"BanG Dream!" is a media mix project centered around anime, games, and live performances. With "BanG Dream! 3rd Season" scheduled to begin airing in January 2020, excitement for the content continues to soar. This time, we'll be summarizing the activities and details of the voice acting unit that draws large numbers of fans each time. Be sure to read to the end to see how their activities go beyond the realm of a voice acting unit with live instrument performances.
What is the voice acting unit from "BanG Dream!"?
BanG Dream! features six bands, each with a popular voice actor bringing their characters to life. In addition to creating the world of the anime and games, three bands—Poppin'Party, Roselia, and RAISE A SUILEN—hold live concerts and deliver the music of BanG Dream! through live performances. Let's take a quick look at the voice acting units in BanG Dream!
Voice Actors Performing Live on Stage
The three bands, "Poppin'Party," "Roselia," and "RAISE A SUILEN," regularly hold live concerts and events. Their live performances, especially their live shows, captivate the fans who flock to see them. Tickets to each concert are always highly sought after, a clear reflection of the game's popularity. It's as if each band has stepped into the real world, making it a must-attend event for any Bandori fan.
New songs are constantly being released in the game
The "BanG Dream!" mobile game has become incredibly popular, and its frequent events are a huge hit. Not only do they announce new songs from the featured bands, giving fans the chance to hear them first, but they also offer playable rhythm games. The game also features cover songs of famous anime songs and popular hits, each tailored to the band's unique style. This popularity is also fueled by the fact that it can spark interest in new anime, making it a must-play for rhythm game fans.
Poppin'Party: Leading the Content Industry
No discussion of "BanG Dream!" would be complete without mentioning the main band, Poppin'Party. They hold the most live shows of any voice actor unit, achieving great success at large venues and taking on various challenges, including band battles. Let's take a look at what kind of band Poppin'Party, affectionately known as Popipa, is. We'll also touch on their past achievements, so be sure to check it out.
Started Activities in April 2015
Popipa began in April 2015 as a band project by Aimi, who plays Kasumi Toyama. Later, Rimi Nishimoto (bass) and Ayasa Ito (keyboards) joined the group, and Sae Otsuka (guitar) joined at their second live performance. Then, in November 2015, Ayaka Ohashi joined the group on drums, and in February 2016, they released their long-awaited CD single. Since then, they have actively held solo concerts, thrilling fans with a variety of performances.
Two Successful Nippon Budokan Concerts
Popipa's biggest achievement is undoubtedly the success of their Nippon Budokan concerts. This sacred venue, a hall of fame in the Japanese music scene, is a place that cannot be missed, and Popipa performed there twice, in August 2017 and February 2019. The setlist for their second concert followed the same format as their first, and fans were sure to be thrilled by the stylish production. They have also successfully performed at major venues such as Makuhari Messe and Ryogoku Kokugikan.
They also performed a joint concert with their idols, "SILENT SIREN"
Popipa is a voice actress unit, and needed a model to follow in order to succeed as an all-girl band. They looked to the band "SILENT SIREN" for inspiration, and the five members studied their performances diligently. Furthermore, in May 2019, they performed a joint concert with their idols and respected band, SILENT SIREN. Their theme song, an original song, was a collaboration between the two bands, making it a dream come true for Popipa.
They also actively appear at events overseas
In addition to performing at venues commonly known as live music venues, Popipa also performs live at outdoor events and anime events. For example, in 2018, they participated in the outdoor Roppongi event "SUMMER STATION Music LIVE," and in 2019, they performed at the "ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2019," which featured a lineup of famous artists. They also actively participate in overseas events, and it's not uncommon for them to appear at anime events in China and the United States.
Roselia: Highly Supported by Fans
The voice actress unit "Roselia" is one of the most popular groups in the "BanG Dream!" series. The five members are Aina Aiba, Haruka Kudo, Yuki Nakajima, Megu Sakuragawa, and Kanon Shizaki. Their live performances and intermission videos have been highly praised by fans. Of course, the performances also recreate Roselia's incredible vocal talent and musical technique, making it feel like they've come into the real world. Here's a quick introduction to Roselia.
The band began activities in 2017
Roselia first debuted in 2017, appearing as secret guests at Popipa's solo concert. They began holding solo concerts as early as June, and have since become a regular annual group. In addition to live performances, Roselia has also appeared on terrestrial TV shows and published photobooks, pursuing a unique path unlike Popipa's. They've now achieved even greater popularity than Popipa, with tickets becoming highly sought after.
Overcoming Two Member Changes
Roselia is the only band to have undergone member changes, and they've even changed their cast twice. Bassist Yurika Endo retired from the entertainment industry, and Yuki Nakajima took over as her replacement. Furthermore, keyboardist Satomi Akesaka's hearing loss made it difficult for her to continue her musical career, so Kanon Shizaki took over as the second keyboardist. Each member change threatened the group's survival, but Roselia remains active to this day.
