Tokyo Dome, 23 Dec 2014
Jan. 13th, 2015 02:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
justfeverNotes:
Sorry that this is a loooong post but rather than a report, it's more like my impression of the concert itself. Since it was my first time attend an Arashi concert and it took me quite some times to finish writing this all (yep, due to work and internet connection), there may be many things missed. Plus the fact that I didn't take even a note to write interesting things happened when the show is going (my bad!). So yeah, mistakes are much possible. Pardon for any structure and grammar mistake, English is not my first language and I keep studying it forever.
I arrived quite late in the Dome area. We're allowed to get inside starting 14.00 but I think I was arrived on 14.30. Plus, I have to wait for Berda, my friend from whom I got the ticket, as she's also watching the concert. It took only a minute or so to tap my fanlight in the area near the Tokyo Dome Hotel and then I headed to the front of the Dome. There are already many people packed up the area, but I still have to wait so I took my time to buy extra goods I want (can't help it! XP). My plan is to buy a medal brooch, roller stamp, and another Ohno's mini uchiwa for my sister (I was totally forgot so I only bought one for myself on 19th). To my surprise I found that Ohno's mini uchiwa is sold out! Not long after followed by group's clearfile and Ohno's clearfile also out of stock! Well, Ohno is popular lately it seems? Also it's the last day of the tour so people might be buying extra goods as many as possible, haha.
After taking pics here and there and buy a CD I want from the CD/DVD booth (OH! no wonder I spend a lot!!! ><) I'm heading to the stairs to the gate. It was pretty easy to find since there were many signs and staffs showing which way we should take. Berda arrived at last, very girigiri moment: only 15 minutes before the show starts. Inside the dome there are many doors with numbers which indicated in your ticket: we're getting thru Gate 1. There's also a goods sale besides food and drink booths inside, so Berda grab a thing she wants (I don't remember what) and we're getting inside!!!
Inside
The stage has two big vertical screens which show member's heart rates. It was pretty low at that time: everyone's probably around 70-80s, only Jun's sometimes reach 90-something. Surprisingly, Tokyo Dome is not very big... but it's indeed high. From our seats we couldn't see their face very well, but there are some big screens showing the closeups: on the right and left side of the stage, and another two on the wall across the stage. Those screens showing different images from the vertical screens at times, so yes... for a first-timer like me I really have to manage my times between looking at the actual person (which are so tiny~ far away~), the vertical screens, the big screen, or... to use my binoculars XP. Our seats are pretty on the side so if there's member who stand on the far left of the stage we couldn't see him very well. Also, I dunno why but the at times when the lighting falls on the center of the stage it would reflect to us so we couldn't see the center stage very well ><. I took a picture of the stage but then an obaa-san behind me reminded us that cellphone is forbidden, haha. However we managed to take a pic before keeping our phones inside the bag.
I was excited waiting for the boys to come out so I didn't really pay attention to the announcement on the screen but Berda explained that we should turn off the fanlight when we're told so. I know they'll celebrate Aiba's bday but don't really understand that they asked for our cooperation for this. I prepared my fanlight and Berda took out her Love con penlight. She didn't buy fanlight this year. We also preparing our binoculars and I was surprised when Berda took out her "special shorts". When I asked her, turned out that she's the girl who've sent mail to Aiba's Rekomen asking about his pants size so she could make him one, about a few years ago. She actually made it and succesfully passed a pair of shorts to Aiba's mom in Keikarou! She also made a twin pair of it for her to keep, haha! I told her, "So that was you!!! How come??? The world's really is small right?" I remembered asking here and there who the girl was since she said she's from Indonesia but never got answered. Well, Berda said she's not that active in online community and such, so that's explained. She kept waving the shorts in front of her face throughout the show, especially when Aiba passed near our section LOL. And then slowly... the music is fading in~
The Show
I thought the boys would appear right away but they didn't. Five figures wearing what looks like a japanese traditional armour appeared from five different spots on the stage, each with different member's colors. Four of them came from the end of the X-shaped stage and one from the back of the main stage I guess? I'm not sure if they were members, juniors, or merely empty dummy (a.k.a. walking properties) but they're moving toward the middle of the main stage where they gathered there. They really didn't look like walking, instead they looked like sliding (?) probably on carts or running by machine.
While all this happening, as usual, they showed us VTR as an intro for the opening: Each member is shown with naked top and brown pants (which makes me remembered We Can Make It! PV somehow) with different poses: laying, crouching, sitting, or standing. I can see that Sho is well-built, Jun's arm and shoulders is bigger/bulkier (HAHAHA), Riida's is toned though small and thin, surprisingly Nino's one pack isn't that obvious XD, it's just quite flat I guess? Haha. Aiba-chan's abs are packed but he's so thin (probably because he's tall/lanky right) I wanna cry for him... Oh poor Aiba-chan, he must be too busy that he could be so thin like that. Remember when he had a lot of interviews for My Girl back then? He said how much he ate he won't get fat at all. Oh, Aiba-chan... please stay healthy!
TBQH I feel kinda guilty seeing them half naked like that, moreover observing them too much XP I didn't even pay attention to the stage at all, ahaha *slapped myself*. Btw each of them looks like waking up from their sleeping then each tapped or swiped an image shown on virtual screen in front of them. I don't really remember who's touch what... sadly. It was too quick.
So then they appeared from the center stage, wearing sparkling costumes in greenish colour with shocking orange shoes. Oh well yeah, it's not feather this time, haha! It took me quite a few seonds to realize that they played Asterisk... I thought it was Zero-G at first (blimey!). I didn't remember what song played next because either I was too excited seeing them in flesh or I just had a hard time switching between the actual stage and the big screen which showed them clearly zoomed, and also when to use my binoculars. One thing for sure: instead of crying, I was smiling widely ;)))
Song by song played, and I sang along with them. When Take Off!!! is played I remember being super excited, because in my mind there's this thought: OHHH!!! FINALLY SOMETHING ARASHI-PPOI!!! SO ARASHI-ISH!!! Take Off!!! surely is a great get-together song <3 i enjoyed it very much! I think it was about when they playedWelcome to Our Party (it was) Bittersweet (I have checked XP) that the boys starting doing aisatsu. Everyone's aisatsu felt too short, too fast: Aiba-chan with his digi digi tali tali-things (LMAO), Nino being too short but sounded very very excited (it makes me shiver how I could feel his excitement in his shoutings), Jun with his usual "make you happy" statement (super duper short IMO, but yes... he sounded so 'bossy'...? LOL), and Riida with his digitalian matsuri, again super short but I managed to answer Riida's "DEIN!!!" <3 YAY. Sho was the last and as usual he asked the crowd a lot, the upper stage part as well, and it really felt that Sho's are the longest, dunno why.
