From the buildup in Ave Mujica: The Die is Cast Episode 6 to the previews and teasers, Episode 7 was a clear setup to be the CRYCHIC episode and it truly put the CRY in CRYCHIC because it absolutely delivered an emotional rollercoaster ride. With that in mind, this article will be packed with spoilers, so if you haven’t watched the episode yet, be sure to check it out on Crunchyroll or Muse Asia first.
If you’ve finished the episode and are looking to relive the emotions, strap in and get ready for a ride as we go loop through and pour my thoughts into what might just be one of the best episodes the BanG Dream! franchise has ever produced.
I was a CRYCHIC fan right from the start since its members are my absolute favorites in the entire franchise and this episode meant a great deal to me. I am really overjoyed to see BanG Dream! dedicate an episode to what could have been one of the best bands in the franchise.
Sakiko’s attempt to feign ignorance about CRYCHIC sent shockwaves through her former bandmates. While most of them have moved on and found their new happiness in MyGO, it was still unsettling to see Sakiko act as if CRYCHIC also never mattered. Just like Ave Mujica, that band was everything to her and also to everyone else, especially Soyo, who had desperately wanted to bring it back together in the previous season.
It felt so fitting for Soyo to be the one who pushed Sakiko to face Mutsumi at her home finally. At that moment, Sakiko truly grasped just how tragic Mutsumi’s situation had become. Seeing her break down in tears, convinced that everything was her fault, was heartbreaking. And honestly, I do think it’s fair for her to shoulder some of that blame. But what really stood out to me was that this time, she didn’t run away. She didn’t try to bury her past or pretend Mutsumi didn’t exist but instead, she faced it head-on.
Sakiko has always had an iron will and it’s something we’ve seen time and time again, whether it’s enduring her father’s situation or standing firm in her beliefs. And once again, she proved it by showing up at Mutsumi’s doorstep, waiting outside her home every single day. It was a bold move, one that took real courage, and in the end, it paid off as Mortis finally lowered her guard and they were able to bring Mutsumi back.
With that, the episode is steadily building toward what could be its climax—CRYCHIC reuniting one final time. Before watching, I didn’t think this would actually happen, considering Sakiko and Mutsumi had completely stepped away from the girls’ band scene while MyGO was busy doing their own thing. But thanks to the episode’s fluid pacing, the CRYCHIC members naturally gravitated back to each other.
The moment Mutsumi returned and Sakiko crossed paths with Tomori again, I knew exactly where this was headed. If BanG Dream had denied us the chance to see CRYCHIC play one last song, I would’ve been disappointed. But what I didn’t expect was just how deeply this episode would hit. Not just as a BanG Dream fan, but as an anime fan in general. This wasn’t just another performance, but it was a performance that will stick with me for a long, long time.
Ever since MyGO’s cast announcement, I was overjoyed to see Hina Youmiya, a seiyuu I’ve admired since her Selection Project days, join the BanG Dream! franchise that I’ve loved for years. Then, when Kanon Takao (also one of my favorites) was surprisingly added to the mix, it felt like lightning striking twice at the same place. But what made it even more surreal was how their characters—Sakiko and Tomori—ended up being deeply connected. It was as if BanG Dream! had personally orchestrated this just to make my heart overflow.
Watching Sakiko and Tomori’s story unfolding was pure cinema. Their narratives were already well established in MyGO, and as the two seasons progressed, they only became more compelling over time. Sakiko might just be the most complex character in the franchise, and when paired with Tomori’s incredibly well-written characterization, it creates a dynamic that is destined to evoke deep emotions.
There’s an overwhelming depth to their bond; two people who became each other’s light, unknowingly shaping one another. For Sakiko, Tomori’s lyrics were unfiltered cries from the heart, but what she didn’t realize was that those words were written with her in mind. When Tomori sang to Sakiko, I could barely see the performance through my own tears. It was breathtaking.
