Anison Central

LATEST UPDATE 8/17/2008!

Online diary "Somewhere It's Showa" updated 8/09/2008!

I became an anime fan in 1978. The years since have brought some great anime-related experiences that have kept me a fan...but things took a white-hot turn in December 2003, when I attended an Anime Japan Fes anime song concert featuring Isao Sasaki, Ichirou Mizuki, Mitsuko Horie, Hironobu Kageyama and Charlie Kosei--and discovered that for me as an anime fan, there's just plain nothing as great as getting to hear the original singers perform anime songs, while being part of a crowd of fellow fans, calling out encouragement and singing along with songs long seared into our psyches!

I've grabbed every chance I can to go to anime song concerts ever since--living a two-hour train ride from Tokyo and overnight bus ride away from Osaka helps!--and hope this information site on "anison" (Japanese shorthand slang for "anime song") concerts, performers, and their CD and DVD recordings might be useful for fellow old-school anime fans. (Plus, writing it down helps me remember the details...it's a bitch to get old...! ;^) )

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Anison Armory -
Ready to attend an anison live event? These will help you be prepared:

    • GUIDE TO ANISON PERFORMERS (with bios, anison lists, and links to their official sites)

    • ACCURATE ANISON LYRICS (with notations about the parts the audience performs!)

Upcoming Live Events-
    • 8/30/2008: "ANIME JAPAN FES 2008 'Nagoya Natsu No Jin'" featuring Ichirou Mizuki, Mitsuko Horie, Akira Kushida, MoJo, Takayuki Miyauchi, Chihiro Yonekura, Yuri Shimazaki, Hideyuki Takahashi, and others, with special guest Isao Sasaki (Zepp Nagoya, Nagoya; tickets (standing) 5500 yen plus one 500-yen drink; tickets on sale 5/28-6/03 through Anime Japan Fes and starting 6/14 through Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, and E-Plus)

    • 8/30-31/2008: "ANIMELO SUMMER LIVE 2008 -CHALLENGE-" featuring ALI PROJECT, Chiaki Ishikawa, GRANRODEO, Minami Kuribayashi, Kurobara Hozonkai, Psychic Lover, savage genius, JAM Project, Yukari Tamura, Minori Chihara, Domestic Love Band (angela), Aya Hirano, Nana Mizuki, and Halko Momoi (Saitama Super Arena, Saitama City, Saitama; tickets 7500 yen; tickets on sale 4/14-4/28 through Animelo, and starting 6/21 through Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, CN Playguide, E-Plus, and Ticket Port)

    • 8/31/2008: "ANIME JAPAN FES 2008 'Osaka Natsu No Jin'" featuring Ichirou Mizuki, Mitsuko Horie, Akira Kushida, Charlie Kose, Miho Morikawa, Yuri Shimazaki, Hideyuki Takahashi, Akira Asakura, and others, with special guest Isao Sasaki (Namba Hatch, Namba, Osaka; tickets (standing) 5500 yen plus one 500-yen drink; tickets on sale 5/28-6/03 through Anime Japan Fes and starting 6/14 through Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, and E-Plus)

    • 9/23/2008: "ANISON BIG 3 CONCERT 2008 @ Nara-ken Sazanka Hall" featuring Ichirou Mizuki, Mitsuko Horie, and Hironobu Kageyama (Sazanka Hall, Yamatotakada, Nara; tickets 3500 yen; tickets on sale 6/25 through Sazanka Hall Tomo No Kai and starting 6/25 through Lawson Ticket and E-Plus)

    • 9/27/2008: "ANISON POWER 2008 in NAKANO" featuring Ichirou Mizuki, Akira Kushida, MoJo, Takayuki Miyauchi, MIQ, YUKA, Takayoshi Tanimoto, Apple Pie, and The Kinds (Nakano ZERO; tickets on sale 6/22 through Ticket Pia [P-Code 613-360] and starting 6/24 through Nakano ZERO Ticket Center)

    • 10/13/2008: "ICHIROU MIZUKI / MITSUKO HORIE: FUTARI NO ANISON #6" featuring Ichirou Mizuki and Mitsuko Horie (Shinbashi Yakult Hall, Shinbashi, Tokyo; seats 6000 yen; tickets on sale 8/04-05 only by phone through Birthday Song and starting 8/23 through Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, and E-Plus)

