Kaimei Rock Fes!
This is our school's traditional event!
Everybody joined different bands, see!
Bossun and the gang...
What happened?
An unexpected accident!
What'll they do?
What'll happen?
What's goin' on~?!
A strong wind's a blowin'!
Rock on to Part Two!
The flu?!
For real?
Yeah...
Every member of Yabasawa Books is wiped out.
How damn contagious is this Yabasawa virus anyway?!
So, what'll you do?
Is your band gonna...
Everyone is taking a break for a bit to rest, so we can't practice at all.
So we're withdrawing from the festival.
I mean seriously, what the hell?!
Nothing you can do if people are sick.
At least you didn't split up because of infighting.
Split up?
Yeah... It happens a lot with bands that are just thrown together.
So like, just pretend it's 'cause of some cool reason like that.
Oh, Switch.
What's up?
Weren't you supposed to be practicing with the Anime Club band?
We have broken up over creative differences in our music.
Seriously?
And here we go...
The shocking truth...
...will be revealed after the commercial break!
Uh...
Not gonna tell us now?
Episode 17: Sketchbook
Usui burned.
Believing in the bright, sparkling future of rock,
he proceeded to the Anime Society's room.
How long are ya gonna draw this out?
For someone like me, our unit's name is very crucial.
It's the same as the name of an anime character.
Just from saying the name,
you need to get a full picture of the person's character and personality.
Totally, you said it, bingo!
It's gotta express the modern digital pop sound we're aiming for.
We've got to aim for a polished, symbolic naming sense.
We should be a bit daring and bold here, I think.
For example... Let me see...
"Tinkerbell", "Pajama Party", "Chocolate Diaries", "Whirly Twinkle"...
Putting that pointless argument aside, can we start practicing?
I may have perfected my finger drums on the chosen songs,
but in the end I cannot throw off playing the real drums.
If I can make it before the performance, please let me play them instead.
Zawa!
Mr. Usui, I thought it was just a diversion, but you're serious?
That's not the kind of style we're going for.
We're all seriously into the digital sound, that's all.
Righto!
Yeah.
So we should move in a more heavy-duty smiley-happy direction!
Oh right, Mr. Otakura!
Present to me the two works of anime you recorded last night!
As you wish.
"Peppermint Gum", "Angels' Alliance",
"Fancy Boys", "Strawberry Cake Monologue"...
So in the end, what's the band name?
Oh, I know!
Channel-Channel!
...is what they decided, however I couldn't have cared less.
They finally said we would go practice,
but they just persisted in blabbing on about nothing,
with none of them wanting to practice one bit.
Yeah, man... That happens all the time.
Completely unproductive,
I quit with a "This is the damn problem with you otaku!"
Seems you had it rough...
Although you're a big otaku yourself.
Man, what's with you guys?
In the end, I'm the only one left?
Pitiful! Totally pitiful!
As your leader, I am very disappointed in you two's inability to follow through.
Shut your trap!
Your band'll break up soon too, for sure!
I'm also disappointed at how incredibly lame
"Yabasawa Books" and "ch - ch" are for your band names.
Oh, yeah?!
Then what's your band called, huh?
Our band?
Our band's name is really cool.
And they made sure to have "Sket" in the name...
We're the Sket Bombers!
Lame! Yours is the lamest of all!
That ain't true!
Bombers! Like, "kaboom" and "bang!"
Oh, I see.
Well, I'll rock your blues away, no worries!
Stop, stop.
How many times do I have to say it?
Don't drag there.
I'm sorry.
You've got no talent.
To be blunt about it, people at your level are a dime a dozen in this world.
Studying in Germany might be a first step, it's true...
But I can't say you have a future playing the violin at this point.
Wow, incredible!
You've improved a ton yet again!
Have I really, you think?
Anyway, I'm sorry about this... Aren't you also busy, Sugisaki-san?
Didn't mean to make you hang out with me...
It's okay. My teacher told me to take it easy for a little.
Plus, it's fun for me to watch you grow, Bossun-kun.
Aw, I suppose you have a point!
It'll really be a miracle if I can play this song in the festival.
I don't think so.
You'll be fine, I know it.
Oh, thank you.
By the way, why did you start playing the violin, Sugisaki-san?
Were your parents musicians?
No...
My parents didn't have anything to do with music.
