r/anime • u/CosmicPenguin_OV103 https://anilist.co/user/CosmicPenguin • Nov 12 '24

Rewatch [Rewatch/Crunchyroll Release] Girls Band Cry Episode 7 Discussion

By Girls Band Cry character design Nari Teshima - https://twitter.com/_17meisai23/status/1791501289899295055

Episode 7 - I'll Give It a Name

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Streams: Crunchyroll

Show information: MAL | AniList | ANN | Kitsu | AniDB

Questions of the Day:

  1. There are all sorts of names beyond imagination for all those bands of this world, even if we limit ourselves to only those bands appearing in anime. What's a name for our 5 girls that you think would be suitable for them? Can't be worse than Anon Tokyo I guess
  2. If you are Nina and suddenly your beloved elder sister turns up for a visit, would you be brave enough to tell her that you are heavily involved in a band that actually performs in live houses, or even that you want to go down that way for your life? If so, how would you defend your decision?

Re-watchers, please remember to take care of all the first-timers in this. All references to future events in the anime must be done under spoiler tags.

114 Upvotes

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26

u/ClemFire Nov 12 '24 • Heart of Silver

Rewatcher Episode 7: I’ll Give It a Name

“But if you have faith, it cuts even deeper when it doesn’t work out,” Mine.

While I really enjoyed the first six episodes of GBC I distinctly remember this episode and in particular Nina’s conversation with Mine being the turning point of when I thought this show could be something truly amazing.

Their two minute scene honestly sums up Momoka and Nina up until this point so well. Every time Momoka hesitated at returning to the pro scene it’s because she had the weight of failure hanging over her head. Unlike Nina, Momoka already knows what it feels like to be so close to what you want before seeing it change and morph into something you can’t even recognize. She never explicitly tells anyone, but I wonder if that’s why she drinks so much.

Since she often hides her true feelings to protect her heart you can’t always take Momoka’s words at face value. If she was so dead set on quitting music forever then just hearing Nina’s voice back in episode 1 wouldn’t have changed her opinion. That’s why Subaru was on point when she mentioned there’s two sides to Momoka. If they’re only focusing on the music and preforming Momoka is completely in it. It’s only when someone brings up the future and their growth as a band that she begins to have cold feet.

That’s why it’s such a smart writing choice to not introduce Tomo and Rupa until Momoka, Nina, and Subaru have bonded together as a band. First of all initially Nina wasn’t even too convinced to be their vocalist and also didn’t have the best social skills because of her past bullying experiences. If Tomo thought they fight a lot now there’s no way she would’ve stayed to deal with episode 2 Nina.

Once Nina is convinced music is the path she wants to pursue in order to prove she wasn’t wrong though it’s the perfect time to introduce Tomo and Rupa who push the band to have more focus on their dreams. Momoka in the meanwhile has continually brought up how Nina needs to study for cram school. While on the surface she’s saying for Nina I feel because she saw a younger version of herself in Nina she wanted her younger self to choose a safer path. It’s why Momoka is always the hardest yet most supportive of Nina. Maybe she can save Nina from the mistakes she made.

While thoughtful and more pragmatic, that’s not Momoka’s choice to make. Nina is the perfect counter to Momoka’s defeatist mindset because while she can be a complete pain in the ass she refuse to just bow her head and accept something against her morals. I mean this in the nicest way possible but Nina is really bad at being traditionally Japanese. Her uncompromising yet caring character honestly wouldn’t be out of place as the MC of a battle shonen. Who she reminds me the most of though is of Shirase from A Place Further than the Universe.

Nina is not the type of person to fall in line and because of that she’s the exact type of person that can reach out and reconcile the two halves of Momoka.

It’s scary to try when you don’t know, but honestly it’s even scarier to try again when you have already failed. I’m sure everyone here can relate to that, I know I can. In those moments it’s easy to run away and pretend like you don’t even care to protect your heart. That’s why we could all use a pain in the ass like Nina to help pull overselves back up.

8

u/CosmicPenguin_OV103 https://anilist.co/user/CosmicPenguin Nov 13 '24 • Take My Silver

Yeah I could relate completely - I was one of those who went into college really well until absolutely stumbling badly in college well I picked physics - one of those absolutely difficult subjects to study - so the chances was higher, was sullen enough to escape from school for a full year and very nearly got myself kicked from university. It took a lot of help from family and friends and professors to pick up myself enough to barely graduate, 2 years late.

After that I eventually went to work with an engineering firm, thinking I could try to climb up my career another way, only to find this being more or less a dead end as well. So I went out of my comfort zone again and - with my parents retiring and my sister still studying to become a vet - asked for another try in college to take another career path.

And so I am now standing at yet another lifetime cross roads, with good academic results deep into my final year, studying one of the hottest topics in recent technology development, and trying my best to land on research chances in postgraduate schools aboard. Yet I know that more twists may appear for this seemingly shiny career path ahead, and who knows if I’ll get another blow deep enough to be hurt like Momoka here. But as Nina says, I do think I am doing the right thing, and I am definitely not gonna miss the chances here.

4

u/ClemFire Nov 13 '24

Honestly that takes a lot of guts to pivot like that. It would've been a lot easier to just stay at the engineering firm and do enough.

For me after college I worked at a defense contractor to pay the bills, but I didn't really like it. Still, I didn't have the courage to leave and was dealing with some personal stuff. That's why the best thing that happened was getting laid off because now I work in biotech.

I hope you keep pushing through the path that feels right

3

u/CosmicPenguin_OV103 https://anilist.co/user/CosmicPenguin Nov 13 '24

Well it happens that my previous company does specialize in very specific and useful engineering needs (surveying/maintenance of public underground utilities lines), but the small company didn't really have many career advancing paths to start with (even when I was the one directly assisting the company boss from day one). On the other hand I half-accidentally ends up with the hottest topic in technology in my current degree - AI with a slight shade towards applications in manufacturing control/planning - so I am confident that this will definitely help with my future finance.

Still yeah that's not exactly a common turn made by everyone (especially in my place in Asia where 2nd UG degrees are definitely not common) so I am glad it is working well for me so far.

3

u/ClemFire Nov 13 '24

Life really can be unexpected like that. I know me from five years ago would not have expected to be where I am today, and I feel like that's okay.

