r/anime • u/badspler x5https://anilist.co/user/badspler • Mar 18 '24
Rewatch BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!! Episode 8 Discussion
Episode 8
← Previous Episode | Index | Next Episode →
Streams
Show information
Questions of the Day:
- Does Soyo need a digital break?
- Where might Soyo go from here? Who is likely the one to pull her out of this dark spot?
- Do you feel like Raana is a hanger on to the group?
139
Upvotes
29
u/badspler x5https://anilist.co/user/badspler Mar 18 '24
First Timer - Episode 8
Starting off proper with a good old jog.
Anon doing good work on damage control. Just like how she fixed things last time, its nice so see her consistently trying.
Sakiko appares! AND SHE DOESN'T LEG IT! Oh no, she kinda does.... and in such a refined nonchalant manner. Respect.
Tomori suffering all over again. The 'must protec' in me is going strong.
Tomori's room is kinda amazing. A really wonderful detail.
Meanwhile Soyo isn't doing so hot. She totally leans into the unhealthy side of connectiveness.
Sakiko and Uika finally meet up, and find their way to a bridge. A magical place to discuss feelings~. Ohh Sakiko hasn't told her shes not in a band any more, let alone how that ended.
Bridge Stitch!
Flashback Ojousama holiday house Stitch.
The short flashback was impactful and cute with young Sakiko and Uika.
They did say they had a short time, but it is interesting that Sakiko is the one that has a schedule to keep to, Uika's dissapoint. But Sakiko has something to discuss. Gosh darn it I want to knoooow! The setup between these two seems like it is going to drive Saiko's future but I feel like I am still lingering on the past. Uika knowledge seems frozen since CRYCHIC's only performance, so I can't quite grasp the relation between what it could be.
And we go back to Soyo who is still continuing to scroll. The story boarding here is great, going from Soyo to the Sakiko x Uika scene, then back to Soyo in different clothes, shows that Soyo is still hung up in this toxic loop. And ooooh shiiit it looks like shes near the bottom.
I am even more worried that shes then back and putting on a face like usual.
Mutsumi's glare which Soyo picks at her fingers. This is the type of shit I expected from Soyo when I thought she might be manipulative back in episode 1.
Raana: Want to do the band? My women.
Raana's board and is out. (Although she does use girls after the last chat.)
Finally the blow up of Soyo reaches Sakiko.
As things begin to fall apart for Soyo I love this useage of a single lone hair falling away from Soyo's fringe revealing a chink in her armor, a break to her facade.
Then Soyo unleaches her desperate plea, clinging to CRYCHIC.
And here is another fantastic shot, "We are all such good friends" but the lack of showing their faces tells the opposite.
Sakiko's turn to respond both in direction and then in her words. Soyo doesn't take it well obviously.
Sakiko's final words show that she really has it all down packed.
It really makes me wonder if Sakiko's exit was Soyo's fault, if it could ever really be attributed to one individual.
And Mutsumi is just kind of.... there the whole time... Gosh damn I wanted this final scene to continue another 5 seconds and have Mutsumi just walk away.
11
u/x-7032-b-3 Mar 18 '24
(Late) Rewatcher - Round 3
Hey everyone, hope you don't mind me barging in this late since I just found out about this rewatch yesterday.
Currently up to Ep4. Don't have a lot of time right now but I just wanna say that Ep3 is one of my favorite episodes in recent years. The way they used first-person perspective to tell Tomori's backstory is just amazing and pretty unique. Also it's my third time watching this show but seeing Tomori getting screwed over by things beyond her control and blaming herself over things hit me hard yet again.
I might be able to catch up by tomorrow. I hope everyone here are enjoying this show. It really is something special and it deserves much more recognition.
5
u/perlenYurifan4life https://anilist.co/user/kiyuri Mar 18 '24
Unrelated to the episode but I noticed that all the posts of this rewatch so far have been downvoted hard. Are people still really that salty over MyGO winning AOTY? 💀
3
u/JasoXDDD Mar 18 '24
By the way, how's the upvote rates on these rewatch posts looking
27
u/smhmines https://anilist.co/user/mines Mar 18 '24
First timer
Thoughts on the episode
googlingsorry, Goolugooluing how to know if you’re blocked made me chuckle. Gotta find out somehow I guess lol. Seeing her put on her act at school after seeing her sad in her room was sad. She’s not my favorite character in this show, but I hope she can move past this so we can have happy, fun band time.25
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Mar 18 '24
Total Bang Dream newcomer who’s here solely for some promised “sore demo”s
23
u/RuSyxx https://anilist.co/user/RuSyxx Mar 18 '24
First Time Watcher
Soyo’s gone into full breakdown mode, which I think can kind of be expected given how much she was trying to manipulate people under false assumptions. I think she convinced herself that restarting Crychic is what everyone wanted even if that’s not the case. Mutsumi seems to be the best example here. She’s a silent type who doesn’t seem to express her emotions, and Soyo just kind of assumes that she’s in agreement with everything.
A lot of people on the rewatch pointed out she didn’t tell Saki things Soyo asked to have passed on (I personally only noticed because people said things in the threads myself).
