Hello! I definitely would like to take the opportunity to write about my relationship with Bang Dream! Not just the game, but the entire franchise as well. Even if I’ve only been a part of this for a year, I have so much to say and be grateful for. This will probably be quite long, so forgive me haha

How it started:

If it wasn’t for Aiba Aina, I probably never would have taken an interest in Bandori at all. Because of her role in Revue Starlight and watching fan translations, I wanted to support her as much as I could. When she mentioned being a part of Roselia, I thought I should check it out. The very first song I listened to was FIRE BIRD.

I was immediately blown away.

It had the same effect as Kasumi with the random star and the first live she ever watched. It was my kira-kira doki-doki moment. After that, it simply snowballed. I listened to every Roselia song, watched the anime, listened to every Bandori song, watched fan translations of the seiyuus, then finally tried out the game.

How Bandori changed my life:

• My view on idols completely transformed. When I was growing up, I never understood the concept of avidly supporting, getting overly emotional, and cheering on for a group of people a company put together. It felt like such a detached concept, so it left a sour taste in my mouth. Now, I have the utmost respect and adoration for them. The hard work, the quality of performance and entertainment, the bonds and memories they are able to create, everything. I am just in awe.
• Listening to Roselia re-ignited the passion I had for music, especially Rock and Metal. Those have been my favorite genres ever since I could remember. I picked up and played my electric guitar for the first time in a long while. The feeling I had was incomparable and irreplaceable.
• My love for rhythm games was also revived. I always strived for full combos in Guitar Hero, Osu, and Cytus, but after a while I hit a wall and stopped. But with Banpa, I found the rhythm game I excelled at and to this day, I want to full combo or at least survive every song. My competitive nature came back.
• I started to draw almost every day again. I took a long break from drawing and just played video games. But as soon as I fell in love with the Bandori girls, I wanted to express it through art.

Speaking of loving the Bandori girls, one of them had such an enormous effect on me.

Hikawa Sayo

I’ve never felt so strongly for a character in a long time. I’ve watched so many shows, anime or not. No one ever elicited anything more than a “I like that character, they were pretty good” until I followed Sayo and her development. There’s quite a bit I want to say, so here I go:

• I understood her doubts and frustrations. It’s overwhelming to accept that even if you give 150% into something, you can’t beat natural talent and that you can fail your goals countless times. The endless comparing, practice, hours, anger, and most of all, repressed feelings; I felt it all. It was like looking into a mirror.
• Following the mending of her relationship with Hina, it reminded me that even through the darkest times, it’s possible to be at peace and heal. Her journey wasn’t linear, but the end result was what she wanted and worked for. Now she’s happy, smiling, opening her heart up to people, and accepting her past, present, and future self. I remember reading the Umbrella for the Autumn Rain event story and breaking down in tears. The desire to change is one thing. Taking the reins and consistently bettering yourself is another.
• Her determination and passion inspires me. Even after everything, she still has a level head and gives everything she has. For Roselia, her family, her friends, and herself. She’s my constant reminder. “Practice like you play, play like you’ve practiced.” Those words have been cemented into me and will remain there forever (I kinda wanna have a tattoo of it).
• Sayo is an incredible role model. I’m a big sister myself, so I hold her as a big example. Consistently doing what I possibly can, be the mature one, and share my wisdom and experiences, to name a few. Even outside familial bonds, I try to do the same. It’s a difficult thing to do, but I want to get better. And I know everyone can be better; all they have to do is take the first step.

Conclusion

I probably have a lot more to say, but my brain is fried. I might talk about it some other time outside of this community event, but yeah. I’m eternally grateful that Bandori exists and that I found it despite me being late to the party. I want to hold everything I’ve accumulated from this franchise forever and continue to support Bandori for as long as I can.

“I'll accept everything, and believe

(The world will change)

It's so filled with kindness

Enough that tomorrow will be dazzling too

Thank you.”

(Sunkissed Rhodonite, Roselia)