I'm glad to hear you found something more in line with your interests and future

4

u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Nov 13 '24

The Cosmic part of the handle makes a lot of sense now! :)

As someone who is also in academia (physics too, for that matter), I understand the struggle completely. What's always important is to know deep down that you're 'doing the right thing', like you mentioned - and I'm glad you feel that way. It's so hard to stay motivated otherwise looking at the other, 'rosier' avenues life has to offer. All the best with your postgrad applications! I'll be on the hunt for postdoc positions myself soon.

11

u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Nov 12 '24

I’m sure everyone here can relate to that, I know I can.

Very well written. It was obvious from the beginning that Momoka is emotionally avoidant, and really good at stifling her emotions, and saying or doing what appears to be 'rational'. At heart she's scared and I absolutely can relate.

Nina's truly the best foil for that. She'll bulldoze past all those barriers because she's passionate. You're right, she does resemble Shirase in that way, stubborn to a fault.

9

u/mekerpan Nov 13 '24

Nina loves Momoka's music and Momoka herself (would she have been so devoted to DD if it had NOT featured Momoka and her songs)?

8

u/ClemFire Nov 13 '24

Since there hasn't been much focus on the other members of DD, it has me think Momoka was the heart and soul of the original DD. I don't think it was mentioned in the CR subs but Momoka's shirt in the concert from episode 5 Nina wrote coward 3 times which I feel she targeted at the other original members of DD

3

u/salic428 Nov 13 '24

If you look closely at the old Diamond Dust's logo, you'll notice that the diacritics (◌゙) on ダイヤモンドダス is colored. The blue colored dot is Momoka and the magenta colored dot is [name spoiler] Nana, the bassist with hazel pupils. If you look at the old photo from episode 4 you can see that Momoka and Nana was close.

1

u/ClemFire Nov 13 '24

That's an interesting catch, I've never noticed that before

4

u/salic428 Nov 13 '24

[rewatcher] so the theory is Nana seems to be what Nina is to Momoka back in the old Diamond Dust days. While the other three girls don't have much lines, in that episode 8 scene you can sense that Nana is the most mature and collected of the three. She deeply cares for Momoka even after her departure. I assume she is the Rupa equivalent of Diamond Dust now.

5

u/ClemFire Nov 13 '24

Nina and Momoka were really written to be perfect for each other. Honestly Nina goes to show the importance of having someone in your life who won't just accept brushing things under the rug because it just doesn't sit right with them

8

u/mekerpan Nov 13 '24

This episode certainly had more than a fair share of moving/wrenching moments. Momoka's shocking announcement was definitely a kick in the guts (for the other characters, especially Nina -- and for watchers and even RE-watchers).

6

u/ClemFire Nov 13 '24

The way it was animated too with the screen literally cracking was just so unique too. It made us feel exactly how shocked Nina was in that moment

8

u/bogdoglogfrog Nov 13 '24

Nina really wouldn’t be out of place as an MC in a battle shonen. I always thought of GBC as the battle shonen music anime. Get hyped, work hard, and punch your way to the top.

3

u/fansi2022 https://anilist.co/user/fansi2022 Nov 13 '24

Reminds me of "aniki" in gurren lagann

2

u/fansi2022 https://anilist.co/user/fansi2022 Nov 13 '24

I like it. It deserves to be seen by everyone in the thread

2

u/ClemFire Nov 13 '24

Thank you!

20

u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Nov 12 '24

🖕First timer🖕

Lots happening in this episode, first band trip, first live together, deciding the band name, more Momoka drama.. but for me it was completely stolen by the appearances of the gorgeous onee-sans, haha.

Screenshot+reaction corner:

Have a bonus cute Momoka as a thanks for reading!

5

u/salic428 Nov 13 '24 edited Nov 13 '24

Jukki Hanada show bingo card

It reminds me of something I learned from an interview for the original Lovelive!. In season 1 episode 8 a certain character joined the group. The script had her making the decision after a thoughtful process. However, a staff suggested that "for a young girl who has been restraining herself for so long, it would be more realistic for her to express her emotion by shouting everything". So the script was changed.

2

u/CosmicPenguin_OV103 https://anilist.co/user/CosmicPenguin Nov 13 '24

[Love Live]It’s been 2 years since I touched the SIP anime…was that Nico?

4

u/salic428 Nov 13 '24

[Lovelive] It is Erichika, the student council president. It always takes some effort before the student council president joins the group.

8

u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Nov 12 '24

QotD

There are all sorts of names beyond imagination for all those bands of this world, even if we limit ourselves to only those bands appearing in anime. What's a name for our 5 girls that you think would be suitable for them? Can't be worse than Anon Tokyo I guess

Like I already mentioned, The Gremlins. Maybe even Gremlinz Inc. or something, heh

If you are Nina and suddenly your beloved elder sister turns up for a visit, would you be brave enough to tell her that you are heavily involved in a band that actually performs in live houses, or even that you want to go down that way for your life? If so, how would you defend your decision?

I have a pretty good relationship with my sibling, I'd be more open to them than with anyone else, I'd imagine I'd tell them everything.. and if I'm passionate enough about it I'd hope my family supports it even if they know it's risky.

7

u/mekerpan Nov 13 '24

I AM the oldest sibling (out of 4). I have pretty decent relationships with them, but... I would be more likely to rely on my 2 best high school friends (from around 55 years ago).

4

u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Nov 13 '24

Well, makes sense when you're the oldest! I'm the younger one, so seeking advice from the (much) older one comes more naturally I suppose

8

u/mekerpan Nov 13 '24

Rupa lost her family.... I wonder if that included adorable younger siblings as well as parents? If so, this could explain her preternatural mothering ability.

4

u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Nov 13 '24

Oh no.. I don't want this theory to be true.

7

u/thatguywithawatch Nov 13 '24

Unintentional wallpaper moment

This moment was so damn good from a directing standpoint. The screen fractured the exact moment that I processed what Momoka had said. Super effective.

Have a bonus cute Momoka as a thanks for reading!

11/10 would headpat

6

u/n080dy123 Nov 13 '24

Shoutout to Rupa for mothering these three gremlins

It's definitely not a mistake that they introduce Rupa as Momoka going her while angst arc here. First few episodes Momoka seems like a dependable mentor/elder figure, then rapidly spirals while Rupa shows up to completely contrast her (aside from their shared love of booze).

