Hybrid live performance with 3D characters was also realized! Onsen Musume "SPRiNGS 3rd LIVE ~Yumuiro Baton~" Report

Onsen Musume" is a cross media project to promote the charms of hot spring resorts and regional cities throughout Japan and abroad. Its main unit "SPRiNGS" held its third solo live "SPRiNGS 3rd LIVE ~Yumuiro Baton~" on December 22 (Sun.), 2019, at Fussa Civic Hall Main Hall in Tokyo.

The performers were Yuki Takada (played by Yuiina Kusatsu), Rika Nagae (played by Saya Hakone), Hanabayashi Takahashi (played by Nanako Akiho), Kana Motomiya (played by Waka Arima), Minami Shinoda (played by Izumi Dogo), Natsumi Hioka (played by Ayase Noboribetsu), Iori Saeki (played by Mizuki Gero), Yuki Kuwahara (played by Kaeka Arima), Misaki Watada (played by Kanade (played by Kana Baden-Yufuin). The first part of the live performance was the highlight of the show, as the audience was able to experience and further improve their performance in the "Onsen Musume" live performance.

The two Yufuinas performed together in a dream come true!

When the curtain opened on the stage, only Ms. Takada was there. As the audience gasped, Yuna Kusatsu, a 3D character, appeared next to Ms. Takada. The previously announced hybrid live performance by the 3D character and the voice actor suddenly took place, and the two together performed Yuna Kusatsu's solo song "Kizuna Knot, En Knot". The dreamlike scene drew loud cheers from the audience.

Both Yuiina and Kusatsu were perfectly in sync with each other with their nimble dance moves, and the stage was filled with a sense of bonding and kizuna-musubi. After the song, they smiled and said, "This is twice as much fun as usual," and it was cute that they both said "Choina! It was also cute that they greeted each other with "Choyna!

SPRiNGS, with Ms. Takada (Yuina Kusatsu) at the center, started out as a nine-member group, but has since expanded to include more members and is now involved in a variety of activities. The second song was "7 billionth 9 no kiseki (Miracle of 9 out of 7 billion)" performed by all 9 members. The second song was "9 Miracles in 7 Billion," performed by all nine members. The calls of the Poka Masters and Poka Mistresses (the name given by the "Onsen Musume" fans) echoed through the venue.

After greeting the audience again, they went on to the first song of "Onsen Musume", "Future Imagination! the song that started "Onsen Musume". The individual singing voices, smiling faces enjoying the stage, choreography based on the motif of hot springs, and the familiar performance of the girls lining up in single file at the signal of Ms. Shinoda were all further polished to get everyone excited.

Snow Moonflower, SPicA, and Shanpu Hatto all move in their own colors.

After a video showing the past activities and behind-the-scenes drama of the characters, each of the SPRiNGS units took the stage.

First on stage were Ms. Nagae, Ms. Motomiya, and Ms. Watada of "Snow, Moon, and Flowers. Dressed in white-based costumes, the three sang "SILENT VOICES" in beautiful harmony. The way the sounds were grainy and beautifully layered, including the comfort of the high notes and the reassurance of the low notes, was breathtaking. They also sang "Koyuki Friends" as a perfect song for winter. Since it was originally a song by SPRiNGS as a whole, it was refreshing to hear the three members of "Yukigetsu Hana" sing it together.

Now the "SPicA" members entertained the audience with a mini-drama, which included an introduction of a hot spring with lowered IQ, and on stage, Takada, Shinoda, and Kuwahara cheerfully performed "Ohayo Japonica. The lively stage was unconditionally enjoyable, with the chants of "wasshoi" in full swing. After the song, Shinoda-san calmed down the excited Takada-san and Kuwabara-san, a scene similar to that of the characters.

Shanpu Hatto" by Ms. Takahashi, Mr. Hioka, and Ms. Saeki had Mizuki saying punishing lines in the drama, but when it came to the live performance, they sang "Romance Ringo" enthusiastically. In addition to the performances that showed off the charm of each character, the "I love you! and a kiss. The next song was "Bloom it, Boil it, Bang Bang BURN! In addition to the heat, Ayase (Hioka-san) charmed the audience with her sexy dance moves.

All the members appeared on stage again for a refreshing rendition of "Hop Step Jump!" that reminded the audience of the bond between SPRiNGS. The song is a coupling of a Christmas song, which fits perfectly with the image of the season. Everyone sang the song with good expressions on their faces and left the stage at once.

Iori Saeki

Rika Nagae

In the SPRiNGS original drama using the screen, "Big Upset on the Eve of the Live! depicts the cute and deformed characters enjoying a backstage conversation, a ping-pong tournament, and an open-air bath. After the drama, Kuwabara-san was the first to put on her new costume and perform Kaeka Arima's solo song "Arimasu ka? for the first time. The change in tone of the song was also a highlight of the performance, and she sang it softly and cutely. Mari Takahashi, who plays the role of Homura Aso in Onsen Musume, choreographed the song.

Yuki Kuwahara

Passing on the baton of hot spring dream colors toward the future

The main part of the live entered the last spurt. All the members performed "Mirai no Kanata (Beyond the Future)," a bright and fresh number in their new costumes, and the audience got excited with "Seishun Cider," waving their towels around in unison. The rhythmical melody of the performance blew away the winter chill and filled the venue with a warm and fuzzy atmosphere.

Receiving passionate thoughts and feelings, we would like to pass them on to someone else with even more passionate thoughts and feelings.

With this in mind, the last song of the main event was a new song, "Yumuiro Baton," which is also the title of the live. Solos, combinations of several members, and the harmony and voice baton by all the members in the chorus were connected, and the members lined up in a row relayed the baton from left to right, with Ms. Takada in the center receiving it with a big smile on her face. The scene where all the members joined hands to form a circle was also impressive.

Misaki Watada

Ms. Hanabayashi Takahashi

Ms. Natsumi Hioka

For the encore, Ms. Shinoda first performed a solo song by Izumi Dogo, "Uelkamu to ONSEN! to ONSEN! Danceable and groovy, she sang and danced to everyone's shouts. The last song was "Junjo - SAKURA-" performed by all SPRiNGS. The girls were dressed in red and black kimonos made for this song, and their performance was full of strength and coolness. The audience was at its peak of excitement.

Minami Shinoda

Kana Motomiya

The live ended with the usual "Choina Jime," led by Ms. Takada, with hopes for the further development of "Onsen Musume. In the second part of the evening performance, the set list was partially changed. For the encore, the nine members in live T-shirts performed with smiles all over the stage to conclude all the live performances of the day.

As for future developments, it was announced that the 3D characters that appeared at the beginning of the live are being created for the other eight members, that they will focus on solo projects in 2020, and that a grand stamp rally will be held for all the characters and regions. For more information, including tie-up information, please check the official website.