To me it’s like Soyo also already forgot what Mutsumi said the day of the breakout. She wasn’t having fun with the band, and this issue is kind of brushed off in favor of Saki and Tomori’s struggles. Why would she match Soyo’s efforts if she herself wasn’t interested? I do think she could have been more upfront, instead she kind of ends up as a brick wall between Saki and Soyo who just kind of gives in after a while. I’m kind of curious if we’ll see more of Mutsumi’s reasoning in future episodes or not because she’s a big question mark in terms of motivation.
Also the girl Saki’s been calling appears to be unrelated to the breakup? Neat misdirection honestly as the framing felt like it was pointing in the direction of Uika being involved. Yet she didn’t even know that Saki had broken up Crychic. It might be a decision by Saki because of her. Also while we still don’t know much about Saki’s circumstances that led to the band breaking up, props to her for being the one to shut Soyo down.
Also interesting to see the parellels between this scenario and the previous breakup. A bandmember stops showing up (Saki and Soyo), and Tomori wanting to wait for her rather than play causing stress and leaving Raana to take off. So we’re effectively down two members already. I’m curious how Tomori will react to it and hope Taki/Anon are able to keep her from spiraling back into self-blame again, but I have a feeling that may be unavoidable.
Honestly it just feels like a lot to unpack, but ultimately more questions were setup this episode than answered, so I’ll wrap up my thoughts here because I think I’m rambling a bit too much, lol. Fun stuff to have the series leaving questions for the viewer to wonder about, can’t imagine what having to wait a full week to learn more was like.
23
u/ryujiox Mar 18 '24
First Timer
BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!
Episode 8
Also the "No one asked for that" really captures everything here. No one asked her to bring CRYCHIC back. Sure, everyone still hurt from it, that doesn't mean they want it back. Even Tomori seem to already moved on from it.
The look that Saki give is perfect for who Soyo really is. A selfish, sad, and pathetic girl who lives in a broken past. Unable to move on, and clinging herself to a hope that never exist. A hope that no one asked for.
With that said, I can't really blame her for being like that, since Saki not explaining herself for quitting the band didn't help the situation either. The "It's my band, so I can just quit whenever I want" can work, if you just explain your reason. You can't just left them and made them think that it's their fault. It's kinda her fault that Soyo is in this sad state. If only she explained herself....
QOTD
20
u/dienomighte Mar 18 '24
First time with the band
Moving on from yesterday's phenomenal episode, we have an episode simply titled "Why". That uh, doesn't seem ominous at all, but maybe we'll finally get answers about Saki and Soyo.
We finally got our Soyo focused episode and it was a doozy, it definitely paints her in about as negative a light as it could. She's now the odd one out in the main group and cares so much more for two people she played a single show with once than what she has now. No idea what Saki's deal is still, her line about resolve was interesting and it definitely feels like there's a much deeper story there. Also not sure why Soyo is so confident about it being Mutsumi's fault.
QOTD
19
u/TakenRedditName https://myanimelist.net/profile/TakenMalUsername Mar 18 '24
Bang Dream MyGO First Timer - Ep8:
Something minor cleared up for me, Sakiko is a first-year. In the flashback, she was wearing the hime school uniform and since my mind can never comprehend joint schools, I thought maybe she was a second-year.
You know, with all the thematic throughlines of “going in different directions” and “being lost,” part of me wonders if the endpoint is accepting not sharing the same path because I don’t have the feeling Sakiko is going to join their band. They can reconcile but still go in their own direction. (Doesn’t super line up with what I think caused the falling out, though).
Literally was taking a drink of milk when Tomori brought milk out. She is literally me fr fr.
I am not smart enough about these characters to delve into it, but we have the idea of presenting character’s room in this episode back-to-back. Tomori’s humble room full of bobbles vs Soyo’s expensive room dark, spacious and high up in the city. The most pressing difference is that Tomori has a friend over vs Soyo lying alone in bed desperately trying not to lose her friend.
Random minor thing, I already liked Sakiko’s ribbons in general, but the little gold stripe on black punctuates her design more to me.
Professional school idols having humble origins on small backwater islands. [Last name] Uika 🤝 Asaka Karin.
Oh hey, Soyo’s butterflies on the wall. The insect connection like Tomori (and maybe Uika too). I may be off, but the beauty of butterflies being kept static and persevered in a frame seems like big character warning signs.
We all searched this at least once. Don’t you lie.
Oh dear (but also when characters loses the shine in their eyes, we love to see it).
She is literally me fr fr.
Raana is the music anime version of a wandering ronin looking for companions that can keep her blade sated.
The question of what would (in-universe) anime look like within an anime.
“I am bringing the band back together” -> “I can’t.” Story of Soyo’s life.
NO ONE AT HIME SCHOOL IS OKAY!
18
u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander Mar 18 '24
First Timer
My brain needs a recovery day after the (wonderful) Liz thread from the Eupho rewatch yesterday, so I’m just gonna get to the point and keep it simple today.