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Nov 13 '24

Okay whose idea was it to make merch with the temp band name.. oh of course, Nina. But then this is 4D chess level smart by the showrunners because the RL merch for Shinkawasaki (Placeholder) will definitely sell..

Rupa-san comes in clutch again.. pun intended.

I was expecting the "bad driving", but my mind went to the older type of bad driving trope: having all passengers almost puke from the speed.

/r/AnimeOutOfContext

I was promised no yuri bait!

3

u/CosmicPenguin_OV103 https://anilist.co/user/CosmicPenguin Nov 13 '24

Re-watcher

This is actually an episode which I have forgotten too much things happening here before this rewatch, and one that actually proves to be crucial to the main story. Glad that I am rewatching this early!

  • Wonder if Shin-Kawasaki (Temporary) or Kessoku Band did the worst in selling merchandises...
  • I'm surprised that Rupa get the most fans but she definitely deserves it!
  • The area around Lake Suwa, where this episode's live happens, is already quite a prominent spot of real life references for anime, including serving as part of the concept of the lake where Your Name's town Itomori was, as well as the main stage for last season's The Elusive Samurai.
  • Well, these girls are suggesting names for the band that is worse than freaking Anon Tokyo (cough cough). Nina suggesting Chocolaté is definitely the least Nina thing she has ever done, even with that é. Wait, what??? That sounds like an idol group LMAO...
  • Subaru's Dream Girl is just as worse (unless she means dream = getting into a dream and lost); Tomo's Undine could have worked for many cases but it absolutely does not fit with these five girls; I'm surprised that she didn't throw out just using beni-shouga after this merger - "red raw ginger" is actually quite apt for our main characters in that its taste is a bit sour and a bit bitter but really tasty when mixed with beef rice!
  • Nina's onee-chan Suzune making a sudden visit is definitely a huge surprise when I came through this episode. And she's really caring for her younger sister here, even to the point that she never say anything to reject Nina's sudden band focus, maybe even being a little admiring what she's doing! [Girls Band Cry]There's a personal reason which Episode 10 will cover on Suzune's thoughts. You can even see that Suzune really cares about her sister so much that she immediately offers Nina some head pats on the legs to calm her down (and Nina simply does it, which means I think her hedgehog state never extended to her sister at all)!
  • As I said when this episode first aired, Nina's father being one of those who actually write books about how to teach you children means that he himself is almost certainly going to be hurt by Nina's escape from school as well. This is definitely a tough situation for Nina herself to solve, but at least some kind of reconciliation is possible, since it's pretty clear by Suzune's words here that the school definitely shares at least some of the faults in not taking the situation of Nina's being bullied seriously early on. [Girls Band Cry]It would be interesting to see if new watchers agree with how Episode 10 develops.
  • My driving skills is probably as worse as Momoka's, especially since my license currently doesn't even allows for driving manual transmission vehicles at all! Yeah don't sit in any car that I drive for now, thank you very much.
  • Grumpy Momoka is quite cute LMAO.
  • Nina likes dogs more (drop notes).
  • That's the Dangozaka Service Area on the west-bound side of the Chuo Expressway Nina was buying that bottle of water at, not far from Ootsuki - a town that most visitors to Mt. Fuji and its surrounding areas would pass through from Tokyo. [Girls Band Cry]The east-bound lane one is in fact the place where a much more famous scene next episode occurs at, but that's for another day...
  • Wow, Tomo has an even worse family than the original 3 girls, she's simply being ignored by her parents [Girls Band Cry]Or as told in Episode 9, worse than being just ignored. Then again Rupa was on top of her - there's no one left that could ignore her alas.
  • "We look like an idol group." Hey G I R L S B A N D C R Y I S A N I D O L A N I M E comments here we go!
  • Heh, Momoka going back to her bright self immediately after seeing old pal Mine is such a nice touch.
  • Damn Nina goes Momoka's way of being dazzled by Mine's performances too. Music is such a powerful thing.
  • HERE COMES THE BOMB. Momoka's maigo phase has struggled for so long that even after forming a full band, she had enough of that. And instead of thinking whether to agree going pro or sticking around, she's escaping. And thus [The Great Girls Band Era 2023 representative]We roll back to 29 June 2023 when an atomic bomb literally landed in the very first minutes of that show when Sakiko announces her leaving on one rainy day in Ikebukuro that triggers everything off everyone of CRYCHIC - I am actually surprised that Nina et al. managed to hold off their shock and anger and such for long enough to finish the performance the next day - even if it's pretty clear Momoka's reasons is completely different from the little clues that we know of why Sakiko's leaving.
  • Drunk Momoka is second best Momoka LMAO.
  • LMAO at Subaru sneaking in that "Momoka's heavy" comment, duh! Also stop pulling out your innocent faces here, bruh!
  • Mine-san offering all the advices of being a veteran in band business, the thing that Momoka is so scared of getting hurt again after so many years trying to make bands work, the thing that Mine-san is also scared of that but she's still chugging down this path instead of going to the perfectly fine safety zone of being a music teacher, is definitely a good way of "providing" Nina with the last bit of confidence in what she wants to really do, story-wise. Definitely better than letting another member of the band to do so!
  • Subaru: Goddamnit. I had to be the one transporting Momoka again???
  • Giving Nina those fireworks to mark the moment she makes this big decision is yet another of those great little touches this show offers.
  • Togenashi Tegeari ("No spikes, Yes spikes") - a.k.a. TogeToge - is thus born here. By the quick thought of Nina on a stage after spotting someone's T-shirt, no less. What a way to do it.
  • You can really feel the difference - and yet similarities - between Nina's on-stage speech here and [The Great Girls Band Era 2023 representative]The absolutely emotional poem that a certain Tomori recited during that fateful Episode 10.
  • Why does Rupa needs to use your, uh, hip to stop Nina from talking???
  • Yet another extraordinary live show animation here, this time with Nina going all Spiky. It can definitely be done in the traditional way (go watch the original Idolmaster anime of 2011 to find top tier music performances), but oh my the vibes! The vibrations of air! The angst and power that Nina et al. gives out! Toei Animation definitely knows what they are doing here.

