AAA 2008 in Tokyo DVD Review (spoilers ahead)
If you’re an Arashi fan, this DVD is a really great one. It’s 210 minutes, containing 2 DVDs and photo/lyric booklet inside. It’s region 2 which is only made for Japan. So, make sure before watching it, have a regionless DVD player.
Alrighty, everyone! Spoilers and intense fangirling up ahead. I’m not a translator and will say in certain areas that translation will be needed. This DVD is one that needs to be translated fully. If you want to wait for your DVD, please do not read my post. If you are reading, then count how many times I say shirtless in here! XD
DISC ONE
DOCUMENTARY
The DVD starts off with the Documentary. No, it’s not a special feature. It’s, in fact, part of the whole concert process. They started off, showing clips of Arashi’s costumes and taking pictures of them. It makes anyone want to be Arashi’s professional photographer, huh?
They start off with our favorite rapper Sakurai Sho. Oh Sho-kun. He’s so hot that I always would love to see his clothes off. I mean… moving on. LOL He speaks about the show and process. During one of the clips, he shows his shoes of the costume. The yellow sneakers had Arashi printed on one end and his name on the other. That’s easily identifiable. During the recording clip, he didn’t synch with his singing like he normally does. Then again, he was tired after seeing our poor boy waking up super early. I have to say his skin is very flawless without make-up.
Next is Aiba Masaski. Shirtless clip! I never knew about that scar/birthmark on his left shoulder. So, I thought it was new to learn. He practices with the harmonica for a part and then head into a clip where he jumps into the tank. Our baka boy looked like he enjoyed it very much.
Then, there’s Jun. First thing I noticed that he had an iMac. XD He came in with glasses and a hat. After, they showed a clip of him practicing his solo for One Love to a radio. At the stadium, Jun ran up the stadium where they had the torch and the camera man was so tired. I almost felt bad for him.
They cut to a scene where Jun and Nino are conversing and doing some interesting hand movements. xD
This goes to Ninomiya Kazunari. In a clip, you see him air drumming with Sho. It’s so cute. Then, it goes to another clip where he plays the piano. Of course, I KYAAAA at the piano cause Nino is great at playing on it, and I love that instrument so much!
Our Ohno Satoshi was very tired. Yet, SHIRTLESS clip here too. J They showed a clip of his dance routine for Take Me Faraway. I thought his song was so slow that it was never possible. O.o Another clip showed him taking pictures of everyone as well.
They had more clips of the concert and showed Jun leading some type of ‘prayer’ ordeal. He’s so the leader when it comes to concerts, I swear!
ARASHI’S FIGHT IN KOKURITSU
I couldn’t tell if it was early in the morning and late a night. Everyone just looked tired. This is where they scope out the stadium. Tokyo looked very pretty at night and lots of comments were made by them over the view. They closed in on everyone. Jun definitely needs make-up the most because his skin isn’t as perfect as the rest. Still, he can get away it unlike most people since he’s an idol. Hehe I couldn’t translate one part but Nino and Sho were imitating something. Then, they cut to all of them being impressed by the view over the stadium.
RECORDING
Sho had a red shirt that said ‘This is My Suit’. I want to get that shirt for Justin so bad. xD He turned on his laptop and practiced his rap part. I love his rapping so much! *dies* He messed up a lot during recording but it was just adorable.
Then Aiba came. Nino came in looking tired. Jun surprised me! He came in with his glasses, hat and not shaven! I was like, ‘he’s scruffy?!?! I love him more!’ My expression was hilarious. I guess I like hair on guys… can’t help it. Anyways… moving on! Ohno seemed lost cause he walked pass the door. XD
It was turn for Ohno’s recording. He messed up a bit as well but the boy was tired. His puppy eyes were drooping.
Jun’s mustache still surprised me as I watched him record. He was really expressive in his voice and that was just sexy.
Aiba looks great in pink. I really don’t know what it is. He couldn’t his last note on his verse.
Nino was very on beat when recording. During the times he didn’t sing, he’d shuffle his magic cards. Goodness, he’s addicted to them. After he was done, I saw his man bag. KYAA!! I want one. Haha
They cut to Ohno playing with the keyboard, waiting for his turn. J
BACK ON STAGE
The staff are taking pictures of the boys. They had black AAA shirts on! Why didn’t they sell that color at the concert?!?! It looked really good too. Each of them came to the stadium in a van at different times. Jun had his glasses with an Andy Warhol shirt. He needs to wear his glasses more often. ^^ Sho just looked purely hot. I guess I like him better in normal clothes than the suits he wears.