I think it was after aisatsu when Aiba solo came up next. They showed us VTR that shows many Aiba's (try-to-be-kakkoii-but-ended-up) silly and goofy faces and there's also caption that apparently told us to shout "Disco Star" because everyone started shouting. I'm following the crowd and shouting as hard as I could, chanting so that the Mr. Disco Star coming up asap. A mikoshi came out carried by a group of Juniors and Berda told me that it was empty, Aiba wasn't there because he's supposed to appear from the trap door from under the stage. I haven't said this, but from our seats we can clearly saw where the trap doors on the stage are. The mikoshi then stopped in the middle of center stage, the curtain opened to reveal our Disco Star!!!
There he was! Wearing a colorful shiny shirt (mainly pink tho) with something like soba (as Nino said!) hanging along the lower part of the sleeves. I could feel that everyone's getting pumped up, the whole dome chanting along the uh-uh-uh parts and it felt so... united. I felt myself in between excitement and holding my laughters and swept by this wave of fan chants. If only the place I was standing is wider I would laughing my ass on the floor, literally. My stomach hurts seeing Aiba being goofy and full of himself but at the same time handsome, hot, and smexy... in a way that you can laugh about it. Oh, Aiba... I have no more word for you except that everyone's enjoying your solo too much ;))) *said gently* I give up!!!
Aiba's solo feels so short yet so long, short because it went by like a flash, and long probably because after that I felt tired from laughing, ahaha. Well, after the Disco Star gone, here comes Mr. Rapper. Sho's solo felt longer than Aiba's, I bet it's the intro part when he asked, "What's happines?" and such. The VTR on the vertical screens show various captions, one that really got into me was, "Who's your real people?". It made me thinking quite a while, haha. Maybe because it's right after Aiba's solo, Hey Yeah! felt less hyped... you can imagine. But I think it was a good thing: we could calm down a little bit. XP
MC
I forgot what song came right after Sho's but then it suddenly the MC part after Love Wonderland. I think not many people familiar with this song because the crowd sounds quieter when the boys performed it. The girl on my right side is a Japanese fans and she kept doing the dance (like the Juniors do!) even for Love Wonderland! I think she was sugoi! Sasuga Japanese fans! This is it! When they're doing the MC, I realized: if it's DVD then we're already spent about 1 hour... o.O It was totally didn't feel that way, it feels like only 20-30minutes instead. Guess normal clock doesn't work inside Tokyo Dome? ;P
My Japanese skill is crappy so I didn't remember what they say in exact, but I could catch the basic means. Sho started by talking about the heart rates monitor and told us not to mixed it up with the number of fanlight in member's colors. In which came up the explanation about the heart rate monitor and how some members' rates never went up high. This dragged to janken to choose two members to test the monitor: Ohno and Nino ended up running forth and back, their heart rates going up in an instant. Aiba jokingly teased Ohno when he's back from the first round and want his drink. After the race is over the two challengers lying on the floors, Jun scolded them because they're staying like that too long (DoS!).I'm kinda forgot the order so I will cheat from @yarukizero reports on this XP.
Next they talked about the muscle technology used in this concert this time. Sho took this chance to asked Jun to show his muscle gag, with "How's Matsumoto-kun's muscle today?" to which Jun replied in a genki way. Jun then asked Ohno the same question and Ohno answered with a modified version of Jun's. Apparently this is popular among the members lately. Moving on to the explanation about the fanlight, Jun said that there are times the fanlight controlled by the staff with the wifi technology but not all the times. It depends on the song too. Jun also asked for our cooperation to do the quick-wave with the fanlight when cue is given later. To this point, we're told to test the fanlight and follow the instruction: to turn it off, then turn it on again. This was actually the sign for Aiba's birthday surprise, so when we're told to turn it on, actually it's only for the people whose seats got tapes under. It's read "OMEDETOU MASAKI" in green light. Aiba seemed really surprised with this and he said thanks with very happy looks on his face. A big cake was out to the stage, with a lot of strawberries and candle. So we're all singing happy birthday to him, I remember the part, "Happy birthday dear Masaki" where some of the audiences seem to sing it as "Happy birthday dear Masaki" then Aiba blew the candle. And while the fanlight is on the members asked the staff to take a pic for them with the "OMEDETOU MASAKI" as background. Then they took Aiba's picture with the fanlight background. Aiba said his birthday speech and he asked when did the guys prepare for this and they said that they came about one hour early than Aiba (on 11). Sho said they tried to prevent Aiba from take a look at the venue and admit that he acted as Aiba's bodyguard today and keep the disco star stay near him. In which Aiba said, "So that's why Sho-chan is extremely close today". He keep saying thank you to the members, to us, and the staffs. He sounds so sweet and yasashii here~
Aiba-chan promoted his movie, Miracle Debikuro-kun and then Nino talked about his upcoming movie, Haha to Kuraseba. Of course this lead to Sho spoke about his drama sp where he played chef, Taishikakka Ryourinin. Since the setting is in Vietnam, Aiba asked him whether he went to Hanoi for the filming. Sho clearly avoid this question and when Aiba kept pushing him, he settled the matter diplomatically with, "You'll see when you watch the drama". LOL. I'm pretty sure Sho didn't go to Hanoi and doing most of the filming in the studio instead. You see, that's why no Vietnam- related souvenir whatsoever for the members (in which Aiba might be pestering him for this XP). While Sho teasingly answer this way, he sounds normal... as for Nino, everytime he speaks he totally sounds so bratty I realized (really!).
So for the next part, we're told to turn on and wave our fanlight in certain way. I don't understand why but they talked about the member's colors (probably related to the fanlight) in which each member had to introduce themselves with their respective colors.
