iM@S, POPIPA, T.M.R, and JAM! Anisong World Matsuri" report!

This year marks the third year of "Anisong World Matsuri," which started with the aim of providing anime song fans around the world with the same high quality live stage performances as those in Japan. Here is the official report from the event.

Official Report】 ※Honorific titles are omitted.

The event started the year before last as a co-sponsored event of Anime Expo 2016 (attendance: over 260,000 people), one of the largest anime conventions in North America, held in Los Angeles, U.S.A. In order for anime song fans around the world to enjoy the same high quality live stage performances as those in Japan, the event has been held in conjunction with Japan's leading entertainment companies. This year marks the third year of "Anisong World Matsuri," which has been planned and produced by leading Japanese entertainment companies in order to provide anime song fans around the world with the same high quality of live stage performances as those in Japan.

Last year, the event attracted 31,000 people in Los Angeles, Washington, and Shanghai, and in 2018, the event was even more powerful, with "Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2018" held in Los Angeles over three days on July 4, 6, and 7, attracting 17,000 people. The event was attended by 17,000 people.

On July 21, "BiliBili Macro Link -Star Phase × AnisongWorld Matsuri 2018" was held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, co-hosted with "BiliBili Macro Link" for three days from July 20 to 22. Tickets for the performance sold out immediately and attracted 10,000 people. The anime and ani-song culture, which is attracting attention both in Japan and abroad, is making great strides as the pride of Japanese culture.

[LOVELIVE! SUNSHINE!
Aqours World Love Live! in LA ~Beyond the Pacific~ Report

The first performance of the year was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on July 4, 2012! Sunshine! SUNSHINE!
Aqours World Love Live! in LA ~Beyond the Pacific~" was held. 6,500 fans gathered from all over the world.
Even before the show started, T-shirts for the event and Aqours CDs and other goods were sold at the goods sales corner outside the venue. Inside the venue, most of the foreign fans were wearing anime goods and Aqours cosplay with the same enthusiasm as in Japan.
Nine of them were wearing Aqours cosplay costumes, which were similar to those of the TV anime "Love Live! Sunshine! Sunshine!" The live started with the opening theme song of the second season, "Mirai no Bokuraku wa I know you.

The audience's voltage was already at its highest when they synchronized their performance with the animation projected on the back screen. The audience was already on a high note as the girls performed their first single "Kimi no Kokoro wa Shining? The unit CYaRon! consisting of Anju Inami as Chika Takami, Akatsu Saito as Yoh Watanabe, and Ai Furuhata as Ruby Kurosawa entertained the audience with their energetic performance. The warm atmosphere enveloped the audience. Guilty Kiss, consisting of Rikako Aida playing Riko Sakurauchi, Aika Kobayashi playing Yoshiko Tsushima, and Aina Suzuki playing Balli Obara, had the audience gripped by the rock and devilish performance of the three. After the unit corner, the nine members performed the ending theme song of the second season of the TV anime, "Where's your courage? Kimi no Mune ni! The fans in the audience also loved Aqours. The fans at the venue gave Aqours a pleasant surprise. Using penlights, the whole audience was colored in the colors of the 9 members. The last song was "Sunshine Pikka Pika Pika Ondo", which was performed by the nine members wearing traditional Japanese happi coats, in reference to the "Anisong World Matsuri", and was followed by "LOVELIVE! Aqours World Love Live! inLA~Beyond the Pacific" ended with a great success.

Stage photos by Jason Vong / Maya Kuraki
(c)2018 Project Love Live! Sunshine!

Anisong World Matsuri ~Japan Super Live~ Report

On July 6, "Anisong World Matsuri - Japan Super Live" was held, and anime and anisong fans filled the venue to enjoy the lineup of four acts for this one day only: May'n, Acid Free Girl Sayuri, Aimer, and Yuki Kajiura.

