T.M.R NYP 14!!
A BIRD went to Budokan again!
It is the most appropriate shrine for my lifestyle of stairs and concerts after all.
This year is off to a great start
This year I was in line for goods all afternoon (with good feline company though!) and got to line up at the entrance just in time... for the originally planned start of the live. There was actually about 20 minutes delay in opening the doors. Perhaps Takanori had to trim his bonsai.
For goods, a bird obtained only the towel (Day 1 ver., it's BLACK OR WHITE) and the thermos :3
LIKE SO:
Also around the official entrance (the one under the Budoukan sign, not the one we actually used to get to seats) there were many many flowers from Takanori's many many friends and colleagues in the music business
OF COURSE THIS INCLUDES ONE BANANA
(thanx @thenekoyuki for the pic)
So since the entrance of the audience was delayed, there was an announcement to the effect that the start of the live would be delayed, too. This rarely happens with T.M.R actually (but is very very common for some other artists I could name) so of course the announcement was appreciated.
About 20 minutes later than the ticket-stated start time (said time having been filled with many tweets, though sicne there were way WAY more tweets in the hashtag than had time to display on screen, I didn't see much from people I know) there was the real announcement.
By which I mean, the rules announcement.
For NYP though, these rules are delivered by Takanori himself, in a (pre-recorded) special episode of ALL NIGHT NIPPON XD
(he hosted it for several years, so that's why)
The actual rules are the standard ones - no recording the concert, no throwing things at the stage, etc - but the uses a cute voice and lists ridiculous examples: No nose hooks! No hooking the nose of the person next to you!
Yes Takanori is special.
A few minutes after that ended, the lights went out for the real show to begin!
The stage was done up, as in past years, to look like the main building of a shinto shrine but with Budokan-specific accents, like knobs that look like the ornament on top of the Budokan's dome. The background was three screens, with the central screen being framed by two beautiful drawings of horses.
2014 being the year of the horse, of course.
My seat was on the west side, three rows from the front, so I was looking at the west wing of the stage from quite close indeed :3
The top of the shrine's altar was the only part lit, though I could see IKUO and SUNAO taking their places since said places were between me and the altar.
The opening was traditional Japanese music - three musicians and two shishi-odiori dancers. The dancers worked their way down the stairs to the main part of the stage and out to the wings, so I got a very close view of one of them.
Their movements are graceful but somewhat eerie since the human under the costume moves in ways my eyes don't expect to see. Misdirection from the mask movements? Or just bird not being familiar enough with the dance? (both)
Once the lion dancers returned the altar, the lights went out again.
BAM!
The traditional musicians vanished, and Takanori appeared at the centre of the stage! TIME TO PARTY!
Our first song of 2014: COUNT ZERO
This was only my third time hearing it, so I was a bit thrown since I didn't immediately recognise it 8D;
The single version will probably be arranged a bit differently from the live version, too.
His Strawberryness was in his IRF13 day TWO outfit (the more elaborate one of the two) with all layers in place.
Of course those don't stay in place for very long ;3
He threw away the black cape as soon as he finished the first song.
Happy new year with a side of strip tease: That's TMR NYP ^-^
They flew right into 蒼い霹靂 (UCII version) and there were more layers removed 8D
Takanori started running up and down the stage during this one, which meant a bird was treated twice over.
See, when he comes down to my end of the stage I get to see his face grinning at the crowd.
And when he turns around to head toward the other end of the stage I get to see the back of him and that is quite nice too yes I think so
*ahem*
A bird was pretty cold from standing outside for goods so long but by the end of this one I was pretty warm ^-^
Without interrupting the music, they transitioned into LEVEL 4 (also UCII version) as Takanori growled some greetings to the crowd.
This wasn't the real New Year Greeting though, just "COME ON TOKYO! LET ME HEAR YOU SCREAM" type stuff.
I just love the lives for the crowd interaction during these standard songs - the UCII songs were just featured in the tour last year so most of the crowd knew exactly when to jump, clap, etc. It's not an experience you can recreate by listening to the album.
Maybe by watching the BD though ;)
Three songs and half-a-costume-stripped-off later, we got our REAL opening.
Takanori returned to the middle of the stage, wearing a half-open happi coat and short-shorts that gave me a good look at his legs from my angle.
He smiled and let us cheer for a bit, as he stood there holding his mic, seeming to decide exactly what to say.
This time last year, the first words he said (and therefore, the first MC of 2013) were: "PENIS!!"
We were all curious to see how this year would play out in light of that ^-^;
He knew everyone expected silliness, hence the grin.
However, Strawberry played it straight this time and opened with a booming "Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!"
He proceeded to pour out many words of thanks and gratitude for all the good things to happen in the past year, mixed in with references to sillier things that happened last year too.
He also personally apologised for the delayed start, and for not reading the #nyp14 hashtag.
Takanori: Normally I do try to read all the tweets, as they give me energy. Good energy and bad energy, all the energy. So when you cheer my on, that's great. When you joke about me, or dis me on twitter, that's energy too. (he laughed) So take some responsibility for what you tweet, because it does affect me!
He said all this in a cheery way, which this bird figures means the good outweigh the bad. In any case, KEEP TWEETING EVERYBODY XD
In closing of the MC, he said that the next song would represent his goals for the coming year.
That song was Albireo so make of that what you will.
"may your 2014 be covered entirely in sequins" perhaps is the message here.
Mostly all I remember from this song is when he turned away from my corner of the stage and started doing these squat/jump things with his perfect rear pointed toward my seat and yeah.
happy new year Turbutt.
He then threw a few more layers of clothes, leaving him in hot pants and a tight black top, both sparkly and shiny, along with his very high boots.
Takanori then commanded the audience to JUMP and SCREAM as the beat picked up.
It was time for the first headbang of 2014!
SHAKIN' LOVE!!! (UCII version OF COURSE)
I may have sprained something headbanging. Certainly a few feathers flew off (but I caught them and put them away. it's ok)
This was a blur of bouncing bird and bouncing red bassist below on the stage, and a lot of jumping strawberry and a thousands of fans screaming out the screamy bits and I LOVE IT EVERY TIME YAY FOR THIS SONG I AM SO GLAD IT EXISTS
(ﾟωﾟ(｡_｡(ﾟωﾟ(｡_｡(ﾟωﾟ(｡_｡(ﾟωﾟ(｡_｡(ﾟω)
SHAKIN LIFE forever
Next there was a hard remix of HEAT CAPACITY maybe?
