Ito Kanako at AnimagiC 2012

The second musical guest of honour from Japan for AnimagiC 2012 was the singer Ito Kanako, who insisted on following her invitation. In total, four mini lives were scheduled with the singer. JaMe was among the audience for the outdoor performance on July 28th. Just one note: Kanako was rather lucky with her live. It had been raining all throughout the day and at approximately one hour before her performance, it stopped and the sun came out. With that, more and more people streamed over to the area where the outdoor stage was set up. The live itself was postponed for a bit, but eager fans were able to witness the sympathetic singer during her rehearsal.

At around 19:35, the live finally began with Kanako launching into her set with DD. With the performance of her second song from the "Steins;Gate" universe, the more familiar Hacking to the Gate, the fans did not hold back. Most of the people directly in front of the stage danced or pumped their fists into the air; however, the crowd farther away seemed to be satisfied with watching only. After the “Steins;Gate” theme song, Kanako thanked her fans and asked them all to come closer. In a very charming and funny way, she told them a few facts about her previously performed songs in Japanese, English and German.

Afterwards she strapped on her acoustic guitar and started playing the sad Garasu no kutsu. Only a few people clapped their hands; most simply listened to the melancholic ballad. With her next song, Lamento, a change in mood spread around. Here you heard nice guitar chords in combination with playful strings and catchy Latin beats. Both Kanako and the crowd enjoyed this joyous moment in life. Here and there you also spotted some dancing movements. The singer herself responded wholeheartedly to the beat. However, the announcement of the last song was taken with sadness by the first few rows. The sensitive ballad, A Wish for the Stars, with its dreamy character closed the set, but also stirred up some demands.

Moreover, these demands were the reason why only a few moments after Kanako had left the stage the very same eager fans started to scream for an encore. This was granted promptly. And with the catchy pop-rock ballad, STILL, the extra time began. Much to the pleasure of many fans, Kanako once more took her acoustic guitar and performed another song, her own theme song, like she said, Niji ga deru made. Somehow the track gained a very special atmosphere due to its performance being outside and its likeness with the changeable weather. The fans clapped and moved slowly to the calm music. After the last chords were faded away and Kanako's warm words of good-bye, the fans cheered one last time, thanked the singer in their own way and then scattered all over the place again. Meanwhile it started to rain again.

In comparison with the other headliner, Kalafina, Ito Kanako might still be unknown in Germany - that was very obvious when you watched the restrained reactions and actions among the gathered onlookers. But she also has proven that she is also able to capture the audience and shouldn't only be reduced to her theme songs for video games and anime movies.


Set List:
01. DD
02. Hacking to the Gate
-MC-
03. Garasu no kutsu
04. Lamento
-MC-
05. A Wish for the Stars

Encore:
01. STILL
-MC-
02. Niji ga deru made


JaME would like to thank Ito Kanako and the team of AnimagiC for making this live report possible.