Aiba-chan was first, followed by Sho who energetically rapping part of Hip Hop Boogie but he missed the point that he's the red one LOL. Ohno said he's in charge of sea, so he's blue then Nino... yeah Nino said he loves money the most so he's yellow (no connection right!) ROFL. This guy really has no shame!!! Lastly Jun said he's in charge of concert and he's purple (rather plain tho *smacked*). So we're doing Wish following the instruction and did very quick wave.
Second Half
Nino solo came next! Nino wears green and red for his solo costumes. As I recall, he's just standing there in the middle of the stage singing and playing his guitar all the time. It was rather ordinary (sorry!) but still it's good to see the brat playing his guitar huh. One great thing is that our fanlights were lit up in green, red, and white colors alternately in a beatiful pattern. I realized that the stage (yep! The stage!) are also lit up with same colors so it looks like we audiences is the part of the stage! I have to admit that the highlight of Nino's solo must be the lighting set up!
Nino's solo felt like a flash then Jun's solo came up next. He wears white, rather simple costumes this time. Not too sparkly like usual. The backup dancers were wearing black I recall? Or else something dark. It was a dance number so we got Jun dancing a lot this time, which is included some complicated footwork and get down on the floor. I remember I attentively watched Jun and Jun only that time so I didn't really pay attention to the fanlights, stage, or such. I think they have smoke in Jun's solo tho.
Following Jun's solo is Ohchan's <3 Ahh, finally!!! I know his solo will be short so I (once again) paid attention to him almost glaringly, ahaha. I don't wanna miss even a twitch surely! Ohchan's wearing a black and slightly gold/silver-y costumes. It's not the rough kind, or rather it's the fitted style one. The dance moves are, as expected, detailed, sharp, and fast o.O. I even hardly breath just to follow the movement. Not that it's complicated or what. But as I predicted, it was short >< Well, maybe it's just me. I really wish I was closer though *smacked*.
Leader stayed up in the stage for the next song. As the other four came out wearing similar colors costumes like him, the music leads us for Tell Me Why. It was a powerful performance, Sho did his rap superbly. Trap was next, a number where they dance with a lot of Juniors and doing formations. Somehow it reminded me of Love Tour's Intergalactic combined with Monochrome...? The feeling. After Trap, the boys spreading all over the further stage, performing Troublemaker followed by Lucky Man. Okay, energetic and familiar songs came up so I'm waving my fanlight energetically while singing along. They disappeared off the stage after Lucky Man.
It was silent for a little while then the boys appeared one by one in white costumes. I guess Ohno is the first to appear? The intro took quite some times since each of them “test” their muscle-instrument. With certain movement each member produced each unique sound. One member probably got 2-3 movements each, involving hand, legs, and head (?). At first I didn't realize it was Hope in the Darkness, because the melody is coming slowly... like the accent dance part? Yep, let's call it the accent dance part. I'm not sure if it's because the silence gap, or the slow intro, but Hope in the Darkness performance really hit me: it was gorgeous, grand, beautiful, and mesmerizing. You couldn't blink an eye for this performance, my ears were in full wake up mode (if you know what I mean). It got the impact. I was taken away.
And so when Zero-G played next I have difficulty to recognize what song it was. In my mind, it was always P.A.R.A.D.O.X. You know, I need to use my binoculars intensely for this performance since all members are dancing and it's hard to recognize which was who from our seats. I want to see Ohno's dance well this time XP. However, no matter how hard I tried to focus to Ohno and Jun, I always get distracted by Nino's -_-|| His hip movement is too ero intense >,<. All Nino wifey need to pay attention for this in DVD eh? Fufu~
15th Anniversary Medley
Zero-G marked the end of the main show and everyone left the stage. They're back with ballons which I've been expecting from the beginning, because we would see the boys closer. YAY. Ballons mean they'll get higher and closer to the upper floor. I was so excited so I'm waving desperately everytime someone's getting closer to our section. They're singing the single song from each year since their debut, starting from A.RA.SHI of course. Oh, they're wearing the red Hawaii costumes by the way. Sho's waving a lot and see at our section quite long. Aiba-chan too, with his brilliant and dazzling smiles always on his bright face. We got Nino's waving a bit, but hey!!! I got Jun the closest and longest!!! He's even really (I mean, REALLY) looking at our seats attentively. Oh Jun, thank you so much. That's because Jun flew the highest that night so I could see him very well <3 (just as expected from J huh), moreover it was loooongggggg. (OK, how many times I will repeat this XP). It was definitely the moment of my life *flies*. ;))))) By this point I couldn't stop grinning... haha.
The only thing I couldn't get was Ohno's attention. His ballon was lower (I dunno why... hey staff!!!) and when he passed our section he looked at the lower/front part, which is closer to him. I kept whispering in my head desperately, look at here, look at here, upper part, upper part, upper part but he didn't raise his head up >><< (ahh, so frustating!) I should shout his name instead.... Not only that he looked at the lower part, it was also just for a while because shortly after he tilted his head away to the arena direction. Hey! I mean... you're on a ballon! Take a look at the upper part please!!! That's what ballon meant for!!! Okay, I've done getting angry at Ohno btw. XP
Aside from that, I'm enjoying the moments by singing along with the boys... all those familiar old songs huh <3. To be honest I don't remember when the boys get off the ballons and move to the stage... One Love? Or Monster? Sorry. What I clearly remember was that song by song passed by very quickly and then they danced Daremo Shiranai and GUTS! on the center stage. I'm enjoying their Guts! performace too much, or so I guess, but the fan right beside me clearly having more blast than me. She's doing the dance movement eagerly and without flaw! Yappari, Japanese fan is just... wow.
It's kinda sudden, but after Guts! it's time for the closing speech (ehh? Already? I remember thought so). It wasn't instructed but it seems it's been a custom to switch the fanlight color to the color of the member speaking at that time. I dunno this, but Berda noticed that everyone doing so, so she told me to do that. Well you know, the atmosphere of the closing speech part is always... I dunno, not exactly sad but... mellow? Haha. It's like telling us it's goodbye soon. I was surprised that I didn't cry when I saw the boys at the first time. I thought I would be, but I told myself to be strong and hold it so I could see the boys clearly, not blurred by tears LOL. But well, so far I didn't. Surprisingly the atmosphere from the start is a light, cheerful, and exciting one. Yet here at the closing speech part, my eyes felt hot huh.
