Sound! Euphonium the Movie – Welcome to the Kitauji High School Concert Band

Their recent competition earned a dud gold, signaling a shaky start. Kumiko Ōmae’s blunt remark about not being able to win sows a rift with Reina Kōsaka, deepening the tension between them. The fallout foreshadows the emotional stakes the team must navigate as the season begins.

Now entering their first year at Kitauji High School, Kumiko discovers the school’s concert band has unrealized potential. She befriends Hazuki Katō and Sapphire Kawashima and visits the band to understand its culture, struggles, and personalities. She is surprised to see Reina Kōsaka arrive at the same school and decide to join, signaling a complicated reunion.

With Kumiko stepping into the role of euphonist, the band meets their new advisor, Noboru Taki. The group makes clear their ambitious goal: to win the national band competition. The combination of leadership and fresh guidance sets the direction for a demanding season.

The first ensemble practice falls short, leaving the group unsettled and prompting Mr. Taki to rethink their plan to perform at the Sunrise Festival. He challenges the musicians to push beyond their comfort zones and to refine their cohesion. Though disappointed, the team remains focused on improvement.

Following the setback, Taki schedules intensive practices designed to sharpen their sound and unity. The musicians respond with stubborn effort, slowly building technique and trust. The progress is gradual but noticeable as the ensemble begins to cohere.

Attention shifts toward the Sunrise Festival where the band is expected to perform. Guided by Taki, the group stages a marching rendition of Rydeen that draws attention from spectators and hints at latent potential. The performance marks a turning point as confidence grows.

An audition is announced for a 55-member band, testing everyone’s resolve. Hazuki and others prepare for a pivotal opportunity to prove themselves. The stakes rise as the ensemble confronts big choices about who will make the national lineup.

Hazuki Katō experiences heartbreak at the Agata Festival when she confesses to Shuuichi Tsukamoto and is turned down. The moment complicates her aspirations and personal relationships within the band. It also adds emotional weight to the upcoming auditions and decisions.

Kumiko and Reina perform Ai o Mitsuketa Basho together, rekindling their earlier friendship and underscoring the emotional stakes involved. The duet reminds the ensemble of their shared history amid growing tensions. The moment serves as a bridge between past conflicts and the present challenge.

The competition lineup is announced, and Reina is selected to perform a solo, replacing Kaori Nakaseko. Whispers of favoritism swirl due to Mr. Taki’s history with Reina, casting doubt over the fairness of the process. Kumiko’s anxiety about the band’s internal dynamics deepens as she watches the decision unfold.

To settle the solo matter, Mr. Taki orders a second audition between Reina and Kaori. Kaori steps aside to give the solo to Reina, a decision that heightens Kumiko’s unease about leadership and loyalty within the group. The episode reinforces the emotional complexity of the band’s internal politics.

Ensemble practices continue, and Kumiko struggles with a difficult musical passage. Asuka Tanaka is asked to perform that part solo for a time, highlighting Kumiko’s frustration. Encouragement comes from Mr. Taki, who urges her to persevere and trust in her own abilities.

At the Kansai Band Competition Preliminary, the Kitauji High School Concert Band performs Crescent Moon Dance with renewed focus and technical polish. The audience responds positively as the group earns a victory in the preliminary round. The result signals their growth and sets the stage for the national contest.