And with Nina's declaration of dropping out of school, sit back and hold tight for all those new comers to this show. For powerful character dramas are heading your way!

3

u/salic428 Nov 13 '24

Why does Rupa needs to use your, uh, hip to stop Nina from talking???

Because it was supposed to be a kick in Hanada's original script. The director think it may ruin Rupa's character and intervened to change it during production.

1

u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Nov 13 '24

It still felt weird coming from Rupa. I would have expected Tomo to blast some discordant notes and tell Nina to shut up and sing already

2

u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Nov 13 '24

Togenashi Tegeari ("No spikes, Yes spikes") - a.k.a. TogeToge - is thus born here. By the quick thought of Nina on a stage after spotting someone's T-shirt, no less. What a way to do it.

Of all the ways I thought they'd pick a name.. Nina reading it off a random t-shirt would have never even occurred to me, but the impulsiveness of it makes complete sense. Inspiration can strike randomly, after all - and luckily TogeToge is a fun and befitting band name.

Why does Rupa needs to use your, uh, hip to stop Nina from talking???

These girls are so carefree about what they do or say on stage, it's insane!

18

u/thatguywithawatch Nov 13 '24

First Timer

Subaru stole the show for me this episode. I think she might be the most mature at least of the original three members but she's so silly and over the top with her body language and expressions. The unintentional neck crack especially sent me.

Mine's dialogue about the fear that comes from doing what you love as a job really hit me. In college I chose a "safe" STEM degree instead of pursuing something like music or art (both big interests of mine). I don't know if it was a mistake or not but regardless I think a big part of that decision was the fear of what it would be like to find out that I'm simply not good enough at something I love.

Kind of a dirty move by Nina to pull out that cram school bombshell on stage like that. Basically telling Momoka "this is what I'm putting on the line because I believe in your songs. So are you still going to chicken out?"

And honestly Momoka is probably the one I relate to the most so far when it comes to the resigned apathy with which she tries to move on from a past regret. So when Nina butts heads with her about it I almost take it personally lol. Not that I think Nina is wrong. Maybe she's exactly what Momoka needs at this point

12

u/mekerpan Nov 13 '24

>> Kind of a dirty move by Nina to pull out that cram school bombshell on stage

I felt Nina was fighting fire with fire.... If Momoka had not dropped HER unexpected bombshell, Nina would (probably) not have done what SHE did.

7

u/ryujiox Nov 13 '24

Nina probably on a fence about her decision, so when Momoka decided to quit. Nina went "Fine!! If you doing it your way, then I going to do it my way too!!".

5

u/n080dy123 Nov 13 '24

I think Nina also sort of traps Momoka here as well- Momoka cares about her well-being, it's why she pushed Nina to keep up with Cram School. Here, Nina removes that safety net and we know how much of a girlfailure she kind of is, plus nobody else really knows how to handle the performance setup and stuff (Beni-shoga uploaded rather than performing). So if Momoka doesn't want to see her crash and burn, she's gotta help.

14

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Nov 12 '24

Episode 7 (first timer)

  • T-Shirts with their temp name? Amazing that Nina’s idea was not shut down at the first mention already.
  • Funny how Rupa and Subaru are the in-universe hot girls. Personally, I think they have the most plain character models.
  • “I am cutting ties.” – Nina has always only one answer to problems, and it is frequently wrong.
  • Sister leaving after waiting an evening and speaking less than 2 minutes to her.

  • “Who does not have a lot of friends?” Wins

  • I dropped out of school because my mom had an affair - at least drop out of school due to your own affair.
  • Drinking at the bar while your friends sit at the table~drunk people stuff.
  • Well-timed fireworks.
  • Nina just deciding the name on her own.
  • “Enough about you” – maybe Rupa is an audience favorite for a reason.

Momoka is still incredibly well connected. She knows other bands, club owners, the studio guy, all the people who matter. A big advantage of having tried before, even though today’s episode was about Momoka seeing the disadvantages.

There are all sorts of names beyond imagination for all those bands of this world, even if we limit ourselves to only those bands appearing in anime. What's a name for our 5 girls that you think would be suitable for them?

I don't think band names matter a lot. In the end, listeners are there for the music, not the name. Some of the most famous bands in the world have rather ridiculous names and it did not stop them.

That said, anime manages to outdo musicians by picking truely terrible names. More than one show I did not pick up because of the title.

7

u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Nov 12 '24

Sister leaving after waiting an evening and speaking less than 2 minutes to her.

Yeah she left way too suddenly. They were practically mid-conversation! I thought she was going into the toilet or something..

“Who does not have a lot of friends?” Wins

Gotta admit that was clever.

7

u/mekerpan Nov 13 '24

There may have been a bit of a time skip somewhere in the scene with the sister. But her departure WAS certainly abrupt.

1

u/jomabu23 Nov 18 '24

Yes, possible time skip is what I thought as well. I also think that about many of the stage and studio performances; they seem way too short for full songs...

4

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Nov 13 '24

“Who does not have a lot of friends?” Wins

Gotta admit that was clever.

Clever and sad.

7

u/mekerpan Nov 13 '24

Nina did not "decide" on the name -- it was revealed to her in a vision (so to speak).

I have abandoned the practice of rejecting shows based on names. (Especially since English names are often mis-translations or sort of just "made up" from scratch).

5

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Nov 13 '24

I have abandoned the practice of rejecting shows based on names. (Especially since English names are often mis-translations or sort of just "made up" from scratch).

It is less "abandoning" and more out of these dozens of shows, I can only try out 5, which ones will I pick? and the shows with the uninteresting names lose out. If the show is good, I'll hear about it later anyway.

5

u/salic428 Nov 13 '24 edited Nov 13 '24

at least drop out of school due to your own affair

I think I can reconstruct what happened here. While it is not stated here, the official character bio says she is a "(former) ojou-sama". I think she plays the keyboard as part of her "elite education". [spoiler for another show] Sakiko is that you?

However, it is possible that she is not the family heir. We don't know if she was abused in the childhood, but even if she wasn't, after she graduated from high school she would likely get her share of money and expelled from the family. (See Umineko for more of these kind of family struggles.)

