Girls Band Cry
Girls Band Cry | |
![]() Key visual featuring Togenashi Togeari | |
ガールズバンドクライ (Gāruzu Bando Kurai) | |
---|---|
Genre | Music |
Created by | Toei Animation |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Kazuo Sakai |
Produced by | Tadashi Hirayama |
Written by | Jukki Hanada |
Music by | Kenji Tamai |
Studio | Toei Animation |
Original network | Tokyo MX, Sun TV, KBS Kyoto, BS11 |
Original run | April 6, 2024 – June 29, 2024 |
Episodes | 13 |
Girls Band Cry (Japanese: ガールズバンドクライ, Hepburn: Gāruzu Bando Kurai), abbreviated as GaruKura (ガルクラ), is an original Japanese anime television series created and produced by Toei Animation. It is directed by Kazuo Sakai and written by Jukki Hanada, with Nari Teshima handling the character designs, Mari Kondō and Jae Hoon Jung serving as CGI directors, and Kenji Tamai composing the music. It aired from April to June 2024, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[1][2][3][a]
Plot
[edit]Taking place in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture,[4] Nina Iseri is a high school dropout who moves to the city to prove she can live by herself and be successful. She then meets Momoka Kawaragi, and the two realize their commonalities, including a shared love of music. Together with other dropouts, the girls form a band as an avenue to let their raw emotions out, as they face hardships with their internal struggles and being new to the music scene.
Characters
[edit]Togenashi Togeari
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/TOGENASHI_TOGEARI_logo.webp/220px-TOGENASHI_TOGEARI_logo.webp.png)
Togenashi Togeari (トゲナシトゲアリ, lit. "thornless thorn") is the central band of the series, consisting primarily of high school dropouts. Before the band’s formation, each member was part of two bands, with Nina, Momoka, and Subaru performing under the name Shin-Kawasaki (Temporary) (新川崎(仮), Shin-Kawasaki (Kari)), and Tomo and Rupa performing as Vocaloid duo Beni-Shouga (derived from the vegetable of the same name, stylized in lowercase). After merging, their new name originates from Nina reading an audience member's shirt saying "Togeari Togenashi" during their Suwa live house gig.
- Nina Iseri (井芹仁菜, Iseri Nina)
- Voiced by: Rina (理名)[1]
- The main protagonist of the series and the lead vocalist of Togenashi Togeari who left the countryside and her strained past life to start anew. She is not on good terms with her father and dropped out of high school. She initially moved to Tokyo with the aim of studying at a cram school and entering university, only to focus on Togenashi Togeari instead. In promotional material, she is seen with a Butterscotch Blonde G&L Asat Classic electric guitar, which she uses as the band's rhythm guitarist in the finale.
- Momoka Kawaragi (河原木桃香, Kawaragi Momoka)
- Voiced by: Yuri (夕莉)[1]
- The lead guitarist and leader of Togenashi Togeari who was a former member of Diamond Dust before leaving due to creative differences, a decision she holds regret despite holding no ill will towards her former bandmates. She then performed as a solo artist and planned to quit before meeting Nina and being reinvigorated by her determination. She plays a Blue Grand Metallic Psychederhythm Psychomaster electric guitar, a Japanese-made Fender Jazzmaster clone.
- Subaru Awa (安和すばる, Awa Subaru)
- Voiced by: Mirei (美怜)[1]
- The drummer of Togenashi Togeari who attends acting school to follow in her grandmother's footsteps despite showing no interest for acting and desires to follow her own path through pursuing music. She plays a Charcoal Metallic Pearl Roadshow drum kit.
- Tomo Ebizuka (海老塚智, Ebizuka Tomo)
- Voiced by: Natsu (凪都)[1]
- The keyboardist of Togenashi Togeari who ran away from home after experiencing parental neglect and has dreams of performing at the Budokan. Her tendency to give harsh feedback also resulted in her and Rupa's former band breaking up prior to the anime. She plays a Nord Electro 6HP 73-key electric keyboard.
- Rupa (ルパ)
- Voiced by: Syuri (朱李)[1]
- The bassist of Togenashi Togeari who lost her parents and experiences discrimination due to her half-South Asian heritage. Like Tomo, she has dreams of performing at the Budokan. She plays an Ebony Gibson SG Standard bass.
Diamond Dust
[edit]Diamond Dust (ダイヤモンドダスト) is an idol rock band Nina idolizes and which Momoka was a member of, starting as a group of friends forming a school band before dropping out and being signed to a major label by the time Momoka left the band.
- Hina (ヒナ)
- Voiced by: Reina Kondō[5]
- The lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Diamond Dust after Momoka's departure, and a former friend of Nina. She plays a See-Through Purple Fernandes NTG-LTD electric guitar.
- Nana (ナナ)
- Voiced by: Misato Matsuoka[6]
- The bassist of Diamond Dust who plays a Caribbean Shoreline Flat Ibanez Premium SR1605B bass.
