Kyoto Animation has announced that Saishū Gakushō Hibike! Euphonium Zenpen, officially titled Sound! Euphonium, The Final Movie Part 1 in English, will debut in 200 theaters across Japan on April 24, 2026. The reveal took place during the studio’s “KyoAni no Sekai-ten” (“Meet the Worlds of KyoAni”) event, accompanied by a new trailer with optional English subtitles and a striking visual showcasing the film’s aesthetic. This theatrical release marks the beginning of the grand finale for the beloved Sound! Euphonium franchise, which has captivated audiences for a decade with its heartfelt portrayal of high school concert band life.
The production team brings together seasoned contributors to the Sound! Euphonium series. Chief Director Tatsuya Ishihara, a guiding force behind the franchise for ten years, collaborates with Director Taichi Ogawa, a key figure in the series’ creative direction. Jukki Hanada, known for crafting emotionally resonant narratives, has penned a new script for the film, incorporating previously unseen performance scenes. Character design is handled by Shoko Ikeda and Kazumi Ikeda, with Kazumi Ikeda also serving as chief animation director. Akito Matsuda composes the music, produced by Lantis and Heart Company, with musical cooperation from Senzoku Gakuen College of Music. This team’s meticulous attention to detail promises a visually and emotionally rich experience, building on Kyoto Animation’s reputation for excellence.
The Sound! Euphonium franchise began with its first 13-episode television season in April 2015, followed by a “flashback” film, Gekijō-ban Hibike! Euphonium: Kitauji Kōkō Suisōgaku-Bu e Yōkoso, in April 2016. A second season, Sound! Euphonium 2, aired in October 2016, spawning the compilation film Gekijō-ban Hibike! Euphonium: Todoketai Melody in September 2017.
The franchise expanded with Liz and the Blue Bird in April 2018, focusing on characters Mizore Yoroizuka and Nozomi Kasaki, and Sound! Euphonium The Movie - Our Promise: A Brand New Day in April 2019, which followed protagonist Kumiko Oumae as a second-year student. In August 2023, Tokubetsuhen Hibike! Euphonium: Ensemble Contest brought the “Ensemble Concert” arc to 74 theaters, marking the first new sequel in four years. The third television season, aired in April 2024, depicted Kumiko’s final year of high school, setting the stage for the concluding films.
What is Sound! Euphonium, The Final Movie Part 1 about?
The Sound! Euphonium series originates from a novel series by Ayano Takeda, first published in 2013 by Takarajimasha. The novels follow Kumiko Oumae and her fellow Kitauji High School concert band members as they navigate personal growth, friendships, and the pursuit of musical excellence. Takeda’s work, blending emotional depth with the intricacies of band dynamics, has been praised for its relatable characters and realistic portrayal of youth. The anime adaptation by Kyoto Animation elevated the story with stunning visuals and music, cementing its status as a beloved franchise.
Kyoto Animation describes the film as follows:
The grand finale of the series is here!!! This journey will lead to the next melody— For ten years, Sound! Euphonium has depicted the youth of high school students who devote themselves to the concert band. Following the emotional finale of Sound! Euphonium 3 broadcast in 2024, the story reaches its true conclusion in 2026 with the long-awaited theatrical film, ‘The Final Movie Part 1.’ The film is led by Chief Director Tatsuya Ishihara, who has guided Kyoto Animation's production team throughout the past decade, and Director Taichi Ogawa, who has been an integral part of the series' creative core. Along with Kyoto Animation's meticulous visual refinement, Jukki Hanada has newly written the scenario, and numerous new scenes have been added—including performance scenes that were never shown in the TV series. The production team has collaborated to make a film that lives up to the title ‘The Final Movie Part 1.’ A decade-long journey—toward the next stage. The curtain rises on the final chapter of Sound! Euphonium marks the culmination of this beloved anime series.
The Sound! Euphonium television anime series, including its three seasons, is available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The platform offers the series in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and CIS regions, with subtitles and select dubbed options, allowing fans worldwide to revisit or discover the journey of Kumiko and her bandmates.
Sources: Sound! Euphonium anime official website, Press Release
