Ah you’ve all been waiting for this, including me. Yes, the Animelo Summer Live 2007 DVD will be released this November. It’s a bit pricey at 8,900 yen but you do get three discs and there’s a good chance they’ll get it right this time. It’s still cheaper that last year’s debacle that’s for sure.
Anipara happened to do a quick recap of the event which I’ve embedded below. Enjoy!
Last week the official site as well as on Minorin’s blog were updated with a teaser about a major announcement event on the 11th to take place over 115 of the nation’s various anime-related retail chains such as Animate and Tora no Ana. Details of the annoucement and a flash version of the announcement video can be found here.
Summary of the announcement:
1) Full album “Contact”, goes on sale on 24th October
2) Birthday live “i melody”, on 18th November, to be held at Harajuku Astro Hall
3) Music clip DVD by the end of the year
A full album and a concert was something I’d guessed already, the music clip DVD on the other hand was a curve ball. One thing that boggles my mind is the choice of the venue for the concert, as last year’s birthday live sold out within 30 minutes yet they decide to hold the concert at another live house venue where it’s not any bigger. Competition for this year’s concert ticket is no doubt going to be even tougher.
A proper press conference will be held on the 16th this week.
EDIT: I’ll be covering the press conference (won a place as a “user reporter” - fancy word for a blogger I assume :p), so check back for updates.
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.
Yeah, I’m almost done. Here’s the set list first. It’s a long one.
sent: This has got to be the best concert I’ve been to ever.
houkoholic: usually you don’t see us here at seiyuu3 fanboying much, but allow me to do it just this once - this concert is f-ing beyond awesome, and easily the best Animelo thus far.
For me personally, the “zomg that is freaking AWESOME!!!!” highlights were:
sent: Well that pretty much covers it. XD
Rather than repeating all that, I’ll only add that m.o.v.e. were surprisingly awesome and kicking with “Gamble Rumble” and I crave to hear any of the Fourth Stage songs live.
Check out the freaking awesome seats we got. That, my friends, is the stage entrance/exit staircase. That’s right we had front row seats next to the entrance/exit and you betcha we were in shouting distance of all the artists entering and exiting the stage. I can tell you we got more than our fair share of waves from Minorin, Nana-chan, Makkun, Kuribayashi Minami and many others.
houkoholic: We got waves from everyone when we called their name as they exit, and that is not a lie. >:) I called out to Fukuyama and Endo from JAM Project as they entered stage and went crazy with calls, they loved our enthusiasm and kept coming back to wave at us even during their performance.
sent: Yayz Nana-chan, Minorin, JAM Project Ｏ(≧∇≦)Ｏ イエイ！！ Freaking awesome.
We had full view on all the backstage antics including m.o.v.e’s motsu getting down with the dancers when Kuribayashi Minami and Momoi Haruko were singing a moe song on stage. XD
Anyway, full report to come later once the set list is in order. We’ll give you guys a song by song breakdown.
Must. buy. DVD.
(很久沒寫中文文章)
不久之前King社的某高層曾說過要加強旗下的動畫和聲優音樂發展, 但是當全世界的音樂商都在頭痛CD銷量下滑的情況下, 為甚麼ACG界反而強調這一方面的發展呢? 當然和御宅族的忠誠習性有莫大關係, 近期ACG系的CD銷量直線上昇, 更有直逼主流音樂CD的銷量的趨勢. 成本遠比動畫製作甚至主流音樂低而利潤又高的動畫CD業在商人眼中當然不能夠放過. 而現在ACG界中的兩大頭音樂社King Records和Lantis雖然現在各有強項, 但很明顯它們想達到的目標卻是一樣的, 在說明這個目標是什麼前, 現在先說一說兩間公司的現狀吧.
