Reviewing the Anime Series “BanG Dream! It’s MyGo!!!!”

Even if you’re not familiar with the broader BanG Dream! franchise, the new-generation spin-off, It’s MyGO, will definitely stand out. Right from the start, the series sets itself apart from other musical multimedia project anime. In the rain-soaked opening scenes, we witness a schoolgirl band breaking up, expressing their misery. This is not your typical music anime like K-ON or Bocchi the Rock!. As the story progresses, It’s MyGO proves to be unique and impressive, giving a fresh restart to BanG Dream! as a whole.

It’s worth mentioning that It’s MyGO is still connected to the BanG Dream! franchise since it is created by series writer Yuniko Ayana and director Koudai Kakimoto, who have been involved in previous BanG Dream! anime. The different tone and approach of It’s MyGO are not a result of bringing in new creators with a completely new vision. Instead, it is a way for the main creators to stretch their boundaries and experiment while staying within the established grounds. It’s MyGO stands on its own as a compelling story rather than just a testbed. However, by the end, a few elements indicate that it is an experiment, albeit a highly successful one.

It’s challenging to evaluate It’s MyGO without considering the overall BanG Dream! narrative, especially if you’re a fan. The new anime revisits concepts from the first season of the show and explores or subverts them. The desire to perform in a band becomes a deeper issue for several characters, revealing that it may not be the healthiest approach to a fun hobby. However, It’s MyGO focuses on the hard work required to make relationships between bandmates flourish, conveying the rewarding aspects more intensely than any previous BanG Dream! anime.

This intensity leads to a series of extremes in It’s MyGO, with thrilling peaks and uncompromisingly depressing valleys. While this may alienate some viewers looking for a more welcoming experience, it is territory that the franchise has covered before. It’s unquestionably the most ambitious anime in the BanG Dream! series, and it succeeds in delivering a stronger narrative because of its ambition. However, the complexity also brings a certain prickliness, making the story and characters intriguing to unravel.

The story primarily follows the characters and reveals their true natures and motivations. The initial viewpoint character, Anon, joins a girls’ band on a whim, similar to other characters in the BanG Dream! canon. However, it becomes clear that Anon’s motivations are driven by personal attention and validation rather than a genuine interest in music or forming connections. She convinces potential recruits like Tomori to join with generic encouragements about trying their best and never giving up. However, she fails to realize that the people she’s drawn in have experienced the consequences of holding onto such hopes and dreams. They are still hurting, and none of them have moved on. Each character’s pain and struggles are portrayed, making them all lost in their own ways.

Despite Anon’s efforts, the true heart of the band is Tomori. She is not the lead character in the traditional sense, as It’s MyGO focuses on an ensemble cast. However, Tomori is the driving force, keeping the beat of the band. She is a sincere and honest person, and her nature is reflected in her lyrics and performances. Her portrayal also hints at her being neurodivergent to some degree, although it’s essential to acknowledge that this perspective comes from the viewpoint of someone without personal experience in that area. Tomori’s character feels carefully crafted with care and respect, and her quirks and struggles contribute to her interactions with bandmates. Her raw emotions and desperate attempts to understand her own feelings make her performance on stage triumphant.

The clashes between characters and their messy aspects contribute to the melodrama that makes the music-centric story resonate. It’s MyGO’s plot subtly explores the circumstances of its characters, including former band members and ancillary characters. The visuals of the series align with its new narrative tone. Animated by SANZIGEN, It’s MyGO showcases the evolution of CGI animation, building upon the studio’s abilities demonstrated in previous entries like D4DJ. The dramatic direction allows for a more varied portrayal of emotions, including the characters’ desperate and gloomy body language. The facial expressions are rendered with impressive nuance, capturing each character’s emotions accurately. The contrasting bright and dark scenes enhance the highs and lows of the story, although the dark shots can be occasionally too dark. The animation shines in the musical scenes, where the attention to detail results in unforgettable moments.

Overall, It’s MyGO is a standout anime that offers a fresh take on the BanG Dream! franchise. It explores deeper themes, showcases complex characters, and delivers stunning visuals. While the extreme nature of the story and characters may not appeal to everyone, it successfully captures the essence of musical melodrama. It’s a must-watch for fans and newcomers alike.

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