Arashi concert report 4/12 & 6/12
This is somewhat belated, I suppose, and I probably should've written it straight after the concerts so I didn't forget things, but I've been on an Arashi high ever since and therefore not really all that coherent, so it was probably better to wait. XP I'll do a post about my trip as a whole later, but for people who don't really care about that and want to hear about Arashi, I'll just post the con report for now.
So, it all started one sunny winter's day in Tokyo, when two girls came to realise that dreams really can come true...
We were very worried. Like, you hear all these stories about people with scalped tickets getting booted out and we'd had so much trouble and stress getting the tickets (see my sister's LJ for a comprehensive guide on how to buy tickets and avoid going through the trauma we went through here), and we just wanted it so badly that we thought it wasn't really possible, you know?
Anyway, so as a safety precaution, we got the people at the hotel to tell us the names on our tickets, so we could be all like "no, Aiko-chan is my best friend and I'm meeting her inside" kind of thing. The people at the hotel were so excited for us. They wanted to know how we got "Japan's hottest ticket", and the snooty-faced girl became un-snooty and told us Aiba was her ichiban. (The other girl liked Jun and the cute guy whispered that he liked Sakurai.) So at any rate, we felt as prepared as we could be.
We got to Tokyo Dome about 3pm, going by the logic that if we went in when the doors open the ticket guys would be too busy to kick us out for being Westerners and also we wanted merchandise. When we got off the train, the path to Tokyo Dome was lined with sad people holding signs wanting tickets. They all had very sad eyes like people on death row or something and it was possibly the most heartbreaking thing I've ever seen. But then, I figured we had to come all the way from Australia and spend an obscene amount of money to get our tickets, and these people can join the fanclub if they want and have probably seen Arashi a bunch of times already. It was still really sad though!!
The merchandise line went almost the whole way around the Dome and we thought we might actually miss Arashi, but it moved really fast and we got to see a bunch of people in their cute outfits, like the little boy in the Uta no Nii-san costume. He was the cutest thing ever. My sister kept trying to take a picture of him but he moved too fast and she was scared of looking like a creepy pedo or something. Anyway, I finally got my Riida uchiwa!! And also Nino and Aiba. And a penlight and a bag and a t-shirt. My sister got everything in Sakurai-flavour. This little girl started talking to us because she was worried we didn't like Jun, on account of not having a Jun uchiwa, which made me feel really bad and I nearly went back and bought one.
We talked to lots of people outside the concert, as they were all amazed that we were Westerners who loved Arashi and wanted to know who our ichibans were. Some people secretly took photos of us. My sister took photos of a few girls who had awesome costumes. Anyway, eventually my sister and I had to split up because we weren't sitting together and were entering through different gates. Stood in the line for ages worrying about things like what if I got in and she didn't or even worse, the other way around and so forth, and honestly the princess-type girls behind me should realise that if I'm going to see Arashi I have a basic understanding of Japanese, so I know what mean things you're saying about me and I don't think Arashi would approve!! But anyway, the ticket guy didn't even look at me. I went and found my seat, which was in the stands on the first level but kind of near the back. It was good because you could see everything but not super-close or anything.
Then I went to meet my sister in the smoking room. We were still worried that someone was going to tap us on the shoulder and say "YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE, GAIJIN!", but nobody did. My sister was super-excited because her seat was in the front section of the arena, three seats from the aisle where Sho went on the trolley thing during "Future" in the Time concert. Pretty darn good seat!! We stayed there until about 5.30 and then went back to our seats.
On one side of me I had these three brothers. The eldest one was a teenager and he was trying to act like he didn't care and stuff and was only there to look after his two little brothers, but before the concert started, he ran out and bought a Riida uchiwa. The littlest one kept getting messed up with the furi through the concert and looking to me to see what to do, which was so adorable. <3 On the other side I had this girl who was only there for one of the Jrs and sat down through most of it, which was kind of disappointing. Anyway, about 6.10, the lights went out and everyone started screaming. YAY!! At this point I realised I wasn't going to get kicked out and started crying like an idiot. XP
The songlist was the same as the other domes, so I'll go through song by song with what I remember.
