Getting tickets to Animelo 2007 proved to be a much more difficult task than last year. With none of the fan clubs getting any allocation and the tickets in general moving to a tiered pricing system, competition was hot at the ticket box and internet sales. So auctions it was, but I must say it was a great score bettering the great tickets we got for the first Animelo.
This was the second time at Budokan and I hope the last. While Budokan has a cozy atmosphere almost akin to a live house, Animelo really demands a bigger venue. As usual the place was packed by the time we got there and the goods this year looked pretty enticing. I ended up getting a t-shirt since I didn’t have enough cash for the suede hat they had.
Things were looking up after getting inside. This year’s stage setup had a centre extension out into the arena. They also retained most of the side stages although there were not as long as last years. The arena people would definitely get a good show. Sure, we weren’t able to see what was going on from in front, but I think we were in for a much better treat. Now on with the show!
After a short introduction where all the artists were plugged accompanied by some dazzling lights and graphics, Okui Masami burst on to the stage with 「輪舞-revolution」 (Rinbu revolution). And wait she’s singing duet with someone, who is it? It’s Mizuki Nana! Rinbu was already a great song and in duet form with Makkun and Nana-chan live, it was a phenomenal opening number.
A short MC followed with Makkun and Nana talking about how great it was to be doing Animelo again, stuff about the duet… to be honest I don’t remember much of it clearly since I was still reeling from the how fantastic the opening was. Nana then made to leave the stage and as we hoped started heading in our direction. We called out to her but she headed straight down the stairs and our attention turned back to Okui Masami at centre stage.
Makkun then performed her set, 「-w-」 and 「空にかける橋」 (Sora ni kakeru Hashi) from Tales of Eternia. Okui Masami has really come a long way, establishing her own independent label and becoming just an excellent live artist. She definitely seemed at ease and in her own element at Animelo.
Next up was Momoi Halko with her set, 「Romantic Summer」and 「WONDER MOMO-i」. I’ll admit I’m not a Momoi fan but as a live artist she is pretty damn good and the crowd really ate it all up. She was singing with her famous dempa style and doing a great job. Recently at houkoholic’s suggestion, I’ve listened to her cover album, which is actually pretty good. Her cover of 「ゆずれない願い」 and 「God knows…」 is damn good and I kind of wished she would sing like that more often. Unfortunately Momoi left the stage on the other side so we didn’t get to wave at her.
Some violinists had been gathering at the stairs during Momoi’s performance and there had been some speculation who would be appearing next. As we’d hoped Chihara Minori entered the stage from the centre lift to perform 「 純白サンクチュアリィ」(Junpaku Sanctuary) and 「君がくれたあの日」(Kimi ga Kureta Ano Hi). Her performance on 「Junpaku Century」 seemed a bit weak but Minorin picked it up for an excellent 「Kimi ga Kureta Ano Hi」. We had been expecting to hear this one live and it was a complete thrill to hear it performed flawlessly.
Minorin then introduced the next act, Cy-Rim rev. The lead singer ,miru, came out with this lightsaber of a microphone stand. There was a short bit of banter with Minorin who pointed out that miru’s glasses didn’t have lenses in them. Cy-Rim rev. then performed 「恋のDice☆教えて」(Koi no Dice Oshiete). I had never heard this song before but they did a pretty good job of it.
After that, the stage stayed dark as the long intro for the next song was played. It was Takarano Arika of ALI PROJECT and Nana(!) singing the Rozen Maiden Träumend opening theme 「聖少女領域」 (Seishoujou Ryouiki). It was an awesome duet topped off with complementing goth outfits, Arika in white and Nana in black.
Another short MC followed with Nana-chan saying it was a great experience singing one of ALI PROJECT’s song in a duet, and Arika said that she would like to sing one of Nana-chan’s songs and perhaps next time they can sing one together, and the crowd errupted into an enourmous cheer. Nana-chan followed the crowd’s reaction turning it into something of a promise. So maybe we will get to hear them singing together at the next Animelo.
Next up was Takahashi Naozumi. While I’m not particularly interested in his songs, there’s no denying he’s a great performer. He did his set of 「てのひら」(Tenohira) and 「君に会えてよかった」 (Kimi ni Aete Yokatta) with a great gusto, though to be honest I think his selection last year was more interesting, at least for me.
