Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Concert Review

Anisong-World-Matsuri-at-Anime-Expo-2017-TOP-700x466 Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Concert Review

Japan Kawaii in L.A.

  • Anisong World Matsuri ~Japan Kawaii Live~
  • Friday, June 30th, 2017
  • Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles


Intro: ~Japan Kawaii Live~ meet Anime Expo 17

Anisong-World-Matsuri-at-Anime-Expo-2017-TOP-700x466 Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Concert Review

Anime Expo 17 was held in the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 1st-4th. However, one of it’s biggest highlights didn’t happen in the span of those four days. On June 30th, for a second year in a row, Anime Expo brought fans Anisong World Matsuri. Fans were presented four super-kawaii girl units; Aqours, THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS, Wake up, Girls!, and JUNNA and Minori Suzuki from Walküre.

The concert was held in the Microsoft Theater in the city of Los Angeles, California. As Bee-kun and Honey-Chan patiently waited to enter the theater venue, they could feel the exciting tension in the air. Once you passed check-in and security, the only thing holding you back from kawaii girl groups were two measly doors. During the time Bee-kun and Honey-Chan walked to their seats, they noticed that fans were given the opportunity to purchase Anisong World Matsuri merchandise, penlights, CD’s, food, and drinks. Fans were also given free lyric books, containing all of the possible songs that can be sung by their favorite groups, including the type of motions one must do with their newly purchased penlights.

Once Bee-kun and Honey-Chan, along with fans, found their seats, everyone was shown a small video in who to expect before the concert began. As each girl unit was presented, the cheers and screams of 7,000 attendees, of all ages, grew louder and louder. To start off the concert, THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS performed first, next were Wake Up, Girls!, then JUNNA and Minori from Walkϋre, and lastly Aqours.


Anisong-World-Matsuri-at-Anime-Expo-2017-TOP-700x466 Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Concert Review
This is my first time in the Microsoft Theatre and it’s a full house. There weren’t many empty seats from what I could see. ¡That’s awesome!
Anisong-World-Matsuri-at-Anime-Expo-2017-TOP-700x466 Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Concert Review
Who knew there were so many American fans that love cute anime girl groups.


Performance: Kawaii, Kawaii, Kawaii, and Kawaii

Anisong-World-Matsuri-at-Anime-Expo-2017-TOP-700x466 Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Concert Review

Before the concert even began, one could feel the tension and excitement filling the venue. Bee-kun and Honey-chan noticed many fans were already testing out their new penlights, while others ran through their lyric books to make sure they knew their favorite songs. Once the lights dimmed, suspenseful music began to play, and everybody focused their eyes on the middle of the stage. The first artist on stage was THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS, who performed five of their songs in red military uniform costumes. For those who knew the TV anime THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS, they were able to recognize the songs being performed and also got a small scene of the TV anime, voiced by some of the members.

As THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS walked off stage, the theatre settled down from all the excitement it had just experienced. Meanwhile, Bee-kun and Honey-chan were still trying to catch their breath from all their screaming and singing. However, as Wake Up, Girls! took center stage, the crowd reached a new level of excitement. As the seven members danced in their cute outfits, and performed several of their hits, tons of fans became part of the sea of penlights. Bee-kun and Honey-chan were left speechless, as they saw the crowd thrusted their penlights in the air, all in a perfect and smooth motion.

Anisong-World-Matsuri-at-Anime-Expo-2017-TOP-700x466 Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Concert Review

The next group to take the stage was JUNNA and Minori Suzuki from the tactical unit, Walküre. Unfortunately, not all the Walküre members were there, but JUNNA and Minori Suzuki still managed to rock the house. As they sang their songs from the TV anime Macross Delta, Bee-kun, Honey-chan, and the audience were left in awe from hearing JUNNA hit some amazing notes.

In between songs, JUNNA and Minori Suzuki entertained the crowd by having a small conversation with fans. Now bringing you a Bee-kun and Honey-chan exclusive, Bee-kun and Honey-chan can confirm that ⅖ of Walküre, like In-n-Out burgers. Once the duo reached their final song, Minori Suzuki, who voices Freyja Wion, spoke with the crowd and prepared them to sing “Run ga Pikatto Hikattara.” As everyone sang at the top of their lungs and the venue was covered in penlights, Walküre left the stage and the crowd was ready for the last performance of the night.