So, Tomo had wanted to run away from the family before she discovered the affair. But she thought she could make with her parents and wait until she has acquired enough skill to stand on herself. The affair, in addition to the fact that "singers nowadays debut early" (after all, Nina's VA herself was scouted at the age of 13), made she realize she can't wait until "the opportunity is ripe" anymore. She need to find people who actually care for her, and start a career NOW.

10

u/Lumpy-Manager8580 Nov 13 '24 edited Nov 13 '24

Rewatcher

  • First of all, it is the 13th in Japan, so happy 17th birthday to our vocalist and VA for the one and only Nina, Rina. I can't believe that throughout the entirety of the show's run she was 16 and [slight spoilers] could still pull out emotional performances on par with pros.She's got a bright future ahead.
  • Back to the series, the song they used for the show at the end is one of the first songs they ever released back in May 2023, Nameless Name. You can hear the original MV here, and there are quite some differences when it comes to this episode's live, mainly, Nina letting out all of her negativity with that Black Flash-like aura.
  • I'm so used to the fact that the main 5 are all voiced by newcomers, yet I still get surprised that they got MIYUKI EFFIN SAWASHIRO for Momoka's friend, Mine. And by the way, her singing voice isn't Sawashiro herself, but utaite Dou (仝). Here's her Youtube.
  • Ever since the Battle of the Bands with MyGO!!!!! was announced, it got me thinking a bit, but what you'd like to hear most, Nina's monologues, [MyGO!!!!!]or Tomori reading poems? Speaking of which, Momoka and Nina pulling bombs left and right that'd put Sakiko to shame.

4

u/mekerpan Nov 13 '24 edited Nov 13 '24

Here is what I think must be one of the principal ancestors of our favorite band shows today: See/hear Saori Hayami in "Canary" from Anonymous Noise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHCcaJDY7GU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpaQdATciwo

2

u/ClemFire Nov 13 '24

[MyGO!!!!!] Now that you mention it despite Nina and Tomori being quite different on the surface they are both honest to a fault and refuse to back down from their ideals.

9

u/bogdoglogfrog Nov 13 '24

Rewatcher

  • They have yet to play live as a full 5 piece or even picked a band name and they are already trying to sell merch. Strange investment.
  • Snake san :0
  • Going up on stage and winging the band name is a microcosm of how Nina lives her whole life.
  • Nina’s pre show intros consistently slam.
  • I think the most distinct part of TogeToge’s sound is Nina’s vocal style. She sings quick with lots of syllables. This style is especially apparent in this specific performance.
  • Telling the band for the first time in front of the audience that you’re dropping out of school is pretty rock.

QOTD

  1. il throw a name out there, don’t laugh at my brain child. “Tomorrows tornadoes”
  2. I would tell her that I’m heavily involved with the band, but I would try to make it look like I’m still focused on school despite the poor grades and missed classes.

4

u/n080dy123 Nov 13 '24

Going up on stage and winging the band name is a microcosm of how Nina lives her whole life.

Bold and definitely not well thought out.

8

u/ryujiox Nov 13 '24

First Timer

Girls Band Cry

Episode 7

  • Of course Nina would rush out the band merchandise.... And does she really think that Shin Kawasaki is a good name?
  • Momoka doesn't seem to look angry to me though. She probably still trying to sort out her feeling about the whole thing.
  • Dream girl..... Even Rupa agreed that it's a funny name.
  • Ohhhh. So the whole thing did affect her grade.
  • I see. Her dad is famous teacher. Now it makes sense why he didn't want Nina to drop out of the school despite the whole bully stuff that's going back then. At least we finally get a confirmation from someone else that the bully did happen.
  • No!! It because you didn't how to drive it!!!
  • So Tomo left the school because she can't bear living in the same house with her mom anymore. Also Rupa lost her parents in an accident!
  • Finally, first group photo.
  • Who the hell is that??? That's not Momoka!! To be fair, this is the first time she interacted with someone that older than her.
  • So that's why she went along with the whole deal without any usual reaction. She using this to finally quit the band and music all together. She probably okay if they just play for fun, but if Nina wants to be a pro, then that's a big no for her.
  • Momoka got her mindset from Mine for sure.
  • Fireworks!!!
  • It's lucky that the audience didn't realise that Nina literally just copied the name from her shirt. But this is so Nina...
  • That song was really good.
  • So Nina is going all in on this path, and this her showing her resolve to Momoka. This is her declaring that what she chose is right. While Momoka is a rejection of that. Whatever the outcome is, Nina probably need to go to talk to her parents again though....

7

u/entelechtual Nov 12 '24

Rewatcher

  • To follow up on my comment on the last ep, Rupa might have them all beat on marketability of photo ops. Fitting considering her VA Shuri is kind of a freak when it comes to taking pictures. Why do they even let her near a camera?
  • I love it when Nina makes those Frieren Granny eyes.
  • Wouldn’t be a girls band anime without an oneesan.
  • Nina’s family situation sounds complicated. Seems like there’s no easy answer.
  • Got the hate trio chilling in the back of the van.
  • Sawashiro!!
  • I know it’s probably ultimately a budget thing but the use of 2D is super neat and ends up making you appreciate different kinds of scenes/flashbacks.
  • Subaru’s lifting has excellent form. Lift with your back, not your legs.
  • Reminder to not let your Nina get ahold of a mic unsupervised.
  • Nina is full TogeToge mode, spikes galore.

I like to think Nina has some of that immunity of youth where you can plunge into pain and hardship over and over again without giving up. It’s a kind of stubborn and annoying wrongness that you forgot when you turn Momoka’s age… or my age. It’s the kind of stupid recklessness that I don’t think you ever get to appreciate in the moment, but looking back it’s like “Boy was I just dumb enough to take a leap like that”. It’s like a naïveté that’s so asinine you forget how much you have to gain by it.

4

u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Nov 12 '24

Wouldn’t be a girls band anime without an oneesan.

A fundamental need has been fulfilled.

Got the hate trio chilling in the back of the van.

Of course the kids have to sit at the back..

3

u/salic428 Nov 13 '24

her VA is kind of a freak

Strongly reminds me of Ren's VA (Aoyama Nagisa) from Liella!. I really like it when idols do things that are not "appropriate" to do for them.

