to put it all behind her, seeking a fresh start at a school not known for its concert band.

她想要放下這一切，從一所不以吹奏樂聞名的學校裡，找尋一個新的開始

Much like her new hairstyle, Kitauji was her way of cutting clean from that past. Even so, she can't avoid the band's pull

就像她換了新髮型一樣，北宇治對她來說是與過去訣別的手段。可是，她還是無法完全迴避吹奏樂

Hazuki's honest excitement at creating sound reminds Kumiko of her own first steps with music, relighting that spark just enough to call her back

葉月對演奏發自內心的興奮，使她回想起自己接觸音樂的第一步，重燃她對演奏的興趣

She ditches the ponytail, that's not her, and agrees to join Kitauji's band. Unlike Midori, though,

她不再紥上不合自己性格的馬尾，同意加入北宇治吹奏樂部

who unabashedly proclaims her love for the contrabass. Kumiko looks to a new instrument, wanting to break away from the euphonium,

與毫不掩飾地展露對低音大提琴熱情的綠輝不同，久美子想要嘗試新的樂器，從上低音號解放出來

but a part of her knows how deeply she loves the euph, even if she doesn't consciously realize it.

即便她沒有實際意識到，但她心底裡明白自己是多麼喜愛上低音號

Season 1 centers around Kumiko discovering her passion, leaving that directionless haze behind her and living authentically.

作品第一季圍繞久美子如何意識到自己的熱情，如何不再漫無目的地生活著

when Taki sensei gives the band the choice of chasing nationals or having fun,

當瀧老師詢問吹奏樂部：是以全國大賽為目標，還是以享受樂趣為目標時

Kumiko abstains from the vote, unsure what she wants or what Reina would think. She exists on the periphery,

久美子選擇棄權，搞不清自己的目標，擔心麗奈的想法

totally non-committal. Aoi warns Kumiko not to let these years pass without living to her true feelings.

她立於邊緣上，對事情不置可否。葵提醒久美子不要埋沒心底想法讓高中三年白白流逝

She makes the point that everyone chooses what's safe.

她說所有人都會作安全的選擇

Nobody's willing to make the jump it takes to put themselves out there, to reach for what's in their heart.

沒有人願意跳出安全圈，追逐心裡的夢想

Nobody except Reina.

只有麗奈是例外

Throughout the first season, Reina represents this vexing, faraway mountaintop to Kumiko.

作品第一季裡，麗奈對久美子來說，代表的是那讓人傷腦筋，遙不可及的山嶺

Listening to her trumpet fills her with the desire to play harder, to reach her level

聆聽著麗奈吹奏小號的旋律，使久美子想要更努力，去追上麗奈

She's constantly framed following behind, or looking up at her. Reina is the image Kumiko aspires to reach. Subconsciously or otherwise.

作品中鏡頭經常展現久美子跟隨麗奈，或是抬頭看她。麗奈是久美子渴望成為的理想形象。不論是有意識地還是無意識地

During their hike in episode eight Kumiko remarks "this must be how it feels to lose your life,

在第八話她們的爬山過程中，一個想法浮現在久美子心頭：

drawn to a beautiful thing despite your fears".

「原來這就是，即便感到危險，仍被其美貌所吸引，最終殞命的感覺。」

In some ways Reina is the antithesis to Kumiko.

麗奈某程度上可以說是久美子的對照

She hates routine and structure, often wanting to leave it all behind, if only for a moment

她討厭常規與一成不變，經常想要把這些都放在身後，即便只是一小片刻

But even if she can't make the impossible leap, she won't let that stop her from taking the smaller one right in front of her.

縱使她無法踏出不可能的一大步，也無阻她抓緊機會踏出面前的一小步

She didn't reach the summit to admire the view,

縱使她無法達到那俯瞰景色的高度

but because nobody else would. Reina doesn't want to blend in with the crowd

但正因為沒有人能做到，麗奈不要埋沒在群眾中

she wants to stand above it. To be truly special.

她想要比其他人站得更高，變得真正的特別

her fierce, unending determination to make that happen is almost blinding, leaving Kumiko in a trance as if having an out-of-body experience.

