Ani-song Bonanza! The 3rd day of Ani-Summer From the Eyes of an Otaku

(C)Animelo Summer Live 2014/MAGES.

"Animelo Summer Live" - which boasts the largest scale of any anime song event in Japan - has reached its tenth anniversary, and was carried out again this year over three days at the Saitama Super Arena. On August 31st, I had the opportunity to participate in festivities on the 3rd and final day of the event, and I'd like to introduce my experience.

When I got off at the nearest station - Saitama Shintoshin Eki (さいたま新都心駅) - the fans were already riled up, before the event had even begun. The atmosphere was like that of a festival. I used their otaku excitement to heighten my own anticipation for the real festival which was still to come.

Opening

(C)Animelo Summer Live 2014/MAGES.

Passing through the lanes and then the gate nearest my seat, I came into the crowded arena. The tickets were already sold out, and the arena was filled with spectators awaiting the show.

With the arrival of the opening ceremonies at 4pm, an animated video was displayed on-screen to introduce the artists.

As the introductions went on and the anticipation rose, Mizuki Nana came on stage, and right after her T.M.Revolution's Nishikawa Takanori.

At their surprising entrance, the arena erupted in cheers. I surprised, and suddenly thought, "Why are they bringing out the heavy hitters right off the bat? Has Ani-Summer lost its mind?"

The two sang "Preserved Rose", and the crowd reacted with climax-level enthusiasm. Nishikawa Takanori responded in part with a cry of "One more time!!", and began "Revolution Dualism". Despite being only 3 minutes into the show, it was a beginning that felt like the end, truly befitting of the final day of the event.

Tamura Yukari & Miyano Mamoru

(C)Animelo Smmer Live 2014/MAGES.

The arena blackened, and suddenly on the screen appeared Wooser (from the TV anime "Wooser's HAnd-toMouth Life").

"We've prepared a special surprise." says Wooser into the crowd. His voice was played by Miyano Mamoru. The audience had by then likely caught on.

"What?" "Maybe he's going to come out after this?" The audience speaks among themselves.

And as expected, the special surprise began with a collaboration between Tamura Yukari and Nomiya Mamoru with the song "Love Me Gimme". As expected of Tamura Yukari, who's said to a voice with CD quality, her live performance had crystal clarity.

Not only that, but they sang from a moving platform rather than the main stage, which allowed those sitting in the back to see their expressions. They made a round around the arena, and by the time they were done everyone, even me, were left with smiles.

Each melody surpassed expectation, and no doubt gave those present an unforgettable experience.

LiSA

(C)Animelo Summer Live 2014/MAGES.

This is only a personal impression, but LiSA is one of the best fan-pleasers in the anime song world. She ran around the wide stage and sang "Rising Hope" with all of her might. Despite having trouble with her ear monitor part way through, she was able to perform brilliantly.

"To all of those who helped make Ani-Summer and the Anime Festival for these past 10 years, I'm really really happy you all had me back again this year! I'd like to sing a song for you guys that that will make this feel like the best place in the world!" she said, and began her next song, "Yesterday Evening".

The song was one perfect for the summer. The audience held up glow sticks in support as LiSA sang.

Pretty Cure

(C)Animelo Summer Live 2014/MAGES.

After a 20 minute break, next in line was the Pretty Cure series.

Pretty Cure - a show I've watched since I was young - has also reached it's 10th anniversary, and to celebrate Mayumi Gojō, Kudō Mayu, Ikeda Aya, Yoshida Hitomi, and Nakaya Sayaka got together as "Pretty Cure Summer Rainbow" and sang a total of 12 medleys.

As I listened to the songs I heard when I would watch the anime as a kid, I remembered how I felt when I still wanted to become a Pretty Cure myself.

"I wanted to become a Mahou Shoujo."

I think there were many in the audience that felt the same.

Every year Ani-Summer provides a dream-like experience, but this year, surrounded by colorful glow sticks, it truly felt like a dream.

μ's

(C)Animelo Summer Live 2014/MAGES.

μ's, the 9 member school idol group, were greeted with an uproar of cheers as they came on stage dressed as the characters from "Love Live!".

During the performance of the second season's theme song, ”Sore wa Bokutachi no Kiseki", the entire stadium of 27,000 fans cried and jumped all together. The arena nearly shook with their energy.