- Rin (リン)
- Voiced by: Yuki Urushiyama[7]
- The lead guitarist of Diamond Dust who plays a Deep Candy Apple Red ESP Horizon-I electric guitar.
- Ai (アイ)
- Voiced by: Momoko Miyashiro[8]
- The drummer of Diamond Dust who plays a Natural Cherry Pearl Masters Maple drum kit.
Iseri family
[edit]- Muneo Iseri (井芹宗男, Iseri Muneo)
- Voiced by: Haruo Yamagishi[9]
- Nina's father who works as an advisor to Kumamoto's board of education. Before the events of the anime, Muneo and Nina had an estranged relationship with Muneo having difficulty in understanding his daughter, despite having published a book on parenting.
- Yasue Iseri (井芹靖恵, Iseri Yasue)
- Voiced by: Sachiko Kojima[10]
- Nina's mother.
- Suzune Iseri (井芹涼音, Iseri Suzune)
- Voiced by: Sakura Ando[11]
- Nina's older sister.
Other characters
[edit]- Tendou Awa (安和天童, Awa Tendō)
- Voiced by: Naoko Kouda[12]
- Subaru's grandmother who is a prolific actress.
- Hayashi (林)
- Voiced by: Hiroaki Hirata[13]
- The manager of the Tokyo live house Shin-Kawasaki performed in.
- Mine (ミネ)
- Voiced by: Miyuki Sawashiro[14]
- An indie musician who Momoka idolizes and is friends with.
- Shiomi Miura (三浦潮海, Miura Shiomi)
- Voiced by: Ai Furihata[15]
- A talent scout affiliated with Golden Archer who is a fan of the original Diamond Dust and offers her connections to Togenashi Togeari on linking with a label for further popularity.
Production
[edit]Background
[edit]In August 2019, upon joining Toei Animation, series producer Tadashi Hirayama was approached to produce a new original work focused on music. Hirayama enlisted the assistance of Kazuo Sakai and Jukki Hanada, staff he had worked with on Love Live! Sunshine!!, to brainstorm the initial ideas of the story.[16] Hirayama then approached Kenji Tamai of Agehasprings around the end of 2019 to compose the music for the project and scout and manage the talents to form the band.[17]
Hanada focused on writing an all-female band story for the project based on his love for Japanese rock music, having already written stories about idols.[18] Hirayama cited the projected economic loss from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the concurrent COVID-19 pandemic as inspirations to make the story grounded in reality, basing it around the hardships of being a musician.[16] The decision to set the story in Kawasaki was based on Hirayama and Hanada's observations of the city being overlooked compared to the neighboring cities of Tokyo and Yokohama, rent being cheaper, and fostering music activity, further grounding the story.[16][18]
Development
[edit]In June 2021, Toei Animation, Agehasprings, and Universal Music Japan announced they would initiate a new project which would combine animation with real band activity. In the same year, Agehasprings, with the assistance from Toei Animation and Universal Music Japan, held an audition called "Girl’s Rock Audition" for the vocalist, guitarist, bassist, drummer, and keyboardist of the all-female band which would be the core of the project.[19][20] Tamai recounted how he aimed the band to debut first to foster their popularity before the anime began its airing. He also shared that although the auditions received several applications, there was difficulty in choosing candidates who had proficient skills in both music and voice acting, leading the process to take more than a year and half to find the necessary talent.[17]
An original anime project produced by Toei Animation titled Girls Band Cry was announced on April 24, 2023, with a teaser visual revealed. The visual features a girl with a guitar, with a slogan "Throw in All the Anger, Joy, and Sadness." (怒りも喜びも哀しさも全部ぶちこめ。)[21] On May 29 of the same year, a key visual of the anime was revealed alongside the main cast and staff.[20] The five members of Togenashi Togeari were also revealed with the music videos of their two songs, "Na mo Naki Nani mo Kamo" (名もなき何もかも, "Nameless Name") and "Itsuwari no Kotowari" (偽りの理, "No Rhyme nor Reason"), released on the project's YouTube channel.[20] In the following months, more music videos that accompany their recently released songs would be released to their channel alongside introductory videos of each member of Togenashi Togeari; these songs would later be compiled into physical singles.[22]
Release
[edit]On December 20, 2023, the first PV for the anime was released with its premiere slated for April 2024.[1][2][23] A second PV was later released on February 9, 2024, confirming its premiere date of April 6 of the same year.[3][24][a]
On August 5 of the same year, Toei Animation announced that the anime will be licensed in North America and will be digitally released on Microsoft Movies & TV, Fandango at Home, Hoopla, and Prime Video on August 13.[25] The decision was met with confusion and criticism by some fans as it was seen as embarrassing and "out of touch" with the show's overseas audience.[26]
Media
[edit]Music
[edit]The discography of Girls Band Cry includes one studio album and nine singles performed by Togenashi Togeari, the central group of the series. Additionally, two digital singles were released by the fictional band Diamond Dust, later compiled as an EP.[27] All music is released under the Universal Music Japan label.
