quell-tea-salon answered:
We’re talking about SolidS drama CD vol.2 Two of a Kind.
This is technically QUELL’s debut CD. I understand that it was Tsukipro’s intention to introduce its newest group to the existing SQ fans as “kouhai of SolidS”; it’s an effective and easy way to quickly make fans warm up to new characters when they have some sort of connection to the characters that you already know and love. It sounds like a good idea, but imo the execution was done poorly…
We get a very brief lead in to QUELL and its members by way of Shiki introducing Shu and co. to SolidS. Note that this is the VERY FIRST TIME that we’re meeting QUELL, so we don’t know much about their background or motivations. Tsubasa tries to be friendly and attempts to make small talk with the twins but unintentionally says something that makes Ichiru furious on Issei’s behalf. From then on Ichiru is incredibly spiteful towards Tsubasa, and most of the CD is focused on the conflict between the two.
From an objective standpoint, Ichiru’s anger is justified when you understand his background. But it’s not hard to see how SolidS fans would feel upset that this new character is attacking Tsubasa (and Tsubasa is arguably the most popular character in SolidS). Shu and Eichi obviously berate Ichiru for his behaviour (while Issei is gloriously level-headed and imo the MVP of this story), but for the most part the adults in both SolidS and QUELL leave them to sort things out by themselves. I’ve seen reviews from SolidS fans who said that because SolidS didn’t aggressively have Tsubasa’s back, the whole CD felt like an attack on Tsubasa (I disagree, but fans can be over-protective). There’s also a scene where both groups were at the same studio for shoots but due to scheduling issues SolidS’ session had to be changed to make way for QUELL. To fans of SolidS, it could come across as Tsukipro brushing SolidS aside for the new group.
I think the story itself was interesting and showed us some new facets of Tsubasa. I also liked that the adults were… well, mostly acting like adults. But frankly it was a really stupid move to introduce your new idol group as antagonists……. how did you think fans would react? >_>
There were also complaints that despite it being branded a SolidS drama CD, QUELL occupied more than half of it.
Just bad marketing decisions all around ;; If they had released this CD after QUELL vol.1 and marketed it as a flashback story for SolidS/QUELL, I really think QUELL would’ve received a much warmer reception from SolidS fans.