Closing Speeches
Sho-kun was first, or so I recalled, and again he talked a lot: about Hawaii, about him being grateful for us (T^T) and many things. He didn't forget to say hi (once more) to the people on the upper section, naturally. It's no surprise that I felt his genuiness in his voice, as well as how warm and thoughtful it was. I know my Japanese is below bad, but the fact that I could felt Sho's kindness is somehow... sugoi! Anyone who said that when Sho snapped he can be very harsh somehow sounds so fake, that I can only think that he's snapped it must be for a very very good (and acceptable) reason. That's the only impression I can perceive.
Ohno's closing speech was short in my opinion (or again maybe it's me being biased that I can't never get enough of anything Ohno >< my bad). He's jokingly scold fans who displaying an “Satoshi” uchiwa when he's near and changing it to “Sho” when Sho-kun is near instead. Oh, LOL. I'm laughing so hard at this and I realized if there's any tears flowed out from the start that would be out of (over)laughter and cracking up, ahaha. Ah, but he said that the action must be out of kindness and kinda praise us for that, ahaha. Yasashii~ Riida's gentleness is somehow different from Sho's: while Sho sounds so kind, he's doing it politely and properly. While Riida was more casual and friendly? I can feel the different “distance” there. Hmm, not about which is closer but about the... stance is the right word I suppose? Ahh, I'm so bad at explaining this.
Overflowing thanks came from Aiba when he spoke his closing speech. Aiba truly reminded us to be always grateful and not forget to express it properly huh <3. Yet as expected from a tennen he didn't betray his image: we laughed because he said something good then quickly revealed to us that the quote's originally some else's. ROFL. Oh, Aiba... how many times did I already say Oh, Aiba? Oh yeah, even tho he's sweating A LOT now he's still looking great. Even more shining in my opinion. It seems the sweats make him gleaming all over and his handsomeness is more than real. He must be very happy, or else... like people said, he must be badly in love XP. I now can fully understand why people who came to Hawaii keep saying that Aiba is “ridiculuosly handsome”. It was exactly the words for our miracle boy. Please note that it should not be meant to humiliate, but said kindly with amazement. LOL.
Of course the brat will use the chance of the person talking before him as a (must) part of his closing speech, haha. You can tell from his way of talking that Nino is truly a mischievious person, especially when he pointed other member's, well I wouldn't say weakness but like... trait? Like Aiba's silliness for example. Oh. We're all know Nino though, it's all said smartly and surprisingly we could feel his kindness(!) from the tones he spoke. Somehow he talked about something that very close to sad but not that sad: that the songs performed in this concert might be not performed again in the future. That it's probably the last chance he sung those songs... Nino indeed is intriguing person in a way but still I was surprised that he can show his melancholic and romantic part smoothly, almost inconspicuous. That guy is something. Up to now I still have this tendency to wanna slap or kick him but will be stop once seeing his cute and seemingly innocent face. Ugh, the brat. Haha. Overall, basically Nino is again saying his part very well and he clearly knows how to express his gratitude. At least, I can feel it, the different Nino. :D
Smoothly passed from Nino to Jun, the last. He's serious. And he talked deeply. I missed what he's exactly said which seems to be the effect that he talked so seriously. Nevertheless I feel his trueness. It was so real and seeping in that what he said word by word isn't that matter anymore. Not that it's trivial or not important, but more because of he talked passionately. Jun is passionately calm if you know what I mean. Unlike Aiba who emits explosion, Jun is way deeper. People may mistaken him to be solemn or too formal yet for me it was because he want to express his deepest feeling exactly the way it is as much as possible, without lessening the weight or escalating it. It's hard thing to do right? I respect him so much more now.
Kimi no Yume wo Miteita was the last song. The screens on the vertical wings showed a lot of fans photos taken by the staff. I think Jun turned his back a lot to see them (ahh~). I alternately seeing the boys and the pics, a little bit disappointed that I didn't came early so I could appear at those screen(haha, childish!). I know this was the last, and it means that I won't see them again for quite a while. That, and seeing everyone's faces on the screen and imagine their efforts to be able to come here, at Tokyo Dome, somehow makes my eyes feel hot. I thought, Oh no! Why? Why? Why? I came a loooooongggg way here and it's ending now and it's too fast and I haven't seen Ohno too well yet, and oh... Yet I feel accomplishment and happiness. I'm so grateful that I can be here and I know sooner or later the moment will end. It was a mixed feeling. Haha. I think my tears flowed through the corner of my eyes a little bit (which I tried to hide from Berda, 'coz I didn't wanna thought to be lame). When the boys say thank yous and goodbyes I'm waving my fanlight so hard and saying to them back, arigatou, arigatou, arigatou, for everything. I thought, so this is it... I shouldn't be sad because of this, have to use it as the energy for a new start instead. Be strong, myself! (Ugh I was too sentimental ><). Because of this I couldn't listen to Kimi no Yume wo Miteita for days after, I was afraid the feeling will return.
The En...?
So the boys leaving the stage. Ahhhh. I still thought, is it possible for them to come out again? But then an announcer came out to the stage and said, “Hai, ijou desu...” (or something like that) and my mind went... so that's it. Or so I thought. Because almost right after... the boys came out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I COULDN'T BELIEVE. Everyone too! Jun teased us by mocking the announcer, and said, “Ijou desu...”. Huh, Jun!!! I hate you when you tease like that but I'm so happy so I forgive you!!! Right, by this time my eyes literally went out of control... the water is flowing down. I cried hard, but with a very very wide smile on my face. Can you imagine that??? I can't be more lame huh. Just like Jun, he didn't let us away easily, he asked if we're really want to continue which of course we're all say YES! Other members joined this scheme though and teasing us too. Jun said that it's the last day of the tour so it's okay to have one more song, and it was Kansha Kangeki Ame Arashi. Perfect song right? Haha. I didn't care anymore about how I looked and singing happily while crying and smiling and waving all the way~ The boys also enjoying the times and they messed around energetically on the stage. It's the last after all!!! ;DDD
Then they left the stage and it's done. It's for real this time. I'm no longer have regrets. The last encore totally paid for it. Saikou encore!!!