    • 10/19/2008: "ICHIROU MIZUKI ANISON LIVE!! in KITAGATA" featuring Ichirou Mizuki (Kitagata Community Center Kirari, Kitagata, Gifu; seats 2000 yen in advance or 2500 yen at the door, standing 1500 yen in advance or 2000 yen at the door; tickets on sale starting 8/17 through Kitagata Community Center Kirari)

    • 11/29/2008: "SUPER SENTAI 'SPIRITS' III: 20th Century" featuring Isao Sasaki, Mitsuko Horie, MoJo, Ken Narita, Akira Kushida, Takayuki Miyauchi, Hironobu Kageyama, Taku Kitahara, Kenji Suzuki, New Jack Takurou, Shin'ichi Ishihara, and others; tickets (standing) 6000 yen plus one 500-yen drink; tickets on sale at a date TBA through Birthday Song and starting 9/27 through Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, and E-Plus)

    • 11/30/2008: "SUPER SENTAI 'SPIRITS' III: 21st Century" featuring Yukio Yamagata, Salia, Hideaki Takatori, Hironobu Kageyama, Masaaki Endou, Akira Kushida, Psychic Lover, Isao Sasaki, Takafumi Iwasaki, Sister MAYO, NoB, Takayoshi Tanimoto, Ichirou Mizuki, Hideyuki Takahashi, and Project. R; tickets (standing) 6000 yen plus one 500-yen drink; tickets on sale at a date TBA through Birthday Song and starting 9/27 through Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, and E-Plus)


ANISON PERFORMERS' CONCERTS (MAY INCLUDE ANIME SONGS)
This Year's A/V Releases-
    • 1/30/2008: "Psychic Lover LIVE 2007 Shibuya-Mutation" DVD Columbia Music Entertainment COBC-4704; 5040 yen
    • 4/16/2008: "Electric Fire 2007 ~Tribute to Basara & Mylene~" DVD Geneon Entertainment GNBA-7510; 6800 yen


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Upcoming A/V Releases-

    • TBA: Anime Japan Fes 2008 Super Anison Spirits Natsu No Jin (TV broadcast)


