ssgirls.lorelei

"Two hearts that beat as one" - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie

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Whisper Me a Love Song (Sasayaku You ni Koi o Utau): Ship Rant

Where love takes on different shapes for each person...

♥⁠╣Asanagi Yori × Kino Himari╠⁠♥

Volumes 1-3 mostly focuses on the main protagonists, Himari and Yori. They each had their own meaning of love which made it difficult for them to get together right away but hey, who says we all understand what love is especially when we're just starting out anyway? They might've had troubles putting their feelings into words but, they finally manage to reach a mutual understanding by the end of Volume 3—reciprocating each other's feelings. In the middle of that though (Volume 2), Aki's interest in Yori was revealed to Himari—introducing her as a love rival that consequently helped Himari reflect on the gravity of the word "love".

♥⁠╣Asanagi Yori & Mizuguchi Aki╠⁠♥

However, that is only actually short-lived since Aki chooses to support them and hide her feelings instead—choosing to protect the friendship and happiness of the one she secretly loves over her own feelings (damn, don't worry Aki, you have someone just as hot that's pining for you lmao). It was in a short flashback at the end of Volume 1 that shower a younger Aki (probably in first year since her hair wasn't dyed yet) falling in love at first sight with a certain lone singer at a rooftop. This means she's been hiding her feelings for at least 2 years already man...

♥⁠╣Izumi Shiho (×) Mizuguchi Aki╠⁠♥

But it seems romance would be the farthest thing from Aki's mind right now after the heartbreak as Izumi Shiho—SSGIRLS's former guitarist/lead vocalist—formally enters the story at the end of Volume 3, foreboding a complicated relationship with SSGIRLS's bassist. This bitter old friend aggressively returns to flip Aki's life upside down as she reveals to her former best friend her knowledge of Aki's secret love. It's a love that she was able to hide for the past two years, so how could've she known something that even the recipient didn't pick up on? Well, I don't know if anyone was surprised: it turns out that she too, has been carrying secret feelings—something that Shiho attempted to convey through a letter but instead found out about Aki's own secret feelings—for another.

♥⁠╣Whispering You a Love Song╠⁠♥

Their story still hasn't reached a proper conclusion yet as each side still has no closure over the abrupt ending of their friendship. A lot of people hate Izumi Shiho for acting the way she is because certainly, Aki doesn't deserve all the bitterness she gets from her former friend just because of unrequited feelings that she doesn't even know about. However, whenever flashbacks of their past is shown, I get weak for the possibility that they reconcile and slowly progress towards a romantic relationship. With the way they are now and the heavy and bitter past behind them, I don't think they are going to date right away even after Aki learns of her feelings because there's just too much going on.

Love that is reciprocated—a happy ending.

Secret love that hopes for the other's happiness—a bittersweet feeling.

Hidden love consumed by jealousy and bitterness—a strife never-ending.

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:)

Just came back from a long longggggggg break. Looking back on my posts, I was super excited for Sasakoi's anime. Such a shame the adaptation was a dumpster fire nearing the end (or rather, I've also seen some say it downgraded starting after Episode 2).

I don't even know who to get mad at cuz I know the animators were treated like shit with impossible deadlines. As far as I know, Cloudhearts was a subsidiary of Yokohama so I guess it's their fault like why would you take on a project, a beloved work, only to treat it as some kind of practice ground? Anime's last episodes got delayed, Blu-ray CDs cancelled.... the saving grace was the songs.

On an unrelated note, sadly even the Blu-ray for the stage play performance got cancelled as the theater production went bankrupt if I remember correct. I only got to saw the free 1st half they released on YouTube for a limited time and I was looking forward to seeing the full show. Too bad it will never be. 2024 was not Sasakoi's year omg...

I don't know how Takeshima-sensei feels about this, but it's obvious it was disappointing. Her twt posts even became less and less frequent as the anime progressed. On a good note, seems like Takeshima-sensei is still kinda close with both anime and stage play actresses, even the vocal artists! I love how they showed their support at the recent Akihabara collaboration.

