This time, last year, R・I・O・T was added to the EN version. For many people, this would be their first true exposure to RAISE A SUILEN. It's the starting point of my Favourite BanG Dream! 2019 Memory: RAISE A SUILEN.

Fair warning, this is going to be an extremely long post. I don't even know how long but this might become my longest post. My only aim is to write about RAS which... really isn't an aim, I'm gonna end up sidetracked or something. If you want a summary: I absolutely love their music, the (actual) band and I look forward to see what they do with the characters in the future. RAS was a completely new experience for me with Bandori.

Before 2019, we have to go back to 2018, when RAISE A SUILEN was THE THIRD. I knew of their existence. That's all I have to say about that. I knew about their actual name when it changed and saw the characters, who I didn't think much of (...except for CHU² but we'll get to that). I can sum up RAS 2018 in a sentence: I didn't care. They exist, but then what? Nothing stood out to me. I do remember being excited about them appearing in 2nd Season, with me thinking that the season would be about the formation of RAS. It must have been a preview which had LOCK in it to make me think that.

Then R・I・O・T released. Then I played R・I・O・T. Then I instantly fell in love. It was intense. It was nothing like I'd ever listened to from Bandori. It also gained extra points from me because I love any techno aesthetic. I wanted more. More info, more music, more RAS. Yet it was 2 months later when I finally listened to UNSTOPPABLE and the kinda-new A DECLARATION OF ××× and EXPOSE 'Burn out!!!'. I wasn't too excited with UNSTO at first, but it grew on me a lot, to RIOT levels. DECLARA confirmed that I do indeed crave RAS' music. EXPOSE has Tsumu/CHU² rapping, that's all I need to say about that. It's the first song with her vocals. RAS' 3rd single released with Invincible Fighter and Takin' my Heart, which continued the process of falling in love with their music. Every RAS song has been in my Top 10 since RIOT, I love them that much. With their 4th single close to release, DRIVE US CRAZY and HELL? OR HELL!, I'm crazy excited to start listening to them, a lot of it thanks to the allowed recordings of DRIVE US CRAZY at THE CREATION. I may have lied to myself at the beginning, telling myself that "I don't like those kinds of music" and that was kinda stupid of me but all's well that ends well.

Talking of the band, the people behind the characters... or I should say the people who the characters represent. My first exposure to them was through RADIO RIOT and even though I could only understand snippets (or in other cases had translation guidance), it's a joy just listening to them. They feel like one giant family (and I'm not saying that because of Mama Raychell). I love all of them, but I do have to say that Tsumugi is my favourite, not just from RAS but the entire franchise. I think the best way to describe Risa is to point to Bandori TV's 'news report' segments with her and Rikopin. She does everything to make Riko go out of the 'serious reporter' mode. My current favourite is from #68 (Time - 08:54), Riko messes up and Risa goes all in. Either those segments or this lovely image by Riko for her birthday. What a crazy lovable person.

Kumachi~ Kuma!

Now, about the fictional characters of RAS. When I first saw them, I couldn't form an opinion, as I don't like to make one without info. Which is funny because when I saw CHU², my exact first thoughts were "Who is this girl and why is she going to be best girl?". My intuition can be terrifyingly accurate... It was this lack of information that made me even more curious about them, which only heightened as 2nd Season went on. They're a band like no other in this franchise, shrouded in mystery. They aren't even fully formed yet in canon! The band's a mystery and so are the characters.

Gonna be using their real names from now on.

I'll be honest, 2nd Season hasn't given me much reason to like/love Rei and Masuki. Don't get me wrong, Rei/Tae's relationship and the following event with RAS was a genius way to tie the real and fictional band together, which also led to some amazing moments, their duet (which I don't like naming because I don't know how to refer to it by) being one of my favourite moments. But Masuki... didn't have many moments to shine (for me, at least). It might have been the expectations I brought from Garupa, but even after rewatching 2nd Season, they didn't give much to take from their characters. I'm so glad RAiSe fixed that for me, for both of them.

At first, I didn't like Rokka. I'll admit that. Why, I don't remember. But rewatching 2nd Season gave me a new appreciation for her and now she's a character I love a lot. You could argue that she's the focus of the anime, despite not being the focus. Many of the PoPiPa parts include her in some way, Galaxy staff to her solo performance. Her love for PoPiPa fits perfectly with her past and the work she put in to meet her dreams is very admirable. Please, read the RAiSe manga if you can.

