2024 spring | Episodes: 13 | Score: 8.4 (42490)
Updated every Saturdays at 00:30 | Status: Finished Airing
Type: TV
Producers:agehasprings
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Anime Digital Network | Aniplus TV
Synopsis
Everyone yearns to find their true purpose in life. This is also true for Nina Iseri, a 17-year-old girl looking to enroll in a good university, but the world always seems to work against her. On her very first day in Tokyo, she gets lost, ignored, and locked out of her new apartment. However, an unexpected opportunity arises when Nina meets Momoka Kawaragi, one of her favorite guitarists. After Nina joins Momoka for a street performance, Momoka decides they should start a band together. While Nina initially hesitates, her determination grows as they start acquiring more bandmates—the beautiful drummer Subaru Awa, the aloof keyboardist Tomo Ebizuka, and the intelligent bassist Rupa. The five girls face challenges both in the music industry and within themselves, but their shared passion for music never lets them give up on their dreams. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Voice Actors
Mirei
Natsu
Rina
Yuuri
Shuri
News
09/13/2024, 04:08 PM
A two-part compilation movie for the Girls Band Cry anime series was announced at the Togenashi Togeari 2nd One-Man Live "Rinne no Kotowari" concert on Fr...
![Spring 2024 Simulcast List [Update 6/10]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.myanimelist.net%2Fs%2Fcommon%2Fuploaded_files%2F1712349603-de0bff9507bc2bcd5c3441bb68454450.jpeg%3Fs%3D56518ce08e7977d6fc72fa83d8c5d3b0&w=640&q=75)
04/05/2024, 01:40 PM
In this thread, you'll find a comprehensive list of television anime acquired for simulcast release during the Spring 2024 season. Anime series licensed for hom...
03/29/2024, 10:02 AM
In this thread, you'll find a comprehensive list of Spring 2024 titles with an accompanying promotional video, commercial, teaser, or trailer. This post will be...
05/29/2023, 11:37 AM
The official website of Toei Animation's Girls Band Cry original anime revealed the cast, staff, key visual (pictured), and two music videos by the Togenashi To...
04/23/2023, 08:43 PM
Toei Animation opened an official website for an original anime titled Girls Band Cry on Monday. The website also released a teaser visual (pictured) with the catchp...
Reviews
MidniteAndBeyond
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Watching this show and the Shiny Colors anime back to back is like stinkin night and day! This is without question the greatest 3D animated anime I've ever seen in my life. It gave me so much hope for this style of animation to become more mainstream in the future. There was not a SECOND of stiff expressions or still, sluggish movement in this entire show! EVERYTHING is in constant motion and feels so alive and vibrant in ways that I never even thought were possible in 3D anime! Any sort of limitations or restrictions I thought the technology had was justcompletely shattered by this show. And it even sprinkles in 2D animation with its opening and in various flashbacks within the show that look equally as amazing! It's one of the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous pieces of art I've ever seen in my life. You absolutely should watch it, if only to see and acknowledge it for the incomparable work of art that it is. And not just with the visuals! The sound design is amazing, too! Not just with the songs that the characters perform, but also with the background music that accompany and perform alongside every scene and fit perfectly with the emotion of every spoken word throughout every single episode. If you for whatever reason are someone who tends to avoid "idol shows" or musicals, ~~skill issue~~ I highly encourage you to give this one a shot. It truly surprised me and gave me so many more things about the anime medium as a whole to be appreciative of. This show has also been long sought after since its taken so long to finally hit streaming services over here. Please support it now that its finally available for legal streaming. We need to see more shows like this. It's truly a game changer and I cannot wait to see what works of art will spawn in the future as a result of this one's influence. 9.5/10
lycoping
This is one of those anime of which I will have much to say, so, buckle in, I guess. This anime is a spiritual sibling to "Bocchi the Rock", and yet it couldn't be more different. "Bocchi" is kind of a gag anime that happens to have a story - which is, I guess, somewhat understandable considering its origination as a 4-koma manga. "Girls Band Cry" is an original anime, and doesn't have any of that baggage coming from source material, so it is free to be what it is. I loved Bocchi and I considered her story to be inspiring and attimes emotional, but other than being about the formation of a girl rock band, it has very little in common beyond the atmosphere, which both seem to share to some degree. Maybe that just has something to do with rock being a bit grungy, by nature. And what it is, is a story about coming of age, about self-actualization, about finding comfort in the most unlikely of friends as five girls who are very much unlike each other form a band and try to make it to the top. While there are some very funny moments in this anime, this is not a comedy. This is a drama. There is a lot of emotion, a lot of crying, a lot of confrontation (the number of times they have a loud confrontation smack in the middle of a public place is somewhat beyond belief). But at the end of the day, there is no character that escapes the "coming of age" that this anime, at its core, is about. And the characters... wow, the characters. They come alive. It's almost like they're real people, that's how well written they are. Nina is an annoying "Morality monster" with a strong sense of justice that has gotten her in a whole heap of trouble, Momoka is a guitarist who left her previous band just as they were on the cusp of going pro, Subaru is a high school drummer who Nina didn't get along with at first, Rupa and Tomo are friends who have their own story.. So much care is taken with the characters that they just come alive, and it's amazing. I have never seen a character with Rupa's name, by the way. And as they bumble through forming a band, you start to think they're real, and that's what makes this an amazing anime, and worthy of a high rating. There is some controversy about the animation, and I think it's warranted, because they used 3D animation all the way through, which is pretty unique. And they did it well. My complaints about the animation have nothing at all to do with the fact, itself, that it's 3D, my complaints have to do with the fact that they did *exactly* what almost every other 3D animated show/movie does - and that's using overexaggerated movements. If you've ever seen a Disney/Pixar movie, you'll know what I'm talking about. Sometimes their movements are fluid and natural, and those are impressive. Other times they're pretty much hamming for the "camera", and that is so amazingly annoying I can't even describe it. They *almost* had it. *Almost* had a beautiful anime with animation that would have been almost impossible for any other 2D studio to match, and they blew it. That's so disappointing. The music is really good, the OP is unironically good, and that's not the most common of things. It has some really weird rhythms that work really well. All the insert songs are pretty good, and I'd say that they took a lot of care to get that right. Though the instrument animation isn't really all that great, especially the keyboard animation. I know that's difficult, but they took so much care with everything else, that's just a mite bit annoying too. In summary, it's a high quality anime with well written characters, great animation, and great music, that somehow manages to just fall short on the animation, and given how much care they obviously put into it, that's a disappointing and borderline unforgivable self-own. Recommend from me, strong recommend, actually, but don't be surprised if it doesn't really blow your socks off.
