"BanG Dream!" is a diverse media mix that encompasses music, anime, games, and live performances. The smartphone game in particular is proving extremely popular, and related CDs have not only ranked highly on the Oricon charts, but live performances have also been a huge success, attracting many fans. In this article, we'll introduce all the bands that will appear in "BanG Dream! 3rd Season," which will begin airing in January 2020. We'll also touch on BanG Dream! characters that have appeared in previous seasons, so be sure to check it out.
Poppin'Party: Pursuing Sparkle and Excitement
Poppin'Party is the main band in "BanG Dream!". Affectionately known as "Popipa," it was formed by the story's protagonist, Kasumi Toyama, in her quest for sparkle and excitement. The five members, including Kasumi Toyama, Tae Hanazono, Rimi Ushigome, Saya Yamabuki, and Arisa Ichigaya, are all classmates at Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy High School. The series depicts the group enjoying their band activities together, making it a heartwarming experience to watch as they embark on their wonderful all-girl band life.
Season 1: Depicting the Journey of the Band's Formation
Season 1 of the anime follows Poppin'Party from their formation to their first live house performance. In Season 2, all members advance to their second year and their band activities begin in earnest. Enjoy watching the group grow as they gain experience on stage at live houses and as they prepare for their own live shows. While they face problems and troubles, the five girls overcome them—a must-see.
Their Music Is Charming, Befitting a Girl Band
Popipa's music is quintessentially all-girl band. While they sing about the feelings of teenage girls, their songs are packed with Kasumi Toyama's "sparkling, heart-pounding" emotions, showcasing their true side as a girl rock band. Each song, from the anime theme songs and insert songs to the original music available for download, offers a glimpse of its unique charm and unique character, so we hope you'll give them all a listen.
Afterglow, Formed by Five Childhood Friends
Afro-familiarly known to fans as "Afro," the band "Afterglow" is made up of five childhood friends who attend Haneoka Girls' Academy. Mitake Ran, Aoba Moka, Uehara Himari, Udagawa Tomoe, and Hazawa Tsugumi are residents of the local shopping district and have spent almost the same amount of time together. However, in their second year of junior high school, Ran Mitake was placed in a different class, so they formed "Afterglow" to spend time together. Since they performed after school, the band's name was chosen after seeing the sunset.
A band of close friends who understand each other
All of the members of Afterglow are childhood friends, so they know each other well. Ran Mitake and Moka Aoba, in particular, have known each other since elementary school, and Moka often speaks for the shy Ran. Of course, the other three also understand Ran's thoughts and are often seen taking action to make them a reality.
Emotional music that evokes youth
Afterglow's music is, in Moka's words, "emo." While Ran Mitake writes the lyrics and composes the music, the worlds she creates are richly charged with messages that evoke memories of past experiences. The emotional and passionate lyrics are deeply moving, making each piece truly piercing. If you want to fully enjoy this emotional music, we recommend listening to Afterglow's music.
Pastel*Palettes, a band made up of active idols
Pastel*Palettes, a fusion of idols and bands, is characterized by a strong idol-like cuteness. The five members, Aya Maruyama, Hina Hikawa, Chisato Shirasagi, Maya Yamato, and Eve Wakamiya, were assembled for commercial purposes, but they get along well. Of course, since all the members are high school students, they attend school during the weekdays, while those who have jobs also pursue entertainment activities. While they rarely have time to get together, each member is dedicated to their band activities.
Juggling Entertainment and Band Activities
Pastel*Palettes juggles their studies, entertainment activities, and band activities. Shirasagi Chisato, in particular, is also a popular actress, so her active time is more limited than the other members. However, they do appear on TV shows as Pastel*Palettes, and of course, they also have opportunities to perform songs as a band. Furthermore, since they are also a commercial band formed at the request of their agency, they can be seen as the only professional band in the series.
Idol-like Musicality Makes Them Popular
Pastel*Palettes is a band with an idol-like feel, and vocalist Aya Maruyama sings while dancing. Their costumes, with their signature frilly designs, are also adorable. Of course, their songs also feature a distinctive idol element, with plenty of onomatopoeia and songs that express the feelings of a girl in love.
Roselia: Aiming for the Top of Music
"Roselia" is a band that is more serious about their musical activities than any other band featured in "BanG Dream!". Founded by Yukina Minato, the band includes Saya Hikawa, Lisa Imai, Ako Udagawa, and Rinko Shirokane, and continues to work toward the top. While devoting their lives entirely to music, the band experiences a falling apart. Not only do they eventually reunite, but they also experience significant changes, such as strengthening their unity and not only practicing rigorously but also enjoying leisure time together.
Stoic Work, Unrivaled Skills
Roselia strives to reach the pinnacle of musical excellence, with Yukina Minato and Sayo Hikawa leading the way in intense practice. However, perhaps due to Ako Udagawa being a middle school student, she often gives up on the rigorous training. While Rinko Shirogane also shows signs of fatigue and perseveres, it is Lisa Imai who maintains the band's strong relationships. While it could be said that Roselia is only as good as it is thanks to Lisa's consideration, everyone is committed to their music, making them one of the most talented bands in the series.
