Girls Band Cry

Japanese anime television series

ガールズバンドクライ (Gāruzu Bando Kurai)
Girls Band Cry
Key visual featuring Togenashi Togeari
Genre	Music
Created by	Toei Animation
Anime television series
Directed by	Kazuo Sakai
Produced by	Tadashi Hirayama
Written by	Jukki Hanada
Music by	Kenji Tamai
Studio	Toei Animation
Original network	Tokyo MX, Sun TV, KBS Kyoto, BS11
Original run	April 6, 2024 – present
Episodes	8

Girls Band Cry (ガールズバンドクライ, Gāruzu Bando Kurai) is an original Japanese anime television series created and produced by Toei Animation. It is directed by Kazuo Sakai and written by Jukki Hanada, with Nari Teshima handling the character designs, Mari Kondō and Jae Hoon Jung serving as CGI directors, and Kenji Tamai composing the music. It premiered on April 6, 2024, on Tokyo MX and other networks.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[a]

Characters

Togenashi Togeari

Togenashi Togeari (トゲナシトゲアリ) is the central band of the anime, consisting primarily of high school dropouts. Before the band’s formation, each member was part of two bands, with Nina, Momoka, and Subaru performing under the name Shin-Kawasaki (Temporary) (新川崎（仮）, Shin-Kawasaki (Kari)), and Tomo and Rupa performing as Beni-Shouga (stylized in lowercase).

Nina Iseri (井芹仁菜, Iseri Nina): Voiced by: Rina (理名)^[1]; The vocalist of Togenashi Togeari who left the countryside and her strained past life to start anew. In promotional material, she can be seen with a Butterscotch Blonde G&L Asat Classic electric guitar.
Momoka Kawaragi (河原木桃香, Kawaragi Momoka): Voiced by: Yuri (夕莉)^[1]; The guitarist and leader of Togenashi Togeari who was a member of Diamond Dust before leaving due to creative differences. She uses a blue Psychederhythm Psychomaster electric guitar.
Subaru Awa (安和すばる, Awa Subaru): Voiced by: Mirei (美怜)^[1]; The drummer of Togenashi Togeari who attends acting school to follow in her grandmother's footsteps despite showing no interest. She uses a Charcoal Metallic Pearl Roadshow drum kit.
Tomo Ebizuka (海老塚智, Ebizuka Tomo): Voiced by: Natsu (凪都)^[1]; The keyboardist of Togenashi Togeari who ran away from home after experiencing parental neglect and has dreams of performing at the Budokan. She uses a Nord Electro 6HP electric keyboard.
Rupa (ルパ): Voiced by: Syuri (朱李)^[1]; The bassist of Togenashi Togeari who lost a family member in an accident and experiences discrimination due to her half-South Asian heritage; like Tomo, she has dreams of performing at the Budokan. She uses an Ebony Gibson SG Standard bass.

Diamond Dust

Diamond Dust (ダイヤモンドダスト) is an idol band Nina idolizes and which Momoka was a member of, starting as a group of friends forming a school band before dropping out and being signed to a major label by the time Momoka left the band.

Hina (ヒナ): Voiced by: Reina Kondō; The vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Diamond Dust after Momoka's departure, and a former friend of Nina.
Nana (ナナ): Voiced by: Misato Matsuoka; The bassist of Diamond Dust.
Rin (リン): Voiced by: Yuki Urushiyama; The lead guitarist of Diamond Dust.
Ai (アイ): Voiced by: Momoko Miyashiro; The drummer of Diamond Dust.

Other characters

Muneo Iseri (井芹宗男, Iseri Muneo): Voiced by: Haruo Yamagishi; Nina's estranged father who works as a teacher.
Suzune Iseri (井芹涼音, Iseri Suzune): Voiced by: Sakura Ando; Nina's older sister.
Tendou Awa (安和天童, Awa Tendō): Voiced by: Naoko Kouda; Subaru's grandmother, who is a prolific actress.
Hayashi (林): Voiced by: Hiroaki Hirata; The manager of the Tokyo live house Shin-Kawasaki performed in.
Mine (ミネ): Voiced by: Miyuki Sawashiro; An indie guitarist, who Momoka idolizes and is friends with.