First, May'n, who appeared on stage with her band and dancers, was the first to perform! Let's get excited! and the audience was instantly united. The closing song "Northern Cross" from "Macross F" was performed with many blue penlights illuminating the venue and linking with the celestial lights projected on the stage to create a galaxy of light. After the popular song "Belief" and other songs, "Diamond Crevasse" was performed as the last song. He thanked the audience by telling them that this song was very important to him and that it had changed his life and allowed him to sing across borders.

Then, Sayuri, a girl with a lack of acidity, changed the atmosphere at once with her cool expression that showed her eyes hidden by her black bangs. She has been attracting attention for her unique way of being as a "2.5D parallel singer-songwriter" who crosses the border between 2-D and 3-D, virtual and real, and for her animations and lyric videos. The world of her songs was also presented through animated and lyrical videos. Although only Sayuri herself and her keyboard were on stage, they collaborated exquisitely to perform the ending songs of the "Fate/EXTRA Last Encore" and "Rampo Kitan Game of Laplace" anime.

Next, Aimer appeared, returning to Anime Expo for the first time since 2015, and performed two songs, "StarRingChild" and "Brave Shine," with her powerful voice in a magical space created with dazzling white light and smoke. The audience listened to Aimer's diverse voice, which changed with each song, as she said during the MC: "Through music, we were able to confirm each other's existence. I will definitely come back here. Thank you very much! Thank you very much!
The last song, "LAST STARDUST," an insert song for the anime "Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works]," was sung with a long tone in the big chorus that echoed throughout the venue, shaking the hearts of fans with her one and only singing voice.

Last on stage was Yuki Kajiura, a composer, lyricist, and performer with an overwhelming presence, accompanied by a five-member band and three guest vocalists. Arranging the soundtracks of such classics as "Sword Art Online", "Sword Art Online the Movie - Ordinal Scale", ".hack///SIGN", and "Fate/Zero", Yuki Kajiura performed in perfect harmony with the musicians. The audience cheered loudly for the true essence of Kajiura's sound, from the solemn and beautiful choruses to the up-tempo and intense intensity of his music.

Then, as a special surprise, a one-night-only collaboration took place!　Aimer returned to the stage and performed "Hana no Uta" with Yuki Kajiura. The unparalleled artists respected each other, and a new emotion was born. The passionate number brought the excitement of the audience to a climax, and the live performance ended with thunderous applause.

Stage photos by Maya Kuraki and August Reinhardt

Anisong World Matsuri ~Japan Kawaii Live~ Report

On the final day, July 7, "Anisong World Matsuri ~Japan Kawaii Live~" was held, featuring AKB48 Team 8, THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS, i☆Ris, and Shoko Nakagawa. Japan's kawaii anime song idols transcended borders and dimensions to the delight of local fans.

The casts of the popular game "THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS" were the top performers. Popular idols Matsuzaki Rei as Moroboshi Kirari, Iida Tomoko as Hayami Kanade, and Kurosawa Tomoyo as Akagi Miria appeared for the second year in a row. This year, six new members will join the event: Yui Makino playing Mayu Sakuma, Ruriko Aoki playing Riina Tada, and Kotomi Aihara playing Shiki Ichinose. They performed "Shine! in red, blue, and white costumes. The audience was so excited that they changed the color of their penlights to match the illustrations of the idols projected on the screen. The band performed songs popular in Japan, sometimes cute, sometimes cool, and captivated the audience with their passionate stage presence. To thank the audience who came to the venue despite the record-breaking L.A. heat wave, she ended the show with "Please! Cinderella" was performed.

Then i☆Ris appeared on stage, dressed in costumes of the members' colors. i☆Ris, who are active as artists and voice actors, performed "Magical Girl Site" and "Pripara" from the TV anime series. The audience enjoyed the performance of the characters dancing to the same choreography on the screen, which was a great interplay between the characters themselves and the anime. The audience enjoyed the performance, which was linked to the anime. As if to return the warm feelings to the fans, they covered the theme song of the anime "ONE PIECE" "We Are! to return the warm feelings to the fans, the voltage of the venue rose.

