Summary
Toei Animation Studio, best known for franchises likeDragon BallandOne Piece, recently releasedGirls Band Cry, an original anime that usesthe formula of the musical bandthat made world hits likeK-ONandBocchi the Rock.Girls Band Cry, a music anime where a group of girls with troubled pasts form a band motivated by their joint passion for music, has pleasantly surprised fans with the use of CGI, an animation technique that generally faces rejection from viewers.
Girls Band Cryhas fallen under the radar of Western fans since it is only licensed in France by Animation Digital Network (ADN), and there isn’t currently a simulcast license available for North America.
However, the anime has become well-known by separating itself from the typical story of just cute girls playing music by giving extra depth to the characters, which has managed to gain popularity among viewers little by bit,makingGirls Band Crythe sleeper hit of the season.
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Girls Band CryHas Gained Recognition from the Fans
The Anime Gained Popularity for Its Character Dynamics and Amazing Soundtrack
Girls Band Cryentered the top 10 of Blu-ray and DVD reservations on Amazon Japan, occupying tenth place and surpassing favorite titles likeSpy X Family Code: WhiteandThe Boy and the Heronand although Blu-ray sales aren’t currently an indicator of an anime’s success because of the streaming services, they do serve as a benchmark for a series' popularity. Additionally,Girls Band Cryis also in the top10 anime of spring 2024 on MyAnimeListwith a score of 8.07, overcoming popular series likeMy Hero Academia season 7andWind Breaker.
One of Girls Band Cry’s selling points isthe realism of the characters. Each member of Togenashi Togeari has a distinctive personality, and their dynamic in the series has been well executed, showing how different characters' traits often lead them to clash with each other, but also showing the best part of human relationships: how being understood and accepted can light someone’s path. The anime also touches themes like bullying, loneliness, insecurity, and a sense of belonging and does a great job of portraying the emotions of the characters.
The atmosphere of the anime is reinforced by its soundtrack. As a band-based anime,Girls Band Cry’s songs are made to have a completely different level of persuasiveness, with a vibe that remembers the Japanese rock music of the early 2000s and a strong emphasis on the keyboard. Also, the background music fits amazingly to enhance the scenes, especially the sad moments.Girls Band Cryis full of incredible songs, with the opening song being a strong contender for thebest opening of the season.
Girls Band CryStands Out by the Use of CGI
Surprisingly, the CGI Made the Characters Feel More Natural
Toei Animation has been betting on the use of CGI in its most recent projects, likeThe First Slam Dunk movie, the praisedDragon Ball Super: Super Hero, and theupcoming science-fiction filmHypergalactic. Equally,Girls Band Cry’sCGI has presented a consistent quality that has far exceeded viewers' expectations because it’s different from what fans have been used to seeing, a technique used by studios as an escape because something was difficult to draw, but rather as a way of delivering something unique.
Girls Band Cryhas received praise for its visual style becausethe CGI enables a more fluid animation, which really suits the story of the anime and makes the characters feel more natural and laid-back. This demonstrates that, when handled with care and dedication, CGI can deliver a satisfying experience different from Western style or hand-drawn style animation.Girls Band Rockis definitely an anime that managed to slowly but surely become a hit among viewers and one of the best anime in the spring of 2024.
