Is Nagasaki Sawayo the true villain? An in-depth analysis of MyGO!!!!! bassist's scheming behavior and underlying trauma

Among the countless discussions sparked by the anime "BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!", few characters have polarized opinions as much as bassist Nagasaki Soyo. On the surface, she appears as a gentle, considerate, and reliable senior who cares for everyone like a "mother." However, in the middle of the story, her series of actions sent chills down the spines of many viewers, earning her nicknames like "the true boss of this series" and "the scheming villain." Is Soyo truly a villain? This article will delve into her behavior, explore the motivations and trauma behind it, and unravel the multifaceted nature of this complex character.

Superficial Gentleness: The Establishment and Disguise of the "Mother" Persona

In the early stages of the story, Nagasaki Soyo gave the impression of being perfect. She comes from the prestigious Tsukinomori Girls' Academy, excels in flower arrangement, carries herself elegantly, and treats everyone with utmost kindness. When Chihaya Anon attempted to form a band, Soyo was the first to respond positively and offer help. Her meticulous care quickly made her the "mother" figure of the team, responsible for mediating relationships and providing support.

However, this seemingly perfect gentleness was a carefully constructed disguise to achieve her own goals. All her care was directed toward one unwavering objective—reviving CRYCHIC.

Scheming "Villain" Behavior: All for the Revival of CRYCHIC

As the story progressed, cracks began to appear in Soyo's gentle facade, revealing her "villainous" side:

• Manipulation and Exploitation: From the beginning, she viewed Anon as a "tool" to make Takamatsu Tomori sing again. She cleverly exploited Anon's vanity and drive, skillfully guiding events in a direction favorable to reviving CRYCHIC.
• The Trigger for the Breakup—"Haru no Kage": During their first LIVE performance, when Anon and the others played CRYCHIC's song "Haru no Kage," Soyo's reaction became a turning point in the series. Her instantly stiffened expression, her desire to flee the scene, and her question to Mutsumi, "Why did you play Haru no Kage?", completely exposed her resistance to the band MyGO!!!!!. She didn't want a new band; she wanted the phantom of the past.
• Complete Betrayal and Cutting Ties: After the LIVE, she unilaterally announced her departure from the band and quickly cut ties with the members of MyGO!!!!!. She ignored Tomori's pleas, blocked Anon's contact information, and disregarded Raana's concern. She redirected all her energy toward pursuing Saki, trying every possible way to make her change her mind, to the point where her behavior could be described as "pathological."
• Emotional Blackmail: In her confrontation with Rikki, her seemingly self-blaming statement, "It's all my fault," was actually a sophisticated form of emotional blackmail, shifting all the pressure onto the other person and positioning herself on the moral high ground.

This series of actions revealed her "scheming" nature of stopping at nothing to achieve her goals, and the notion that "Soyo is a villain" spread widely among fans.

The Trauma Behind the "Villain": A Pathological Obsession with a "Place to Belong"

Did Soyo's actions truly stem from malice? The answer is no. The root of all her "villainous" behavior lies in the immense trauma caused by CRYCHIC's sudden disbandment and her pathological obsession with finding a "place to belong" (居場所).

For Soyo, CRYCHIC was the only safe haven in her chaotic family life, the first place where she could truly settle her heart. When Saki unilaterally announced the disbandment, this "place to belong" was ruthlessly taken away. Unable to accept the loss, she made reviving CRYCHIC the sole purpose of her life. Everything she did, no matter how manipulative, was essentially the clumsy struggle of a deeply wounded child trying to reclaim what was most important to her.

Conclusion: Not a Villain, but the Most Authentic "Lost Lamb"

Nagasaki Soyo is not a villain in the traditional sense. She is more like a tragic figure who plays the role of the "antagonist" in the story. Her actions caused immense harm to the members of MyGO!!!!! and ignited the core conflict of the story, but all of this stems from the unhealed trauma and fear deep within her heart.

Her complexity and authenticity are what make this character so successful. She is not a black-and-white symbol but a "迷子" (lost lamb) full of human weaknesses—someone who makes mistakes, hurts others, yet equally yearns to be loved and accepted. In the end, she chooses to return to MyGO!!!!! and begins to learn to accept a new place to belong. This journey from "villain" to redemption becomes one of the most profound and moving chapters in "BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!".

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