Team 8 of AKB48 appeared in fresh gray checked outfits and performed a parade of their hit songs including "I Wanted to See You", "Everyday, Katusha", "Excuses Maybe", and "Koisuru Fortune Cookie", as well as their signature song "I Wanted to See You". The entire audience was energized as they performed two of Team 8's original songs, "Beehive Dance" and "47 no Suteki na Machi e (To the Lovely Town of 47)," both of which were performed with the cheerful and energetic smiles that are typical of Team 8.

The last performer of the three-day event was Shoko Nakagawa, who made her first appearance in about 10 years since the "Anime Expo 2008" held in 2008. Holding a penlight as an official merchandise, she gave an impressive stage performance with seven songs including "Doridori," the theme song of the anime "Pokemon XY," all anime songs.
While expressing her gratitude for having met anime songs, she sang "Tsugaru Sekai", the theme song of the movie "GURREN LAGANN THE MOVIE: GURREN LAGANN THE MOVIE - KOUNEN ARCH" with a music video shot 10 years ago in LA in the background. For the sixth song, Nakagawa sang "Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis," her favorite song and one she has covered in the past. Nakagawa's favorite song, which he has covered in the past. The audience was filled with a sense of unity as he sang ani-songs that transcended national borders, unintentionally shouting "We Are OTAKU! Finally, she sang "Sorairo Days," the theme song of the anime "Gurren Lagann," her signature song, to end the three-day stage performance that transcended national borders and had anime song fans in a frenzy.

Stage photo by Maya Kuraki / August Reinhardt

[Report on "BiliBili Macro Link -Star Phase × Anisong World Matsuri 2018"].

BiliBili Macro Link -Star Phase × Anisong World Matsuri 2018" was held on July 21 in Shanghai, featuring popular anisong artists JAM Project, whose songs are considered legendary in China, as well as T.M. Revolution, May's Mayhem, and May's Revolution. Revolution, May'n, fhana, Konomi Suzuki, and ELISA, as well as THE IDOLM@STERCINDERELLA GIRLS and THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! and the popular group Poppin'Party from the media mix project "BanG Dream! Seven of the nine groups, T.M.Revolution, fhana, Konomi Suzuki, ELISA, THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS, THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE! Anisong World Matsuri" in Shanghai.

As the opening collaboration, T.M.Revolution and May'n began their performance with "Butter-fly," the opening theme song of "Digimon Adventure. The audience was thrilled by the unexpected collaboration, the melody memorable to all anime fans, and the famous song that has been sung over and over again.

The IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS, who were greeted with loud cheers the moment they appeared on stage and brought smiles and energy to the audience, ELISA, who captivated the audience with her magnificent world view created by her clear, high tone voice, and the sparkling band sound with a sense of speed and the elongated voice of towana (Vo), who sang with a tremendous energy. The sparkling band sound of fhana radiated tremendous power.

In the second half, Poppin' Party, a girl band in the ani-song world, delivered their energetic sound with full of energy; Konomi Suzuki, whose voice had both strength and tenderness and whose performance was majestic and captivating; and T.M.M., who changed the atmosphere of the venue with their overwhelming singing ability and live performance, and showed their tremendous presence. T.M.Revolution, who showed off their powerful singing and live performance, and JAM Project, whose powerful stage presence ignited the spirits of both members and the audience, each of the nine groups gave a unique and attractive performance.

As soon as the main part of the performance ended, the venue was filled with calls for an encore. In response to that call, JAM Project appeared on stage and graced the finale with their overwhelming singing ability and gorgeous performance.

Following the "Anisong World Matsuri at Otakon" held last year in Washington, D.C., JAM Project once again collaborated with T.M. Revolutio n on "SKILL," the theme song for "The Second Super Robot Taisen Alpha.