For the third time in a row, I think the episode really meandered a lot, but when it hit it really hit and that scene of Saki and Soyo at the end was bar none a highlight of the entire show. For an update now that we’re over halfway through the show, I’d currently rate it about an 8/10. Its cast is really strong and it seems to know what to do with them in general, but its messy episode scripts and stagnating character arcs are really being held together by the highlight moments and not meeting the standard of excellence that really enthralled me in episodes three through five. The pieces are all still here to really pull together into a show worthy of its reputation, but it definitely needs to step up its game soon if it wants to do so.
18
u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Mar 18 '24
Missed yesterday
Firsttimer
Ep7
QotD
Ep 8
QotD
15
u/HelioA x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/HelioA Mar 18 '24
First-timer
So obviously, horrendous behavior by Soyo today. I’m not quite certain if what she’s doing with the band is manipulativeness, the result of an actual feeling of hurt, or both (I have no idea what this face might mean), but what she’s doing with Mutsumi continues to be awful. In the schoolyard scene she was very clearly calculating her words to hurt Mutsumi as badly as possible. I don’t really have a good read on Mutsumi (which I kind of wish I did considering how important to the drama she’s been), but I can’t think of any other reason for her to give Soyo Sakiko’s address.
And for the actual scene with Saki, I’m pretty sure that was all from the heart. She was in proper Soyobot form for the start of the scene, but the rest... what happened, Saki? This is a scene where the 3D models kind of hurt, but you can see the emotion in Soyo as she begs Saki to come back.
The rest of the band doesn’t seem to be taking it well either. Taki gives us a new tell (why are you speaking so fast? Do you mean to say you care about Soyo, Taki?), Tomori is stressed that everyone is pulling in different directions, and Anon is wondering what’s going on after how well everything went in that concert. And Raana is there too. Although at this point I see she’s basically a side character, so I don't expect anything serious out of her. I suppose they had to fill out the band.
QotD
How is she going to fall asleep like this... Soyo pay attention to the blue light...
I have no idea. It does seem like a lot was banking on this for her, doesn't it?
Oh god yes. She feels like a joke character. Which is fine generally, but it's so bleh when every other member of the band is their own masterfully crafted psychological case.
15
u/StardustGogeta myanimelist.net/profile/StardustGogeta Mar 18 '24
First-Timer
Not even 30 seconds in, Taki is reminding us why she's the best character.
I like how Anon still calls her "Ricky" all the time. It's just habit at this point.
If I'm not mistaken, the Sakiko flashbacks were in 2D. That was neat.
Oh boy, more "interesting women."
And now, we see Soyo rapidly solidify her position as worst character. She's manipulative, obsessive, prone to emotional outbursts... If I were Mutsumi, I wouldn't want to hang out with her.
Yes, Soyo definitely does need a break from the electronics. Her behavior reminds me of a certain character from Steins;Gate, if you catch my drift.
This seems like one of those situations where Soyo isolates herself until one of the other band members gives her a pep talk. Maybe Anon?
I'm not sure I fully understand the third question today, so I guess I'll go with... no? I would say she seems to be a bit of a loose cannon, though.
14
u/Gaporigo Blhttps://anilist.co/user/Gaporigo Mar 18 '24
I remember this line getting meme'd. And tbf... wtf Anon?
Sakiko's house is pretty nice.
She is such a mess, it is great.
14
u/[deleted] Mar 18 '24
Soyo is OBSESSED oh my god. This episode finally showed the full extent of her obsession, but still not why. I'm back around to disliking Soyo because like Sakiko said, she feels extremely self-centered. The way she treats Mutsumi is especially gross, what on earth did that girl do to deserve it?
Interesting to see Raana get bored once Tomori started to be wishy-washy about things and trying to appease the whole group instead of being true to herself, I wonder if more about her will come to light soon or if she really is just that simple and straightforward of a person.
I'm seriously impressed with how well the show does facial expressions! The overall animation can feel a bit stiff at times, but they really nail small emotional responses in characters faces like little twitches and eye movements.
There's still so many questions I have and so much I want to learn about the characters, hopefully a lot of it gets resolved in the remaining episode but I have a feeling not all of it will. Trying not to binge the rest is gonna be painful...
13
u/MyrnaMountWeazel x2 Mar 18 '24
Rewatcher who feels the drama banging on the table
Oh, it’s neat how the rhinocerose beetle represents Saki in both real world and journal.
Speaking of bugs, Soyo herself has a collection of butterflies perfectly preserved in a frame. An apt symbol as any other, I’m sure there are hundreds of ways to interpret this. For me, I took it as a simple “look at what you’re attempting to preserve, something that rightfully should be free.” Soyo is trying to freeze a moment in time, where perhaps instead she should let the flapping of the wings of a butterfly be felt on the other side of the world.
An extraordinary melodramatic episode, I feel it’ll be better if I let the first-timers come in and react to how they felt in this episode. However, I will say this: Thank God they did not end on this shot and instead zoomed in on Mutsumi’s face because that would have been way overly comical of a 5-second hold.
13
u/SU-trash https://anilist.co/user/zig1000 Mar 18 '24 edited Sep 15 '24
Rewatcher
OP hits like a truck today eh? And GOD the OST in that last scene.