Production and release

In 2021, Toei Animation, Agehasprings and Universal Music Japan announced they would initiate a new project which would combine animation with real band activity. In the same year, Agehasprings, with the assistance from Toei Animation and Universal Music Japan, held an audition called "Girl’s Rock Audition" for the vocalist, guitarist, bassist, drummer and keyboardist of the all-female band which would be the core of the project.^[4]^[5]

An original anime project produced by Toei Animation titled Girls Band Cry was announced on April 24, 2023, with a teaser visual revealed. The visual features a girl with a guitar, with a slogan "Throw in All the Anger, Joy and Sadness." (怒りも喜びも哀しさも全部ぶちこめ。)^[6] On May 29, a key visual of the anime was revealed with main cast and staff.^[5] The five members of Togenashi Togeari were also revealed with the music videos of their two songs, "Na mo Naki Nani mo Kamo" (名もなき何もかも, "Nameless Name") and "Itsuwari no Kotowari" (偽りの理, "No Rhyme nor Reason"), released on the project's YouTube channel.^[5]

In the following months, more music videos would be released to their channel alongside introductory videos of each member of Togenashi Togeari. On December 20, 2023, the first PV for the anime was released with its premiere slated for April 2024.^[7] A second PV was released on February 09, 2024 with a confirmed premiere date on April 6.^[8]^[a]

Discography

Singles


#	Title	Release date	Ref.
1	"Na mo Naki Nani mo Kamo" (名もなき何もかも, "Nameless Name")	July 26, 2023	^[9]
2	"Kiutsu, Hakudaku-su" (気鬱、白濁す, "White Drizzle in Gloom")	August 30, 2023	^[9]
3	"Hazete Saku" (爆ぜて咲く, "Bleeding Hearts")	October 25, 2023	^[9]
4	"Gokushiteki Gokusaishoku Answer" (極私的極彩色アンサー, "Answer to Extreme")	December 20, 2023	^[9]
5	"Unmei ni Kaketai Ronri" (運命に賭けたい論理, "Lonely Fate to Be Destined")	February 29, 2024	^[9]
6	"Zattō, Bokura no Machi" (雑踏、僕らの街, "Wrong World")	May 22, 2024	^[9]
7	"Darenimo Narenai Watashi Dakara" (誰にもなれない私だから, "I'm Nobody")	May 22, 2024	^[9]
8	"Shikai no Sumi Kuchiru Oto" (視界の隅朽ちる音, "What to Raise")	June 19, 2024	^[9]

Albums


#	Title	Release date	Ref.
1	"Togeari" (棘アリ)	April 24, 2024	^[9]

Episodes

The anime primarily takes place in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture.^[10] Directed by Kazuo Sakai and written by Jukki Hanada, with character designs handled by Nari Teshima, it premiered on April 6, 2024, on Tokyo MX and other networks.^[a] The opening theme is "Zattō, Bokura no Machi" (雑踏、僕らの街, "Wrong World")^[11], while the ending theme is "Darenimo Narenai Watashi Dakara" (誰にもなれない私だから, "I'm Nobody")^[12], both performed by Togenashi Togeari.