Um. I was kinda blurry from all the headbang and the scream and I may have neglected to note what the next song was.
There was definitely SOMETHING between the heandbang and the next bit and I seem to have HEAT CAPACITY in mind so let's say it was that.
Could be wrong.
Also Takanori was in booty shorts it's amazing I can remember my own name.
Whatever it was, there was another mini-MC after it, set to a thumping beat.
Takanori and his exposed skin were whipping the crowd up into a froth for a heavy number that turned out to be Summer Blizzard
It sounds quite different live when the heavy bass drowns out the technoier elements that dominate the released single.
Best part is when the music stops dead for a second and thousands of voices yell out REVOLUTION
#fuckyeahconcerts.
I enjoyed watching the short-shorts for as much as could, for all things must come to an end and eventually there had to be a costume change.
Intermission time!
This year, our recap of the past revolution around the sun was narrated by Mizuki Nana!
Of course. Who else could he have picked? :3
She narrated a recap of the first half of 2013, with many jokes and references to animes and shows they were on together.
Nana and Takanori are a fantastic combination (though a bird definitely doesn't ship it!) and I am glad she is awesome.
Her narrated video started with NYP13 and the famous Nory Pamyu Pamyu cosplay, followed by the WiiU Karaoke CM in which Strawberry sang Memeshikute a little TOO well :3
GB broke all sorts of karaoke-related records with this song for some reason ^-^;;
The video recap of 2013 then proceeded through some Basara related stuff, and the Kawaii Matsuri event where Takanori was featured along with the real Kyary-chan.
Narrator!Nana did point out, over gratuitous footage of a shirtless Takanori, that "kawaii" doesn't quite fit the look of him sometimes. 8D;;;
The first half of the report concluded with the Preserved Roses release and Nana saying how very great it was to appear on countless programs with Takanori to promote the song.
Narrator!Nana: As you might remember, he covered my song PRAY on one of those programs, but afterward he told me that he wasn't satisfied with his performance! So tonight, he is going to try again~
With that, the stage lights came back on to reveal Takanori in an elaborate gold-orangy daimyo costume or something (it was big and pointy-shouldered and shiny), along with Oshima Kousuke on keyboards, to do exactly that.
I'm not familiar with the original song and appears to have been copyrighted to hell off youtube, but I can definitely say that Takanori's performance was beautiful. Echoing voice all through the Budokan :3 :3 :3 :3
I liked it.
Narrator!Nana also introduced a second song, similarly chosen for a thing that happened on a TV show.
Takanori and Ryuuichi (as in, LUNA SEA. Yes that one) did a duet a little while back of Ryuuichi's song "Love is".
This time, Takanori would cover it solo!
So yeah. He did. And it was beautiful~
It's a ballad made to show off the singer's abilities, more or less, and I must say in my completely biased opinion that Takanori can sing circles around his former rival ^-^♬
He was clearly having fun with it too, at the end, where he was grinning and slyly parodying Ryuuichi's style.
That is, Strawberry didn't exactly play this cover straight :p
After the covers, Takanori vanished into the dark for another costume change, while Nana narrated our way through the second half of 2013.
This video covered the UCII tour, the Zeus gum CM (that is, SUMMER BLIZZARD), and Takanori's overseas appearances in Indonesia, Singapore, and Otakon :3
Then there were many clips of IRF13, especially the part where Nana herself was on as a guest :3 :3 :3
Good times
After that there was the release of Kakumei Dualism, which we were told had won an award! WAY TO GO
Nana's narration concluded with a reminder that there are already releases planned for 2014, specifically COUNT ZERO and the UCII DVD/BD :D
Intermission complete, we returned to the main show.
Takanori and his band were now in the day1 IRF13 outfits, which are simpler yet still Takanori a little bit of room to expose a shoulder when he wants (and of course his thighs stay bare)
First up: DYNAMITE PASSION
We returned with Takanori on the shrine altar, with the lyrics displaying at strange angles on the screen behind him.
I'd never heard this particular song live before 8o
He made us scream the chorus/title for him, as one does.
It was all quite heavy and intense, actually. Heating up the air.
Then, for a complete change of pace, we got Private Storm
The transition from hard-and-heavy to cutesy lightness was just so
what lol wtf XD
That song was only played through to the first chorus though, blending medley-like into OH! MY GIRL OH! MY GOD
Original version too, apart from the start having blended into the previous track (so no teeth--brushing sounds you guys)
A handful of dancing girls came out for accompaniment, but they weren't so much dancing -for- him as dancing -with- him.
Like, although Takanori didn't do much dancing himself, he was positioned relative to the girls so that it looked like he was one of them ^^
For the bridge, where he didn't have to sing, he did do a few dance moves with the girls.
I think the "god" in the title must be Takanori *nodnod*
He can do anything.
Continuing on that theme came アンタッチバルGirls, still with the dancers.
Takanori does sassy poses very very well.
I must disagree with the lyrics to say that no, there actually ISN'T any limit to kawaii. Not when it's him at least ^-^-^-^-~
It was fun and unexpected to hear these rather old songs live in 2014. And we were just at the tip of the iceberg in that sense OHOHOHO
The dancers departed before the next song, which was MID-NITE WARRIORS
This one got a lot of squees from the audience. Not sure why, at least for me this song had never meant anything particularly special?
But it is a treat to get old non-singles in concert so of course a bird enjoyed that aspect!
The action then paused briefly for another MC.
Well. Brief in Takanori terms. Would be considered long in other contexts :p
He spent this mostly talking about what the future would hold, and how he was working toward a 20th anniversary coming up soon, and how T.M.Revolution is not just him but EVERYBODY, and of course the future is something that no one knows.