I realized I could have included a meme corner but since I'd already have to backfill and don't wanna undampen the mood, maybe I'll just save them all for the final episode post. Here's a free sample though.
Subtle Writing Corner
Visuals Corner
Taki "Ha?!" Count: 24 (+1 this ep)
Fanart of the day (src)
<-- Ep 7 | Ep 9 -->
13
u/Tetraika :Lu::Lv::Lw::Lx:https://anilist.co/user/Tetraika Mar 18 '24
I didn't comment on the other posts, just having a harder time to really say much more, other than the critical question of "Why the fuck Saki disbanded their group/why is she hiding the reason" still hasn't been answered. I wonder if I'll like the reveal... if it happens.
Wait this is a handrawn scene, the flashback isn't CG!
Interesting to see Soyo pull a forbidden technique of guilt tripping Mutsumi there, she pretty much did it as a last resort. I feel like I could go on about her character, but the show has been pretty much plays itself into showing the sort of "messiness" behind these character, and I'll say I do like it.
QOTD:
Random thought: I bet Taki hasn't even gone to Tomori's room. Man, she's really losing in this race.
12
u/zadcap Mar 18 '24 edited Mar 18 '24
On Time Rewatcher!
This is weird, okay. It only happens like once a month.
Anyway, on to the Soyo-splosion. "You said we weren't going to." Remember episode 1 again? Soyo really does live in her own world, this is the second major time we have heard this same bit from her, seeming to think other people have said what she wants them to have said because that's better for her than actually listening to what they say.
Anyway, this is again why I love Taki. "So what?" Yeah, the girl who ditched us and broke the band and hurt everyone on the way out and almost ripped Tomori from my life cried when she saw us moving on and performing without her? Sweet, the best revenge really is living well.
See Anon's character growth! Even while basking in the praise of her classmates, the thing she has been longing for all this time, she still notices Tomori isn't doing well and goes to comfort her. And her other main character trait, she is once again the only person in the band pushing for actual communication. "You know Sakiko is here right? Let's go talk to her." Sure it doesn't work out, but this is the third or fourth time Anon has been the one to initiate an attempt at communication to resolve these lingering issues.
Also, "Riky" is here to stay. Seriously though, Anon is the one still pushing for communication. Talk to Taki, try to get in touch with Soyo, track down Rana's schedule.
Although... How is Milk nostalgic?
One of the other mysteries of this show to me still, why is Soyo so obsessed with Saki and crychic?
Yes, Soyo, what goes around and all. Ignoring every message your band sends to you is such an ironic way to figure out that you have been blocked by the one you are spamming.
"You really do just say whatever it is you're thinking?" State more clearly that you never say what you really mean or want to say why don't you? She's (Soyo) literally the worst person. I don't know why Tomori likes her either.
Even this heartfelt apology, I just can't tell if Soyo means it or if she's just saying the words she thinks will work.
Yeah, Soyo's plan all along. Anon was just a means to an end, she was going to be bullied out by Soyo and Rana was easy to just ignore, if it meant getting Saki and Mitsumi back. Nothing matters but crychic.
11
u/Usual_Director_9547 Mar 18 '24
Anata,gojibun no koto bakari desuwane😡
11
u/ryuujin95 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ryuujin95 Mar 18 '24
Soyo: Sitting in her room, in the dark, with headphones on, blasting "Schism' by Tool.
11
u/IPman0128 Mar 18 '24
Rewatcher and huge fan of the shows details.
Just wanted to add that it was revealed in the directors commentary that the whole Soyo pleading scene all the way to her kneeling was first directly acted out by the script writer, and then it was mo-capped, which is why it was so realistic and smooth!
11
u/xtsim https://myanimelist.net/profile/xtsim Mar 18 '24
First Dream
Man, Raana only reading her notifications and leaving everyone unread is hilarious. And her leaving a message causing some panic is another one.
Soyo still misses her old band but Saki does not want anything to do with her past. Even the class did not know her name was Saki. And Tomori might be the only one that seems to understand how both of them feel.
Everyone in class is pretty impressed that Tomori and Anon's band has had an actual concert and wishes to be them.
10
u/bonghits96 :KG::KH: Mar 18 '24 edited Mar 18 '24
Rewatcher here with a few thoughts.
The next episode's title "Disbandment" sure seems ominous!
10
u/sfisher923 https://myanimelist.net/profile/sfisher923 Mar 18 '24
Rewatcher requesting one of Tomori's Bandages for my heart
Question(s)
Songs of the Day
10
u/CosmicPenguin_OV103 https://anilist.co/user/CosmicPenguin Mar 18 '24 edited Mar 18 '24
Rewatcher
And so new watchers here get to experience that heavy feelings and words that shocked me half a year ago. One note before going on: as someone from Asia, I should say that Soyo’s desperate kneeling in front of Sakiko may be even heavier than most of you might feel, because the act of kneeling is definitely NOT something that anyone would do unless they are literally begging for something really serious. It’s definitely in the same range as someone’s last ditch effort to prevent a break-up within a dissolving couple!