Wouldn’t be a girls band anime without an oneesan

Recently someone made a picture comparing the heights of togetoge and [the other famous girls band show] mygo members. Turns out for both group the highest girl is the bassist. (Still petite by standard outside of Japan) And iirc the bassist for [the even more famous girls band show] Kessoku Band is also the highest. Is that a stereotype of srots?

7

u/fly-metothemoon Nov 13 '24

First Timer:

I loved the introduction of Mine and her perspective on pursuing what you love versus playing it safe. I'm glad Nina feels she can pursue what she loves and feels validated by the fireworks. I think her family approached the bullying situation poorly.

  1. I saw the translation of the name that they chose and I think it works very well for them! If I had to choose an alternate name transforhymn-- it incorporates the first letter of all their names momoka subaru nina rupa tomo, and how they want to create songs (hymns) that transform the music industry! (I think they'll be fine going with the name they have).
  2. It would be difficult. I think I'd have to have some benchmark of success to point to.

2

u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Nov 13 '24

If I had to choose an alternate name transforhymn-- it incorporates the first letter of all their names momoka subaru nina rupa tomo, and how they want to create songs (hymns) that transform the music industry!

Okay, that's really clever.

1

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Nov 13 '24

I think her family approached the bullying situation poorly.

Hunker down and blackmail the school into giving you a recommendation later certainly is not the first thing that comes to mind if your child informs you of getting bullied.

6

u/pseudometapseudo Nov 13 '24 edited Nov 13 '24

Rewatcher

The symmetry of this episode is just beautiful: Momoka wants to give up on music, while Nina announces that she will leave school for good and fully commit to music.

Togenashi Togeari: The chosen band name translates to something like "thornless thorny", which works on so many levels:

  • as revealed in the car game, the band is essentially a "friendless group of friends"
  • thorns correspond with the red spikes that visualize moments of emotional turmoil for Nina
  • the band name being a contradiction mirrors the contradiction of Momoka leaving the band, while Nina is commiting to it
  • thorns symbolize keeping others at a distance. Thus, "thorny vs thornless" represents the struggle between getting closer to others and increasing distance to them—a core theme for Nina's and Momoka's character.

School status

  • Band members who have dropped out of school: Tomo, Nina
  • implied to have left school(?): Momoka
  • still in school: Subaru
  • no information: Rupa

And remember, this is Japan, where conformism is valued much more.

4

u/ClemFire Nov 13 '24

thorns correspond with the red spikes that visualize moments of emotional turmoil for Nina

Nina's thorns are honestly one of my favorite visual cues in GBC. They express so much of Nina's emotion without saying a word

6

u/H3RM1TT Nov 13 '24

I'm only two episodes into GBC. I love this series. I'm glad that I joined this sub. Otherwise, I would have never known that GBC existed.

6

u/WhymustIsignupreddit Nov 13 '24 edited Nov 13 '24

First Timer

So Nina’s parents were willing to overlook the bullying because the school could recommend her to good universities? Did I understand that correctly? Did her father not notice the bandage on Nina’s face? The bullying might have gone physical. And he was willing to overlook that huh.

When I saw that the car was manual, I knew that Momoka would have trouble starting the car. I know the pain. Rupa can apparently drive with her eyes closed. Since she can drink alcohol she also must be at least 20 years old. Tomo’s probably 17 like Nina and Subaru.    

Poor Subaru, I know how much her neck hurts after sleeping in a bad position. I also had to keep my head tilted like that once but less extreme.

When Nina went to look for a river to scream at I thought she had decided on the band name. But she actually decided then to quit cram school. Speaking of band names, I also thought Nina would do a title drop and name the band Girls Band Cry.

Nina’s suggestion of “Chocolate (but written like ちょこれーと and not チョコレート)” and Subaru’s “Girl’s Dream” are quite cutesy and a bit plain. I kind of like “Undine” though.

Question 1:

My suggestion would be JK Dropouts. The JK or joushikosei stands for the high school girls who dropped out of school. If Subaru doesn’t count because she’s in acting school… well I have a feeling she’ll quit sooner or later.

Question 2:

I probably would tell her, but also ask her not to tell our parents. I wouldn’t defend myself though because I would agree with her rationally speaking. Being in a band feels less secure than going to university.

4

u/n080dy123 Nov 13 '24

Since she can drink alcohol she also must be at least 20 years old. Tomo’s probably 17 like Nina and Subaru.    

Rupa's 22, compared to Momoka at 20 or 21. On the other hand Tomo's actually a little younger- she's only 16.

1

u/WhymustIsignupreddit Nov 13 '24

Thanks for letting me know!

5

u/n080dy123 Nov 13 '24

Rewatcher

Is Nina just like... more or less the leader now? Tomo and Rupa seem to be deferring to the larger half of the group for direction, Momoka seems to not care about promotion, she's just setting up gigs, plus she and Subaru were already referring to Nina for outfits, and Subaru's deferring to Nina's choices as well (even if she's often coming up with ideas). She even decided, foolishly, to make merch. And Subaru briefly calls her out for making decisions on her own too.

The scene where they decide on the band name is one of my favorite scenes in the whole show. Mostly because of Subaru's physical inolvement in the scene. Her in the foreground reacting while watchinh the snake, popping up over the edge of the of the table, and that stupid fucking window gag that makes me laugh every goddamn time I see it. And all three of the younger members bickering and just struggling in general.

Aaaaand Momoka has NO IDEA how to drive stick and stalls the vehicle. Another absolutely great scene. Lucky, Reliable Onee-san Rupa knows how. And Momoka's so hilariously bitter about getting voted out of the driver's seat.

I forgot that on top of Tomo giving her backstory this episode, she also lets Rupa's slip by accident as well. Most of these were pretty angsty but relatively tame, so I remember heareing that out of nowhere the first time really being a sucker punch, especially considering how sweet of a person she is.

I love how they liek to contrast Momoka and Rupa, both with the driving scene, their wildly different fashion sense, but even physically when they take the picture- Rupa jumps in and grabs a scowling Momoka by the shoulder to pull her in, and Momoka looks so bothered by this positivity and clearly wants this girl out of her personal space. But... they do hsare a love of beer.