Way to work into the next song~
HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS ~Get the Power~
I like it so much more live, mainly because live is how I first heard it back at IRF, and similar to SUMMER BLIZZARD the live version has less techno emphasis with more bass taking control of the song. Bird likes. Bird likes a lot.
His voice echoing off every corner of the Budokan while the screens showed space imagery.
It was kind of surreal in a futury sort of way.
I think the future holds more concerts.
Next came a song that I cannot for the life of me remember. My notes are undecipherable o.o
(Yes bird takes notes. Chocobo-scratch that I scratched in the dark. Am all OG that way)
m( _ _)m sorry I forgot you, forgotten song m(_ _ );
Things got on track with more familiar stuff that I cannot forget, with HIGH PRESSURE
It wasn't quite the UNDER COVER version but not quite the single or album version either :3
Tasty live version.
The crowd was of course doing the moves from the PV: （^-^ べ （^-^ べ (＾。^ )ノ
A bird learned this by osmosis way back atmy THE first inazuma and now I kinda do the moves by reflex when I hear the music.
Blame his spellbinding strawberrity.
This part was a big hint about what was soon to come, now that I think about it.
The "last" song (actually just the last before the encore which itself had a second encore and thus was not last at all but Takanori still got to hell "LASUTOOOO!") was to be WHITE BREATH
Again, this was not-quite-UC version and not-quite any single or album. DEFINITELY not more freeze mix, much as I would have liked that XD
Takanori made SUNAO accompany him to the end of the stage where a bird was so that was fun 8D
The Strawberry ran off and SUNAO kinda just hung around where the fans could flap at him.
He may have done the same to Shibasaki way over on the other end, too.
Only when the song was concluded did Takanori allow his guitarists to come down and exit the stage.
NATURALLY the concert wasn't really over.
This is NYP. There has to be a little something extra.
Sure enough, a special video came on to much squee and excitement.
We saw four of Takanori's planning staffers, sitting around a conference table and discussing the concert plans.
One said that the last two years of cross-dressing worked very well. The others said they didn't want to make it repetitive though, so they should look for something different.
Another suggested unsealing the 8cm era, and I didn't hear the others shooting that down because the crowd was squeeing way too loudly at the mere hint of that XDD
Then a third staffer pointed out that they still have a lot of old costumes in storage. Even "that one".
Question was, would he still fit? Would he even be willing to wear them?
"He is 43 after all. Does anyone want to see a 43-year-old man in THAT outfit?"
At this point, the guy we all recognised from the last few NYP treats confidently took control.
"Leave it to me. I can handle him. He's very susceptible to reverse psychology"
While the old costumes were being discussed, the scene of chatting staffers started getting intercut with shots of Takanori working out with weights.
A bird definitely missed some dialogue because DAMN HAVE YOU SEEN THAT MAN'S MUSCLES
(If not tumblr can fix that for you)
And so, the confident guy headed to meet Takanori for Operation Toshi-dama
(Toshi-dama is new years gift money usually given to younger members of a family. In this case, the recipients are the audience)
The staffer appeared at Takanori's gym and started flirting with him.
Takanori was on his treadmill at the time.
Takanori: You're like an ex that turns up at home even though we only dated for a short time, like "why did I even give you my address?"
Staffer: ♡
So of course they were chatting about NYP and the plans.
Takanori moved on to a chest press, his personal trainer visible in some frames (not their face though, just hands and stuff)
Staffer: You know what I'm going to ask you to do?
Takanori: Cross-dress? Am I professional cross-dresser now?
Staffer: You do have huge tits now.
Takanori: *flexes pecs*
(A bird should note that Takanori was in a set of gym clothes throughout. If he'd been shirtless there would have been a lot more explodey birding)
Staffer: Actually we've been talking about how cute you used to be. Remember the old days? Burnin Xmas, Wild Rush, you were so cute back then. But now, you're all sweaty and muscular.
Takanori: I just do the minimum required to look nice for my fans.
Staffer: This is way beyond the minimum.
Takanori: *flexes*
Staffer: You aren't cute anymore though. You can't even fit into your cute old outfits. And even if you did no one would want to see that since you can't pull it off anymore.
Takanori: I'm still cute. I can still wear those outfits if I want to.
Staffer: Even that one? Even ... HOT LIMIT?
Takanori: OF COURSE. I can still pull it off. Just watch me.
Staffer: Great, so we'll take the costumes out of storage and you'll wear them for new year.
Takanori: .....
Staffer: You know what to say.
Takanori: I'll do it.
8D TADA!
As the video wrapped up to an amazing volume of squee, the central monitor showed the beginning of the BURNIN' XMAS PV
Out of a trap door rosethe red mage Takanori, in the ORIGINAL OUTFIT! FROM THE 90S YOU GUYS
The side monitors showed closeups of him now, with the central one showing the PV for comparison.
2014 Turbo in 1998 outfits, volume one:
They performed the original version flawlessly, for about 2/3rds of its normal length.
Takanori vanished through the trap door again, to be replaced by TABO-KUN and friends, plus the dancing girls from earlier.
They were filling time while the music transitioned (as well as the video in the background) into WILD RUSH!
Original version, Original costume.
2014 in 1998 outfits, volume two:
Yes with the pointy ears and everything.
We all did the dance. I'm not sure when I even learned the moves to WILD RUSH but I must have done because I was dancing them too.
NYA-SEI indeed.
Then came THAT ONE.
90s outfits on 2014 body vol. WOW
The music transitioned from WILD RUSH to HOT LIMIT
Takanori popped out of the ground in eye-popping legs. I mean legs. I mean.
This.
(All pics from natalie.mu)
His legs his legs his leeeeegs.
I was not that much farther than the camera taking these pics, just off to the side instead of in front of him.
His inner thighs wearing nothing but a strip of that costume is. nice. indeed. VERY. NICE.
I cannot emphasise enough how gidsfvheiohgwbnev
*ahem*
If the rest of this report seems a little vague it's because LIVE HOT LIMIT IN THE ORIGINAL OUTFIT kind of blows everything else right the fuck out of my brain.
I like his now legs better than his 90s legs and I think I'm not the only one.
So yes, yes Takanori still has the kawaii. And then some.