Kuribayashi Minami came out next with 「Yell！」 the ending theme Super Robot Wars OG and 「翼はPleasure Line」 (Tsubasa wa Pleasure Line) the opening for Chrno Crusade. The crowd loved this and made me regret for the second time that I hadn’t gotten around to watching it.
Suara then took the stage as we waved excitedly at Minami as she went passed us. While I had heard 「夢想歌」 (Musouka) a few times, it left a fairly ordinary impression. However, live, was another story as Suara earned plenty of respect, especially when she sang 「キミガタメ」 (Kimigatame) and really nailed the performance. It was something to behold.
Following Suara was Oumi Tomoe. Tomoe made her first appearance at the first Animelo back in 2005. She’s actually signed on to Makkun’s label and Makkun produced her first single. She performed 「Float～空の彼方で～」 (Float ~ Sora no Kanate e ~) the ending theme for SoltyRei which incidentally she was cast as a seiyuu. Tomoe then sang a cover of 「ロックリバーへ」 (Rock river e) which was cute. She seemed to have quite a few fans in the crowd judging by the reaction she got and overall she’s not bad.
Next up was the duet with Kuribayashi Minami and Momoi Halko. Momoi was dressed in her famous school uniform brandishing her keytar. Minami also wore a school uniform as they sang 「うしろゆびさされ組」(Ushiro Yubi Sasaregumi) which is actually by a unit of the same name made up of two Onyanko Club members, Takai Mamiko and Iwai Yukiko (Yuuyu). I didn’t really know the song but it was cute and prompt some back stage antics from m.o.v.e rapper, motsu.
While Minami and Momoi were on stage, I noticed the m.o.v.e guys had come out to check out the stage as they were coming up next. motsu was already getting in the mood pumping his hand in the hard, then he started mimicking the girls dancing on stage while t-kimura checked over his 6 keyboard setup. It looked like they were getting pretty hyper and they didn’t disappoint!
The m.o.v.e set was one of the high points of the concert. I hadn’t seen them live before but, damn, they were good. yuri is just as good live as in the studio and motsu is just crazy hyper. Whatever’s he’s on, I want it. How t-kimura could keep playing without missing a beat while motsu destroyed his keyboard stands is still amazing. They performed their new single 「Systematic Fantasy」 and then rocked the house with 「Gamble Rumble」 from Initial D: Third Stage. Awesome? You betcha.
The first of the special guests, Yabeno Hikomaru (Denchu) & Kotohime (MOMOEIKA), were up next with 「レッツゴー！陰陽師」 (Let’s Go! Onmyouji). You might have seen the video clip before on niconico douga or youtube and it’s just as funny live. The audience really got into too, singing along with the chorus.
Then it was Psychic Lover with the Dekaranger theme song 「特捜戦隊デカレンジャー」(Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger) and 「XTC」 the Witchblade opening. They guys had great energy and worked the crowd really well. Everyone was singing along with the Dekaranger theme song.
Jyukai then took the stage with a change of pace that was just perfect. Manami’s live rendition of the Fate/stay night ending 「あなたがいた森」(Anata ga ita Mori) was something to behold. But she was not done yet as she then topped that with an awesome performance of 「咲かせてはいけない花」 (Sakasete wa Ikenai Hana) which I hadn’t heard before but I really want now.
With a smoke filled entrance and men dancing in drag, ALI PROJECT returned with one of the songs we’d been waiting to hear all night. The Code Geass ending theme 「勇侠青春謳」 (Yuukyou Seishunka). At this point I’m starting to run out of synonyms for “awesome” but it was simply that. 「暗黒天国」 (Ankoku Tengoku) and 「跪いて足をお嘗め」 (Hizamazuite Ashi o Oname) were great as well but Yuukyou Seishunka took the cake.
Then something unexpected happened. A familiar opening started playing. It was 「魂のルフラン」 (Tamashii no Refrain) and Takahashi Youko appeared. The crowd too hadn’t expected this but immediately started cheering. Takahashi Youko went on to complete what turned out to be a medley with 「残酷な天使のテーゼ」 (Zankoku na Tenshi no These). I knew I always thought she was an awesome vocalist and to finally hear her live is just mind-blowing. I was a little surprised that she immediately and quickly left the stage as soon as she finished. I guess her duties for the Eva hype machine were done.