Although I'm still this way a little bit,
when I was a little I was very reserved and couldn't do anything myself.
But one day, out of the blue...
My young heart must have resonated with something...
I don't really remember it, though.
Mom...
I want to do that.
And that was the first time since I was born that I said I wanted to do something.
They were so happy, they looked into it and soon had me taking lessons.
That was when I was in first grade of elementary school.
The first time I participated in a recital, it was such a huge deal...
But I was so happy when the two of them were pleased with my violin playing.
Let me hear.
Your violin... Whatever you want.
I-I-I can't! It's embarrassing, and besides, I...
Man, how little confidence can you have?
Consider me, who's a complete novice playing the bass in front of you!
O-Okay, fine!
Just for a little...
Wow, I'm like, moved!
H-How can I put it?
Like, in my chest it's just, whoa, and like, wham!
Thank you.
It's really amazing to be able to move people like that.
I can't do somethin' like that.
You're heading to Germany, right?
I'm sure you'll do fine, since you're so talented...
What's wrong?
Wait, you're still worried?
But you're so good at the violin! It'd be a waste.
I'm not good at all!
I've managed to get to where the real challenge starts,
but I don't have the ability to get through it.
You're going there to get stronger, right?
So what you need isn't ability.
It's courage.
You could travel the usual path, too...
If that's really the place you want to go, then fine.
But you're gonna go to college, get a job somewhere, quit it and get married?
Even taking the usual route, everyone has worries about what decisions to make along the way.
Bossun-kun...
Nobody has the confidence at first.
If you want to thrive in the world of talent, that might be a thorny path.
But for people who can achieve anything, life is full of big decisions, no matter what!
Well, that's what I think, anyway.
I don't really have much confidence...
Decisions, huh?
Yeah...
Bossun-kun, you run the Sket-dan, right?
I guess you're always cheering people on like this.
Just 'cause I don't have anything else to do.
But I don't have any free time now!
I finally taught myself how to play bass, so you'd better come see me perform!
Of course! I'm looking forward to it.
Ah, excuse me. My phone...
Hey, it's Keigo on the drums!
You're in the studio, right? I'm just about to head...
W-What did you say?!
What's wrong?
He said that Seiji, the guitar player, got in an accident and broke his right arm.
He said that the Sket Bombers are withdrawing from the festival...
Looks like my schedule's opened up...
Um...
But, I never had much interest in music to begin with!
Something like this isn't really a big...
I can tell... You've already come to love music.
If you hadn't, then you wouldn't have been able to practice so hard.
It's a shame.
I wanted to hear your band's performance...
And just like that, we've got nothing to do.
What the heck?
What's with this?
The fans who wanted to be comforted by my guitar are gonna weep, seriously.
But I don't have the ability to get through it.
I guess you're always cheering people on like this.
It's a shame.
I wanted to hear your band's performance...
You guys seem bored.
Let's form a band!
This time, just the three of us!
Huh? What's this all of a sudden?
Ah, that's a shame... Sugisaki-san, was it?
Yeah.
She just doesn't have the confidence in herself.
I think if someone gives her a little push, she'll change her mind.
So...
Let's do it.
Right, let's do it!
Let's do this thing!
I've got a song I wanna do.
Let's start practicing right now!
What'll we do about the band name?
Our band name... Hmm...
Okay, it's decided.
The Sketch Book.
Kamei Rock Fes.
Don't miss it.
You've got to be kidding me!
Now you want to participate with the usual trio?
You can't just do whatever you want!
Sure, yeah, whatever.
And besides, the period for entering new bands has long passed.
Isn't that right, Asahina?
So it has, Tsubaki-kun!
Just as stubborn as always, I see.
Is your head made of some superalloy?
I don't even know what that's supposed to mean!
Well, hold it now.
There's no problem adding in one extra band.
P-President!
However, this event is held on an open stage.
You put on a sucky show and everyone'll leave.
Yeah, I know.
Fine, I see I have no choice.
In that case, I'll be glad to battle with your...
This ain't a competition.
I've got a person I want to hear us play.
That's all.
Huh?
And with that, we're all set to appear in the festival.
But there's no time before the main event...
Huh?
Let me see.
Sorry... That's the part I suck the most at.
We've barely got any days before the festival,
so I'm sorry for being a drag like this.
It's too late for that kind of talk.
You might suck, but you're the only leader we've got!
She speaks the truth.