她那激烈又無可否認的決心，是如此的耀眼，致使久美子心神恍惚，彷彿靈魂出竅

No matter how many times I watch this scene, I can't help but feel like Kumiko, swept away by this dreamlike beauty.

不論我觀看這一幕多少遍，這依然令我不禁跟久美子一樣，為她的美麗吸引而神魂顛倒

I feel that burning desire, pushing me forward. Later the others note how Kumiko sounds more expressive and mature than before,

我感覺到那熾熱的渇望，推動我前進。之後的幾幕，久美子的話語感覺比以前更有情感，更成熟

as she chases that image of Reina on the mountain. She won't let Reina fall short of her goal.

因為久美子要追逐麗奈那天山上的形象，她不會讓麗奈在追逐目標路途上跌倒

She's going to become special. She is different from the others. Kumiko needs to believe in that Reina.

她要變得特別，她是與眾不同的。久美子需要相信這樣的麗奈

She no longer awkwardly stumbles through every conversation with her, that discomfort replaced with understanding.

久美子不再笨拙地跟麗奈說每一句說話，以前的尷尬被理解所取代

Kumiko looks her square in the eyes now,

久美子現在能直視她的眼睛了

Not backing down or trailing after her. In a complete turn of events from the earlier vote on the band's goal; the once guarded, distant Kumiko

不會後退或尾隨在後。跟以前為社團目標投票時不一樣，曾經帶著戒心，跟他人保持微妙距離的久美子

suddenly becomes outspoken in support of her friend, vigorously cheering for Reina while the others remain silent.

突然為了支持她的好友願意站起來，為麗奈大力的鼓掌，而其他人卻保持沉默

Kumiko's growth here culminates in episode 12, forced to confront what the euphonium means to her;

久美子的成長到第十二話到了高潮，被迫思考上低音號對她而言有著什麼意義

after Taki sensei gives her a challenging new part to play for the competition

在瀧老師安排她負責比賽時演奏一段具挑戰性的新段落後

and she struggles to get it right, no matter how much she throws herself at it, still it eludes her.

不論她練習多少遍，一直都無法演奏好這一段落

She tells Reina of her feverish desire to improve, to be special like her, as the frame boxes her in,

她告訴麗奈她有多渴望進步，渴望能像麗奈一樣。但現在卻被困著

unable to break through to that level

無法突破自己去那新的境地

"The fingertips, the strength, and timings of my breath. I can hear the sound I want in my head.

「指法、力度，以至呼吸的時機。我明明能在腦海中聽見那我想要的旋律」

The frustration of being unable to reproduce it."

「現在卻只有無法如願地重現的那種焦躁感」

I often come back to this line, how helpless that feeling is when you know what you want to do, but can't find the way forward.

我經常都會想到這台詞。那種知道自己想做的事，卻不知道如何實現的無力感

Throughout the episode, shots of a butterfly follow Kumiko, but now it's caught in a spider web unable to move ahead.

在第一季度裡，鏡頭經常拍攝到一隻蝴蝶跟隨久美子，現在蝴蝶卻困在蜘蛛網中動彈不得

Finally Kumiko's desire to be better that's built up inside her explodes out into a desperate cry.

最終久美子心中想要進步的渴望，透過痛哭併發出來

I want to improve. I want to be special. I'm not content wading through life, or taking the easier route simply because it's clear

我渴望進步

I'll find my way forward, whatever that means, wherever that leads me. I feel that painful yearning inside like Kumiko,

我渴望進步。我渴望變得特別。我不甘於原地踏步，不甘於只因顯然而見而選擇平坦的道路

so upset she could die.

我會想辦法前進，不論那代表著什麼，不論前方有什麼等著我。我感覺到久美子心中那痛苦的嚮往

Kumiko finally understands how much it hurts to completely put yourself out there and come up short. She defiantly tells her sister

悲痛得要死去一般

there is a point to sticking with the euphonium: because she likes it.

