In a world where shadows dance behind velvet curtains, Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast unfolds like a tragic opera in motion. Following the story that began in MyGO!!!!!, this new chapter reveals the masked genesis of a band whose every note echoes untold sorrows and defiant hope.
Wrapped in gothic grandeur and driven by the pulse of symphonic metal, the series becomes a stage where silence is shattered by song, and identity is both worn and hidden.
We had the privilege of speaking with Hiroki Matsumoto, band producer of Ave Mujica, to step behind the curtain and uncover the creative forces that breathe life into this haunting musical tale.
“Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast” official trailer:
AnimeTV: Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Hiroki Matsumoto: My name is Hiroki Matsumoto from Bushiroad Music. I joined Bushiroad in 2020 and have primarily worked as a music director on projects like BanG Dream!, D4DJ, and various other titles, focusing mainly on music production.
I joined the Ave Mujica project partway through, but I’ve been involved since the release of their very first song. Currently, I serve as the band’s producer, and my responsibilities have expanded beyond music production to a wide range of areas including directing live performances and planning promotional strategies.
What aspects of this musical project are you most proud of?
Matsumoto: Above all, it’s the high quality of the music that stands out. Rather than creating mass-produced, business-driven songs, we strive to craft genuine music—works of art—and I believe we’ve been able to achieve that.
We also incorporate sounds and styles that appeal to not only Japanese listeners, but to audiences overseas as well. It’s truly an honor to have received such positive feedback internationally, and I’m genuinely thrilled that we’ve been able to share this music with people around the world.
What were the biggest challenges you faced while producing Ave Mujica’s tracks?
Matsumoto: Metal, as a genre, tends to come with a high level of technical difficulty when it comes to performance, so adjusting the difficulty so that the cast can actually play the parts is always a challenge. That said, if we make things too simple, the music loses its edge. So rather than compromising, we’re always mindful of striking the right balance—making sure the music isn’t overly complex, while still expressing the phrases that the song truly demands.
As I mentioned earlier, “musical quality” is something we value above all else, and that’s consistently the most challenging part.
Creating works we’re fully satisfied with is never easy—but we want to keep releasing songs that we can proudly share with the world with confidence that they’ll resonate with Ave Mujica’s audience.
Ave Mujica – episode 1 photo:
“Crucifix X” (Episode 10), this piece sets a heavy and dramatic tone around Sakiko and Uika’s story.
Why did you incorporate Latin and Greek references (logos, faceless Maria)?
How did you use music to express the themes of fate and inevitability?
Matsumoto: As for the lyrics, the limited edition of Completeness, Ave Mujica’s first album releasing on April 23rd, includes commentary by lyricist Diggy-MO’, so I highly recommend checking that out—though it’s in Japanese. The commentary is also available on the page below, which might be easier to translate: https://natalie.mu/music/pp/avemujica03/page/3
In terms of the music itself, we received concepts from Director Kakimoto that included the phrase “Gears of Fate”, which became the foundation for the song’s development. From there, we aimed to fully express the weight and gravity of “fate.”
We crafted a sound that’s distinctly Ave Mujica—heavy and powerful, layered with the majestic tones of a pipe organ. We intentionally wove in strong symphonic and gothic elements to complete the composition.
Ave Mujica “Crucifix X” TV animation video:
Music “Imprisoned XII” (Episode 10), a powerful emotional turning point within Ave Mujica’s internal relationships.
How did you craft the lyrics to convey the characters’ pain and redemption?
The vocals play a crucial role in the song’s emotional weight—how did you approach their interpretation?
Matsumoto: For this track, the focus was on crafting a sound and phrasing that felt truly beautiful. While we’ve done ballads before—like “Angles” and “Symbol III : ▽”—this was the first time we incorporated acoustic guitar into an Ave Mujica song.
By introducing the acoustic guitar, we were able to express something distinct from our previous works—marking a fresh start for Ave Mujica and showcasing a new facet of the band’s sound.