REHEARSAL
They show the practice for the Step & Go routine in their red costumes. Jun was making me drool the whole time cause his red tank top was perfect on him. They were working on the technicalities of the cranes, etc. Then, it skips over to the pink suit costumes. Ohno just looks tired all the time. Shirtless Aiba next. J Then, Sho shirtless! AHHH!!! It gets better. They were working on the water streams. I call this the ‘Bellagio Effect’. LOL I say that is completely Jun’s idea after filming in Las Vegas. Then, randomly, Jun was shirtless. I think the boys need to tan…. Ok… morely Jun cause the guy is paled skin. haha
DAY to NIGHT
They watched something on a laptop. After, it’s a shows how the boys go from one end of the stadium to the other. Jun’s running shirtless to his scooter and going there. Then, Sho follows shirtless. Aiba is shirtless too. XD They put a crane from Re(mark)able and show the fire effects. Jun’s commenting on what should happen. This will be needed to be translated too. Sho looked scared of something. I couldn’t’ figure out what Ohno was doing at all. Then they all discuss what to do and showed the Re(mark)able clip. People were there, taking pics of the boys going up on the crane over the backstage.
RE(MARK)ABLE
They practiced the dance for it. I couldn’t stop watching Sho and Jun cause their tank tops looked great on them. Drooling added here. xD They had more clips of the rehearsal and everyone took pics of the torch that’ll be lit for it. The scooter ideas was neat cause it helped to get to the destination quicker. On stage, Sho hit Nino and I saw Nino bleeding on his shoulder. Nino looked like he was coughing. So I really wondering what happened. Then, more clips the rehearsal. Then, they have that big meeting before the concert starts.
CONCERT
It’s an aerial view of the fans and screen starts. The ‘Bellagio Effect’ was neat and went with the beat well. Arashi comes out of the middle of the stadium.
LOVE SO SWEET - They start with Yellow/Black costumes. The circle platform starts moving during this song.
OH YEAH! - The song started with an explosion at the front, and the boys were in different directions. Dancers came out as well and everyone was making the fans wave their hands.
KITTO DAIJOBOU - I always love Sho’s beginning of this song. The dance routine is definitely aweome for this. They have intros of Arashi here. Then, Sho was making the fans say, ‘Arashi!’
LA TORMENTA 2004 - New costumes were orange with camo pants. This song is so great! Jun and Sho dance reall well. When Sho starts introducing Jun, he has a Vogue pose. xD Then, he winks. Jun does Nino’s part where Nino is doing his thing. Nino does Aiba’s verse which Aiba looks like he just won a fighting match. Then, as Aiba does Ohno’s verse, Ohno makes it look like he’s fishing. LMAO After, Ohno does Sho’s part and Sho has the cutest pose ever! They walk to the front stage and finish off with their dance routine.
HAPPINESS - Before the song starts, Jun asks the fans if their ready. The platforms move around he stadium. Sho and Ohno have a cute tip toe dance.
HADASHI NO MIREI - They place their mics on the stands and focus on the back of the stadium. Lucky fans! Sho does a funky wave motion. The camera man then transitions to the dancers. Here, it seemed Ohno looked lost with the dance routine. Maybe that was just me.
AOZORA PEDAL - Slower pace. They needed a break from all the fast/energetic songs. The platforms went back to the front stage.
HELLO GOODBYE - Aiba came out in a cute checkered outfit. It fits his style. I seriously want to be one of the dance. I can dress up as a boy! XD The dance routine looked simple. When he turned around, the words HELLO GOODBYE were stitched on. That’s neat. The platform lifted and he played his harmonica bit very well. The crowd cheered him on.
SUBARASHIKI SEKAI - Aiba’s missing in the beginning. The other four Arashi members are sitting on stools in new white costumes. This song is really good slower since the original has a faster beat. Jun sounds so passionate when he’s singing during his verse. For verse 2, Aiba came out. Sho’s rap is to die for. J
TOMADOINAGARA - They get off the stools and went to different parts of stadium. In one shot, Ohno looked pissed. O.o Then, after, they gathered in the middle.