Kansha Kangeki Ame Arashi - I could hear them before I saw them, then I noticed the giant 5x10 blimp rising up from behind the stage. They did the first part acapella and it sounded amazing, and it looked so amazing seeing everyone's penlights when they sang the line "Iwanai kedo hajimete no fukai itoshisa wa ARASHI!" that I maybe cried again, but then Sho started his rap and I was too excited to cry!! The big screen was split into five with close-ups of the members and I didn't know where to look, because I wanted to see the close-ups but I also wanted to watch them properly with my eyes. I can see them on a screen at home!! They floated along suspended from the blimp across the Dome to the back stage. They were up so high, but Sho didn't seem too scared and Aiba kept nearly turning upside down in his harness thing. They were lowered down onto the back stage for the next song and Nino fell over when he hit the ground.
Lucky Man - this was awesome, as you'd expect, and got everyone's tension rising. They danced a bit on the back stage then got on the carts and went around while doing the introductions. (May have cried a little again when Nino said "Irrashaimase" and when Sho said "TOOOOOOKYOOOOOOOOOO!", but that's totally not weird or anything, right?) This was also the point (I think) where they took off the sparkly black and gold coats to reveal the singlet tops underneath and I realised that yes, Aiba Masaki really is the hottest man on the planet, and Nino is much more manly than you'd expect.
We Can Make It - they danced to this on the main stage, and for most of it I was just transfixed by the hotness of Aiba. It's not that I'm shallow or anything, right, it's just that he's an incredibly good-looking man. Got a bit emotional again in this, because for the previous few months my sister and I had kept saying things to each other like "we can make it, right? Because Arashi said so," and "true dreams are always by your side, right? Because Arashi said so!" And, you know, Arashi were right. Sho's rap in this was awesome and Nino really does have manly shoulders.
Kaze no Makou e - Possibly cried again, on account of having (sometimes literally) passed through the wind and the rain to get to my dream and such. I don't really remember much of this, honestly, except for Sho telling everyone to "clap your hands like this", and being compelled to clap my hands like that. And also taking particular note of how pretty Jun's hair looked with the front pinned back. And there were Jrs with flags! I love Jrs with flags!!!
Crazy Moon - Didn't cry in this!! Was too busy watching the awesome dancing. Everyone was really good, and I know this is a stupidly obvious thing to say, but Riida was amazing. I don't think he's completely human, I think he's made of liquid or something like Alex Mack. It's nearly not fair on the other members!!! They did this on the moving stage. Yay, moving stage!!! (Though I think they maybe used the moving stage before this, because I remember that as soon as Nino got on it, he laid down and started rolling around.)
PIKA☆☆NCHI - Aiba solo - this was amazing!! It started off with one little guy drumming and then I think there were Jrs with flags (always awesome), and everything was all dark and stuff, it gave me the shivers!! Then Aiba appeared and started singing. His voice really suited it, I think in another life, Aiba should've been a rock star. There were awesome lights and Aiba led the Jrs marching band style down the middle of the stage. I can't really describe how freaking incredible it was.
Horizon/Dangan Liner/Allergy/Kokoro Chirari - This wasn't a medley or anything, but I'll put them all together because that's how I remember it. Everyone's tension went sky high again, it was awesome. I'm a bit ashamed to say I can't remember what they were wearing for these songs, was it the red and black outfits??? Anyway, one of the top 5 highlights of the whole concert for me was when they danced with the giant vegetables in Allergy, I loved how they brought back these little things from old concerts like that, and it's just such a stupidly adorable, dorkish Arashi-type thing, isn't it. I think in my whole life I have never been as filled with love for anything or anyone as I was at that moment for Arashi dancing with giant vegetables. Do you think they are the same vegetables as all those years ago or were they recreated for this concert? Also, who knew there were so many English lyrics in Kokoro Chirari???
Carnival Night - I think I was the only person in my row doing the furi for this, except for the little brother next to me who was doing his best. Still, it's Carnival Night, so even if everyone else was being wet fish about it, I was still very excited!!! I think they went around on carts again during this, but honestly I was just so into the song that I don't really remember!! XP Everyone stops what they're doing when the members go past on carts and just screams and waves (especially when it's Aiba, he really is the people's idol!), and that is kind of awesome too.
Kotoba Yori mo Taisetsu Na Mono - Nino solo - Nino is amazing. He looked super fine and really seemed like he was having fun. It wasn't spectacular like Aiba or Jun's solos, it was just Nino singing and playing guitar, but it still seemed very special somehow. At the end he did a rock star jump. <3 At the end, they introduced the band. People didn't seem to clap very much for them, which seemed a bit rude, I guess, but they didn't seem to mind.