Muscles go *perfectly fine* with those outfits, and those outfits go perfectly well with his beautiful 2014 body.
Or maybe it's actually the 90s. Was in in the 90s for three songs? MAY HAVE DONE.
either way
I am satisfied with this conclusion.
The band left after HOT LIMIT and things cooled down for the encore.
The crowd squeed and clapped and made the turbo-call for 10 minutes or so, at which point everyone came back in NYP tshirts.
SUNAO and IKUO tweeted those outfits so you can see for yourself:
Takanori was wearing an alternate colour version though because the king has to be different.
Takanori: I... I blanked out the last six, eight, twelve minutes. I'm not quite sure what happened from WHITE BREATH to now.
Crowd: YOU WERE KAWAII!!
Takanori: what's that? 8)
Crowd: KAWAIIIIII
Takanori: Again now?! 8)))
Crowd: KA! WA! IIIIIIII!!!
Takanori: *beams*
Oh yeah. He knew all along he still got it. But he still likes to hear it I guess XD
Takanori then asked the audience who was here for the first time. By birds estimate, maybe 10%?
Takanori: Thanks for coming! Just let me assure you that my shows aren't all like this. I normally take concerts a lot more seriously!
Entire crowd: EHHHHHHHH!? (in a tone that says "no u dont lol wut")
Takanori: *facefault*
He turned around and sheepishly started playing with one of the shrine decorations that look like the ornament on top of the Budokan, and if in the right frame of mind, also kind of like a boob.
So he was playing with it and started stroking it like a boob, grinning up at IKUO.
IKUO: *looks away*
Takanori: Why are you so embarassed? Ooh look it's getting all hard 8DDD
IKUO: ^^;;;;
(Birdnote: the red bassist is commonly teased for his well-known love of large breasts, especially when he is on stage with this fruit or the other)
This was a good segue into one of Takanori's favourite year-round activities: teasing his band members.
He went around asking each of them how they'd spent last night - meaning of course the changing of the year.
SUNAO said he was at a countdown live. Takanori pretended not to believe him about PLAYING in the live (it was actually the SunaToshi event with Kishi-san) and joked that SUNAO was just in someone elses' concert for not reason :p
Shibasaki said he played guitar.
A bird will now take this opportunity to appropriate the internet in 2013
because it has to be done. I give you:
SHIBE-SAKI
(credit to @chibimerrick for indulging a bird's request)
Takanori: Shiba-chan do you ever go a full day without playing guitar? You don't do you?
Shibasaki: I... have. At least once.
Takanori: Were you on a plane all day? Is that why? You even play the guitar on the train. Right?
Takanori then mimed (in IENOMI-mime style) a person looking for their shinkansen seat only to find it blocked by Shibasaki playing his guitar. 8D
Hasegawa-san however was not drumming.
Takanori: Oh right, you hate to practice.
Hasegawa: Right. I was having fun somewhere else.
Takanori: You never rehearse and then you try to charge me extra for songs over 170 bpm.
The crowd reacted and Takanori proceeded to further describe the details of the drummer's extortion xDDD
Finally, IKUO said he watched Kouhaku and CDTV and went to bed.
Takanori: Oh yes, Kouhaku. That was fun. I hung out with Hosokawa-san, he has a strange sense of humour. He tried to fire a guy for pretending to play the drums.
(Bird didn't catch it quite, but from the context "pretending to play the drums" it's gotta be GB 8D;)
Takanori: And then I hung out with the two guys from Yuzu and touched their penises. I also touched... hmm .,, a lot more. How many penises did I even touch last night? Between Kouhaku backstage and CDTV backstage I think I lost track.
He then stopped talking and giggled to himself in the middle of the stage while the audience LOLWUTed at him XD
Takanori had a very happy new year despite working through the whole thing it seems yes I think so.
Having finished teasing all of his band, Takanori turned his attention to closing out the concert. Almost.
He remarked how collaborative 2013 has been, and how the most representative songs of that year would be these collaborations.
Time for Preserved Roses
Fireworks exploded from the stage as it started~ BOOM
Nana wasn't actually there, but her recorded voice accompanied Takanori regardless.
Naturally, it was followed by 革命デュアリズム
which is totally spectacular even when it's only half-life.
If anyone hasn't seen the kouhaku performance yet I suggest you get on that.
Takanori then addressed the crowd one more time, to seriously offer thanks for all the support and good wishes and ask us to join him in one last song.
An acoustic guitar was brought out for him, and he stated that he hadn't played while singing in a very long time, but he wanted to try it again tonight.
The keyboard was also brought out, with Oshima Kousuke to play it, and Takanori gave him a big hug XD
Takanori: You called me up to ask if I'd need you for new year again, and I said OF COURSE I NEED YOU. BE THERE. But seriously, thanks for being here.
The Turbo loves his band members.
Their final song for the night was LIGHT MY FIRE (UC version)
Just before Takanori started singing, streamers burst into the air and rained silvery glitter onto the crowd. None of it went far enough to the sides for a bird to catch, but I could still see the arena seats waving them around for the whole song.
For the chorus, everyone waved their hands in sync, so the streamers served as silver pompoms for the spirit of the new year.
It was over all too fast, even though my arms were getting sore (thus letting me know exactly how long it had been).
We were all made to crouch down, only to JUMP! in unison as Takanori loves to do.
Takanori lined up with his band for the final bow, to all the applause.
I'm so happy I could be here another year ^-^
There's no comparison to these events.
After the band had left, to much waving (my side of the stage was above their exit and some members *cough*IKUO*cough* stayed for extra extra waves 8DD), the screens lit up for SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.
First we got adverts for COUNT ZERO split single with SCANDAL, and for the UCII DVD/BD, both to be released in February.
And then!!!
The text on the screen revealed that another single was already in the works, with details to be announced later this year.
This is in preparation for a PROJECT 20th ANNIVERSARY, the countdown for which officially started on 2014.1.1
Countdown to 2016, that is. We're still 800something days away.
EXCITING MAYBE?!
A BIRD IS MAYBE.
WE'LL SEE.
And that, as they say, is that.
I returned to my hotel with sore wings and ringing ears, a sure sign that Concert: UR DOIN IT RIGHT.