Tacsk0
I spoiler-free don't recommend watching Girls Band Cry (GBC), for two main reasons: 1. It's the kind of story you'll either hate (because of the 3D-CGI animation or how unreasonably unsufferable the MC is or any misc. reason) or you'll fall for the experience right away and become addicted. If you'd hate it, why watch it? If you become addicted, you'll waste your life by re-re-watching it and searching for or creating fanart and buying merch - in stark contrast to what the series' theme song says! 2., Girls Band Cry is like the cursed apple tree standing in the middle of the Garden of Eden. Eatfrom it, says the snake and your eyes will open, suddenly seeing the whole television anime industry is naked... 99% of seasonal produce are always poorly drawn partial animation at a mere 7-13 fps and giving "hand-made 2D" look a bad name. For bonus, there are uninspired and uninteresting plotlines and pro seiyuu who cater to assumed "high-pitched loli maid" expectations of the otaku, rather than expressing anything meaningful. GBC entered such a market, shining with 30fps of often motion-captured but always expressive and continously fluid 3D-CGI animation. (Nota bene: as much as possible within sub-Hollywood budget allocated to a freely broadcast original TV show lacking LN / manga source support.) Yet script-writing and episode directing are stellar for both comedy and drama, music hits are memorable, non-music hits also... Main characters have personality, strong presence and very real emotion, even though the show uses no seiyuu, per se. All five members of Togenashi Togeari are voiced by teenage rock musician girls, whom Studio Toei and Universal Japan label recruited to form a real-life band and gave them a crash course in voice acting for anime - based on the reasoning talented musicians have good ears so they'll quickly get the hang of it. The producer was right: Nina's and Momoka's VAs are super talented, even star-crossed and Subaru sounds refreshingly realistic, they are easily par for their beautiful visuals. You've found your angels, even if they are fallen ones with just cardboard wings... After you've witnessed all those miracles, you get expelled from Paradise: post-GBC the japanese animation industry still continues to roll out the same garbage as before, this past summer, this autumn, coming winter season. With your newly opened eyes it becomes gruelling labour to watch the poorly drawn partial animation, the mockery of hand-made 2D style and digest the soulless and all-around juvenile and/or cynical plotlines, while listening to seiyuu who try to sound like chipmunks. You may even give up on anime or at least be unable to (re)watch anything you haven't seen and accepted pre-GBC! Is it worth discarding your whole anime baggage for the sake of a singular show projected from Paradise? It's not a trivial decision, but a surprisingly large number of japanese otaku voted YES enthusiastically (and many foreign fans as well, even though GBC wasn't legally available for them until August and not conveniently available until Nov 2024. Fansubs ranged from evil-memed MTL to highly controversial regarding a crucial scene). More than half a year later GBC disc sales are still crazy high and TogeToge live shows are 25x overbooked. Even the famous BanGDream / MyGO franchise went to GBC for a collab, which helped them through difficulties of delayed game development. Maybe, maybe the industry will see the light and begin to change - but in the meanwhile you'd lose 3 to 5 years of anime enjoyment. Decide for yourself whether it's worth it!?
SleepingDragon01
In the premise that this is a music anime, this definitely is good as the songs and how they present the song is done well and was made purposely to please the viewers eyes. Onto the character side, the MC's personality is definitely something that pisses me off, typical DIVA in the making and though I appreciate that somehow there was an improvement somewhere episode 10 onwards, MC already ruined my viewing experience so much so that I can already say that I hate her. If they do plan on making a sequel I do hope that they change her personality or focus more on theother bandmates. Story side, plot is a little cliché, country girl trying to make it in the big city, meets supporting characters and proceed with their goals. One thing that I like is the responses of each character to another. It became a little bit more realistic especially at the end part. Definitely would have been an easy 9 or 10 if MC was not made to be like that.
Cluffyyyy
Each band member has a unique background and motivation, which adds depth to the story. The dynamics between the characters are rich and realistic, illustrating their struggles not only as musicians but also as individuals trying to find their place in the world. This anime does not glorify the lives of young musicians but instead portrays their challenges and difficulties. From financial hardships to internal conflicts within the band, everything is depicted realistically and with empathy. As a music-focused anime, *Girls Band Cry* features a strong and diverse soundtrack. The songs performed by the band reflect the characters' emotions and development, enhancing the story's depth. ToeiAnimation delivers high-quality 3D animation, showcasing detailed character expressions, beautiful backgrounds, and well-executed musical performance animations. The anime explores themes such as friendship, personal struggles, and the search for identity. Each episode draws the audience closer to the characters, fostering a connection and investment in their journey. However, viewers familiar with other anime about bands or music may find some story elements familiar or less innovative. While the execution is strong, there aren’t many truly new or surprising elements in the narrative. These types of anime tend to emphasize the dramatic and emotional aspects of the character's lives, which may lead some viewers to feel that the focus on melancholic themes makes the atmosphere overly heavy.
Tinyninja713
This is the first anime I’ve seen that was able to push the medium of animation forward in so long. It’s unbelievable how groundbreaking and innovative it is for not only the girl band sub-genre of anime, but slice of life/drama anime as a whole. Toei animation is a long running legendary studio and boy they showed their experience here. Probably the biggest thing being the 3D animation and expressive character animation and facial expressions. THIS, I LIVE FOR THIS.IT FUELS MY SOUL. THIS is the biggest thing that makes girls band cry special. It’s so UNBELIVEBLED detailed. It makes every scene feel so realand alive. And how each character is animated synergies and reflects each character unique personality so perfectly. The characters man….THEY ARE ALL SO GOATED I LOVE THEM ALLLL. Nina is just the best silly chaotic and naïve gremlin but she grows a lot and learns a lot from everyone else in the band. She’s just so Nina and I love it. Momoka is just the best. I honestly can’t even put to words how incredible she is. She struggles to express her true feelings and seeing her overcome is just incredible. She can be cute and cool and vulnerable and I love every side of her. Then when Nina and Momoka are TOGETHER, ohhh my GOODD MAGIICCCCC. Possibly my favorite thing about this series is the character drama cause IT’S SOO FREAKING GOOD. Nina and Momoka’s fights are THE PINNACLE of that. I love when characters have friction and disagree with each at first so when they do get along more later it feels earned. Also my god, a lot of the time I was like “damn they REALLY like each other” and “they kind of of fight like their married” but at the same time I was like “It’s probably nothing I’m sure they aren’t a thing (they’re just roommates type energy)”. Then they dropped the motherload and I was FLABBERGASTED where they went with that. Anyhoo, I ship them and love them. Subaru is also incredible, acting as the glue that holds the band together and she’s so cute and perceptive. Tomo and Rupa are also such a great duo and I love how emotionally supportive Rupa is for Tomo, they’re just so wholesome together. Also everyone’s fashion and drip is SO FREAKING GOOD AAAAAA. Momoka in red flannel makes my neurons fire like crazy. The performances are also nothing I’ve ever seen before in anime. Hands down the best animated music performances I’ve ever seen. The energy is just SO RAW AND HYPE. You can FEEL the passion in the air and be injected into your eyeballs. The music is also really good too. It’s seriously next level stuff. Another thing I liked is how realistic things are (relatively). It provides some nice insight on the harsh reality of how tough the music world is and I really like that. I could talk for days, but the amount of dopamine this show has given me is absurd. It actually takes me like 1-1.5 hours to watch a single episode cause I keep rewinding to pay attention to every small detail. It's also super funny and has so many great comedic bits. You tell that the team at Toei really just poured their heart and soul into this entire series. My favorite slice of life anime of all time easily and obviously the best band/music anime I’ve seen. I’m telling y'all, k-on crawled so Bochi could walk so Girls Band Cry could sprint so fast it can travel on water.