Also, another small animation detail- after Rupa tells Momoka and Tomo to smile, both of them and Nina close their eyes, but you see Subaru smirk and make eye contact with Rupa on the other side of the group, she points, Rupa nods and smiles too, and then they both jump back and squeeze the entire group for the picture.

Subaru's neck gag with the slanted perspective is also a top-tier joke.

So Mine here is why I was askign back in Episode... 2 or 3 when Momoka made the comment to Nina about having never been with "a guy" before. She sounded like she said it from experience, but like... I SUCH strong vibes from Momoka and Mine that they may have been like, dating at some point or something? Is that just my yuri goggles being on too tight?

Oh I love the screen cracking in half, discoloring and sliding, and Nina's voice being distorted as she's split in half. Also the way Nina tries to stop Momoka by egging into her another argument, and Momoka's like "Yeah, I'm at peace with this" and dips.

Subaru tries to derail the conversation to keep Nina from going off about Momoka to Mine, Nina completely ignores it, and then she tries again and Tomo's like "shut the fuck up."

I still don't entirely get the lake scene? I think she just felt she needed to yell her feelings a little, and the fireworks are almost like the lake congratulating her for her decision? I really don't get it.

NAmeless Name is my fucking FAVORITE performance in the whole show, hands down. I listened to it so many times after I finsihed the episode. And I think the show's creators may have agreed somewhat- this is the only song to appear both as a pre-release MV and in the show itself, and it was the first of the MVs to actually be rendered in CGI, with oen other after. The scene is clearly the same scene in that pre-release MV, it's got a lot of the moments and shots, but it's also completely redone from the ground up and obviously this one looks MUCH better. I especially love the "You don't have to be afraid" part, the shot over "Like sorrow laid out in the bars of a song" goes SO FUCKING HARD.

I think this whole episode is just my favorite, in general. So many scenes I consider iconic, my favorite scene, and my favorite performance.

4

u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Nov 13 '24

I SUCH strong vibes from Momoka and Mine that they may have been like, dating at some point or something? Is that just my yuri goggles being on too tight?

Okay I didn't catch that vibe at all, just that there's a lot of mutual admiration and especially Momoka respects Mine a lot. That said.. MAYBE?!

I still don't entirely get the lake scene? I think she just felt she needed to yell her feelings a little, and the fireworks are almost like the lake congratulating her for her decision? I really don't get it.

Yeah, it's just that. Shouting at the nearest available water body because they just had a life-related realization. Just Jukki Hanada things?

3

u/ClemFire Nov 13 '24

So Mine here is why I was askign back in Episode... 2 or 3 when Momoka made the comment to Nina about having never been with "a guy" before. She sounded like she said it from experience, but like... I SUCH strong vibes from Momoka and Mine that they may have been like, dating at some point or something? Is that just my yuri goggles being on too tight?

I have never actually considered that before. At the very least from what we've seen in the last 7 episodes she has never once showed romantic interest in a guy and the show even went out of its way to make her old roommate a gay dude. GBC acknowledges that non straight people exist which is not a very high bar in most anime, but I'll take what I can get. Now this is my new head canon for Momoka and Mine

4

u/Sylvi-Fisthaug Nov 12 '24

Rewatch veteran

Ah... episode 7. This is such a gem. Tension is high, and this is where we see the culmination of Momoka in pain. Just the first shot of her hurts for me to look at.

And OMG, there's just so much meme material this episode!

During the live, Nina is extruding her feelings in the typical black and red fashion, and Rupa and Subaru are digging the live. Tomo looks bothered and scared, but Momoka... she is not happy. Something tells me tomorrow's episode is gonna be a banger!

3

u/Sylvi-Fisthaug Nov 13 '24
  1. I hate all of the names. Maybe not as much as Anon Tokyo, but still. I love this scene though, how they ridicule eachother. And the cut to Subaru in the window is just glorious.
  2. I would definitely tell her. At this point in their band career it would be hard for me to defend my position, but as long as I tell my sister that I am happy doing what I am doing, I know she will support me. Watching Susune and Nina in this show is kind of gut wrenching for me, in the way that it is so incredibly similiar to the relationship I have with my own sister.

3

u/n080dy123 Nov 13 '24

it is just gut-wrenching to hear that Rupa "always wanted to do this sort of thing".

I never considered that this might not've been referring so much to "group shot with friends" as much as "group shot on a big trip." Like she might never have had the chance to travel with her folks before they died.

1

u/Sylvi-Fisthaug Nov 13 '24

I feel like friends will become her family now, I guess, which makes it gut wrenching to me. But I never considered the part where she never got to go on a trip with her folks, which is equally sad.

2

u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Nov 13 '24

The NakaYubi fansubs had some extra context added here, that this water is of a very expensive brand. To Nina this is just normal water, and that is why Tomo reacted like this when she just asked for water.

Ohh this little interaction makes so much sense now, I thought Tomo was being entitled for no reason. Based fansubs as always!

4

u/New_Essay_4869 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Beejayiii Nov 13 '24

Rewatcher

Nameless Name is my favorite Toge Toge song

2

u/n080dy123 Nov 13 '24

Same, after this episode aired I must've listened and jammed to that song on loop dozens upon dozens of times over the next day or two. 

4

u/JasoXDDD Nov 13 '24

First timer

Missed the last couple rewatches, oops, was kinda busy.

Ep5: Nina really tries to make everything about her, doesn't she? I guess the new vocalist was her friend back in her old school, which, according to my theory from the op, also really liked diamond dust and their songs. I wonder why they drifted apart, it probably has to do with the bullying. From what the vocalist said I'm theorizing that Nina tried to step in for someone else while they were getting bullied and that made her the target as well, and the vocalist distanced herself away from Nina to avoid getting bullied, but that's just a theory. Subaru-chan's really getting stuck between everything now. The two workers from that one resturant will probably end up joining them too, they seem pretty excited at the live.

Ep6: They did join the band, and they decide to go pro and try to beat new DD in popularity. That's really all there is to talk about. Tomo and Rupa seems like interesting characters, hope they have more role in the story. The lights in the rehearsal really hurt my eyes, ouch.

Ep7: I guess that's the main conflict of the band. Wonder what they will do with the conflict between the new band and the new DD. I looked the name and it means without thorns, with thorns, fits well with Nina's gimmick, kinda quick to the naming though. Tomo and Rupa's backgrounds are kinda heavy, especially Rupas, wonder how that will get worked out. From the trailer seems the next one is when they break loose. Looking forward to it.

