It looks like BanG Dream! fans are taking a trip to a whole new world.
Earlier today, an official website opened its doors to announce a new project in the BanG Dream! franchise. The new project, called “Argonavis”, will be an all-male quintet. According to the site, Argonavis’ first concert will be held in July.
Shūta Morishima, Seiji Maeda, and Daisuke Hyuga are the first three confirmed members of Argonavis. The three introduced themselves in a short video that was posted to management group HiBiKi’s Twitter account.
森嶋秀太・前田誠二・日向大輔が出演決定！
BanG Dream!新プロジェクトが発表されました！
詳しくは公式ホームページをご覧ください。https://t.co/usNmTm1GVA#ARGONAVIS #アルゴナビス #バンドリ#森嶋秀太 #前田誠二 #日向大輔 pic.twitter.com/uap8Pe638Z— HiBiKiスタッフアカウント (@hibiki_mens) May 12, 2018
Bushiroad President Takaaki Kidani took to Twitter shortly after the reveal, noting that Argonavis is part of a “different worldview” from the existing series, adding that the two settings will not cross over.
お知らせ。バンドリ男版は既存のバンドリの世界観とは違う世界観。キャラクターも100%混ざりません。完全に別物です。
— 木谷高明 (@kidanit) May 12, 2018
Rough Translation: Notice: The BanDri male version is a different worldview from the existing Bandri. The characters 100% will not cross over. It is a completely different thing.
バンドリの世界観に男が出てくるの私も見たくない。キャラクターのお父さんが限界です。(私見ですが)
— 木谷高明 (@kidanit) May 12, 2018
Rough Translation: I do not want to see any men appearing in the existing BanG Dream! world. The characters’ fathers are the limit (in my opinion).
BanG Dream! first entered the world as a manga series in the pages of Monthly Bushiroad magazine. The ongoing series, which is being handled by Kou Nakamura, kicked off in the January 8, 2015 issue.
The project’s inaugural group, Poppin’ Party, made its début as a band on April 8, 2015 in a one-song performance. The group’s first formal single, Yes! BanG_Dream! hit Japanese retailers on February 24.
The cast members for Poppin’ Party include:
- Kasumi Toyama (Vocals, Guitar): Aimi
- Tae Hanazono (Lead Guitar): Sae Ootsuka
- Rimi Ushigome (Bass): Rimi Nishimoto
- Saya Yamabuki (Drums): Ayaka Oohashi
- Arisa Ichigaya (Keyboard): Ayasa Itou
BanG Dream! received an anime adaptation, which aired in Winter 2017. Atsushi Ootsuki (To Love Ru: Darkness, Wagnaria!!2) helmed the project at studios Issen and Xebec, with Matsuko Nita providing character designs. Yuniko Ayana (Hello!! KINMOZA, Girls Beyond the Wasteland) was in charge of series composition.
Crunchyroll and The Anime Network both streamed the show as a simulcast. Sentai Filmworks holds the rights to the BanG Dream! anime, and describe the show as:
When she was a child, Kasumi Toyama (played by Poppin’ Party’s lead singer, Aimi) felt a heart-pounding thrill every time she gazed at the stars, and she’s been looking without success for something that could inspire the same feeling ever since. One day, she comes across a star-shaped guitar in a rundown pawnshop and, for the first time, discovers the thrill she’s been searching for. Kasumi becomes determined to form an all-girl band, and her search leads her to four like-minded souls: Saya, Arisa, Rimi, and Tae (all brought to life by the members of Poppin’ Party). Does this band have what it takes to make their dreams of stardom come true?
BanG Dream! Gets All-Male Group, New Universe – Samantha Ferreira