baragon_enjoyer
messy, beautiful i uh, really loved this show anime has a way of being so earnest and, hm, no, what i mean to actually say is i wish i could bare my soul to this extent, just be so earnest and vulnerable that it feels utterly embarrassing to witness. but if i'm being honest i cant. i'm a shadow of a person, turn the light on and i disappear. my every rotted bridge, all neglected away into nothing, even the slightest possibility of intimacy and closeness, no, it petrifies me. i let all my chances of deepening friendships slip by me, left as a glancing, yet fatal blowon any relationship like an iceberg scraping the titanic. alone by choice? weird way to describe fucked brain chemistry and circumstance, but i can't dispute it. if you fail it means you never should have tried. you should see how red my face is right now. fade everyone into a light acquaintance until they move on. never really there, flighty, anxious, too terrified of human connection to really open up to anybody. nothing but lightly pleasant and frustratingly noncommittal to everyone, moving at a coward's pace, unfocus the lens and you won't have to see anything anymore, quicker that way i can't even imagine how it would feel to be so disgustingly free, just all feathers and fire like that. you'd think for an industry bent specifically to manufacturing commodified sincerity to sell to teenagers, that they'd somehow come by it a little less easily. when genuine storytelling is codified in such a way as the way to tell your product's story, what speaks genuine about that? art as genre as mad libs, fill in the blanks, paint by numbers, give me the premise and i can probably tell you how it ends, lets kill god, lets nebulously choose free will and uncertainty over an unfeeling stability. if i melt my skin into yours can we understand each other? if my blood runs through your body will that make us feel any less alone have you read that old sci-fi book yet you probably should its pretty good except for the parts where its comically, outrageously racist and sexist, but its where your favorite show got all their ideas from and its still a surprisingly easy read today if we can make it to the Budokan, maybe the stars will start reflecting in your eyes again, that's what everyone says anyway. turn the music up and let it all come pouring out everything is someone's first time somewhere, that's what makes it so special, its a miracle anything good gets made at all, flowers growing through cracks in the concrete i guess, i can tolerate a little cliché if you smash through my ribs and tear out my heart with it. god bless the people who aren't "well-read" in anything, they get to experience love for the first time again. i was terrified of even resisting one day we'll look back and see the ruin we dragged ourselves out of, and on that day i hope you'd have found someplace you can truly belong and be at peace every time i watch one of these prescriptively life-affirming anime meant to encourage teenagers to follow their hopes and dreams, i always feel encouraged to cultivate and nurture my own relationships in my life, but i almost immediately come to the crashing event horizon that i discarded some of my closest ones willingly, and the rest withered with them. "i abandon here a part of the flesh of my body." over and over again until there's nothing left, just a stain on the wall, when the alternative is nursing increasing masses of necrotic tissue, it almost sounds like the sane thing to do. "you don't understand me at all," i understand you're a disgusting person, and i hope i never see you again in this life or the next fuck you. i still miss you so, so much, you absolute piece of shit. fuck you. eventually the question of whether it was the right or wrong thing to do fades away like everything else and all you're left with is whether you regret it or not. when i crawl out of this pit i threw myself into i can tell you where i eventually ended up at i want to make things, i want to live a life worth living, i want to be a person worth loving, i want to be a person loved, i also just want to lie on the floor forever and feel nothing, i also want to lie on the floor forever and just fucking seethe, wow, multitudes. clench my teeth until they crack open and choke on my own blood, my dentist is going to scold the shit out of me next time i see her Where were you twenty years ago? Ten years ago? Where were you when I was new? the joy of art and others is that they're able to get past the sandblasted wasteland of that emotionally blunted hellscape you call a heart and bring that passion bubbling back to the surface like breaching magma, spikes and valleys. i haven't cried since 2017, but on rare moments i feel close, and i think in those moments, i'm happiest. distant figures on the moon, the bright tone of a butterscotch telecaster, feels nostalgic. the joy of art and others is that the only thing that truly matters is who you are when you bring yourself to them. maybe the best art, the best people, are the kind that can change who you are when you're exposed to them. never forget, you're a canvas too: messy and beautiful.
eggrollSource
Girls Band Cry is the best girls band anime I've ever seen. No, correction: the best anime I've ever seen, period. If you let the fact it's 3D dissuade you, you're missing out big time. Girls Band Cry is outstandingly well animated, written, and a pure joy to watch. On the topic of animation, the characters more expressive and detailed in 3D than they could ever be in 2D. From dynamic music performances to casual conversation scenes, they're nothing like the stiff, glassy dolls you may know from D4DJ or BanG Dream. I actually found myself realizing how underwhelming 2D can be after watching GBC. The storyis refreshing. For the most part, it avoids overdone tropes in the music/slice of life genre by excluding the characters from a typical school environment. The story also strikes a wonderful balance between drama and comedy, never getting to heavy handed or losing focus. There's also basically no filler, each episode contributing to the overall story in some meaningful way. Characters, especially our protagonist Nina and guitarist Momoka, have real depth and relatability, but not in the memeable "literally me" Bocchi sense. Her story and those of her bandmates unfold at a natural pace, avoiding the typical "1-episode-per-character-arc" writing style that plagues slice of life anime. The ending of an anime can make or break it, and I'm glad to say Girls Band Cry's ending is pretty good. Many lingering questions are answered and we get to see how our cast of 3D girls have grown. That said, while the ending is satisfying, its not super "conclude-y." Season 2? Who knows. But just because I say Girls Band Cry is my favorite anime to date doesn't mean its without fault. To avoid spoilers, I'll say that some characters leave some development to be desired. They're introduced (in my opinion) too late into the story and I feel the writers are forced to gloss over their backstories. Also, this is a bit of an aside, but I feel the musical styles of Togenashi Togeari (the main band) and Diamond Dust (the rival band) are a bit backwards. Diamond Dust is shown to be an idol-like group, but their music is more "rock." TogeToge, to my ear, leans toward a J-pop sound, despite having an edgier aesthetic. That said, the music is okay overall. Not my vibe, but that's my opinion and it doesn't change what I think about the anime. In conclusion: watch Girls Band Cry. Or don't. But you should.
jai_es
The 'girls making music' genre has been getting pretty saturated, and going in I felt like it wouldn't have anything new to add. I was surprised, however, to find an incredible Anime with massive depth, maturity and jaw-dropping visuals. Writing 9/10: (very mild spoilers, no plot details) There is genuinely intriguing and intricate character drama going on in this show, including lovable and hateable characters that struggle like real people. I see a lot of talk about how annoying the characters can be, especially the lead Nina, but I actually found this to be a breath of fresh air, and makes for a fascinating protagonist. She's asheltered kid who struggles with insecurity, anger issues, and forces her ideologies onto other characters, but through this lens there is a very sobering and genuine growth. It would be one thing if the characters were annoying or troublesome without purpose, but the writing is executed with clear intent and maturity. Just in it's 13 episode runtime, it explores a lot of different themes: learning to love yourself, accepting change, rejecting cowardice, revenge, parental roles, independence, creative growth, and probably a lot more I can't intelligently analyze. All of these themes are explored with maturity and fantastic character writing, something that really surprised me when getting into this show. If there is one thing I could complain about, it would be that the pacing was a bit fast over-all, and it barely scratches the surface of actually being in a band and making music. Also, the whole "rock" and "rawness" thing is a bit silly considering their sound is pretty mainstream J-rock stuff, but maybe I'm just an elitist. (its good tho) Characters 9/10: The two main leads, Momoka and Nina are simply captivating to follow. Momoka desires Nina's singing, and Nina desires her music, but they aren't compatible. The way they see each other defies expectation. Their relationship is a constant rollercoaster, and that push and pull is a work of art in itself. Subaru is the one character in the show I feel is truly likeable at her core, and she's simply iconic, I love her. She serves as the balance to the volatile dichotomy of the two leads, as well as the comic relief. The two characters who end up being bandmates also add an interesting dynamic to the show, although I wish they had more development. The three main girls, Nina, Momoka and Subaru, are one of my favorite casts to be put to screen in a very long time. I really want to see them continue their story; 13 episodes was not enough. Art 9/10: Some of the most emotive, creative, and beautiful CGI-2D hybrid art I've ever seen. It's so good it almost transcends 2D animation at some points, for me. The amount of nuance in the facial expressions, the intricate and diverse mannerisms of the characters, the slapstick comedy moments, they squeezed every last drop they could from the CGI backbone of the show and it WORKS SO WELL. There are some brief sections with just 2D art that don't look very good, but it's overshadowed by the incredible CGI character animation/dramatic direction. There is also a great use of effects, especially the visual motif of the red and black sparks coming off of Nina in certain scenes, that are incredibly memorable and emotionally effective. The directing consistently proves how much love they had for this show, it just oozes with personality and detail. Music 8/10: I'm very glad that the song driving the entire plot is actually a banger; I think it would have been silly if a mid song changed Nina's life and set this whole story off to begin with. I love that Nina's VA is actually doing the singing, especially since it's a driving conflict in the show. I also love the music video style insert songs throughout the Anime, great visuals and outfits. Other than that, I don't think all the music is peak or anything, but it's not bad in the slightest. The actual OST of the anime itself, not the band music, was just fine. In some parts it sounded a bit cheap or emotionally ineffective, but it never bothered me too much. Again, this anime excels in it's character drama, the music is mostly a vehicle to deliver the themes of the show. CONCLUSION/TLDR: This anime blew me away. It isn't a masterpiece by any means, but as a 'girls making music' anime, it's probably the best written I have ever seen. Almost no fan-service or tropes, it relies completely on the characters and the plot, which has a very unpretentious, genuine, mature quality to it. The main character, Nina, is refreshingly broken and difficult to deal with, and this dynamic leads to fantastic depth, conflict and potential growth. It has some of the most emotive and well-performed CGI I have ever seen, borderline exceeding 2D animation for some of the emotional moments. While 'Bocchi the Rock' excels in it's music, animation and comedy, for me, I will always prefer genuine or even uncomfortable drama and complex characters over just pure fun, which this anime delivers excellently. It is an absolute shame this anime didn't get licensed, because it now has less eyes and ears to enjoy it. Even though it's gaining a strong cult following outside of Japan, I fear that it won't be enough for a second season. But I still plan to buy Blu-Rays, push for localization, and support them to show we care. Please, do the same! tl;dr tl;dr - it is absolutely worth watching, and gets better with each episode. 9/10 - Amazing show. Use NakayubiSubs for fan-translation please! Thanks.
