“Sound! Euphonium – Ensemble Contest”, the first sequel in four years to the anime “Sound! Euphonium” will be screened in theaters in the summer of 2023. In addition, the first key visual and the first PV have also been released.

“Sound! Euphonium” is an anime series by Kyoto Animation that depicts the adolescence of a high school brass band based on a novel by Takeda Ayano. The first season of the TV series aired in 2015, and the second season of the TV series went on-air the following year in 2016, followed by a completely new movie in 2019.

The first completely new film in four years, “Special Edition: Sound! Euphonium – Ensemble Contest” takes place at an ensemble contest, or “Encon” for short, where performances are as exciting as the summer brass band competition. The performances by a few people per group are different from those in the competition.

In order to participate in the Kyoto prefectural competition of that Encon, the North Uji High School brass band has to select a representative team in the school’s preliminary contest. However, with over 50 members in the brass band, various problems arise. Will Kumiko, the newly appointed head of the club, be able to successfully complete the intramural qualifying rounds? …… The days of struggle begin.

The first key visual released this time depicts the members of the team formed around Kumiko, Reina, Hazuki, Shuichi, and other familiar members who have become the head of the department and are aiming to compete in the ensemble contest together. Some of the faces are unfamiliar to the audience from the previous series, and the background of the team composition is also interesting. Situations captured in fleeting moments during practice give the viewer a sense of the everyday life of a brass band member.

And the first PV shows that the baton of the Kitauji High School Brass Band has been passed on to Kumiko’s generation after the partings and setbacks that have been depicted in the series so far.

In addition, information on some of the cast and crew has been released, and the cast of the Kitauji Quartet, consisting of four members including Kumiko, Hazuki, Sapphire, and Reina, will continue to be cast. Director Ishihara Tatsuya and Kyoto Animation, which handles the animation production, will also continue to be named.

“Sound! Euphonium – Ensemble Contest”, the completely new mid-length anime of “Sound! Euphonium” will be screened in theaters in the summer of 2023, and the TV series “Kumiko’s 3 Nensei Arc” is scheduled to air in 2024. “Sound! Euphonium” will continue to gain momentum.

(c) Takeda Ayano, Takarajimasha, “Sound!” Production Committee