Everything - the front stage was kind of in three levels and for this they stood on the top level right in front of the big screen and sang. This isn't one of my favourite songs, but they still did a very fine job. Can't remember these outfits either, I probably should've taken notes or something, but I think even if I'd intended too, I would've been too distracted by Arashi to write anything that made sense.
Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy - this wasn't one of my favourite songs before either, but it was really pretty. The big screen had all these flashing star things which was also pretty, and of course there was Ohmiya. Nino tried to touch Riida's butt (of course) and Riida slapped his hand away. After the camera went off them, Nino seemed really embarrassed and apologised to Riida, which was super cute but also made me think "wowsers, maybe they aren't really doing it after all", which is okay because they're clearly both doing it with the other three. XP
Aozora Pedal - this was so beautiful. I possibly got a little teary again, just because it was so beautiful. They made their way down to the main stage again for this, and what I really loved was that on the big screen there were all these pretty animations that turned from black and white to colour in the line "sore de ii atarashii iro de asu wo egakou". Arashi really are amazing.
Typhoon Generation - another one of the top 5 highlights was Nino's "Ja, ittekuru aa" bit at the start. He saluted at the end and was so amused with himself. <3333 It was awesome too, because after all the ballad-type songs everyone's tension went back up again.
Kumorinochi, Kaisei - Ohno solo - so freaking adorable. He came in from the back stage and was, of course, in the Uta no onii-san costume and he had these floating clouds and sun and stuff that followed along the moving platform. Riida is awesome. At the end, when he was going off-stage he did this cute jump-kick thing. <3
A Day in Our Life - Sho came out on a cart by himself and for about ten minutes was just making everyone say "OH YEAH!" which was so freaking awesome. He made the top level say it, then the bottom level, then everyone, and so on. Then everyone else came out on individual carts, the ones with the big screens on the sides, and they went into the song properly. Sho also said "wassup, party people!" which made me incredibly happy!! XP This song was also another top 5 highlight, it was freaking awesome. The carts stopped for most of this song, I think where I was sitting was halfway between Nino and Riida, but honestly that could've been another song, as I said, my memory is fuzzed by the awesomeness!
Oh Yeah - This was another highlight (I'm going to end up with more than five, I think), just because it really did feel as if the whole crowd and Arashi were one. I've heard them say about that in interviews and stuff before, but I never really got it until this song, with everyone waving their arms in the air and singing along, it was just such an overwhelmingly happy feeling, you know? I was kind of amused because they spent most of this song on the carts and only got off right at the end, while the Jrs were doing some hardcore dancing in the middle stage part. It made me think "ah, Arashi are getting old and have to pace themselves these days!!". XP (Which is totally unfair because I think they ran a whole marathon during the concert. Except Aiba, who ran twice that!)
Hadashi No Mirai - They were on the carts again for this. I remember distinctly because Nino-cart stopped right in front of me. Everyone did the furi perfectly for this and much fun was had by all, even if I was somewhat distracted by Nino being a very attractive man.
Step & Go - This was on the main stage again. I think the carts must have gone to the backstage and then they went on the moving platform or something, but that part is a blank to me (sorry). Anyway, I used to not like this song at all, until the Kokuritsu DVD and the skipping! There is nothing in the world I love more than Arashi skipping! They skipped in this, but kind of in a circle, which was also cute. And they did that thing where they stand in a line and poke out in different directions, you know like in "Yes? No?" from the Time con. It was super awesome. I love Arashi.
Beautiful Days - this was really lovely. They sang it from the middle of the arena and it was a bit emotional because it really made you understand about things being so beautiful that they make you sad, because Arashi are like that too. I think they were wearing pink suits at this point, but that may be a lie.
Tomadoi Nagara - Sho solo - Sho was wearing a very sequined jacket with the hood over his head and he came down on the moving platform to the back stage. I thought he did a good job with it, especially as it's not one of my favourites, but it was just kind of normal and not spectacular. Especially given what was coming next...
Wish - Jun solo - At this point I was really regretting not buying the Jun uchiwa, because this is honestly one of the most awesome things I've ever seen. It started with Jun (dressed very plainly in black pants and white shirt with a little Colonel Sanders tie thingie) conducting the band, then went into jazz-style Wish. He did some awesome jazz-style dancing and jazz-style singing that really suited his voice, I thought and there were random flashes of Domyouji up on the big screen (because, you know, you might forget he was in HanaDan XP). There were water fountains at the front of the stage lit up with rainbow lights that Jun conducted up and down and stuff, it was honestly amazing. Jun is so awesome.
