Toei Animation’s TV series Girls Band Cry (hereafter referred to as Garukura), known for Hanada Touki-san’s scenarios and its high-quality music, became a big hit. Broadcast in 2024, this work also garnered attention for the involvement of music producer Tamai Kenji-san, who has produced for artists like Mika Nakashima-san and Aimer-san, and recently made waves with the opening theme “Zankyou Sanka” for Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen.

Not Just an Anime, But Real Band Activities Too!

The five cast members, selected through auditions, were required to possess both high musicality and the multifaceted talent to perform as voice actors. Even Tamai Kenji-san, who was responsible for discovering and producing them, initially hesitated somewhat about the project.

Nevertheless, drawn together as if by fate, the members of the band “Togenashi Togeari” (hereafter, Togetoge) not only completed the TV anime series but also grew enough to successfully hold a solo live concert at the Nippon Budokan on September 23, 2025. Now, this entire 13-episode TV series is being compiled into a two-part theatrical film. The first part is set to be released on October 3, 2025, followed by the second part on November 14.

Furthermore, at their Nippon Budokan concert, they announced updates on a new game, “Girls Band Cry First Riff,” a Zepp tour starting next February, and even a completely new sequel film, which generated immense excitement.

In this article, I, as a complete newcomer, decided to binge-watch Garukura, which is sure to attract even more attention in the future. I’d like to share my thoughts on Garukura and what I’m looking forward to in the theatrical compilation film. The key phrase here is “the drummer’s perspective.”

The Surprise of Merchandise Sales and Cheki Recreations!

This series tells a coming-of-age story about Iseri Nina, who dropped out of high school and moved to Tokyo from Kumamoto. She forms the band “Togenashi Togeari” after a fateful encounter with Kawaragi Momoka, a former professional street musician, and finds hope in music as she navigates her uncertain present.

The members are: vocalist Iseri Nina (voice: Rina-san), guitarist Kawaragi Momoka (voice: Yuuri-san), drummer Awa Subaru (voice: Mirei-san), keyboardist Ebizuka Tomo (voice: Nagito-san), and bassist Rupa (voice: Akari-san), making a total of five members.

The moment Nina, having just arrived in Tokyo and with no prior musical experience, ends up singing on the street in the first episode, her overwhelming vocal talent likely caught many off guard. I, too, immediately thought, “I love this voice!” during that scene.

The story unfolds on a relatively realistic path, focusing on the five members’ lives as they worry about activity funds for their gigs, deal with their somewhat heavy personal circumstances, and gradually aim for the major music scene. What was particularly interesting were the minute details that adorned these youthful experiences.

For example, the depiction and atmosphere of the live houses were exactly like the concerts I attend. The scenes showing merchandise sales and queues forming for “cheki” (instant photos) with the performers were quintessential live concert “happenings.” The moment I saw the staff using the “Which performer did you come to see?” questionnaire, a staple at live houses, for reference, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

What I paid most attention to was the drummer’s perspective. Personally, I always hope the drummer is in the back, watching over the other members! So, I was curious to see how Subaru, the drummer, would move during her performances.

I once learned from a music program that the drummer is often responsible for controlling the entire performance and acts as a “coordinator” in a different sense than a unit’s leader, which made me think, “Ah, I see.”
A band I personally enjoy and often see live is “Little Non.”, an “Akiba-kei Anison band” that had a hit with “Hanamaru☆Sensation” in the 2000s and is preparing for their 20th anniversary concert on October 26, 2025. Dynama Itou-san, their drummer, always impresses me with how he watches over the members from behind, joyfully hitting his drums. Little Non. is known for their ad-libs, playful tangents, and moments where they struggle to start a song, and Dynama Itou-san likely takes the lead in these fun elements, not just the musical performance.

In Garukura, Subaru, an aspiring actress, takes on the role of drummer. Although Subaru, like Nina, is a band novice, she truly fits the drums, as she states in the show. She acts as a mediator between Nina and Momoka, often playing a supportive role and showing subtle consideration, revealing a side to her character different from her outward expressions.

The scene where she takes a clashing Nina and Momoka to an izakaya, deliberately sitting between them, likely to prevent them from getting too heated, left a good impression. While she also serves as a comedic relief, her innate perceptiveness and proactive nature in naturally supporting those around her are truly unique to her. Without her, Nina and Momoka would likely have had a falling out much sooner. In subsequent episodes, despite her complaints, her warmth in always welcoming her companions back left a very strong impression on me.

It’s not just my imagination that Subaru, who was initially engrossed in her own performance in the early episodes, seemed to glance at her companions more in the latter half of the series, once she became more accustomed to their activities and had the mental space to observe her surroundings. This Garukura, with its story full of ups and downs, becomes even more endearing when you pay attention to the detailed depictions and direction, allowing for new discoveries.

Movies, Live Shows, Games… Don’t Miss the Excitement!

The theatrical compilation film is not just a segmented re-release of the series; it includes new cuts and meticulously adjusted audio. Specifically, the sound design has been fine-tuned for the rich environment of a cinema, allowing for even the smallest details to be heard. The background music, particularly the “live performance feel” of the guitar tones, should sound even more realistic. This promises a completely different viewing experience from the TV series.

Garukura is set to continue its surge of excitement with numerous upcoming projects. In addition to the first solo Budokan concert, “Togenashi Togeari LIVE in Nippon Budokan ‘Sougeki no Sakebi’,” held on September 23, Garukura will also have a booth at “Tokyo Game Show 2025” for general admission on September 27 and 28. Visitors can try a playable mini-game called “Momoka (wo) Wasshoi,” and learn more about another game currently in development, “Girls Band Cry First Riff,” along with future live activities. Why not jump into the world of Garukura starting with the theatrical compilation film?

Furthermore, the official YouTube channel features many videos where you can listen to each song, watch live performances, and catch glimpses of Rina-san, Yuuri-san, Mirei-san, Nagito-san, and Akari-san’s true selves, so be sure to check those out too.

“Gekijouban Soushuuhen Girls Band Cry [Zenpen] Seishun Kyousoukyoku” opens on October 3.

(C) Toei Animation