^ The light novel (source material) ended the first part (Kumiko's first year) with het.
The TV series (2 seasons) adapted that first year, but removed/replaced the majority of developements with the boy, while the pair in this pic got so much screen time, including two, in their own words, "confessions of love", one from each side (though not strictly just in a "romance" sense, given context), but they didn't become a couple by the end of the series. The last episode ended with another love confession from Kumiko to another girl, and it went unanswered also.
edit: And Reina has a childish crush on the (male) teacher too.
Due to the existence of source material, KyoAni said in an interview that these girls are not gay for each other, and thus, the series is branded "yuribait".
The second year is adapted into 2 movies: Chikai no Finale (follows Kumiko's POV, and includes the short lived dating period with the boy, further compounding the yuribait accusation) and Liz to Aoi Tori (follows Nozomi and Mizore). Both can be watched as standalone films just fine, though the context would be better understood if you watch the TV series first. The first third of the second season is about the back stories of Nozomi and Mizore, their past with the band and with each other, for example.
Also, NozoMizo is fine and all, but skipping the TV series is skipping all the NakaYoshi goodies, which would be a waste.
last edited at Dec 22, 2020 12:39AM