The people in the arena moving first. We didn't get out right away but wait for a while before joining the queue to get through the gate. We took pics before went out of the dome, the goods sale is still going on inside and outside. When we went out, we get through the door that pushed out people who pass with a strong wind pressure, apparently set up so people can get out fast and don't stuck there. I dunno what is it called, but it was my first time seeing and experiencing it. It was fun though. Outside, it's dark already. The crowd of people are everywhere and many people still queueing to take a pic of The Digitalian display outside, now that it's dark the display lit up beautifully. The queue was crazy so we didn't join in but took a pic from the side instead XP. I almost lost Berda but then we were able to make our way out of the crowd and headed to Suidobashi Station. Phew.
My best shot of The Digitalian Monument (?). The crowd is just crazy!
It was superb! Somehow, with this concert the sense of unity feels so real: our fanlights become parts of the stage and the concert itself. Otsukare Arashi~
My photography skill sucks ><
And I'll be back!!! ;)))
Sorry that this is a loooong post but rather than a report, it's more like my impression of the concert itself. Since it was my first time attend an Arashi concert and it took me quite some times to finish writing this all (yep, due to work and internet connection), there may be many things missed. Plus the fact that I didn't take even a note to write interesting things happened when the show is going (my bad!). So yeah, mistakes are much possible. Pardon for any structure and grammar mistake, English is not my first language and I keep studying it forever.
I arrived quite late in the Dome area. We're allowed to get inside starting 14.00 but I think I was arrived on 14.30. Plus, I have to wait for Berda, my friend from whom I got the ticket, as she's also watching the concert. It took only a minute or so to tap my fanlight in the area near the Tokyo Dome Hotel and then I headed to the front of the Dome. There are already many people packed up the area, but I still have to wait so I took my time to buy extra goods I want (can't help it! XP). My plan is to buy a medal brooch, roller stamp, and another Ohno's mini uchiwa for my sister (I was totally forgot so I only bought one for myself on 19th). To my surprise I found that Ohno's mini uchiwa is sold out! Not long after followed by group's clearfile and Ohno's clearfile also out of stock! Well, Ohno is popular lately it seems? Also it's the last day of the tour so people might be buying extra goods as many as possible, haha.
Inside
The stage has two big vertical screens which show member's heart rates. It was pretty low at that time: everyone's probably around 70-80s, only Jun's sometimes reach 90-something. Surprisingly, Tokyo Dome is not very big... but it's indeed high. From our seats we couldn't see their face very well, but there are some big screens showing the closeups: on the right and left side of the stage, and another two on the wall across the stage. Those screens showing different images from the vertical screens at times, so yes... for a first-timer like me I really have to manage my times between looking at the actual person (which are so tiny~ far away~), the vertical screens, the big screen, or... to use my binoculars XP. Our seats are pretty on the side so if there's member who stand on the far left of the stage we couldn't see him very well. Also, I dunno why but the at times when the lighting falls on the center of the stage it would reflect to us so we couldn't see the center stage very well ><. I took a picture of the stage but then an obaa-san behind me reminded us that cellphone is forbidden, haha. However we managed to take a pic before keeping our phones inside the bag.
I was excited waiting for the boys to come out so I didn't really pay attention to the announcement on the screen but Berda explained that we should turn off the fanlight when we're told so. I know they'll celebrate Aiba's bday but don't really understand that they asked for our cooperation for this. I prepared my fanlight and Berda took out her Love con penlight. She didn't buy fanlight this year. We also preparing our binoculars and I was surprised when Berda took out her "special shorts". When I asked her, turned out that she's the girl who've sent mail to Aiba's Rekomen asking about his pants size so she could make him one, about a few years ago. She actually made it and succesfully passed a pair of shorts to Aiba's mom in Keikarou! She also made a twin pair of it for her to keep, haha! I told her, "So that was you!!! How come??? The world's really is small right?" I remembered asking here and there who the girl was since she said she's from Indonesia but never got answered. Well, Berda said she's not that active in online community and such, so that's explained. She kept waving the shorts in front of her face throughout the show, especially when Aiba passed near our section LOL. And then slowly... the music is fading in~
The Show
I thought the boys would appear right away but they didn't. Five figures wearing what looks like a japanese traditional armour appeared from five different spots on the stage, each with different member's colors. Four of them came from the end of the X-shaped stage and one from the back of the main stage I guess? I'm not sure if they were members, juniors, or merely empty dummy (a.k.a. walking properties) but they're moving toward the middle of the main stage where they gathered there. They really didn't look like walking, instead they looked like sliding (?) probably on carts or running by machine.
While all this happening, as usual, they showed us VTR as an intro for the opening: Each member is shown with naked top and brown pants (which makes me remembered We Can Make It! PV somehow) with different poses: laying, crouching, sitting, or standing. I can see that Sho is well-built, Jun's arm and shoulders is bigger/bulkier (HAHAHA), Riida's is toned though small and thin, surprisingly Nino's one pack isn't that obvious XD, it's just quite flat I guess? Haha. Aiba-chan's abs are packed but he's so thin (probably because he's tall/lanky right) I wanna cry for him... Oh poor Aiba-chan, he must be too busy that he could be so thin like that. Remember when he had a lot of interviews for My Girl back then? He said how much he ate he won't get fat at all. Oh, Aiba-chan... please stay healthy!
TBQH I feel kinda guilty seeing them half naked like that, moreover observing them too much XP I didn't even pay attention to the stage at all, ahaha *slapped myself*. Btw each of them looks like waking up from their sleeping then each tapped or swiped an image shown on virtual screen in front of them. I don't really remember who's touch what... sadly. It was too quick.
