Ave Mujica, the newest musical act from the BanG Dream! franchise, has quickly captivated audiences with its unique blend of visual kei aesthetics, heavy metal influences, and a dramatic, character-driven narrative. This article explores the band’s formation, music style, members, and the anime series, “Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast,” which delves into their complex story.
The Genesis of Ave Mujica
Ave Mujica is the sixth real band to emerge from the BanG Dream! franchise, following the footsteps of popular groups like Poppin’Party, Roselia, RAISE A SUILEN, Morfonica, and MYGO!!!!!. Within the anime’s narrative, Ave Mujica was formed in the 13th episode of the BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!! TV anime, which aired in Japan in September 2023. The band’s formation was spearheaded by Sakiko Togawa, who goes by the stage name Oblivionis. The anime Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast serves as a sequel to It’s MyGO!!!!!, further exploring the intricate relationships and backstories of its characters. The series premiered on January 2, 2025.
Band Members and Their Personas
The band members of Ave Mujica are known for their masked identities and stage names, which add an aura of mystery. Each member has a distinct persona and a story that contributes to the band’s overall narrative. The members are:
- Doloris (Uika Misumi): The lead guitarist and vocalist, voiced by Rico Sasaki. Doloris is portrayed as kindhearted.
- Mortis (Mutsumi Wakaba): The rhythm guitarist, voiced by Yuzuki Watase. Mortis is known as the obedient one.
- Timoris (Umiri Yahata): The bassist, voiced by Mei Okada. Timoris is the intelligent member.
- Amoris (Nyamu Yutenji): The drummer, voiced by Akane Yonezawa. Amoris is seen as the affectionate/merciful one.
- Oblivionis (Sakiko Togawa): The keyboardist, voiced by Kanon Takao, and the mastermind behind the band. Oblivionis is considered the noble one.
Each member’s stage name reflects a facet of their personality or backstory. Notably, the voice actresses of Ave Mujica also perform their own music during live performances, adding a layer of authenticity to the band.
Musical Style and Influences
Ave Mujica’s music style is a departure from some of the other bands in the BanG Dream! franchise. They blend elements of visual kei, symphonic rock, and metal, creating a sound that is both dark and emotionally charged. Their music often features heavy riffs, choir-style backing vocals, and a prominent use of double bass pedals on the drums, giving it a heavier, more intense feel than some other bands in the franchise. The group’s sound has been described as a mix of visual kei and progressive/symphonic metal with a touch of gothic beauty. The band blurs the lines between various styles, creating a unique sound that resonates with fans.
Their songs showcase the band’s versatility. For example, “Symbol I : △” is a heavy track with monstrous riffs and a circus-like symphonic element, while “Symbol II : Air” incorporates an upbeat, swing vibe. “Symbol III : ▽” is an elegant vocal/piano ballad, and “Symbol IV : Earth” has progressive elements with earworm melodies. This stylistic range is evident in their mini-album Elements.
The Anime: Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast
The anime series Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast delves into the personal lives and motivations of the band members. The story centers around Sakiko Togawa, who forms Ave Mujica while grappling with a troubled past. The series explores themes of identity, friendship, and the burdens of responsibility. Sakiko, as Oblivionis, is portrayed as an ambitious and desperate figure, using the band to escape her personal struggles. The series highlights the internal conflicts within the band, exploring the members’ individual motives and past affiliations. The storyline emphasizes the challenges of maintaining a band’s image while also dealing with personal issues. The series also examines Sakiko’s relationships with other characters from the BanG Dream! universe, especially her connection with Tomori from It’s MyGO!!!!!
The anime also portrays the band as a commercially successful group that has rapidly risen in the music industry, even performing live at the famous Budokan venue. This contrasts with the personal struggles of the characters, highlighting the duality of their public and private lives.
The show begins with the band already experiencing commercial success, but quickly shifts to explore the reasons behind the band’s formation and the individual struggles of each member. The first few episodes are crucial for understanding the complex web of relationships, backstories, and motivations of each member.
Recent episodes of the series show the band disbanding mid-tour, forcing the members to return to their individual lives. This development sets the stage for further character development and exploration of the band’s dynamics.
Connecting to It’s MyGO!!!!!
Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast is not a standalone series and watching It’s MyGO!!!!! beforehand is highly recommended, as Ave Mujica expands on the storyline and introduces new characters. The events of It’s MyGO!!!!! directly impact the narrative of Ave Mujica, making it essential to understand the prior series. The new series reveals the band’s core origin story, which was first detailed in BanG Dream! : It’s MyGO!!!!!.
The series also revisits some of the events from It’s MyGO!!!!! through Sakiko’s perspective, providing a parallel to Tomori’s flashbacks. This allows viewers to gain a more complete picture of the characters and their relationships.
The Enigmatic Appeal
Ave Mujica’s appeal stems from its mysterious nature, its unique musical style, and the complex character-driven narratives. The band’s masked personas, coupled with their visual kei aesthetic and metal-infused sound, create an aura of intrigue that captivates fans. The anime series further adds to this allure by diving deep into the backstories and motivations of the members, making them more than just musicians, but characters with their own struggles and aspirations. Ave Mujica’s story is a complex tapestry of personal turmoil and artistic expression, making it a compelling addition to the BanG Dream! franchise.
Conclusion
Ave Mujica has emerged as a force in the BanG Dream! franchise with a unique blend of musical styles and dramatic storytelling. “Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast” is not just a story about a band, but about the individual struggles, ambitions, and relationships of the characters behind the masks. The band’s distinct sound, combined with the mysterious personas of its members, makes it a standout in the franchise, continuing to draw in new and existing fans. With its intricate plot and intense character development, Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast promises to be a captivating addition to the BanG Dream! universe.