You guys...
Here, finished.
Okay, let's do it!
Thank you for waiting.
We will now begin this year's Kaimei Rock Festival,
you little shits.
I, Yagi-chan, from the Broadcasting Club, will be the MC.
I went and wrote the script, but she's so bland...
Rock 'n' roll.
Even so, Yagi-senpai's really popular.
Up first we have our top batter,
led by Date-kun from second year class E...
A somewhat unexpectedly serious Visual Kei band.
Jardin...
Welcome to our Banquet of Madness!
Is that Dante?
He's the type that totally changes when on stage, isn't he?
In this year's Rock Fes, one unique band after another took the stage...
And as a rare treat, these people even heated up the stage.
Everyone!
You don't sound excited to me!
With this song, you'll feel the fever!
Everyone's entranced.
I suppose we've developed a bit of a tolerance...
Hey! It's almost time, right, people?
Fujisaki!
Move it. I can't see the crowd.
Helping people?
One of those again?
Yeah, there's that.
But music's just really fun.
It was her who made me realize that.
I want to give her my thanks.
Even if I suck.
I see.
I hope this certain someone shows up.
She's coming.
I'm sure she'll come.
I see.
So, you're canceling studying in Germany?
Yes, I've decided.
In that case, I'll send word to them.
You gotta come to the Rock Fes tomorrow.
I want you to hear our performance.
Now, it is finally time for that band...
The most popular, the most spirited, the most likely to win it all...
The Student Council Band.
Are you ready, ladies?
Wow, they're definitely really popular.
But I guess feeling this nervous once in a while is good for you.
I thought you were always nervous, Bossun.
Oh, be quiet!
Yeah... Let's go!
Next up is today's final performance.
An emergency, last-minute entry, a three-piece band...
The Sketch Book.
Himeko-chan!
Switch-kun!
Prince!
Seriously?!
Oh, you didn't know, Joe-kun?
A lot of people were expecting them.
Right... First up, please listen to our song.
Oh... Mr. Usui can actually play well.
Of course!
He's the only person I consider a hard worker.
This performance is way yabas...
It rocketh!
It's a good song...
They're perfectly in sync, of course.
They've got a lot of fans, it looks like.
I suppose they've helped out a lot of people.
Yeah...
You're swooning.
I-I'm not!
Don't be embarrassed.
Tsubaki-kun, whatever are we to do with you?
I-I'm not...
Um, if I can take a sec...
We're only gonna do one more song.
But we're gonna do it with everything we got, so listen up.
Oh, I know this song.
It's The Pillows, right?
I see...
He kept practicing after that...
I'm sure he did, a whole lot...
Ah, you disobeyed the King's will
and on the night you were found out, you laughed...
Ah, you held out both hands, inviting me,
on top of the aurora touched hill...
The beads come loose, and go their separate ways...
Pretty, yes?
Presents for the night sky...
Ah, the jester didn't show his face,
and the days like jokes are all gone...
The world spins so simply again today.
With such speed, it dries the tears, and yet...
Your dreams don't come true because of someone else!
You chose a windy day, and came running!
This song... For me?
I wonder what you're doing out there somewhere, these days?
The vision of you turned away, embarrassed floats up before my eyes...
I miss you so!
Now that's the look I'm talking about.
Bossun-kun...
And the rest of you, too...
This is the path you chose for yourself.
No matter what anyone says, there ain't nothing to be afraid of.
Yeah!
Thanks to your song, I...
Thank you so much!
Wait, wait... No crying, got it?
You're finally setting out on the journey!
Right! And I performed because I wanted to.
Best wishes.
Yeah!
Your dreams don't come true because of someone else!
And on that day, Dante's band Jardin won the grand prize as the festival drew to a close.
You chose a windy day, and came running!
The Student Council Band came in a close second.
And...
Even if you don't fly, there's no need to fear!
Keep going on the ground!
Go on to a place you like!
I'm sure you can do it.
Notus!
Euros!
Boreas!
Zepyurus! ...what?
Oh, Bossun-kun! That's a splendid Excalibur formation!
Yessah!
Master Yamanobe, please take a look at my formation as well.
Enough! What the heck is this?
Hey, isn't it obvious?
Next time: This is How a Man Plays Hyperion!
Let's Battlisch!
Go forth, chosen warriors...
Hey, wake up people!
We're...
Sket Dance!