STILL… - Aiba and Jun go one way while Nino and Ohno go with each other into a different direction. Their ‘cranes’ left and wave to the crowd.
LUCKY MAN - They get off and run into the middle dancing. Jun’s shirt is unbuttoned, baring his hot body. Hentai thoughts inserted here. xD I wasn’t into this song personally but after watching this performance, I’ll listen to it more often. The screen was showing Arashi letters dancing. Then, on a music part, Jun dances in the middle. Sho does an interesting dance. Aiba gets there with a break dance move. Lastly, Nino ends it with a backflip. He highfived Jun after. Sho did a thrusting move which made me just die. XD
TAKE ME FARAWAY - Ohno comes up from the stage. I believe he has Michael Jackson moves and even costume. O.o The screen above him shows parts of him with cetain moves. He walks down the stairs, towards the middle of the stadium, joining the junior dancers. They have chairs. Since this song is slow, I didn’t think it could have a dance routine. Behold… it does! They end it with Ohno sitting on the chair and lights out.
NIJI - Best Nino solo EVER! His glasses looked good and god, the piano playing. KYAAAA! He takes a quick break from singing and hits high notes on the piano. The fans sing la la la while he plays. After, he takes off his glasses which make the fans go nuts!
SMILE - Why isn’t this Jun’s new drama theme song? XD It makes sense to me. They were on the mini moving platforms with black costumes.
WAVE - Each person was on a medium platform besides Nino. He stayed at the front stage.
CARNIVAL NIGHT PART 2 - This was cool. Lots of hip thrusting. =D Jun made a lot of peace sign poses. Then, all of a sudden, confetti shot out when they reach the middle. This song ending with a pose!
MC - I can’t translate worth crap. xD Parts I got were:
- Sho was making everyone say yay
- They greet everyone and impressed by the crowd.
- Jun had a AAA 2008 towel
- Ohno made a funny impression
- The boys made fun of Sho for a bit
- Ohno compares his roles in Maou and Pikanchi Double… then he does his funny walk from Pikanchi Double. xD
They walk to the front stage still talking and Jun puts his jacket back on. After, they face the audience.
KAZE NO MUKOU E - I love this song! They had a dance routine which worked well. Jun touched Ohno’s shoulder when walking to the other side. *evil grin*
DISC 2
The screen pops up. This needs translation by someone. The order of the boys are Nino, Sho, Ohno, Aiba and Jun. People are walking across the stage with fire torches. Jun licks his finger and then says ‘Re(mark)able’. The people start and slightly lean down the torches.
RE(MARK)ABLE - The back of the stadium lights up and is a big torch of fire. The guys are in red costumes and very great laser effects. Sho’s point is cute! Jun looked so sexual…. Maybe that’s just my imagination. They had a totem routine which was great! When they got into their places, they began to go down, changing their hand mics to ear mics. They walked into to the middle after getting out and did, what I call, an almight pose! There were very great fire effects.
TRUTH - This was without verse 2. The whole stage was dark and lots of red. I swear Sho looked like a caped vampire. XD
STEP & GO - Fire diminished and the boys split up again. The dancers come out.
A DAY IN OUR LIFE - Everyone takes off their jackets. Nino threw his bottle to the crowd. Juntoshi moment! They look into the camera after singing, pose with a peace sign and then stick out their tongues. Nino’s running crazily. Jun leaves early.
TELL ME WHAT YOU WANNA BE - Red effects again and guitar plays start. It’s like playing Rockband. Jun comes out with a firethrower and shoots u in the sky. His style was rockerish - leather jacket, jeans, white shirt, and sunglasses. The band was live. I swear Jun is like making out with his mic because his lips touch it so much. He lifts his glasses after getting on his knees. The ending is great cause he controls the music the end of the music. Finale is him going, 3…2…1 and then jumps and lands perfectly.
ICHIOKU NO HOSHI - New costumes. Jun’s missing. Aiba and Sho are lifted higher on their platforms than Nino and Ohno. The dance routine is cute, and Jun comes out into the middle.
SHIRIUSU - Their on the circular platform which rotates. Jun ended up in the middle.