The song generated excitement and fervor, with everyone in the audience jumping up and down and pumping their fists in the air with all their might. In the midst of the excited unity created by the heat and frenzy, all the performers jumped onto the stage and lined up in a row.

At the end of the live performance, Hironobu Kageyama concluded the show by saying, "Thank you so much for today. I really appreciate your love for Japanese anime songs. Let's all continue to walk hand in hand together for years to come!" and then T.M.Revolution shouted "Anisong World Matsuri! and the audience gave a thunderous applause to the dream lineup.

The curtain came down on "BiliBili Macro Link -Star Phase × Anisong World Matsuri 2018," Shanghai's once-a-year festival of anisong in 2018.

Anisong World Matsuri will be followed by "Anisong World Matsuri at Anime NYC 2018," co-hosted by Anime NYC in New York on Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17!
Morning Musume。' 18, Shoko Nakagawa, Hironobu Kageyama, Hiroshi Kitadani, Runa Haruna, and TRUE are scheduled to perform.
Japanimation, the pride of Japan, and anime song culture are enjoying great success not only in Japan but also overseas. Keep your eyes peeled for future developments!

BiliBili Macro Link -Star Phase × Anisong World Matsuri 2018" Set List

OP Collaboration T.M.Revolution & May'n
OP1 Butter-Fly

Idolmaster Cinderella Girls
M1 Shine!
M2 Kirakk! M2 Full bloom smile
M3 Orange Sapphire
M4 Tulip
M5 Please! Cinderella

ELISA
M1 ebullient future
M2 Millenario
M3 Dear My Friend -fhana to the future you haven't seen yet
M1 Hello my World!
M2 World Atlas
M3 Rhapsody in the Blue Sky

idolmaster million live!
M1 Brand New Theater!
M2 Welcome!
M3 I wish for a better tomorrow with you
M4 Thank you!

May'n
M1 Northern Cross
M2 You
M3 Belief
M4 HOME

Poppin'Party
M1 Time Lapse
M2 STAR BEAT!
M3 It's like a sparkle or a dream

Konomi Suzuki
M1 THERE IS A REASON
M2 Sing it and you'll be there
M3 Redo

T.M.Revolution
M1 INVOKE
M2 Ignited
M3 Meteor
M4 RAIMEI
M5 HEART OF SWORD

JAM Project
M1 TOKYO DIVE
M2 Rocks～VICTORY～GONG Medley
M3 THE EXCEEDER
M4 Warriors of Steel
M5 THE HERO ! ～M5 THE HERO !!! ~Ignite Your Angry Fists

ENCORE JAM Project & T.M.Revolution
EN1 SKILL

Anisong World Matsuri Performance Outline
Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2018
Dates: July 4 (Wed), 6 (Fri), 7 (Sat), 2018
Venue: Microsoft Theater

<Performers
■Performance on July 4
LOVELIVE! SUNSHINE! Aqours World Love Live! in LA ~Beyond the Pacific
Aqours (solo)

July 6 performance
Anisong World Matsuri ~Japan Super Live
May'n, SAYURI, Aimer, Yuki Kajiura

July 7
Anisong World Matsuri ~Japan Kawaii Live
Idolmaster Cinderella Girls, i☆Ris, AKB48 Team8, Shoko Nakagawa

Shanghai, China
BiliBili Macro Link 2018 x Anisong World Matsuri
Date: Saturday, July 21
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Arena

＜Performers
JAM Project, T.M.Revolution, May'n, THE iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls, THE iDOLM@STER Million Live, Konomi Suzuki, fhana, Poppin'Party, ELISA

Event Information
Anisong World Matsuri at Anime NYC 2018

Dates: Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17
Venue: Hammstein BallRoom

＜Performers
November 16 performance
Konomi Suzuki, TRUE, Runa Haruna, etc.

Performance on November 17
Hironobu Kageyama, Hiroshi Kitadani, Shoko Nakagawa, Morning Musume。 18