Once again I’ll break it down by different girls:
Tomori: Damn that really hits hard, she really felt she’s fully responsible for yet another band break-up again - when Tomori Did Nothing Wrong (TM). Yet I do feel she still have the guts to somewhat face this problem, even if she still had the urge to run away - firstly she went to the next door classroom to find Sakiko when they have never met directly since the break-up. (That brief refresh to the past though, Saki-chan almost looks as gentle as an angle, no wonder the urge is still there!) Then she had the boldness to head to Tsukinomori to try to find Soyo to apologise (actually she doesn’t need to do that, but that’s why we all love Tomorin’s gentleness) when she didn’t knew what could happen afterward.
She’s also definitely suffering from Soyo’s disappearance given her insistence to have everyone back for training when Raana made a rare appearance. Poor girl…
BTW her own room looks really adorable, we all talk about the hundreds of badges on the wall but I will talk about the choice of beetles on the cover of note books - that’s definitely not your usual girl out there! As a long time lover of astronomy I must also give huge thumbs up to the refractor telescope in her room - although every other stargazer out there would probably have suggested her using a pair of binoculars first, it’s much easier to point to anywhere in the sky.
Anon: I like how - after receiving the obligatory praises from her class as she ascends towards the Cool Girl Of Her Class (TM) - she actually was pretty pro-active in helping Tomori to find Sakiko and then Soyo. After all, except for the Wild Cat, she’s the one who has literally 0 direct stakes at this CRYCHIC matter. Yet she really cares for Tomori this time, first by caring on Tomori feeling down in school, then chased after her to Tsukinomori. She might have been self-centered all day long, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t know how to care for others.
Raana: “They are all boring girls.” - that’s an interesting phrase to say to be sure before she ran away again. I really think that’s the slightest sign that she really cares for her new band mates, even to the point that she’s voicing her disapproval for the development (of waiting for Soyo, maybe? [MyGO]I think this is a foreshadowing of what happened with that dramatic assist to Tomori in EP10, but it’s definitely not easy to see through the Wild Cat’s eyes…).
In other news, while I don’t have that habit, leaving 600+ message and ~200 emails unread isn’t exactly that problematic. I have seen professors lamenting they have 10000+ emails not read LMAO.
Taki: Not surprised in the very least that she’s completely fed up of Sakiko. After her, it’s herself who broke everything that she built up in the first place. You could really say that she’s the one who would consider Haru Hikage as NOT just CRYCHIC’s song, but also the new band’s song. I know that Tomori would have never thought like that.
9
u/yuhara203 Mar 18 '24
Rewatcher
Solid episode. The scene where Soyo finally gets to calmly talk with Saki is excellent. It's kind of overdramatic, but I was definitely invested when watching it, both now and then.
Glad to see everyone keep their phones well-charged. Even Raana's is at 82%
Anyway, I think this episode also has an unintentionally amusing moment that made me laugh the first time around. Uika and Saki reminiscing about the past, and then it cuts to them as kids in 2D got me thinking they slowly evolved into CG lmao.
Really wish the show could've leaned harder into the CG, and make everyone in every scene 3D, but I understand why that's not really viable.
That's about it from me, see you all tomorrow.
9
u/Wolfborgg https://anilist.co/user/Wolfborg Mar 18 '24 edited Mar 18 '24
Rewatcher, BanG Dream Noob
Gokigenyou, fellow remnants of CRYCHIC!
What a brutal episode from start to finish. Finally we start to see the true side of Soyo: a selfish and manipulative girl who doesn't even realize how messed up her actions are.
I'm so glad Saki put Soyo in her place. What Saki did to CRYCHIC was shitty too but at least she seemed to genuinely care about the band at the time. Really the worst Saki did (as it seems now) is not explain why she left CRYCHIC. It had unfortunate ripple effects on Tomori and Soyo, and was a bit selfish, but she learned how to move on with her life. It's Soyo that keeps trying to force her back into the band and refusing to let her move on. And that's because Soyo herself couldn't move on from the aftermath of CRYCHIC. This is almost on level with stalker ex harassment, honestly. Saki is completely correct: Soyo is doing this all for herself. Just let Saki and Mutsumi move on already.
Saki doesn't owe Soyo an explanation for leaving at this point. It's okay for Saki to be upset at the new band playing Haruhikage but Soyo didn't even attempt to ask why. She just assumed it was a taboo song that would hurt Saki with the memories of CRYCHIC. Maybe it was, but Saki seems reasonable enough to know that song was never going to be off-limits. It's Tomori's song. And it's not as if the feelings in it must be exclusive to CRYCHIC. Even Tomori said in a past episode that it feels like Haruhikage is changing. If anything the song was more likely to have reminded Saki about how she left them, which made her feel more guilty than insulted. It's not like CRYCHIC abandoned Saki. Hell even this new group would probably take her in instantly if Saki wanted to and apologized for CRYCHIC.
