UlasanAnime.com – The weekend was filled with unforgettable moments at the Million Live 10th Tour Act-4. From Machico’s candid confession to Ueshama, the refreshing Tokyo Bay wind, and the exhilaration of Todakun’s commands, each moment contributed to the immense “hyakuman power” that awoke for this special occasion.
Million Live stands out not only as the sub-brand carrying the legacy of 765PRO ALLSTARS but also as a revitalization of the IDOLM@STER franchise, featuring some of the most talented seiyuu performers of their generation. With over 11 years of history, the cast has shared numerous experiences, and their individual successes (or lack thereof) highlight the challenges of making it as a seiyuu idol today.
The culmination of a decade of hard work was this incredibly emotional, fun, awesome, and fulfilling two-day concert. Unlike the 4th Live, which was about accumulating promises and wishes, Act-4 of the 10th Tour represented the fulfillment of those aspirations, at least in part.
- The anime adaptation has now been released.
- There have been more concerts featuring 765AS performing with Million, including “Hotchpotch” and the upcoming “Hotchpotch 2.”
While the 4th Live left me with significant mental fog, Act-4 provided clarity and a sense of purpose. So much has evolved since then. The chant to summon Hoshii Miki may have summoned something even more remarkable. Ultimately, Act-4 truly felt like the definitive Million Live anniversary decennial celebration, or perhaps the combined impact of Acts 1-4 culminated here.
I have an abundance of thoughts that are difficult to organize coherently, making this more of a recap than a review. I highly recommend watching the clip of Kasshi’s performance with GenP on the second day, and the recap of day 1 is also worth your time.
Outfits and Visuals
A collection of post-show photo posts from the seiyuu can be found here.
The cast predominantly wore SSR-inspired outfits, showcasing a lot of leg. While some skirt and leg combinations appeared daring, the variety among the 39 idols was notable. Those in short pants looked charming, and those in ZR outfits adjusted their appearance for a more aggressive look. Yukke’s outfit, in particular, seemed daring but surprisingly wearable, resembling something one might wear to a nightclub. Conversely, Komachan’s outfit evoked a sense of both youthful Sayoko and a maturity beyond her high school persona, making it a particularly captivating look. Usual contenders for daring outfits like Mikku and Mocho looked stunning in their various SSR ensembles, with Mikku’s leg ribbons being particularly dreamlike.
Koroazu’s long hair evoked a nostalgic feel from her mid-twenties, possessing a unique, charming dissonance. Her mention of it during the MC on day 2 served as a poignant reminder of her decade-long journey with the group. Tsubati’s aggressively cut outfit was perfectly embodied by Machico, much like Machico’s own stage costumes. Asuka was endearingly cute as Elena. Kori resembled Kaori, minus the curves. Karaage appeared as a larger version of Tsumugi in her Goldfish SSR outfit. Atsuki showed significant improvement, embodying an idol Roco wonderfully. Akanechang was the spitting image of Sakichan. In contrast, Chikuwa resembled a Rionee clone. Rietion appeared in her full armor, yet her inner self remained consistent. Yuuchan was her usual button-cute self. Aimi’s outfit toned down the aggressive Julia SSR but still featured a prominent navel. Similarly, Pyon’s and Aberika’s outfits were somewhat revealing yet restrained, perhaps SSR-like on top but limited elsewhere.
The accessorizing of the outfits was exceptional. Aberika noted that her “secret love” outfit had a heart print on the inside of the outer skirt, subtly incorporated and only visible when the skirt was lifted. This attention to detail enhanced the idols’ radiance. Many performers brought their own enhancements, including finger ribbons, hair accessories, and extensions. The numerous legs adorned with garters and ZRs, along with detailed nail art, further elevated the visual presentation.
Regarding Yukke’s outfit, some considered it the most daring due to its short shorts, thigh-high leggings, and exposed midriff. However, given her role as the “mama” of Million Live and her excellent physical condition, it felt well-deserved. Rockstar Aimi also showcased her navel, and comparing her outfit to the original SSR design sparked interesting observations. Many SSR outfits originally revealed some midriff, and a number of the performers here did the same to varying degrees. The idea of being outdone by “Million Mom” Saito-san might be amusing. Ultimately, these comparisons are made in good fun.
To conclude the outfit discussion, Todakun’s story is particularly noteworthy. Despite a known physical disability limiting her participation, she danced extensively on day 2, performing “Unison Beat” with a head mic and a portion of “Dance In the Light.” She revealed that many people collaborated to minimize the strain during performances and practices, including her orthopedic doctor adjusting her insoles. Her efforts clearly paid off.
Songs
“Super Lover on a Full Moon” was performed again, as Yuiton mentioned. This was fitting, as I wore custom “Unbabba” t-shirts with my group and we enthusiastically supported the performance. I felt we were quite reserved!