So then they appeared from the center stage, wearing sparkling costumes in greenish colour with shocking orange shoes. Oh well yeah, it's not feather this time, haha! It took me quite a few seonds to realize that they played Asterisk... I thought it was Zero-G at first (blimey!). I didn't remember what song played next because either I was too excited seeing them in flesh or I just had a hard time switching between the actual stage and the big screen which showed them clearly zoomed, and also when to use my binoculars. One thing for sure: instead of crying, I was smiling widely ;)))
Song by song played, and I sang along with them. When Take Off!!! is played I remember being super excited, because in my mind there's this thought: OHHH!!! FINALLY SOMETHING ARASHI-PPOI!!! SO ARASHI-ISH!!! Take Off!!! surely is a great get-together song <3 i enjoyed it very much! I think it was about when they played
I think it was after aisatsu when Aiba solo came up next. They showed us VTR that shows many Aiba's (try-to-be-kakkoii-but-ended-up) silly and goofy faces and there's also caption that apparently told us to shout "Disco Star" because everyone started shouting. I'm following the crowd and shouting as hard as I could, chanting so that the Mr. Disco Star coming up asap. A mikoshi came out carried by a group of Juniors and Berda told me that it was empty, Aiba wasn't there because he's supposed to appear from the trap door from under the stage. I haven't said this, but from our seats we can clearly saw where the trap doors on the stage are. The mikoshi then stopped in the middle of center stage, the curtain opened to reveal our Disco Star!!!
There he was! Wearing a colorful shiny shirt (mainly pink tho) with something like soba (as Nino said!) hanging along the lower part of the sleeves. I could feel that everyone's getting pumped up, the whole dome chanting along the uh-uh-uh parts and it felt so... united. I felt myself in between excitement and holding my laughters and swept by this wave of fan chants. If only the place I was standing is wider I would laughing my ass on the floor, literally. My stomach hurts seeing Aiba being goofy and full of himself but at the same time handsome, hot, and smexy... in a way that you can laugh about it. Oh, Aiba... I have no more word for you except that everyone's enjoying your solo too much ;))) *said gently* I give up!!!
Aiba's solo feels so short yet so long, short because it went by like a flash, and long probably because after that I felt tired from laughing, ahaha. Well, after the Disco Star gone, here comes Mr. Rapper. Sho's solo felt longer than Aiba's, I bet it's the intro part when he asked, "What's happines?" and such. The VTR on the vertical screens show various captions, one that really got into me was, "Who's your real people?". It made me thinking quite a while, haha. Maybe because it's right after Aiba's solo, Hey Yeah! felt less hyped... you can imagine. But I think it was a good thing: we could calm down a little bit. XP
MC
I forgot what song came right after Sho's but then it suddenly the MC part after Love Wonderland. I think not many people familiar with this song because the crowd sounds quieter when the boys performed it. The girl on my right side is a Japanese fans and she kept doing the dance (like the Juniors do!) even for Love Wonderland! I think she was sugoi! Sasuga Japanese fans! This is it! When they're doing the MC, I realized: if it's DVD then we're already spent about 1 hour... o.O It was totally didn't feel that way, it feels like only 20-30minutes instead. Guess normal clock doesn't work inside Tokyo Dome? ;P
My Japanese skill is crappy so I didn't remember what they say in exact, but I could catch the basic means. Sho started by talking about the heart rates monitor and told us not to mixed it up with the number of fanlight in member's colors. In which came up the explanation about the heart rate monitor and how some members' rates never went up high. This dragged to janken to choose two members to test the monitor: Ohno and Nino ended up running forth and back, their heart rates going up in an instant. Aiba jokingly teased Ohno when he's back from the first round and want his drink. After the race is over the two challengers lying on the floors, Jun scolded them because they're staying like that too long (DoS!).
Next they talked about the muscle technology used in this concert this time. Sho took this chance to asked Jun to show his muscle gag, with "How's Matsumoto-kun's muscle today?" to which Jun replied in a genki way. Jun then asked Ohno the same question and Ohno answered with a modified version of Jun's. Apparently this is popular among the members lately. Moving on to the explanation about the fanlight, Jun said that there are times the fanlight controlled by the staff with the wifi technology but not all the times. It depends on the song too. Jun also asked for our cooperation to do the quick-wave with the fanlight when cue is given later. To this point, we're told to test the fanlight and follow the instruction: to turn it off, then turn it on again. This was actually the sign for Aiba's birthday surprise, so when we're told to turn it on, actually it's only for the people whose seats got tapes under. It's read "OMEDETOU MASAKI" in green light. Aiba seemed really surprised with this and he said thanks with very happy looks on his face. A big cake was out to the stage, with a lot of strawberries and candle. So we're all singing happy birthday to him, I remember the part, "Happy birthday dear Masaki" where some of the audiences seem to sing it as "Happy birthday dear Masaki" then Aiba blew the candle. And while the fanlight is on the members asked the staff to take a pic for them with the "OMEDETOU MASAKI" as background. Then they took Aiba's picture with the fanlight background. Aiba said his birthday speech and he asked when did the guys prepare for this and they said that they came about one hour early than Aiba (on 11). Sho said they tried to prevent Aiba from take a look at the venue and admit that he acted as Aiba's bodyguard today and keep the disco star stay near him. In which Aiba said, "So that's why Sho-chan is extremely close today". He keep saying thank you to the members, to us, and the staffs. He sounds so sweet and yasashii here~
Aiba-chan promoted his movie, Miracle Debikuro-kun and then Nino talked about his upcoming movie, Haha to Kuraseba. Of course this lead to Sho spoke about his drama sp where he played chef, Taishikakka Ryourinin. Since the setting is in Vietnam, Aiba asked him whether he went to Hanoi for the filming. Sho clearly avoid this question and when Aiba kept pushing him, he settled the matter diplomatically with, "You'll see when you watch the drama". LOL. I'm pretty sure Sho didn't go to Hanoi and doing most of the filming in the studio instead. You see, that's why no Vietnam- related souvenir whatsoever for the members (in which Aiba might be pestering him for this XP). While Sho teasingly answer this way, he sounds normal... as for Nino, everytime he speaks he totally sounds so bratty I realized (really!).
So for the next part, we're told to turn on and wave our fanlight in certain way. I don't understand why but they talked about the member's colors (probably related to the fanlight) in which each member had to introduce themselves with their respective colors.
