"BanG Dream!" features five bands with different characteristics, but this time we'll be focusing on the idol band "Pastel Palettes"! The band was formed at the request of their agency, but since all of the members are in the entertainment industry, it's not uncommon for them not all to be present on practice days. We'll be taking a look at the members of Pastel Palettes, also known as Pasupare, and their appeal, so be sure to read to the end!
What kind of band is Pastel Palettes? What's their appeal?
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Pastel Palettes is an idol-style band that appears in "BanG Dream!". Compared to other featured bands, they are a group that emphasizes cuteness. Formed at the request of the agency, the band initially experienced growing anxiety among the assembled members, but as they gradually grew closer, their relationship improved. Let's take a look at the charms of Pastel Palettes, affectionately known as Pasupare! ♪
Vo: Aya Maruyama
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Aya Maruyama is a second-year student at Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy and serves as the vocalist and leader of the band Pastel Palettes. Maruyama Aya was originally an idol trainee, but was faced with the challenge of having to graduate if she didn't succeed in the band, so she devoted herself to her activities. She has a hard-working side, and always memorizes all the lyrics before the performance, but she has a weakness for improvisation, so she always decides what she'll say before going on stage.
She cares about what others think of her, but she has no sense of fashion
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After school or a live performance, Maruyama Aya, like any idol, never fails to do some ego-searching. She checks her own information, mainly on social media, and repeatedly incorporates and reflects on what she finds in her future activities. She lists selfie research as one of her hobbies, which also feels like a typical girly style. However, her usual practice clothes and signature poses have a unique flair, which has earned her some disapproval from the other band members.
She's also on good terms with the other band members.
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Maruyama Aya's greatest charm lies in her dedication to her role as an idol, despite her incompetence. Attracted to these aspects of her, she gets along well with her juniors at school, Toyama Kasumi and others, and it has been revealed that her classmates include Roselia's Hikawa Saya and Shirogane Rinko. In addition to her idol activities, she also works part-time at a fast food restaurant, where she also works alongside Afterglow's Uehara Himari and Hello, Happy World!'s Matsubara Kanon, with whom she also seems to get along well as a coworker.
Guitar: Hina Hikawa
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Hina Hikawa, the guitarist for Pastel Palettes, is a second-year student at Haneoka Girls' Academy High School. Her older sister is Sayo Hikawa, the guitarist for Roselia. She began her idol activities after passing an audition, and says she "just happened to take the audition and got in." She also started playing the guitar due to her older sister's influence, but she is portrayed as a genius type who has a knack for quickly mastering the skills of whatever she does.
Hina Hikawa's Unique Expressions
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Hina Hikawa's distinctive style is her use of unique expressions, such as "Runtte Kita♪" (It's here!). Because her actions are often based on instinct, it's not uncommon for her to behave in a completely unexpected way. Whether it's guitar or idol activities, it seems like he does it all based on his sense and sensibility, and perhaps because of this, he acts differently from those around him, making him a habitual latecomer to practice.
Though she drifts apart, she eventually regains her friendship with her sister.
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Hina Hikawa was inspired to start playing the guitar by her older sister, Sayo Hikawa, and began doing so out of a desire to restore their strained relationship to its former glory. Because Hikawa Hina loves Hikawa Saya, she wants to try everything just like her sister, but her sister becomes jealous of her because she quickly masters everything with her flair and intuition. For this reason, Hikawa Saya tries to quit playing the guitar, but Hikawa Hina's tearful persuasion persuades her to change her mind.
Ba: Chisato Shirasagi
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Chisato Shirasagi plays bass in Pastel Palettes and is a second-year student at Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy. She has a long career as a child actor, which gives her a realist side, for better or worse. Although she is also active in a band, Shirasagi Chisato is one of the characters who keeps busy every day with a busy schedule due to drama filming and other activities. However, she still practices bass diligently and gives stunning performances at live shows.
Childhood friends with Hello, Happy World!'s Kaoru Seta
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Chisei Shirasagi, who has been active in the entertainment industry since she was a child, has been revealed to be childhood friends with Hello, Happy World!'s Kaoru Seta. They used to get along well, but it seems she doesn't like Seta Kaoru's current character and treats her a little harshly. However, she does appreciate her acting skills, and she appeared as a guest in a drama club performance at Ugaoka Girls' Academy, where they performed in perfect harmony, just like childhood friends.
Perfectly behaved, but terrible at changing trains
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Perhaps because of her pride as an actor, Shirasagi Chisato puts in all her effort, even in her band activities. However, in her personal life, she has a surprising weakness. She has trouble changing trains, which often leads to her ending up somewhere different from her intended destination. One of their classmates is Kanon Matsubara, but she also has a poor sense of direction, so even when they go out to play together, they have trouble finding their destination.
Dr: Maya Yamato
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Maya Yamato plays drums for Pastel Palettes, but before joining the band, she was scheduled to accompany the band as a support member. However, he looked surprisingly good without his glasses, so he decided to continue working as a regular member. Having previously worked as a studio musician, he is also skilled at maintaining the equipment used in the band, so you could say he is like the unsung hero of the band, just like the instrument he plays.