Togenashi Togeari
[edit]Singles
[edit]Title | Release date | Peak chart positions | Ref. | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oricon[28] | JPN[29] | ||||
Na mo Naki Nani mo Kamo (名もなき何もかも)[i] | July 26, 2023 | — | 82 | [22] | |
Kiutsu, Hakudaku-su (気鬱、白濁す)[ii] | August 30, 2023 | — | 96 | [22] | |
Hazete Saku (爆ぜて咲く)[iii] | October 25, 2023 | — | 70 | [22] | |
Gokushiteki Gokusaishoku Answer (極私的極彩色アンサー)[iv] | December 20, 2023 | — | 58 | [22] | |
Unmei ni Kaketai Ronri (運命に賭けたい論理)[v] | February 29, 2024 | — | 69 | [22] | |
Zattō, Bokura no Machi (雑踏、僕らの街)[vi] | May 22, 2024 | 16 | 18 | [22] | |
Darenimo Narenai Watashi Dakara (誰にもなれない私だから)[vii] | May 22, 2024 | 22 | 23 | [22] | |
Shikai no Sumi Kuchiru Oto (視界の隅朽ちる音)[viii] | June 19, 2024 | 9 | 11 | [22] | |
Kuuhaku to Catharsis (空白とカタルシス)[ix] | July 10, 2024 | 6 | 5 | [22] | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
Albums
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]Title | Release date | Peak chart positions | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oricon[30] | JPN[29] | |||
Togeari (棘アリ) | April 24, 2024 | 10 | 8 | [22] |
Togenashi (棘ナシ) | August 28, 2024 | TBA | TBA | [22] |
Soundtrack albums
[edit]Title | Release date | Peak chart positions | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oricon[30] | JPN[29] | |||
TV Anime "Girls Band Cry" Original Soundtrack (TVアニメ『ガールズバンドクライ』オリジナルサウンドトラック) | September 11, 2024 | TBA | TBA | [31] |
Diamond Dust
[edit]Title | Release date | Ref. |
---|---|---|
Eternal Flame 〜Sora no Hako〜 (ETERNAL FLAME 〜空の箱〜)[x] | May 24, 2024 | [32] |
Cycle of Sorrow | June 15, 2024 | [33] |
Anime
[edit]The series aired from April 6 to June 29, 2024, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[a] The opening theme song is "Zattō, Bokura no Machi" (雑踏、僕らの街, "Wrong World"),[34] while the ending theme song is "Darenimo Narenai Watashi Dakara" (誰にもなれない私だから, "I'm Nobody"),[35] both performed by Togenashi Togeari.
Episodes
[edit]No. | Title [36] | Directed by [b] | Storyboarded by [b] | Original air date [37][a] | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Tokyo Hype" Transliteration: "Tōkyō Wasshoi" (Japanese: 東京ワッショイ) | Kazuo Sakai | Kazuo Sakai | April 6, 2024 | |
Nina Iseri, a high school dropout who left Kumamoto, arrives in Kawasaki to prove her family she can live by herself. As the agency that rents the keys to her unit is closed for the night, Nina decides to stay at the station. While browsing social media, she sees a post of a street performance taking place within the area and runs towards it, encountering Momoka Kawaragi, a former member of a group Nina idolizes named Diamond Dust. Heading to Momoka’s house for Nina to stay the night, Momoka discloses she would be leaving Kawasaki the following morning to quit music, much to Nina's confusion. Momoka asks Nina her reason for moving to Kawasaki, and Nina replies that she has no place for her back home after being blamed for an action she did not commit in her past. Nina then asks why Momoka left Diamond Dust, with Momoka citing creative differences as the driving factor. The following morning, Nina wakes up to see Momoka gone; not wanting her to leave, Nina runs to where Momoka held her last street performance and expresses her desire to not see her give up. Momoka appears and both perform a song Momoka composed in her time with Diamond Dust. | |||||
2 | "Three Night Owls" Transliteration: "Yakō-sei no Ikimono San-biki" (Japanese: 夜行性の生き物3匹) | Maya Asakura | Kazuo Sakai | April 13, 2024 | |
As Nina enrolls at a cram school out of a need to advance to university, Momoka brings up the proposition of forming a band upon seeing her skills as a vocalist from their street performance, which Nina declines. Nina also opens up to Momoka on her strained family relationship and how she was the subject of bullying. Momoka and Nina promise to one another on doing well in their individual endeavors. Later, Nina receives a message from Momoka on wanting to give her a spare light from a friend, which Nina agrees to pick up from Momoka's house the same night. She then meets her friend Subaru Awa, who is enlisted as the drummer for their band. The three girls head out for dinner, with Nina becoming increasingly isolated from Momoka and Subaru’s banter. Subaru proceeds to ask questions to Nina, making her uncomfortable enough to leave; Momoka confronts Nina on her behavior, and Nina voices her assumption that Subaru seems to be looking down on her like her bullies did. Refusing to be convinced otherwise due to her cynicism, Nina angrily leaves with the spare light, declaring she will close herself off from anybody; she begins to mope on her cynical outlook and lashes out. As she breaks down in tears upon realizing she will be living alone in darkness, Momoka and Subaru arrive to comfort her and help, with Momoka stating her admiration of Nina sticking true to herself rather than compromise it as she enlists Nina to the band. | |||||
3 | "Stumbling Conversation" Transliteration: "Zukkoke Mondō" (Japanese: ズッコケ問答) | Miho Hirayama | Kazuo Sakai | April 20, 2024 | |