Instead of piecing this together myself, I could have simply directed you to this Vtuber. The moment Miyako expressed her anticipation for a “Libra” singalong, I knew this was going to be special. When “Silent Joker” was performed, I knew we were in for a treat, as it was one of the first hype songs that set the tone. However, the absence of Matsuri in “Silent Joker” also meant no “Libra,” which was an interesting turn of events.
You might also be interested in : Bang Dream: MyGO!!!!! Anime
“Camparina” was the song that truly signaled the start of something special. Personally, I enjoy Million Live’s music, both their new material and their older classics. You can also find a hilarious clip of GenP here. Moving on to day 2, songs like “Dear,” “Up 10sion,” “HappyDa,” and “Clover Days” brought me to tears. It was fitting that these emotional songs were performed before transitioning into the core discography of Million Live. Ironically, I’m not particularly fond of “Booming Clover.”
The setlist truly felt like a collaborative effort between the cast and JUNGO, or at least a 50/50 split. They undoubtedly aimed to deliver their strongest performance with the original members and cast, especially after Acts 1-3 left me wanting more from Act 4. While I expected “UNION” to be performed then, “WELCOME” as well was a pleasant surprise, leaving me in awe.
In 2024, the crowd’s participation in calls and chants wasn’t as fervent as in previous years. However, many long-time Producers still remembered the “furicopy” for “Pregra,” which was all I could have hoped for. The calls for “HappyDa” weren’t as explosive as they used to be, but that was acceptable. The lack of color changes for “Super Lover” was also understandable, as all the solos, except for Mirai’s, were medley-length.
I must reiterate my fondness for “Dance in the Light.” Todakun’s command to “get down” was incredibly cool and sent shivers down my spine. In fact, Todakun was simply epic on day 2, delivering both an emotional performance (I was a wreck during the encore) and an awe-inspiring solo dance routine and “DITL.” Her sitting on the steps to sing “Twirler” was a nice touch. I believe she was the MVP. However, so many others were equally outstanding, like Komachan, who also performed in “DITL,” and Yukke… that song was truly stacked.
Many of the standout songs were not new. The performance of “dans l’obscurite” was so exceptional that it surpassed all previous renditions. “Shinso Mermaid” with Koroazu, “Shooting Star,” “Marionette,” and others were all incredibly well-executed, both the solos and group songs (the latter being more hype).
The idols sang love songs to their Producers, which felt perhaps a bit too passionately.
Meaning
During the final MC segment on both days, due to the large number of cast members, only one or two individuals delivered brief speeches. Mocho cried, Koro cried, and Machico struggled to maintain her composure, alongside the usual emotional members of Million Live. It was particularly moving to witness Chaki and Tanechan share their emotions, and I understood their feelings completely, becoming teary-eyed along with them. “Clover Days” had already helped me process some of those emotions.
The expressions on the cast members’ faces that night were unforgettable. Tanechan wore a huge smile throughout, which was simply amazing. Reina, as expected, was peak cute during her “Umimi” performance, but it felt somewhat more subdued than usual. Machico and Aberika, in particular, were brimming with emotion. Even casual attendees like Tenshin Mukai were visibly moved, with faces full of tears.
For the first time since its inception, or perhaps since Wanst, this felt like a true anniversary concert. It took this long to gather all 39 members and perform their most powerful songs (given the time constraints).
To me, this marks a reset and a new beginning. I hope we can continue to enjoy these concerts with the original performers, or at least with songs that have yet to be performed. The announcement of “Hotchpotch 2” at the end of the show carries significant weight.
Will JUNGO continue to disappoint Producers like myself in the same way he has for the past nine years? I suppose I will find out firsthand.
Travel and Fans
Thanks to the Million Live TV anime, a number of first-time attendees, including overseas fans I know, were present at this stop. To them, I offer congratulations and a warm welcome to the Million Live fandom. Act-4 will likely be the best show you ever attend, and everything else will be downhill from there. As someone who has followed the series since the first live and attended since the third, I feel I have some valuable insights.
The insight is that JUNGO often approaches these shows with a degree of uncertainty. Whether a show is good or not so good largely depends on your personal preferences and the mood of the time. External factors or limitations always influence each show, adding flavor and making some particularly interesting. However, Million Live’s discography and cast are less flexible than CG and Shiny, meaning you might eventually see similar content, albeit with increasing constraints like performers’ health or busy schedules. This is what makes the full-cast Act-4 so special.
Since 2022, IM@S has engaged in numerous collaborations with various locations where they have held tours. For Act-4, I spent about an hour exploring Minatomirai using the locotone tour app, which features voiceovers at certain locations, and took AR photos. I spent a few minutes at the Queen’s Square subway station listening to Miki, Mirai, Tsubasa, and Serika interact with fans who had paid for access. I purchased a one-day pass (and unfortunately punched a hole in Julia’s head). I visited HUB Sakuragicho, which was significantly inferior to 82 Tolim in Akiba, where I also went, along with the Kotobukiya shop. I also participated in the tour pack for extra tickets, taking advantage of the favorable exchange rate.
