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| Group Name | millsage (ミルサージュ) |
| Nationality | Japan |
| Record Label | Bushiroad Music |
| Genres | Math rock |
| Group Members | |
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Key. & Vo. Shiomi Hotaru(CV. Yakushiji Riyu） | |
 Songs performed
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millsageis《BanG Dream!》and its derivative works. The band's image color is#AA22EE, with a diamond star (some say a four-petaled flower)
as its representative symbol.
Introduction
There is still controversy regarding the interpretation of the band name "millsage": if split into "mill sage," it can be understood as "grinding wisdom," with "sage" extending from the meaning of wisdom to also mean saint or wise man. At the same time, "sage" also refers to healing and the sage plant; combined with the lyrics of the song "起死開戦," the band name can also be interpreted as "grinding herbs (to heal others)"—this interpretation also echoes the plant elements throughout the members' designs.
It should be noted that "sage" here is pronounced as the French "sage" rather than the English "sage." Additionally, the pronunciation might originate from "corsage" (a bouquet worn on formal occasions, not necessarily limited to chest decoration in modern contexts). However, it is worth noting that according to the etymology of "corsage," the word should be broken down into "cors/corps-age," so it cannot be directly assumed that the "sage" part of the band name comes from this word.
Furthermore, the small icon in the upper right corner of the band's wordmark, in addition to containing the five members' image colors, also features a color value of #FFFF99, an unidentified color whose specific meaning is currently unclear.[1]
One theory suggests that the surnames of the five members all come from Koto Ward, Tokyo. Due to historical and topographical reasons, Koto Ward is crisscrossed by water systems, which results in the band members' surnames all being related to water: Shio, Sawa, Hama, and Izumi. Among them, Kotohira is somewhat special, as Kotohira originates from the Indian water god Kumbhira.[2]
Regarding the band configuration, this band is the first in the project to adopt a keyboardist-vocalist format. However, due to the high technical requirements of their music genre, it is currently uncertain whether the band's voice actors will be able to perform live.[3]
History
2026
- On January 12,BushiroadAt that year's New Year's Grand Presentation, the new mobile game "BanG Dream! Intertwining Melodies" and its related information were announced. millsage debuted as a band to be implemented in the new game, revealing the names and visuals of the five characters, as well as the voice actress for the vocalist. A snippet of the original song "起死開戦" was also revealed in the PV.
- On March 1, the band made its first appearance during the opening act ofAve MujicatoMyGO!!!!!Joint Live"moment / memory", but only the vocalist appeared on behalf of the band and did not play any instruments herself.
Members
Character Image
Birthday: Undisclosed
Height: Undisclosed
Instrument Model: Undisclosed
The surname is likely taken from Shiomibashi in Koto City.
Image Color:#99FF99
Birthday: Undisclosed
Height: Undisclosed
Instrument Model: Ibanez RG j.custom RG8570-RS (Red Spinel)
The surname is likely taken from the former Izawa-cho in Koto City (now located in Fukuzumi 1-chome).
Image Color:#FF4444
Birthday: Undisclosed
Height: Undisclosed
Instrument Model: PRS Custom 24 10 Top Faded Whale Blue
Her surname is likely taken from Kotohira Bridge in Koto City.
Image Color:#5555FF
Birthday: Undisclosed
Height: Undisclosed
Instrument Model: Ibanez BTB1835
Her surname is likely taken from Hamasaki Bridge in Koto City.
Image Color:#77FFFF
Birthday: Undisclosed
Height: Undisclosed
Her surname is likely taken from the Fukagawa Izumi-no-kami residence site in Koto City.
Image Color:#EE99EEMusic Style
millsage's works belong to math rock, the core of which lies in complex beats and precise arrangements—frequent changes of unconventional time signatures (such as asymmetrical beats like 7/8, 11/8, etc.) in the music form interlaced rhythmic patterns, emphasizing clever counterpoint between instruments and rich dynamic fluctuations. This style further integrates elements such as J-pop in the Japanese music scene, developing into a branch with more distinct melodies and a more agile temperament.
It is worth noting that as part of a cross-media project, millsage's music naturally incorporates mainstream ACG styles. Therefore, there is no need to be overly concerned with the musical purity of its "math rock" or other labels as one would with pure genre works (just as one should not be too pedantic aboutAve Mujicathe authenticity of the heavy metalcore elements in)
Simultaneously, millsage is the next band afterAve Mujicato be another band to adopt the five-string bass.
Live Concert Events
In-franchise Guest Appearance / Joint Live
| Date | Concert Name | Venue | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | |||
| March1st | MyGO!!!!!×Ave Mujica ツーマンライブ「“moment / memory”」 | Kアリーナ横浜 (K Arena Yokohama) |
 Ave Mujicato MyGO!!!!!'s joint concert, where only the vocalist performed during the opening act, and the band's performance was handled by a support band
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| June 21 | 夢限大みゅーたいぷ 47都道府県制覇の旅 「スーパーポジション ～スピンアップ編～」Tokyo Performance |
SGC HALL ARIAKE |  MugendaiMewTypesolo concert of the 47 Prefecture Tour, where only the vocalist performed during the opening act, and the band's performance was handled by a support band
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Notes and External Links
- ↑ But taking Shiomi Hotaru's This color can be obtained by shifting #99FF99 by 60° on the color wheel.
- ↑ Kotohira (ことひら) and the closely related Konpira (こんぴら) both originate from the Indian water deity Kumbhira (クンビーラ, Kumbhira), and serve as the deity sailors worship before going to sea; subsequently, this surname carries the meaning of praying for safety and smooth sailing in navigation and fishing. Meanwhile, the natives of the Shiwaku Islands would predict the weather based on Mount Kotohira to decide when to set sail. See金毘羅権現、琴平山 (香川県)。
- ↑ AtAve MujicatoMyGO!!!!!Joint Live"moment / memory"The vocalist did not play an instrument during the opening act.