The girls discuss on what type of song they should compose as a band. After the meeting Subaru offers to walk Nina home. Nina, still nervous around Subaru, goes home ahead of her, something that Subaru takes note of. The next day, Momoka requests Nina to return Subaru's phone, which she left in Momoka's house, and Nina reluctantly complies. Arriving at Subaru's acting school in Tokyo, she hands Subaru her phone back and prepares to head back home despite Subaru's polite requests for dinner, resulting in Subaru explaining she has no intention to cause problems and expounding that any internal disagreements within a band has to be settled in order to grow and is open to any comments Nina has of her, with Subaru adding she merely took up acting to follow her grandmother's footsteps even if she has no interest in it and prefers music; after a few conversations, Nina and Subaru begin to speak on equal footing. Momoka has also reserved a public concert for them to perform in, but Nina has doubts on performing to a big audience. On the day of the public concert, the girls, debuting under the temporary name Shin-Kawasaki, wait for Nina to come onstage. Momoka calls out to her and motivates her to let her emotions all out, giving Nina the confidence to perform with her bandmates. | |||||
4 | "Gratitude (Surprise!)" Transliteration: "Kansha (Odoroki)" (Japanese: 感謝(驚)) | Kazue Otsuki | Kazuo Sakai | April 27, 2024 | |
While taking a break from rehearsing, Subaru receives a message which prompts her to leave ahead of Nina and Momoka. As they talk about what kind of message Subaru received, Momoka elaborates on her past with Diamond Dust to Nina. The following morning, Subaru messages Nina she would be leaving the band, to Nina's shock. Reaching Subaru's acting school in the hopes of convincing her not to follow through, Nina and Momoka see Subaru accompanying her grandmother, actress Tendou Awa. Subaru explains to them she cannot directly express to her grandmother on not wanting to be an actress. She also reiterates on not wanting to leave and states she would only be seen by others as Tendou's granddaughter, further proven as she receives an email on being cast to a drama per Tendou's recommendation. Later, Nina goes to Subaru's apartment where she suggests on coming clean rather than drag it out, which Subaru agrees; during a shoot for the drama days later, however, as Tendou conveys her gratefulness on Subaru coming to appreciate her profession and wanting to try it out, Nina pulls Subaru out as she is about to confess, much to Subaru's annoyance. Despite this, Subaru figures out she would have to deal with this one day regardless and decides to help out with the band. | |||||
5 | "Raise Your Voice" Transliteration: "Utagoe Yō Kore" (Japanese: 歌声よおこれ) | Maya Asakura | Kazuo Sakai | May 4, 2024 | |
Momoka reserves Shin-Kawasaki to a live house gig and tasks each member to sell tickets. In the process of doing so, the live house manager requests Nina and Subaru to give a Diamond Dust concert ticket gifted to him by one of its members to Momoka, but the girls decide to watch the concert themselves knowing Momoka would not accept the ticket. At the concert, Nina recognizes the band's new vocalist, Hina, as a former friend who had a connection to her bullying, causing her to leave in anger. Nina and Momoka later come to a head with how they view Diamond Dust, with Momoka defending her former band. Subaru interrupts by taking their quarrel to an izakaya to settle it, where Nina questions Momoka's indifference with the direction of the current Diamond Dust bringing the assumption the band meant nothing to her and calls Momoka out on quitting the band due to the changes they were undergoing not favoring her vision, remarking the Diamond Dust Momoka formed was what helped Nina at her lowest point. Momoka fully opens up the circumstances of her leaving Diamond Dust, saying they promised to stick together no matter what, and even with their pleas for Momoka to stay as they commercialized, she nevertheless quit. After airing out their misgivings, they make amends as the girls head home and prepare for their gig. | |||||
6 | "A Tribute to the Outcasts" Transliteration: "Haguremono Sanka" (Japanese: はぐれ者賛歌) | Yasuhiro Tanabe | Kazuo Sakai | May 11, 2024 | |
Two girls are shown rewatching Shin-Kawasaki's live house gig before recording a song. Meanwhile, as Shin-Kawasaki rests from their gig, Momoka asserts they should continue practicing. Nina and Subaru ask her if she has any goal for the band, with Momoka replying having none, leading Subaru to also ask Nina later what her own goal is. Inquiring to the live house manager on where to start, she infers that a large following can be a way to be noticed and proposes ways to gain followers to Momoka and Subaru. When asked on her sudden drive, Nina makes it clear on wanting to go professional, having no intention to lose against Diamond Dust. As Nina expresses to Subaru her plans, they are overheard by the two girls. Introducing themselves as Rupa and Tomo Ebizuka of Beni-Shouga, they scout Shin-Kawasaki for a collaboration and share their vision after watching them perform. Hearing Rupa and Tomo's dream of performing at the Budokan, Nina is inspired with their goal. Nina and Subaru approach Momoka on evaluating Rupa and Tomo's skills and offer to collaborate through a session; they then discuss Momoka's reluctance to go professional after giving up once even if she's still passionate for music. Some days later, Shin-Kawasaki and Beni-Shouga begin to rehearse and see their synergy. Nina convinces Momoka on letting Rupa and Tomo join the band and they apply for a music festival, noticing Diamond Dust is one of the performers. | |||||
