UlasanAnime.com – The Kuchuu Puzzle Tour 2014 by KOTOKO at AiiA Theater in Shibuya delivered a memorable experience for fans, blending beloved songs with engaging stage presence.
The concert featured a diverse setlist, showcasing KOTOKO’s extensive discography. The main setlist included tracks like “My-Les,” “WING OF ZERO-the ring-,” and several songs with placeholder titles suggesting their inclusion. The performance also highlighted “frozen fir tree,” “?の?,” “snow angel,” and “?罪の?????.” Fans were treated to energetic renditions of “agony,” “海?,” “?華の?話,” and “Largo.” The latter half of the main set included “??”く??,” “Re-sublimity,” “Loop-the-Loop,” and “Rock??DE ??????????????.” The set concluded with “Flower!” and “Light My Fire,” followed by “P??liG?n” and the titular “空中????.”
The encore performances further delighted the audience. Encore 1 featured “Presto,” “???！???????,” and “??unfinished??-Album ver.-.” The second encore brought a powerful rendition of “SHOOT!-KOTOKO.ver-.”
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Fans seeking visual confirmation of KOTOKO’s stage outfits were directed to her blog, which offered pictures of her various costumes. The blog also contained further insights and personal reflections that the author had initially intended to share.
A significant aspect of the live performance was KOTOKO’s costume changes, with two distinct outfits appearing during the main set. Her encore attire typically consisted of a t-shirt and skirt combination. For the “SHOOT!” performance, she donned a No. 11 jersey, adding a thematic element to the song. Notably, KOTOKO also engaged the audience by attempting free throws, successfully making the last of three attempts.
The “Winter” themed segment of the concert was particularly striking, featuring a snow-fairy-Peter Pan-inspired costume. This theme provided a natural platform for KOTOKO to perform older songs related to winter and snow. The stage production included a special effect of fake snow that fell slowly, creating a magical atmosphere. While visually appealing, the author noted a personal weariness with snow at the time due to travel disruptions.
The first costume change during the main set occurred during an extended instrumental solo, a moment that allowed for a visual transition. The second outfit was a personal favorite, characterized by a white theme and a resemblance to a wedding dress, accented by a large ribbon-like detail on her shoulder. The author admitted to being too engrossed in the music during the third costume to form a detailed opinion.
KOTOKO’s performance resonated deeply, evoking a strong emotional response from the author. Despite not actively anticipating it, the author realized how much they had missed her music, particularly its impact in a live setting. The energy and connection felt during the concert were palpable.
Observing the audience provided another layer of insight. Having not witnessed KOTOKO perform live in Japan before, the author was curious about fan interaction. It became apparent that the fan behavior mirrored that seen in the United States, with enthusiastic but generally standard responses. There were few songs that incorporated specific calls and responses, typically limited to anime or game songs that followed established patterns or utilized well-known hooks. The overall atmosphere encouraged energetic headbanging and moshing, characteristic of rock concerts.
Looking ahead, the author expressed anticipation for KOTOKO’s upcoming performance at Raleigh, referencing the Animazement event.