SanaeK10
We're two for two for the unusually specific genre of "Disgraced former idol finds new life through a bunch of amateurs looking to make a name for themselves complete with a twintailed antagonist who is the vocalist of the former idol's group" in this season. Although, despite its superficial similarities, Girls Band Cry and Yorukura have different focuses and priorities, with GBC more focused on Nina's personal drama, and her outlook on her choices that took her there. You follow through Nina's journey with TogeToge all the way through the finale, whilst unravelling Nina's backstory on why she became a victim of bullying, and how shecame to love the original iteration of Diamond Dust. It's a simple story told exceptionally well with masterful directing. The drama doesn't become too overbearing, and the characters have a rawness to them that is refreshing coming from the past decade or so of idol/band anime. All this is accentuated by the exceptional animation quality. I wasn't initially onboard this after looking at the trailers, as years of mediocre anime has made me biased against all 3D animation. It does take several weeks to get used to, but I can honestly say that GBC has some of the best animation I have ever seen this whole year, 3D or otherwise. One of the reasons why is that it's not trying to emulate the look of a 2D anime, but rather it's trying to do it's own thing. The animations are expressive and the frame-rate is higher than your typical anime, allowing for very smooth motion that you just don't see in a typical 2D show. Combined with great direction and pacing, the show looks natural and is a league above most other attempts at a 3D anime. If there is one nitpick, it's that the ending does feel rushed, and it's one of those shows that really needs an OVA epilogue to really wrap things up nicely. I also do wish Tomo and Rupa had more screentime, though them having any screentime at all is appreciated given that the crux of the show is Nina and Momoka. Girls Band Cry is a pleasant surprise. One that I did not see coming from the director + writer combo from Love Live Sunshine. But maybe, when given room to experiment and do something risky, some creators do excel in providing an unforgettable experience. 8/10
MarlsMarsBars
The Spring 2024 season is the season for original anime. Spring 2024 is also the season for music anime. Spring 2024 is the season for Girls Band Cry, an original music-centric anime that really needs more attention. It really seems like after the massive success of recent anime like Bocchi the Rock and Oshi no Ko, the Japanese entertainment industry has been capitalizing on that hype by giving us original TV anime like Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night, and now Girls Band Cry. This anime revolves around Nina Iseri, Subaru Awa, Momoka Kawaragi, Rupa, and Tomo Ebizuka as we follow the hardships and strugglesthey face while forming the band Togenashi Togeari. Girls Band Cry, at its core, is a drama series that just so happens to have music in it, which is a far cry from other anime in this genre, and, for the most part, works really well. The writing in this show is much more grounded than other entries in the music category of anime, especially when the majority of the thirteen episodes of this series are solely focused on the individual characterization of each Togenashi Togeari member. Whether it be through flashbacks or character dynamics, the character writing has been top notch in Girls Band Cry and the show gives each band member a considerable amount of screen time for us to get to know them, understand the internal pains they deal with on a daily basis, and giving us great character interactions with one another that add more emotional depth to this anime. To further extend how well the characters are written, many of the hardships they all deal with both collectively as a band and individually are brilliantly reflected through the songs. The website I watched Girls Band Cry on had subtitles on for the songs, which is something rare for music anime for some reason, however it is much needed here because both the lyrics and the rest of the composition of the songs serve as a way for the characters to vent their emotions into their tracks, which makes many of Togenashi Togeari’s songs filled with passion and heart. Each live performance by this show’s main band also serves as a culmination of the drama and tension present throughout the series which is further elevated by how good each of these particular scenes look. Speaking of, the animation in this show, in my opinion, is perfect. Girls Band Cry employs the use of 3D CGI, and although I was a bit skeptical in this department at first, overtime I grew to love how this show visually conveys its narratives. All of the live performances are animated beautifully and fully utilize the 3D CGI aspects of this show to its strengths to visually convey and enhance the emotions flowing through all of the character’s performances in the songs. The only gripe that I have with this anime is the same issue that unfortunately plagued Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night, with that being the pacing, especially in regards to the finale. I don’t know if this is gonna be a running trend for the Spring 2024 seasonal slate, but many of the finales for the shows airing this season are rushed to all hell, and Girls Band Cry is no exception. I’m not quite sure how or why it’s been this way for several anime in this seasonal slate, but the finale for Girls Band Cry felt like it speed-ran through like three different plotlines, which left the ending feeling very abrupt. This doesn’t hinder this show that much since 99% of the important narrative meat has been covered by the time the finale comes around, and it ultimately didn’t bother me that much personally since I viewed it as more of a side plot more than anything else. The finale’s pacing also doesn’t stop Girls Band Cry from being a really good anime overall. Even with the rushed ending, Girls Band Cry is my pick for anime of the season, and I say that pretty confidently, even factoring in the issues with this show. Unfortunately, this anime will most likely fade into obscurity as time passes, but hopefully more people will check this show out, especially if you love musical anime.
Mr_Popepo
Girls Band Cry is the perfect package to push 3d animation to the masses in a digestible way. We have a beautiful blend of 2d and 3d animation and a perfect medium to showcase it, band orientated choreography which is a nightmare for hand drawn animation. An anime original with a dedicated production value with zero drop in quality throughout the entire season. A very honest interpretation of the risk indie bands/musicians take when they dedicate themselves to their craft with no safety-net, along with the potential drama and internal struggles one might face when pursuing said path. The MC is the personification of this in it'spurist form, who sticks to their morals and doesn't waver. When everyone else in the field faces the hardship of reality, and are "forced" to settle, she refuses. That inner childish dreamer that everyone once was when they pursued this career and those around her just can't help but root for her, even her competitors because deep down they want to see them succeed as well, which sometimes can come off as a bit annoying but it doesn't in this example due to the honest writing of her supporting cast members. All in all an amazing anime original, with amazing moments and stunning visuals.
