UlasanAnime.com – The arrival of the Animelo 2006 DVDs brought back memories of having already downloaded the ISOs before the new year, prompting an immediate desire to watch them.
For those unaware, I am an ardent fan of Masami Okui, a sentiment that extends to her involvement with JAM Project and various collaborations. Okui, affectionately known as “Makkun,” is a highly prolific anime musician who has worked with numerous artists connected to the anime scene. Notable among these are Chihiro Yonekura (and ROR/S), Minami Kuribayashi, and Yoko Ishida.
The years 2005-06 marked a significant surge in Nana Mizuki’s popularity. She has become a cultural icon for the “Densha Otoko generation,” making her headlining role at the massive Animelo 2006 concert unsurprising. Animelo, an annual event organized by the JAM Project members for several years, is a highly entertaining spectacle. The 2006 iteration was their grandest yet, notably being the first time the concert was released on DVD.
For a comprehensive understanding of the concert’s atmosphere, a more detailed review can be found elsewhere. To avoid redundancy, I will focus on the specifics of the DVD release and offer my personal insights.
The DVDs, with Volume I released by King Record and Volume II by Victor, appear to be produced in tandem. Their design, artwork, the collectible poster insert, and video production all suggest a unified production team. The distinction in release labels is understandable given the diverse range of record labels represented by the performing artists, not to mention the popular trio from Suzumiya Haruhi – Aya Hirano, Yuko Goto, and Minori Chihara. Their performance of “Hare Hare Yukai” was notably absent from the release, a disappointing omission.
Despite this, it seems all other acts are featured on the discs. The DVDs also include a behind-the-scenes segment that captures the performers arriving early in the morning, snippets of rehearsals, moments of relaxation backstage, artists getting energized before going on stage, and scenes from the grand finale roll call. The featurette concludes with individual post-concert interviews where each group shares their experience of Animelo 2006. This behind-the-scenes bonus content is identical on both DVDs.
The DVD’s organization loosely divides the show by gender. Naozumi Takahashi’s two songs are included with the male medley on Victor’s disc, alongside performances by JAM Project and Ali Project. Minami Kuribayashi, in a rather provocative outfit, and the charming Aiko Kayo are featured with the female medley on King Record’s disc. This separation makes one wish for a rearrangement to reflect the concert’s original chronological order.
Nevertheless, let’s move on to the performance impressions.
I was genuinely surprised by ALI PROJECT’s live performance; it was my first time seeing them. Arika Takarano is undeniably striking, possessing a high-class model’s presence, an impressive physique, and meticulous attention to her appearance. This is likely essential for her to look captivating on camera while performing in her signature hardcore gothloli attire. The inclusion of goth drag queens as backup dancers was a unique touch, and the performance of the Rozen Maiden Traumend opening theme was particularly compelling.
It took me years to realize that Chiaki Ishikawa was the other half of See-Saw. The information simply didn’t stick when I first encountered her name during Yuki Kajiura’s rise to prominence. I even own one of their older CDs. She now sports curly hair, and I naturally enjoy her songs, as See-Saw’s recent material tends to be very engaging for the audience.
I should have anticipated that Ishikawa would perform the opening theme to Simoun, which she wrote and composed entirely. This fact didn’t register when I first read the Animelo lineup. Who could have predicted its significance six months later? Savage Genius also performed Simoun’s ending theme at Animelo 2006, and indeed, their performance was also included.
You might also be interested in : Animenano Idol 2006: An Introduction
I mentioned earlier that Aiko Kayo is cute, and she truly is. Her cuteness is not the delicate kind often associated with the SOS Brigade trio; I recall Kageyama making a jest about Matsumoto in this regard.
Minami Kuribayashi certainly deserves recognition for her provocative stage attire, even giving Takarano’s eccentric gothloli ensemble with a cat-o’-nine-tails a run for its money. Her white dress during the medley segment was particularly elegant.
Nana Mizuki possesses impressive legs, and I am always pleased to hear her perform “Eternal Blaze.”
For me, the true highlight of the show was the “9-man raid full of SKILL!” This performance featured members of JAM Project along with Yoko Ishida, Chihiro Yonekura, and Minami Kuribayashi. It seemed like Fukuyama spent more time on the DVD screaming than uttering decipherable words. This experience was amplified by having previously sung along to the same songs during group karaoke sessions; it is genuinely exhilarating.
A close second highlight was the duet between Kuribayashi and Okui for the song “Mask.” I have always had a fondness for that particular track.
Overall, the experience was immensely enjoyable. While the DVD reproduction captures only a fraction of the live concert’s energy, it stands as one of the most satisfying concert DVDs I’ve had the pleasure of watching. For enthusiasts of anime pop music, this is a release that is hard to overlook. At 4800 yen each, I managed to purchase both during the holiday season with a 20% discount from Amazon Japan, a great deal. Even with expedited shipping, the total cost was under $85.
The DVDs are entirely worth the price, exceeding expectations based on their impressive song selection and guest lineup.
