Togenashi Togeari – Togenashi (Universal)

After releasing their first album back in April, Togenashi Togeari (トゲナシトゲアリ) have quickly returned with a full-album follow-up. While it’s not quite as shocking if you are cognizant of the fact that Togeari was a compilation of their previously released singles, and the fact that the Girls Band Cry anime has since completely aired (finishing in June), it’s nonetheless impressive considering the astonishingly high bar that the music presented itself as. When this was written, only a few songs had been released. Togenashi takes all 10 of the anime-based tracks, 2 of which are from ‘rival’ act Diamond Dust, and brings in two cuts to bring the total to a dozen.

To reiterate some for anyone who may have missed the group so far, Togenashi Togeari are a multi-media act similar to that of Bushiroad’s Bang Dream, where the seiyuus (voice actresses) must perform the instruments and fill the role of their anime counterparts in real life. So while the Girls Band Cry anime finished two months ago now, Togenashi Togeari is going strong and have a number of live shows planned. Keep in mind all five members had no experience when they won the roles back in 2021, as per Universal Music’s audition request posting.

To dig into the music, there’s been few groups that have managed to catch this scribe’s ear in this fashion, particularly in the multi-media/anime/mobile game space. The sound of Togenashi Togeari manages to strike an incredible balance. It’s melodic and catchy, yet there’s a certain amount of bite to it at the same time. The bass rumbling that starts off stand-out “Emptiness and Catharsis” sets the stage for a soaring mix of guitars, keys, and of course, Rina’s ever-evolving and powerful vocals. You can hear her passion and near-desperation simply soar through the chorus to the point of an emotive scream. Of course, Yuuri’s frantic solo following that is the icing on the cake, so to speak. The anime’s OP, “Wrong World,” seems to be the definitive TogeToge statement (even if lyrically, that belongs to “Void”). Showcasing their usual playful yet complex interwoven-melodies, rhythmic grooves, and tasteful keyboard usage, it’s a fantastic song that hits the right amount of heavy riffing and melodic sensibility, with Rina’s vocals really being the immediate center attraction.

There’s some more experimentation here which adds to the diversity too. The inclusion of Beni-shouga’s “Mind Playing Fractal,” which is essentially a vocaloid, dance-able track (in the anime lore, a song from keyboardist Tomo and bassist Rupa before joining TogeToge), but even in this zone, it finds a way to tear it’s way into your ears with pulsating synths and beats. On the heavier end, there’s the rival act Diamond Dust. The Reina Kondo-fronted group puts their own spin on Togenashi Togeari’s “Void,” with “Eternal Flame” and essentially elevates it into an even more urgent alt-metal track with precision and energy. Their rebellious “Cycle of Sorrow” is even more aggressive with it’s frantic speed while tiptoeing on some serious melodic punch with electronics and guitar noodling while Kondo all but taunts the main act with her own powerhouse vocal performance. Someone really needs to get Diamond Dust to pump out some more songs in the near future!

But even Togenashi Togeari themselves showcase some different shades with this release. “I’m Nobody,” the anime’s ED, is led by gentle piano and sits as one of the group’s more melancholic tracks, and graces it with a layering of beauty. New song “Meant to Be” closes the album with clean guitar strumming, snapping, and let’s Rina really take the lead without obstructions into a ballad-esque chorus that offers some respite and whimsy as the album ends. Meanwhile “Voiceless Fish” attempts to raise the bar from “Ideal Paradox” with it’s progressive background noodling and effective bass injections from Shuri. The final song from the anime, “I’m Here,” comes off as surprisingly upbeat and cheerful both lyrically and musically, a nice deviation from the usual gloominess and/or anger that usually fuels the tracks.

One of the best parts of Togenashi Togeari is the ability to just take one element of the music: drums, bass, guitar, vocals, keys, and listen to that part. The production is immaculate once more, and it’s fun to focus on one piece and hear how it makes up the whole. It’s not prog metal for sure, but the ability to to this with music in this genre is an absolute treat. New song “Melt into the Dark” keeps that grand tradition moving ahead with it’s punk-ish tempo and energy, and impressively complex rhythms occurring in the background. To wrap-up, “Void” does deserve a special mention for it’s place among the anime and as a track itself. With some very strong, poignant lyrics and some even more emotive singing from Rina, the post-rock stylings and bouncing grooves give it some real depth and meaning.

Given the success of Girls Band Cry, it seems things are thankfully just getting started for Togenashi Togeari. The music strikes an incredible balance of musicianship, hooks, and heart, and there’s just not much out there currently that feels like Togenashi Togeari. If you haven’t checked out the anime, it’s finally available [legally] in the US and worth a watch even if you aren’t a fan of the medium, with it’s more realistic, drama-fueled take on starting a band. As for Togenashi Togeari, the musicianship should draw in the heavier music crowd that seeks attention to detail, while the soaring, emotional melodies are bound to ensnare just about everyone else. Togenashi stands as a definitive statement of not just what anime-based music can sound like with lots of love and care given to it, but that of rock music as a whole. Inspirational and ear-worming stuff!