Aiba-chan was first, followed by Sho who energetically rapping part of Hip Hop Boogie but he missed the point that he's the red one LOL. Ohno said he's in charge of sea, so he's blue then Nino... yeah Nino said he loves money the most so he's yellow (no connection right!) ROFL. This guy really has no shame!!! Lastly Jun said he's in charge of concert and he's purple (rather plain tho *smacked*). So we're doing Wish following the instruction and did very quick wave.
Second Half
Nino solo came next! Nino wears green and red for his solo costumes. As I recall, he's just standing there in the middle of the stage singing and playing his guitar all the time. It was rather ordinary (sorry!) but still it's good to see the brat playing his guitar huh. One great thing is that our fanlights were lit up in green, red, and white colors alternately in a beatiful pattern. I realized that the stage (yep! The stage!) are also lit up with same colors so it looks like we audiences is the part of the stage! I have to admit that the highlight of Nino's solo must be the lighting set up!
Nino's solo felt like a flash then Jun's solo came up next. He wears white, rather simple costumes this time. Not too sparkly like usual. The backup dancers were wearing black I recall? Or else something dark. It was a dance number so we got Jun dancing a lot this time, which is included some complicated footwork and get down on the floor. I remember I attentively watched Jun and Jun only that time so I didn't really pay attention to the fanlights, stage, or such. I think they have smoke in Jun's solo tho.
Following Jun's solo is Ohchan's <3 Ahh, finally!!! I know his solo will be short so I (once again) paid attention to him almost glaringly, ahaha. I don't wanna miss even a twitch surely! Ohchan's wearing a black and slightly gold/silver-y costumes. It's not the rough kind, or rather it's the fitted style one. The dance moves are, as expected, detailed, sharp, and fast o.O. I even hardly breath just to follow the movement. Not that it's complicated or what. But as I predicted, it was short >< Well, maybe it's just me. I really wish I was closer though *smacked*.
Leader stayed up in the stage for the next song. As the other four came out wearing similar colors costumes like him, the music leads us for Tell Me Why. It was a powerful performance, Sho did his rap superbly. Trap was next, a number where they dance with a lot of Juniors and doing formations. Somehow it reminded me of Love Tour's Intergalactic combined with Monochrome...? The feeling. After Trap, the boys spreading all over the further stage, performing Troublemaker followed by Lucky Man. Okay, energetic and familiar songs came up so I'm waving my fanlight energetically while singing along. They disappeared off the stage after Lucky Man.
It was silent for a little while then the boys appeared one by one in white costumes. I guess Ohno is the first to appear? The intro took quite some times since each of them “test” their muscle-instrument. With certain movement each member produced each unique sound. One member probably got 2-3 movements each, involving hand, legs, and head (?). At first I didn't realize it was Hope in the Darkness, because the melody is coming slowly... like the accent dance part? Yep, let's call it the accent dance part. I'm not sure if it's because the silence gap, or the slow intro, but Hope in the Darkness performance really hit me: it was gorgeous, grand, beautiful, and mesmerizing. You couldn't blink an eye for this performance, my ears were in full wake up mode (if you know what I mean). It got the impact. I was taken away.
And so when Zero-G played next I have difficulty to recognize what song it was. In my mind, it was always P.A.R.A.D.O.X. You know, I need to use my binoculars intensely for this performance since all members are dancing and it's hard to recognize which was who from our seats. I want to see Ohno's dance well this time XP. However, no matter how hard I tried to focus to Ohno and Jun, I always get distracted by Nino's -_-|| His hip movement is too ero intense >,<. All Nino wifey need to pay attention for this in DVD eh? Fufu~
15th Anniversary Medley
Zero-G marked the end of the main show and everyone left the stage. They're back with ballons which I've been expecting from the beginning, because we would see the boys closer. YAY. Ballons mean they'll get higher and closer to the upper floor. I was so excited so I'm waving desperately everytime someone's getting closer to our section. They're singing the single song from each year since their debut, starting from A.RA.SHI of course. Oh, they're wearing the red Hawaii costumes by the way. Sho's waving a lot and see at our section quite long. Aiba-chan too, with his brilliant and dazzling smiles always on his bright face. We got Nino's waving a bit, but hey!!! I got Jun the closest and longest!!! He's even really (I mean, REALLY) looking at our seats attentively. Oh Jun, thank you so much. That's because Jun flew the highest that night so I could see him very well <3 (just as expected from J huh), moreover it was loooongggggg. (OK, how many times I will repeat this XP). It was definitely the moment of my life *flies*. ;))))) By this point I couldn't stop grinning... haha.
The only thing I couldn't get was Ohno's attention. His ballon was lower (I dunno why... hey staff!!!) and when he passed our section he looked at the lower/front part, which is closer to him. I kept whispering in my head desperately, look at here, look at here, upper part, upper part, upper part but he didn't raise his head up >><< (ahh, so frustating!) I should shout his name instead.... Not only that he looked at the lower part, it was also just for a while because shortly after he tilted his head away to the arena direction. Hey! I mean... you're on a ballon! Take a look at the upper part please!!! That's what ballon meant for!!! Okay, I've done getting angry at Ohno btw. XP
Aside from that, I'm enjoying the moments by singing along with the boys... all those familiar old songs huh <3. To be honest I don't remember when the boys get off the ballons and move to the stage... One Love? Or Monster? Sorry. What I clearly remember was that song by song passed by very quickly and then they danced Daremo Shiranai and GUTS! on the center stage. I'm enjoying their Guts! performace too much, or so I guess, but the fan right beside me clearly having more blast than me. She's doing the dance movement eagerly and without flaw! Yappari, Japanese fan is just... wow.
It's kinda sudden, but after Guts! it's time for the closing speech (ehh? Already? I remember thought so). It wasn't instructed but it seems it's been a custom to switch the fanlight color to the color of the member speaking at that time. I dunno this, but Berda noticed that everyone doing so, so she told me to do that. Well you know, the atmosphere of the closing speech part is always... I dunno, not exactly sad but... mellow? Haha. It's like telling us it's goodbye soon. I was surprised that I didn't cry when I saw the boys at the first time. I thought I would be, but I told myself to be strong and hold it so I could see the boys clearly, not blurred by tears LOL. But well, so far I didn't. Surprisingly the atmosphere from the start is a light, cheerful, and exciting one. Yet here at the closing speech part, my eyes felt hot huh.