Boku wa Boku Subete - On carts again. I didn't really know this song that well, but it was very enjoyable. I think at this point though, I was more worried that now all the solos were done that we were nearing the end, not having a watch or anything. Silly me!!!
Attack It - everyone went insane and I thought my arm was going to drop off from waving around my penlight, it was MAXIMUM TENSION UP!!! I hope they always do this song in concerts, it was the most fun ever!
Truth - Ah, I remember at this point they were wearing sparkly coats with big polka dots on them, and it was the sparkliest thing I'd ever seen. You really can't get a concept of how sparkly it is from the DVDs, and I will never again judge Arashi on their costumes unless I see them with my own eyes! Anyway, I remember this vividly because at this point I thought "wowsers, these costumes kind of don't match this song!", but I didn't mind at all, because I'd forgotten about Truth and was super happy to hear it! They were in the middle of the arena again and the dancing was of course amazing, and they drew squares in the air and so did everyone in the crowd and it was awesome! Jun didn't do his ninja kick though, but I forgave him on account of having such an awesome solo.
Ashita no Kioku - again with the crying!! They had baby pictures of Arashi up on the big stage, I'm sure everyone's read other reports about it and stuff. Mostly everyone was laughing at the pictures, or going "awwwwww" and stuff, but it was really very emotional, especially as the pictures of them got older and then at the end the pictures all came together to form the kanji for Arashi. I think everyone was just feeling so proud of Arashi, it was like this communal feeling of "oh, our boys have grown up into such fine young men!". <3
I think it was at this point where they had the MC. I'm pretty sure. I won't go into it too much, as I'm sure people with much better Japanese than me have probably translated it, but they talked about My Girl and their various upcoming projects and so forth. Nino told everyone to buy Tongari Corn and au phones and Super Mario Wii and so forth. Riida said his upcoming projects were Shukudai and Himitsu and VS Arashi. Everyone started screaming when Jun took off his shirt, so Riida stood in front of him to protect his modesty. I think Aiba told everyone to go straight home after the concert to watch My Girl so we could all watch it together with him, but that part maybe came later.
They went off stage at this point and there was video on the big screen about storms and Arashi over the past ten years and stuff, leading into the medley (which wasn't really like a medley, as they did nearly the full songs mostly), and that was all very emotional too, because there was tiny Arashi on a boat for their debut and this kind of thing, and you're filled with thoughts about how much they've had to go through to get to where they are today, and just so much pride and gratitude and so forth. And then...
A.RA.SHI - SEE-THROUGH RAIN COSTUMES!! Jun and I think Sho kept trying to cover their nipples (as if anyone hadn't seen them before), but Ohmiya seemed kind of proud of theirs. On the big screen was footage of them ten years ago in the rain costumes, which made it very obvious how much some of them had filled out. Nino and Aiba in particular. Aiba was very hot in his, what kind of a person can make a see-through rain costume so hot?? He truly is a miracle boy! They came down to the back stage on the moving platform and a couple of them fled, I know one was Riida because I could see him really well and he looked super amused, and I think Aiba as well.
Sunrise Nippon - still in rain costumes! Everyone was still laughing and in high spirits and Arashi ran around like crazy people. Fun was had by all!!
Kimi no Tame ni Boku ga Iru - got a little emotional in this as well, as I'd listened to this song every morning as a motivation for getting out of bed and going to work to earn enough money to go see Arashi (I think maybe by this point the people sitting near me thought I was an emotional basketcase), but not terribly emotional as it's such a fun song. Riida and Aiba came back for this and the others went offstage.
Jidai - FIREWORKS!! And awesome dancing! All five members back on stage and everything was so amazing that I didn't know where to look!!
Naisu na Kokoroiki - on carts again, and Nino stopped in front of my part again, so I don't remember much else about what was going on. XP
PIKA☆☆NCHI/Tomadoi Nagara/Kotoba Yori Mo Taisetsu na Mono - these were all really short on account of being done already for the solos, but still very awesome, the crowd were all super hyped up by this point.