whiteflame55
I went into this series with some substantial expectations since I picked it up mid-season and had already seen some of the great CGI animation and solid music videos. That alone would have been enough: a group of young girls producing some great music was an easy draw. But it's been done before. Even this season, there's Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night which aired this season as well and started off so strong (though it fell off for me in later episodes), so... can it even stand out? It can. And it does. Girls Band Cry goes further down into the personal level over its run,really delivering on a character level. Its songs were consistently great with fantastic choreography, singing and instrumentals. You can really tell that the talent behind the scenes is making a show out of this. At the start, I felt that these characters were all generally pretty surface level. The great and exaggerated animations actually made this perception worse, since especially Nina seemed like a powder keg with a lot of pent up emotions that seemed to explode randomly. What I didn't expect was for the show to become more than the sum of its parts. There's a sense of camaraderie and support here that feels real, with the girls fighting almost as much as they work together and making mistakes everywhere. It doesn't feel like anything is ever fully resolved, so you can't encapsulate much of this to a single episode or arc. What elevates the series beyond these elements is a narrative that really tests these characters and their individual resolves. In particular, Nina, Momoka and Tomo have to face the demons of their respective pasts in order to move forward together, and it never feels like they do it alone. We often become mired in our individual struggles, but in friends and family, we find people who can help us navigate a path forward. There isn’t a sense that they leave their issues behind them – Nina and Momoka especially carry their anxieties and insecurities with them throughout – but rather that they find a means to forge them into something useful. And that development makes for an ending that is very satisfying. You want these girls to succeed in their efforts just as badly as they do, but you also want them to be true to who they are. In some ways, they stand on principle, and while that seemed almost childish from the outset, there’s a sense by the ending that that’s what got them to this point. That is what makes them a success, more than any amount of popularity or accolades. It’s the kind of ending I was hoping to see with Jellyfish, but one that works all the better here. As for faults, while there aren’t many, I do have a few. Awa is a fun character and has her own personal issues with her grandmother, but they do feel resolved a little too easily and you never get a strong sense of just how much they weigh on her. I like her well enough, and her presence in the group is certainly justified, but her arc is one of the weaker parts of the series. Rupa is also a good time, but she’s also the only one of the five who doesn’t have an arc per se, or at least it doesn’t happen within this season. We know about her history, but she seems like a fully developed character from the outset, almost always acting as the adult in the room. If I had to give my biggest gripe, it’s that they strung out the reveals about Nina’s past for so long. I think episode 10 should have been the complete reveal instead of leaving crucial details all the way to the finale. I can see why they did it, but it didn’t seem necessary and it monkeyed weirdly with the pacing of that final episode. Overall, though it took a bit to really invest me in its early plot, the show did more than enough to drag me in with tis performances and keep me coming back for more week after week with its strong developing narrative and characters. And yes, it's a crying shame that this series didn't get picked up by any streaming service. Major mistake on their part that will cost this show the audience it rightly deserves.
BrettWatchesTV
Girls Band Cry is a charming music anime with a great focus on character writing and incredible CGI animation. We follow Nina, a high school dropout, who meets her favorite singer after recently leaving her own band and they miraculously forms a new band together. The character animation is easily the best I’ve ever seen in CGI and even gives traditional 2D animation some steep competition. Every character is so emotive and reactive with each of their expressions in a way that’s still what you’d expect from anime but takes the quality up another notch. Everything flows smoothly and the animation itself gives enough reason towatch this show in a character drama, or all things. That character drama is also really well done. Each character gets their moment to have their backstory explored and build on a theme of regrets and your past haunting you, but each taking their own unique spin on it. While one of the five band members did not get her own dedicated episode, each one had their time to at least understand what is going on behind the scenes in their life. They all behave and act in a different way that feels intuitive from the life they’ve led up to this point. These stories help them come together to form this band and embrace the underdog story of a new indie band trying to make their big break. Also, their interpersonal dynamics are wonderful; their quirkiness reverberates off each other endlessly for great comedy and more endearing moments. The music is all performed by the same band that voices the actual characters and the quality rings through. There’s at least four unique songs throughout the series that all bring really high energy rock that I had to instantly save on Spotify. The catchiest of them all is the opening. Overall, this show was an absolute delight. The main five girls are diverse and memorable. The show’s animation and music make everything you experience thoroughly satisfying. The season leaves off with a lot of things wrapped up but just a little bit of a feeling that things are hanging out unresolved. It’s hard to tell if that’s to leave room for hopes of another season or just a lack of time to close the season out. Either way, the journey was more important than the destination in this one and I say it’s a must watch for any music fans. People who don’t watch music would probably get a great starter show out of this or anyone who just wants a high quality character-driven show will find things to love here.
internetfemcel
Backed into a corner, the ropes cold against his back and every muscle burning, a boxer has no choice but to fight. He's down, but certainly not out. One of the underdogs of 2024's anime season, 'Girls Band Cry' is a story about a similar battle that hits every emotional weak point throughout its duration. It's a battle to prove your worth, and Nina Iseri has surprised us all by not admitting defeat, even in the fourth quarter. 'Girls Band Cry' is a show coming out of left field. Off the first episode alone, you're blown off your feet, instantly hooked on Nina's character and investedin her relationship to Momoka. It's a wonderful starting point that highlights all of this show's strong points: Beautiful 3D animation that's enhanced by the visuals accompanying it, strong character focused writing, and the spirit of rock. Each and every subsequent episode pushes these to their limits and beyond, highlighting feelings of truth to yourself and strength with others along with new, interesting plotlines to follow. It's almost hard to find the words to describe how almost nobody saw the popularity of this show coming. There are so many risks being taken here that have all paid off with larger returns than anything else this season. What started off with a response of 'What's that?' has now become 'I love that show', 'It's beautiful', and 'It saved me'. That's the mark of something special. This is absolutely the fault of 'Girls Band Cry' and its mass appeal. A story about a girl moving to a new city and starting college is something that almost everyone can see themselves reflected in. Many friends of mine, even those who I'd never expect to watch something like this, have told me that it's a new favorite, and it's clear as to why. Seeing the fans grow with this show was almost an experience in and of itself, each week seeing more acquaintances become invested in the wonderful world created by Kazuo Sakai and Jukki Hanada. It's safe to say they've outdone themselves here (Hanada-sama especially), as expected. We get such a new focus here on a cast and story that evolves what's become the norm for so long, tearing down many cliches of the genre it's apart of while elevating others to new heights. Momoka's struggles especially echo the typical anime band girl and yet manage to be so real and human which makes her character so delicious to dig your teeth into. For as much praise as this show could be showered in for all of time, there are some faults of the story worth mentioning. Some of these will likely be fixed in a subsequent season, but rating this show on its own is a must. The first, most glaring issue is the lack of a dedicated episode to flesh out Rupa. While a more pretentious me would say 'Rupa's character benefits from having most of her story shrouded in mystery', even the show's writers have come out and said they wish they could have done more with her. She's got a lot of moments scattered throughout the show that are amazing, but nothing that you can point to and say 'this was her moment' as the other characters do. Much of the show's writing depends on what you get out of Nina as a character, and for those who struggle to stomach her completely this might put them off. How you'd manage to hate Nina is beyond me, but.. people always manage to surprise. Finally, (mild spoiler warning) there's a few scenes that have describe suicidal ideation which are quite heavy in their emotional scale, so for viewers sensitive to this it's worth making you aware. Nina Iseri and Momoka Kawaragi's bond is something truly special. It's the northern lights above a moonlit sky, the sun setting at dusk; something you only get to observe once. Our main characters are bound by the fates of their lives, many strings pulling them each in different directions, yet always ending up in the same spot. I can't recommend this show enough. Watch it with your friends, watch it alone, watch with everyone you know. You'll understand that these thirteen episodes go by faster than you could ever imagine, and by the end, you'll understand that 'Girls Band Cry' is a show that will move you like no other, throwing in all the anger, joy, and sadness of life. Perfect for anyone, it will teach you to never back down, to fight for what's right, and most importantly, it'll teach you to take all the obstacles in your life and flip 'em off. It's perfection.
