Ave Mujica - The Die is Cast - episode 1: Sakiko's backstory unfolds as Ave Mujica members are unmasked

Ave Mujica - The Die is Cast - episode 1 premiered on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 11:00 pm JST. The opening episode of BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!! sequel introduces viewers to the girl band Ave Mujica and its members.

Starting with their concert, the narrative delves into their backgrounds before focusing on Sakiko Togara's past, which fuels her determination to ensure the band's success. However, tensions rise as conflicting ideals emerge among the members, escalating during a live concert and closing the episode on a dramatic and tense note.

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Ave Mujica - The Die is Cast - episode 1 opens with an Ave Mujica performance

Ave Mujica - The Die is Cast - episode 1, titled Sub Rosa, opens with a powerful performance by the girl band Ave Mujica. The members—Misumi Uika/Doloris (lead guitar and vocals), Wakaba Mutsumi/Mortis (rhythm guitar), Yahata Umiri/Timoris (bass), Yuutenji Nyamu/Amoris (drums), and Togawa Sakiko/Oblivionis (keyboard)—wear masks to hide their identities.

Nyamu, however, appears opposed to the idea, as shown in her attitude during their post-performance discussion. Nyamu is impatient about removing her mask after the concert and an interview. However, Sakiko stops her, stating that they need to build a track record first before unveiling their identities at the opportune moment.

Uika during the performance (Image via SANZIGEN)

Nyamu disagrees, arguing their distinguished personal backgrounds are enough to gain attention. Despite Sakiko's determination to ensure the band's success, Nyamu remains unconvinced.

Later, Sakiko and Uika talk about the band and their shared admiration before Sakiko receives a call and leaves. She arrives at a police station to take her drunk father home.

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Ave Mujica - The Die is Cast - episode 1 unveils Sakiko's backstory

In Ave Mujica - The Die is Cast - episode 1, Sakiko, after taking her father home, sits down to write new songs, triggering memories of her past. Flashbacks reveal a younger Sakiko enjoying a happy life, playing piano while her mother praises her, and her father joins them. However, their happiness shatters with her mother's sudden death.

In her grief, Sakiko one day witnesses a performance by the girl band Morfonica alongside her friend Mutsumi at school. Inspired, she decided to start her own band. This leads to the formation of CRYCHIC (as seen in the prequel It's MyGO!!!!!), with Uika attending one of their performances.

Things seem promising until Sakiko learns from her grandfather that her father was disowned for fraud. Her grandfather offers to adopt her, but Sakiko chooses to stay with her father, plunging into poverty.

Nyamu in Ave Mujica - The Die is Cast - episode 1 (Image via SANZIGEN)

While her father succumbs to sorrow and alcohol, Sakiko takes on odd jobs to support him but struggles as a junior high student. Despite the hardships, she resolves to stay in CRYCHIC and informs Mutsumi of her decision to leave her expensive school, asking her to keep it a secret from the band.

Unfortunately, her father's worsening behavior begins interfering, forcing her to pick him up from the police station frequently. The strain on her life ultimately causes her to quit the band, leading to a painful breakup.

At present, Sakiko is resolute in making Ave Mujica a success. Meanwhile, the opening episode shifts to MyGO!!!!! members, where Anon is thrilled to secure two tickets for an upcoming Ave Mujica concert. Unable to contain her excitement, she decides to attend with Soyo, as Ave Mujica concerts are notoriously hard to get tickets for due to their popularity.

As Sakiko prepares for the concert, she has a heated encounter with her father, who lashes out, asking her to leave him alone. Feeling hurt and angry, Sakiko grabs her belongings and leaves, joining Mutsumi.

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Ave Mujica - The Die is Cast - episode 1 concludes with the dramatic unmasking of the Ave Mujica members

Nyamu after revealing her mask in Ave Mujica - The Die is Cast - episode 1 (Image via SANZIGEN)

In the closing scenes of Ave Mujica - The Die is Cast - episode 1, Sakiko breaks down on the way to the concert venue, confessing that her band is all she has left and vowing to see it succeed.

Before the concert, Nyamu remains hesitant about masking their identities but reluctantly complies. However, during their performance skit, she breaks character, removing her mask in front of the audience. Taking things further, Nyamu removes the masks of the other members, starting with Mutsumi.

This shocks Soyo, a classmate of Mutsumi's and former bandmate in CRYCHIC, who is among the audience. With no choice, Sakiko and Uika also reveal their identities. With their identities unmasked, the premiere ends on a tense note, leaving fans eager to see the fallout from the revelation and raising anticipation for future episodes.

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