I look forward to posting again more frequently, although with the end of AkiShiho's arc and the entrance of a less-than-desirable one-sided incest plot, I've been feeling unmotivated. The discourse about problematic yuri continues, although I was hoping Sasakoi would not veer that way. Let's see what happens then.

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WYALS CH. 43 - OH MY FREAKING GOD PEOPLE?!?!?!

WE FREAKING WON!

WAKE UP NEW AKISHIHO JUST DROPPED

AM I STILL ALIVE? HOLY MOLY

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WYALS - Volume 8 (JP) and Chapter 43

AHH I KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO BE ON COVER😭😭 FINALLY

They look so good help🥹🥹 And they have the obi for the anime's first visual teaser☺️

We're eating good this month, a chapter plus volume release (which doesn't collide often) meaning we'll also get a bonus chapter (from the volume)😌

So excited for the continuation from chapter 42😳! GO GET UR GIRL AKI *feral fangirling

About the Cover

Girl what's that you holding? A white ribbon? Google told me it symbolizes peace; but they're also commonly associated with support for people who self-harm, Holocaust awareness, adoption, and victims of terrorism and other violence. . . Well, that's a lot.

But Shiho isn't holding onto the other end😭

Quite the callback to chapter 39 where Shiho finally gave up on the status quo between them and confessed the truth.

"To each their own feelings", indeed! Both sides are valid for feeling the way they are (albeit the process in between might have been a bit too much and unfair to Aki👀)

Dang, Shiho looks so heartless and empty while cutting the ribbon (as if she never realized just the next chapter that she still liked Aki lmao)

But I guess that's the point? Even as she still forced herself to "finally" move on and convince herself that she no longer has any feelings for Aki BUT SHE'S STILL THERE, INCHES AWAY, SO CLOSE YET SO FAR BECAUSE SHE STILL CAN'T GIVE HER FEELINGS UP

Aki's visibly overwhelmed, the only one evidently holding onto their relationship now—the only one still believing they can mend what they have left.

It's kinda a nice comparison to Volume 2 tho, and their themes as both shades of blue😳

Volume 2 had YoriHima's depiction of a troubled path to their blooming romance.

I guess Volume 8 will also have that tho AkiShiho's depiction will be more heavy (DID I MENTION THE AMOUNT OF ANGST WITH THESE TWO)

I hope Volume 9 will have them remain on the cover but this time on a happy note🥺

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WYALS CH. 41 — AKI'S INTROSPECTION

Seeing Aki so confused and overwhelmed by everything that happened recently is so heartbreaking🥺 You can see that she was really sincere about reconciling...

Only that, she realized it was just going to hurt Shiho.

(BUT TIMEOUT! WTHHH THE CHOICE OF WORDS IS SO 🤌🤌 LIKE "I STILL WANT TO BE WITH HER" OMGGGG MY STOMACH JUST DID A TRIPLE SOMERSAULT HAHA😂)

This monologue is really insightful. Although she's very overwhelmed and understandably confused by all that she has recently learned, Aki is more relieved that Shiho didn't quit because she hated her—or thought less of their time in the band—but because of something that was both out of their control, and that really, even just a little, put her mind and heart at ease knowing that Shiho lied about every insult she spat out in spite (although seriously, that was low, Shiho😭)

She's been so caught up with everything about the battle of the bands that she hadn't time to wallow in her heartbreak—leaving her with a very open question for herself. She knows that she liked Yori even shortly after our main couple got together and of course, unrequited love hurts (especially when the other party doesn't even know). But what about now?

She doesn't know, but she sure does know that she wants Yori and Himari to be happy😭

THIS IS WHY AKI IS BEST GIRL FOR REAL!

As much as I am praying so hard for AkiShiho to be endgame, there's a very obvious contrast between the two of them and my girl Aki clearly is a walking ✨green flag✨

She didn't blame anyone else for the situation that she was put in (hiding her unrequited feelings for Yori). Of course, there might have been many time that she thought of confessing, but she ultimately decided against it—perhaps knowing Yori wouldn't like her the same way she does, and we know she got upset with Himari at one point. BUT what did she do after? She immediately regretted for having acted the way she did and gave them her full support, acting as a reliable wingman for them.