Canafa
Girls Band Cry is a real gem that came out of left field to dominate this season, even if it never got an official sub. It is a surprisingly nuanced story, and while it never again quite hit the highs that I expected from it after episode 8, it was consistently fantastic from beginning to end. To start off, yes; this show is CG. In past years, this alone would've been enough to have most anime fans turn up their noses at it. However, Studio Orange has in the recent past shown more and more that you can make a beautiful show with CG, and withthis offering Toei has blown even that out of the water. While there are the occasional animation error, the characters are so expressive, both in face and movement, and the backgrounds are so well done that it's entirely forgiveable. Additionally, there are tasteful drops of 2d animation throughout the series that are used brilliantly to emphasize certain aspects (like a flashback or a character you should notice.) Overall, one of the better looking animes I've watched! The music is also phenomenal, and the band has also released numerous songs outside of the show (as this is looking to be a multimedia project). If you have the chance, you should listen to their discography, as if you like the music in the show I can guarantee you'll like everything else they have to offer. Up next, the characters. Nina, the main character, can be grating at first. However, as the series goes on, and her backstory is fleshed out, it becomes more understandable, and she mellows out by around episode 8. The other characters are all supremely well done, and most get episodes unto themselves that really flesh out their backstories and characters. They're far from caricatures, each having a distinct personality, all of which end up being enjoyable both on their own and how they bounce off eachother. Finally, the story. While still fantastic, this is probably the weakest point of the show. At points it's among some of the best anime I've ever seen (particularly episodes 8 and 10), though at others it feels like it meanders a bit. I also feel like, though every episode resolved well, there are some which I felt would've been better if certain other story directions were taken rather than what was shown. Still a fantastic story overall, and much more consistent in quality and plot than its main competitors this season. Overall, I cannot really recommend this show enough. If I could I'd give it a 9.5; almost there, just with a few plotlines that wrap up in a way that's a bit weaker than what I could've hoped. Far and away my number 1 for the season, really hoping that it's officially localized in the near future!
Alisson07
Synopsis: Iseri Nina, 17, faces difficulties moving to Tokyo alone, but finds an opportunity when she meets her favorite guitarist, Momoka Kawaragi. Together, they form a band with three other girls, facing challenges in music and their personal lives. United by their passion for music, they persevere in pursuit of their dreams. Review: Plot / Narrative: 8.4/10 Girls Band Cry stands out from the beginning with an engaging approach to the musical universe. The story keeps the viewer's interest, skillfully using flashbacks to explore past events without being boring or uninteresting. The central idea of the plot is well-executed, showing care in its construction, demonstrating originality and cohesion fromstart to finish. The narrative goes beyond music and cute girls playing; it has enough depth to keep the audience interested in the personal dramas and challenges faced by the characters. Characters Charisma / Development: 8.5/10 The anime features characters with varied personalities, with the two most iconic being Nina and Momoka. Nina has an explosive temperament and is extremely honest, making her a very authentic character with great depth in her personality construction. Momoka is also excellently developed, with dreams and frustrations. Being slightly older than Nina, she has a more mature and serious tone in her choices and actions and is also calmer. The anime masterfully executes their personalities in interaction, with moments of misunderstandings, fights, and differences in ideals and future perspectives, adding layers of depth to the work and weight to the dramatic scenes. The other band members also have space for development, with their thoughts, ideals, and motivations explored well despite having less screen time. The anime leaves a comforting feeling, knowing they weren't forgotten. Art (Character Design, Settings, and Animation): 8.6/10 The animation is entirely done in CGI, which might seem strange to viewers not fond of this style, but it's something one can get used to easily. From a technical standpoint, the CGI is high quality. Though it doesn't reach the level of major Western productions, it offers top-notch animation within the standards of Eastern productions, which have lower costs. The anime features beautiful settings, fluidity, and great character design! Soundtrack / Audio: 8.9/10 The anime has a very immersive and innovative soundtrack, using the piano but mainly guitar tracks. It hits the mark in climax moments, fitting the OSTs well and amplifying and absorbing the viewer's emotions. The strongest point of the soundtrack is the high quality of the fictional band's songs played in several episodes, likely winning over many viewers with its top-notch Opening and Ending, along with other inserts in presentation episodes. The anime excels in the sound department and offers an extremely gratifying auditory experience. Themes: 8.4/10 The work addresses themes such as the importance of not giving up on dreams and the need to make sacrifices to achieve them. It highlights the search for identity, perseverance in the face of adversity and challenges, the value of friendship, and music as a form of expression, inspiration, and personality building. Script/Storyboard and Direction: 8.7/10 The script and storyboard of the anime are excellent, without leaving major gaps in the plot or character construction. The anime incorporates comedy elements with excellent timing, balancing tense and comedic moments just right. In presentation moments, the direction does a great job, exuding fluidity and originality, using special effects, camera spins, and intelligent transitions. The direction also shines with expressive framing in dramatic scenes, capturing the essence and conveying the right emotion skillfully, making great use of the soundtrack to give scenes the proper weight. The only downside might be for viewers more familiar with music, who may notice small flaws in musical representation compared to reality. However, these details are only noticeable to a minority and do not diminish the brilliance of the work, as the high sound quality almost completely overshadows these minor details. Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths 1: Character Development: Girls Band Cry features well-built personalities and deep interactions with ample development. 2: Soundtrack: High-quality songs and an immersive soundtrack, highlighting a wide range of guitar, piano, and other instruments. Weaknesses 1: Use of CGI: The use of CGI animation may not appeal to everyone and requires some adjustment. 2: Unrealistic Representation of Musical Elements: Small flaws in the representation of musical elements may be noticed by viewers familiar with music. Conclusion: Girls Band Cry stands out for the depth of its characters and the quality of its soundtrack. With an engaging and well-structured narrative, it captivates the audience by exploring the challenges and personal dramas of the characters, alongside their musical journeys. Despite the use of CGI, which may not please everyone, and minor flaws in musical representation noticeable to more discerning viewers, the work maintains its brilliance and offers an emotional and gratifying experience. It is a solid recommendation for fans of musical anime with good character development, being one of the best surprises of the spring 2024 season! Final Score: 8.6/10
Marinate1016
It’s no exaggeration to say the Spring 2024 anime season changed my life. Girls Band Cry was a big part of that. One of the best band anime I’ve ever seen, full of life lessons and encouraging me to continue pursuing my dreams, no matter how difficult the road is. For me, this is what people thought Bocchi the Rock was. A simple yet poignant story about a group of girls struggling with personal issues stepping outside of their comfort zones and coming together to form a band and chase their dreams, even as the world doubts them. And in the process learning more aboutthemselves than ever before and growing into better people. That’s selling it a bit short though. GBC is also a really ambitious multimedia project that uses groundbreaking 3D animation and brought together a group of talented newcomer seiyuu to form a band in real life who make amazing music too. This was truly the experience of a lifetime and it’s absolutely criminal that more people didn’t get to watch it due to licensing issues. I was very hesitant to watch GBC because of my aversion to 3D animation, but after being convinced by some friends I watched the first few episodes about halfway into the season and was blown away by the quality of both the story and anime. Nina, Momoka and the other girls just gave off such a sense of authenticity and it felt like I was watching real girls transition into the next phase of their lives. The angst, the drama, the insecurities, doubts, they just hit in a way that few shows in the medium can. I think that’s due in no small part to the amazing 3D animation used in this. Normally I’d separate the technical aspects of an anime into a separate category, but in the case of GBC, I’m keeping them together because of how the animation style allows for a more expressive style of storytelling. The 3D animation in GBC looks amazing thanks in large part to the frame rate. If you’ve seen other 3D anime I.e Beastars or Bocchan, you’ll notice that while the 3D art may look cool, there’s a stiffness to the characters that reminds you it’s 3D or takes you out of the immersion. That’s usually due to the framerate being capped too low. What the production staff did GBC realised is that by making the frame-rate higher, it creates a smoother animation that feels almost lifelike. So when characters have disagreements, or breakdown in tears, which happens a lot in GBC, we as the audience are able to feel that with a weight that you can’t normally feel in anime. It basically mixes that cute girl anime aesthetic with the body language of real life actors and it does have a big impact on the story. It’s already a very grounded story that a lot of people will be able to empathise with, but when you combine that with the visuals and the raw emotion the seiyuu are able to bring.. that’s when