Each member has their own call and response, and the fans responded to each one perfectly. It was awesome, Love Livers! (Love Live! fans)

I cheered on so as not to lose to any of the other fans.

(C)Animelo Summer Live 2014/MAGES.

In the music video of "snow halation", there's a scene during the second chorus with snow falling on a quiet city, and then every street light turns on. At the show, there were light sticks that at first shone white in imitation of snow, and turned orange all at once. With the scenery of the music video completely recreated before me, I was nearly brought to tears.

Next they performed "no brand girls" as glow sticks with their 9 character colors lit the stadium.

There were people dancing along, people wildly swinging their glow sticks, and even some who just jumped and yelled as they watched. μ's popularity was evident.

There are several ways to enjoy anime songs.

This year, I got to see 27,000 (perhaps even more) unique ways to enjoy Ani-Summer.

OLDCODEX

(C)Animelo Summer Live 2014/MAGES.

After the μ's high tempo song ended, the intense sounds of drums and a guitar playing echoed over the stadium.

Amidst the noise, Suzuki Tatsuhisa from OLDCODEX appeared on stage. He began playing the end theme of Kuroko's Basketball.

The crowd was excited as the unique and heavy sound of OLDCODEX's song washed over them.

During his next song, "Rage on", Suzui Tatsuhisa got down from the stage and sang as he walked through the aisles. You could feel his power and energy has he walked by.

Suzuki Nana

(C)Animelo Summer Live 2014/MAGES.

The final performer was none other than Suzuki Nana.

Among the countless anime and tie-in songs, Suzuki Nana sang "Love Deterrence -Type Exciter-" and "METRO BAROQUE".

At this point it had already been over three hours since the beginning of the concert. You would think that the concert-goers would have worn themselves out by now, but they continued cheering with all of their might. Ani-Summer rocks.

"At Ani-summer, I've always sang the songs that were important to me. This time, for the 10th anniversary, I've chosen the song I've wanted to sing the most!" Suzuki Nana spoke, and then began to sing "BRIGHT STREAM" with deep enthusiasm.

(C)Animelo Summer Live 2014/MAGES.

Okui Masami and Yabuki Toshiro (who participated in the first Ani-Summer) came out as special guests for the last 4 songs.

To the surprise of everyone present, we were treated to the song that was introduced during the opening of the first ever Ani-Summer, "TRANSMIGRATION", to commemorate the 10th anniversary.

Finale

(C)Animelo Summer Live 2014/MAGES.

After every artist had finished their performances, hey all gathered together onstage.

"At the first Ani-Summer, I wasn't expecting it to last this long," Okui Masami said. "The theme changes each year, but there has been one constant underlying theme. And that theme is also today's main theme - ONENESS." She also went on to explain the origin of "ONENESS".

The last theme song, "ONENESS," was sung by all of the artists together. The scene was fitting of the title. This year's Ani-Summer ended its third day amidst flourishes of cheering.

Ani-Summer Continues

At the very end, it was announced that Ani-Summer 2015 will take place on August the 8th, 9th and 10th of next year.

I'm already excited to see how they'll celebrate at next year's Saitama Arena.

In addition, because this year is the 10th anniversary, each artist presented their own "personally important" songs, nostalgic songs, and songs that helped them meet new people.

In the same way, all of us gained important memories, experiences and new friends of our own at Ani-Summer.

Anime is not only consumed in Japan, but also world-wide, and as such "Ani-Songs" are as much the world's as it is Japan's - and I can't fully express my passion for them in words.

This year's Ani-Summer has come to an end, but I look forward to next year's celebration.

Until next summer, I hope to encourage more people - not just from Japan, but those from all over the world - to come and see the show.

Thank you for the wonderful memories! Ani-Summer rocks!