There's a lot going on for Aki in this chapter, and her realization that she doesn't like Yori romantically anymore seems to be the best among them (I'm just assuming this, but it did look like that even though she didn't say it verbatim).

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WYALS CH. 41 - SCHOOL FESTIVAL ARC CLIMAX

SSGIRLS looks so cool😭 really a mix of different personalities in there lol

Formal announcement that anime broadcasting starts next year (feels too far away... but we'll get there before we know it!)

So excited to see the conclusion to Aki and Shiho's story🥺 I hope they'll both be happy😭

On the other hand, I hope this doesn't mean the story is ending soon😭 I still want to see and explore the other characters' relationships! (I'm looking at you, KaoMari👀, Miki and her unnamed senpai, HajiMomo)

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The girls are getting animated😭! So excited💓! #ささやくように恋を唄う #ささこい #sasayakuyounikoioutau #whisperingyoualovesong #whispermealovesong #sasak

@ssgirls.lorelei

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THE VOCALS FOR THE LEADING VOCALISTS OF "SSGIRLS" & "LORELEI"

I'm so hyped they're putting so much effort for this anime. They even have separate voices for the regular voice acting and the singing vocals.

Asanagi Yori (朝凪依) will be played by Asami Seto and the vocals by Sasakura Kana（笹倉かな）

Izumi Shiho (泉志帆) will be played by Yuna Nemoto and the vocals by Mizukami Sui（水上スイ）

SONG INFORMATION

SSGIRLS Image Song

"Humming Love"

Song: Asanagi Yori (Kana Sasakura)

Lyrics: Shoko Fujibayashi

Composition: Tako Yamaguchi

Arrangement: Katsuhiko Kurosu

Lorelei Image Song

"Meritocracy"

Song: Izumi Shiho (Mizukami Sui)

Lyrics/Composition: Sho Watanabe

Arrangement: Takuya Watanabe

アーティスト情報解禁！コメントも到着♪

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some akishiho because I'm still not over ch. 40 🥲

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Character Expression Setting Image

OMG😭 The art is just 👌✨

I can't wait to see them move, I can't wait to hear their voices😍 Hope we get a PV soon👀

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SHIHO × AKI Parallel Chapter Covers

Chapter Covers of 35 and 40🥹

"The depths of her heart that she doesn't want unlocked"

VS.

"To the truth that was told to me..."

I wonder if it is significant that Aki's chapter cover is dominated by a dark color while Shiho's isn't?

It's kinda interesting to see because for Shiho who was hiding her feelings, that was what the cover symbolized. She REALLY didn't want anyone to know. However, in the update, it's as if she finally was "free" of all the baggage she was holding onto. Although she said that winning didn't matter anymore, she felt "refreshed".

On the other hand, Aki knowing the truth was supposed to free her from the fog of all the questions and unresolved conflict. However, as we can see, Aki on the cover is the one behind the lock this time. Knowing the truth did the opposite for her. I think she's the one whose heart is going to be withdrawn this time. She's probably going to blame herself for how their relationship ended.

It's really so refreshing to see how the truth "freed" and "shackled" them each.

What do you think will happen in the future?

Their relationship ends there, nothing more to say.

One of them reaches out to reconcile their friendship, no romantic development.

Aki gets closure from Yori and properly faces Shiho's feelings

Other (Comment)

Voting ended onMar 17, 2023

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WYALS CH. 40 - TRUTH AND FIRST LOVE

AHHHHHH Aki's chapter cover is very beautiful 😭

Sadly this chapter felt way too short, but it's alright, we're getting there🥹

Aki reflecting on everything that has happened between them so far and came to realize the subtleties that gave away since when Shiho liked her. My poor girl blaming herself in the end noooo😭

Just as predicted, Shiho finds no meaning in winning anymore since she spilled the very feelings she tried to hide. However, she takes this chance to "finally let go". I wonder if SS winning would make any difference?

The same goes for Aki too, unfortunately, she doesn't seem to be feeling too good after that. I'm kinda worried it will affect their performance later.