Reona is another that I didn't exactly like as well, but in this case my opinion changed completely during 2nd Season. How could you look at her and not smile (disregarding her past)? She does her job as Chiyu's right-hand-woman perfectly and speaking of, most of my favourite Chiyu moments have Reona with her. Well, to be fair, Reona is always with Chiyu but that's not the point. She's half the reason why I love Chiyu so much.

So... Chiyu. Oh, where do I start? She is a character unlike any other in Bandori. If it wasn't obvious, I love out-of-the-norm stuff, when done correctly. Despite being one of the smallest characters and one of the youngest, she exudes pressure and authority, which is shown magnificently with the RAiSe! manga's art style. Yet she does not catch a break in 2nd Season. Rejected by Yukina, finds an ideal guitarist in Tae and then Tae leaves. She might give the impression that she's someone who gets what she wants, but in reality that's never happened to her. Let's not forget to mention the moments where her composure and 'coolness' breaks. Entering Arisa's basement, dancing to PoPiPa, her excitement after RAS' first live, Reona commenting on her English, Reona teasing her about her English, when she tries to kick a cone in anger and Reona stops her, Reona, EVERY single moment with Reona- wait, this has just turned into my favourite Chiyu moments... Even Chiyu just saying 'PAREO', I love it. I've always said that Hina/Sayo has my favourite pair moments, but I think Chiyu/Reona surpasses them. Back with my intro post, I said I liked cool and cute. That sums up the main reason why I love Chiyu. She has moments where she is menacing but she also has absolutely adorable moments. Those would pretty much be the moments I just listed.

I've spent this entire day just looking through RAS stuff, from the seiyuu to the characters and everything in-between. I hadn't realised until now that I've had this massive goofy grin the entire time. I saw, remembered and reminisced. I really, really, really, really, really, really, REALLY love RAISE A SUILEN and everything about them, if that wasn't obvious enough. They will always be Number #1 in my heart.

except for the fictional band because they don't fully exist yet come on 3rd season please

If you used your time to read through all of this... you deserve some major praise.

Soooo I wanted CHU2’s birthday present to be a surprise but I really need some input on this really soon because this is probably the only chance I’ll get to draw today. I just finished flat coloring and I’m trying to decide how to shade it. I’ve never really done fancy lighting in different colors before, but I really want to because it would be cool if I could draw her in a dark room with some blue/cyan lighting, but I don’t know if this looks right. Here’s the original:

And I could just shade it like normal, or I could turn it into the drawing I was talking about earlier and do something like this (it’s just a really sloppy base thing to see how it looks; obviously it won’t look as basic as this if I do it.) Anyway:

Which one looks better? If I could get some quick feedback that would be fantastic, thank you for taking the time to read this,,

looks fun (answers in comments)

Hi I’m uneducated so I just wanna know why I always see so many people in the top 10~100 with the same first part of their name?? Do people form groups with friends for tiers or is it just one person?? I’m so confused lol

happy bday tae!!! <3 (ignore my crappy carrots pls)

Day 8

fave to least fave in roselia

ako > rinko > Sayo > lisa > yukina

Day 9

fave to least fave in Morfonica

Touko > Mashiro > Tsukushi = Nanami > Rui

Day 10

Fave to least fave in Raise a suilen

Pareo > Lock > Chu2 > Layer = Masking

Day 11

Favorite original song by Poppin Party

It was the first popipa song I heard, it is too beautiful and I never get tired of hearing them.

Day 12

Favorite original song by afterglow

The meaning of the song is so positive and real (and it is also focused on himari) as not loving this song? one of the best afterglow for me

Favorite original song by Hello Happy world!

I have nothing to say, I just love it

Day 14

Favorite original song by Pastel Palettes

I really like the aesthetics of the song and the instrumental is quite good

Day 15

Favorite original song by Roselia

This was the first bandori song that I heard and the one that I entered the franchise, it really is one of my favorites and I really appreciate it

Day 16

Favorite original song by Morfonica

I haven't heard many morfonica songs but I really like this one

Day 17

Favorite Original song by Raise a Suilen

Hearing this song makes me really excited!

Day 18

Favorite cover song by Poppin Party

Day 19

Favorite cover song by Afterglow

Day 20

Favorite cover song by Hello Happy World!