7 | "Giving It a Name" Transliteration: "Namae wo Tsukete Yaru" (Japanese: 名前をつけてやる) | Kazue Otsuki & Kenji Imura | Kazuo Sakai | May 18, 2024 | |
With the merge between Shin-Kawasaki and Beni-Shouga resulting in Rupa and Tomo's addition, the girls discuss on renaming the band from Shin-Kawasaki as Momoka is invited by one of her friends to perform at a live house in Suwa. As they make travel preparations, Nina is surprised by the visit of her sister Suzune, who shows concern for Nina's future and warns she might not be welcomed back by the family if she gives up on her studies. A few days later, Shin-Kawasaki sets out for Suwa, where Nina also learns about Rupa and Tomo's backgrounds. They meet Momoka's contact, Mine, who reserves them to the live house and is impressed with their skills. While rehearsing, Momoka announces their performance would be her last before quitting the band and music again, jeopardizing Nina's plans. Later at a bar, Mine notices Nina looking downhearted, and they talk on the circumstances of quitting music, with Mine expressing her fear of failing after setting high hopes; she however advises not to dwell on that fear, inspiring Nina. On the day of their live house performance, Nina proclaims to the audience and her bandmates their new name as Togenashi Togeari and announces she will be dropping out of school to continue her goal, effectively cutting herself off from her family and shocking her bandmates. | |||||
8 | "If You Should Cry" Transliteration: "Moshimo Kimi ga Naku Naraba" (Japanese: もしも君が泣くならば) | Miho Hirayama | Kazuo Sakai | May 25, 2024 | |
A flashback shows Momoka and her Diamond Dust bandmates in high school discussing on dropping out to focus on their music career, with an idealistic Momoka assuring they will succeed and not give up. In the present, Nina's announcement is met with criticism, with Momoka especially furious. Tensions rise as Nina confronts Momoka's tendency to give up without trying while Momoka calls her ambitious goal delusional, almost leading to a physical altercation that is only stopped by Subaru. As Togenashi Togeari heads home, Subaru talks to Momoka on how the band has been getting traction lately, proving Nina's goal is not impossible. Meanwhile, Nina begins to practice playing guitar and work part-time at Rupa and Tomo's restaurant. Momoka visits her during a shift and takes her to a Diamond Dust concert. She points out how even if Diamond Dust did not prefer going commercial, they were forced to do so to continue making a living; Momoka then reveals she was compelled to form a new band after seeing her younger self in Nina. Nina slaps her, rejecting on being seen as a projection for Momoka, and makes her see that her music can reach and save people, adding she is living proof of such. Both girls and Diamond Dust meet and declare a duel between their bands at the upcoming music festival. Hina notices Nina but claims not to know her. Heading home, Nina confesses her love to Momoka, causing Momoka to cry as they reconcile. | |||||
9 | "Waning Moon Riding High" Transliteration: "Kaketa Tsuki ga Deteita" (Japanese: 欠けた月が出ていた) | Masayuki Iimura | Ayako Hiraike | June 1, 2024 | |
Togenashi Togeari rehearses a song for the festival; however, Momoka feels their song sounds generic. Tomo wishes to give feedback but hesitates and lies that she accepts the song as is, concerning Rupa as she is not being honest with her feelings. Nina offers Rupa and Tomo to watch her practice guitar; Nina then questions Tomo for feedback on where to improve, aspiring to be as skilled as Momoka. Tomo harshly criticizes her on fooling around, shocking Nina. Flashbacks reveal Tomo’s brutally honest feedback led to her and Rupa’s bandmates quitting their previous band, leading Tomo to keep any feedback to herself. Nina returns to Subaru for advice with talking to Tomo as Subaru points out she is a shy person who tends to lash out at people who reach out to her, just like Nina herself when they first met; Tomo and Rupa also return, where Tomo lies to Nina on doing better with the practice before leaving. Rupa recalls how she met Tomo and formed Beni-Shouga after their previous band's dissolution; realizing Tomo is afraid to speak her mind out, Rupa takes Tomo to see Nina practicing her guitar and points out the rest of the band is serious about improving so they are open to her blunt advice. Once Tomo sees this, she criticizes Nina's skills again and Nina takes it to heart. This allows Tomo to freely give feedback to Momoka during their next rehearsal that their song currently sounds too boring, which Momoka also agrees. | |||||
