AnimagiC 2013 Day 1

Between the 26th and 28th of July, Beethovenhall in Bonn hosted the 15th AnimagiC, a convention about Japanese culture. The organizers offered various games, series and movie presentations, as well as panels and signing sessions. Of course also a musical program with local and international acts was scheduled. This year J-Rock duo Zwei, pop singer Aoi Eir and pop rock vocal group JAM Project were invited as musical guests of honor from Japan.

On the first day of the event, many fans were already waiting in front of the area an hour before the official entry to the outdoor area. Zwei conquered the stage of the well-filled Festsaal around 16:30 and opened their 45-minute set with the single Junjou Spectra. Already with this very first song many people within the venue might have noticed that Zwei are really a rock band, though only two women appeared on stage. From the very beginning, bassist Megu was whirling around that stage; the strong beats from her blue illuminated bass mixed with the powerful voice of singer Ayumu, and the drum beats shook the grounds of the hall. It got only wilder with the second track, MONSTER. At first hard metal sounds droned out the speakers. Next, Megu performed a powerful bass solo and tried to get in touch with the fans afterwards.

This was followed by the first MC, in which Zwei introduced themselves to the German audience. It was a first conservative step to get to know each other. Zwei then continued to rock the stage with the next number. The first row was really into it, which pleased both musicians. The ice finally melted with the performance of the subsequent ballad song. Ayumu showed her great art of singing, even showcasing a heart-rending play with the microphone stand. All this delighted the audience, who were constantly cheering. With the next MC, Zwei wanted to know if there were any other otaku outside. Of course the answer was yes, though this wasn't the only theme of this short break. Ayumu also started their first question and answer game at this point. At first she let the fans repeatedly shout out "Bonn I love", followed by "wasshoi"! Both sides enjoyed this game a lot, as it built up a bond between them. To conclude the MC, the title song of their latest album was announced: Re:Set. While the PV was screened in the background, the crowd danced, jumped or pumped their firsts into the air. A similar scene happened also on stage.

In the penultimate song of Zwei's set, the crowd was seesawing and waving with the lively music. Meanwhile Megu was climbing up on one of the two big speakers on each side of the stage and rocked. A short break followed, in which both women used the chance to share some more thoughts with the audience, but they also announced the last song of the day: Kakuchou Place. For the theme of "ROBOTICS;NOTES," the artist demanded everything from the AnimagiC visitors in the hall, even though there was no need to encourage them to do anything at this point. The audience was already giving their all for Ayumu, who also climbed up on one of the speakers, and Megu.

Thundering applause almost drowned out the words of thanks from the musicians, even before both left the stage. Calls for an encore started to the fill the venue while the two were still on stage. However, their calls weren’t answered. Thus, the first live of Zwei in Germany found its end after 17:00.

After this prelude, the schedule gave enough space for people to regain their strength. Many used the time to visit various stands, enjoy the numerous wonderful costumes of the cosplayers, or watch several show groups before the scheduled opening ceremony at 19:30. At the focus of the 15th AnimagiC was the anime series "Sword Art Online" - probably the reason why singer Aoi Eir was also invited. She didn’t sing the “Sword Art Online” theme INNOCENCE but MEMORIA, which is used in “Fate/Zero” and also presented at AnimagiC. Within a few minutes Aoi Eir was able to catch the heart of the fans, stirring up the anticipation for the two lives she would perform on the following days of the convention.

Before this, however, it was vocal group JAM Project’s turn to introduce themselves to the German audience with a one-hour concert in the evening. Old fans and the simply curious alike waited impatiently for the start of the live. The beginning was delayed by almost 20 minutes. But as soon as the moderator stepped out on stage and announced the five-member group, the fiery intro then ran on the big screen and loud cheers filled the hall. In the end it took only a few more seconds and Kageyama Hironobu (one of the founders of JAM Project), Endou Masaaki, Kitadani Hiroshi, Fukuyama Yoshiki and Okui Masami (the only women on the current line-up) launched into their set with the performance of VICTORY, and the audience was promptly into it. Among the hard guitar chords, the strong bass, catchy melody, drums and polyphonic vocals droned out of the boxes. The vocal quality was outstanding. Also, in the following songs the anime fans sang along, jumped, pumped up their fists or simply cheered for their idols.

Within this first MC Kageyama called for an introduction for his fellow colleagues. This was followed by some solo tracks of each member, songs used in anime series and movies. Moreover, everyone within the venue witnessed the vocal power of each member separately. Co-founder Endou started with his rocky song, Believe in Nexus, and proved that he possesses not only a powerful voice but also the ability to hold a long breath. Afterwards he made the stage free for Kitadani, who performed the "One Piece" song, We Are!, which delighted the crowd. The next on stage was Okui with her upbeat pop rock song, Rondo ~revolution~. She also stirred up the crowd and later handed the audience over to Fukuyama. He sped up the pace with his track and made some jokes with a few fans in the first row. When he called for Kageyama, he clasped hands with him as he left, leaving the audience and stage to the founder of the group. He chose the "Dragonball Z" opening, Cha la head cha la, as his solo track. The audience went wild singing along.

In the subsequent MC, the group praised the German fans and also explained to them the meaning of their following song, Kizuna. The first calm song of the evening was convincing with its emotional and powerfully voiced interpretation. Meanwhile some glow sticks and hands waved through the air. However, they didn't linger long in this ballad field because JAM Project launched promptly into the next wild track. The crowd was neatly stirred up, and Fukuyama played some chords on his air guitar. Fan service also occurred in the form of several embraces. The last song, Rescue Fire, demanded everything from all persons involved. With this fast, energetic rock number, the old hands rocked the stage and also animated the crowd.

As the end was reaching, the AnimagiC audience wasn't willing to let the five musicians of JAM Project go so easily, so they soon started singing for an encore. The singers returned on stage under the thunderous applause of the crowd. Deeply touched, every single member thanked the audience and also promised to return. JAM Project concluded their live with the performance of the anthem-like track, SKILL. The song opened with their left hand lying on their hearts. Soon after, a much wilder tune replaced the calm start, and the five wandered freely around the stage, trying to get in touch with the fans, jumping and headbanging. Exhausting but filled with happiness, the first JAM Project concert on German soil finally ended at approximately 22:20.


Set Lists July 26, 2013:

Zwei
01. Junjou Spectra
02. MONSTER
-MC-
03. Occultics no majo
04. Heading For Tomorrow
-MC-
05. Re:Set
06. Koyubi no Paradox
-MC-
07. Kakuchou Place

Aoi Eir
01. MEMORIA

JAM Project
01. Opening SE
02. VICTORY
03. Hagane no MESSIAH
04. GARO ~SAVIOR IN THE DARK~
-MC-
05. Believe in Nexus Endou Solo
06. We Are! for the new world Kitadani Solo
07. Rondo ~revolution~ Okui Solo
08. Makka no chikai Fukuyama Solo
09. Cha la head cha la Kageyama Solo
-MC-
10. Kizuna ~10th Anniversary Ver.~
11. GONG
12. Rescue Fire

Encore:
13. SKILL


JaME would like to thank the organizers of AnimagiC as well as all artists for making this report possible.