Hero - for this they were on those rising stand things, and they rose up really high! Sho was right in front of my part for this and he didn't seem scared at all, except for when it started going back down and kind of jolted, he really freaked out. Like, really freaked out, not just a Sho-type overreaction. This song was really lovely too, with everyone singing along together and stuff.
Sakura Sake - I kind of wish they'd have done the whole song of this, because it was so awesome and everyone was really into it. Everything was very frantic at this point and I don't remember much of what was happening, aside from feeling very happy (and a little bit sweaty).
Wish - this was also super short on account of being a solo. They kind of just did the main bit. This has a very complicated furi that I had never picked up from watching the DVDs before!!!
Kitto Daijoubu - everyone went totally crazy for this as well. They were on carts again and again I don't remember much except for everybody having maximum high tension, especially when we had to say "ASA MADE!". XD
Love So Sweet - Nino and Sho did stupid flapping-like-birds dances!! It made me very happy.
Happiness - of course, Arashi ran around like crazy people for this and everyone went mad and Sho kept telling everyone to say "yeah, yeah, yeah". It was super awesome.
Believe - they were on the moving platform for this and I remember the dancing being awesome again.
5x10 - they talked a bit before this, thanking everyone for their support and such, and at least for this song it wasn't just me being randomly emotional because everybody was. They were in the very middle of the arena standing in a circle so that everyone could see them, and when they sang the line "kore kara mo, arigatou", they held onto the note for ages and the lights went on and all these gold sparkly streamers shot out from all around and it was super beautiful and the number 1 highlight. <3
Then they went away, but it was okay because I'd read concert reports from other places and knew they were doing two encores. XD
PIKA☆☆NCHI DOUBLE - this is my favourite song, so I screamed a lot when they came back out and it started, but so did everyone else, so that's okay. Arashi ran around a lot and waved a lot and it was all really awesome.
Ashita Ni Mukatte - everyone's tension peaked again (especially Aiba's) and again, much fun was had by all. I think everyone in Arashi (especially Jun) was trying really hard to convey their feelings to every single member of the audience. (My sister said afterwards she was surprised Jun wasn't actually standing at the door on the way out, shaking everyone's hands. <3)
Dekiru Dake - holy crap, Riida can sing. Again, that's really obvious, but it was really noticeable in this song, especially for someone like me who doesn't know anything about that kind of thing. They were on carts again, with lots of waving. <3
One Love - another really obvious statement: Sho is freaking hilarious. He was doing the One Love dance with these overly elaborate gestures and clearly super amused at his own awesomeness. Nino was also super amused. Jun nearly got the high note in the "hyakunen" bit, but not quite, bless him. Nino and Aiba were both kind of amused about that too. Everyone was in very high spirits, and I think there were more streamers at the end of this, but maybe it was at the end of the next encore. I didn't want them to go offstage at the end of this, because I knew they would only come back one more time.
At this point I didn't have tickets for the Sunday show and thought that this would be the only time I'd get to see them, so it was a little upsetting. Also, nobody in my section was yelling much for them to come back, but I knew they would because the official dudes weren't letting people out yet.
Fight Song - They came back, yay!! They did Fight Song mostly in silly voices, which was super awesome and yet another top 5 highlight. I couldn't be sad that there was only three songs left, because it's impossible to be sad when Arashi are singing Fight Song in silly voices and you have to be punching in the air all the time and saying "oi, oi, oi" even though you're totally exhausted and wondering how the hell Arashi have the energy to do this three nights in a row as well as everything else they do. At the end they asked Riida for his thoughts and he said "kurabeta jiten de maketeru" in a funny voice. <33333
Gori Muchuu - I honestly thought everyone's tension couldn't get higher, but it totally did!!! Jun jumped off the stage and practically threw himself into the crowd right in front of my section and stood up there singing for ages. He looked so happy! Pretty much, everyone went crazy and it was awesome!!! Sho made lots of weird noises.
They talked a bit more and thanked everyone again and said about Aiba's drama and that they'd do one more song, but that this was the last song for realz. (They didn't actually say "for realz".)
My Girl - they did this from the main stage and it was very emotional on account of being the last song and also kind of a sad song, but it was kind of happy too, because Arashi were still there and together with everyone.
Then they went away, which was sad, but still happy in a way because I'd realised my dream and got to see Arashi at Tokyo Dome and even if I never got to see them again, I would still have the precious memories of this night!