I seriously don't know where their story will head now. First of all, Aki seems to be feeling "guilty" after all that. Since she knows the feeling of hiding your feelings, she must feel terrible for pressuring Shiho. I seriously can't see her reciprocating at the moment, because I think she's feeling more upset at herself than anything else right now.

I seriously hope Aki can have some closure to her own feelings so that when the time comes, she can firmly face Shiho's feelings😭 Shiho, I know you said goodbye to your first love and all but I seriously hope not?! Although it's a bit cruel to ask her to wait for Aki lmaoo

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Cast Comments from the VAs

So who is playing who has been confirmed.

Mikako Komatsu as Mizuguchi Aki

Konomi Kohara as Tsutsui Mari

Ai Kakuma as Tachibana Kaori

Yuna Nemoto as Izumi Shiho

I didn't expect Shiho to appear in the first season considering they are probably only going to cover the first three volumes of the manga but of course, not complaining🥳

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KEY VISUAL RELEASED

Broadcasting in January 2024!

Aside from the key visual, there seems to be additional cast:

Mikako Komatsu

Koito Rei (Bloom into You), Ibuki Mio (Classroom of the Elite), Minerva (Re:Zero), Maki Zenin (Jujutsu Kaisen), Setsuna (Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon), Arte (Arte), Rebecca Bluegarden (Edens Zero), Beatrix (The Eminence in Shadow), Aki Tezuka (Wolf Girl & Black Prince)

Konomi Kohara

Koyomi Kano (Bloom into You), Tachibana Akane (Classroom of the Elite), Umino Sachi (A Couple of Cuckoos), Fujiwara Chika (Kaguya-sama: Love is War), Roxy Migurdia (Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation)

Ai Kakuma

Ilia Coral (The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess), Eris Boreas Greyrat (Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation), Makomo (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba), Mayumi (Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma), Kuraki Machi (Fruits Basket 2nd Season and The Final), Frey (KING’S RAID: Successors of the Will)

Yuna Nemoto

Matilda Dauner (Bibliophile Princess; ep 9-11), Shirota (Blue Period)

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An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

There are currently only 10 works under this fandom😭 This is one of the works that I really like!

SUMMARY:

Shiho Izumi is just an average college student with a tiny crush on a girl she's only ever seen from afar.

And she wants to keep it that way.

But what happens when she accidentally steals her jacket?

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WYALS CH. 39 - OMG FINALLY

OMG I'M DEADDDD!!!!😳😳🫣

ALEXA, PLAY SHAMELESS BY CAMILA CABELLO

I'M CALLING IT NOW, VOLUME 8 COVER ART IS GONNA BE THESE TWO, I SWEAR, THE VOLUME'S GONNA BE ABOUT THEM

I NEED MORE OF THIS KIND OF TENSION FROM THESE TWO, I'M NOT CALMING DOWN😭😂

I'M PRETTY SURE AKI'S GONNA BE DISTRACTED WITH THIS ONE DURING THE PERFORMANCE LATER LMAOO

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AKI'S LAST ATTEMPT AT PROPER CLOSURE

Has everyone recovered from the high already?

No? Same (lol)

Last chapter, it seemed like Aki was thinking about the deadline Shiho set.

Once the festival ends, she'll have to fulfill her end of the deal and respect Shiho's wishes.

Of course, this was made with Shiho believing Lorelei won't lose. I don't know if Aki got anxious because she just wasn't confident enough that SSGIRLS would win but, overall, it seems like whether they win or lose, Aki wants to have a proper talk that they probably won't get to do after the competition.

If Shiho wins, ties would completely cut. If Aki wins, she'll probably finally hear about her hidden feelings but I doubt Shiho would want to have anything to do with her afterwards. Once she coughs up the real reason she left SS, depending on how the situation turns out, Shiho might keep avoiding her like the plague.

Maybe Aki realized that whether they win or lose, any attempts at some form of proper closure would be out of reach because Shiho is adamant at leaving their past behind.

Now, if the talk between them goes well, no matter how the competition turns out, they'll probably be able to accept the outcome and fulfill their end of the deal.

Of course, at the end of the day, I won't shut up about how I want them to be happy together lmao😂