LogFAQs > #968853821

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CHARACTER: Ichigaya Arisa (BanG Dream)
https://myanimelist.net/character/142761/Arisa_Ichigaya
Voiced by: Itou Ayasa
TOP 100 RANK: 79th

SPOILERS FOR BANG DREAM

VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=virT8Mi7kVs
BONUS (Arisas character song from the mobile game): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6vhxAUW2Yw

In my opinion, Arisa is queen of the tsunderes. If Tsundere' was a country, that song of hers I linked above would be their national anthem. Kasumi is the energetic oddball who drags everyone along, and Arisa tries to be the voice of reason. I love their dynamic a lot, Kasumi is an affectionate goof who always runs up to hug her with a cute Arisa~!. Whenever Kasumi does some dumb, Arisa lets out her signature KASUMI! shout. Its always fun when those two are together. Arisa acts annoyed and angry more often than not, but she also frequently lets it slip just how much she cares about her friends. That video I linked is a good example. Arisa offers Kasumi a place to practice her guitar, BUT (and she says this so angrily and forcefully you think itll be a harsh demand) they can also have lunch together, if Kasumi wants. Arisa switches from angry to bashful to happy so quickly, and I love her for it.

Arisa is largely responsible for PoppinParty existing. First, as a child, she learned piano and often received star stickers for good performance. Placing these stickers all along the route to her house is what leads Kasumi there, years later. Arisa deciding to sell Kasumi the Random Star guitar is another big moment, as is allowing them all to practice in her basement. Arisa often acts annoyed that they invite themselves over whenever they feel like it, but its clear how much she treasures her friends. One bonus comic in the mobile game has her imagining what life would be like without them. She could set up a computer in the basement and then relax, eating snacks while watching movies. She quickly realizes she doesnt want that anymore, and then Arisa is elated when the others finally arrive.

Arisa isnt perfect. Theres a big story in the game where she blew up at Rimi due to stress and nearly broke PoppinParty apart. Still, when it comes down to it, Arisa is a steadfast band member and friend. After the Tae/Layer drama in season two when they were afraid Tae might leave, Arisa is the first one to respond to the song she wrote about wanting to stay. I also like that being tsundere isnt her entire character. Around people she doesnt know very well shes shy and tries to act respectful and proper. The tsundere side only comes out with people she really cares about. Overall, Arisa is a fun character, and I love her dynamic with Kasumi.

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CHARACTER: Toyama Kasumi (BanG Dream)
https://myanimelist.net/character/142757/Kasumi_Toyama
Voiced by: Terakawa Aimi
TOP 100 RANK: 10th

SPOILERS FOR BANG DREAM

VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUYcFmuU9UY

Kasumi is my favorite BanG Dream character by a longshot. I hoard stars in the mobile game so I can always guarantee her limited cards. I own three figures of her. I love it whenever a Garupa Pico episode or mobile game story features her. She has such a fun personality. There are only a few occasions when drama is striking where she isnt happy and energetic. One of the game stories went into how Kasumi is terrible at supporting people by pushing them from behind. Shes the type who grabs people by the hand and drags them forward, and thats her role in PoppinParty. She broke through Arisa's shell with relentless positivity. She dragged Rimi out of her shyness. She turned the oddball Tae from doubtful rival into a friend, simply by playing guitar with her. And she convinced Saya that it was okay to do more than just support her sickly mother, especially since her mother also wants Saya to have her own life. Kasumi is the pillar of PoppinParty. In the first season, when she loses her voice due to fearing shes holding the others back, theyre all there to support her too.

I fell in love with Kasumi in the first minute of the first episode of the anime. She was so excited for her first day of high school that she woke up before her alarm clock. Then, when it goes off, she looks at it with a smile and says beat you to it". I love positive, energetic girls like that. Kasumi has a lot more depth than one might initially think, however. As a child, when looking up at the stars, she felt her heart race. Ever since, shes been searching for something that can give her that feeling (which she calls the star beat). She just has no idea what that could be. She tries every club at school and considers getting a part-time job, but nothing grabs her. Shes left wandering aimlessly. Theres a shot in the first episode that says a lot really subtly. Kasumi runs, trying to catch a crosswalk light, but she misses it. Then she just turns and goes another direction. She wasnt going anywhere in particular, at least not until a trail of star stickers lead her to Arisa's family pawn shop and the Random Star guitar. Im a big fan of things like that, the little coincidences that can change life forever.

Another one of my favorite Kasumi moments is one Ive seen a lot of people call cringey. At a live show, the band Rimi's sister is in is running late. To buy time, Kasumi drags a petrified Arisa onstage so they can sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I wouldve linked to that as the video for Kasumi but the only one I could find was nine minutes long. A bemused crowd watches the performance. The late band still isnt there, though so Kasumi starts singing it again. Theyre saved by Rimi finally overcoming her shyness and joining them onstage to play bass, and the band arrives soon after. Still, I thought this was a wonderful Kasumi moment that encapsulated her entire character. She rushed ahead with no real plan, only good intentions. Then her relentless enthusiasm brought out the best in the people around her, which made it all work out in the end. Kasumi really is a wonderful character.

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