Imagining a Unique World with Dark and Hard Music
Roselia's music creates a hardcore and core worldview within the BanG Dream series. Not only are the guitars and other instruments deeply resonant, but the vocals are also powerful, creating a powerful feeling. Some songs are reminiscent of opera, and the elegant piano sounds will linger in your ears. Roselia's music leaves a deep impact on listeners, leaving you captivated.
"Hello, Happy World!" brings smiles to the world.
"Hello, Happy World!" is a band whose motto is "Bring smiles to the world!" Formed by Kokoro Tsurumaki, the daughter of a wealthy family, this band features four members: Kaoru Seta, Hagumi Kitazawa, Kanon Matsubara, and Michelle (Misaki Okusawa). Thanks in part to their mascot character, Michelle, they're popular with young children. While their activities are unconventional, they're also achieving solid results.
The members' interactions are fun to watch
Kaon Matsubara and Misaki Okusawa are among the more sensible members of Hello Happy, while Kokoro Tsurumaki, Kaoru Seta, and Hagumi Kitazawa are known for their unpredictable behavior, earning them the nickname "The Three Idiots" in the series. Misaki Okusawa is inside Michelle, but when she takes off her head in front of the others due to the heat, they fail to recognize her as Misaki Okusawa. They even start searching for her, thinking she's lost her missionary, making this a band where common sense doesn't apply.
Uplifting Orchestral Music
Hello Happy, whose goal is to "make the world smile," is known for their enjoyable music. Their orchestral, rhythmic, and easy-to-listen-to songs often have you tapping along without even realizing it. The band's choruses and interjections throughout the piece make it clear that they're not just playing music, but that everyone is enjoying Hello Happy's music.
"RAISE A SUILEN" Ends the Era of Big Girl Bands
"BanG Dream!" revolves around five bands, but the second season of the anime will see the addition of a new band, "RAISE A SUILEN." Led by producer and DJ Chuchu, the group consists of Layer, Rock, Masking, and Pareo, and was formed with the goal of "ending the era of big girl bands." While still a relatively new band in the history of "BanG Dream!", they have already garnered a large fan following.
A Serious Group of the Elite
Affectionately known as "RAS," RAISE A SUILEN's members are assembled by Chuchu. The selection process is focused on achieving their goals, with Chuchu, already active as a DTM music producer, and Layer Masking, a professional band support member, joining the group. While the members have not yet been assembled in the second season of the anime, "BanG Dream! 3rd Season" is expected to depict the band's formation and launch.
Powerful Music Unlike Other Bands
R.A.S.'s music, true to their declaration to "end the era of big girl bands," stands out from the five existing bands. Not only is it authentic rock, but their performances are powerful and precise, offering a more serious sound than the high school-aged Poppin'Party bands. While the story depicts the band as a group of elite members, the members also have proven track records in the music industry in real-life performances, making it no surprise that they have garnered such a large fan base.
Popipin'Party's older sister band, "Glitter*Green"
Poppin'Party's guitarist and vocalist, Kasumi Toyama, was inspired to start a band thanks to "GriGri," also known as "Glitter*Green." Their presence is an integral part of "BanG Dream!", and the first season of the anime depicted their caring relationship with the older band. In fact, guitarist and vocalist Yuri Ushigome is the older sister of Poppin'Party's bassist, Rimi Ushigome, and her senior at school, so the two are depicted as close friends both in public and private.
The Popular Band that Driven the Girl Band Boom
Glitter Green's success is prominently portrayed in the first season of the anime, and they're already receiving cheers as the flagship band at the live house "SPACE." Many fans flock to see them perform, and Glitter Green responds to the cheers with a passionate performance. Kasumi Toyama brings her newly met Arisa Ichigaya to the concert, Rimi Ushigome watches her sister perform, and Tae Hanazono works as a staff member. Saya Yamabuki is also near the venue, making them an important presence as a band that foreshadows Poppin'Party's encounter.
"CHiSPA" Formed by Saya's Former Bandmates
Popipa performs at the school festival with the four members excluding Saya Yamabuki, but Kasumi Toyama had approached Saya Yamabuki. However, Saya had quit the band due to past events and found it difficult to see her former band, "CHiSPA." With the support of Natsuki Umino, Saya's close friend and guitarist and vocalist for CHiSPA, and Saya's mother, Saya eventually becomes the drummer for Popipa. However, it's safe to say that she wouldn't have joined without CHiSPA's existence.
Appearing in "SPACE"'s Final Live and Season 2
CHiSPA was an essential presence when Saya Yamabuki joined Poppin'Party. Their performances are depicted not only at the school festival live, but also at "SPACE's" final live and in Season 2 of the anime. While Season 2 focuses on the five bands and RAS who are active in the game, CHiSPA also make a strong appearance in everyday scenes. Not only do they chat amicably with Saya Yamabuki, but they also become friendly with Kasumi Toyama and others, showing their growing friendship since the school festival.
Summary
"BanG Dream!" has been growing steadily since its launch, and one of the reasons for this growth is the emergence of many bands with unique characteristics. Their diverse musical styles, from girl rock to emotional rock, have struck a chord with fans. "BanG Dream! 3rd Season" is sure to showcase their musical development even further. Be sure to follow the ongoing evolution of "BanG Dream!" music along with the anime and games.