HAPPY 2014 EVERYBODY!
May you still be kawaii in your clothes from the 90s.
It is the most appropriate shrine for my lifestyle of stairs and concerts after all.
This year is off to a great start
This year I was in line for goods all afternoon (with good feline company though!) and got to line up at the entrance just in time... for the originally planned start of the live. There was actually about 20 minutes delay in opening the doors. Perhaps Takanori had to trim his bonsai.
For goods, a bird obtained only the towel (Day 1 ver., it's BLACK OR WHITE) and the thermos :3
LIKE SO:
Also around the official entrance (the one under the Budoukan sign, not the one we actually used to get to seats) there were many many flowers from Takanori's many many friends and colleagues in the music business
OF COURSE THIS INCLUDES ONE BANANA
(thanx @thenekoyuki for the pic)
So since the entrance of the audience was delayed, there was an announcement to the effect that the start of the live would be delayed, too. This rarely happens with T.M.R actually (but is very very common for some other artists I could name) so of course the announcement was appreciated.
About 20 minutes later than the ticket-stated start time (said time having been filled with many tweets, though sicne there were way WAY more tweets in the hashtag than had time to display on screen, I didn't see much from people I know) there was the real announcement.
By which I mean, the rules announcement.
For NYP though, these rules are delivered by Takanori himself, in a (pre-recorded) special episode of ALL NIGHT NIPPON XD
(he hosted it for several years, so that's why)
The actual rules are the standard ones - no recording the concert, no throwing things at the stage, etc - but the uses a cute voice and lists ridiculous examples: No nose hooks! No hooking the nose of the person next to you!
Yes Takanori is special.
A few minutes after that ended, the lights went out for the real show to begin!
The stage was done up, as in past years, to look like the main building of a shinto shrine but with Budokan-specific accents, like knobs that look like the ornament on top of the Budokan's dome. The background was three screens, with the central screen being framed by two beautiful drawings of horses.
2014 being the year of the horse, of course.
My seat was on the west side, three rows from the front, so I was looking at the west wing of the stage from quite close indeed :3
The top of the shrine's altar was the only part lit, though I could see IKUO and SUNAO taking their places since said places were between me and the altar.
The opening was traditional Japanese music - three musicians and two shishi-odiori dancers. The dancers worked their way down the stairs to the main part of the stage and out to the wings, so I got a very close view of one of them.
Their movements are graceful but somewhat eerie since the human under the costume moves in ways my eyes don't expect to see. Misdirection from the mask movements? Or just bird not being familiar enough with the dance? (both)
Once the lion dancers returned the altar, the lights went out again.
BAM!
The traditional musicians vanished, and Takanori appeared at the centre of the stage! TIME TO PARTY!
Our first song of 2014: COUNT ZERO
This was only my third time hearing it, so I was a bit thrown since I didn't immediately recognise it 8D;
The single version will probably be arranged a bit differently from the live version, too.
His Strawberryness was in his IRF13 day TWO outfit (the more elaborate one of the two) with all layers in place.
Of course those don't stay in place for very long ;3
He threw away the black cape as soon as he finished the first song.
Happy new year with a side of strip tease: That's TMR NYP ^-^
They flew right into 蒼い霹靂 (UCII version) and there were more layers removed 8D
Takanori started running up and down the stage during this one, which meant a bird was treated twice over.
See, when he comes down to my end of the stage I get to see his face grinning at the crowd.
And when he turns around to head toward the other end of the stage I get to see the back of him and that is quite nice too yes I think so
*ahem*
A bird was pretty cold from standing outside for goods so long but by the end of this one I was pretty warm ^-^
Without interrupting the music, they transitioned into LEVEL 4 (also UCII version) as Takanori growled some greetings to the crowd.
This wasn't the real New Year Greeting though, just "COME ON TOKYO! LET ME HEAR YOU SCREAM" type stuff.
I just love the lives for the crowd interaction during these standard songs - the UCII songs were just featured in the tour last year so most of the crowd knew exactly when to jump, clap, etc. It's not an experience you can recreate by listening to the album.
Maybe by watching the BD though ;)
Three songs and half-a-costume-stripped-off later, we got our REAL opening.
Takanori returned to the middle of the stage, wearing a half-open happi coat and short-shorts that gave me a good look at his legs from my angle.
He smiled and let us cheer for a bit, as he stood there holding his mic, seeming to decide exactly what to say.
This time last year, the first words he said (and therefore, the first MC of 2013) were: "PENIS!!"
We were all curious to see how this year would play out in light of that ^-^;
He knew everyone expected silliness, hence the grin.
However, Strawberry played it straight this time and opened with a booming "Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!"
He proceeded to pour out many words of thanks and gratitude for all the good things to happen in the past year, mixed in with references to sillier things that happened last year too.
He also personally apologised for the delayed start, and for not reading the #nyp14 hashtag.
Takanori: Normally I do try to read all the tweets, as they give me energy. Good energy and bad energy, all the energy. So when you cheer my on, that's great. When you joke about me, or dis me on twitter, that's energy too. (he laughed) So take some responsibility for what you tweet, because it does affect me!
He said all this in a cheery way, which this bird figures means the good outweigh the bad. In any case, KEEP TWEETING EVERYBODY XD
In closing of the MC, he said that the next song would represent his goals for the coming year.
That song was Albireo so make of that what you will.
"may your 2014 be covered entirely in sequins" perhaps is the message here.
Mostly all I remember from this song is when he turned away from my corner of the stage and started doing these squat/jump things with his perfect rear pointed toward my seat and yeah.
happy new year Turbutt.
He then threw a few more layers of clothes, leaving him in hot pants and a tight black top, both sparkly and shiny, along with his very high boots.
Takanori then commanded the audience to JUMP and SCREAM as the beat picked up.
It was time for the first headbang of 2014!
