Sound! Euphonium – Season 3 Episode 6 Recap & Review

Wavering Dissonance

Episode 6 of Sound! Euphonium Season 3 starts with Kumiko contemplating the upcoming auditions in the bass section clubroom. Then, Satsuki and Mayu arrive and inform Kumiko that the Agata Festival photos are finished. Everyone looks at the photos and Mirie notices Mayu isn’t in them. Mayu tells Mirie and the others she prefers taking photos. 

Next, Satsuki provides Suzume with tips to help her improve. Then, Kanade tries out a part of a song. Kumiko informs Kanade that she messed up one of the parts. Kanade thanks Kumiko and jokes about her helping out her “enemy,” much to Mayu’s shock. Kanade reminds Mayu that auditions are coming up and mentions how the clarinet players are at each other’s throats. 

Mayu ponders this over and suggests backing out of the auditions. Mayu lists reasons why she doesn’t want to participate. Kumiko questions Mayu further and Mayu reminds Kumiko that she’d feel guilty replacing someone who has been at Kitauji High School longer than herself. Kumiko tells Mayu that they always choose the best players for each section regardless of one’s feelings. 

Mayu says she’s not opposed to the idea but questions if the others would be thrilled to see her get chosen. Kumiko tells her the others would be thrilled and rambles on why that’d be the case. Later, Kumiko wanders the halls, reflecting on the incident between Kousaka, Yuuko, and Kaori. After Kumiko notices Kousaka helping out band members, Kumiko bumps into Azusa during her stroll home. 

Azusa tells Kumiko she has a lesson session to attend, but she’s willing to speak with her. The two visit a bench and discuss their futures and current lifestyles. Azusa tells Kumiko she doesn’t want to become a professional musician like Kousaka. She wants to dabble in a career that’s music-centric though. After that, Azusa departs, leaving Kumiko with something to contemplate. 

Next, Kumiko overhears Suzume, Yayoi, Kaho, and others rambling about the auditions. Kumiko encourages the girls but Kaho’s worried because she knows the second and third-years are phenomenal players. Then, Suzume says she can’t wait to hear Kumiko play the soli part with Kousaka. Later, Kaho finishes up her audition and tells Mayu and Kumiko about it. 

Kaho’s worried she didn’t do well, but Kumiko tells her she did great. After we receive a brief snippet of Kanade auditioning, Mayu asks Kumiko questions concerning euphonium players and the soli part. Kumiko tells Mayu it’s up to Taki to decide and this moment entices Kumiko to reflect on the incident between Natsuki and Kanade. 

Kanade leaves her audition and Mayu enters the room next. Kanade and Kumiko listen to Mayu and Kumiko is relieved Mayu’s giving it her best. Mayu wraps up her audition and Kumiko enters the room to complete hers. She doesn’t want to lose her spot so she gives Taki and Michie her best at the audition. Later, Kousaka shares a few remarks with her bandmates. 

Then, Michie enters the room and announces who will go to the Prefecturals. After that, Midori congratulates Hazuki for passing her audition. Suzume rushes to Tsubame and Tsubame congratulates her for passing her audition. Mirie notices Satsuki’s upset for failing the audition. Hazuki wanders to Satsuki and tells her she still has more chances down the pipeline.

Next, Kanade congratulates Kumiko for claiming the soli part. Then, Mayu wanders to the girls and is glad more euphonium players got to participate in the Prefectural Competition. Kanade teases Mayu about it and Kumiko tells Kanade to calm down. Mirie arrives and pulls her aside. Mirie’s unsure how Satsuki didn’t impress Taki and Michie. 

Although Kumiko understands Mirie’s claims, she tells Michie to have faith in Taki’s decision. Michie tells Kumiko she doesn’t want to start trouble so she’s willing to have faith in Taki too. Despite that, Mirie tells Kumiko that the second and third years don’t hold as much respect for Taki as much as the third years do. Later, Kumiko visits her usual solo practice spot and contemplates the future concerns that will come her way. 

Then, Mayu arrives and questions Kumiko about the song she’s playing. Kumiko tells Mayu she doesn’t want to tell her about the song for certain reasons. Mayu apologizes and says she’ll be practicing on her own. Later, Kumiko visits Taki and asks him questions about the tuba auditions. Taki tells Kumiko that Suzume is clumsy, however, he chose her because she produces a magnificent sound. 

The two debate over it but Kumiko concedes and departs. She bumps into Kousaka seconds later. Kousaka tells Kumiko she was chatting with her homeroom teacher about her career path. Kumiko tells Kousaka she and Taki were discussing matters regarding the Prefectural Competition. Kousaka congratulates Kumiko for getting the soli part. 

Kousaka hopes they’ll continue to do the soli part up to Nationals. Next, Kousaka shares some encouraging remarks with her Prefectural Competition bandmates at the Prefectural Competition. The episode closes with Kumiko pumping up her bandmates with the iconic Kitauji High School cheer. 

The Episode Review

Matters have only gotten more tense since Mayu’s been introduced. Much like Lakan in The Apothecary Diaries, fans may view Mayu alternatively. At the same time, this series makes it more obvious that she’s not a shady or maniacal individual. Rather, she comes off as a loner who wants to be a part of the group but distances herself due to her exceptional skills and traits. 

Many moments in previous chapters allude to this fact, including the scenarios set in episode 6. A few examples that prove this point include Mayu’s remarks about taking photos and her wanting to know about Kumiko’s Sound! Euphonium song. Although there’s tension between Kumiko and Mayu because of the former’s fears of not playing at Nationals with her friends, we’re optimistic these two will authentically become close friends by this season’s conclusion. 

Simultaneously, Hazuki finally nailed her audition and will play with our group at the Prefectural Competition. This was a fantastic decision and Hazuki fans will cherish seeing her celebrate this achievement with Midori and others. Her achievement goes to show that hard work pays off. Besides some questionable writing decisions involving Mirie’s character, this was a brilliant episode of Sound! Euphonium Season 3.