No.	Title ^[13]	Directed by ^[b]	Written by ^[b]	Storyboarded by ^[b]	Original air date ^[14]^[a]
1	"Tokyo Hype" Transliteration: "Tōkyō Wasshoi" (Japanese: 東京ワッショイ)	Kazuo Sakai	Jukki Hanada	Kazuo Sakai	April 6, 2024 (2024-04-06)
Nina Iseri, a high school dropout who left Kumamoto, arrives in Kawasaki. As the agency that rents the keys to her unit is closed for the night, Nina decides to stay at the station. While browsing social media, she sees a post of a street performance taking place within the area and runs towards it, encountering Momoka Kawaragi, a former member of a group Nina idolizes named Diamond Dust. Heading to Momoka’s house for Nina to stay the night, Momoka discloses she would be leaving Kawasaki the following morning to quit music, much to Nina's confusion. Momoka asks Nina her reason for moving to Kawasaki, and Nina replies that she has no place for her back home after being blamed for an action she did not do in her past. The following morning, Nina wakes up to see Momoka gone, leaving her guitar for her to use; not wanting her to leave, Nina runs to where Momoka held her last street performance, guitar in hand, and expresses her desire to not see her give up. Momoka appears to play her guitar, and both perform a song Momoka composed in her time with Diamond Dust.
2	"Three Night Owls" Transliteration: "3-Biki no Yakō-Sei no Ikimono" (Japanese: 3匹の夜行性の生き物)	Maya Asakura	Jukki Hanada	Kazuo Sakai	April 13, 2024 (2024-04-13)
As Nina enrolls at a college out of a need to advance to university, Momoka brings up the proposition of forming a band upon seeing her skills as a vocalist from their street performance. Nina also opens up to Momoka on her strained family upbringing and how she was the subject of bullying. Momoka and Nina promise to one another on doing well in their individual endeavors. Later, Nina receives a message from Momoka on wanting to give her a spare light from a friend, which Nina agrees to pick up from Momoka's house the same night. She is then to Subaru Awa, who is enlisted as the drummer for their band. The three girls head out for dinner, with Nina becoming increasingly isolated from Momoka and Subaru’s banter. Subaru proceeds to ask questions to Nina, making her uncomfortable enough to leave; Momoka confronts Nina on her behavior, and Nina voices her assumption that Subaru seems to be looking down on her like her bullies did. Refusing to be convinced otherwise due to her cynicism, Nina angrily leaves with the spare light, declaring she will close herself off from anybody; she begins to mope on her cynical outlook and lashes out, damaging the light in the process. As she breaks down in tears upon realizing she will be living alone in darkness, Momoka and Subaru arrive to comfort her and help, with Momoka stating her admiration of Nina sticking true to herself rather than compromise it.
3	"Stumbling Conversation" Transliteration: "Zukkoke Mondō" (Japanese: ズッコケ問答)	Miho Hirayama	Jukki Hanada	Kazuo Sakai	April 20, 2024 (2024-04-20)
The girls discuss on what type of song they should compose as a band. After the meeting Subaru offers to walk Nina home. Nina, still nervous around Subaru, goes home ahead of her, something that Subaru takes note of. The next day, Momoka requests Nina to return Subaru's phone, which she left in Momoka's house, and Nina reluctantly complies. Arriving at Subaru's acting school in Tokyo, she hands Subaru her phone back and prepares to head back home to study, despite Subaru's polite requests for dinner, resulting in Subaru confronting her and explaining she has no intention to cause problems. She expounds that each member in a band has to sort out any internal disagreements in order to grow and is open to any comments Nina has of her, with Subaru adding she merely took up acting to follow her grandmother's footsteps even if she has no interest in it and prefers music; after a few conversations, Nina and Subaru begin to speak on equal footing. Momoka has also reserved a public concert for them to perform in, but Nina has doubts on performing to a big audience; Momoka suggests she should channel all her emotions through singing. On the day of the public concert, the girls, performing under the temporary name Shin-Kawasaki, wait for Nina to come onstage with her outfit on. Momoka calls out to her and motivates her to let her emotions all out, giving Nina the confidence to perform with her bandmates.
4	"Gratitude (Surprise!)" Transliteration: "Kansha（Odoroki）" (Japanese: 感謝（驚）)	Kazue Otsuki	Jukki Hanada	Kazuo Sakai	April 27, 2024 (2024-04-27)
While taking a break from rehearsing, Subaru receives a message which prompts her to leave ahead of Nina and Momoka. As they talk about what kind of message Subaru received, Momoka elaborates on her past with Diamond Dust to Nina. The following morning, Subaru messages Nina she would be leaving the band, to Nina's shock. Reaching Subaru's acting school in the hopes of convincing her not to follow through, Nina and Momoka see Subaru accompanying her grandmother, actress Tendou Awa. Subaru explains to them she cannot directly express to her grandmother on not wanting to be an actress. She also reiterates on not wanting to leave and states she would only be seen by others as Tendou's granddaughter, further proven as she receives an email on being cast to a drama per Tendou's recommendation. Later, Nina comes to Subaru's apartment as Subaru explains that even if she does not like acting, saying to her grandmother on wanting to follow her footsteps brings a genuine smile to her. Nina suggests Subaru on coming clean rather than drag it out, which Subaru agrees; during a shoot for the drama days later, however, as Tendou conveys her gratefulness on Subaru coming to appreciate her profession and wanting to try it out, Nina pulls Subaru out as she is about to confess, much to Subaru's annoyance. Despite this, Subaru figures out she would have to deal with this one day regardless and decides to help out with the band.
5	"Raise Your Voice" Transliteration: "Utagoe Yō Kore" (Japanese: 歌声よおこれ)	Maya Asakura	Jukki Hanada	Kazuo Sakai	May 4, 2024 (2024-05-04)
