If I had to point out the main themes of Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast – episode 9, it would certainly involve conflict and desperation. This episode is frantic, emotional, and exciting, and I honestly didn’t expect it to be, considering what I had envisioned Uika to be as a character beforehand. In addition, Mutsumi really reaches a critical point in her character arc, and it makes the ninth episode very compelling and at times, unpredictable.
Spoiler warning: there will be story spoilers ahead for episode 9, including plot points, reveals, and major character choices.
Mutsumi and Mortis’ internal conflict continued to be highlighted in Ave Mujica episode 9 but it certainly felt different this time around. Each personality felt very stubborn and unwilling to change from the start of the episode, with Mutsumi wanting to reform CRYCHIC and Mortis wanting to reform Ave Mujica. Unsurprisingly, this presents a major problem in their actual reality.
Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast – Episode 9 Finally Exposes Uika’s Darker Side
Anon’s meeting with Uika was extremely telling, and it beautifully exposed the innerworkings the former Ave Mujica bandmate. When Uika sees the rehearsal video on Anon’s phone and is told that Sakiko wants to bring CRYCHIC back together, her calm and collected demeanor turns cold and in a way, broken. Uika was always portrayed as the most levelheaded and optimistic member of Ave Mujica, but her real self is twisted and obsessive.
It was surprising to see her react in quiet despair, and the scene certainly fits the dark narrative undertones that Ave Mujica brings to light. The situation does benefit Ave Mujica’s reunion, however. After agreeing to rejoin the band in front of Umiri and Taki, Uika is so angered and driven that she even retrieves Ave Mujica’s outfits from the agency before they’re discarded. Desperate determination really is the theme of episode 9, but it can so easily backfire at a moment’s notice.
Later into the episode, Uika’s rage reaches its peak in one of the most symbolic scenes of the Ave Mujica anime so far. She interrupts Mutsumi and Tomori’s night out in the city to confront Mutsumi about CRYCHIC’s reunion. Mutsumi tells her that Ave Mujica was formed to help Sakiko cope with the absence of CRYCHIC, which seemingly sent Uika into a vicious rage that greatly affected Mutsumi. Unknowingly, Mutsumi took her last stand against Mortis, who accidentally threw her into a dark abyss.
Back Together, But At What Cost?
Earlier in the episode, Umiri does her best to keep the gears of Ave Mujica’s reunion moving after Uika gets on board. Although she wasn’t the focal point, Nyamu continues to stew with a failing acting career, as she’s reminded of Mutsumi’s performance. She rejects Umiri’s efforts once more after stating she’s untrustworthy, but really, this is just Nyamu attempting to fight back against her reality.
Later that night, Sakiko talks to MyGO!!!!! about reforming CRYCHIC, but Soyo dismisses her since those days are long gone. Umiri, Uika, and Mortis arrive to confront Sakiko and get her to reunite Ave Mujica, and Sakiko acts in defiance of Mortis for Mutsumi. After having befriended Mortis, Umiri stands up for her and claims both can live on, and emotionally proclaims that she left her other bands for this moment.
While observing the stalemate, Mortis reaches a breakthrough. In the absence of Mutsumi, Mortis dons Mutsumi’s personality to fill in the gap and reassure Sakiko about Ave Mujica’s reunion. Last but not least, Nyamu reveals herself, having witnessed the whole scene in disgust. From the looks of it, Ave Mujica’s reunion is guaranteed. However, this episode really leaves you begging the question: at what cost? Every member is in the same room for the first time in several episodes, and their true selves are laid bare, after all.
A Brilliant, Desperate Episode
Episode 9 was truly special and well-executed, and it felt like a rollercoaster of reactions. Mutsumi and Uika were the clear highlights, but every Ave Mujica member had their time to shine in this episode. Seeing Mutsumi and Uika’s character arc develop in such a way was satisfying, and I’m curious to see how episode 10 can follow up. If one aspect is very consistent, it’s certainly the stellar animation at the very least.
Undoubtedly, there’s still going to be some more turmoil before everyone in Ave Mujica is on the right page. I’m eager to see Nyamu come to terms with Ave Mujica’s reunion, especially after seeing her deal with her failures after the group first disbanded. I think she will be the key that helps bring this group together again. Once again, Ave Mujica may end up subverting my expectations though, in a welcomed way.
Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast – is streaming right now on Crunchyroll, with new episodes premiering on Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. PST.
