BanG Dream! Ave Mujica [Season 1 Episodes 1-13]

Alright, let’s dive into BanG Dream! Ave Mujica Season 1, the spin-off sequel to It’s MyGO!!!! that’s been stirring up mixed feelings among fans. Produced by Sanzigen and airing from January to March 2025, this 13-episode series follows Sakiko Togawa as she forms Ave Mujica—a masked, horror-themed visual kei metal band—hoping to bury her painful past. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s break it down, especially focusing on the fan reactions to Episode 7, which seems to be a turning point.

First off, the series starts with a dark, moody vibe. Sakiko’s trauma from her previous band, CRYCHIC, looms large, and Ave Mujica’s masked aesthetic and heavy sound reflect her desire to hide. Fans initially praised the tension built over the first six episodes, with many calling it a “psychological rollercoaster” (Comment 19). But then comes Episode 7, which hits like a curveball.

Episode 7: The CRYCHIC Reunion
This episode drops the bombshell: CRYCHIC is back! For those who don’t know, CRYCHIC was Sakiko’s old band that disbanded under messy circumstances, and their unresolved issues have haunted her ever since. In Episode 7, they reunite for one last performance of their song “Haruhikage,” and it’s a tearjerker. Fans were split—some loved the closure, while others felt it rushed the emotional payoff.

The Good:
Many viewers found the CRYCHIC reunion deeply satisfying. Comment 5 gushes, “The CRYCHIC performance had me in tears, they finally had the chance to talk it out, this is closure.” Comment 15 adds, “Hearing Haruhikage makes me cry a little, I really love this song.” The episode also marks Sakiko’s birthday, and fans saw the reunion as the perfect gift. Comment 21 notes, “A fitting birthday present for Sakiko. But Umiri didn’t seem too pleased about it.”

The humor in the episode didn’t go unnoticed either. Soyo bringing cucumbers to the reunion (Comment 1, 5, 15) had fans laughing, with one even calling it “the cucumber episode” (Comment 1). The lighthearted moments balanced the heavy emotions, making the episode feel well-rounded for some.

The Bad:
However, not everyone was on board. A common complaint was the pacing. Comment 19 rants, “Really, just threw away all the tension that was built for 6 episodes in a trash. Everything was fixed by itself, everyone is friends again, cute girls cute cries, lets play haruhikage and think about bittersweet memories, kira kira doki doki.” Comment 30 echoes this: “This episode felt rushed. All the conflict and tension were hastily resolved, making it feel unearned and unsatisfying.”

Critics also pointed out that the resolution felt forced. Comment 47 claims, “This episode alone destroyed everything the first season (MyGO) was built upon.” The emotional depth that made MyGO so beloved seemed to take a backseat here. Some fans even found Tomori’s crying voice during the performance grating (Comment 32: “What’s wrong with the original audio! especially in the intro, with the loudness of the music and instruments in background overlapping the dialog’s whispered voices. I can’t hear a sh..t!”).

The Ugly (But Interesting):
Umiri’s reaction stole the show for many. Comment 20 says, “Umiri does not consent to a happy reunion.” Comment 21 adds, “Umiri didn’t seem too pleased about it. Looks like it will be her arc next.” Her jealousy and unresolved issues hint at more drama to come, which has fans intrigued. As Comment 49 puts it, “I really wanna know how Umiri’s story (and her jealousy) will play out.”

Overall Impression:
BanG Dream! Ave Mujica Season 1 is a mixed bag. While it delivers on emotional moments and fan service (like the CRYCHIC reunion), it struggles with pacing and rushed resolutions. The series shines when it focuses on character growth—Sakiko’s journey to heal, Umiri’s internal conflict, and the band’s evolution. However, some fans feel it pales in comparison to MyGO, which had tighter storytelling and more impactful emotional beats.

For 20-year-olds, this anime is relatable because it tackles themes of friendship, trauma, and moving on—stuff we all deal with. The music is a highlight too; Ave Mujica’s metal sound is a departure from the usual BanG Dream! vibe, but it’s catchy and fits the dark aesthetic.

Final Verdict:
If you’re a BanG Dream! fan, Ave Mujica is worth watching for the character development and callbacks to MyGO. Just be prepared for some pacing issues and divisive episodes like Episode 7. It’s not perfect, but it’s a bold attempt to expand the franchise’s universe, and the potential for future seasons (focusing on Umiri and Uika, as teased in Comment 1) is exciting.

So, grab your headphones, crank up the volume, and dive into the world of Ave Mujica—just don’t forget the tissues (and maybe a cucumber for good measure). 🥒🎸