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Past Years' A/V Releases-


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Live Event Reports-
    • ANIME JAPAN FES 2003-2004 Super Anison Spirits "Fuyu No Jin" (12/28/2003, Shibuya O-East)
    • SUPER ROBOT SPIRITS 2004 "Haru No Jin" (4/29/2004, Zepp Tokyo, and 5/04/2004, Namba Hatch)
    • ANIME JAPAN FES 2004 Super Anison Spirits "Natsu No Jin" (8/15/2004, Shibuya O-East)
    • SUPER SENTAI "SPIRITS" 2004 (11/21/2004, Shibuya O-East)
    • 30TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE "UCHUU SENKAN YAMATO CD-BOX" Hatsubai Kinen (12/12/2004, Ishimaru Denki SOFT2, Akihabara)
    • ANITAMA LIVE at EAST Vol. 2 (12/12/2004, Shibuya O-East)
    • BEST OF ANIKING (1/08/2005, Shibuya O-West)
    • ANIME DE SUKUOU! Niigata Earthquake Charity Concert (1/20/2005, Shibuya-AX)
    • KIMI MO SOLO DE UTAU-ZO! 9 (3/05-06/2005, Hideaway, Nishi Shinjuku)
    • SUPER SENTAI "SPIRITS" LIVE 2004 DVD Hatsubai Kinen (4/16/2005, Ishimaru Denki SOFT1, Akihabara)
    • ANIME SHUDAIKA DAIZENSHUU (4/27/2005, NHK Hall, Shibuya)
    • SUPER ROBOT SPIRITS 2005 "Haru No Jin" (4/29/2005, Zepp Tokyo)
    • 24-HOUR ANISON 1,000-SONG NONSTOP MEDLEY (7/30-31/2005, Loft Plus One, Shinjuku)
    • KIMI MO SOLO DE UTAU-ZO! 10 (8/06-07/2005, Hideaway, Nishi Shinjuku)
    • ANIME JAPAN FES 2005 Super Hero Spirits "Natsu No Jin" (8/13/2005, Zepp Tokyo)
    • ANIME JAPAN FES 2005 Super Anison Spirits "Natsu No Jin" (8/14/2005, Zepp Tokyo)
    • ISAO SASAKI DEBUT 45TH ANNIVERSARY MINI LIVE (11/03/2005, Ishimaru Denki SOFT2, Akihabara)
    • KIMI MO SOLO DE UTAU-ZO! 11 (11/26-27/2005, Hideaway, Nishi Shinjuku)
    • ANIME JAPAN FES 2006 Super Anison Spirits "The Shinnenkai!" (1/07/2006, Shibuya O-East)
    • HERO MONOGATARI - MIRAI NI MUKETE - DAI 1 WA (2/11/2006, Kyurian Hall, Shinagawa)
    • ANIME SHUDAIKA DAIZENSHUU (4/13/2006, NHK Hall, Shibuya)
    • SUPER ROBOT SPIRITS 2006 "Haru No Jin" I (4/29/2006, Zepp Tokyo)
    • SUPER ROBOT SPIRITS 2006 "Haru No Jin" II: Gundam (4/30/2006, Zepp Tokyo)
    • KIMI MO SOLO DE UTAU-ZO! Bangaihen and SHAFT Debut Concert (6/18/2006, Nishikasai Phoenix, Nishikasai)
    • KIMI MO SOLO DE UTAU-ZO! 13 (7/22-23/2006, Hideaway, Nishi Shinjuku)
    • ANISON CARNIVAL IN UENO (7/28/2006, Suijou Ongakudou, Ueno)
    • ANIME JAPAN FES 2006 Super Hero Spirits "Natsu No Jin" (8/12/2006, Zepp Tokyo)
    • ANIME JAPAN FES 2006 Super Anison Spirits "Natsu No Jin" (8/13/2006, Zepp Tokyo)
    • ANIME JAPAN FES 2006 "Osaka Natsu No Jin" (8/20/2006, Namba Hatch)
    • PSYCHIC LOVER LIVE (8/27/2006, Astro Hall, Harajuku)
    • 24-HOUR NONSTOP ANISON 1,000-SONG MEDLEY 2006 (9/01-02/2006, Shinjuku Loft and Loft Plus One, Shinjuku)
    • AKIRA KUSHIDA LIVE AT SHOTARO ISHINOMORI MANGATTAN 5TH ANNIVERSARY (9/16/2006, Shotaro Ishinomori Mangattan, Ishinomaki, Miyagi)
    • HERO MONOGATARI - MIRAI NI MUKETE - DAI 2 WA (9/30/2006, IMA Hall, Nerima)
    • SUPER SENTAI ROBO CD Hatsubai Kinen (10/09/2006, Ishimaru Denki SOFT2, Akihabara)
    • ICHIROU MIZUKI / MITSUKO HORIE: FUTARI NO ANISON #4 (10/09/2006, Tokyo Shinbashi Yakult Hall, Shinbashi)
    • SUPER SENTAI "SPIRITS" II (11/19/2006, Shibuya O-East)
    • URESHIKUTTE GOMEN NASAI! in Osaka (12/02/2006, Another Dream, Osaka)
