Howdy people, and welcome again to Unsuitable Each Time. In the present day we’re returning to the tortured drama of Ave Mujica, as Sakiko continues to both exorcise or embrace her demons by the novel vector of gothic rock music. Our final episode served as one thing of a companion piece to MyGO’s first episode, demonstrating the calamitous private occasions main as much as CRYCHIC’s dissolution from Sakiko’s perspective, and revealing that it was as a lot a lifeline for her as for Tomori. Simply as Tomori present in CRYCHIC a real, non-judgmental (nicely, Soyo apart) neighborhood, Sakiko discovered a slice of normalcy, in addition to a lingering connection to her absent mom.
Within the wake of that breakup and Tomori’s subsequent reemergence, I suppose we will forgive Sakiko for getting a bit of melodramatic. In truth, it does appear to be Ave Mujica goes to be tonally and narratively distinct from its predecessor; whereas MyGO reveled in subtlety and visible inference, Ave Mujica is all about outsized dramatic gestures and massive emotions, seeming extra just like the Expensive Brother to MyGO’s Hyouka. The tone matches the band: theatrical somewhat than confessional, anthemic to the purpose of emotional generality somewhat than particular to the purpose of intimate individuality. Given all that, I see two potential paths forward: that that is merely the Kakimoto/Ayana crew reveling in a special subgenre, and letting Sakiko’s aptitude for the dramatic coloration the whole lot of her narrative, or that that is as a lot of a perspective-oriented trick as MyGO’s third episode, and that Sakiko’s unreliable narration will finally be complimented or challenged. Regardless, it’s nonetheless very enjoyable watching these nightmares in motion, so let’s cost onward to the trials of Ave Mujica: Unmasked!
Episode 2
Our episode title is “exitus acta probat,” which means ‘the end result justifies the deed.’ A line that might simply apply to Nyamu’s impromptu unmasking of the group, which is able to presumably elevate the profile of Ave Mujica to an incredible extent. Although frankly, in the event that they’re already taking part in at Budokan, it’s unclear how a lot greater they should go; I typically see Budokan framed because the finish purpose of a music group, not step one in the direction of a bigger stage. That’s one in all a number of methods by which Ave Mujica appears extra divorced from actuality than MyGO, with the depiction of Sakiko’s father additionally feeling considerably broadly outlined and dramatically heightened
We open on viewers members excitedly gossiping concerning the masks reveals, simply as Nyamu anticipated. Mutsumi is the primary topic of inquiry, being instantly outlined as “Wakaba’s daughter.” She was the one who had probably the most violent response to being unmasked, and it’s no shock – given how shyly she behaved within the interview, and the way tightly she clings to Sakiko, it’s clear that she’s on this band in spite of the publicity, and wanted the masks as a barrier as a lot as Sakiko did. As I stated relating to the final episode, Mutsumi looks as if a detailed parallel of Tomori, demonstrating how issues may need turned out if Tomori wasn’t in a position to make a clear break and discover her personal happiness
“As anticipated, the youngsters of celebrities are completely different.” With out the masks to offer them a way of anonymity and quasi-universality, the women of Ave Mujica are instantly set aside, outlined by their celeb. This looks as if the alternative of what Sakiko was searching for, however nonetheless an sarcastically applicable consequence; Sakiko sought validation for her emotions, an viewers to align together with her perspective, however the finish consequence has solely emphasised how distinct and remoted she is
Soyo simply completely blows off Anon as she brightly gabs about Sakiko’s reveal. A swift demonstration of how essential Anon was to MyGO’s attraction – whereas Soyo or Taki may simply fall into Sakiko-style melodramatic self-absorption, Anon was all the time there to pop their inflated egos and get them speaking like human beings once more
Taki calls her upon studying the main points, and tells her to not inform Tomori
Nyamu then claims the episode title for herself, crowing about how nicely the reveal went