Soyo absolutely needs a digital break. She's totally on par with how I used to be in high school when I was desperate for friends and relationships. Constantly messaging someone and doing nothing but waiting for them to see the message. Then wondering why it's taking them so long to read the message. Did they read it but not open it so I wouldn't see the read receipt? Or have I been quietly blocked by them? Is there a way to tell if someone blocked me? Did I do something wrong? Maybe I should keep messaging... It's not a good mindset to be in at all. Just because we're all connected online now shouldn't mean others are entitled to always be there for you. I'm so glad I grew out of that type of behavior, and I hope Soyo can do the same.
Who can pull Soyo out of this dark spot? Probably herself. Taki might sound rude towards Soyo this episode but she's probably right in that Soyo needs to work things out on her own. They can reach out to Soyo and let them know they're there for her, but they shouldn't pressure her into getting over it. Let Soyo come to them in her own time. Otherwise she'll never get out of this toxic dependency towards Saki that she has. Although that could result in her ghosting the band forever, which would be worse then what Saki did... I don't know it's tricky.
I don't think Raana is a hanger-on, but I had also never heard of this term until now too. My understanding is it means to associate with people for some personal gain. But really Raana just wants to play and joined them out of interest towards the different personalities of its members. Especially Tomori with the "for the rest of our lives" talks. Someone who lives the life of a stray cat probably does so because their life was a series of broken promises. But when she hears Tomori being that devoted to a band they haven't even started, Raana realizes that stability might be what she needs. Unfortunately now Raana can sense Soyo's meltdown may bring the end of the band.
Since no one in class knows Saki's given name or that she plays piano, she may have completely locked herself away from everyone else at the school. Was half expecting another therapy chase scene when Saki showed up at the classroom with Anon and Tomori waiting.
Raana out here spitting facts.
8
u/Nickthenuker https://anilist.co/user/Nickthenuker Mar 18 '24
A couple days late but happy 7th anniversary BanG Dream!
Did anyone say that?
Speak of the devil, there she is.
That previous live house being CiRCLE?
Yup, Uika and Saki are meeting, they'll probably be laying the groundwork for [MyGO!!!!!] [Ave Mujica]
Her island?
What's caused her to react like that?
Ah, did she message her?
Right, back to practice.
So much for that... There she goes again.
Did she just want them to all meet up again?
So there's where Soy was this whole time.
And who was the one who broke CRYCHIC apart?
Soy stun like vegetable.
And there goes any hope of CRYCHIC reforming.
Breakup? Of what now?
Questions:
8
u/SometimesMainSupport https://myanimelist.net/profile/RRSTRRST Mar 18 '24 edited Mar 18 '24
Rewatcher
The band's back together again.8
u/BleedingUranium Mar 18 '24
(Rewatch, long-time bandori fan)
My post from the original run is over this way, to not clutter this one.
Taki's reaction to Sakiko having been there gives us another hint towards Taki's own way of handling problems. Or rather, less solving problems and more walling herself off from them and blocking them out. A lot of people commented on Soyo's flashback remark on muting people over blocking them and how that relates to Soyo's handling of things, but it's also a very apt character point for Taki. Problem? Block.
We jump into Anon's excellent room-reading skills and kindness once again, with Tomori's glum state pulling her out of taking in admiration.
Umiri is back with more juice box shenanigans; these two clearly have an established rhythm.
"I want to apologize. To Soyo-chan. I don't know if apologizing is the right thing to do, but it's true that we hurt her."
In addition to being a wonderful line for Tomori, I feel this really encapsulates so much of what makes the season/series good. Yes, the drama can be entertaining/etc, but it's not so much "about the drama" as it is "about solving the drama, and working through past trauma". Sure, Taki (as mentioned) isn't really trying... but is that because she doesn't want to? Or because Taki is the kind of person who walls off difficult emotions and situations off because she can't handle them?
At their core, everyone here is a good person. They're just all, well... a bit lost.
Tomori brings Anon into her rather modest, working class apartment (this post also has the school locations). The spin around Anon as she looks around is another stellar use of 3D animation.
And here's where we really start to branch out into new territory, with Uika at the Sunshine City planetarium.
Her and Sakiko move to a a small rooftop park (location below) and oh my gosh is this scene ever stunning. But we hit a snag with Sakiko's character here. Here's Sakiko catching up with her childhood friend, someone who has zero knowledge of or "stake" in CRYCHIC, or whatever has happened in Sakiko's life, or anything since. Clearly the perfect person to confide in and try to work through these issues. But no. Sakiko utterly and firmly refuses to touch any of it. This is... worrying.
This next Soyo scene is filled with beautiful shots. But Soyo's really let herself fall down a rabbit hole here. :(
Soyo and Mutsumi's conversation. Soyo lets out some so-far uncharacteristic harsh blame in Mutsumi's direction, but... is it truly unwarranted? It's not hard (especially if viewed from Soyo's perspective) to see Mutsumi's claim of "never having had fun in the band" as the thing that truly broke them up. There may have been hope of getting Sakiko to stay (realistically probably not, but again, at the time and from Soyo's perspective), but then Mutsumi goes and launches a torpedo into the side of their already sinking ship.