Momoka reserves Shin-Kawasaki to a live house gig and tasks each member to sell tickets. In the process of doing so, the live house manager requests Nina and Subaru to give a Diamond Dust concert ticket gifted to him by one of its members to Momoka, but the girls decide to watch the concert themselves knowing Momoka would not accept ticket. At the concert, Nina recognizes the band's new vocalist, Hina, as a former friend who had a connection to her bullying, causing her to leave in anger. During Shin-Kawasaki's rehearsal, Nina and Momoka come to a head with how they view Diamond Dust, with Momoka defending her former band; Subaru interrupts by taking their quarrel to an izakaya to settle it. Nina states Momoka's indifference with the direction of the current Diamond Dust brings the assumption the band meant nothing to her, and Momoka retorts Nina's only issue is with Hina and change is inevitable within a band. Nina calls her out on quitting the band due to the changes they were undergoing not favoring her vision, remarking the Diamond Dust Momoka formed was what helped Nina at her lowest point; Momoka fully opens up the circumstances of her leaving Diamond Dust, saying they promised to stick together no matter what, and even with their pleas for Momoka to stay as they commercialized, she nevertheless quit. After airing out their misgivings, they make amends as the girls head home and prepare for their gig.
6	"A Tribute to the Outcasts" Transliteration: "Haguremono Sanka" (Japanese: はぐれ者賛歌)	Yasuhiro Tanabe	Jukki Hanada	Kazuo Sakai	May 11, 2024 (2024-05-11)
Two girls are shown rewatching Shin-Kawasaki's live house gig before recording a song. Meanwhile, as Shin-Kawasaki rests from their gig, Momoka asserts they should continue practicing and performing in gigs. Nina and Subaru ask her if she has any goal for the band, with Momoka replying having none, leading Subaru to also ask Nina later what her own goal is. Inquiring to the live house manager on where to start, she infers that a large following can be a way to be noticed; when she proposes ways to gain followers to Momoka and Subaru and is asked on her sudden drive. Nina makes it clear on wanting to go professional, having no intention to lose against Diamond Dust. As Nina expresses to Subaru her plans, they are overheard by the two girls. Introducing themselves as Rupa and Tomo Ebizuka of Beni-Shouga, they scout Shin-Kawasaki for a collaboration and share their vision after watching them perform. Hearing Rupa and Tomo's dream of performing at the Budokan, Nina makes that her goal as part of going professional. Nina and Subaru approach Momoka on evaluating Rupa and Tomo's skills and offer to collaborate through a session; they then discuss how Momoka's reluctance to go professional after giving up once even if she's still passionate for music. Some days later, Shin-Kawasaki and Beni-Shouga begin to rehearse and see their synergy; Nina convinces Momoka on letting Rupa and Tomo join the band.
7	"Giving It a Name" Transliteration: "Namae wo Tsukete Yaru" (Japanese: 名前をつけてやる)	Kazue Otsuki Kenji Imura	Jukki Hanada	Kazuo Sakai	May 18, 2024 (2024-05-18)
With Rupa and Tomo's inclusion, the girls discuss on renaming the band from Shin-Kawasaki as Momoka is invited by one of her friends to perform at a live house in Suwa. As they make travel preparations, Nina is surprised by the visit of her sister Suzune, who shows concern for Nina's future and warns she might not be welcomed back by the family if she gives up on her studies. A few days later, Shin-Kawasaki sets out for Suwa, where Nina also learns about Rupa and Tomo's backgrounds. They meet Momoka's contact, Mine, who reserves them to the live house and is impressed with their skills. While rehearsing, Momoka announces their performance would be her last before quitting the band and music again, jeopardizing Nina's plans. Later at a bar, Mine notices Nina looking downhearted, and they talk on the circumstances of quitting music, with Mine expressing her fear of failing after setting high hopes; she however advises not to dwell on that fear, inspiring Nina. On the day of their live house performance, Nina proclaims to the audience and her bandmates their new name as Togenashi Togeari and announces she will be dropping out of school to continue her goal, shocking her bandmates.
8	"If You Should Cry" Transliteration: "Moshimo Kimi ga Naku Naraba" (Japanese: もしも君が泣くならば)	Miho Hirayama	Jukki Hanada	Kazuo Sakai	May 25, 2024 (2024-05-25)
A flashback shows Momoka and her Diamond Dust bandmates in high school discussing on dropping out to focus on their music career, with an idealistic Momoka assuring they will succeed and not give up. In the present, Nina's announcement is met with criticism, with Momoka especially furious. Tensions rise as Nina confronts Momoka's tendency to give up without trying while Momoka calls her ambitious goal delusional, almost leading to a physical altercation that is only stopped by Subaru. As Togenashi Togeari heads home, Subaru talks to Momoka on how the band has been getting traction lately, proving Nina's goal is not impossible. Meanwhile, Nina begins to practice playing guitar and work part-time at Rupa and Tomo's restaurant. Momoka visits Nina during a shift and takes her to a Diamond Dust concert. Momoka points out how even if Diamond Dust did not prefer taking the mainstream path, they were forced to do so to continue making a living; Momoka then reveals she was compelled to form a band after seeing her younger self in Nina. Nina however slaps her, rejecting on being seen as a projection for Momoka, and makes her see that her music can reach and save people, adding she is living proof of such. Both girls and Diamond Dust meet face to face and declare a duel between their bands at an upcoming music festival. Hina notices Nina but claims not to know her. Heading home, Nina confesses her love to Momoka, causing Momoka to cry as they reconcile.
9	"The Crescent Moon Rises" Transliteration: "Kaketa Tsuki ga Deteita" (Japanese: 欠けた月が出ていた)	TBA	TBA	TBA	June 1, 2024 (2024-06-01)