10 | "Wandervogel" Transliteration: "Wandāfōgeru" (Japanese: ワンダーフォーゲル) | Yasushi Tomoda | Kazuo Sakai | June 8, 2024 | |
As Togenashi Togeari wonders if they've really gained popularity or not, a talent scout named Shiomi Miura approaches them. Shiomi tells the band that she is willing to use her connections to attract a label if they perform well at the festival; Momoka tasks Nina in writing lyrics for their next song. Sometime later, Nina is shocked to see her parents, especially her father Muneo, trying to visit her and attempts to run from them, unwilling to make amends. She is however persuaded by her bandmates and Suzune to bury the hatchet, with Rupa and Tomo providing her train tickets to Kumamoto. Arriving at her hometown, Nina reunites with her family as Muneo voices his dismay on Nina abandoning her studies for a music career, immediately causing friction between the two. Muneo requests Nina to accompany him the following morning to her former school, where the school apologizes on their conduct with Nina's bullying case; Muneo is left bewildered at the school not being transparent with the bullying and makes it clear on siding with Nina, to her surprise. After returning home, Nina opens up to Suzune on how listening to Diamond Dust saved her from having suicidal tendencies caused by the bullying and brought her peace in finding her true passion, finally being able to love herself. Suzune also reveals how much the family still loves and cares for her even with the past events, with their mother even gifting the ticket to Rupa and Tomo, causing Nina to cry. Before returning to Kawasaki, Nina learns of Muneo accepting her career choice and she asks him to watch her perform at the festival. She regroups with Togenashi Togeari to showcase her lyrics, sporting a more positive outlook. | |||||
11 | "The Center of the World" Transliteration: "Sekai no Mannaka" (Japanese: 世界のまん中) | Miho Hirayama | Kazuo Sakai | June 15, 2024 | |
With the festival approaching, Togenashi Togeari conducts final rehearsals as the band sees they will be performing on the first day. Nina wonders if they can be able to perform well with numerous bands vying for attention, but Momoka suggests taking the second day with the opportunity of having a bigger audience, and the band agrees to the schedule change. Momoka also takes the band to the festival grounds to see the venue, and she and Nina feel confident in challenging Diamond Dust as the band notices how much Nina has positively matured recently; when Subaru sees these changes, she reflects on having not yet told Tendou her interest in pursuing music rather than acting. Each of the girls discuss with one another on their reasons and motivations of getting into music. On the day of the festival, Subaru talks to Nina on having messaged her grandmother with her band career after being inspired by Nina's actions, pleasing Nina. Togenashi Togeari later watches Diamond Dust's opening set as they see Diamond Dust openly take on their duel, motivating Togenashi Togeari to perform better at their own set, emotionally giving their all with Nina's song. | |||||
12 | "The Sky Darkens Further Still" Transliteration: "Sora ga Mata Kuraku Naru" (Japanese: 空がまた暗くなる) | Masayuki Iimura | Sōichi Masui | June 22, 2024 | |
Shiomi signs Togenashi Togeari to her agency sometime after the festival and works as their agent; Momoka then notes how their career is just getting started. The band holds an afterparty that evening as they reminisce on working hard to reach their current point, which Momoka uses as inspiration to write a new song. Some days later, the band rehearses Momoka's song for several weeks; Nina expresses her excitement on being able to sing what they feel to a wider audience, though Rupa and Tomo comment it would not be an immediate guarantee. During a rehearsal, Shiomi forwards to Togenashi Togeari an offer for a two-day battle of the bands against Diamond Dust, with the prize of producing a theme song being offered to whoever amasses the most earnings and audience. Sensing that Diamond Dust may be setting them up, Togenashi Togeari plans to back out, but Shiomi states her concern they might fade into obscurity if they do so; Nina is determined to nevertheless perform in the concert. Nina takes the band to a shrine where she reassures them to believe in themselves as the band prays in wishing their song to pull millions of views and sales. They successfully manage to finish recording Momoka's song to their liking as they anticipate for its release. A month later, Nina checks out the song and is shocked to see it garnering only a hundred views. | |||||
13 | "Rock 'n' Roll Will Never Die" Transliteration: "Rokku `n` Rōru wa Nari Yamanai" (Japanese: ロックンロールは鳴り止まないっ) | Kazuo Sakai | Kazuo Sakai | June 29, 2024 | |