Hina Youmiya poured her heart into that moment, her voice carrying the weight of joy, pain, and longing, making the performance all the more powerful and moving. The way she delivered the freshly penned lyrics with an unpolished, raw tone only amplified the emotion. It wasn’t about hitting the perfect notes but rather it was about conveying passion and soul and she did so flawlessly.
And then came Tomori’s heartfelt message, a line so powerful it moved Taki to make the request I had been waiting for one final song—”Haruhikage.”
“Haruhikage” is a song that every fan of this series knows by heart. It’s a defining piece for both MyGO and Ave Mujica even though it was originally CRYCHIC’s. And while we barely got to see CRYCHIC perform it last season, this time, it felt truly special. Watching the other CRYCHIC members express their love for their former band while performing the said song was incredibly bittersweet.
CRYCHIC wasn’t just a stepping stone for MyGO and Ave Mujica’s story but it was the foundation of deep and emotional connections that have shaped these characters. This performance further proved that it wasn’t just about nostalgia but it was a tribute to everything they once were. It was special.
Now, CRYCHIC served another crucial role—showing Sakiko that she was never truly alone, even during her darkest moments. But it wasn’t just Sakiko as all of them came to realize just how much CRYCHIC had meant to them. They went from “Why did we play Haruhikage?” to understanding, “We needed to play Haruhikage.” It was poetic. That’s what makes this CRYCHIC episode so pivotal—it marks a turning point in the story. It will strengthen the bonds between MyGO’s members and set the stage for Ave Mujica to find their way back to what they once were.
Having Umiri witness CRYCHIC’s emotional reunion sparked something within her. She has always been stoic and highly professional, treating bands more as a job than a passion. Even when Ave Mujica disbanded, she handled it with professionalism, offering a composed farewell to Sakiko without any lingering sentiment. To her, bands were a means to an end, either a vehicle for fame or financial gain.
But in doing so, she missed the essence of what being in a band truly means. While some groups in the BanG Dream franchise operate under professional management, the heart of most bands isn’t success or status but it’s the bond between members, the shared passion that keeps them playing together. Each band had its own reason for forming, but it was their bonds and friendship that kept them going.
And now, after witnessing CRYCHIC’s heartfelt performance, Umiri finally felt that connection. She understood what she had been overlooking all along. That’s why it was so fulfilling to see her take the initiative at the end to be the one to bring the band back together.
Ave Mujica: The Die is Cast Episode 7 was without a doubt one of the best episodes the franchise has ever produced. For CRYCHIC fans, it might just be the best episode ever. It was a love letter to those who have supported the band from the very beginning. Even though it was incredibly bittersweet knowing that CRYCHIC would never be together as a band again, it was still beautiful to see them play one last time.
Personally, I consider this the best BanG Dream episode bar none with the only real competition being BanG Dream! It’s MyGO!!!!! Episode 10. That episode was absolutely emotional as well, but I give a slight edge to Ave Mujica: The Die is Cast Episode 7 because it felt like it was made for me.
Both episodes were phenomenal though and I can’t find a single flaw in either. However, Ave Mujica: The Die is Cast has become a series that outdoes itself with each new episode and it will be difficult for future episodes to surpass this one. But at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened. The production has been consistently stellar after all.
One last thing, this episode made me wish for an alternate timeline where CRYCHIC never broke up. What if Sakiko had opened up about her struggles to the members? What if Mutsumi had reached out instead of watching Sakiko cry alone? What if Tomori and the others had tried to support her instead of letting things fall apart? At this point, all we can do is imagine such a timeline but reality remains unchanged. The thing is, life is filled with what-ifs and countless possibilities that could have become reality if only a few things had played out differently. At the end of the day, life moves on and for Umiri, Mutsumi, and Sakiko, it’s time to get Ave Mujica back together.
Screenshots were taken from Muse Asia.
Anime Corner was given an advanced screening of Ave Mujica -The Die Cast- Episode 7.
© BanG Dream! Project
Participate In Discussions