HIP HOP BOOGIE - Sho came up in the middle circle platform and sang without music in the background for his intro. I loved his outfit! The top looked schoolboyish with cargo pants! The style suited him well! HIP HOP was stitched on the back of his jacket and even Arashi was on the screen. He made the whole crowd say ‘hip hop’.
Jun comes out with a headband and introduces the band. It consisted of guitarists, keyboard player, bass player, drummer, violinists, back-up singers and trumpet players. Nino introduces the juniors that danced for the concert. Aiba introduces Jun as he walks and licks his finger again. Then, they show Nino with his magic cards and does a trick. Ohno has some crazy eye movements. xD Jun introduces Aiba who has a robotic hand move and then Sho who’s rapping hip hop. The junior dancers dance with Arashi before the next song starts.
A.RA.SHI - They start running to their crane parts and get lift. Ohno gave a peace sign to a friend and Jun ending up in the back of the stadium at the torch area.
PIKANCHI DOUBLE - Ohno high fives fans and Sho was just funny throughout this song. He was singing to the fans in the back.
ASU NI MUKATTE HOERU - Everyone is going nuts This transitioned quickly. Sho was running around. Ohno imitates a guitarist. In this, you see that colors are switched. Jun has Ohno’s blue while Ohno has Jun’s purple. Then, Aiba has Sho’s red whereas Sho has Aiba’s green. Nino gets pink! XD
ONE LOVE - Balloons flew up in the air and they were on the circle rotating platform. In one part, they switch mics and touch each other’s hands. YAOI! They walk hand in hand to the front stage and the ‘Bellagio Effect’ starts. The streams match the beat of the song.
KANSHA KANGEKI AME ARASHI - They are now in the purple/yellow AAA shirts. Nino’s touching Ohno’s hair. Such a great Ohmiya sight. They were sliding a bit cause of the water. Jun runs like a girl! xD
FIGHT SONG - They did janken-pon to see who’s gonna get dunked into the tank. Ohno lost. At the tank, Nino cheers with saying Maou. Ohno jumps and then comes out, shivering.
KAZE - Sho slides down while Aiba stumbles. xD Jun throws water at the fans. Another Juntoshi moment - Ohno was drying up and Jun gave him his towel which he threw over his head. Ohno was so cold!
KOTOBA YORI TAISETSU NA MONO - Ohno’s mic wouldn’t work. Jun switched his. They had to share a mic for a little bit because the other one wasn’t really working. Sho looked up to the sky, noticing something while singing. Then, he informed Nino of it.
They get to the front of the stage and introduce everyone again. The junior dancers are walking slowly while Nino is kicking them with water. On the way out, they high five Ohno. They have an ending pose and bow. Fireworks explode in a very cool stream!
ENCORE
SAKURA SAKE - Jun says hey… then hi. XD So cute! Ohno comes out looking like he has a turban on since a towel is wrapped around his head. He stays in his trunks. I love the close-ups of Sho in this song. They got o the back of the stage and get lifted up to the torch area. After a bit, they run down the stairs.
WISH - Sho air drumming is priceless and hilarious! Ohno is still cold. It starts raining at this point. They make the fans sing the chorus. While walking to the front stage, Sho points to the sky, looking at the camera.
GORI MUCHUU - It’s raining harder now! Jun takes off his shirt! O_O He twirls it like a cowboy. They’re still performing even in the rain. Then Sho takes off his tank top and does the same thing! They close up to Jun licking his lips. MMMMM! Aiba’s kicking the water and Ohno’s playing. Sho runs and slides on his butt on stage. Then he goes to the inclined side and slide down. Ohno does this too. He doesn’t do it as slick as Sho. Then, Nino looks at him like, ‘you hit me with a ton of water’. Jun slides on his stomach and then his butt. Ohno continues to slide on his knees. Aiba slides on his stomach while Ohno achieves the knee sliding twirling technique. Sho doesn’t get any traction and then, Ohno slides under Aiba. That was well done! They end the song with Jun’s solo pose. The 4 boys go backstage while Jun stays out, thanking the fans. After, he bows and throws his wet shirt out to them.
THE END!!!
That was long, ne? ^^ I apologize. I write too much. Although, I was singing along and realizing how I need to really get into Japanese courses to understand better. Yet, this concert was really great! I wish I was there to watch this with the thousands of fans who cheered for them.
I know this spoiled you all but I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I did once you received your DVD.