UlasanAnime.com – The second installment of the highly anticipated “Million Live 3rd Tour Believe My Dream” tour unfolded, solidifying its unique place in the idol concert landscape.
The tour’s distinctiveness lies in its presentation of voice actresses performing and dancing in an idol trope, a characteristic that sets it apart even within the realm of multi-media IPs. This approach, while familiar in Japan for otaku works, maintains a special appeal.
The concert experience was further enhanced by the dedicated work of imas-db, providing fans with easy access to the setlist. As with the previous stop in Nagoya, this review will highlight the key moments and performers of the Sendai event.
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Regarding the stage outfits, the Sendai performance offered a visual treat, with Mocho, Popotan, and Yuiton standing out. Yuucha’s ensemble exuded an elegance that surpassed her Prologue Rouge attire, while Yunkon showcased a gorgeous new hairstyle, possibly featuring very becoming bangs. Popotan’s costume, with its poofy skirt, humorously emphasized her petite frame, making the miniskirt appear even shorter on her.
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Rieshon continued to embody the quintessential idol image, looking as charming as ever.
You might also be interested in : Believe My Dream: Million Live 3rd Tour Nagoya
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Harashima Akari, also known as Popotan or Akachan, is famously petite at 139cm, a characteristic that often leads to playful interactions, especially since the character she voices, Iku, is taller. A significant portion of the Sendai MC segment revolved around how the other performers, such as Mocho and Mikku, dote on this diminutive idol.
Mikku and Nansu took on leadership roles for the Sendai show, delivering performances befitting their status as honor students. Mikku’s unwavering idol persona was particularly captivating in person, while Nansu maintained her role as the ideal supportive sister. The venue, Xebio Arena, with a capacity of nearly 4,000, managed to feel intimate despite its size. The view from the second-level rear seats offered a surprisingly good perspective, comparable to the Nagoya Congress Centre’s third level. This time, the reviewer’s seat was on the left side, ten columns back from the stage and four rows up on the second floor. The front five columns on each side of the second level were designated for staff and guests, providing a clear view of the opposite side. Crucially, the seating arrangement allowed for the performers’ facial expressions to be discerned.
The stage design in Sendai mirrored that of Nagoya, featuring multiple levels and platforms. Performers made their entrances from the sides, the center, and from above. Certain songs incorporated performers moving across the stage, such as during Yuucha’s segment.
The buppan (merchandise sales), flower displays, and wall decorations were situated in a separate area behind the entrance. The reviewer only noted one specific flower stand.
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By the second show, a pattern emerged: idols scheduled for only one performance would receive increased spotlight during their respective shows. Popotan, in particular, had numerous memorable appearances. Her duet with Rieshon, featuring glasses, during “Ippai Ippai” was a standout moment. This might be reason enough for fans to consider attending the Osaka show to see Suzie. With only 10 performers over three hours, there were no intermissions or encore calls. The MC structure remained consistent, with Mocho’s presence adding a unique, perhaps “weird,” dynamic to the interactions.
Mocho expressed a strong desire for gyuton stew but did not receive any, leading to playful teasing from Rieshon. The dynamic between the performers was described as Mocho being like an older sister, Nansu like a younger sister, and Yuiton like a cousin to everyone.
The topic of gyuton stew was frequently brought up.
Discussions also included affectionate mentions of hugging Akachan.
Musically, the Sendai concert was a highlight for the reviewer. “G?F,” “SeichouChu??LOVER!!,” and “Yoru ni Kagayaku Seiza no You ni” were songs eagerly anticipated. Additional highlights included “Valentine” and “Chou??Genki Show??IDOLch@ng!,” contributing to a setlist filled with exceptional tracks.
During “Hello Concerto,” Popotan executed a charming move where she gracefully descended stairs. While Harashima’s performance was undeniably adorable, her execution as a voice actress differed from the more traditional idol performance style.
Machico delivered an impressive jump between stage levels. The accompanying visuals for “Koi no Lesson Shokyuuhen” were also noteworthy. During “Piece of Cake,” she made direct eye contact with the audience from a side view, a captivating moment. Her performance in this setting was superb, and the reviewer was relieved not to be in the tenth row, as they might have felt compelled to tease other fans.
Amamiya Sora maintained her characteristic “dark lord” persona, though perhaps with a more restrained approach to avoid overshadowing the event as a TrySail showcase. Her rendition of “Liar Rouge” showed improvement since her last performance.
Nansu’s performance felt largely consistent with previous viewings, yet her portrayal of the team’s younger sister remained endearingly charming. Performing “Vivid” without carts allowed her to better execute the choreography, prompting reflection on the dynamic between Nansu and Mikku.
Mikku, in contrast, seemed even more at home on stage, basking in the spotlight. Having witnessed her powerful performance at Seibu Dome, this stage felt somewhat less grand, yet she remained an excellent idol in both the voice actress and traditional idol senses.
Performers like Tenchan, Yuiton, and Rieshon felt like formidable “gunslingers,” delivering impactful performances. The rendition of “Seiza” was particularly exhilarating, and “Happy Lucky Jet Machine” resonated exceptionally well in the mid-sized venue, as did “Idolch@ng!?”
Yunkon was perhaps the most enjoyable performer to watch between the second and third tour stops, likely due to her ability to evoke nostalgic feelings for older fans. She looked particularly radiant in Sendai, presenting a complete package. The pairing with Akachan for “Girlfriend” was unexpected but highly effective, making it a memorable live rendition of the song.
Mocho’s performance was also a highlight. Her duet with Yuiton for “Valentine” was exceptionally well-received, with the two performers being perfectly suited for the song.
The anticipation for the Fukuoka leg of the tour was palpable.
Following the concert, an informal gathering took place at a Sukiya for a quick and convenient post-show discussion. During the conversation, it was noted that certain songs featured distinct sets of fan calls. “Welcome” was the most prominent example, with a “DD” track, though other songs might have similar call patterns. The Sendai audience demonstrated strong support, with local Producers even extending introductions in English to some attendees before the live, a gesture appreciated by the reviewer.
Further reading:
- Mocho blog
- Nansu blog
- Machico blog
- Mikku blog
- Tenchan blog
- Yuucha blog
- Akachan blog (LOL that Yuiton pic)
- Mynavi