Are they conscious of creating a thorough character during their live shows?
Like a voice actor unit, Roselia's live performances are appealing in their thorough character creation. While the performers are the real members, their talk and performance are truly like Yukina Minato and the others. However, towards the middle of the show, coupled with the quality of the intermission footage, their characters gradually began to break down. By the encore, they were back on stage as voice actors, creating not only an exciting performance but also a live show that was full of laughs.
"RAISE A SUILEN" transcends the realm of anime songs
BanG Dream!'s live performances, which continued with Poppin'Party and Roselia as the two main groups, came to an end in 2018. With the addition of "RAISE A SUILEN," the excitement surrounding the series skyrocketed. Originally, RAS, also known as RAISE A SUILEN, was the backing band for "THE THIRD (tentative name)." However, once promoted to the third voice actor unit, they quickly became a popular unit, drawing cheers from the fans.
The band members are all professionals
RAS's members are all already established in the music industry. Vocalist Raychell has a successful career as a solo artist, and drummer Natsume has performed as a support drummer for famous artists. Guitarist Riko Obara has also previously worked as a guitarist for a voice actress unit. Their high level of skill and performance resonated deeply with Bandori fans.
Powerful Live Performances Captivate Fans
RAS's appeal lies not only in their music, but also in their high-caliber performances. Not only are each member's skills high, but perhaps this allows them the confidence to move vigorously around the stage, captivating fans. Of course, vocalist Raychell's powerful singing voice is also one of the best in "BanG Dream!", so it's sure to give you goosebumps.
Video recording has also attracted attention.
RAS's second live performance was held at the music mecca, Nippon Budokan. Their stunning performance not only solidified RAS's popularity, but also deeply touched the hearts of fans. This was due to the fact that, unusually for a voice actor unit concert, filming was allowed during the concert. While filming was only permitted for one encore song, the footage filmed by fans was widely shared through the media and caught the attention of many.
Voice Actors Who Participated as Guests
The concert by the three bands, "Poppin'Party," "Roselia," and "RAISE A SUILEN," transcended the realm of a voice actor unit. The reason for this is undoubtedly the voice actors' rigorous practice and live performances. However, there are other bands and characters that appear in "BanG Dream!". Let's take a look at some of the voice actors who have actually appeared as guests at live shows.
Ami Maejima, who plays Aya Maruyama in "Pastel*Palettes"
Ami Maejima, who plays Aya Maruyama, the vocalist of Pastel*Palettes, sometimes appears as a guest at Poppin'Party's live shows. As a former idol, she sings and dances on stage, making it hard not to feel like Aya Maruyama has stepped out into the real world. She also makes subtle mistakes during MC sessions, just like Aya Maruyama, and is just as charming as her character.
Miku Ito, who plays Kokoro Tsurumaki in "Hello, Happy World!"
Miku Ito, who plays Kokoro Tsurumaki, the vocalist of Hello, Happy World!, also sometimes appears as a guest at live shows. On stage, she runs around energetically, just like Tsurumaki Kokoro, and the uplifting melody is sure to put you in a good mood. Michelle also sometimes appears and performs with her, so seeing her live is something every Bandori fan should definitely check out.
Ayane Sakura, voice of Ran Mitake in "Afterglow"
Afterglow is one of the most popular bands in "BanG Dream!", with a huge fanbase. Ayane Sakura, who voices the band's vocalist, Ran Mitake, also frequently appears with guests at live shows. While she doesn't have as many appearances as the other vocalists, she welcomes them with such fervent enthusiasm that she's not only popular as a voice actress, but is also warmly welcomed by Bandori fans. And like Ran Mitake, she delivers a passionate performance that really gets the crowd going.
Sachika Misawa, voice of Aoba Moka in "Afterglow"
Sachika Misawa, who plays the guitarist Aoba Moka from Afterglow, has also previously appeared as a guest. When she appeared, she sang and played while dressed in the Aoba Moka costume. She performed while strutting around the stage, and, as her character plays the guitar, she seemed to be concentrating on her performance. It's rare for a guitarist to appear as a guest, and since she's a popular character, fans greeted her appearance with thunderous cheers.
Suzuko Mimori, voice of Ushigome Yuri in "Glitter*Green"
Suzuko Mimori, who is also active as a solo artist, has also made numerous guest appearances at live shows. Glitter*Green has had a major influence on "BanG Dream!" and can be said to be the origin of Poppin'Party. When Suzuko Mimori, who plays the vocalist Yuri Ushigome, appeared on stage, the BanG Dream fans erupted in cheers. Not only is her vocal talent exceptional, but the song itself is considered a masterpiece, making it a must-see.
Summary
BanG Dream! features many bands and characters, and the live performances by the voice actors who play them are a must-see. Don't be fooled by this mere voice acting unit; you'll feel more like a full-fledged rock band than a girl band. While it's difficult to attend a live performance, we hope you'll watch the bonus footage included with the CD and other media to witness the stunning performance.