Day 21

Favorite cover song by pastel palettes

Again sorry I was quite late ;_;

Day 5: Fav to least fav in Afterglow

Himari > Tsugumi = Tomoe > Ran = Moca

Day 6 : Fave to least fave in hello happy world!

Kokoron > kaoru = hagumi = kanon = misaki

day 7 : fave to least fave in Pastel palettes

Hina > chisato = aya > maya = eve

I love all the girls ; _ ;

well again I walked in other things but today I will end it with a longer post enjoy ~!

Day 22

Favorite Cover song by Roselia

Day 23

Favorite Cover song by Morfonica

Day 24

Favorite Cover song by Raise a Suilen

Day 25

Favorite other song

YES! I'll put all my favorite songs here >: D

Poppin'Party

• Girl's Code

• SAKURA MEMORIES

• Photograph

• What's the POPIPA!?

• Poppin' Shuffle

Covers

-Cherry Bomb

• Setsuna Trip

Afterglow

• Scarlet Sky

• Hey-day Capriccio

• Jamboree!Journey!

• Sasanqua

• Y.O.L.O!!!!!

• COMIC PANIC!!!

Covers

• Lost One's Weeping

• Roki

Pastel Palettes

• Pasupa Revolutions☆

• Shuwarin☆Dreaming

• DAYS of Embrace♪

• Unite! From A To Z

• Wonderful Sweet!

Covers

• Secret Base

• Baby Sweet Berry Love

• Mechanical Clown

• Kanade

Roselia

• Ringing Bloom

• ONENESS

• Passionate Anthem

• Avant-garde HISTORY

• Promise

Covers

• Guren no Yumiya

Hello Happy World!

• I need you!

• Smile, found ya!

• Fuwa Fuwa ☆ Dreamy Sandwich

• Goka! Gokai!? Phantom Thief!

• Worldwide Treasure!

Covers

• POP TEAM EPIC

• Romeo

Raise a Suilen

• EXPOSE ‘Burn out!!!’

• SOUL SOLDIER

• HELL OR HELL!?

Covers

only hitoru no yoru :D

Morfonica

• flame of hope

• Prelude to Gold

Covers

• Nevereverland

Solo songs from the girls of PopiPa!

• Chocolate Bass Recipe

Day 26 Favorite 4*(s)

Day 27

Favorite 3*(s)

Only Gorgeous!

Day 28

Favorite event

Day 29

Character(s) you relate to

one of the girls I identify with the most is rinko (this possibly also applies to rimi and mashiro) sometimes I feel very nervous to talk to people and spoil everything

On the other hand, I also identify a bit with hina and touko, sometimes I feel full of energy and it makes me want to look for interesting things to do and check my ig to see photos or post an edit!

Day 30

Favorite Thing about bandori

LITERALLY BANDORI HAS IT ALL! Good music, Nice characters, Cool Collaborations, One game, 4komas, covers and much more!

check out this cute version of afterglow from bkub okawa (creator of pop team epic)

Day 31

how did you start playing bandori and when?

I downloaded it a few days after making the account of this site since I liked the songs and hina

if it is not very interesting

SORRY FOR THE LONG PUBLICATION !! TT ^ TT

credits to Riru who created this challenge!

I'm seriously sorry for taking so long in the challenge!

Well, have a good time doing this so I'll go to sleep! have a good day / night !!

so . . . I was busy these days but today I will complete the days in which I am missing ^^

Day 2

Least favorite character(s)

I don't know this is difficult to choose I love all the girls but if I had to choose it would be moca (?) even though I feel identified in some things with her I feel that she cannot become my favorite (I feel a little bad therefore)

Day 3

fave to least fave band

Afterglow > RAS = Pasupare > Morfonica = Harohapi = popipa > Roselia

this can easily change xd but afterglow will always be my favorite

Day 4

Fave to least fave in Poppin Party

Saaya = Tae > Kasumi = Rimi = Arisa

I think I have already completed the days in which I am missing (?)

sorry if some things are not understood English is not my native language

Alright, here’s my very very late art trade with SomeRandomGhost! I’m really sorry Kaoru isn't lined and colored and stuff— I accidentally made some of the lines too thick and I thought they wouldn’t erase properly when I was done for the linework, so I just made it a shaded sketch asdfghjkl?? I hope you like it :) (Sorry my sketches are so messy aaaaa)

Edit: She also has a rose in her mouth . . . in case that wasn't clear,,,,