SHAKIN' LOVE!!! (UCII version OF COURSE)
I may have sprained something headbanging. Certainly a few feathers flew off (but I caught them and put them away. it's ok)
This was a blur of bouncing bird and bouncing red bassist below on the stage, and a lot of jumping strawberry and a thousands of fans screaming out the screamy bits and I LOVE IT EVERY TIME YAY FOR THIS SONG I AM SO GLAD IT EXISTS
(ﾟωﾟ(｡_｡(ﾟωﾟ(｡_｡(ﾟωﾟ(｡_｡(ﾟωﾟ(｡_｡(ﾟω)
SHAKIN LIFE forever
Next there was a hard remix of HEAT CAPACITY maybe?
Um. I was kinda blurry from all the headbang and the scream and I may have neglected to note what the next song was.
There was definitely SOMETHING between the heandbang and the next bit and I seem to have HEAT CAPACITY in mind so let's say it was that.
Could be wrong.
Also Takanori was in booty shorts it's amazing I can remember my own name.
Whatever it was, there was another mini-MC after it, set to a thumping beat.
Takanori and his exposed skin were whipping the crowd up into a froth for a heavy number that turned out to be Summer Blizzard
It sounds quite different live when the heavy bass drowns out the technoier elements that dominate the released single.
Best part is when the music stops dead for a second and thousands of voices yell out REVOLUTION
#fuckyeahconcerts.
I enjoyed watching the short-shorts for as much as could, for all things must come to an end and eventually there had to be a costume change.
Intermission time!
This year, our recap of the past revolution around the sun was narrated by Mizuki Nana!
Of course. Who else could he have picked? :3
She narrated a recap of the first half of 2013, with many jokes and references to animes and shows they were on together.
Nana and Takanori are a fantastic combination (though a bird definitely doesn't ship it!) and I am glad she is awesome.
Her narrated video started with NYP13 and the famous Nory Pamyu Pamyu cosplay, followed by the WiiU Karaoke CM in which Strawberry sang Memeshikute a little TOO well :3
GB broke all sorts of karaoke-related records with this song for some reason ^-^;;
The video recap of 2013 then proceeded through some Basara related stuff, and the Kawaii Matsuri event where Takanori was featured along with the real Kyary-chan.
Narrator!Nana did point out, over gratuitous footage of a shirtless Takanori, that "kawaii" doesn't quite fit the look of him sometimes. 8D;;;
The first half of the report concluded with the Preserved Roses release and Nana saying how very great it was to appear on countless programs with Takanori to promote the song.
Narrator!Nana: As you might remember, he covered my song PRAY on one of those programs, but afterward he told me that he wasn't satisfied with his performance! So tonight, he is going to try again~
With that, the stage lights came back on to reveal Takanori in an elaborate gold-orangy daimyo costume or something (it was big and pointy-shouldered and shiny), along with Oshima Kousuke on keyboards, to do exactly that.
I'm not familiar with the original song and appears to have been copyrighted to hell off youtube, but I can definitely say that Takanori's performance was beautiful. Echoing voice all through the Budokan :3 :3 :3 :3
I liked it.
Narrator!Nana also introduced a second song, similarly chosen for a thing that happened on a TV show.
Takanori and Ryuuichi (as in, LUNA SEA. Yes that one) did a duet a little while back of Ryuuichi's song "Love is".
This time, Takanori would cover it solo!
So yeah. He did. And it was beautiful~
It's a ballad made to show off the singer's abilities, more or less, and I must say in my completely biased opinion that Takanori can sing circles around his former rival ^-^♬
He was clearly having fun with it too, at the end, where he was grinning and slyly parodying Ryuuichi's style.
That is, Strawberry didn't exactly play this cover straight :p
After the covers, Takanori vanished into the dark for another costume change, while Nana narrated our way through the second half of 2013.
This video covered the UCII tour, the Zeus gum CM (that is, SUMMER BLIZZARD), and Takanori's overseas appearances in Indonesia, Singapore, and Otakon :3
Then there were many clips of IRF13, especially the part where Nana herself was on as a guest :3 :3 :3
Good times
After that there was the release of Kakumei Dualism, which we were told had won an award! WAY TO GO
Nana's narration concluded with a reminder that there are already releases planned for 2014, specifically COUNT ZERO and the UCII DVD/BD :D
Intermission complete, we returned to the main show.
Takanori and his band were now in the day1 IRF13 outfits, which are simpler yet still Takanori a little bit of room to expose a shoulder when he wants (and of course his thighs stay bare)
First up: DYNAMITE PASSION
We returned with Takanori on the shrine altar, with the lyrics displaying at strange angles on the screen behind him.
I'd never heard this particular song live before 8o
He made us scream the chorus/title for him, as one does.
It was all quite heavy and intense, actually. Heating up the air.
Then, for a complete change of pace, we got Private Storm
The transition from hard-and-heavy to cutesy lightness was just so
what lol wtf XD
That song was only played through to the first chorus though, blending medley-like into OH! MY GIRL OH! MY GOD
Original version too, apart from the start having blended into the previous track (so no teeth--brushing sounds you guys)
A handful of dancing girls came out for accompaniment, but they weren't so much dancing -for- him as dancing -with- him.
Like, although Takanori didn't do much dancing himself, he was positioned relative to the girls so that it looked like he was one of them ^^
For the bridge, where he didn't have to sing, he did do a few dance moves with the girls.
I think the "god" in the title must be Takanori *nodnod*
He can do anything.
Continuing on that theme came アンタッチバルGirls, still with the dancers.
Takanori does sassy poses very very well.
I must disagree with the lyrics to say that no, there actually ISN'T any limit to kawaii. Not when it's him at least ^-^-^-^-~
It was fun and unexpected to hear these rather old songs live in 2014. And we were just at the tip of the iceberg in that sense OHOHOHO
The dancers departed before the next song, which was MID-NITE WARRIORS
This one got a lot of squees from the audience. Not sure why, at least for me this song had never meant anything particularly special?
But it is a treat to get old non-singles in concert so of course a bird enjoyed that aspect!
The action then paused briefly for another MC.
Well. Brief in Takanori terms. Would be considered long in other contexts :p
He spent this mostly talking about what the future would hold, and how he was working toward a 20th anniversary coming up soon, and how T.M.Revolution is not just him but EVERYBODY, and of course the future is something that no one knows.