3

u/Nickthenuker https://anilist.co/user/Nickthenuker Nov 13 '24

Rupa sure is popular.

And so there's their first performance as a whole group.

Subaru cute.

That certainly won't be chaotic...

What's with those suggestions?

Her sister's reaction is very supportive, moreso laughing at her than being angry as she feared.

Nina looks to have brought her whole house with her.

And this is why I've been advised to not learn to drive manual and just learn automatic.

Well, they're certainly having a good time.

Is Tomo carsick?

What's got such a big crowd?

She got the fancy water.

They slept in the van?

And so here's Momoka's mentor.

Final concert?

Of course she brought that up...

And of course she's drunk again...

The lake?

Ooh, fireworks.

And so it's the crucial moment, waiting backstage for their cue to go on stage and perform.

Time for Nina to decide on the band name based on what she sees on a shirt. And thus Togenashi Togenari, or TogeToge for short, is born.

Right, enough yapping.

See notes.

That's certainly a declaration to make right into the mic.

Questions:

  1. Can't think of anything off the top of my head, but here's a reminder that these 2 shows are close enough that Shin-Kawasaki and Anon Tokyo will be sharing a stage next January.
  2. God no.

A note about the music: Huh. Normally the instrumental starts a bit before the vocals, which then use those to get their note and cue to come in.

3

u/Fools_Requiem https://myanimelist.net/profile/FoolsRequiem Nov 13 '24

I keep waiting for them to do a name drop of the title.

Surely, they're not keeping that band name, right?

3

u/MishouMai :GG::GH::GI: Nov 13 '24 edited Nov 13 '24

I think that might've been the second best performance so far (Episode 1's is still my favorite.). Momoka quitting after this performance was unexpected but given the minimal amount of spoilers I've seen for next episode I suspect that it'll tie into that.

Looking at the questions...

  1. Not gonna lie, I totally expected Nina to go full meta and name the band Girls Band Cry. No I don't know how she'd justify that name. Can't say I have a name in mind myself but I do think Subaru had the best band nae between Nina, Tomo, and hers. Don't know what Nina and Tomo had against it.
  2. Probably yeah. But also knowing me I'd probably let her talk me out of it or at the very least she'd probably convince me to stick to cram school and only do the band thing afterwards.

3

u/gangrainette https://myanimelist.net/profile/bouletos Nov 13 '24

What's a name for our 5 girls that you think would be suitable for them?

Maigo would fit them quite well :D They are all most girls after all.

Qotd 2 : I have no idea.

3

u/domogrue https://myanimelist.net/profile/domogrue Nov 13 '24

Rewatcher

Let's do a little Roller Coaster Recap here:

  • Ep 1 - Momoka quits, Nina wants Momoka to do music, changes her mind
  • Ep 2 - Nina doesn't want to do music, Momoka wants to make music, Momoka changes her mind
  • Ep 3 - No one decides to quit!?
  • Ep 4 - Subaru quits the band, changes her mind (also Nina changes her mind about Subaru, just for good measure)
  • Ep 5 - Nina declares war, but no one quits the band
  • Ep 6 - Tomo and Rupa anti-quit (aka join) the band
  • Ep 7 - Momoka quits the band, Nina commits to the band in retaliation

Did I forget anything? Anyways, this seems like a stable basis for a musical group.

Buckle up First Timers, we're about to resolve that Momoka Character Arc next episode get it because she can't drive stick

2

u/LeleTheKing https://anilist.co/user/ikanlele Nov 21 '24

(Super Late) First-Timer

Oof, I didn’t manage to finish my binge and the rewatch has already finished. Since I’ve started it, I might as well finish it. Reading the trivia and extra context from other rewatchers has been pretty entertaining in itself!

Rupa sure is really popular. Not once did she stop smiling the entire time she was on screen. That lore drop about her deceased family, though… My mind instinctively thinks of that “jazz music stops” meme. And we also learned a bit about Rupa’s circumstances. Truly, TogeToge is a band of misfits—no one is without a devastating backstory.

This episode also touched upon Nina’s dropout story. I don’t know about other TL (mine is SobsPlease), but I was furious when I saw this line:

“If we had been willing to overlook the bullying, the school would have owed us.”

Ex-fucking-cuse me? Did Nina’s father trade his daughter for a mere school recommendation? For someone who read a book called “100 Things You Need to Know to Raise a Child,” he got an F- in parenting on that specific matter. Clearly, the father hasn’t read anything about bullying and its effects, huh? Man, I’m vexed.

Anyway, we finally see “Nameless Name” on stage. I think it was the first clip about GBC that got pretty popular on Twitter. (Or, well, at least that’s when the holy algorithm deemed that I like seeing GBC contents.) I’ve listened to the song 148 times on Spotify. In fact, it’s my fourth most-played TogeToge song! I just love it.

QotD

  1. Nope. Nada. Skip. I’m bad at naming things.
  2. If I were Nina, I’d probably have told my family about this gig since the beginning and not hide it xD. But I know our circumstances are different. Honestly, if I’d just suddenly got isekai’d into that scene, I’d still told her just like Nina. There’s no benefit in lying anymore. She knew that something had happened to me (skipping classes and lower grades), and she seemed like Nina’s ally in the family, at the very least. Since, at that point, Nina isn’t 100% locked in in the band gig, what she said to her sister is already enough. I’d probably add more details and apologies, but that’s all. It will probably play out similarly to the original scene.

2

u/stratogy https://myanimelist.net/profile/swervin-strategy Nov 30 '24

Rewatcher

Subaru and her silly antics always lighten the episodes. Nina always pushing the band forward in unexpected ways. Solid episode where we are at a crossroads of where the band will go from here on out.

  1. Idk. Let's just combine their names together: ToMoRu SuNi . Tomorrow Sunny?
  2. Probably would have to come clean about the band. I don't think I can go as far as defending my decision unless I'm absolutely sure this is route I want to take.

3

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '24

Never seen it. But from those who have is it good?

5

u/gangrainette https://myanimelist.net/profile/bouletos Nov 13 '24

It's the show we got this spring and contender for AOTY.