(Photography by James Chen)
Togenashi Togeari (adoringly abbreviated to “Toge Toge”) made their U.S. debut on July 3 in Los Angeles at Peacock Theater as part of the J-POP SOUND CAPSULE event hosted by Anime Expo 2025.
Togenashi Togeari is the core of an ambitious multimedia project called “Girls Band Cry” which intersects the music and activities of this real-life band, an original anime series, as well as a videogame in development. The members of the real-life band provide voice-acting for their counterpart characters in the anime series.
- Vocalist Rina plays Nina Iseri
- Guitarist Yuri plays Momoka Kawaragi
- Bassist Shuri plays Rupa
- Drummer Mirei plays Subaru Awa
- Keyboardist Natsu plays Tomo Ebizuka
“Girls Band Cry” stands out in the anime world by embracing a music-first approach, centered around the real-life band Togenashi Togeari. Unlike typical music anime where a fictional band’s music is created for the show, Toei Animation, Agehasprings, and Universal Music Japan started with a large-scale audition to find actual musicians. These musicians, once selected for Togenashi Togeari, began releasing music and performing live before the anime’s debut in April 2024, establishing their identity as a genuine band.
The members of Togenashi Togeari also voice their respective characters in the anime, creating an authentic link where the animated performances directly reflect the real band’s talent. The music itself is deeply integrated into the narrative, with songs and lyrics mirroring the characters’ emotional journeys and struggles.
This unique production model, where the real band and its music are the foundation, elevates “Girls Band Cry” beyond a simple animated series. It has allowed Togenashi Togeari to thrive as a legitimate live act, culminating in significant achievements like their announced Budokan concert. This music-first concept offers a compelling and authentic experience for fans, blurring the lines between the animated world and real-life musical performance.
