It was nice to be back in Osaka, in INTEX Osaka, after Magical Mirai 2014, and this Magical Mirai was, like they told me, a back to the roots. In fact, you could see from the exhibition and the concerts that they were more similar to 2014 and 2013 editions.
Now, having attended all Miku concerts in Japan (also Miku Expo Japan Tour, the Snow Miku special concerts, Miku Symphony concerts, Miku x Kodo, Project DIVA Joypolis, ..) since Magical Mirai 2014 in Osaka, I have a tip for all of you (or most of you): whenever you attend a concert, just enjoy it, don't think too much about the setlist, the band members, .. just enjoy it in its fullest. It's better to don't start making comparisons with previous concerts and so on, otherwise you'll start to lose some enjoyment and become more like a "judge".
That's why if somebody ask me which Miku concert was for me the best, I always say "all of them", because they are all so different. Even the concerts of the same event, they feel different.
An example? I have attended all the 4 concerts of Magical Mirai 2018 in Osaka, and all of theme felt different. Not only the crowd reaction, the band members performance, but the whole concert. And I have attended them with the same feelings of every concert I have attended in the past: precious memories that, no matter what, are the best and always kept in my heart.
And everyone have their opinions, which is nice! I'm referring to what I've read in the previous pages, and while I understand why some messages were written, remember that every opinion have to be respected.
But let's explain some things: Magical Mirai is an event aimed at japanese fans, and while it's true that a 5-10% of the attendance is from outside the country, it is also true that Crypton always follow what they say during their panels: think global, act local. When I talked to Crypton CEO on the 3rd day of Magical Mirai 2015 in Nippon Budokan, he told me that he really wanted to bring Miku in Europe, but without a partnership with a big sponsor, he couldn't do it. Europe is a different market from America, China, .. because there are many smaller countries, and all of them have different tastes, regulations, laws, taxes, .. that's why it took so long. And even with the american tours, Crypton lost a lot of money. But they kept doing those concerts overseas for the fans. And what I always say and my japanese friends always say, Miku and Vocaloid are a niche market, and that's the best thing. Because only in this way, events like Magical Mirai, Snow Miku, .. are possible. There is a direct contact between the fans, the producers, the creators and the companies. If Vocaloid was big like, let's say Disney, all that magic, all that connection would have been lost.
And about why no english songs, well simply because it's a japanese event for japanese fans, and they keep the non-japanese songs for the Miku Expo. Also, compared to previous years (expecially 2016 and 2017), less foreigners were attending, and most of them were from China and Singapore. And yet, Crypton never forget about the overseas fans, giving the opportunity to book the accomodation plan and giving information and more in english.
About the band members, my favorite this time was the new drummer, but also the new girl bass player was very talented.
I won't say it enough times, but the keyboard player was better in Magical Mirai 2014 in Osaka and Tokyo, she just put more passion and emotions while playing the songs. Don't get me wrong, Megumi is a very skillful and talended keyboard player, she can play basically any songs with no problems, but in my opinion, sometimes she should play putting more "feelings".
about the stage panels, they had a "white vignette/halo " because they were placed in a different way from previous years. Not all straight anymore, but in a way to make the whole panel a bit curved. This have been made so, when there is a movement from the center panel to the right or left one, the vieving quality is still very good and doesn't "fade" a lot. Also, this year the projectors were 8K resolution for the main panel.
for the sound quality, is all about the venue, really. Intex Osaka building 5 has a "boom" effect and a more intimate sound, but you have to sit in the right seat to get the best. Makuhari Messe has a bigger soundstage andmore balanced sound across all the seats,and I feel Nippon Budokan was the best in terms of sound quality, but just because is a building made for live concerts.
The setlist was really really great, and hehe.. there was a bit of my feedback in it. A good selection of old songs, new songs, and putting all the other Vocaloids basically in the middle. And I'm sorry that wei wei couldn't attend the concert, for 2 years I've pushed for No Logic being played hehe
(and I needed wei wei superpowers! and I wanted wei wei to see my 4 bags full of goods, thankfully I booked in advance some coinlockers hehe)
so, with all this said, please enjoy all ongoing events and concerts with a light hearted feeling, without thinking too much about "what if, I would have preferred that, etc..", just enjoy it! ^^
whenever I attend a Miku event like Magical Mirai, Snow Miku, Miku Symphony, Miku x Kodo, .. I always enjoy it in its fullest , without making any comparisons or overthinking. I just enjoy the concerts, the events, the booths, just the relaxing atmosphere and meeting wonderful fans and friends, both new and old ones. The feeling that a nice surprise is right around the corner, the many requests of taking a photo together with me and my Miku, the exchange of presents and greeting cards.. even the simple shopping of foods and drinks at Cosmosquare station is one of the precious memories I was talking about ^^
