First, each person shared their honest feelings regarding the completion of the work.
Kurosawa: "I'm happy. But also lonely. I feel like I can hear the footsteps (approaching the conclusion), so while there is sadness, there's also this sense of elation—my soul is crying out, 'I really wanted to see Eupho in a theater after all!' So the 'happy' feeling is stronger."
Asai: "Since we've walked alongside 'Eupho' for over 10 years, part of me is sad that we've started walking toward the end, but at the same time, I'm just so happy to be able to deliver this to everyone. I mean, wasn't it a wonderful film! I feel happy that we could deliver this, then lonely, then happy again."
Toyota: "We have truly walked with Kumiko and the others for over 10 years, so I had a lot of thoughts when I saw the word 'conclusion.' Of course, I'm happy to deliver this to everyone in such a bright setting, but part of me feels a sort of ambivalence—a difficult mix of emotions where I'm thinking, 'Is it really going to end!?' Above all, though, I'm happy we could get it to you."
Anzai: "Part of me hasn't quite processed it yet, but since this comes after everything that started back in the first-year arc, I feel it's such a luxury. Some fans have been walking with us since that time, too. It feels like a time where many different emotions come up, thinking about how I was able to have such a great period of youth."
Tomatsu: "My time participating might be shorter than the other four, but every single episode of 'Eupho' is so dense, isn't it? So, playing Mayu-san again this time, it was so intense that I felt like I was living my own youth alongside everyone. I think 'Eupho' is a series that truly suits the theater, so I'm filled with joy that everyone finally got to see this. I want to run through to the very end with all of you."
Ogawa: "I'm happy, and I'm lonely, and above all, since we are currently making the sequel, I'm feeling a lot of pressure (lol). There's a mix of feelings—the honor and the pressure of being entrusted with the major task of bringing these 10 years to a proper conclusion. My theme is to make this a story that will be passed down in a way that everyone can be satisfied with, so please look forward to it!"
Regarding the addition of performance scenes that were not in the TV series "Sound! Euphonium 3," Director Ogawa commented, "Depicting an ensemble is difficult, but I believe that if you watch it, you'll understand that it was worth doing."
The cast members also watched and listened to the music in the theater, with Anzai emphasizing the power of the 7.1ch audio, saying, "It was a sound you could feel with your whole body!" Regarding the new dialogue recording (after-recording) done for this film, they mentioned that Director Ogawa explained the theme was "connecting," but among the cast, there was a separate theme of being "fresh."
"That's because... didn't you think it started from an unexpected scene? The sound director told us to rethink things and approach it from the perspective of why it starts with that scene. When I thought about connecting things from there, our theme became 'fresh,'" Kurosawa explained. As for what that "unexpected scene" is, it can be confirmed in the actual film.
In the latter half of the event, euphonium player Shoichiro Hokazono and trumpet player Hayato Kodama appeared as special guests. Mr. Hokazono, one of Japan's leading euphonium players, and Mr. Kodama, a gifted 16-year-old trumpet player, performed music from "Sound! Euphonium" live on the spot. They performed three pieces: the trumpet solo part from "Crescent Moon Dance" by Kodama, "Sound! Euphonium" by Hokazono, and the soli part from "Poem of a Year ~for Wind Orchestra~" by both Hokazono and Kodama. The cast was overwhelmed by the power and beauty of the sound at such close range, appearing lost for words with emotion.
The luxurious and extravagant time, where they could not only hear talk from the cast and director but also listen to real live performances, passed in an instant. Finally, Kurosawa and Director Ogawa gave their greetings on behalf of the attendees.
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