Anisong-World-Matsuri-at-Anime-Expo-2017-TOP-700x466 Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Concert Review

Lastly, the group many fans were waiting for; Aqours, from the anime Love Live! Sunshine!! As each member stepped on the stage, Bee-kun and Honey-chan were amazed to see how the sea of penlights would change according to the Aqours members color. For their first song, Aqours performed “Aozora Jumping Heart” while the song’s music video was being played on the big screen. However, one thing that Bee-kun and Honey-chan observed was that the girls were simultaneously dancing the same moves as their anime characters. It was very entertaining to see how each member was able to dance around each other and end each song with a killer pose. For the last song of the night, Aqours performed “Yume Kataru Yori Rume Utaou,” and it left the everyone craving for more.

Anisong-World-Matsuri-at-Anime-Expo-2017-TOP-700x466 Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Concert Review

Anisong-World-Matsuri-at-Anime-Expo-2017-TOP-700x466 Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Concert Review
As soon as they announced the 15 minute intermission, I ran to the penlight table because I just had to have one and be part of all the fun.
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It was a sight to see, as all the penlights were being pointed to the sky and everyone in unison were chanting and singing. There were even people with 4 penlights and they never missed a beat.

Outro: If Only the Night Was Longer

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As the last group of the night left the stage, Bee-kun, Honey-chan, and every fan in attendance was begging for an encore. Like Dr. Seuss once said, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” But everyone at the Microsoft Theatre still couldn’t believe what had just happened. Fans couldn’t believe they had just seen THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS perform for the first time out of Asia.

Fans couldn’t believe they had just seen Wake Up, Girls! perform in those adorable outfits. Fans couldn’t believe they had just seen a 16 year old JUNNA and Minori Suzuki rock the house with their amazing voices. Fans couldn’t believe they had just seen the full Aqours team perform right in front of their very own eyes. All the performers took the stage once more to thank the fans for their support. And with that, a sold out Anisong World Matsuri ended at the Microsoft Theater.


Anisong-World-Matsuri-at-Anime-Expo-2017-TOP-700x466 Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Concert Review
5 songs isn’t enough for each group. I wanted to hear more and more.
Anisong-World-Matsuri-at-Anime-Expo-2017-TOP-700x466 Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Concert Review
I was so happy to see all of these groups perform! They were all amazing.

SETLIST
THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS:

1. Star!!


2. Goin’!!


3. Yumeiro Harmony


4. Yes! Party Time!!


5. Onegai! Cinderella


Wake Up, Girls!:

1. Tachiagare!


2. Shoujo Koukyou Kyoku


3. Koi? De Ai? De Boukun Desu!


4. Beyond the Bottom


5. 7 Girls War


6. Gokujo Smile


JUNNA & Minori Suzuki from Walküre:

1. Koi! Halation THE WAR


2. Ikenai Borderline


3. Bokura no Senjo


4. Ichido dake no Koi nara


5. Run ga Pikatto Hikattara


Aqours:

1. Aozora Jumping Heart


2. Kimi no Kokoro wa Kagayaiteirukai?


3. Koi ni Naritai AQUARIUM


4. MIRAI TICKET


5. Yume Kataruyori Yume Utaou


ANISONG WORLD MATSURI TOUR DETAILS

Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017
~Japan Kawaii Live~
Date: June 30, 2017
Venue: Los Angeles Microsoft Theater
Lineup: Aqours, THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS, JUNNA and Konomi Suzuki from Walküre, Wake Up, Girls!
~Japan Super Live~
Date: July 1, 2017
Venue: Los Angeles Microsoft Theater
Lineup: ALI PROJECT, angela, Mashiro Ayano, Minori Chihara, GARNiDELiA, Konomi Suzuki

BILIBILI MACRO LINK -STAR PHASE × Anisong World Matsuri
Date:July 22, 2017
Venue:Shanghai Mercedes-Benz Arena
Lineup: Aimer, Aqours, May’n, Suzuko Mimori, Mamoru Miyano, OLDCODEX, Yoko Takahashi, JUNNA and Minori Suzuki from Walküre

Anisong World Matsuri at Otakon 2017
Date: August 11 & 12
Venue: Washington DC Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Lineup: FLOW, JAM Project, T.M. Revolution, Yousei Teikoku
Tickets and Info: https://www.otakon.com/concerts/anisong/

Anisong World Matsuri Social Media:
Website: http://anisongworldmatsuri.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnisongWorldMatsuri/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnisongWorld
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/anisongworldmatsuri

Anisong-World-Matsuri-at-Anime-Expo-2017-TOP-700x466 Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Concert Review

Writer

Author: Horacio Sevilla

Hi, my name is Horacio and I am a college student in Los Angeles, California. In my spare time, when I am not watching anime, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and going to baseball games. My dreams consist of being part of a video gaming company, making cool games, eating tons of food, and possibly living in Japan, I hope.

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