Of course, the next day we went straight out and bought tickets for the Sunday night. XP
So, with much less stress than the time before, we made our way back to Tokyo Dome. Our seats were kind of crappy, but at least we were sitting together this time, and the main thing is being with Arashi so it was okay.
I won't go song-by-song for this day, because the basics were the same, I'll just note the main points. In point form!
* The atmosphere was really amazing even more than on the Friday, I guess because it was the last show, but it really did feel just like Arashi were throwing this massive party and we were a bunch of their very best friends they'd invited along. Everyone around us was really into it and dancing in the aisles and such.
* I love the way that Arashi do really big waving when they're waving at the top floor, as if it takes extra looking to see them or something. Especially Sho.
* Sho and Aiba were mostly on our side this time, whereas on the Friday it had been mostly Riida and Nino. Jun divides himself equally amongst everyone. <3
* There was an older lady in front of us dressed in fluffy yellow pom-poms and she was SO SUPER EXCITED when they did Allergy, it was the cutest thing ever.
* Again, Nino was super-amused at himself at the start of Typhoon Generation, more so even than the last time.
* This time we had Sho in front of us for Hadashi no Mirai and Riida for Hero on the risey-up thing. Riida totally wasn't scared even a bit.
* Because we were on the top level, this time we took binoculars. They make you a bit dizzy, but I got to see a good close-up during "Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy". Riida was all pretend-angry at Nino for inappropriate touching, it was very cute. <3
* Also used binoculars for Nino's solo. He's super good-looking.
* During the MC, Aiba asked if everyone had watched My Girl and Nino said Aiba didn't because they went out drinking together.
* Instead of just shielding Jun's chest this time, Riida actually unbuttoned Jun's shirt for him.
* When they were wearing the see-through rain costumes, at the start of Kimi no Tame ni Boku ga Iru, Sho pointed to his nipples and goes "Check it out", then ran off stage. XP
* Jun cried during 5x10. <3
* Riida stuffed up his jump-kick thing at the end of this solo and they kept teasing him about it during the MC, and Nino kept making him reenact it.
* PIKA☆☆NCHI Double was even more awesome than on the Friday. At Sho's part at the end, his voice broke on the line "orera wakasugita tada wakasugita" and I think he nearly cried.
* They seemed much more relaxed and were just generally goofing around more this time.
* During Gori Muchuu, Jun climbed up to be with the crowd again, and this time Aiba did too!!
* I think it was at the end of "One Love" (on the Friday night as well), they kept making everyone jump at the end of the song, before they went off stage, only this time they made us do it like 10 times. I think they knew we were only fake-jumping, because when we properly jumped, they seemed satisfied!
* It was even sadder this time when they sang "My Girl", because it was the last show and you knew it was really the last song.
* Except that when they went away, everyone just kept yelling for Arashi and nobody was leaving!! And then Arashi appeared on the big screen and Jun was all like "what are you yelling for? Why don't you just go home?" except it was Jun, so of course he didn't mean it. Sho was waving around his towel like a bullfighter. They kept teasing us in such a fashion and honestly, I didn't believe they'd really come back. BUT THEN!!!!
* THEY CAME BACK!! And did A.RA.SHI!! Everyone was so happy, but also crying because they were so happy and full of love for Arashi. And honestly, from both shows this is the SUPER NUMBER ONE highlight, because it was just so awesome and everyone was so full of energy and singing along and everything. It really made you feel like they will really always be by your side! It was the perfect ending and even when we were leaving, nobody could stop smiling. Arashi really are just so amazing. <3
After the concert, we met up with oviparous and went and had coffee, which was also the perfect ending, as she's like the sweetest person ever. <33333
And anyway, so now I'm left with this feeling that's sort of like if it's possible to achieve this dream, then maybe you can achieve any dream if you work hard enough, and that I shouldn't get brought down by stupid things, because there's something bigger and better out there. And that no matter what happens, there will always be Arashi to make me feel better.
Also? I'm totally going to all five domes next year!
So, it all started one sunny winter's day in Tokyo, when two girls came to realise that dreams really can come true...
We were very worried. Like, you hear all these stories about people with scalped tickets getting booted out and we'd had so much trouble and stress getting the tickets (see my sister's LJ for a comprehensive guide on how to buy tickets and avoid going through the trauma we went through here), and we just wanted it so badly that we thought it wasn't really possible, you know?