you get something special. If it seems like there’s similarities in my descriptions of GBC and Yorukura, also from this season, it’s because well.. they’re pretty damn similar and address a lot of the same themes. The main difference being GBC is a rock band and Yorukura is about the girls forming a multimedia collective. Same concept applies, Yuri undertones with girls from drastically different walks of life meeting by chance and realising how much they have in common, forming a band, MC having a crush on the older member whose work motivated them in the past, etc. When listing everything out, it’s actually wild how similar both were, but that’s not an issue. They’re both great and I’d respect any order with the two of them. I think GBC has better music since A: I’m a massive J-rock stan and B: the girls who became the seiyuu for the characters were actually brought in to form a band first, and an anime second. But I liked Yorukura’s story better. I’m just glad we got blessed with both of these in the same season! From a technical perspective as I’ve said GBC looks amazing. The uncapped framerates are a big reason, but the use of shadow and lighting also makes the show look better than most seasonal 3D anime. You can tell the entire project was planned meticulously and even backgrounds and minor details were designed with the 3D in mind. This makes for a much better looking show than normal. The musical performances especially were just mind blowing. The level of fluidity and emotion that the studio were able to pull off.. I have no words, especially the last few eps. I touched on it earlier but the seiyuu as well are a big part of this. Them being new to voice acting means there’s a level of rawness and sincerity in their voices that you don’t get with career seiyuu. It makes angsty characters like Nina and Momoka even better and you can’t help but get emotional during a lot of their scenes. Overall GBC was one of the best anime of the season, and while I’m taking Yorukura over it as AOTS, I’m totally fine with someone doing the opposite. The story was full of emotional twists and turns, the drama was well done, there were the Yuri undertone, the music, performances.. it had it all. Most importantly though, it reminded me that it’s not about how many times you fail when chasing your dreams, only about how many times you get up and keep rocking. Girls Band Cry gets a very easy 10, out of 10.
KANLen09
Girls Band Cry - Toei, why are you making us care about a 2D and 3DCG mesh of an anime that is the definition of a cult classic modern masterpiece in the making!? I'm equally as puzzled myself, but I'm glad that the 3 of you who managed to watch this, you got a blessing of a treat right out of the gate. Girls Band Cry is great, it's just that you can't watch it...at least not legally, no thanks to Toei Animation's stringent licensing standards that is their version of gatekeeping against the behest of the audience, or are the big players of streaming platformslike Crunchyroll failing to get the license, leaving the smaller players like France's Animation Digital Network a.k.a ADN and South Korea's Aniplus that are successful in their rein? Regardless, while I don't have an answer to the nitpick of why people will still sail the high seas for just about everything (I know I do), what I DO know is what you're missing out on one of Spring 2024's biggest fanbase outcries of a show that is Girls Band Cry, a show that may lean on the CGDCT aspect, but teaches us one very important lesson in life: Discover what you're made out of, and harness that to the fullest degree. I've already talked in length in my YoruKura a.k.a Jellyfish review of how both that show and Girls Band Cry are very similar in their approach, yet are also semi-consciously in competition with each other in execution: being original shows about outcast girls wanting to stand out in their own way. Though if we were to compare the two, I would say that Girls Band Cry stood out even more with the compliments of strong storywriting and the "same but different" visual approach to its subject matter. Let's not fumble around any further and get this show on the road! Act 1: The Girls Finding a sense of identity in your growing-up years is one of the most important marks of life, and this marks the starting point for a rather unremarkable girl by the name of Nina Iseri. Having run away from home, this rather potent high school girl is in search of something new: an avenue where she can rant out her raw emotions, for someone who's done living the controlled life and wants to burst into freedom doing what she likes to do. And just like YoruKura, one character coincidentally meets another through music, it's where Nina finds Momoka Kawaragi, and that's where their story of rebellion begins, teaming up with other girls who found themselves in similar predicaments of life's struggles and their series of unfortunate incidents, with the embroidered vision of a band where they can "Throw in All the Anger, Joy, and Sadness". Act 2: The Band It's hard picking a fitting name for an amateur band, and even more forming one, that is a collaboration with the effort of Toei, music production house Agehasprings, and Universal Music Japan back in 2021, focusing on the combination of animation with real band activity, which would form the all-female band serving as the core for the project and releasing singles since July last year. And it's no wonder that Japan captured the hype for the show to come this season with said band's songs, fit with the 5 females of Rina (Nina Iseri), Yuri (Momoka Kawaragi), Mirei (Subaru Awa), Natsu (Tomo Ebizuka), and Syuri (Rupa), not only are they newcomers to the music scene (and also rookie VAs at that, performing for the very first time), they're essentially the "Girl's Rock Audition" group of which they'll be recognized as the anime's central band: Togenashi Togeari (lit. Spiny Ant). Act 3: The Cry You know a show is hyped based on the songs that are being spilled out of the project, which shows the fact that they're a force to be reckoned with. The band's vision being the slogan "Throw in All the Anger, Joy, and Sadness.", the constant flow of songs that have and are still being released on both its official YouTube and Spotify channels may be few and far in between, but make no mistake that they're all great songs with the same illusive message of "being in the world, but not part of the world," being a rock band who's unafraid of using their entire being to cry from the depths of their hearts and sing songs of declaration against normalcy. The original anime, spearheaded by Love Live! Sunshine!! series director Kazuo Sakai, alongside the legendary veteran of scriptwriter-cum-series composer Jukki Hanada (who's done countless shows like Hibike! Euphonium a.k.a Sound! Euphonium series, Winter 2018's Sora yori mo Tooi Basho a.k.a A Place Further Than the Universe, and more recently on Boku no Kokoro no Yabai Yatsu a.k.a The Dangers of My Heart), you hardly have any reason to doubt that both prominent people can do nothing wrong (especially Jukki Hanada), and by the sum of all efforts, it really is a showcase of all of the things that should look wrong, turned right. More than the band itself, Girls Band Cry really is a study on character development, sticking as close and relatable as possible to the humanly failings of each member of Togenashi Togeari, from the likes of Nina being a "homewrecker" against formality, to Momoka being just like YoruKura's Kano Yamanouchi, where she dropped out of her former band due to creative differences. And to have all of their failures turned into songs as their only source of venting frustrations on a "Wrong World" that doesn't accept them as they are, they transform from being "I'm Nobody" to somebody that each other can support through thick and thin. The biggest surprise would have to be the implementation of 3DCG for a show like this, which, if you ask me, Toei Animation need NOT go this hard, but they ABSOLUTELY COOKED. You'd already know how 3DCG anime has gotten a bad reputation outside the likes of studio Orange (which still remains the gold standard of how 3DCG anime production should be done), but a 3DCG show where everything feels buttery-smooth at a constant 50 to 60fps, while leaving everything else in traditional 2D fashion? That is praise that I don't always shower very often, especially for an almost close 2D-3DCG mesh of a presentation like this that the likes of Bushiroad's BanG Dream! franchise could ever hope to be given that exact same treatment of unapologetic and free-spirited expressions. This is truly Toei Animation going all experimental for shows that warrant not just attention, but profitability through songs as well, and I really have to think that the veteran studio has once again earned a name for themselves doing what was imagined to be near impossible. After all, they're the studio that produced the endless One Piece, and I'd have to say that Girls Band Cry is their newest One Piece of a runaway success. Of course, how can I properly score Girls Band Cry without the music. The show is everything I wanted YoruKura a.k.a Jellyfish to be: a fully integrated show-stopping piece of work where the main band helms all of the series' music, even if it meant having rivals like Momoka's former group of idol rock band Diamond Dust breathing down their necks in complete competition of standing out and being the best. Of course, Togenashi Togeari's OP and ED theme songs of "Wrong World" and "I'm Nobody" are absolute, unskippable fast-paced rock-a-thon bangers in their own right. That said, while not every song is great, you should REALLY go and hear the songs for yourself, they're still at least enjoyable in one way or another. It's an anomaly for me to say that Girls Band Cry is not just a journey of creating music, but it's also a journey of discovering one's true calling, all interspersed into a medium of the bizarre but pristine kind, that really resonates with the faulty human that I am, as well as many others, who deeply wanted to express all the raw emotions to an insane degree. I've praised Bocchi the Rock!'s outstanding out-of-pocket anime adaptation to no end back in Fall 2022, but to have Girls Band Cry come this season to bring me back to those moments, and in ACTUAL GOOD and incredible 3DCG camerawork to exhibit even more feels, it truly is an experience like no other. Sure, nothing can top the likes of Bocchi the Rock!, but Girls Band Cry is easily on par with some of the best music-centric shows in the AniManga industry, and you'd do yourself a disservice to not watch this passion project of a show in any fashion that you can muster, because it DESERVES a watch, SO SO BADLY. If you're looking for a show that'll deeply inspire you, Girls Band Cry is one, and it's the definition of Girls Band PEAK.
