Home Made Kazoku Live at Otakon's 20th Anniversary

On a sweltering Saturday in August, the line wrapped completely around all four corners of the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, in anticipation for Home Made Kazoku and TM Revolution. After hours of waiting, the fans were finally let in around 3pm, where they were entertained by an Otakon host who had them shouting in groups and performing crowd waves, while others clapped and stomped in anticipation of the bands. Finally, the lights dimmed, the crowds quieted, and the show began.

Home Made Kazoku’s stage was simple. A large sign with the three silhouettes of the members hung from the rafters, the silhouettes arranged tallest to shortest and lit up with blue lights while the stage and runway remained dark. The stage suddenly became a blur of light in blues, pinks, and reds, and each silhouette would light up in turn, announcing the entrance of the members until all three had graced the stage, admiring the throngs of screaming fans.

The first few Home Made Kazoku songs were all fast paced, catchy tunes. The members, dressed adorably in polka dots and stripes, jumped and paced the stages, dancing as they rapped and entranced the audience. During the second song, FREEDOM, the audience was able to watch an anime video while the band sang in English and Japanese.

The fans often would sing along with Home Made Kazoku, sometimes louder than the band members themselves. The crowd was a mass of writhing bodies moving to the music and the band was no less energetic, running and dancing across the stage. The lights were as colorful as rainbows, with the strobes continuing to pulse in every color. During the fourth song, Shonen Heart, the opening sequence for "Eureka Seven," an anime, played while the band sang.

Home Made Kazoku was full of fan interactions, including a full call back where they shouted, “When I say Home Made, you say Kazoku!” and were constantly calling for the fans to put their hands up and wave. They also had a number of smaller call backs, encouraging fans to shout “Hell yeah!” and dividing the crowd up in two to see which side could shout louder.

Finally, the guys took a few minutes to talk to the crowd, and gave a wholehearted MC.

“Are you having fun? This is crazy. It’s been three years since the last time we came to Otakon and a lot of things have happened. Japan had an enormous earthquake on March 11, and we are still having a tough time but we believe we can overcome it someday. We thank all the people who supported us and I wish upon a shooting star that this relationship will last forever.”

Soon after, sparkling lights took over the stage and the band began rapping with Shooting Star, their hands swaying overhead, the fans soon following in sync. Through the next few songs, the lights transitioned from strobes of yellow to beautiful purples and blue with swirls and patterned stripes covering every inch of the stage.

“Baltimore! It’s crazy. We love this. We feel like we’re home sweet home.”

The band had another few call backs with the fans, and an interesting MC in which they switched back and forth between English and Japanese, apologizing for using profanity and then using profanity in the apology.

“This is a new song, and it’s the first time we’re playing it in the US. This year is our tenth anniversary, and we want to thank our fans. This song is dedicated to our fans, including you guys. This is our second gig in the US, and we came back because of you guys. The song title is, Kimigaitakara.”

The new song had fans in a frenzy and it was clear it was a new favorite, with people dancing and waving their hands under the flashing lights. As the song wrapped up, the guys smiled warmly and waved their hands.

“No matter what, we are one big family until we die!”

Home Made Kazoku’s final song, Thank You!!, had fans cheering as soon as it began. With orange swirls of light covering the stage, an anime video began playing on the massive screens as the song was sung, the band running between the runway and the sides of the stage for one last chance to interact. Fans clapped as the song wrapped up and the band grabbed hands, bowing before the crowd.

“Thank you! A promise is a promise. We will be back!”

Set List

01. AKATSUKI (Intro)
02. FREEDOM
03. L.O.V.E.
04. Shonen Heart
05. Live On Direct
06. Itoshi no Mic Check 1,2
07. NEVER ENOUGH
08. We Are Family
09. Shooting Star
10. Superman
11. NO RAIN NO RAINBOW
12. HOME SWEET HOME
13. Kimigaitakara
14. Thank You!!