Anisong Artists Gather in a Celebration with American Fans!
- Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Super Live~
- Saturday July 1st, 2017
- Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California
Intro: Star-studded show
The Japan Super Live marked the second night of back-to-back concerts performed for over 13,000 fans at Anime Expo 2017, the largest anime convention in North America.
Anisong World Matsuri is an event made possible through the collective efforts of Japanese companies that focus on animation-related contents. The event aims to spread Japan’s animation/anisong culture, and to maximize its value throughout the world.
The all-ages show featured ALI PROJECT, angela, GARNiDELiA, Konomi Suzuki, Mashiro Ayano, and Minori Chihara, creating a magical night in Los Angeles celebrating the music of Japanese anime with a venue full of fans.
Performance: Deliciously over the top
The concert began with a special collaboration by angela and Konomi Suzuki performing "Zankoku na Tenshi no These" ("A Cruel Angel’s Thesis"), from Neon Genesis Evangelion. The crowd literally went wild and sang along to the legendary tune. Konomi then continued with a solo performance including the popular anime theme songs "This Game" (from No Game No Life), "Blow Out" (from Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor), and "Redo" (from Re:Zero). Konomi’s outfit matched both the atmosphere in the venue as well as the songs she was performing.
Mashiro Ayano was the next artist on stage. The atmosphere at the venue heated up as the up-and-comer performed "Vanilla Sky" (from GUNSLINGER STRATOS), "NEWLOOK" (from Re:CREATORS), and "Ideal White" (from Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works). Her amazing outfit seemed straight out of an anime and her youthful dancing and voice added to the fantasy.
After Mashiro’s set, GARNiDELiA came on stage and performed "ambiguous". MARiA’s clear, beautiful voice pumped up the audience and we all started jumping along to the music. Their dancers appeared afterwards as GARNiDELiA performed a high-energy selection of their anisong hits, "Grilletto" (from The Irregular at Magic High School), "SPEED STAR" (from The Irregular at Magic High School The Movie), and "Yakusoku -Promise code-" (from Qualidea Code). MARiA then invited Mashiro Ayano back on stage and they performed "Sorairo Days" (from Gurren Lagann) together. The unexpected surprise drove the audience nuts!
The beautiful and regal ALI PROJECT appeared next. Arika Takarano transported the audience into a gothic fantasy world with the songs "Boukoku Kakusei Katharsis" (from .hack//Roots), "Yukyou Seishunka" (from CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion), "Seishoujo Ryouiki" (from Rozen Maiden), and "Rara Eve Shinseiki" (from SORA Kake GIRL). The energy on the stage felt as if a queen were singing to her people.
Voice actress and anisong singer Minori Chihara began the second half of the concert, donning an arabian-inspired dress in the color of the night, red. After performing "Paradise Lost" (from Ga-rei -Zero-), "TERMINATED" (from Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere) and "Beyond the Boundary" (from Beyond the Boundary), Arika from ALI PROJECT appeared on stage and the two singers performed Celestial Diva (from CHAOS RINGS II).
The pair overwhelmed the venue with their unique voices. Minori then sang the opening theme of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, the anime series that pushed her to worldwide fame. Thought the audience had already been dancing non-stop, the energy in the venue hit the ceiling once again. And the energy kept up as she performed her final song, "Freedom Dreamer". Minori’s high energy was very contagious, setting the tone for the next performer, angela.
Finally, the baton was passed to angela, who showed up in show-stopping outfits, including the vocalist’s lion romper, and performed some of their hottest anime songs like "Boku wa Boku de Atte" (from Ajin: Demi-Human), "Asu he no brilliant road" (from Stellvia), "Sidonia" (from KNIGHTS OF SIDONIA), "KINGS" (from K), and "Shangri-La" (from Fafner in the Azure). Most of the night’s artists don’t take themselves too seriously, but angela showed that they were there exclusively to have fun with their fans. Those outfits and playful attitude were the perfect way to end the night.
After all the performances, each artist lined up on stage and greeted the audience. It was sweet and moving to hear the true feelings of each of the artists and how amazed they were by the unbridled excitement the fans showed throughout their concert. Angela promised the audience ‘We will come back again!’, and the show concluded without a hitch.
Outro: Encore!
The Anisong World Matsuri ~Japan Super Live~ was a non-stop rollercoaster of emotions. From the initial shock of realizing you’re listening to "Cruel Angel’s Thesis" live, to the moving vocals and visuals of ALI PROJECT’s "Seishoujo Ryouiki" from Rozen Maiden, and the out-of-this-world wardrobe choices, the audience screamed, laughed, sang, cheered, and possibly even cried from listening to their favorite anime songs performed live in front of them.
This is only the second year that Anisong World Matsuri tours, but we think it will continue to grow and bring joy to anime fans all over the world for many years to come!
1. Zankoku na Tenshi no These (Special Collaboration with angela)
2. This game
3. Blow out
4. Redo
1. Tachiagare!
2. vanilla sky
3. NEWLOOK
4. ideal white
1. ambiguous
2. grilletto
3. SPEED STAR
4. Yakusoku -Promise code-
5. Sorairo Days (Special Collaboration with Mashiro Ayano)
1. Boukoku Kakusei Katharsis
2. Yukyou Seishunka
3. Koi ni Naritai AQUARIUM
4. Seishoujo Ryouiki
5. Rara Eve Shinseiki
1. Paradise Lost
2. TERMINATED
3. Beyond the Boundary
4. Celestial Diva (Special Collaboration with ALI PROJECT)
5. Hare Hare Yukai
6. Freedom Dreamer
1. Boku wa Boku de Atte
2. Asu he no brilliant road
3. SIDONIA
4. KINGS
5. Shangri-La
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
Author: Lizzy Nyanko