久美子終於理解那是怎麼的痛苦，全力付出卻只換來失望。她反抗地告訴姐姐

Only when Mamiko leaves, does the weight of these words hit her, as she looks into a mirror and reiterates much softer

堅持演奏上低音號是有意義的，因為她喜歡上低音號

"I like the euphonium."

只有當麻美子離開後，話語的重量才顯現出來：她面對鏡子，柔和地再說：

Taki reassures her you really only need to enjoy something to do it,

「我喜歡上低音號」

that's as good a reason as any.

瀧老師勉勵她說，只要你全心享受，就足夠了

I remember coming back to the series long after I'd first watched it and being struck by how deeply I felt Kumiko's emotions here.

那已經是絕佳的理由

I realized, I don't know what my passion is but seeing, Kumiko find hers, with the resolve to see it through, filled me with determination

我記得自我第一次觀看後再次回到這作品時，我被久美子的情感深深憾動了

It was like a light went off in my head, where the patterns I'd fallen into seemed

縱然我不知道我的熱情所在，但看見久美子找到她的，使我充滿決心

so small and the answers became clear. Stop living to what's expected of you. Live to yourself

這使我恍然大悟，我重覆的日常已變得無關緊要

Kumiko discovered what drives her and is committed to make it a reality. In a perfect world we could do that all the time,

而答案則顯而易見。不要再只為他人的期望活著，而是忠於自己

but even if it's only just for now, this moment is all that matters to her.

久美子找到了她的目標，決心要實現它。也許那並不容易

Kumiko has to be Kumiko. I have to be me. It sounds so simple, but maybe that's enough.

哪怕此刻只是曇花一現，但現在此刻對她來說就是一切

Two recurring questions pop up throughout the series; why do you play and who do you play for?

久美子就是她自己，而我就是我。聽上去很簡單，但也許這就足夠了

When Kumiko presses Gotou on "why tuba?", he responds with a straight face: "I like tuba".

有兩個問題在作品中經常出現：你為什麼演奏？你為誰演奏？

Ultimately, Kumiko discovers how much she enjoys the euphonium,

久美子曾經問後藤：「為什麼是大號？」，他直面回答說： 「我喜歡大號」

realizing that that's all the reason she needs.

終於，久美子意識到她是多喜愛上低音號

The second season centers around the latter: "who do you play for?"

意識到這就是唯一需要的理由

Reina says she plays for herself, Asuka plays for her father, Taki for his deceased wife, Kumiko for her sister.

第二季內容圍繞後者：「你為誰而演奏？」

But how do you get these feelings across?

麗奈說她是為了自己，明日香說她為了父親，瀧為了她已過世的妻子，久美子為了姐姐

The staff described the theme of season 2 as a "reach you".

然而，如何才能令這些情感交集？

Be it Mizore's inability to put her thoughts into words with Nozomi, or Kumiko's own struggle to communicate her feelings

製作人員形容第二季的主題是「傳達給你」

to Asuka and Mamiko. Where season one shows Kumiko finding her passion, season two is about finding her voice.

霙無法對希美說出自己的想法，久美子掙扎於無法對明日香和麻美子說出自己的情感

Up to now

第一季是關於久美子找到自己的熱情所在，而第二季則是找到她的聲音

She's remained on the edge of conflicts, a bystander to these events, unable to influence any of them, offer any solutions,

直到現在

or voice her true feelings.

她都徘徊於衝突的邊緣，是一連串事件的旁觀者，無法對事情有任何影響，提供任何解決方法

Look no further than the season's first arc.

或是說出她真正的想法

With Nozomi out of the band, Mizore

第二季的開首就是最好的例子

no longer knows why or who she plays for. She says she hates competitions, a reminder of her former friend and their broken promise.

希美退出了社團

Mizore is afraid

霙不再知道她是為什麼或者為誰演奏。她說她討厭比賽，因為令她想起一位以前的好友和一個沒有實現的約定

She isn't as special to Nizomi as no Nozomi is to her, that Nozomi was friends with everybody.

霙很害怕

She was just one more face in the pack. Eventually, Yuko and Nozomi herself pull her out of that self-destructive mindset.

