It seems that anime involving music are very popular, especially when it comes to idols and girl bands. Show By Rock!! Mashumairesh!! is Sanrio’s third installment of the franchise based on the mobile game. The big difference is that the third season feels more like a spinoff as it focuses on three new bands. Of course, the main band is obviously, Mashumairesh, which the main character, Howan forms with three other friends she meets, Himeko, Delmin, and Ruhuyu.
The story focuses on an artic fox girl named Howan, who lives in a snowy village. After receiving an invitation for an audition, she leaves her village to Midi City. When she got there, she heads to her destination. However, the invitation falls out of the bag and Himeko picks it up.
When Howan finds out that her invite went missing, she tries to find it. Eventually, she sees Himeko, Delmin, and Ruhuyu performing a song on the street. After Howan sees their performance and Himeko offered her to join in and she does.
Eventually, she finds out that Himeko had what Howan is looking for, this relieves her. Shortly after, Howan moved into Himeko’s place after she finds out that she couldn’t pitch a tent. She also looked for a part time job while watching various performances from DOKONJOFINGER and REIJINSIGNAL. Eventually, Rararin gains an interest in Howan. She allows Howan to watch her band’s activity. Howan briefly worked as their assistant until Himeko and her friends found her. Eventually, Howan decided to form a band with her friends instead.
As expected, the focus is on the new bands, primarily Mashumairesh, but also DOKONJOFINGER and REIJINSIGNAL. This helps with the development of these bands since you don’t have too many fighting for attention. The big difference between Mashumairesh and Plasmagica is of course the yuri pairings. Sure, you have Retoree and ChuChu to a certain extent having a crush on Cyan, especially the former, but their relationship hasn’t progressed any further yet.
When Himeko asks if Howan wants to sing when they first met along with taking her in and helping her find a job, it becomes obvious. Unlike Cyan and Retoree, it seems that Howan did her magic to get closer to Himeko despite her tsundere personality. With that, Howan and Himeko are now in a full-blown relationship. Of course, there is Delmin and Ruhuyu too, but it doesn’t come close to that pairing.
Of course, Himeko becomes upset in the 6th episode after Howan doesn’t come back home days after REIJINSIGNAL’s concert. Sure, Himeko thought that Howan is like everyone who asks her to play with her and ultimately, disappears. This is after she sulks while her friends try to cheer her up.
Thankfully, Howan shows her true feelings for Himeko on a beach after apologizing for disappearing for several days. She confesses to her when she wants to be with her forever. Yes, it’s for her kindness for allowing herself to stay at her place, learning music from her, and finding a job. It’s okay for Himeko to have a hard time admitting her feelings. Deep inside, she obviously loves Howan. Also, there are a lot of cute moments with them together such as them sleeping together to that moment they look at the night sky at Howan’s hometown.
Aside from that, the characters, especially in Mashumairesh are enjoyable. Howan does remind me a bit of Sakura Ino from Ochikobore Fruit Tart having similar voices, although their voice actresses are different. More, they both come from the countryside as well as having the ability to bring the group together.
Aside from Himeko, Ruhuyu is also a fun character who is cheerful, impulsive, and tends to use “lunatic” a lot. Also, there is Delmin, who is a quiet girl, but she also knows a lot, which can come in handy.
As for the other bands, DOKONJOFINGER just doesn’t have the same amount of awesomeness that Shingancrimsonz has. Sure, both groups get into fights with each other, but the delinquent aspect of DOKONJOFINGER doesn’t quite appeal to me. Not to mention, they seem to pick fights with gangs. As they say, two wrongs don’t make a right. Thankfully, they managed to clean up their act towards the end.
As for REIJINSIGNAL, they are appealing given their appearances. Sure, Rararin sees potential in Howan, which is why she wants to “eat her.” It’s obvious that Howan reminds her of the time when Rararin along with Shumomone and Uiui performed songs together for fun. I liked how Rararin tries to seduce Howan on stage, which causes Himeko to become jealous.
At one point, she wants Howan to join REIJINSIGNAL, even though a sneaky clause in the Battle of the Bands contact. Of course, Howan ultimately turns it down since she wants to sing songs with her own friends, for fun. This is the important part since REIJINSIGNAL goal is to become the best band, and not do it just for fun. That is why Rararin gets angry and rips up the contract she created for Howan. I guess it’s the differences in beliefs led to things not working out between Howan and Rararin. Then again, it’s for the best or Mashumairesh wouldn’t exist.
Overall, Show By Rock!! Mashumairesh!! is a very enjoyable addition to the franchise. I liked the more lighthearted and focused approach with Mashumairesh without any real villain. It allows Mashumairesh and a certain extent, DOKONJOFINGER to receive a lot of development. Not to mention, there are some great yuri moments with Himeko and Howan. Even so, I must admit that this is one of my favorite pairings, despite not adding it to last year’s list. Still, if you enjoyed the previous two seasons of Show by Rock, you will most likely enjoy Mashumairesh.
I told you finishing Mashumairesh!! was worth it. Now you too witnessed the glory that was HowaHime’s romance and can continue to enjoy it in S4. Let’s not forget Ruhuyu X Delmin. A wonderful second couple.
The boy band aren’t as great as Shingancrimsonz but as you they match their manliness which is the most important.
I didn’t much care for the “antagonist” band’s superirority but I admittedly liked the blue member’s shtick. They were alright in the end. No worse than other “antagonist” bands Plasmagica contended with.
Let’s continue enjoying Stars!! now.
Yes, Himeko and Howan is just too good, especially given how much Howan likes her and obviously, Himeko helping her and even plushes too. Still, they are previous, Also, I find Ruhuyu’s quest to get closer to Delmin quite funny, especially when Delmin reads her diary. Hopefully there are more Himeko and Howan moment, although it’s obvious that Howan’s worst fears is being separated from her.