Anyway, so as a safety precaution, we got the people at the hotel to tell us the names on our tickets, so we could be all like "no, Aiko-chan is my best friend and I'm meeting her inside" kind of thing. The people at the hotel were so excited for us. They wanted to know how we got "Japan's hottest ticket", and the snooty-faced girl became un-snooty and told us Aiba was her ichiban. (The other girl liked Jun and the cute guy whispered that he liked Sakurai.) So at any rate, we felt as prepared as we could be.
We got to Tokyo Dome about 3pm, going by the logic that if we went in when the doors open the ticket guys would be too busy to kick us out for being Westerners and also we wanted merchandise. When we got off the train, the path to Tokyo Dome was lined with sad people holding signs wanting tickets. They all had very sad eyes like people on death row or something and it was possibly the most heartbreaking thing I've ever seen. But then, I figured we had to come all the way from Australia and spend an obscene amount of money to get our tickets, and these people can join the fanclub if they want and have probably seen Arashi a bunch of times already. It was still really sad though!!
The merchandise line went almost the whole way around the Dome and we thought we might actually miss Arashi, but it moved really fast and we got to see a bunch of people in their cute outfits, like the little boy in the Uta no Nii-san costume. He was the cutest thing ever. My sister kept trying to take a picture of him but he moved too fast and she was scared of looking like a creepy pedo or something. Anyway, I finally got my Riida uchiwa!! And also Nino and Aiba. And a penlight and a bag and a t-shirt. My sister got everything in Sakurai-flavour. This little girl started talking to us because she was worried we didn't like Jun, on account of not having a Jun uchiwa, which made me feel really bad and I nearly went back and bought one.
We talked to lots of people outside the concert, as they were all amazed that we were Westerners who loved Arashi and wanted to know who our ichibans were. Some people secretly took photos of us. My sister took photos of a few girls who had awesome costumes. Anyway, eventually my sister and I had to split up because we weren't sitting together and were entering through different gates. Stood in the line for ages worrying about things like what if I got in and she didn't or even worse, the other way around and so forth, and honestly the princess-type girls behind me should realise that if I'm going to see Arashi I have a basic understanding of Japanese, so I know what mean things you're saying about me and I don't think Arashi would approve!! But anyway, the ticket guy didn't even look at me. I went and found my seat, which was in the stands on the first level but kind of near the back. It was good because you could see everything but not super-close or anything.
Then I went to meet my sister in the smoking room. We were still worried that someone was going to tap us on the shoulder and say "YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE, GAIJIN!", but nobody did. My sister was super-excited because her seat was in the front section of the arena, three seats from the aisle where Sho went on the trolley thing during "Future" in the Time concert. Pretty darn good seat!! We stayed there until about 5.30 and then went back to our seats.
On one side of me I had these three brothers. The eldest one was a teenager and he was trying to act like he didn't care and stuff and was only there to look after his two little brothers, but before the concert started, he ran out and bought a Riida uchiwa. The littlest one kept getting messed up with the furi through the concert and looking to me to see what to do, which was so adorable. <3 On the other side I had this girl who was only there for one of the Jrs and sat down through most of it, which was kind of disappointing. Anyway, about 6.10, the lights went out and everyone started screaming. YAY!! At this point I realised I wasn't going to get kicked out and started crying like an idiot. XP
The songlist was the same as the other domes, so I'll go through song by song with what I remember.
Kansha Kangeki Ame Arashi - I could hear them before I saw them, then I noticed the giant 5x10 blimp rising up from behind the stage. They did the first part acapella and it sounded amazing, and it looked so amazing seeing everyone's penlights when they sang the line "Iwanai kedo hajimete no fukai itoshisa wa ARASHI!" that I maybe cried again, but then Sho started his rap and I was too excited to cry!! The big screen was split into five with close-ups of the members and I didn't know where to look, because I wanted to see the close-ups but I also wanted to watch them properly with my eyes. I can see them on a screen at home!! They floated along suspended from the blimp across the Dome to the back stage. They were up so high, but Sho didn't seem too scared and Aiba kept nearly turning upside down in his harness thing. They were lowered down onto the back stage for the next song and Nino fell over when he hit the ground.
Lucky Man - this was awesome, as you'd expect, and got everyone's tension rising. They danced a bit on the back stage then got on the carts and went around while doing the introductions. (May have cried a little again when Nino said "Irrashaimase" and when Sho said "TOOOOOOKYOOOOOOOOOO!", but that's totally not weird or anything, right?) This was also the point (I think) where they took off the sparkly black and gold coats to reveal the singlet tops underneath and I realised that yes, Aiba Masaki really is the hottest man on the planet, and Nino is much more manly than you'd expect.