A flashback shows Nina and Hina in high school as Nina expresses her desire to help a student getting bullied, but Hina warns she would be made as the next target and would not be siding with her as Nina heads off to intervene. In the present, Togenashi Togeari and Shiomi hold a meeting to discuss the poor reception of the band's song despite their online popularity showing otherwise, forcing them to acknowledge the reality of the circumstances. The next day, Nina reluctantly reconnects with Hina as Hina reveals Shiomi approached Diamond Dust for a compromise for them to perform on both days for Togenashi Togeari to break even and tells Nina she is open to help out anytime. Nina meets with Togenashi Togeari to talk on the current developments where a frustrated Nina points out how accepting the compromise means they are admitting defeat and wishes the band to not give up, inspiring them. The band later meets with Shiomi to decline on the offer and resign from the agency to go indie, which Shiomi gracefully accepts. Each of the girls make a promise to one another on continuing as a band and Nina states how much she has cherished her time in Kawasaki. On the day of Togenashi Togeari's performance on the battle of the bands, they are glad to see a smaller but much more dedicated audience of fans turn out. Nina sees Hina in the crowd and talks about how she was bullied in school and Diamond Dust's songs were an inspiration to her, until she realizes that Hina was also inspired by Diamond Dust as well, showing that Hina doesn't hold any ill will towards her. Togenashi Togeari then performs their new song proudly for their fans as Hina and the rest of Diamond Dust watch on. |
Future
[edit]Hanada tweeted from his Twitter account before the twelfth episode's airing addressing the risks of relying on making sales from an original anime like Girls Band Cry, adding that because of these risks, no current plans for a second season or movie succeeding the anime have been made.[38] After the finale aired, the project tweeted on its official Twitter account that the story will still progress in the future and it, alongside Togenashi Togeari, shall continue to be supported through its real-life activities.[39]
On July 12, 2024 however, it was announced that Natsu and Mirei both went on an indefinite hiatus due to poor health. The remaining three main cast members will be still performing in Togenashi Togeari.[40]
See also
[edit]- K-On! – band music anime with some episodes written by Jukki Hanada
- Love Live! Sunshine!! – idol music anime directed by Kazuo Sakai and written by Jukki Hanada
- Sound! Euphonium – band music anime written by Jukki Hanada
Notes
[edit]- ^ Localized as Nameless Name
- ^ Localized as White Drizzle in Gloom
- ^ Localized as Bleeding Hearts
- ^ Localized as Answer to Extreme
- ^ Localized as Lonely Fate to Be Destined
- ^ Localized as Wrong World
- ^ Localized as I'm Nobody
- ^ Localized as What to Raise
- ^ Localized as Emptiness and Catharsis
- ^ Localized as Eternal Flame (Void)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Mateo, Alex (December 20, 2023). "Girls Band Cry Anime's Teaser Trailer Reveals April 2024 Premiere". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ a b Chapman, Paul (December 20, 2023). "GIRLS BAND CRY Anime Premieres April 2024". Crunchyroll. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ a b Loo, Egan (February 9, 2024). "Girls Band Cry Anime's 1st Full Trailer Unveils April 5 Premiere". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ バンドトゲナシトゲアリ 作品の世界を発信 (in Japanese). Town News. March 8, 2024. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Kondō, Reina [@reina_kondo] (May 4, 2024). TVアニメ『ガールズバンドクライ』にて、近藤玲奈がヒナ役で出演させて頂きます! (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter.
- ^ Matsuoka, Misato [@Matsuoka_Misato] (May 31, 2024). 今日夜24時30分放送です!
私はダイヤモンドダストのナナ役で出演させていただいております! (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter. - ^ Urushiyama, Yuki [@urushiyamayuuki] (May 4, 2024). 🎸出演情報🎸
改めまして!
アニメ『#ガールズバンドクライ』にてダイヤモンドダストの【リン】役として出演しています (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter. - ^ Miyashiro, Momoko [@miyamo_0509] (May 5, 2024). 『#ガールズバンドクライ』
公式HPにメンバーが追加されました🎼
改めまして《ダイヤモンドダスト》の“アイ”役を演じおります宮白です💎🧊🌸 (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter. - ^ Yamagishi, Haruo [@Haruo_Yamagishi] (April 6, 2024). 昨夜よりTOKYO MX他にて放送開始のアニメ
『#ガールズバンドクライ』に
仁菜の父、井芹宗男役で出演しておりま~す🎵 (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter. - ^ Credits from "Wandāfōgeru" ワンダーフォーゲル [Wandervogel]. Girls Band Cry. Episode 10 (in Japanese). June 8, 2024. Tokyo MX.
- ^ Ando, Sakura [@andoxsakura] (April 5, 2024). わーい!井芹涼音役で声の出演しております!!配信もあるようですのでぜひぜひー!!! (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter.
- ^ Credits from "Kansha (Odoroki)" 感謝(驚) [Gratitude (Surprise!)]. Girls Band Cry. Episode 4 (in Japanese). April 27, 2024. Tokyo MX.
- ^ Credits from "Utagoe Yō Kore" 歌声よおこれ [Raise Your Voice]. Girls Band Cry. Episode 5 (in Japanese). April 27, 2024. Tokyo MX.
- ^ Credits from "Namae wo Tsukete Yaru" 名前をつけてやる [Giving It a Name]. Girls Band Cry. Episode 7 (in Japanese). May 18, 2024. Tokyo MX.
