TODAY, August 26, the Best of Anime (BOA) brings An Café and Valshe to the Ongaku Fest in back-to-back performances at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
For their first visit in Manila, both Japanese acts promise to bring amazing performances and their unique sound through tracks made popular in the Japanese music scene.
Visual Kei band An Café, a.k.a. Antic Café, is widely known for Kakusei Heroism ~The Hero without a Name~, the opening song of Darker than Black Season 1.
With Miku (vocalist), Takuya (guitarist), Yuuki (keyboardist) and Teruki (drummer), the 15-year old band got their first taste of success when they released Candyholic, the single that took the second spot of the Oricon indie chart in 2004.
Since then An Café has released five full-length albums, a compilation and four EPs. Outside Japan, their popularity took them to concert tours in countries in Europe as well as Canada, US, Brazil, Mexico and Korea.
Their successful streak was also marked by the band’s two-year hiatus from 2010 to 2012 that ended with an announcement of tour activities in Europe and the UK, as well as the release of their album Amazing Blue.
On June 22 the band once again announced that they would cease their activities after their farewell concert at the Ex Theater Roppongi in Japan. Citing separate interests to engage in personal pursuits, An Café members, except Miku, will be on indefinite hiatus starting January 9, 2019.
Luckily for Filipino fans at BOA, they will get a chance to witness An Café’s rocking performance way before their scheduled leave in the music scene.
Dual vocals
SHARING the Ongaku Fest stage is digital rock singer Valshe. A popular Ryouseirui (both voice types), Valshe can sing in both male and female voices.
She debuted in 2009, and her single Blessing Card placed 30th on the Daily Oricon, while her album release V.D. landed in 10th place in the said charts as well.
Valshe is also popularly known for her vocals on Butterfly Core, the 37th opening theme song of Detective Conan, as well as Kimi e no Uso, the 49th ending theme song of the same anime. Butterfly Core won first place in the USEN J-POP competition.
In her past stages, Valshe usually performs as an avatar with blonde hair and blue eyes. Her personal appearance was first seen on the cover of Buttefly Core. LIVE THE JOKER 2013, her first concert, was held in the Akasaka Act Theater on November 30, 2013.
Prolific producer
LAST night, August 25, music producer and artist DJ Kors K brought the party vibe to BOA. Known for his multiple anime-related songs and J-Pop remixes, Kors K grew famous after he participated in the hit music game Beatmania. Since then he has created, contributed and released—through domestic Japanese labels as well as multiple international labels—more than 500 tracks.
After a year of absence, J-pop lolita idol group STARMARIE returned to the BOA stage. After the successful release of their song Natsuninare!, the ending theme song of the anime series Cardfight!! Vanguard G: NEXT, the girls were more than ready to face their Manila fans once again.
STARMARIE members Nozomi, Shino, Monya, Hiroka and Kaede performed their newest tracks live along with their previous releases.
From the local front, self-produced idol group Aidoru Sozai introduced themselves to the convention crowd as they performed their own original self-made tracks. Jash, Aira, Vivi, Yanachii, Mikachu, Hayayan and Saachan hoped to capture new fans by spreading youthful love, positive energy, and the beauty of idol culture through their performances.
This year BOA will also feature international cosplayers Hyko and Mon from Taiwan as well as Onnies from Thailand.