害怕她對希美而言，沒有希美對她而言那麼重要，因為希美跟所有人都是朋友

But again, Kumiko serves as little more than our lens to view the conflict. She plays no real role in the resolution.

她不過是眾多面孔中的其中一個。最終，優子和希美帶霙走出那自我傷害的陰影

As a person who's also non confrontational to a fault, I can relate to Kumiko's detachment from these issues

但再一次，久美子的作用只是我們窺看事件的一個鏡頭。她在事件的解決中沒有任何作用

when a social situation turns tense or quiet,

我同樣作為一個害怕面對衝突的人，我能感覺到久美子對事件的距離感

I too blurt out whatever comes to mind in a desperate attempt to fill the silence and I often value keeping the peace at the

不論身邊人際情況變得激烈或安靜

expense of speaking my mind.

我也會為避免難堪而脫口而出一些場面話

That quickly goes too far, as you bury your thoughts deeper and deeper.

我會為了保持關係而選擇不說出自己的想法

While she's become aware of her love for the euphonium, Kumiko still doesn't connect with her feelings towards the people around her.

而那很快會隨著你更進一步隱藏自己的想法，使情況更壞

She's sure of herself, but not of others.

縱使久美子意識到自己對上低音號的熱情，她依然無法聯繫自己的感情到身邊的人

It's only when she begins to understand the nature of others through listening to their thoughts, that she confronts and vocalizes hers.

她依然故我

Seeing how Nozomi and Mizore honestly share their feelings with each other pushes Kumiko to consider her own for Asuka and Mamiko.

只有當她透過聆聽他人心聲，她才開始理解他人的心意，並面對和說出自己的想法

But can't she make these known? When both start to drift out of her reach

看到希美和霙向對方坦誠地說出心意後，推動久美子去思考她與明日香和麻美子

Mamiko leaving home and Asuka forced out of the band by her mother Kumiko comes to terms with what they mean to her.

但當她們都逐漸離她而去，她又能傳達到嗎？

Mamiko inspired her to take up music in the first place. Her dream was to play with her someday.

麻美子離開家裡，明日香被母親暫停社團活動，使久美子開始思考她們對自己的意義

But as time and circumstance forced them apart,

麻美子啟發她去接觸音樂，她夢想有一天能跟她一起演奏

they lost sight of that.

然而隨著時間和情況逼使她們分開

Only with the finality of her sister gone does Kumiko remember how important she was to her and how sad she truly is to see her go.

她們迷失了方向

But first she leaves Kumiko with a warning, reminiscent of Aoi in the first season,

只有當姐姐離開後，久美子才令她想起姐姐對她來說有多重要，她的離去使她多傷心

don't be left with any regrets. That thought sticks with Kumiko as the conflict with Asuka reaches its climax

姐姐離去前給了久美子一個忠告，使久美子想起第一季裡的葵

She struggles to crack her code, as images of her flitter across the screen.

不要留下任何遺憾。這思緒隨著與明日香的衝突而達到了高潮

Finally resolved to make her feelings known, Kumiko confronts Asuka

她被無法理解明日香所困擾，此時明日香的畫面閃過

Not as a liaison for the band or even her underclassmen,

終於使她理解自己的情感。久美子選擇直面明日香

but a person who deeply cares for her. From the onset, Asuka plays a mystifying presence among the band. Even more reticent than Kumiko,

不是以社團的立場，也不是以後輩的立場

she puts on false airs to create this playful atmosphere.

而是以一個關心她的人去說話。從故事一開始，明日香在社團擔當的角色充滿神秘感，比久美子更對身邊的事沉默

Rarely letting anyone catch a peek behind the curtain to what's really going through her mind.

她假裝出歡樂的氣氛

She stayed detached from the band's conflict because she didn't want them to grow too reliant on her.

甚少讓任何人窺探到隱藏心中的想法

Asuka is always looking beyond the others, like she sees an entirely different world then them

她與社團中的衝突保持距離，因為她不願他人太依賴她

She's special. Even her instrument stands out, a brilliant silver. Director Ishihara described her as the final boss for Kumiko,

明日香總是能看穿他人，彷彿她能看到一個與他人不一樣的世界

and she doesn't back down easy here.