IzanaSolos
Picture this: you're a nice little anime girl, wondering what archetype you should fall into, what show you should be in, and what kind of character you're going to be. You've got a couple of options. You could be a shounen girl and live the rest of your life with people on Twitter calling you useless until the end of time. You could become a romcom lead and enjoy getting paired up with an embarrassing loser with a cardboard personality. Hell, you could even go the isekai route and end up being girl number 912 in some weirdo's harem. But what if you don't wantto do any of that? What if you actually want to have the spotlight in your own show and not play second fiddle to the anime boys? Well, in that case, look no further than joining an anime girl band. I think you can tell what this anime MC, Nina, picked. It's the name, Girls Band Cry. There have been many girl band shows just this year, or hell even this season alone, from Doga Koba's iffy Yorukura, the production hell that is Sasakoi, or the beauty that is KyoAni's Hibike Euphonium. From that alone, you can tell this isn't a new genre or something fresh. When everyone heard the announcement for this, myself included, people thought this was just trying to ride the wave of success that was Fall 2022's Bocchi the Rock! But oh boy, were me and many others wrong about that. This anime is a shining example of the absolute best this subgenre has to offer. If you don't know what this is or what it's about, this is a Toei Production (yes, the people that made Dragon Ball and One Piece), and the premise is basically what you'd expect from all other anime in the subgenre: a bunch of Japanese girls meet and form a rock band. That's it. I never said they were reinventing the wheel here or anything. First off, I'm sure you could tell by now from some of the clips you've probably seen on Twitter or other places that this show is done entirely in CGI. Now, that might instantly turn some of you off because most people see CGI and think, "Ew what is this, Demon Slayer Season 3?" But I promise you, this isn't that nasty CGI you're picturing. The show looks good, like surprisingly good. You just have to watch a few minutes of the first episode to realize that they knew what they were doing with the art direction. The facial expressions are dynamic and very much anime-like. The cinematography is well thought out and purposeful. And oh boy, don't get me started on the live performances. They look breathtaking. We've come a long way from the awkward-looking CG performances of Zombie Land Saga, that's for sure. Everything about this show is just so well executed that it's clear this was a labor of love, with people actually putting thought into what was going on on-screen. Most girl band anime are scaled on a spectrum of either full cuteness, full drama, or a bit of both. I'd say this show lands itself nearing the full drama side, but even though it's not perfectly in the center, this show has the best balance of CGDCT and angsty melodrama. Most of that is thanks to the talented seiyuus giving it their all. If you didn't know, most are first-time actors in these roles, and they're better than half the seiyuus in the industry right now. Crazy. This show checks off so many boxes of how to make a great anime. If you want great characters that feel down-to-earth, genuine, and human, it's got that. You want CG animation with as much expressiveness and detail as a Studio Orange production? It's got that too. What about ACTUALLY GOOD music that doesn't fall into the traditional stereotype of just anime girls singing on stage? Well, get ready to hop on Spotify right after, because my god, does the music slap in this anime. It's not just the OP and ED; the entire soundtrack, which I recommend you ALL GO LISTEN TO, is music to the ears. I don't want to spoil any plot details or anything, because I think people should just go watch the show and experience the peak for themselves. That leads me to the final box to check off. Do you want to watch this show? Too bad you can't, because that's going to be pretty hard to do, which leads me into my next topic. While this anime is great, no doubt about it, if you don't live in Asia or some other place that's not in the eastern and northern hemispheres, or Japan of course, there's not really a "legal" way to watch this show. Girls Band Cry is in one of the worst positions that a show can be in. From my absolute praise you've seen me give for the past couple of paragraphs, you can tell that this show is really good and people clearly want to watch it. But there is no way to actually do so. This anime has not been licensed by any official company in the west. Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, Netflix—hell, I'd even take Disney+/Hulu or even Amazon Prime at this point. None of them have this series, which unfortunately makes actually watching it in a decent state a lot more complicated. Now, I know what you're going to say: just go to one of the fancy, universally morally ethical unofficial sites to watch this series, and everything will be just fine. And you're right. But you're also completely wrong. You see, these sites don't get these subtitles for anime out of thin air. Those sites are not the ones making the subtitles for these series. Those subs more often than not, especially these days, have to come from either an official source like Crunchyroll or HIDIVE, or in rare cases, a group of fans dedicating huge chunks of their lives to fan translation. Thankfully for me, I understand Japanese at an N3 level, so I can understand the show with or without subs, but most people can't. And this show is in fact so good that it has spawned multiple different fan translations in the effort of bringing this series to the people. What I'm trying to get across is that, yeah, this series is surprisingly accessible for something that technically doesn't even have a single company localizing the anime, but it's only accessible because fans cared enough to step in and do what Crunchyroll and HIDIVE couldn't. But therein lies the problem. This leads to issues like some degenerate rushing to process this series through MTL, a.k.a. Machine Translation, and pumping out their butchered release before anyone else on the day of airing. "Just don't watch them," you say. Well, unless you're a weeb like people like to call us and go on that one site that's the noise cats make in Japanese, then you're most likely watching those MTL subs because the "streaming sites" use them. The real question I keep coming back to at this point is why. Why can't I watch this series? What would compel any of these companies to intentionally ignore such a promising and viral anime right from the beginning? Because it's really clear this show was targeted towards people in the west—the name's in freaking English for god's sake. Maybe instead of picking up literal garbage that not a single soul likes, someone like Crunchyroll could've gotten an actual product on their sites. But no. And Toei's not at fault either, because they obviously don't have any beef with Crunchyroll whatsoever; they air One Piece and Precure weekly simulcast, but not this. Ok. Hopefully in the near future, someone will pick up this show and people can watch it in all its glory. But for now, it seems these MTL and iffy fan translations will have to make do. Girls Band Cry is incredible, it's an achievement, it's peak cinema as the kids say. And I'm going to jump the gun and call this an AOTY contender. It's that good. So what are you doing? If you haven't watched this show, go and watch it, bad subs or not.
Animanga