~*IX*~
It has been a while since my last entry.
Instead of the usual format I usually follow, this time I like to try something new; hope y’all like it.
Disclaimer: at the time of the writing of this article, the series currently has 2 seasons that have finished airing. This article will, however, only cover Season 1.
What is “BanG Dream!” ??
BanG Dream! is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Bushiroad, focusing initially on the fictional band “Poppin’ Party“, expanding later to include even more bands into the franchise.
“BanG Dream!” is a stylized form of the actual name of the series – “Girl Band Dream!”.
The “G” of “Girl” is taken and put in placed of the “d” in “Band”.
It’s, however, more commonly known among the fanbase as Bandori.
Another stylized version taking after the Japanese pronunciation for “Band” (pron “Bando”) and “Dream” (pron “Dorimu”)
The first manga began publishing in early January 2015 – BanG Dream!: Star Beat.
It was followed by two more in 2016, and in January 2017 an anime adaptation produced by Xebec began airing.
Later that very year in 2017, a smartphone rhythm game for iOS and Android got released, take after the same name as the series itself – “BanG Dream! Girls Band Party!“
Due to the immense popularity of the game, an English version got released roughly a year later.
With the release of the smartphone game, four more new bands were introduced into the franchise alongside “Poppin’ Party“.
Namely:
- “Roselia”
- “Afterglow”
- “Pastel*Palettes”
- “Hello, Happy World!”
These bands would later come to play a key role in the storyline of the anime’s second season.
The hallmark of the franchise is seeing the 25 girls from the 5 different bands go through different trials and tribulations of what it means to be in a band.
What is in the “BanG Dream!”: Anime S1 ??
The first season of the series focuses mainly on the formation of the band “Poppin’ Party” and development of the five girls that later help make up the main pillars of the band.
We start with the main character, Kasumi Toyama, seeking to rediscover the same sparkling, heart-pounding thrill that left a lasting impression on her. Despite trying out for a myriad of club activities at her new school, none of them felt right to her.
It was when she happened to come across a LIVE house and attended a live performance for the very first time, did she finally know what she needed to do to feel that “sparkling heart-pounding thrill” again.
She had found her calling.
Little did Kasumi know at the time, the path she decided to walk down required her to confront various hurdles. She would however along the way, come to make some new friends that would prove to not only be critical in the formation of the band, but in supporting her through turbulent times.
Being the bright, cheery and persistent girl Kasumi is, she did not have as much little trouble recruiting the initial members that would help her form her a Four-Man Band.
The challenge was when she had to find someone to fill in the last spot needed. Despite being the first friend Kasumi made in her new school, she had her reasons for not wanting to join.
While each girl did have their initial doubts of joining the band, Kasumi managed to convince every one of them to join her in her journey towards the “twinkling, heart-throbbing ardour”.
With all 5 girls finally together, “Poppin’ Party” was finally founded, compromising of:
- Toyama Kasumi (戸山 香澄) – The Lead Vocalist and Rhythm Guitarist.
The eternal optimist whose cheerfulness is as contagious as her love of music
- Ichigaya Arisa (市ヶ谷 有咲) – The Keyboardist.
A snarky and easily-flustered introvert who spends most of her time at home, where her family runs a pawnshop.
Despite claiming that she was dragged into “Poppin’ Party” against her will, she doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to leave.
- Ushigome “Rimi-rin” Rimi (牛込 りみ) – The Bassist.
A shy and reserved girl who wants to become a more confident person.
Kasumi’s overwhelming confidence inspired her to want to take a step forward too, to become a bolder person.
- Hanazono Tae (花園 たえ) – The Lead Guitarist.
A music lover who lives with her parents and her 20 rabbits, one of whom she refers to as her “boyfriend.”
She is somewhat of an airhead who tends to say bizarre or shocking things with a straight face.
Despite being skeptical of the band, Kasumi’s passion convinced her otherwise.
- Yamabuki Saaya (山吹 沙綾) – The Drummer.
The Older sister figure in the band, with a gentle and kind heart.
Despite having quit music due to her worries over her family, Kasumi managed to reignite her love of music and convinced her to join the band with her family’s blessing.
With the band finally being founded, they started moving towards their goal of being able to perform at the very place that gave all of them the hope and love of playing in a band.
Being the pillars supporting the band and each other, well~
Let’s say our girls managed to not only stand upon a sparkling stage, but one built by them.
The rest is all history~
Why it works ??
Before the airing of the first episode back in 2017, personally to me the two biggest “girl group” series out there was “THE iDOLM@STER” and “Love Live!“.
Bandori helped injected new life into the term “girl group”, where instead of it being girl idol’s singing and dancing to songs, we instead now have girls playing instruments and performing in a band. This made it unique and helped make it stand out from the crowd.
Unlike other series where the voice actors/actresses, also known as seiyuu’s, are not able to mimic what their characters can do in the series, the voice actresses of “Poppin’ Party” and “Roselia” are all capable of playing the same instruments as their characters and do so in live concerts. Despite some of them initially being unable to play the instruments they play now, they poured in hours of time and dedication to master the craft as they wanted to be one with the character they’ve been given the role of. It’s this dedication the seiyuu’s have for their job that helps garner the love and support from their fans.
Why should you watch it ??
Bandori offers a new way one can view what a “girl group” is. It breaks out of the old stereotype shell the term has and can shine and sparkle on its own.
While it does offer the typical slice-of-life approach to character development, that helps in forming the rails needed for our story to drive forward. It shows just how human every character is, and how even in an animated world not everything is as easy and perfect as it seems.
If not for its unique approach to the definition of what a “girl group” should be, it definitely at least has to be for the music. “Bandori” offers a nice refreshing restart to what AniSongs can consist of; instead of the standard classic J-pop, it can also contain traces of Rock as well.
In Summary~
If you want to watch something that’s about music, but is not about (school) idols, and offers both something new in story plot and drive; why not give this a shot~
~Phisayth's WorldView~" 
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