Kyoto Animation announced the theatrical anime for the Ensemble Concert arc of the Sound! Euphonium series will release in Japan in the summer of 2023. The anime was officially titled Tokubetsuhen Hibike! Euphonium: Ensemble Contest. Alongside the announcement, the anime’s first key visual and teaser trailer were also revealed.
The theatrical anime will focus on the main character Kumiko’s third year in high school. It was teased that it would be a project shorter than a full feature-length anime movie, hence the revealed label here of ‘theatrical anime’. The new production is set to receive a Blu-ray release along with its theatrical debut.
The cast of the Kitauji Quartet from the previous seasons will reprise their roles in this anime, which include Tomoyo Kurosawa as Kumiko Oumae, Ayaka Asai as Hazuki Katou, Moe Toyota as Sapphire Kawashima, and Chika Anzai as Reina Kousaka. Tatsuya Ishihara will also return to direct the anime at Kyoto Animation.
▍About the Series
Based on the series of light novels by Ayano Takeda, the Sound! Euphonium anime aired its first season in April 2015, telling the story of Kumiko Oumae and her journey in joining her school’s band and playing the euphonium in it. It was followed by a second season in October 2016. Both seasons received compilation films.
After the success of both seasons, two anime films for the franchise debuted in 2017. The Liz and the Blue Bird film centering on Mizore Yoroizuka and Nozomi Kasaki opened in Japan in April 2018. The second new film, Sound! Euphonium The Movie – Our Promise: A Brand New Day, opened in Japan in April 2019 and follows Kumiko as a second-year student.
▍Sound! Euphonium Theatrical Anime Staff and Production
Original Work: Ayano Takeda’s Sound! Euphonium [Takarajimasha Bungo]
Director: Tatsuya Ishihara
Animation: Kyoto Animation
▍Sound! Euphonium Theatrical Anime Staff and Production
■ Kumiko Oumae – CV: Tomoyo Kurosawa
■ Hazuki Katou – CV: Ayaka Asai
■ Sapphire Kawashima – CV: Moe Toyota
■ Reina Kousaka – CV: Chika Anzai