Set List

01. Preserved Roses / T.M.Revolution × Mizuki Nana

02. Kakumei Dyuarizumu (革命デュアリズム , Revolution Dualism)/ Mizuki Nana × T.M.Revolution

03. Kimi Shinitamō Koto Nakare (キミシニタモウコトナカレ, Thou Shalt Not Die)/ May’n feat. Daichi

04. Re：REMEMBER / May’n

05. Kyo ni Koiro (今日に恋色, Today in Color of Love)/ May’n

06. Bijumania/ Yuuki Aoi

07. KupidoRebyu / Yuuki Aoi

08. S・M・L☆ / Afilia Saga

09. Magical☆Express☆Journey /Afilia Saga

10. Charming Do! ～ Tinking Smile / Ogura Yui

11. PUPPY LOVE!! ～ Intro Situation /YuiKaori（Ogura Yui & Ishihara Kaori）

12. Love Me Gimme/ Tamura Yukari & Miyano Mamoru

13. This game ～ CHOIR JAIL ～ Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys' Fault I’m Not Popular! / Suzuki Konomi

14. AVENGE WORLD ～ DAYS of DASH ～ This game / Suzuki Konomi

15. Another Heaven / Kanako Itō

16. Hacking to the Gate / Kanako Itō & Suzuki Konomi

17. STAND PROUD / Hashimoto Jin

18. Rising Hope / LiSA

19. Yūkei Yesterday (夕景イエスタデイ, Yesterday Evening)/ LiSA

20. crossing field / LiSA

21. HappinessCharge PreCure! WOW! (ハピネスチャージプリキュア!WOW!, Hapinesu Chāji Purikyua! WOW!)/ Sayaka Nakaya

22. PreCure Memory (プリキュア・メモリ, Purikyua Memori) / Yosida Hitomi

23. Danzen! Futari wa Pretty Cure (Max Heart ver.) (ＤＡＮＺＥＮ！ふたりはプリキュア（ｖｅｒ．ＭａｘＨｅａｒｔ）/ Gojō Mayumi+Kudō Mayu+Ikeda Aya

24. Pretty Cure! 2014 Ani-Summer Ver.

25. Sore wa Bokutachi no Kiseki (それは僕たちの奇跡, "That Is Our Miracle")/ μ’s (Kōsaka Honoka (CV.Nitta Emi)、Ayase Eri (CV. Nanjō Yoshino)、Minami Kotori (CV.Uchida Aya)、 Sonoda Umi (CV. Mimori Suzuko)、Hoshizora Rin (CV. Iida Riho)、Nishikino Maki (CV.Pile)、 Tojo Nozomi (CV. Kusuda Aina)、Koizumi Hanayo (CV. Kubo Yurika)、Yazawa Nico(CV. Tokui Sora))

26. Snow halation / μ’s (Kōsaka Honoka (CV.Nitta Emi)、Ayase Eri (CV. Nanjō Yoshino)、Minami Kotori (CV.Uchida Aya)、 Sonoda Umi (CV. Mimori Suzuko)、Hoshizora Rin (CV. Iida Riho)、Nishikino Maki (CV.Pile)、 Tojo Nozomi (CV. Kusuda Aina)、Koizumi Hanayo (CV. Kubo Yurika)、Yazawa Nico(CV. Tokui Sora))

27. No brand girls / μ’s (Kōsaka Honoka (CV.Nitta Emi)、Ayase Eri (CV. Nanjō Yoshino)、Minami Kotori (CV.Uchida Aya)、 Sonoda Umi (CV. Mimori Suzuko)、Hoshizora Rin (CV. Iida Riho)、Nishikino Maki (CV.Pile)、 Tojo Nozomi (CV. Kusuda Aina)、Koizumi Hanayo (CV. Kubo Yurika)、Yazawa Nico(CV. Tokui Sora))

28. WALK / OLDCODEX

29. Dried Up Youthful Fame / OLDCODEX

30. Rage on / OLDCODEX

31. NEW ORDER / Miyano Mamoru

32. Kanon / Miyano Mamoru

33. You & Me / Tamura Yukari feat. motsu

34. Fantastic future / Tamura Yukari

35. Himitsu no Tobira kara Ai ni Kite (秘密の扉から会いにきて) / Tamura Yukari

36. Saito Yuya Koi no Yokushiryoku (恋の抑止力-type EXCITER-, Love Deterrence -Type Exciter-) / Mizuki Nana

37. METRO BAROQUE / Mizuki Nana

38. BRIGHT STREAM / Mizuki Nana

39. TRANSMIGRATION / Mizuki Nana & Okui Masami

40. Generation-A / Ani-Summer All-Stars

41. ONENESS / Ani-Summer All-Stars