Cyan’s duties as guardian of Midi Citi put her friendship with Plasmagica at risk!
What They Say:
Set in the glamorous metropolis Tokyo Midi City, where music is everything. Here, “battle of the bands” is more than just a teen rivalry: Dozens of ensembles compete for the honor of playing atop the city’s highest tower. Cyan has to fight the dark monsters, but what will she do when she has to choose between performing with her band or protecting Sound World?
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
There’s some melodrama this time around, as the cutesy fun band show must return to its main plot about Cyan fighting dark monsters that threaten Midi City. It’s kind of a bummer, but the emotional punch it delivers to Cyan’s fellow members of Plasmagica is the kind of girls’ show drama that I enjoy.
Maple has scored another gig for Plasmagica, this time at the Futures Indies gig, where up and coming bands can show their stuff. The girls’ joy is cut short when it is announced at Tsurezure has been attacked by a dark monster. They managed to escape, but not without the band’s lead singer sustaining some injuries in the process. Meanwhile, the dark forces aiming for the downfall of Midi city urge the Grateful King, a mysterious figure with the same voice as guitar Strawberry Heart, to complete a song that will help consolidate their power.
Not coincidentally, then, Strawberry Heart decides it’s time for Cyan to stop having so much fun and to practice harder. His conversation with Cyan is overheard by Chuchu, who was already somewhat suspicious about Cyan’s past. As fault lines in Plasmagica appear, Retoree’s crush on Cyan passes the point of no return as they spend a night together researching the dark monsters and sharing strawberry snacks.
Decision time comes at the Indies fest, when a dark monster is sighted attacking a band on the other side of town. Cyan leaves the hall to fight the monster, leaving her band in a lurch. Sadly, when she arrives to fight the monster, it has already gone. Worried that the monster might be targeting Plasmagica next, she returns to her friends. Fortunately, they are safe. Unfortunately, the concert is long over and the performance was thrown off by Cyan’s abandonment. The band is hurt, and the truth eventually comes out that Cyan is from another world. The realization that Cyan will leave Sound World in the future breaks Retoree’s heart.
In Summary:
This episode definitely puts a damper on the fun of the series, but I’m quite used to this kind of melodrama from my Sailor Moon days. Plasmagica is due to become even better friends in the future because of this strain. The relationship between Retoree and Cyan, one sided as it may be, is the best part of the episode, and you can’t help but feel for poor Retoree as her first real attempts to open herself up to someone else seem to be rewarded with nothing but pain. Don’t worry, Retoree! You’re in a kids’ show! Everything will be fine!
Grade: B
Streamed By: FUNimation
Review Equipment:
Sony VAIO 20″
“Don�t worry, Retoree! You�re in a kids� show!”
Show By Rock is aimed at adults.