Way to work into the next song~
HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS ~Get the Power~
I like it so much more live, mainly because live is how I first heard it back at IRF, and similar to SUMMER BLIZZARD the live version has less techno emphasis with more bass taking control of the song. Bird likes. Bird likes a lot.
His voice echoing off every corner of the Budokan while the screens showed space imagery.
It was kind of surreal in a futury sort of way.
I think the future holds more concerts.
Next came a song that I cannot for the life of me remember. My notes are undecipherable o.o
(Yes bird takes notes. Chocobo-scratch that I scratched in the dark. Am all OG that way)
m( _ _)m sorry I forgot you, forgotten song m(_ _ );
Things got on track with more familiar stuff that I cannot forget, with HIGH PRESSURE
It wasn't quite the UNDER COVER version but not quite the single or album version either :3
Tasty live version.
The crowd was of course doing the moves from the PV: （^-^ べ （^-^ べ (＾。^ )ノ
A bird learned this by osmosis way back at
Blame his spellbinding strawberrity.
This part was a big hint about what was soon to come, now that I think about it.
The "last" song (actually just the last before the encore which itself had a second encore and thus was not last at all but Takanori still got to hell "LASUTOOOO!") was to be WHITE BREATH
Again, this was not-quite-UC version and not-quite any single or album. DEFINITELY not more freeze mix, much as I would have liked that XD
Takanori made SUNAO accompany him to the end of the stage where a bird was so that was fun 8D
The Strawberry ran off and SUNAO kinda just hung around where the fans could flap at him.
He may have done the same to Shibasaki way over on the other end, too.
Only when the song was concluded did Takanori allow his guitarists to come down and exit the stage.
NATURALLY the concert wasn't really over.
This is NYP. There has to be a little something extra.
Sure enough, a special video came on to much squee and excitement.
We saw four of Takanori's planning staffers, sitting around a conference table and discussing the concert plans.
One said that the last two years of cross-dressing worked very well. The others said they didn't want to make it repetitive though, so they should look for something different.
Another suggested unsealing the 8cm era, and I didn't hear the others shooting that down because the crowd was squeeing way too loudly at the mere hint of that XDD
Then a third staffer pointed out that they still have a lot of old costumes in storage. Even "that one".
Question was, would he still fit? Would he even be willing to wear them?
"He is 43 after all. Does anyone want to see a 43-year-old man in THAT outfit?"
At this point, the guy we all recognised from the last few NYP treats confidently took control.
"Leave it to me. I can handle him. He's very susceptible to reverse psychology"
While the old costumes were being discussed, the scene of chatting staffers started getting intercut with shots of Takanori working out with weights.
A bird definitely missed some dialogue because DAMN HAVE YOU SEEN THAT MAN'S MUSCLES
(If not tumblr can fix that for you)
And so, the confident guy headed to meet Takanori for Operation Toshi-dama
(Toshi-dama is new years gift money usually given to younger members of a family. In this case, the recipients are the audience)
The staffer appeared at Takanori's gym and started flirting with him.
Takanori was on his treadmill at the time.
Takanori: You're like an ex that turns up at home even though we only dated for a short time, like "why did I even give you my address?"
Staffer: ♡
So of course they were chatting about NYP and the plans.
Takanori moved on to a chest press, his personal trainer visible in some frames (not their face though, just hands and stuff)
Staffer: You know what I'm going to ask you to do?
Takanori: Cross-dress? Am I professional cross-dresser now?
Staffer: You do have huge tits now.
Takanori: *flexes pecs*
(A bird should note that Takanori was in a set of gym clothes throughout. If he'd been shirtless there would have been a lot more explodey birding)
Staffer: Actually we've been talking about how cute you used to be. Remember the old days? Burnin Xmas, Wild Rush, you were so cute back then. But now, you're all sweaty and muscular.
Takanori: I just do the minimum required to look nice for my fans.
Staffer: This is way beyond the minimum.
Takanori: *flexes*
Staffer: You aren't cute anymore though. You can't even fit into your cute old outfits. And even if you did no one would want to see that since you can't pull it off anymore.
Takanori: I'm still cute. I can still wear those outfits if I want to.
Staffer: Even that one? Even ... HOT LIMIT?
Takanori: OF COURSE. I can still pull it off. Just watch me.
Staffer: Great, so we'll take the costumes out of storage and you'll wear them for new year.
Takanori: .....
Staffer: You know what to say.
Takanori: I'll do it.
8D TADA!
As the video wrapped up to an amazing volume of squee, the central monitor showed the beginning of the BURNIN' XMAS PV
Out of a trap door rose
The side monitors showed closeups of him now, with the central one showing the PV for comparison.
2014 Turbo in 1998 outfits, volume one:
They performed the original version flawlessly, for about 2/3rds of its normal length.
Takanori vanished through the trap door again, to be replaced by TABO-KUN and friends, plus the dancing girls from earlier.
They were filling time while the music transitioned (as well as the video in the background) into WILD RUSH!
Original version, Original costume.
2014 in 1998 outfits, volume two:
Yes with the pointy ears and everything.
We all did the dance. I'm not sure when I even learned the moves to WILD RUSH but I must have done because I was dancing them too.
NYA-SEI indeed.
Then came THAT ONE.
90s outfits on 2014 body vol. WOW
The music transitioned from WILD RUSH to HOT LIMIT
Takanori popped out of the ground in eye-popping legs. I mean legs. I mean.
This.
(All pics from natalie.mu)
His legs his legs his leeeeegs.
I was not that much farther than the camera taking these pics, just off to the side instead of in front of him.
His inner thighs wearing nothing but a strip of that costume is. nice. indeed. VERY. NICE.
I cannot emphasise enough how gidsfvheiohgwbnev
*ahem*
If the rest of this report seems a little vague it's because LIVE HOT LIMIT IN THE ORIGINAL OUTFIT kind of blows everything else right the fuck out of my brain.
I like his now legs better than his 90s legs and I think I'm not the only one.
So yes, yes Takanori still has the kawaii. And then some.
Muscles go *perfectly fine* with those outfits, and those outfits go perfectly well with his beautiful 2014 body.
