Girls Band Cry

I really enjoyed Girls Band Cry, maybe even loved it, but I’m still figuring out just how much. It’s only the second anime after Trigun Stampede where I truly appreciated the 3DCG animation. Given my general aversion to 3DCG in anime, that’s a huge compliment to the creative team. They convinced me that if this is the future of the anime industry, I have nothing to fear. There are things that 3D animation does better than 2D, like facial expressions. The range of emotions and expressions here felt much more alive. Even the movement, when done right, can look fantastic and dynamic. The blend of 3D and 2D effects, like the powerful emotional aura around the singer when she got angry, was a unique and brilliant idea. The characters were another highlight. These girls had distinct personalities and displayed a wide range of emotions, perfectly complemented by the expressive facial animations. I kept comparing them to the characters in Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night and found the girls in Girls Band Cry better written. However, I related more to the characters in JELEE, making their stories resonate more with me. On the other hand, the emotions of the characters were beautifully reflected in the music they created and performed. One surprising element was the voice acting, which was outstanding, especially considering that many of the voice actresses were relatively new or making their debut. The ending was realistic, mildly optimistic, and overall very satisfying. The opening was fantastic, both musically and visually, showcasing Toei’s ability to produce high-quality 2D animation. Some of the other songs were also impressive, capturing my attention either musically or visually. So, did I like Girls Band Cry more than Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night, which I previously declared the best new anime of Spring 2024? Not quite. While Girls Band Cry excelled in many areas, it lacked the emphasis on creativity and the ability to inspire viewers towards their creative pursuits. The story’s main message of "never give up on your dreams" felt a bit overplayed and didn’t completely hook me. Therefore, Jellyfish won by a slight margin, but Girls Band Cry still earns a solid 8.7/10 from me. (2024-06-28)