Anisong World Matsuri ~Japan Kawaii Live~ at Anime Expo 2018

It was a girl’s world for Anisong World Matsuri ~Japan Kawaii Live~, with some of the most prominent women and girl groups commanding the stage and giving their best performances for their international audience at Anime Expo 2018.

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS were the first to take the stage, sporting red, white, and blue petticoat style outfits with calf-high white boots. As they sang their opening chords, their vocals matched in almost studio quality perfection to the anime displayed on the jumbo monitors. The fervent rise and fall of penlights accentuated their bubbly performance.

Sub-unit performances spanned from bubbly numbers, sultry synth heavy dance to upbeat pop rock. SUN♡FLOWER showcased a cute musical revue-like quality while Love∞Destiny provided a more sensual side number with synths and base reminiscent of 90’s pop tracks. The third sub-unit track Tulip incorporated energetic pop-rock elements that had the audience singing along. The undeniable baritone voice of the audience signaled the male fan base was active and strong in the crowd. The audience sang along with the girls once again as they finished their set with Onegai! Cinderella, and after each member did their signature pose, they bade the audience farewell while the audience answered in huge applause.

Set list

01. Shine!! (THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS anime)
02. SUN♡FLOWER (THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS anime)
03. Love∞Destiny (THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS: Starlight Stage game)
04. Tulip (THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS: Starlight Stage game)
05. Onegai! Cinderella (THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS: Starlight Stage game)

i☆Ris


_{© Anisong World Matsuri}

Next in the line-up was i☆Ris, adorned in vivid primary colored outfits and feathered headpieces reminiscent of carnival dancers. Their visuals matched the ephemeral notes of their music-box inspired opening song Gensoukyoku WONDERLAND. After individually introducing themselves to the rainbow sea of the audience, the girls launched into the dark, melodic rock track Changing Point, which featured powerful choreography accentuated by pointed bullet shot hand gestures. The audience responded with thunderous applause which continued into i☆Ris' "PriPara" medley, each song featuring clips from the beloved anime that synchronized effortlessly with the girls' choreography.

The fans held a special surprise for the girls by holding banners high in the air, celebrating the sixth anniversary of i☆Ris. The girls immortalized the very special and heartwarming moment with a concert selfie with their fans before performing their "PriPara" track Dream Parade. i☆Ris ended their set with a surprise cover of We Are from the legendary "One Piece" anime, and the audience applause carried on long after i☆Ris left the stage. The giggling fans hugged each other in joy, a wonderful testament to the love and dedication of the i☆Ris fan base.

Set list

01. Gensoukyoku WONDERLAND
02. Changing point (Magical Girl Site)
03. PriPara Medley – Make it! / Miracle☆Paradise / Realize (PriPara)
04. Dream Parade (PriPara)
05. We Are (One Piece)

AKB48 Team 8


_{© Anisong World Matsuri}

Competition show and wildly popular act AKB48 Team 8 took the stage in grey and white school uniform styles, and the audience turned into a solid sea of blue lights. Each song from Aitakatta, Kebo Teki Refrain to Everyday Kachusha showed youthful exuberance and vibrancy in delivery. Iiwake Maybe channeled a more pop-rock style, while Hachinosu dance and Koisuru Fortune Cookie took their sound into a more dance and funk vibe that the audience grooved along to.

One member gave her heartfelt gratitude via the message scribbled on her hand, eliciting an audible "aww" from the audience at the sweet sight of her gesture. Their final rhythmic drum track 47 no Suteki na Machi e proved to be a successful finale to AKB48 Team 8's first performance in the US. The blue sea of lights surged joyously in approval as the girls gave many deep bows and waved goodbye.

Set list

01. Aitakatta
02. Kibou teki refrain
03. Everyday, Kachūsha
04. Iiwake Maybe
05. Hachinosu dance
06. Koisuru Fortune Cookie
07. 365Nichi no Kamihikouki
08. 47 no Suteki na Machi e

Shoko Nakagawa


_{© Anisong World Matsuri}

As Anisong World Matsuri drew close to the final act, pockets of fans throughout the auditorium began their chant for “Shokotan!” As the veteran and arguably the most recognizable voice of epic anisongs, Shoko Nakagawa took the stage. As if an ephemeral vision in a white, pastel pink and lavender taffeta dress, Nakagawa bounded onto the stage like a nymph from a fairytale. Two enlivened dancers flanked Nakagawa as she kicked off with Doridori, a song from the anime "Pokemon XY". Nakagawa’s wrists, accented by feather boa bracelets, swung delightfully in the air as she waved her own Anisong World Matsuri penlight in rhythm with the audience.

“Hi everyone! I am Shoko Nakagawa!” she announced over the cheers of the audience. “I am back! It’s been 10 years! I am otaku! Are you otaku?” she shouted with delight. The thunderous applause and the cheers rose as she proclaimed, “Yes! We are otaku!” Before Introducing her next song Tsuzuku Sekai from "Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann", Nakagawa shared a heartfelt story regarding her time in LA while shooting the video. “I felt very lonely … but it’s ok, because now I am with you!” Emotions stirred anew as the instrumentals and her emotionally evocative vocals radiated through her song Ray of Light from "Fullmetal Alchemist".

In between her songs Magic Circle and Pegasus Fantasy, Nakagawa took a moment to recall her awe-inspiring repertoire of voiceovers and theme songs that she has contributed to over dozens of beloved and iconic anime over the years. The chill-inducing intro to A Cruel Angel’s Thesis from "Neon Genesis Evangelion" sent the audience into a joyous frenzy. As Nakagawa extended her microphone out to the crowd, the audience sang along passionately, further proving the unifying power of the anisong genre and its never-ending appeal worldwide.

High off the rush from the "Evangelion" song, Nakagawa led the audience into a chant of “We are otaku!” before taking a group photo with the audience and stating her new dream: to see the audience again. After ending her set with Sorairo Days from "Gurren Lagann", Nakagawa invited all the performers back on stage for their final bow. Japan Kawaii Live ended on a high as fans and performers reveled in the joy of such a unique and one-of-a-kind experience that Anime Expo brought. Anisong World Matsuri ~Japan Kawaii Live~ showed the world that the cuteness, loveliness, and passion of the otaku are flourishing, and the otaku label can be worn with pride.

Set list

01. Doridori (Pokemon XY)
02. Tsuzuku Sekai (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)
03. Ray Of Light (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
04. Magical Circle (Mahoujin Guru Guru)
05. Pegasus Fantasy (Saint Seiya Omega)
06. A Cruel Angel’s Thesis (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
07. Sorairo Days (Gurren Lagann)

Links
THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS Website: http://idolmaster.jp
AKB48 Team 8 Website: http://toyota-team8.jp
i☆Ris Website: http://iris.dive2ent.com
Shoko Nakagawa Website: http://www.shokotan.jp
Anisong World Matsuri Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnisongWorldMatsuri/
Anisong World Matsuri Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnisongWorld
Anisong World Matsuri Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anisongworldmatsuri/