首先說King, 為了方便把子公司Starchild也連在一起說吧. King現在可是很令他社羨慕的公司, 無他, 現在銷量最好的ACG歌手大多都是它旗下的藝人 - 堀江由衣, 水樹奈々, 還有最近正式歸屬的田村ゆかり, 三名都是現在僅有可以多憑自己名氣少靠tie-up作品品質而有資格入Oricon週間十大的聲優歌手. 雖然現況甚好但是對於King來說它的未來發展就沒有那麼樂觀, 原因就是King其他的ACG音樂商機卻是不太理想. 除了靠King本身有份投資的動畫作品而用自己旗下的聲優歌手作出tie-up的做法外, 很少會有作品會來跟King要用它旗下的歌手來負責音樂. 其次就是上述的三大天后的”嘗味期限”雖然還不能夠說近, 但是在King多番努力下現在還後接無人的情況下前景實在是大大的不太妙. 不能永遠只靠三位聲優歌手而且動畫音樂也沒甚麼看頭的King當然就想加強旗下的陣容了. 雖然嘴上這樣說但King的進展還是慢得可以(日本人特性?), 到最近都還沒有什麼實質的新動作. 除了還是玩那組聲優樂隊那老把戲試金石和開始大力推捧還甚有發展力的田村ゆかり外, 不久前竟然還要出到把老手林原大姐再請出來灌了大碟這一著. 長遠發展暫時並不樂觀.
另一方面Lantis可以說是正相反. 現在隨便看一套動畫都差不多可以看到Lantis是音樂方面的贊助, 而且它旗下還不缺乏一群雖然不能夠像三天后那樣輝煌但還有一定銷量保證的歌手例如JAM Project, CooRie, 粟林みな実等, 但對Lantis來說它發售的CD中銷量最好的往往是要靠超人氣作品帶動的. 只要拿涼宮與因這套作品紅得發紫的平野綾個人單曲”明日のプリズム”比較一下就知道, Lantis現在旗下的歌手在個人程度來說是大多都沒有足夠的號召力. 每次都要擔懮作品有沒有可能可以達到像涼宮或最近的らき☆すた那種驚人的人氣程度才有銷量保證的話對公司來說當然也不是辦法, 所以Lantis便積極地簽了一群聲優歌手來加強實力. 雖然手上已經有了平野綾這一未來大將, 但是其實現在的平野綾靠的還是演出作品的間接人氣. 平野綾雖然有一定的潛質, 而且Lantis很明顯是看到”God Knows…”等的表現和她的衣著性格而想將平野綾培養成一個靠搖滾歌的小rock后, 可是平野綾本身在音樂上的表現還沒有足夠的實力, 個人風格和演出經驗(特別是live)可以和King的三大天后周旋 - 歌唱力不及水樹奈々, 風格變化不及田村ゆかり, 暫時也沒有由衣的招牌糖衣歌. 加上沒有可能只靠一個人來支撐場面, 所以Lantis還簽下另一位同是涼宮出品的聲優歌手 - 茅原実里. 如果說平野綾是偏向堀江由衣那種賣特定音樂形像的聲優歌手, 那茅原実里就是走水樹奈々那樣的正統實力派. 只要一聽和看茅原実里最近的作品”君がくれたあの日”就已經一目了然公司要她走的方向了, 實在是有向水樹奈々的名曲”Eternal Blaze”作出宣戰的模樣. 加上茅原実里本身的音樂造詣不低, 還有不能小看的live實力(她今年可以出席Animelo已經是一個很好的證明, 不能唱live的人去Animelo簡直是自討苦吃), 她已經成為了Lantis主力力捧的另一對象. 最後擔當和田村ゆかり對台的好可能就是SOS團最後的團員 - 後藤邑子. 她的新作單曲已經宣佈會在八月發售.
為什麼King和Lantis都這麼積極地加強聲優和歌手的陣容呢? 答案就是想做到”一手包辦”這個目的. 要知道現今日本動畫界”製作委員會”制度是異常的複雜和麻煩, 但當音樂公司可以一手包辦主題曲和聲優唱的character song的製作的話, 一來可以減少委員的數目而不必把收入分薄, 而音樂公司自身在業界的地位和收入也相對地提高, 是一石二鳥的發展計劃. 所以兩公司才會有這樣的發展方針. 至於它們會不會成功, 我們便放長雙眼來看吧.
