Ave Mujica

In today's world, interest in Ave Mujica has been constantly increasing. Whether due to its relevance today or its impact on history, Ave Mujica has captured the attention of a wide audience. Over the years, debates, research and studies have been generated that have delved into its meaning and significance. Both in the academic and popular spheres, Ave Mujica has aroused genuine interest and has generated all kinds of reflections and discussions. In this article, we will delve into the world of Ave Mujica and explore its many facets, with the goal of better understanding its importance and relevance in today's society.

This article is about the band. For the anime series, see BanG Dream! Ave Mujica.
Ave Mujica
Cover of Ave Mujica's single Black Birthday, depicting the in-universe band members. From left to right: Timoris, Doloris, Mortis, Amoris, Oblivionis
Cover of Ave Mujica's single Black Birthday, depicting the in-universe band members. From left to right: Timoris, Doloris, Mortis, Amoris, Oblivionis
Background information
OriginJapan
Genres
Years active2023–present
LabelsBushiroad Music
Spinoff ofBanG Dream!
Members
Websitebushiroad-music.com/artists/avemujica/

Ave Mujica is an all-female rock band that is part of Bushiroad's BanG Dream! media franchise. Formed in 2023, the group's members portray fictional characters in the project's anime series and mobile game BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! in addition to performing their characters' respective instruments in live concerts.

The band consists of Kanon Takao (keys), Yuzuki Watase (rhythm guitar), Rico Sasaki (lead guitar and vocals), Mei Okada (bass), and Akane Yonezawa (drums). In the game, Ave Mujica is represented by five first-year high-school students who make appearances during the game adaptation of the story of MyGO!!!!!: Sakiko Togawa (Takao), Mutsumi Wakaba (Watase), Uika Misumi (Sasaki), Umiri Yahata (Okada), and Nyamu Yūtenji (Yonezawa).

The members go by the nicknames Oblivionis, Mortis, Doloris, Timoris, and Amoris respectively, all inspired by various lunar maria. It symbolizes the subtle emotional experiences of the original characters, the more precise meaning of which is revealed in the official anime series.

Of the nine bands in BanG Dream!, Ave Mujica is one of six whose members perform their own music.

History

Costume worn by Kanon Takao ("Oblivionis") of Ave Mujica, displayed at Bushiroad Expo 2024 at Comic Frontier 18

Ave Mujica made their debut with their first single "Black Birthday" on April 11, 2023. Prior to the release of the single, Ave Mujica was teased during MyGO!!!!!'s 4th concert on April 9 through a single exhibit showcasing a wooden box,[3] and its content was disseminated to influencers and publications via an alternate reality game, before its associated music video was subsequently released.[4][5] On June 4, as part of the final music festival for Nakano Sunplaza, their first concert, dubbed "Primo die in scaena", was held.[6] Ave Mujica's first album, the mini-album Alea jacta est, consisting of the band's first six singles, was released on September 13, 2023.[7][8] Following the reveal of the band's members, their second live, "Perdere Omnia", was held on January 17, 2024.[9]

The band performed "Divine", the theme song for the 2025 video game Progress Orders, published by Bushiroad.[10]

Members

During Ave Mujica's first live, the identities of the band's performers were concealed through the use of limited stage lighting and cloaks.[6] The identities of the band's members were revealed in the final episode of the anime BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!.[11]

  • Kanon Takao (Oblivionis, keyboardist) – Takao had previously practiced piano, stating that she has been playing classical piano since the age of three, even winning an international contest in Milan at the age of 10,[12] which she says motivated her to further improve her skills as a pianist. Ave Mujica was Takao's first time playing music as part of a band.[13][11] Prior to being cast as Sakiko Togawa, she notably voiced characters such as Hina Tsurugi in Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater, Noelle in Genshin Impact, and Rit in Banished from the Hero's Party.[14][15][16]
  • Yuzuki Watase (Mortis, rhythm guitar) – Watase had previously voice acted in another Bushiroad franchise D4DJ as Miiko Takeshita of Lyrical Lily, prior to being cast as Mutsumi Wakaba.[17] She had begun playing the seven-string guitar upon joining Ave Mujica.[13]
  • Rico Sasaki (Doloris, lead guitar and vocals) – Prior to Ave Mujica, Sasaki had little musical experience, only having played guitar briefly during middle school, though she picked it up again after becoming active as a singer.[13] She also notably voiced characters such as Poporon in Dropkick on My Devil!, and Ayako Yamada in Kageki Shojo!.[18][19]
  • Mei Okada (Timoris, bass guitar) – Like Watase, Okada had also previously voice acted in D4DJ as Marika Mizushima of Merm4id.[20] Prior to joining Ave Mujica and being cast as Umiri Yahata, she admitted her only musical experience was with the piano, but she began to learn the bass after joining.[13]
  • Akane Yonezawa (Amoris, drums) – Yonezawa learned to play drums since the fourth grade and played in bands as a hobby as she continued studying. She moved to Tokyo due to her desire as a drummer.[13] She joined Ave Mujica and voices Nyamu Yūtenji in her first voice acting role.