Or maybe it's actually the 90s. Was in in the 90s for three songs? MAY HAVE DONE.
either way
I am satisfied with this conclusion.
The band left after HOT LIMIT and things cooled down for the encore.
The crowd squeed and clapped and made the turbo-call for 10 minutes or so, at which point everyone came back in NYP tshirts.
SUNAO and IKUO tweeted those outfits so you can see for yourself:
Takanori was wearing an alternate colour version though because the king has to be different.
Takanori: I... I blanked out the last six, eight, twelve minutes. I'm not quite sure what happened from WHITE BREATH to now.
Crowd: YOU WERE KAWAII!!
Takanori: what's that? 8)
Crowd: KAWAIIIIII
Takanori: Again now?! 8)))
Crowd: KA! WA! IIIIIIII!!!
Takanori: *beams*
Oh yeah. He knew all along he still got it. But he still likes to hear it I guess XD
Takanori then asked the audience who was here for the first time. By birds estimate, maybe 10%?
Takanori: Thanks for coming! Just let me assure you that my shows aren't all like this. I normally take concerts a lot more seriously!
Entire crowd: EHHHHHHHH!? (in a tone that says "no u dont lol wut")
Takanori: *facefault*
He turned around and sheepishly started playing with one of the shrine decorations that look like the ornament on top of the Budokan, and if in the right frame of mind, also kind of like a boob.
So he was playing with it and started stroking it like a boob, grinning up at IKUO.
IKUO: *looks away*
Takanori: Why are you so embarassed? Ooh look it's getting all hard 8DDD
IKUO: ^^;;;;
(Birdnote: the red bassist is commonly teased for his well-known love of large breasts, especially when he is on stage with this fruit or the other)
This was a good segue into one of Takanori's favourite year-round activities: teasing his band members.
He went around asking each of them how they'd spent last night - meaning of course the changing of the year.
SUNAO said he was at a countdown live. Takanori pretended not to believe him about PLAYING in the live (it was actually the SunaToshi event with Kishi-san) and joked that SUNAO was just in someone elses' concert for not reason :p
Shibasaki said he played guitar.
A bird will now take this opportunity to appropriate the internet in 2013
because it has to be done. I give you:
SHIBE-SAKI
(credit to @chibimerrick for indulging a bird's request)
Takanori: Shiba-chan do you ever go a full day without playing guitar? You don't do you?
Shibasaki: I... have. At least once.
Takanori: Were you on a plane all day? Is that why? You even play the guitar on the train. Right?
Takanori then mimed (in IENOMI-mime style) a person looking for their shinkansen seat only to find it blocked by Shibasaki playing his guitar. 8D
Hasegawa-san however was not drumming.
Takanori: Oh right, you hate to practice.
Hasegawa: Right. I was having fun somewhere else.
Takanori: You never rehearse and then you try to charge me extra for songs over 170 bpm.
The crowd reacted and Takanori proceeded to further describe the details of the drummer's extortion xDDD
Finally, IKUO said he watched Kouhaku and CDTV and went to bed.
Takanori: Oh yes, Kouhaku. That was fun. I hung out with Hosokawa-san, he has a strange sense of humour. He tried to fire a guy for pretending to play the drums.
(Bird didn't catch it quite, but from the context "pretending to play the drums" it's gotta be GB 8D;)
Takanori: And then I hung out with the two guys from Yuzu and touched their penises. I also touched... hmm .,, a lot more. How many penises did I even touch last night? Between Kouhaku backstage and CDTV backstage I think I lost track.
He then stopped talking and giggled to himself in the middle of the stage while the audience LOLWUTed at him XD
Takanori had a very happy new year despite working through the whole thing it seems yes I think so.
Having finished teasing all of his band, Takanori turned his attention to closing out the concert. Almost.
He remarked how collaborative 2013 has been, and how the most representative songs of that year would be these collaborations.
Time for Preserved Roses
Fireworks exploded from the stage as it started~ BOOM
Nana wasn't actually there, but her recorded voice accompanied Takanori regardless.
Naturally, it was followed by 革命デュアリズム
which is totally spectacular even when it's only half-life.
If anyone hasn't seen the kouhaku performance yet I suggest you get on that.
Takanori then addressed the crowd one more time, to seriously offer thanks for all the support and good wishes and ask us to join him in one last song.
An acoustic guitar was brought out for him, and he stated that he hadn't played while singing in a very long time, but he wanted to try it again tonight.
The keyboard was also brought out, with Oshima Kousuke to play it, and Takanori gave him a big hug XD
Takanori: You called me up to ask if I'd need you for new year again, and I said OF COURSE I NEED YOU. BE THERE. But seriously, thanks for being here.
The Turbo loves his band members.
Their final song for the night was LIGHT MY FIRE (UC version)
Just before Takanori started singing, streamers burst into the air and rained silvery glitter onto the crowd. None of it went far enough to the sides for a bird to catch, but I could still see the arena seats waving them around for the whole song.
For the chorus, everyone waved their hands in sync, so the streamers served as silver pompoms for the spirit of the new year.
It was over all too fast, even though my arms were getting sore (thus letting me know exactly how long it had been).
We were all made to crouch down, only to JUMP! in unison as Takanori loves to do.
Takanori lined up with his band for the final bow, to all the applause.
I'm so happy I could be here another year ^-^
There's no comparison to these events.
After the band had left, to much waving (my side of the stage was above their exit and some members *cough*IKUO*cough* stayed for extra extra waves 8DD), the screens lit up for SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.
First we got adverts for COUNT ZERO split single with SCANDAL, and for the UCII DVD/BD, both to be released in February.
And then!!!
The text on the screen revealed that another single was already in the works, with details to be announced later this year.
This is in preparation for a PROJECT 20th ANNIVERSARY, the countdown for which officially started on 2014.1.1
Countdown to 2016, that is. We're still 800something days away.
EXCITING MAYBE?!
A BIRD IS MAYBE.
WE'LL SEE.
And that, as they say, is that.
I returned to my hotel with sore wings and ringing ears, a sure sign that Concert: UR DOIN IT RIGHT.
HAPPY 2014 EVERYBODY!
May you still be kawaii in your clothes from the 90s.