- ^ Furihata, Ai [@furihata_ai] (June 7, 2024). TVアニメ『ガールズバンドクライ』
三浦 潮美役で出演しました (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter. - ^ a b c なぜ『ガールズバンドクライ』は貧乏になった日本で怒り続ける女の子が主人公なのか?――平山理志Pに聞く (in Japanese). ASCII. August 3, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ a b 【特集】 agehasprings玉井健二|話題のバンド・トゲナシトゲアリについて徹底取材 (in Japanese). AU. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ a b ガルクラ総研①:脚本・花田十輝は『ガールズバンドクライ』で何を伝えたかったのか キャラクター像と制作の舞台裏に迫る (in Japanese). Otaku Souken. August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ アゲハスプリングス主催 ガールズバンドメンバー&メインキャスト声優 一般公募オーディションを開催 (in Japanese). Agehasprings. June 30, 2021. Archived from the original on February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c アニメ「ガールズバンドクライ」キービジュ&キャスト情報公開、2つのMVも. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 29, 2023. Archived from the original on February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ 東映アニメーションの完全新作オリジナルアニメ「ガールズバンドクライ」始動. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 24, 2023. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l トゲナシトゲアリ - agehasprings Officiel Web Site (in Japanese). Agehasprings. 26 August 2023. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ 『ガールズバンドクライ』2024年4月テレビアニメ放送決定!キービジュアル・ティザーPVを公開! (in Japanese). ガールズバンドクライ. December 20, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ TVアニメ「ガールズバンドクライ」4月5日より毎週金曜日24:30~放送開始! (in Japanese). ガールズバンドクライ. February 9, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ Mateo, Alex (August 6, 2024). "Girls Band Cry Anime Gets Digital English Release on August 13". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Senzatimore, Renee (August 6, 2024). ""It's Embarrassing": One Piece Studio Finally Releases Spring 2024 Anime in the U.S. – On Bizarre Platforms". CBR. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Cycle Of Sorrow【CD MAXI】 (in Japanese). Universal Music Store. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ トゲナシトゲアリのシングル売上TOP4作品 (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c トゲナシトゲアリ (in Japanese). Billboard JAPAN. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ a b トゲナシトゲアリのアルバム売上TOP1作品 (in Japanese). Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ TVアニメ『ガールズバンドクライ』オリジナルサウンドトラック【CD】 (in Japanese). Universal Music Store. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ @girlsbandcry (May 24, 2024). 【#ガールズバンドクライ NEWS💥】
✧━━━━━━━━━━━━━
<第8話挿入歌>
❄ダイヤモンドダスト❄
「ETERNAL FLAME 〜空の箱〜」
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━✧
フルサイズ音楽配信スタート!🎸 (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved May 31, 2024 – via Twitter. - ^ @girlsbandcry (June 14, 2024). 【#ガールズバンドクライ NEWS②💥】
✧━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🎸第11話挿入歌🎸
ダイヤモンドダスト 「Cycle Of Sorrow」
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━✧
/
フルサイズ音楽配信スタート!🎧
&
CDシングルとしてリリース決定💿
\ (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved June 15, 2024 – via Twitter. - ^ 雑踏、僕らの街(CD-MAXI) (in Japanese). Universal Music Japan. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ 誰にもなれない私だから【CD MAXI】 (in Japanese). Universal Music Store. Archived from the original on April 20, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Sutōrī | Anime "Gāruzu Bando Kurai" Koshiki Saito" STORY | アニメ「ガールズバンドクライ」公式サイト [Story | Anime "Girls Band Cry" Official Site]. girls-band-cry.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "On'Ea|Anime "Gāruzu Bando Kurai" Koshiki Saito" ON AIR | アニメ「ガールズバンドクライ」公式サイト [On Air|Anime "Girls Band Cry" Official Site]. girls-band-cry.com (in Japanese). Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ Hanada, Jukki [@oitan125] (June 20, 2024). オリジナルのテレビアニメには、当然、原作本がないわけです。原作本を売って制作費回収も、配信会社にこーんなに売れてる原作のアニメ化です! って売り込みも出来ないわけです。よって先に無料でテレビ放映して後の売上に期待。というややイカれた戦略で、きっと盛り上がるよ、盛り上がってくれ、と祈りながら商品を用意して挑むことも少なくありません。当然、最初から二期だ映画だ決まっているようなこともないわけです。わかりますね。よろしくお願いします! #ガルクラ (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter.
- ^ @girlsbandcry (June 29, 2024). TVアニメ「ガールズバンドクライ」
全13話をご視聴いただいた皆様、ありがとうございました🎸
今後も展開は続いていきますので、
引き続き「ガールズバンドクライ」と「トゲナシトゲアリ」の応援よろしくお願いします!🔥 (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter. - ^ Loo, Egan (July 12, 2024). "Girls Band Cry Cast Members Mirei, Natsu Go on Hiatus Due to Health". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Official Togenashi Togeari website at Universal Music Japan (in Japanese)
- Official anime website (in Japanese)
- Girls Band Cry (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia