Anisama 15th year anniversary project! Anisama Playback! The first "Animelo Summer Live 2005 -THE BRIDGE-", the stage of origin that blew away the wind and rain!

Animelo Summer Live" (Anisama), the world's largest anime song event that brings together the top artists in the anime song world, will celebrate its 15th anniversary this summer with "Animelo Summer Live 2019 -STORY-" (Anisama 2019).

To commemorate this anniversary year of Anisama, Akiba Research Institute has started a series of articles looking back on the past Anisamas!

Let's get excited about "Anisama 2019," which will be held over three days on August 30, 31, and September 1, 2019, by having writers who love anime and anime songs talk about the stages of each year along with their memories!

In this first installment, writer Atsushi Saeki looks back at "Animelo Summer Live 2005 -THE BRIDGE-," the event that started it all!

Animelo Summer Live 2005 -THE BRIDGE

Date: July 10, 2005

Venue: Yoyogi National Stadium 1st Gymnasium

Theme song: "ONENESS", lyrics and music by Masami Okui, arrangement by Hideyuki Suzuki Daichi

I am very sorry to say this on a personal note, but the year 2005, when "Anisama" was born, was before I started my career in the entertainment industry. I was busy as a salesman for a certain printing company (sorry for the personal topic).

I have spent my days as an anime/game otaku to the fullest since I was a student, and looking back on the anime that were broadcast in 2005, I can find some of them at ....... Kamichu!" Noein: To the Other You," "Jigoku Shoujo," and "Genesis of Aquarion." ...... I miss them!　Yes, "Genesis of AQUARION," the OP theme of "AQUARION," was in heavy rotation in the sales car. I often worked with my seniors, but when I went out on my own, the inside of the car was my "private space turned into ani-song-on-stage. When I listen to the songs from those days, I still remember the scene in the car on the way to my clients.

I could go on with my old stories at ......, but I'm afraid I'd run out of words, so I'll leave it at that.

Nowadays, there are many live events other than "Anisama" where anime song singers and voice actors gather in one place, but back then such events were still rare. The following year, the event was renamed "Super Robot Soul.

The "Anisama" live event that transcended the barriers of labels and genres must have been a shock to many people at the time.

As some readers may have noticed, "Anisama 2005," which I reviewed here, has not been made into a video (package) until now. I was able to borrow some valuable footage of the first Anisama and write my own review of the event.

As I will mention in the main text, the video footage shows that the performers and the audience were still trying to figure out how to get the audience excited on stage, and I was able to feel the real atmosphere of the first event from the video footage. Once again, I would like to note that I was filled with envy for the fans who were able to share that atmosphere with me at that time.

I started attending "Anisama" around the time of "Anisama 2009," when the venue was moved to Saitama Super Arena. I have been to Yoyogi Daiichi Gymnasium, where the first "Anisama 2005" was held, many times for other live concerts and events, but "Anisama" still has a unique atmosphere that only "Anisama" has. I felt the same way through the video.

The history of "Anisama" began with a spectacular collaboration between Masami Okui and Nana Mizuki, a collaboration that would have been met with the same or even more cheers if it had been performed on stage in 2028. Even though "Anisama" is now said to be the world's largest scale event, it was still the "first" stage. Mr. Okui's somewhat groping (?) MC was very fresh. Mr. Okui's somewhat groping (?) MC was very fresh.

After that, Mr. Okui performed solo!　The song "Rinbu-revolution-" (OP of the anime "Shoujo Kakumei Utena"), which is still sung by many artists, was followed by "TRUST," the OP theme of the TV anime "Kono Wa Watashi no Goshujin-sama" (This is My Master). Kore wa me no Goshujin-sama" ...... was a masterpiece. ...... I still think the tsundere of the heroine Izumi played by Masumi Asano is supreme. Well, I was a fan of Anna played by Kana Ueda!　Oh, I just checked and it's set in my hometown, Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture!　......Excuse me for getting off topic again. ......

Another characteristic of "Anisama 2005" was the momentum of female artists. The other artists included Yoyoko Ishida, who sang "OPEN YOUR MIND - Spread Your Little Wings", the theme song for the first season OP of "Oh My Goddess Sama! Full Metal Panic!", a TV animation for which she wrote the lyrics and music. OP theme "tomorrow," for which she wrote the lyrics and composed the music.

Also, Tomonaga Omi, a promising newcomer (at the time) who had just won the "Animelomix Audition" and was to be produced by Mr. Okui. The stage was graced by a diverse lineup including Minami Kuribayashi (now Minami), who at the time was already showing a borderless range of activities from anime songs to PC game songs such as "Kimi ga Mukou Eien" and "Muv-Luv.

unicorn table appeared on stage with "FLY AWAY," the OP theme of the anime "JINKI: EXTEND," which aired in the same year, and "Maboroshi," the OP theme of the anime "Sister Princess RePure" and a sensational expression of the world of "Sisupuri. The band "can/goo" sang "Maboroshi," the OP theme of the anime "Sister Princess RePure" and a sensational representation of the world of "Sisupuri. can/goo had brought a "limited number of 100 tickets" for their live performance opposite Chihiro Yonekura. It was a heartwarming episode that reminded us that Anisama at that time was a live event with an at-home atmosphere. Sorry to be personal again, but I remember singing "Maboroshi" at karaoke using my back voice desperately at the time of the broadcast.

Interestingly, Rina Aiuchi, a singer active in the J-POP field, also participated from the first Anisama. Her song "Koi wa thrill, shock, suspense," the OP theme song for the anime "Detective Conan," was much talked about at the time of its broadcast, with Conan's expressionless parapara dancing in the background. Adding such hit songs that have an influence on people other than anime fans to the set list suggests that "Anisama" was aware from its inception that it would broaden the base of anime songs.

On the other hand, the male artists were a select few.

Hironobu Kageyama, the prince of the anime song world, sang "CHA-LA HEAD CHA-LA. This song is the well-known OP theme of the TV anime "Dragon Ball Z." The audience clapped their hands and sang along with the song. The audience was in the "Kageyama World" as they clapped their hands and improvised. Kageyama, who was hardly the oldest performer, was a bundle of energy as he ran across the stage. At one point, he performed "Yume Kounen," the ED theme song for "Spaceship Sagittarius," one of the originals he released when he first started his career as an anime song singer, playing the song with a single guitar. Kageyama said during the MC, "The distance between me and the audience is so far away! Kageyama said in the MC, "The distance (from the audience) is too far! I wonder how he feels on stage at Saitama Super Arena, the current venue of Anisama.　Does it feel rather close to the audience?

Mr. Kageyama called on the youngest performer, Tatsuo Suzuki. Suzuki, who is currently active beyond the framework of anime songs as "Ta_2," vocalist of the rock unit "OLDCODEX," sang under his own name in the TV anime "I Like What I Like, So I Can't Help It! OP theme "Just a Survivor". The way she stirred up the audience with her whole body was no less than those of her great predecessors, and glimpses of the rock singer Ta_2 were already visible from this time.

Naozumi Takahashi appeared on stage led by the sound of his saxophone. He sang "Haruka, Kimi no Moto e...", the OP theme of the anime "Harukanaru toki no nakade - Yahosho" in which he also appeared as Inori, and "glorydays" from the drama CD "Dr. Hayami presents S.S.D.S" in which Taro Hayami acts as a personality. S.S.D.S.". Mr. Takahashi, who had been in the studio until the previous day working on the album, was impressive as he kept waving his hands to the audience, who cheered in yellow.

One of the highlights of "Anisama," as it has always been, is the collaboration between artists.

Mr. Okui and Mr. Ishida performed "Gutai na Tenshi no Thesis," the OP theme of the anime "Neon Genesis Evangelion. Mr. Kitadani's debut single and anthem "We Are!" by the trio of Mr. Hiroshi Kitadani, Mr. Masaaki Endo, and Mr. Naozumi Takahashi. (OP of the anime "One Piece"). (anime "Slayers" ED) by Mr. Kuribayashi and Ms. Shimokawa. There seemed to be an at-home atmosphere on these stages, as if everyone was singing along to memorable anime songs together.

The two artists who are most associated with the early days of Anisama are JAM Project and Nana Mizuki. Both appeared in the latter half of "Anisama 2005. They appeared at the right moment, and made the climax of the event a spectacular one.

The first song was "SKILL", the OP theme of the game "The 2nd Super Robot Taisen Alpha", which is often sung as the last number of the solo live. Then they sang "Limit Battle", the ED theme of "Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters" 1st season, and "Labyrinth Prisoner", the melodious opening theme song of the OVA "Super Robot Wars ORIGINAL GENERATIPN". For the last song, Ishida and Yonekura were invited to sing "Victory," the theme song for the game "Super Robot Taisen MX," with a gorgeous lineup. There was plenty of on-stage banter between the artists, and a parade of great scenes that made one's eyes wander from place to place.

Nana Mizuki wrapped up the first "Anisama" with a performance by JAM Project, JAM Project, Yoyo Ishida, Chihiro Yonekura, and Jam Project. Dressed in a silver and red costume and wearing a headset microphone, she sang "Still in the groove," followed by "Take a shot," a mid-tempo song from the anime "Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha. Then, for "WILD EYES," the ED theme song for the TV anime "Basilisk: Koga Ninpocho," the band members and dancers ran across the stage as soon as the intro started and sang without a moment's pause. The band members and dancers ran on stage as soon as the intro started and sang the song without pausing. On the other hand, Ms. Okui introduced Nana as "......" because she is not good at improvisation.

At the time, Ms. Okui and Mizukishared a common interest inKing Recordsandproducer Toshiro Yabuki. Old fans know that Ms. Mizuki has said that she has admired Ms. Okui's performance since her debut, and that they are such good friends that she once made a surprise appearance at Ms. Okui's one-man live concert. So even this writer, who has been following Mizuki since her debut, couldn't help but be smitten by this exchange.

At the end of the concert, he sang "POWER GATE" with the female artists who performed on that day. It was gorgeous, yet powerful. It was a one-of-a-kind space.

Unfortunately, it had been raining from the day before to the day of the event, but the rain clouds seemed to have blown away in one fell swoop due to the enthusiasm of the audience. The heavens blessed the event, and as an expression of gratitude to everyone who had prepared such a wonderful stage, the encore included a performance of the theme song "ONENESS" by everyone, including the band members and dancers.

During the MC, Kageyama said, "I hope we can do it again next year, not just this year." I never imagined that "Anisama" would later become an established "summer tradition. How much did those involved at the time anticipate this?　I was deeply moved as I thought of the artists who stood in front of the microphone one after another and held hands with each other.

(Text by Atsushi Saeki)

Performers] (Titles omitted)

Masami Okui, Hironobu Kageyama, JAM Project, Nana Mizuki, Naozumi Takahashi, Minami Kuribayashi, Chihiro Yonekura, Yoyo Ishida, can/goo, Mikuni Shimokawa, unicorn table, Tatsuo Suzuki, Tomonaga Omi, Rina Aiuchi

Set List

1. TRANSMIGRATION / Nana Mizuki, Masami Okui (Image song of radio program "ES Hour Radiwo no Ojikan")

Rinbu-revolution / Masami Okui (OP of anime "Shoujo Kakumei Utena")

A confession of TOKIO / Masami Okui (Animelomix CM song)

TRUST / Masami Okui (Anime "This is My Master" OP)

5.OPEN YOUR MIND -Let Your Little Feathers Spread / Yoyoko Ishida (Anime "Ah Goddess Sama!" OP)

6.Jounetsu no Onmyoujin / Yoyoko Ishida (ED of "Anime TV")

7. cruel angel thesis / Ishida Yoyoko, Okui Masami (Anime "Neon Genesis Evangelion" OP)

8. we are! / Hiroshi Kitanidani, Masaaki Endo, Naozumi Takahashi (Anime "ONE PIECE" OP)

KUJIKENAIKARA! / Minami Kuribayashi, Mikuni Shimokawa (Anime "Slayers" ED)

10.CHA-LA HEAD CHA-LA / Hironobu Kageyama (Anime "Dragon Ball Z" OP)

Yume Kounen / Hironobu Kageyama (Anime "Spaceship Sagittarius" ED)

12.Just a Survivor / Tatsuo Suzuki (Anime "I like what I like, I can't help it! OP)

13. tomorrow / Mikuni Shimokawa (Anime "Full Metal Panic! OP)

14. south wind / Mikuni Shimokawa (Anime "Full Metal Panic!" OP) The Second Raid" OP)

15. haruka, kimi no moto e... / TAKAHASHI Naozumi (Anime "Harukanaru toki no nakade - Yahoshou" OP)

16. glorydays / TAKAHASHI Naozumi (Drama CD "S.S.D.S. - Setsuna no Hero" image song)

17. kimi ni nai kaidekoso ikatta (iromelo-mix) / Naozumi Takahashi (Radio Animelo Mix theme song)

18. fly away / unicorn table (anime "Jinki Extend" OP)

19. shining in the storm / Chihiro Yonekura (OP of the anime "Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08MS Platoon")

20. eternal flower / Chihiro Yonekura (game "Fushigi Yuugi: Genbu Kaiden Gaiden Kagami no Miko" OP)

21. anisama special medley / Chihiro Yonekura

WILL (Anime "Senkai den Seishin Engi" OP)

Little Soldier (Game "Powerful Pro Baseball Live 8" OP)

Boku no Speed de (Anime "Mahoroba" ED)

22. utakata / Tomonaga Omi (TV program "Dream Factory" ED)

23. maboroshi / can/goo (anime "Sister Princess RePure" OP)

24. tell you / can/goo (OP of the anime "Sensei no Ojime")

Precious Memories / Kuribayashi Minami (Anime "Kimi ga Kouzou Eien" OP)

Blue treasure / Kuribayashi Minami（OP of anime "Tide line Blue)

Muv-Luv / KURIBAYASHI Minami (Game "Muv-Luv" OP)

SKILL / JAM Project (Game "The 2nd Super Robot Taisen Alpha" OP)

Limit Battle / JAM Project (Anime "Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters GX" ED)

Labyrinth Prisoner / JAM Project (Anime "Super Robot Taisen ORIGINAL GENERATION THE ANIMATION" OP)

VICTORY / JAM Project, Yoyoko Ishida, Chihiro Yonekura (Game "Super Robot Wars MX" OP)

32. i can't stop my love for you / Rina Aiuchi (anime "Detective Conan" OP)

33. love is thrill, shock, suspense / Rina Aiuchi (OP of anime "Detective Conan")

34．Still in the groove / Nana Mizuki (CM song of "Iromero Mix")

Take a shot / Nana Mizuki (Insert Song of "Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha")

WILD EYES / Nana Mizuki (ED of anime "Basilisk: Koga Ninpocho")

POWER GATE / Female Performer (TV program "M-VOICE" ED)

38．ONENESS / Anisama Friends

-Encore

Naozumi Takahashi, Yoyoko Ishida, Masaaki Endo, Masami Okui, Minami Kuribayashi, Mikuni Shimokawa, Tatsuo Suzuki, Nana Mizuki, Chihiro Yonekura (RADIO Animelomix theme song)

2.ONENESS / All performers