Next was the last of the special guests. There were some technical difficulties with her guitarist unable to get sound and she’d been standing there in the dark for a while. I was tempted to call out to her but I wasn’t sure. But no one else is that thin, so it had to be, and it was Hirano Aya. I’ll be honest, it took me a good 30 seconds and houkoholic yelling the song name at me before I realised it was a heavily mangled grunge remix of 「冒険でしょでしょ？」 (Bouken Desho Desho?). Unfortunately, this was not a good mix. The new electric guitar heavy version doesn’t suit what is now a famous anime-pop theme at all. Aya was practically shouting most of the song and the crowd didn’t know what was going on at the time. No one could really get into since this version hasn’t had the exposure of the original and definitely not as catchy. Poor Aya-chan, between bad remixes and technical difficulties, nothing seems to put her in a good light for live performances and this doesn’t come close to living up to Episode 11 「God knows…」and 「Lost my music」 awesomeness even though that was faux live.
But not to be derailed, JAM Project stormed on stage next with three crowd-busting songs in the form of 「Break Out」 (the SRWOG anime opening theme), 「VICTORY」(SRWMX PS2 opening theme) and, of course, 「SKILL」. JAM Project is truly one of the best live acts. There’s just so much energy when they take the stage. 「SKILL」 is pretty much something they have to sing every time as the audience is completely swept up in it. This time is was super long extended with the “I can fly” chorus with the audience joining in lasting for a good 3 minutes on its own. Their set was fantastic, especially since houkoholic called out to Fukuyama-san while he was waiting to go on stage. He kept coming back over to our section of the stage because our entire section was going crazy. With the crowd all pumped again, it was time for our favourite act of the night.
Nana-chan returned to the stage with 「Justice to Believe」and 「Secret Ambition」and the energy just hit the roof. 「Secret Ambition」 was totally expected as it’s the Nanoha StrikerS opening and hearing it live for the second time raises it’s enjoyment immensely. There was a short MC next where Nana-chan announced she was going to sing something live for the first time. When she mentioned it was from a PS2 game, we were already cheering. And then she revealed it was Shining Wind and we knew it was the song we’d been hoping to hear her sing live, 「Heart-shaped chant」. I pretty much lost it at this point. 「Heart shaped-chant」 is already an awesome song that really shows off Nana’s vocal ability. Hearing it performed live, well, it’s beyond words. Everything melted together at that point and I was transported to a sea of swaying lights as Animelo reached it’s climax.
Makkun joined Nana on stage and called out the artists for the final song, Animelo Summer Live 2007’s theme song, 「Generation-A」. On it’s own 「Generation-A」 is fairly plain and I’m thinking last year’s theme song, 「OUTRIDE」, is still a better song. But what made it on the night was when motsu from m.o.v.e started rapping in the middle of the song and suddenly it leapt from being ordinary to something I really wanted. It’s too bad that I’ll have to wait for the DVD to get it since I don’t think they’ll be clued in enough to re-release the single with the live version on it.
After that they waved to everyone and started leaving the stage with all of them heading towards our stage exit. Of course, we didn’t let this opportunity slip by and called out to everyone who we could remember the names of. And this time, Nana-chan finally turned and acknowledged us with a wave.
Of course, it wasn’t over yet. With the lights still dimmed, the requisite 「An-ko-re」 (encore) chanting started. It was probably a good 5 minutes before everyone returned to the stage for last year’s theme 「OUTRIDE」. The rest of the band members were then called out and everyone was introduced. Then each artist got to say their thank yous and a short comment to the audience before they finished with 「Generation-A」 one more time. motsu once again rapping to the beat and getting the crowd involved this time with “Everybody say Ho~oh!”. A grand finale with a shower of silver streamers and ticker tape. All the artists took a tour of the stage to wave to all sections of the audience and for the second time everyone left using our stage exit and so we called and waved to everyone again picking a few more names missed the first time around. And then it was over.
This year’s Animelo was such a rush. An unforgettable experience, with many, many awesome moments. Last year’s DVD was a bit of a mess but there’s no doubt that I want this year’s on DVD. Here’s hoping for a 5.1 soundtrack. There were certainly enough mics setup for it! Maybe even HD! (OK, I’m getting carried away.)
For more pics go to seiyunews.com. I’d steal his pics but hey.