As for the lyrics, they reveal a heavy, almost overwhelming kind of love. Vocally, that emotion was brought to life with a raw, expressive delivery—almost like pouring those feelings out. It’s a deeply emotional performance that matches the intensity of the lyrics.
Ave Mujica “Imprisoned XII” TV animation video:
“Octagram Dance” (Episode 13), an explosive shift following more introspective moments.
What were your inspirations for this first high-energy track of the group?
How did you balance aggression and musicality to match their identity?
Matsumoto: The original intention wasn’t to make the song energetic—it actually started as a fierce track with strong horror elements.
Director Kakimoto had requested a “Circus” theme, which became the core concept. From there, we layered in elements inspired by horror films to create something that isn’t just fun or upbeat, but also has an eerie, unsettling vibe. I think this can be picked up from the atmosphere right from the opening sound effects.
While the track itself is intense and heavy, the vocal line is satisfyingly catchy. I believe it’s this contrast—the strong sense of melody and the lyrical phrasing—that gives the song its unique and finely balanced character.
Ave Mujica “Octagram Dance” Music Video:
The track “Musica Caelestis” brings an intense conclusion focused on perseverance and hope.
How did you approach composing these pieces to capture this emotional ascent?
What musical elements did you use to create a sense of liberation and Transcendence?
Matsumoto: With Musica Caelestis, the goal wasn’t just intensity—we really focused on capturing beauty as well. In terms of genre, we drew inspiration from melodic hardcore, but adjusted the sound to make it distinctly Ave Mujica. The guitars use a clean tone, creating a gentle atmosphere, and we incorporated repeating string phrases to convey a strong sense of openness and emotional release.
The feeling of release really comes through in the sing-along at the end as a key moment. I’d love for everyone to sing along at Ave Mujica’s concerts and experience that release together. Let’s break free, together (laughs).
Ave Mujica “Musica Caelestis” TV animation video:
Could you share your final thoughts with the fans who are eagerly awaiting the sequel to the series?
Matsumoto: Ave Mujica’s music is still evolving and there are incredible songs that haven’t been released yet, but are already in the works. We’re committed to continuing to create music that resonates not just in Japan, but across the world. So we’d be truly grateful for your continued support. Please look forward to the future of Ave Mujica!
Streaming platforms:
Crunchyroll
Bili Bili
ANI PLUS HD
CAST:
Takao Kanon (CV.Togawa Sakiko)
Watase Yuzuki (CV.Wakaba Mutsumi)
Sasaki Rico (CV.Misumi Uika)
Okada Mei (CV.Yahata Umiri)
Yonezawa Akane (CV.Yuutenji Nyamu)
Youmiya Hina (CV.Takamatsu Tomori)
Tateishi Rin (CV.Chihaya Anon)
Aoki Hina (CV.Kaname Raana)
Kohinata Mika (CV.Nagasaki Soyo)
Hayashi Coco (CV.Shiina Taki)
Tanda Hazuki (CV.Sumita Mana)
STAFF:
Original Work: Bushiroad
Original Illustrations:
Director: Hirohiro Kakimoto
Script: Yuniko AyanaMidori, GotoHitomi, OgawaAkiko, WabaTani, Sunny
Character Design: Kazuyuki, Ueda, Nobuzawa, Haru Mochi Puyo
Music: Musique Bushiroad
Animation Production: Sanzigen
Production: BanG Dream! Projet
Official synopsis:
“Will you give me the rest of your life?”
After losing everything in a single night, Sakiko Togawa reaches out toward an even deeper abyss, one that will drag everyone around her down as well.
Gathering the lives of girls burdened with their own troubles and desires, Sakiko raises the curtain on a perfect masquerade.
“Welcome to the world of Ave Mujica.”
On a stage where sorrow, death, fear, love—even the solace of forgetting—are stripped away, will their masks be torn off and shatter into oblivion, or will they…
©2025 BANG DREAM PROJECT
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