    • TAKAYUKI MIYAUCHI BIRTHDAY LIVE 2007 TOMORROW (2/03/2007, Shinjuku Headpower, Shinjuku)
    • CHOUSAIKYOU KYOUDAI TAG! Presents WARATTE FUKUKIN! UTATTE HAIKIN (2/24/2007, Loft Plus One, Shinjuku)
    • KIMI MO SOLO DE UTAU-ZO! 15 (3/18 & 21/2007, Hideaway, Nishi Shinjuku)
    • TOKYO ANI-SONG FESTIVAL 2007 (3/24/2007, Big Sight, Ariake)
    • ANIME SHUDAIKA DAIZENSHUU (4/27/2007, NHK Hall, Shibuya)
    • SUPER ROBOT SPIRITS 2007 "Haru No Jin" (4/29/2007, Zepp Tokyo)
    • MOJO ZONE SEASON 4 (5/26/2007, Live House Lantern, Shibuya)
    • PSYCHIC LOVER Bakugan Battle Brawlers CD Hatsubai Kinen (6/03/2007, Ishimaru Denki SOFT2, Akihabara)
    • EXCITING TOUR 2007 GERMAN SUPLEX ROUND 1 (6/09/2007, Yotsuya Tenmado, Yotsuya)
    • ICHIROU TOMITA & ROPS LIVE (6/16/2007, Live House Lantern, Shibuya)
    • AKIRA KUSHIDA & TAKAYUKI MIYAUCHI LIVE (7/08/2007, Yotsuya Live Inn Magic, Shinjuku)
    • ANISON CARNIVAL IN UENO 2007 (7/14/2007, Suijou Ongakudou, Ueno)
    • ANIME JAPAN FES 2007 Super Hero Spirits "Natsu No Jin" (8/18/2007, Zepp Toko)
    • ANIME JAPAN FES 2007 Super Anison Spirits "Natsu No Jin" (8/19/2007, Zepp Tokyo)
    • MASAYUKI YAMAMOTO LIVE: THE ANIME SHIBARI (9/23/2007, Star Pines Cafe, Kichijoji)
    • PSYCHIC LOVER LIVE: SHIBUYA-MUTATION 2007 (10/06/2007, Shibuya O-West, Shibuya)
    • HERO MONOGATARI - DENSETSU - (10/28/2007, Pasela Resort Benoa, Ginza)
    • AKIRA KUSHIDA LIVE: TAMASHII NO ENGINE (11/25/2007, Studio Cube 326, Tamachi)
    • MOJO WITH ROPS VOL. 2 (11/25/2007, Live House Lantern, Shibuya)
    • ANIME JAPAN FES 2007 "Fuyu No Jin" Super Anison Spirits X'mas (12/15/2007, Shibuya O-East, Shibuya)
    • MOJOx2 X'MAS 2007 (12/22/2007, Live House Lantern, Shibuya)
    • AKIRA KUSHIDA MINI-LIVE AT WORLD HOBBY FESTIVAL ARIAKE 17: OTOKODAMASHII (12/23/2007, Big Sight, Ariake)
    • TAKAYUKI MIYAUCHI BIRTHDAY LIVE 2008 TOMORROW (2/03/2008, Shinjuku Headpower, Shinjuku)
    • MOJO ZONE SEASON 6 (2/09/2008, Live House Lantern, Shibuya)
    • ICHIROU MIZUKI DEBUT 40TH ANNIVERSARY MINI-LIVE (3/09/2008, HMV Shibuya, Shibuya)
    • ANIME SHUDAIKA DAIZENSHUU (4/24/2008, NHK Hall, Shibuya)
    • SUPER ROBOT SPIRITS 2008 "Haru No Jin" (4/29/2008, Zepp Tokyo)
    • AKIRA KUSHIDA LIVE: SOUL ENGINE 2 (5/02/2008, Shibuya Club Crawl, Shibuya)
    • MOJO ZONE SEASON 7 (5/24/2008, Live House Lantern, Shibuya)
    • ISAO TAIRA & YUKIO YAMAGATA LIVE: J9 BROTHERS! NANTE SUGOI HONEY HONEY NIGHT! (6/30/2008, Magical Night, Kanda)
    • AKIRA KUSHIDA LIVE STAGE!! BY C.C.P. AT WORLD CHARACTER CONVENTION (7/20/2008, Big Sight, Ariake)
    • MOJO ZONE SEASON 8 -BANGAIHEN- (7/20/2008, Live House Lantern, Shibuya)
    • ANIME JAPAN FES 2008 Super Hero Spirits "Natsu No Jin" (8/16/2008, Zepp Tokyo)
    • ANIME JAPAN FES 2008 Super Anison Spirits "Natsu No Jin" (8/17/2008, Zepp Tokyo)


And finally, just so I can keep track of them someplace, here are my birthday anime song marathon results: 2004's One-Four-One(-der why) Fest, 2005's One-Fifty Fest, 2006's One-Seven-Five Fest, 2007's Haul To Two Hundred, and 2008's Hell-Bent For Three Hundred!

Feel free to e-mail me.

This page was created April 10, 2005. Last updated August 17, 2008.

This page's text and source code are copyright Ardith Carlton. Do not reproduce any of the content or images on this page.