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Tokyo MX lists the series premiere on April 5, 2024, at 24:30, which is effectively April 6 at 12:30 a.m. JST.
^ ^a ^b ^c Information is taken from the ending credits of each episode.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Mateo, Alex (December 20, 2023). "Girls Band Cry Anime's Teaser Trailer Reveals April 2024 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
^ Chapman, Paul (December 20, 2023). "GIRLS BAND CRY Anime Premieres April 2024". Crunchyroll. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
^ Loo, Egan (February 9, 2024). "Girls Band Cry Anime's 1st Full Trailer Unveils April 5 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
^ アゲハスプリングス主催ガールズバンドメンバー＆メインキャスト声優　一般公募オーディションを開催 (in Japanese). Agehasprings. June 30, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c アニメ「ガールズバンドクライ」キービジュ＆キャスト情報公開、2つのMVも. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. May 29, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
^ 東映アニメーションの完全新作オリジナルアニメ「ガールズバンドクライ」始動. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 24, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
^ 『ガールズバンドクライ』2024年4月テレビアニメ放送決定！キービジュアル・ティザーPVを公開！ (in Japanese). ガールズバンドクライ. December 20, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
^ TVアニメ「ガールズバンドクライ」4月5日より毎週金曜日24:30～放送開始！ (in Japanese). ガールズバンドクライ. February 9, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ トゲナシトゲアリ - agehasprings Officiel Web Site (in Japanese). Agehasprings. 26 August 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
^ バンドトゲナシトゲアリ作品の世界を発信 (in Japanese). Town News. March 8, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
^ 雑踏、僕らの街(CD-MAXI) - トゲナシトゲアリ - UNIVERSAL MUSIC JAPAN (in Japanese). Universal Music Japan. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
^ 誰にもなれない私だから【CD MAXI】- トゲナシトゲアリ - UNIVERSAL MUSIC STORE (in Japanese). Universal Music Store. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
^ "Sutōrī | Anime "Gāruzu Bando Kurai" Koshiki Saito" STORY | アニメ「ガールズバンドクライ」公式サイト [Story | Anime "Girls Band Cry" Official Site]. girls-band-cry.com (in Japanese). Retrieved April 5, 2024.
^ "On'Ea｜Anime "Gāruzu Bando Kurai" Koshiki Saito" ON AIR | アニメ「ガールズバンドクライ」公式サイト [On Air｜Anime "Girls Band Cry" Official Site]. girls-band-cry.com (in Japanese). Retrieved April 5, 2024.