Episode 11 of Ave Mujica -The Die Is Cast- connects all the dots in a way that changes everything we thought we knew. If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend checking it out on Crunchyroll or Muse Asia before reading this review because it is packed with the most major spoilers yet.
After weeks of speculation, I finally got what I’d been hoping for—Uika’s full story. Episode 11 doesn’t just answer questions; it reshapes the entire narrative. Instead of a simple flashback, the series presents Uika’s past through theatrical storytelling, fitting perfectly with the dramatic essence of Ave Mujica -The Die Is Cast-. It’s not just a history lesson but it’s a performance, and what a performance it was.
With multiple seasons, countless spin-offs and movies, this was the first time in the entire BanG Dream! franchise that I had to pause an episode just to process what I’d watched. The moment Uika revealed she was the daughter of Sakiko’s grandfather, my jaw dropped. Not only are they related, but she’s actually Sakiko’s aunt!? A relationship between the two that I never expected at all. That twist alone rewrites so much of what we thought we understood about their dynamic.
Even though her real name is Hatsune, I’ll still refer to her as Uika because that’s who she is to me, and honestly, I can’t imagine calling her anything else.
Uika being Sakiko’s aunt completely changes the way we interpret Ave Mujica’s music. Her lyrics, once seemingly cryptic love letters to Sakiko, now carry an entirely different emotional weight. It’s not romantic anymore but it’s something much deeper, something that transcends admiration. It’s like listening to a song you’ve always loved, only to realize it was written about something completely different from what you thought. The meaning has changed and the way it feels sure is different now.
Aside from the lyrics, one group that took a major hit in this episode is the UiSaki shippers or those who saw Uika and Sakiko’s bond as something more than friends. I can’t say for sure how they’re feeling after this revelation, but if I were in their shoes, I would be absolutely devastated. This twist completely reshapes how we perceive their relationship, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some fans find it difficult to continue watching the series or even support the band at all. But I hope they continue watching and finish the series because from a storytelling perspective, Uika’s past ties up almost all loose ends.
The biggest surprise among all of these is that Uika was the reason CRYCHIC fell apart and if not for her, MyGO and Ave Mujica wouldn’t have existed. It’s also crazy that she’s been present at every turning point.
From CRYCHIC’s first live, Tomori’s search for answers at the planetarium, and the formation of Ave Mujica; it’s clear now that she was the catalyst for everything. I always thought Sakiko and Tomori were the central figures of this saga, but in reality, they were reacting to events that Uika set in motion.
However, there is one thing I couldn’t quite grasp is about Sakiko’s father. After his interaction with Uika, what exactly happened that led to him being disowned by the Togawa family? Was it really just that, or is there more to the story? And why did he take full responsibility for the fraud case? This part still feels unclear, and I hope the anime still covers it somehow.
Looking at the bigger picture, was Uika’s decision to leave her mother and younger sister selfish? Yes. But that selfish act ultimately set everything where it is today. With the CRYCHIC arc now closed and MyGO moving forward, the big question is: What happens to Ave Mujica?
With only two episodes left, I’m worried about how the story will wrap up. Uika has returned home, Sakiko possibly moving overseas, Umiri’s unresolved doubts, and whatever is going on between Mutsumi and Mortis—there’s still so much to address. Ave Mujica may have gotten back in the previous episode, but they don’t feel as unified as they should, and now, they are even scattered more than ever.
Ave Mujica is my favorite band in the franchise, and it would be frustrating if their conclusion felt rushed. Continuing their story in the mobile game wouldn’t feel satisfying either, since Ave Mujica and MyGO were written together. MyGO received a well-rounded arc, and it would be unfair if Ave Mujica didn’t get the same treatment.
That being said, Ave Mujica -The Die Is Cast- Episode 11 did an incredible job of adding depth to the story and closing important gaps. It changed the way we view so many aspects of the series. But beyond the writing, one thing that really stood out for me above all was Rico Sasaki’s outstanding performance.
Rico Sasaki was without a doubt impeccable in this episode. Having the episode all by yourself, this has to be her strongest performance yet in any anime series she’s been on. Seeing her name appear first and the only one in the cast credits was truly well deserved. One of BanG Dream’s biggest strengths has always been its casting, and this episode was proof of that.
Regardless of how Ave Mujica’s story ends, the cast has done an amazing job bringing these characters to life. Their performances have been exceptional and this series has given them all a moment to shine which is amazing since all of them are rising stars and the next generational talent to look out for.
Whether Ave Mujica ends on a high note or not, the cast delivered phenomenal performances, fully embodying their characters. For many of them, this could be a defining moment in their careers—a breakthrough that showcases their talent on a whole new level.
Screenshots taken from Muse Asia.
Anime Corner was given an advanced screening of Ave Mujica -The Die Cast- Episode 11.
© BanG Dream! Project