Umiri has to depart, as one in all her thirty different bands has a reside efficiency arising. She’s principally the alternative of Sakiko or Tomori – she’s so broadly invested that no single band can harm her
Uika proves probably the most observant of the group, noting each the extent of Sakiko’s fury and Mutsumi’s seeming despair at being unmasked. She’s just like Anon in her confidence in a shiny facade, but it surely stays to be seen whether or not she’ll equally succeed because the group’s no-nonsense mediator
The OP is KillKiss Juda once more, and principally performs like an Ave Mujica music video that they’d fee themselves. I fairly like that – each bands are fronted by music movies that appear inside their means and kinds, with MyGO reusing their live performance outfits and easily hiring a crew to movie them taking part in on pavement, whereas Ave Mujica has this ornate, effects-heavy video manufacturing
The visible motifs are constant: a carousel emphasizing their performative nature and round quest, then reflections of their “hole” nature like shadows and dolls
Consistent with her pre-OP framing, Uika is positioned because the protagonist searching for Sakiko
Truly laughed out loud at our transition to Tomori gazing in marvel at a very spectacular rock she discovered. Identical vein of humor as her hushed “sugoi” at Anon demonstrating fundamental energy chords
The present walks a refreshing line together with her, neither mocking nor valorizing her peculiarities. She’s simply Tomori, and it appears extra respectful to acknowledge she will make some humorous selections than to deal with her with infantilizing deference
“Did you discover any fairly stones?” Anon has come to totally recognize her at this level
All of the gossip at school makes it principally inconceivable for Tomori to keep away from studying about Sakiko. Humorous how this manufacturing jumps between Ave Mujica self-seriousness and MyGO bluntness; “hiding the reality from Tomori” could possibly be a dramatically heightened supply of private pressure for Ave Mujica, however in MyGO, the reality is by accident revealed inside thirty seconds
As anticipated, Tomori’s really much more snug with this than both Soyo or Taki. Tomori misses Sakiko, however she’s now not determined to revive CRYCHIC; she simply needed a spot the place she belonged, and he or she has discovered one in MyGO. If Sakiko is happier on this new band, I’d assume Tomori can be comfortable for her
Taki hunts down “Timoris,” who wasn’t even conscious Taki knew Sakiko. Umiri is clearly the Raana of Ave Mujica, although together with her personal spin on the shape
In the meantime, Mutsumi is busy disassociating whereas staring on the cucumbers, till Soyo pops up and calls for to know why she’s in a band. Good use of the cicadas within the background right here, rising in quantity to echo Mutsumi’s psychological disorientation
Taki notes that “Mutsumi hates it when individuals acknowledge her”
“Sakiko… again when she was in CRYCHIC, she was so heat, so shiny. She even stated my lyrics have been cries from the guts, that they have been our songs. However this track…” As anticipated, Tomori doesn’t really feel betrayed in any manner by Sakiko’s actions – as an alternative, she’s merely fearful that Sakiko’s present music reveals she isn’t really comfortable, and is making a cry for assist somewhat than a celebration of what she’s gained
“It’s a cry from a Saki-chan I don’t know.” Sakiko has divorced herself from the earnest pleasure she present in CRYCHIC, and now presents a brand new self that’s ostensibly freed from such weak point. In fact, it’s all a painfully fragile entrance; Sakiko is clearly hurting, and barely in a position to preserve her Oblivionis affectation
“Why is Nyamu not a scorching subject in any respect?” And naturally, Nyamu has her personal struggles
Mutsumi’s quietly shaking at their subsequent band assembly. She accepted this band for Sakiko’s sake, however every part since has been a nightmare
Nyamu pokes gleefully at Sakiko’s facade, noting she’s failing to uphold her “wealthy woman” picture. That is the battleground you’ve chosen, Sakiko – the land of fakes and tricksters, the place individuals like Nyamu shine. Is that this actually the longer term you needed?