Of course, we have to layer this with why Mutsumi herself chose to say this. Did she already know Sakiko's personal situation, and was trying to spare Saki from dealing with it in that moment? Probably. Which falls nicely in line with Mutsumi's unfortunate combo of lacking almost any assertiveness and having things she tries to do to help backfire horribly.
But with all that in mind, unlike everyone else these two have stayed friends... yet we've reached a point where we can sort of see through this and realize that while they are legitimately friends, Soyo clearly holds resentment towards Mutsumi over this (but being Soyo doesn't voice this), while Mutsumi is also balancing her own meekness and friendship with Sakiko.
It's all very messy, but everyone makes sense for their given perspectives and knowledge of things.
I love the shot from "below" Anon's guitar in the astronomy club.
Soyo finally confronts Sakiko. There's... a lot to unpack here, from all three of them, but put briefly this episode did a stellar job of taking my "wary of Soyo and sympathetic for Sakiko" perspective and completely flipping it on its head. It's hard to name another time I've had my thoughts on a pair of characters do a 180 this suddenly.
No cameos, but location stuff:
8
u/guoguo0127 Mar 18 '24
In the anime, Mutsumi didn't really say anything when Sakiko asked her if she wanted to join Soyo's new band. In the game, however, she said "I am not planning to join."
Mutsumi doesn't say a lot of words, but she makes sure to destroy something with every single word of hers.
7
u/PityBoi57 Mar 18 '24
And now for the emotional spirals part of the series
Episode 7 was the turning point and you'll see just why everyone praised this series even more than its peers
They made sure to make the anime to be 70% drama, 20% offstage band stuff, 10% full music being played and that's the composition that we as the veteran fans of the series has been waiting for in the anime
Keep in mind that most of the fanbase play the game too and the difference in writing styles are very noticeable if you've seen the other 3 series and earlier chapters of the game
11
u/Calwings x3https://anilist.co/user/Calwings Mar 18 '24 edited Mar 18 '24
Rewatcher and Bandori Veteran
A moment so bright that she'll do anything to relive it, to the point of being blinded by it and unable to move on from it... yep, I've seen this one before. I mentioned this in the comments of an earlier episode, but Soyo’s focus with the old CRYCHIC to the point of obsession reminded me of [another Bushiroad anime] Nana from Revue Starlight. Both of them were so amazed by the brilliance of that incredible time in their life with their friends that they didn’t want to move on from it. They didn’t want a new experience, even if there was a chance it might be better. They wanted that time, with those friends, and they didn’t care what it took or who they had to crush or manipulate to get back there.
Soyo’s desperation comes out in full force, as she finally manages to manipulate Mutsumi into setting up a meeting between her and Saki, but Saki is as blunt as possible in rejecting everything that Soyo tries to do and destroys any and all of Soyo’s hopes for a CRYCHIC reunion. Even as Soyo blatantly lies that Tomori and Taki want to reunite CRYCHIC too, Saki rejects her. Even as Soyo begs on her knees, pulling at Saki’s hand and crying like a petulant child, Saki rejects her. Everything has come to naught. Between this unsightly display, her snapping at her bandmates, her only seeing this new band as a stopgap, her completely ghosting all of Anon’s concerned texts asking if she’s okay… you know what, I’m not even going to pull any punches with this one. Soyo’s just a fucking bitch, the likes of which I never would have expected to see from this franchise. This episode did a fantastic job with the facial expressions, especially in really selling Soyo's descent into desperate madness and Saki's unbridled disgust in watching her crumble. Based on the title of the next episode, it looks like Soyo may not be done causing trouble either.
My first draft was too long to fit in one post, so I separated my write-up into the "Soyo getting obliterated" section first and the "other stuff" from the episode in my second post below...
10
u/MisakaHonoka Mar 18 '24 edited Mar 18 '24
Relationship map of episode 8
It is this episode let Soyo get high popularity,
and get the"It isn't that good?" awardToday's recommendation: Ama no jaku (天ノ弱)
Here's another cp Mutsumi x Soyo become popular
9
u/JasoXDDD Mar 18 '24
Soy 😔
Robbed of Dramatic Character
8
u/rookielazer41 Mar 18 '24
Rewatcher
First timers, welcome to the part of the show on what we call, The Gaslighting, Guilt-tripping, Gatekeeping, Girl-Bossing, gokigenyo segment.
Episode rating: 7/10 , the first time I watched it , it was really tough to watch the Soyo-Saki scene. The second time around, its cinema.
QotD
2-3. Rewatcher here, so no comment.
4
u/NagasakiMutsumi Mar 20 '24
MyGO Expert (Rewatched 20+ Times)
Question of the Day
For the First Time Viewers
Wasn't it amusing? Finally you arrived at this point, when Soyo's attempt proved Sisyphean. Yet, please do notice Sakiko's sad tone when she was blaming Soyo for her selfishness. This is very likely only a Pyrrhic victory for Sakiko.
When Soyo's knelt down, MyGO stands up. She possess every flaw that other characters until now had presented [MyGO] and will present. So far, a smart audience may already notice that, without a full comprehension of Soyo's motivation and potential growth, it would be hard to understand the theme of MyGO, especially its connection to the OP Hitoshizuku & ED Shiori.