In-universe band

Main article: List of BanG Dream! characters § Ave Mujica

In the anime, Ave Mujica is one of two bands, the other being MyGO!!!!!, created following the breakup of Sakiko and Mutsumi's former band Crychic in their third year of middle school.[21] In It's MyGO!!!!!, Sakiko spearheaded the effort of forming the band after watching her former Crychic bandmates Tomori, Soyo, and Taki perform their song without her consent.[22] Throughout the second half of the series, as the focus was still on the members of MyGO!!!!!, Sakiko gradually recruited the members of her new band, who were shown to be individuals that the members of MyGO!!!!! have interacted with or have knowledge of.[23][24][25]

The band made its anime debut in the thirteenth and final episode of It's MyGO!!!!!.[24] A direct sequel, BanG Dream! Ave Mujica, follows the titular band and its exploits.[26]

Discography

See also: BanG Dream! discography

As of 16 March 2025, Ave Mujica has released 17 original songs, including several digital singles. Diggy-MO', best known for being a member of hip-hop group Soul'd Out, frequently serves as the primary lyricist for the band, a contrast from other bands in the franchise who frequently work with Elements Garden.[27] The band debuted with the digital single "Black Birthday" (黒のバースデイ, Kuro no Birthday) on 11 April 2023. The band is set to release their first studio album Completeness on 23 April 2025.

Extended plays (EPs)

Year Title Release date Peak Oricon chart position Notes Ref
2023 Alea jacta est September 13 14 [28]
2024 Elements[a] November 2 5 [29]

Singles

Year Title Release date Peak Oricon chart position Notes Ref
2024 "Utopia" (素晴らしき世界 でも どこにもない場所, Subarashiki Sekai demo Dokonimonai Basho) April 24 13 [30]
2025 KiLLKiSS January 15 4 [31]

Concerts

Date Title City Country Venue Ref.
June 4, 2023 Ave Mujica 0th LIVE「Primo die in scaena」 Tokyo Japan Nakano Sun Plaza Hall [32]
January 27, 2024 Ave Mujica 1st LIVE「Perdere Omnia」 Yokosuka Yokosuka Arts Theater [33]
June 8, 2024 Ave Mujica 2nd LIVE「Quaerere Lumina」 Yokohama Kanagawa Kenmin Hall [34]
July 7, 2024 Nagoya Aichi Arts Center
October 13, 2024 Ave Mujica 3rd LIVE「Veritas」 Fujikawaguchiko Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater [35]
December 15, 2024 Ave Mujica 4th LIVE「Adventus」 Tokyo Musashino Forest Sport Plaza [36]
February 2, 2025 Ave Mujica Special Live「KiLLKiSS」 Yokohama KT Zepp Yokohama [37]

Reception

Rolling Stone Japan selected Ave Mujica as one of 25 musical acts to represent Japan in the publication's 2024 "Future of Music" issue.[38]