This weekend was Toudai’s (Tokyo University) May Festival. It’s like a school festival that you see in anime, except that it’s held at Toudai, obviously, and that it is open to the public. So what does this have to do with Minorin? Besides the fact that she got invited by Toudai’s Animation Club to perform on the day, I really don’t know how it all ties together and what does this all have to do with an university festival, I guess I just lack the imagination since I came from a boring university down under, and I couldn’t for the life of me picturing something like this ever happen at my uni. But then again, who really cares? I got lucky and won the lottary for a free seat at the event. So with a bright sunny spring day, it was time to head to Toudai for a bit of long overdue seiyuu event fun, and even a chance to re-live the happy student times.
The event, which lasted just a little over an hour, was held inside a lecture hall - yes you read it right, a lecture hall (oh how I missed those!), and all the attendees were sitting on the small folding chairs paying full attention to the front (I doubt you’ll see that much concentration during an actual lecture) as Minorin talks about her career as a seiyuu and as a singer, and then giving us a very well performed mini-live.
During the talk section, led by the MC (the president of the Animation Club), Minorin talked about fond memories of recording her first album “Heroine”, reflected upon her “life altering piece of work” that is Nagato Yuki of Haruhi fame, and touched upon her more recent works such as Lovely Idol. She also talked about how she’s into Wii Sports’ Tennis game as of current and she’s running around in the house playing the game. In the mini-live section, Minorin sang a total of 5 songs - “純白サンクチュアリィ” (Junpaku Sanctuary), ““雪、無音、窓辺にて。” (Yuki, Muon, Madobe Nite), “Last Arden”, “君がくれたあの日” (Kimi ga kureta anohi), and “Peace of Mind ~人魚のささやき” (Peace of Mind ~ Ningyo no Sasayaki). Both “Last Arden” and “Kimi ga kureta anohi” are from her upcoming single, so it was quite a treat for us to be able to listen to the full versions before everyone else, and despite the lecture hall venue, the acoustics was surprisingly good and Minorin put up an excellent performance to match, although she did have to re-sing “Kimi ga kureta anohi” because she got too nervous and forgot to start on the A-part intro. In the end it all adds to her cute-ness and its excuseable on the basis that its her first public performance of her new song, but here’s hoping that she won’t be hit with the same stage frights for her two upcoming important appearances at Anime Expo in the states and Animelo 2007 back on home turf.
It was a nice and relaxing way to spend a sunny spring day. :)
Minorin just revealed in her blog that she will be making an appearance as a solo artist at this year’s Animelo. The official page of Animelo also confirms this piece of news.
As a solo artist, there’s no Haruhi hype-riding this time around and the organisers must feel that Minorin has what it takes to put up a performance that can rival the big guns at Animelo to let her in on the game. As we here at seiyuu3 had covered previously, Minorin is a great live artist, so I’m not worried about her ability to putting on a great show. It’s going to be a great opportunity for Minorin to make a giant leap in her singing career, and personally I’m glad that she’s getting her share of fortunes after being drowned out by the successes of Hirano Aya and Goto Yuuko.
The cover of the single was released recently.
Titled 「君がくれたあの日」 (Kimi ga Kureta Ano Hi), it will go on sale on June 6th.
Simple but nice looking picture of Minorin, I like. ^____^
A Haruhi live event is scheduled for March 18th.
Chaos ensures.
The Law of Information Sharing on the Internet
Rule 1. Anything can be found on the Internet.
Rule 2. If Rule 1 appears not to apply, you haven't looked hard enough.
Rule 3. Given sufficient time for Rule 2, somebody else will find it for you or upload it hence fulfilling Rule 1.
- seiyuu3