She's not comfortable being in the spotlight
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Pastel Palettes is an idol band, but Yamato Maya, who joined the band, is not comfortable being in the spotlight. He prides himself on being suited to behind-the-scenes work, but Shirasagi Chisato has been proactively pushing him to change his image, saying that since he's the drummer for Pastel Palettes, he should also pay attention to his appearance. He's also been criticized for his unique "fuhehe" laugh, and although they're both members, it's fair to say that Shirasagi Chisato is his nemesis.
Someone who understands Hina Hikawa's "Run!"
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While the other members behave like idols, Yamato Maya, dressed in casual clothes, resembles a mechanic, and says she simply loves machinery. She has even said that "just being surrounded by equipment makes me happy," and on Pastel Palettes practice days, she arrives earlier than anyone else to check it out. Perhaps it's because she has such unique hobbies and sensibilities that she is one of the few people who can understand Hikawa Hina's "Run♪" that no one else can.
Key: Wakamiya Eve
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Wakamiya Eve, a first-year student at Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy, plays keyboards in the band Pastel Palettes. Her classmates include Poppin Party's Kasumi Toyama and Hello, Happy World!'s Hagumi Kitazawa, who has also made brief appearances in the anime. Wakamiya Eve is also active in the entertainment industry, and having worked as a magazine model, she is portrayed as being sensitive and knowledgeable about fashion trends. She also switches between her model and idol personalities, and her ability to switch between these roles is enough to surprise the other members.
A Girl with a Deep Interest in Japanese Culture
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Wakamiya Eve, half Japanese and half Finnish, is deeply interested in Japanese culture and has a positive attitude toward everything she tries. She particularly admires "Bushido," a traditional Japanese martial art, which led to her developing an interest in items like Japanese swords and armor. Furthermore, at school she is a member of the flower arranging club, kendo club, and tea ceremony club, and she also works part-time at Hazawa Coffee Shop, so it seems she is busier than anyone else after school.
Frequent Use of Exquisite Japanese Proverbs
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Wakamiya Eve is half Japanese and half Finnish, but is fluent in Japanese. However, she still has a long way to go in mastering more complex words. While Japanese proverbs are frequently used in conversations, it's hard not to feel like the context and usage of them really fit the context. Even if they're used correctly, sometimes they aren't. Sometimes you wonder if they even fit, so it might be interesting to pay attention to the proverbs Eve Wakamiya uses.
Pastel Palettes Formed at the Agency's Request
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Pastel Palettes was formed at the request of a talent agency, and for Aya Maruyama, it was her final chance as an idol trainee. The band was formed when actress Shirasagi Chisato, Hikawa Hina who passed an audition, model Wakamiya Eve, and studio musician Yamato Maya joined the group. Although each member is busy with their own entertainment activities, they have set dates to meet as a band and are practicing hard in preparation for their live shows.
The mini-anime "Pastel Life" depicts everyday life.
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"BanG Dream! TV," hosted by the voice actors of "BanG Dream!", aired the mini-anime "Pastel Life," featuring the five members of Pastel Palettes. The story unfolds mainly through behind-the-scenes shots of the five members, who are transformed into two-dimensional characters, making it impossible to take your eyes off the even cuter Pastel Palettes. The story is also fun and humorous, so it's definitely worth keeping an eye on.
You won't be able to take your eyes off the members' unexpected behavior!
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"Pastel Life" offers an opportunity to learn about the true faces and sides of the Pastel Palettes members that aren't available in the game. In one story, Shirasagi Chisato cuts practice early, explaining that she has to leave for drama-related reasons, but in reality, she lied and said she wanted to spend time petting dogs at a cafe. Don't miss the comical details, such as the incomprehensible model face of Wakamiya Eve!
What kind of music does Pastel Palette play?
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While various bands appear in "BanG Dream!", Pastel Palettes are an idol-style band, and their songs have a cute atmosphere. Pastel Palettes covers famous anime songs in the game, so let's take a look at some of their songs! ♪ Check out some of their songs to see what kind of world they're singing and experience the charm of PasPara! ♪
Shuwarin☆Dreamin
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Pastel Palettes' debut song was "Shuwarin☆Dreamin," a typical idol song that sings of a girl's heart. Not only Aya Maruyama's main vocals, but the other members' choruses are in perfect sync, allowing you to feel the cuteness of Pastel Palettes as a whole. Once you hear it, you'll be hooked, so if you haven't heard it yet, give it a listen!
Yura-Yura Ring-Dong-Dance
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"Yura Yura Ring-Dong-Dance" features twin vocals by Aya Maruyama and Chisato Shirasagi, and as the title suggests, it features a swaying melody. Though the two are polar opposites—idol trainee and actress—through this song, they recognize each other's existence and become the catalyst for Pastel Palettes to come together. While some parts stray a little from idol-like, learning the story behind it makes it a deeply moving song.
Moichido Luminous
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"Moichido Luminous" is the theme song for the second chapter of Pastel Palettes' story, which was released in-game. In the game, you can play the rhythm game with the music video playing in the background, and many people are so engrossed in the video that they neglect the game. This is a masterpiece that gives a sense of a new Pastel Palettes sound, while still retaining the idol-like elements that define their concept.
Fall in love with the cute world of Pastel Palette♪
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We've introduced the members and their appeal to Pastel Palettes. What do you think? Based on the concept of an idol band, the songs they have released so far have a cute atmosphere that sticks in your mind. The members are also attractive and unique, and it's a must-see to see them working hard on their band activities while also being active in the entertainment industry. It will be interesting to see what kind of activities they will perform in the second season of the TV anime.