References

  1. ^ "「BanG Dream!」発、5人組ヘヴィメタルバンドAve Mujicaとは何者か？". Natalie (in Japanese). October 2, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Ave Mujica、BAND-MAID、花冷え。......アニソン×ガールズバンドの傾向に変化？ HR／HM起用の潮流を読む". Real Sound (in Japanese). February 9, 2025.
  3. ^ @AveMujica (April 9, 2023). "#AveMujica" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ 電ファミニコゲーマー編集部 (2023-04-10). "縺ｻ繧薙§縺､繧医ｋ縺ｯ縺｡縺倥↓縺偵?繧?縺吶◆繝ｼ縺ｨ". 電ファミニコゲーマー – ゲームの面白い記事読んでみない？ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  5. ^ 電ファミニコゲーマー編集部 (2023-04-11). "リアルタイムに謎解きが展開された「Ave Mujica」の一連の出来事はなんだったのか ― 次回は4月16日に東京某所で". 電ファミニコゲーマー – ゲームの面白い記事読んでみない？ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  6. ^ a b Kikuchi, Shohei (June 6, 2023). "「バンドリ！」発の謎に包まれたバンド"Ave Mujica"の0th LIVEレポート。初のリアル公演でついにメンバーの名前が判明！？" [0th LIVE report of the mysterious band "Ave Mujica" from "BanG Dream!" The names of the members are finally revealed in the first real performance!?]. 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  7. ^ NBT (2023-09-14). "New enigmatic band Ave Mujica uncovers "Alea jacta est", 1st mini-album". JROCK NEWS. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  8. ^ "Ave Mujica、アニメ最終回でついに迎えた"バースデイ" 「投げられた賽」に込める思い【インタビュー後編】". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  9. ^ "Ave Mujica、「自分で限界を決めない」姿勢で導く"まだどこにもない世界"". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  10. ^ "ギルドで過ごすファンタジーRPG『PROGRESS ORDERS』（プログレスオーダーズ）がオープニングムービーを公開！OPテーマはAve Mujicaの「DIVINE」に決定！". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES (in Japanese). 2025-01-17. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  11. ^ a b アニソン・アニメ音楽のポータルサイト, リスアニ！-. "Ave Mujica、ついにキャスト解禁！ミニアルバム『Alea jacta est』、0th LIVE、衝撃のアニメ最終話と続編への期待についてメンバー集合初インタビューで迫る". リスアニ！ – アニソン・アニメ音楽のポータルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  12. ^ "ミラノの国際ジュニアコンクール参加レポート". Piano Teachers' National Association of Japan. July 5, 2013. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Ave Mujica、謎に包まれたヘヴィサウンドの真実 才気あふれる5人が生み出すアンサンブルの実像【インタビュー前編】". ORICON NEWS. 2024-02-08. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  14. ^ "Japanese VA for Klee and Noelle announced!". forums.mihoyo.com. Archived from the original on 2021-07-16. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  15. ^ "Banished From The Heroes' Party Anime Reveals Cast, Staff". Anime News Network. January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  16. ^ "Hōkago Teibō Nisshi Fishing Anime's Promo Unveils Main Cast". Anime News Network. December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  17. ^ "『D4DJ』Lyrical Lilyのキャストなど新情報を多数発表". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). 2020-04-28. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  18. ^ "Dropkick on My Devil! Anime Reveals Promo Video, Main Cast". Anime News Network. February 8, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  19. ^ "Kageki Shoujo!! The Curtain Rises TV Anime's 1st Full Promo Reveals Cast, Opening Song Artists, July Debut". Anime News Network. April 16, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  20. ^ "『D4DJ』20名のキャラクターとそのキャストなどの新情報が多数公開". Animate Times (in Japanese). 24 July 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  21. ^ Farris, Christopher (2024-12-27). "BanG Dream! It's MyGo!!!!! Anime Series Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  22. ^ "Even After Today's Concert Ends". BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!. Episode 7 (in Japanese). July 27, 2023.
  23. ^ "It's my go!!!!!". BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!. Episode 12 (in Japanese). August 31, 2023.
  24. ^ a b "The Only One I Can Trust Is Myself". BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!. Episode 13 (in Japanese). September 14, 2023.
  25. ^ "Sub rosa.". BanG Dream! Ave Mujica. Episode 1 (in Japanese). January 2, 2025. Tokyo MX.
  26. ^ Mateo, Alex (September 14, 2023). "BanG Dream! It's MyGo!!!!! Anime Gets Sequel About Ave Mujica". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  27. ^ "楽曲を手がけるDiggy-MO'が語る！「BanG Dream!」発のヘヴィメタルバンド・Ave Mujicaの世界 - 音楽ナタリー 特集・インタビュー". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-03-16.
  28. ^ "Alea jacta est". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  29. ^ "ELEMENTS | Ave Mujica". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  30. ^ "素晴らしき世界 でも どこにもない場所". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  31. ^ "KiLLKiSS | Ave Mujica". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  32. ^ "Ave Mujica 0th LIVE「Primo die in scaena」". BanG Dream!（バンドリ！）公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  33. ^ "Ave Mujica 1st LIVE「Perdere Omnia」". BanG Dream!（バンドリ！）公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  34. ^ "Ave Mujica 2nd LIVE「Quaerere Lumina」". BanG Dream!（バンドリ！）公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  35. ^ "Ave Mujica 3rd LIVE「Veritas」". BanG Dream!（バンドリ！）公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  36. ^ "Ave Mujica 4th LIVE「Adventus」". BanG Dream!（バンドリ！）公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  37. ^ "Ave Mujica「KiLLKiSS」購入者限定フリーライブ". BanG Dream!（バンドリ！）公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  38. ^ "「Future of Music」日本代表25組を発表 世界各国のRolling Stone誌がアーティストを選出 | Rolling Stone Japan(ローリングストーン ジャパン）". Rolling Stone Japan (in Japanese). 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  1. ^ Officially stylized in all caps.