Closing Speeches
Sho-kun was first, or so I recalled, and again he talked a lot: about Hawaii, about him being grateful for us (T^T) and many things. He didn't forget to say hi (once more) to the people on the upper section, naturally. It's no surprise that I felt his genuiness in his voice, as well as how warm and thoughtful it was. I know my Japanese is below bad, but the fact that I could felt Sho's kindness is somehow... sugoi! Anyone who said that when Sho snapped he can be very harsh somehow sounds so fake, that I can only think that he's snapped it must be for a very very good (and acceptable) reason. That's the only impression I can perceive.
Ohno's closing speech was short in my opinion (or again maybe it's me being biased that I can't never get enough of anything Ohno >< my bad). He's jokingly scold fans who displaying an “Satoshi” uchiwa when he's near and changing it to “Sho” when Sho-kun is near instead. Oh, LOL. I'm laughing so hard at this and I realized if there's any tears flowed out from the start that would be out of (over)laughter and cracking up, ahaha. Ah, but he said that the action must be out of kindness and kinda praise us for that, ahaha. Yasashii~ Riida's gentleness is somehow different from Sho's: while Sho sounds so kind, he's doing it politely and properly. While Riida was more casual and friendly? I can feel the different “distance” there. Hmm, not about which is closer but about the... stance is the right word I suppose? Ahh, I'm so bad at explaining this.
Overflowing thanks came from Aiba when he spoke his closing speech. Aiba truly reminded us to be always grateful and not forget to express it properly huh <3. Yet as expected from a tennen he didn't betray his image: we laughed because he said something good then quickly revealed to us that the quote's originally some else's. ROFL. Oh, Aiba... how many times did I already say Oh, Aiba? Oh yeah, even tho he's sweating A LOT now he's still looking great. Even more shining in my opinion. It seems the sweats make him gleaming all over and his handsomeness is more than real. He must be very happy, or else... like people said, he must be badly in love XP. I now can fully understand why people who came to Hawaii keep saying that Aiba is “ridiculuosly handsome”. It was exactly the words for our miracle boy. Please note that it should not be meant to humiliate, but said kindly with amazement. LOL.
Of course the brat will use the chance of the person talking before him as a (must) part of his closing speech, haha. You can tell from his way of talking that Nino is truly a mischievious person, especially when he pointed other member's, well I wouldn't say weakness but like... trait? Like Aiba's silliness for example. Oh. We're all know Nino though, it's all said smartly and surprisingly we could feel his kindness(!) from the tones he spoke. Somehow he talked about something that very close to sad but not that sad: that the songs performed in this concert might be not performed again in the future. That it's probably the last chance he sung those songs... Nino indeed is intriguing person in a way but still I was surprised that he can show his melancholic and romantic part smoothly, almost inconspicuous. That guy is something. Up to now I still have this tendency to wanna slap or kick him but will be stop once seeing his cute and seemingly innocent face. Ugh, the brat. Haha. Overall, basically Nino is again saying his part very well and he clearly knows how to express his gratitude. At least, I can feel it, the different Nino. :D
Smoothly passed from Nino to Jun, the last. He's serious. And he talked deeply. I missed what he's exactly said which seems to be the effect that he talked so seriously. Nevertheless I feel his trueness. It was so real and seeping in that what he said word by word isn't that matter anymore. Not that it's trivial or not important, but more because of he talked passionately. Jun is passionately calm if you know what I mean. Unlike Aiba who emits explosion, Jun is way deeper. People may mistaken him to be solemn or too formal yet for me it was because he want to express his deepest feeling exactly the way it is as much as possible, without lessening the weight or escalating it. It's hard thing to do right? I respect him so much more now.
Kimi no Yume wo Miteita was the last song. The screens on the vertical wings showed a lot of fans photos taken by the staff. I think Jun turned his back a lot to see them (ahh~). I alternately seeing the boys and the pics, a little bit disappointed that I didn't came early so I could appear at those screen
The En...?
So the boys leaving the stage. Ahhhh. I still thought, is it possible for them to come out again? But then an announcer came out to the stage and said, “Hai, ijou desu...” (or something like that) and my mind went... so that's it. Or so I thought. Because almost right after... the boys came out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I COULDN'T BELIEVE. Everyone too! Jun teased us by mocking the announcer, and said, “Ijou desu...”. Huh, Jun!!! I hate you when you tease like that but I'm so happy so I forgive you!!! Right, by this time my eyes literally went out of control... the water is flowing down. I cried hard, but with a very very wide smile on my face. Can you imagine that??? I can't be more lame huh. Just like Jun, he didn't let us away easily, he asked if we're really want to continue which of course we're all say YES! Other members joined this scheme though and teasing us too. Jun said that it's the last day of the tour so it's okay to have one more song, and it was Kansha Kangeki Ame Arashi. Perfect song right? Haha. I didn't care anymore about how I looked and singing happily while crying and smiling and waving all the way~ The boys also enjoying the times and they messed around energetically on the stage. It's the last after all!!! ;DDD
Then they left the stage and it's done. It's for real this time. I'm no longer have regrets. The last encore totally paid for it. Saikou encore!!!
The people in the arena moving first. We didn't get out right away but wait for a while before joining the queue to get through the gate. We took pics before went out of the dome, the goods sale is still going on inside and outside. When we went out, we get through the door that pushed out people who pass with a strong wind pressure, apparently set up so people can get out fast and don't stuck there. I dunno what is it called, but it was my first time seeing and experiencing it. It was fun though. Outside, it's dark already. The crowd of people are everywhere and many people still queueing to take a pic of The Digitalian display outside, now that it's dark the display lit up beautifully. The queue was crazy so we didn't join in but took a pic from the side instead XP. I almost lost Berda but then we were able to make our way out of the crowd and headed to Suidobashi Station. Phew.
My best shot of The Digitalian Monument (?). The crowd is just crazy!
It was superb! Somehow, with this concert the sense of unity feels so real: our fanlights become parts of the stage and the concert itself. Otsukare Arashi~
My photography skill sucks ><
And I'll be back!!! ;)))
