A memorable scene from the anime Girls Band Cry finds Togenashi Togeari hitting the stage with the band members each wearing a shirt emblazoned with a text representing their worst respective traits: liar, dropout, quitter. Bonded by their misfit status in the story, the five girls air out their own shameful pasts as they try to wade through the industry to get back at family, former friends and bandmates through their success. Their songwriting proudly embraces their insecurities, too, channeling them into rock music of stormy intensity. Striking in sound yet exacting in technique, the songs proved to be a challenge to the voice actresses bringing the characters as well as the music of Togenashi Togeari to life — take a listen to the flood of guitars and piano kicking off the show’s opening theme, “Wrong World.” But the demand only makes for a rewarding performance, both on record and on stage.
Before Togenashi Togeari performs live on July 3 at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles for Anime Expo’s J-Pop Sound Capsule event, we talked to voice actresses Rina, Yuri and Shuri via e-mail about the show, the music and the live show.
Thank you so much for speaking with us! To start with, how are you feeling about your first show in the United States?
Rina: It’s my first time meeting fans in America, so I’m a bit nervous. But I believe they’ll raise their fists in excitement, so I’m going to give it my all and enjoy it 100%! I can’t wait to see everyone!
Yuri: We’re going to put on the best live show to deliver TogeToge’s music to as many people as possible!!
Shuri: It’s our first live show in LA, and I’m nervous about how the local audience will respond, what kind of people will come, and whether they’ll enjoy our music—but I just want to give it my all and have fun on stage!
Is there anything you’re looking forward to while visiting Los Angeles?
Rina: The food! I imagine American food is big and hearty, so I plan to eat a lot and come back a few pounds heavier!
Yuri: Eating delicious meals!
Shuri: I’m excited for the food! I want to try American hamburgers…
Has Japanese popular culture influenced you?
Rina: I’m easily influenced by anime. After watching battle-type shows, I sometimes find myself daydreaming about being a cool, strong version of myself. (laughs)
Yuri: I love manga and read it often!
Shuri: I’ve loved watching anime since I was little! I also enjoy wearing or seeing traditional Japanese clothing, and I love visiting shrines.
Is there anything you pay special attention to when performing outside Japan?
Rina: To help overseas fans enjoy our shows more, I try to say a few words in the local language during the MC.
Yuri: When it’s our first time in a place, we worry about how people are enjoying our music or how many fans we have there. But no matter where we go, we give the best performance possible for the people who came to see us.
Shuri: We try to MC in the local language of the country where we’re performing.
Turning to the songs – What were your first impressions realizing that this would be a girls’ band anime?
Rina: I’ve always loved music and had an interest in bands, so I was really excited. I never imagined I’d actually form a band and perform, so at the time, it felt like a huge source of hope for me.
Yuri: I’ve always enjoyed band-themed anime and watched them often, so I was really happy that not only would I get to voice a character, but also be involved in music activities as a real-life band!
Shuri: I was super excited. I’ve always loved works that featured girls’ bands, so I was full of mixed emotions like excitement and anxiety, wondering what kind of project Girls Band Cry would become, and what kind of people would watch it.
What were your impressions of the songs initially?
Rina: Both the singing and instrumentals seemed far more difficult than anything I’d heard before. I was nervous thinking, “I’m going to have to sing this…?” but I was also really thrilled.
Yuri: My first impression was definitely, “Wow, this is a hard song…” There were a lot of techniques I’ve always struggled with, and every new song presents new challenges I have to overcome.
Shuri: The first song I heard was “Namonaki Nanimo kamo” (Everything and Nothing Without a Name), and it starts with an acapella section that sounds like a tongue twister. I was honestly shocked. Every member of the band is doing something really complex, and I was intimidated by the high level that was expected of us.
What songs stuck with you most as you originally recorded them? Did that change when you were performing these songs live?
Rina: “Answer to Extreme” really stands out to me. The atmosphere of the music video too—this song just feels different somehow. I can’t quite put it into words, but I love it and it’s stuck with me. At live shows, red lighting is often used just like in the MV, so the stage feels like you’ve stepped right into the video.
Yuri: “Piercing the Dawn of Time” left the biggest impression on me. It was the toughest song during auditions, so whenever we perform it live, I always remember those audition days.
Shuri: “Answer to Extreme.” I was in despair when I first heard the demo—it was so difficult that I could tell right away. But through practice and live shows, I became more relaxed and confident with it, and now I actually look forward to it being in the setlist. I love that song!
Are any of the new songs different now that the show is completed?
Rina: The lyrics still carry the signature “TogeToge” feel, but the recent songs seem to explore new sounds. From ballads to more intense tracks, it feels like we’re expanding into new territory. I get to try a variety of techniques, and recording has become even more fun.
Yuri: After the anime aired, I started listening and performing while trying to analyze who the song is written from the perspective of. I think that’s something I could only do after watching the anime.
Shuri: Reading the lyrics to songs like “No One” and “Belle Papillon” after watching the anime made me feel even more immersed in the world. “No One” feels like it’s telling Nina’s story, and “Belle” is about Momoka’s life, which makes me want to watch the anime again.
What would you like to say to someone hearing your music for the first time?
Rina: TogeToge’s songs often capture universal emotions like pain and internal conflict, so they can resonate with people across generations. The lyrics and sound are of course great, but I also recommend comparing the Japanese and English song titles—they each have their own charm and enhance the listening experience.
Yuri: Just like the anime’s tagline “Throw in all your anger, joy, and sorrow,” the characters’ emotions are poured into the music. TogeToge’s songs often express what you might be feeling, and they really stick with you. I hope people give them a listen!
Shuri: The music is full of raw emotions—anger, joy, sorrow—that everyone experiences at some point. I think it will resonate with a lot of people. For those going through something, I hope the songs make them feel like they’re not alone.
Finally, a message to your American fans!
Rina: Thank you so much for your continued support! I’m so happy our music has reached such a faraway place from Japan. I love how you enjoy our music with us, beyond the language barrier. Let’s keep meeting again and again! Please continue to support us!
Yuri: Thank you so much for supporting Girls Band Cry and TogeToge! Even for those hearing us for the first time, we’ll be giving our all on stage, so I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Shuri: Thank you always for your support! I’m really happy that Girls Band Cry is loved by people in North America too! I’m super excited to meet our fans at our first LA show! And not just this time—I hope we’ll get to come back again for more live shows and events in the future!
Many thanks to the organizers of the event for this amazing opportunity, Ryo for the introduction and questions, and check out Togenashi Togeari this week at the J-POP SOUND CAPSULE event at Anime Expo 2025, by purchasing your ticket here!
