Feature: Lantis Anisong World Tour Las Vegas

As an anime fan, attending an anisong festival is really a one-of-a-kind experience. Sure, if you're lucky enough, your favorite Japanese band might swing through the US as a stop on their world tour, or if you go to enough anime conventions, you might be able to hear some of your favorite theme songs being performed live. But there's nothing quite like the idea of an entire concert devoted to some of the most memorable opening and ending themes to ever be featured in an anime. Where else could you hear a golden oldie like Dragon Ball Z's "Cha-La Head-Cha-La," as performed by Hironobu Kageyama, alongside newer songs like The Eccentric Family's "Uchōten Jinsei" by milktub?

Even so, anisong festivals are difficult to come by, especially in the United States, and especially a world tour launched specifically to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Lantis. That's why anime fans who found themselves in Las Vegas in mid-January were lucky to have the unique opportunity to attend the stateside stop of the Lantis Anisong World Tour. Not coincidentally, the two-day tour took place the same weekend as Otakon Vegas, whose parent entity had collaborated with Lantis back in 2012. While the festival certainly got an attendance bump from being scheduled alongside Otakon Vegas (those who attended both the convention and the concert had the chance to win entry to a VIP party with JAM Project and Yōsei Teikoku's Yui), there were some who flew in from across the country just to hear the acts. Some even came from Japan, where tickets for an event like the Lantis Festival are much harder to come by.

Ten individual acts performed the show in Las Vegas. Amongst them was the highly celebrated JAM Projet, a collaborative act that currently includes Hironobu Kageyama, Masaaki Endoh, Hiroshi Kitadani, Masami Okui, and Yoshiki Fukuyama—and a performer made up 1s and 0s, the virtual rockstar Hatsune Miku.

Those who purchased tickets for both shows didn't have to worry about being bored—not only were there lineup changes (Yoshiki Fukuyama, Hironobu Kageyama, and Masami Okui performed in the first show, while Hiroshi Kitadani and Masaaki Endoh took their individual turns the second night), but the sets were different as well. Likewise, the collaborations were also different. Friday night attendees had the chance to hear Masami Okui and Yoko Ishida belt out a cover of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya's "Super Driver," while Day Two attendees heard ChouCho and Sayaka Sasaki sing Girls und Panzer's "Enter Enter MISSION!" and Masaaki Endoh and Hiroshi Kitadani sing "Go Go Power Rangers."

Both nights started with Hatsune Miku, who performed "Sharing the World," "World is Mine," and "Tell Your World" both nights. Those who saw her perform at Anime Expo back in 2011 will have noticed that her live-performance technology has been updated a bit, with more range of motion and more fluid movement.

Miku was followed up on Friday by Faylan, who performed Gundam AGE's "WHITE justice" and The Future Diary's "Dead END." On Saturday, she performed Samurai Girls' "Last vision for last" and CANAAN's "mind as Judgment."

One of the most crowd-pleasing acts was milktub vocalist bamboo, whose two-night performance of The Eccentric Family's energetic "Uchōten Jinsei" saw the singer joyfully waving an inflatable hug pillow bearing an illustration of the series' main character Yasaburō Shimogamo, whom he cheekily referred to as, "my wife!" Friday crowds also saw a special cover of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya's "Koi no Mikuru Densetsu;" both nights heard milktub's "Baka Go Home," the first ending theme to Baka and Test.

ChouCho performed "DreamRiser" (Girls und Panzer) and "Sorato Kimino Message" (Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet) on Friday, but finished Saturday with "starlog" (Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya), "Authentic symphony" (Mashiroiro Symphony - The color of lovers), and the cover of "Enter Enter MISSION!" with Sayaka Sasaki, who herself performed "Break your world" (Senran Kagura) and "Seisai no Ripieno" (The Book of Bantorra) on Friday, and "Reason why XXX" (So I Can't Play H) and "Zzz…" (Nichijou - My Ordinary Life ) on Saturday.

Those who like their music a little darker and more metal had the chance to watch a performance by Yousei Teikoku, whose vocals are provided by voice actress Yui Itsuki. Song included The Qwaser of Stigmata's "Baptize," The Future Diary's "Kūsō Mesorogiwi" and "Egoist," and Tokyo ESP's "Guze Άργυρóϛ."

The concert also had a lot of classic hits from performers like Yoko Ishida, whose Friday performance included "Otome no Policy," the ending theme for Sailor Moon R (and the single that launched her career), and a cover of "God Knows…" from the Haruhi. Saturday attendees were treated to a performance of Ai Yori Aoshi's "Towa no Hana," in addition to "God Knows…"

Many, of course, were especially excited to see the members of JAM Project, both in their individual performances as well as their ensemble set. Attendees of Otakon Vegas who stopped by the opening ceremonies even got a sneak peek when Hironobu Kageyama performed "Cha-La Head-Cha-La". As fun as that was, though, there's no replacement for watching the song backed by a talented crew of stage musicians, which is what Friday night attendees were treated to. Kageyama also performed "Saint Seiya Soldier Dreamer," which had even Otakon Vegas special guest Sushio dancing and singing along in his seat.

Unfortunately, budget-limited fans who had to choose between attending either Friday or Saturday were denied the chance to see every member of JAM Project performing individually. In addition to Kageyama, Friday crowds got to see Masami Okui's incredible delivery of "Rinbu – Revolution" (Revolutionary Girl Utena), as well as Yoshiki Fukuyama shredding along to "PLANET DANCE" (Macross 7) and "Makka na Chikai" (Buso Renkin). Folks on Saturday got the other half of JAM Project, with Hiroshi Kitadani singing "We Are!" and "We Go!" (both from One Piece), and Masaaki Endoh singing, "Yuusha-oh Tanjou!" (GaoGaiGar: King of the Braves) and the theme song from Bakuryu Sentai Abaranger.

Still, both crowds had the chance to see JAM Project perform together, which was a sight like none other. Both nights included adrenaline-pumping epics, with Friday's set list including "VICTORY" (Super Robot Wars MX), "GONG" (Super Robot Wars Alpha 3), "Rescue Fire" (Tomica Hero: Rescue Fire) and a special performance of "Hagane no Resistance" featuring Faylan. Saturday's set included "Break Out" (Super Robot Wars O.G. Divine Wars), "Garo ~Savior in the Dark~" (Garo the Animation) and "SKILL" (Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Wars Alpha) with a special performance of "Vanguard" with Yoko Ishida. For learn more about the artists' inspirations and musical processes, check out our interview with them from the Lantis Festival.

Charmingly, both nights ended the same way, with a special performance of "Starting STYLE!", the official Lantis Festival theme song. It brought together all the artists that evening, complete with matching t-shirts.

Afterwards, those who splurged and bought VIP passes were able to take part in a high-five event, where each got the chance to high-five every artist and musician in a long line of smiles and "arigato!"s.

While attending the concert was certainly not cheap, especially those who had to fly or drive in from out-of-state and stay a few nights in pricey Las Vegas, it was a remarkable experience. Thanks in large part to the organizational efforts of Lantis, who made sure every artist transition was smooth and expedient, the event flew by in the blink of an eye. One would not peg the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's "The Joint" to be the place they'd get to see JAM Project, but it was the great setting for an event that will not soon be forgotten.

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