It’s finally the big day where PoPiPa performs for Space’s final live show. As I’ve said in previous posts, the need for the main characters to perform at the venue is a bit flimsy but I’d also be lying if I said it isn’t satisfying to see them fulfill their goal to the end. I can’t deny it’s a little poetic too. The band more or less started at Space, it’s only fitting that they’d be there when the venue closes. There’s also a fun irony to the situation. Like, Space’s closure quite literally marks the end of this chapter in PoPiPa’s story but as implied at the end (and later vindicated by the existence of two more seasons), the band is only just getting started.
There isn’t actually a whole lot to summarize about this episode in particular. PoPiPa is slated to perform after Glitter☆Green and CHiSPA so a good chunk of this episode has them biding their time until the big concert scene. Some of it is pretty funny, like when the band decides to avoid the dressing room because there’s so many people there that it even has the band’s more sociable members feeling shy. You do have the band getting some butterflies in their stomachs but this is the last episode and character development has already been sorted out, so the pre-show jitters are small potatoes. It all gets sorted out quickly with some group huddles and all of their friends and families cheering them on.
A minor detail that I like about this episode is that you get to see just how Space’s closure affects other people. Yuri in particular bummed about it and Yuri has generally been depicted as the cool and mature older sister character so it’s atypical to see her like this. In another scene, the Owner is greeted by some women who used to perform at Space. Even though they’re busy with their lives, they still show up to see the venue’s final live show. I buy PoPiPa’s affinity for Space but they technically have known about it for three months or so. Moments such as these help accentuate just how long Space has actually been around and how bittersweet its closure is for the people who performed there.
By far, the oddest or most random moment in the episode is the cameo appearance by Ako and Rinko of Roselia. Now that I think about it, it is strange how sparse Roselia’s screentime is this season. I like Glitter*Green and CHiSPA just fine but how come they show up a fair amount this season while Roselia, an actual major band for Bandori at the time in real life, barely appear at all? I can only assume it was a budgetary decision but it’s a huge missed opportunity not giving them anything to do, let alone interact with PoPiPa. Hopefully this is rectified in the later seasons.
I don’t know if I’m that amazed with this episode’s insert music but I had some fun with the three songs featured here. I appreciate that you actually get to hear music performed by Glitter☆Green and CHiSPA. The show could’ve easily reused Glitter☆Green’s song from Episode 1 and have CHiSPA perform offscreen again so good on the staff for creating a couple more songs for them before more prominent bands take their place in future projects. Of course, the highlight of the live show is PoPiPa’s new insert song. That may be my favorite one by the band this season. I’m a sucker for a good season finale song and this one scratches that itch fairly well. I do find it a little funny how quickly the band goes back to having Kasumi as the lead vocalist again after stressing the need to divide the lyrics up but I’m splitting hairs here.
Coming back to Bandori Season 1 was interesting. I recall thinking it was just okay the first time I finished it and I don’t think that was a hot take. As far as I can tell from discussion posts and aggregate scores, Season 1 is generally regarded as the weakest season in the franchise. I can see why. Like, if someone told me they found this season to be generic, I don’t think I could argue against it because to be frank, this season hardly does anything unique or special. Even putting that aside, the story can sometimes feel clumsy. That all said, this season is better than I remember. Maybe my standards have changed or I noticed things more to see what DNA MyGO!!!!! inherited but I did not realize until now, how much the characters grew on me. Their chemistry is charming, there’s quite a bit of heart to their journey, and each of their respective arc provides plenty of character development to enjoy. Season 1 could’ve definitely been better and its sequels may very well eclipse it for me. But for what it’s worth, it’s not half bad and I enjoyed my time with it.
Xenodude Scribbles 