她很特別。就連她的樂器也很突出，一種漂亮的銀色。監督石原形容她是久美子的最終頭目

Kumiko pleads everyone wants her back, but sensing an opening Asuka presses her on this claim. Who is everyone, and how would she know?

她不會輕易被說服

Kumiko was caught in Asuka's web, unable to move as she continues speaking for the others, not herself.

久美子懇求說所有人都希望她回來，而明日香則質問她，誰是所有人？她又如何知道？

Asuka cut straight through Kumiko's mask, laying her anxieties completely bare.

久美子被困明日香的網中，動彈不得。她繼續為其他人說話，而不是自己

She captures Kumiko's nature so sharply, leaving her speechless

明日香道破久美子的面具，使她的焦慮顯露無遺

Asuka turns to leave, insinuating it's best she simply fade from view.

「明明是在意對方而走近」

Clips of the others describing Asuka,

「但又因為不願傷害對方，也不願被傷害」

claiming to know who she is, and what she wants flashed through Kumiko's head before ending on her sister's warning: no regrets.

「所以你優柔寡斷，只會從安全的距離守望著」

Finally Kumiko speaks from her own heart, nobody else's.

她尖銳地說出久美子的本性，使久美子無話可說

Forget everything and everyone. She wants to play with Asuka. That much she knows. So what if it's childish.

明日香轉身離去，暗示她最好是漸漸離去

Kumiko calls her out for acting all mature, as if she's so special when she's just a high schooler like the rest of them.

此時閃過他人形容明日香的畫面

Don't throw away your wishes and desires like they're meaningless.

說知道她的本性、她想要什麼，這些畫面閃過久美子的腦海，最後她想起姐姐的忠告：別留下遺憾

Asuka wants to play at nationals more than anyone. "Please don't make choices you know you're going to regret".

終於，久美子打從心裡說話，不是為了他人

She breaks Asuka's shell, bringing her near to tears. In touch with her own feelings with the will to communicate them clearly,

不要管其他人和事。她只知道她想要跟明日香一起演奏。不論這是幼稚與否

Kumiko finds her voice.

久美子直言她假裝成熟，假裝她是特別的，而事實上她不過是跟其他人一樣是高中生

But the thrill of Asuka's return soon turns hollow, as the end of the third-year's time in the band suddenly becomes real.

不要裝作你的願望是亳無意義而輕易放棄

Kumiko can't escape the nagging regret

明日香比任何人都想要在全國大賽上演奏。「不要作你明知會後悔的決定」

there's still more to say. She hasn't let Asuka in on the love she feels for her as her

她打破了明日香的外殼，使她將近哭起來。抓緊自己的心意，加上想要傳達的意志

underclassmen, as her friend, as a person.

久美子找到自己的聲音了

With that in mind, she plays her song.

然而，對明日香回歸的興奮，隨著三年級生面臨畢業，很快就變得空虛

The one she first heard that morning at training camp, the one Asuka played for her by the river.

久美子的遺憾感一直困擾著她

A strange piece. Warm. Lonely, yet oddly kind

她仍然有很多想說。她還沒有讓明日香知道，她作為後輩、朋友、旁人，

Fittingly, on graduation day, Kumiko finds Asuka at the entrance steps where she first saw her, and lets her know how she feels.

是如何喜歡她

How she wants to hear her music again and play like her. Only now do we learn what that piece is called:

抱著那樣的情感，她演奏出那一支樂曲

響け! ユーフォニアム (Sound! Euphonium)

她在訓練營的早上第一次聽到的那樂曲，明日香在河畔為她演奏的那樂曲

I'm amazed at how human these characters are. Their conversations,

一首奇妙的樂曲。溫暖、孤獨、卻又那麼的溫柔

relationships, and anxieties feel truly genuine. Even moments as simple as a morning train ride offer subtle depth to their common humanity.

在畢業的那天，久美子在入口階級處遇見明日香，正好就是她們第一次相遇的地方。久美子把心意告訴明日香