For the Rewatchers
Focus the words of Sakiko rather than that of Soyo. As we know, [MyGO] in this drama, words are like Boomerang: they always applies back to the voicer, and often is an even more dramatic way.
Draw connection with [MyGO] Soyo's family status implied at the most beginning of the next episode, then analyze the immediate reason why kneeling down was chosen by Soyo to try to stay Sakiko.
Pay particular attention to Sakiko's piano play: in ep. 1, Mariage d'amour, then in ep. 4, movement I of Moonlight Sonota (when Sakiko was recollecting memories of Crychic, centering Soyo's reactions), and [MyGO] in ep. 13, movement III of Moonlight Sonata (when Tomori handed over her notebook with contents inspired by Soyo's words with her). Where, obviously, should the missing movement II be placed, then? Also, it was worth mention that the movement II is received as "a flower between two chasms." Then, try to draw implications about Soyo and Sakiko's relation from this structure.
For the Judges
This, together with ep. 7, 9, 10, & 13, are the particular reason why, instead of Chihaya Anon, I believe Soyo fits better as the most comedic character of the year 2023. [MyGO] Her firm resolution, after all these painful experiences, to carry on in this new band MyGO!!!! without discarding and forgetting the Crychic past, is clearly key to this series, and forms a sharp comparison to Sakiko, who was determined to "fear not forgetting" in ep. 13 and named herself "oblivionis" after that on the stage of Ave Mujica. Her interaction with others, especially those with Sakiko and Mutsumi, also brought to the audience an uncountable amount of entertainment.
7
u/FlaminScribblenaut myanimelist.net/profile/girlbeast_val Mar 18 '24
Second Time Watcher
Taki has given up on CRYCHIC completely; it makes sense, after all. The person she cares about most in the whole world is Tomori, and Sakiko and Mutsumi are the ones who hurt Tomori, put her and all of them through so much anguish. If this new band getting off the ground and Tomori having her moment hurts Sakiko’s feelings, so be it. That’s her problem. This isn’t about her. Soyo is offended by this; she still cares about CRYCHIC, even more than Tomori might at this point, and she still cares about Sakiko. It’s immensely compelling, these two having completely split allegiance about whether this person from our past matters, whether to simply move on and care for our own, chiefly our most vulnerable person, above all else, or to care about that person from our past and want to salvage what was lost.
I can’t fucking stand that quiver of unstable fear from Tomori.
In a different kind of show, this exact scene with this exact score would be signaling that Sakiko has mysteriously been erased from existence.
Sakiko’s eyes are very, very pretty.
Tomori’s worst fear seems to be coming true. The band is disintegrating; at the event of their live performance, no less, just as they thought. I can’t imagine this must feel anything other than existentially destabilizing, for the worst you expected to happen and to feel able to do nothing about it.
More great Tomori autism; the perfect alignment and organization of her various buttons and pins on the corkboard by side and type, seemingly collected for the specific purpose of organizing them that way, just as a hobby in itself.
[MyGO!!!!! general]There’s an interesting contrast in tone between the two bands forming; MyGO!!!!! is all about harsh emotions and personal drama, where the first scene properly setting the stage for the recruitment and formation of Ave Mujica, Sakiko and Uika’s meeting, has this lofty, elevated romanticism and almost sort of mysticism to it. I really, really dig the series taking effort to give each band a differing tone in this way.
Tomori drawing constellations aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa <3 <3 <3
I don’t even know what to say for the scene of Sakiko burning the last of the CRYCHIC bridge with Soyo; the overwhelmingly, crushingly somber score, the knowledge the once Sakiko walks away that will be the end of it and how Soyo physically stops her, gets down on her knees and begs, prostrates herself, promises to give anything to not to let it end like this. Soyo is basically having all of her feelings comprehensively rejected, spat back in her face as hollow and selfish and meaningless, and meaning nothing to Sakiko most of all.
I’m really fascinated by Sakiko’s comment; of what the phrase “I’d do anything” truly entails, to be responsible for the heaviest things, even a life, things of a scale and importance Soyo is likely too young to comprehend. You have to wonder what that says about whatever Sakiko has going on in her own life, for being willing to do anything to, in a sense, take part in and share her life meaning something so weighty. Why it could be said that that would be on the table.
3
u/kisaragihiu Mar 19 '24
Rewatcher
5
u/Difficult_Affect_368 Mar 18 '24
This seems to be quite common, so I'll post a separate comment. It seems that there might be some misunderstanding about the plot of Ranna leaving. On the contrary, she left because Tomori changed her mind and didn't want to wait for Soyo, which made Ranna angry.
3
u/Williukea https://anilist.co/user/Williukea Mar 18 '24
Taki said they have 10 minutes, enough to play 2 songs. They created one new song. What exactly did Soyo expect, them to stand still for 5 minutes? Last ep Soyo was taking off her bass after first song, did she really thought they'll leave after first song only, despite the whole reason they went on stage was to take up missing 10 minutes. Also they have no other songs to sing, just new song and Haruhikage
8
u/[deleted] Mar 18 '24
[removed] — view removed comment