It appears Umiri can also be dealing with their scheduling and basic band supervisor duties. I suppose you acquire sure expertise as a member of thirty bands
The group are invited to Mutsumi’s residence, one other invasion, one other conflation of two worlds she wished to by no means work together
Mutsumi refers to her personal mom as “Minami-chan,” sustaining a stage distance from her household. And naturally, Nyamu swiftly latches on to this affectation as nicely, emphasizing how Mutsumi’s relationship together with her mom is about as significant as Nyamu’s relationship with anybody
We lower from Mutsumi’s crestfallen take a look at this new “friendship” to Minami wailing for a daughter that doesn’t exist, as they display screen one in all her personal favourite performances
At their reside interview, the interviewer instantly begins speaking to Mutsumi about her mom, prodding the open wound. Sakiko can solely defend her by saying “that’s Mortis you’re speaking to” – her solely power is in reasserting the artifice, and he or she’s not really in a position to direct the dialog
The one phrases that slip out from Mutsumi are “it received’t final lengthy,” prompting an instantaneous tabloid scandal. Mutsumi is the one who’s really been compelled to reside as a doll, paraded round by her dad and mom and Sakiko alike, however by no means valued for her personal sake. She is aware of that any neighborhood received’t final; it’s the one factor that’s remained true in her life, and thus it’s the one assertion she will make that hasn’t been scripted by one other
“It’s simply… once I discuss…” Mutsumi tries to defend herself, however even when Nyamu is instantly difficult her, she’s not really excited by listening to a response
Even Sakiko is now not defending her, as an alternative merely telling her she should stay skilled when she speaks. The one factor that compelled her to hitch this band, her utter devotion to Sakiko, has now been roughly misused as nicely. No marvel she stated she by no means had enjoyable with CRYCHIC – each second underneath the highlight is torture for her, one thing she solely endures as a result of Sakiko is her solely buddy
Thus Mutsumi spends the remainder of the day silently agonizing over her destiny, despairing in having embraced what she all the time dreaded changing into
Uncomfortable in her nice canopied mattress, Mutsumi tiptoes to the basement and clutches her guitar in a nook. One other straightforward metaphor for her perspective – she doesn’t need to be an decoration in her dad and mom’ lives, and the guitar is her escape, the one factor that’s genuinely hers. Given Sakiko’s relationship together with her grandfather, you suppose she’d be extra sympathetic – however after all, Sakiko is self-absorbed and Mutsumi is uncommunicative, so that is the place they find yourself
As an alternative, the one one carrying the collective burden of the group’s anxieties is Uika, who’s comforted by her associate in sumimi
Uika discovers Sakiko has been sleeping of their rented convention room. Moderately than acknowledge this, Sakiko instantly slips into Band Chief Mode, speaking about their upcoming trials. She will solely ever sweep her emotions underneath the rug, solely transfer ahead by a efficiency of power
Uika is aware of how proud Sakiko is, and is thus as mild as doable in providing to share her own residence
She brings her two possessions: her mom’s doll and her keyboard
Ever the perceptive one, Uika instantly items collectively Sakiko’s tragic previous and present identification as “Oblivionis.” Even when nobody else understands Sakiko, Uika is decided to remain beside her
The subsequent morning, Mutsumi is an absolute wreck. Unsurprisingly, Uika is the primary to note she’s late for prep
Sakiko angrily declares “failure shouldn’t be an possibility” whereas Mutsumi struggles simply to breathe. Effectively, I’d think about Mutsumi having a psychotic break on-stage would really enhance their picture – the one query is, would Uika permit Sakiko and the others to try this to Mutsumi
She blinks, and all of a sudden they’re all on stage. You realize, I don’t suppose beginning a theatrical gothic drama expertise was actually the remedy for what ails her, however I’m open to being confirmed flawed
“As soon as damaged, you’ll should reside with this face endlessly.” Sakiko’s script emphasizes the restricted nature of her perspective, how she sees a horrible finality in all their present woes
Mutsumi collapses again into her chair, a doll with strings lower. What is going to occur subsequent!?
And Executed
Ahaha, this present is a lot enjoyable. Our crew are clearly reveling in melodrama to a a lot larger extent than with MyGO, however that doesn’t imply the manufacturing has misplaced its acuity of path or precision of characterization. As an alternative, it simply means we get to savor such expertly crafted sorrow as Mutsumi’s complete disassociation, as she finds that the one one who supplied her an escape from her dad and mom’ shadow was additionally making an attempt to make use of her, no extra excited by Mutsumi’s personhood than her detached mom. This band is an absolute psychological catastrophe, and Sakiko’s really the worst of them – Nyamu is just callous in the best way unrepentant social climbers are usually, whereas Sakiko is popping her personal baggage into an anchor weighing everybody who trusts or believes in her down. Ave Mujica is popping out to be a gleefully sordid page-turner constructed by artists who’ve confirmed able to a fragile contact, but can’t assist however indulge within the operatic extra of Sakiko and Mutsumi’s utter dissolution. Onward to the subsequent atrocity!
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