diff --git a/web/src/App.tsx b/web/src/App.tsx
index 440fd90..e281b3a 100644
--- a/web/src/App.tsx
+++ b/web/src/App.tsx
@@ -282,6 +282,16 @@ export default function App() {
     return m;
   }, [visibleFolders]);
 
+  const firstOfInitial = useMemo(() => {
+    const seen = new Set<string>();
+    const result = new Set<number>();
+    displaySounds.forEach((s, idx) => {
+      const ch = s.name.charAt(0).toUpperCase();
+      if (!seen.has(ch)) { seen.add(ch); result.add(idx); }
+    });
+    return result;
+  }, [displaySounds]);
+
   const channelsByGuild = useMemo(() => {
     const groups: Record<string, VoiceChannelInfo[]> = {};
     channels.forEach(c => {
@@ -503,12 +513,13 @@ export default function App() {
               const isPlaying = lastPlayed === s.name;
               const isNew = s.isRecent || s.badges?.includes('new');
               const initial = s.name.charAt(0).toUpperCase();
+              const showInitial = firstOfInitial.has(idx);
               const folderColor = s.folder ? (folderColorMap[s.folder] || 'var(--accent)') : 'var(--accent)';
 
               return (
                 <div
                   key={key}
-                  className={`sound-card ${isPlaying ? 'playing' : ''}`}
+                  className={`sound-card ${isPlaying ? 'playing' : ''} ${showInitial ? 'has-initial' : ''}`}
                   style={{ animationDelay: `${Math.min(idx * 20, 400)}ms` }}
                   onClick={e => {
                     const card = e.currentTarget;
@@ -541,7 +552,7 @@ export default function App() {
                   >
                     <span className="material-icons fav-icon">{isFav ? 'star' : 'star_border'}</span>
                   </span>
-                  <span className="sound-emoji" style={{ color: folderColor }}>{initial}</span>
+                  {showInitial && <span className="sound-emoji" style={{ color: folderColor }}>{initial}</span>}
                   <span className="sound-name">{s.name}</span>
                   {s.folder && <span className="sound-duration">{s.folder}</span>}
                   <div className="playing-indicator">