We Can Make It - they danced to this on the main stage, and for most of it I was just transfixed by the hotness of Aiba. It's not that I'm shallow or anything, right, it's just that he's an incredibly good-looking man. Got a bit emotional again in this, because for the previous few months my sister and I had kept saying things to each other like "we can make it, right? Because Arashi said so," and "true dreams are always by your side, right? Because Arashi said so!" And, you know, Arashi were right. Sho's rap in this was awesome and Nino really does have manly shoulders.
Kaze no Makou e - Possibly cried again, on account of having (sometimes literally) passed through the wind and the rain to get to my dream and such. I don't really remember much of this, honestly, except for Sho telling everyone to "clap your hands like this", and being compelled to clap my hands like that. And also taking particular note of how pretty Jun's hair looked with the front pinned back. And there were Jrs with flags! I love Jrs with flags!!!
Crazy Moon - Didn't cry in this!! Was too busy watching the awesome dancing. Everyone was really good, and I know this is a stupidly obvious thing to say, but Riida was amazing. I don't think he's completely human, I think he's made of liquid or something like Alex Mack. It's nearly not fair on the other members!!! They did this on the moving stage. Yay, moving stage!!! (Though I think they maybe used the moving stage before this, because I remember that as soon as Nino got on it, he laid down and started rolling around.)
PIKA☆☆NCHI - Aiba solo - this was amazing!! It started off with one little guy drumming and then I think there were Jrs with flags (always awesome), and everything was all dark and stuff, it gave me the shivers!! Then Aiba appeared and started singing. His voice really suited it, I think in another life, Aiba should've been a rock star. There were awesome lights and Aiba led the Jrs marching band style down the middle of the stage. I can't really describe how freaking incredible it was.
Horizon/Dangan Liner/Allergy/Kokoro Chirari - This wasn't a medley or anything, but I'll put them all together because that's how I remember it. Everyone's tension went sky high again, it was awesome. I'm a bit ashamed to say I can't remember what they were wearing for these songs, was it the red and black outfits??? Anyway, one of the top 5 highlights of the whole concert for me was when they danced with the giant vegetables in Allergy, I loved how they brought back these little things from old concerts like that, and it's just such a stupidly adorable, dorkish Arashi-type thing, isn't it. I think in my whole life I have never been as filled with love for anything or anyone as I was at that moment for Arashi dancing with giant vegetables. Do you think they are the same vegetables as all those years ago or were they recreated for this concert? Also, who knew there were so many English lyrics in Kokoro Chirari???
Carnival Night - I think I was the only person in my row doing the furi for this, except for the little brother next to me who was doing his best. Still, it's Carnival Night, so even if everyone else was being wet fish about it, I was still very excited!!! I think they went around on carts again during this, but honestly I was just so into the song that I don't really remember!! XP Everyone stops what they're doing when the members go past on carts and just screams and waves (especially when it's Aiba, he really is the people's idol!), and that is kind of awesome too.
Kotoba Yori mo Taisetsu Na Mono - Nino solo - Nino is amazing. He looked super fine and really seemed like he was having fun. It wasn't spectacular like Aiba or Jun's solos, it was just Nino singing and playing guitar, but it still seemed very special somehow. At the end he did a rock star jump. <3 At the end, they introduced the band. People didn't seem to clap very much for them, which seemed a bit rude, I guess, but they didn't seem to mind.
Everything - the front stage was kind of in three levels and for this they stood on the top level right in front of the big screen and sang. This isn't one of my favourite songs, but they still did a very fine job. Can't remember these outfits either, I probably should've taken notes or something, but I think even if I'd intended too, I would've been too distracted by Arashi to write anything that made sense.
Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy - this wasn't one of my favourite songs before either, but it was really pretty. The big screen had all these flashing star things which was also pretty, and of course there was Ohmiya. Nino tried to touch Riida's butt (of course) and Riida slapped his hand away. After the camera went off them, Nino seemed really embarrassed and apologised to Riida, which was super cute but also made me think "wowsers, maybe they aren't really doing it after all", which is okay because they're clearly both doing it with the other three. XP
Aozora Pedal - this was so beautiful. I possibly got a little teary again, just because it was so beautiful. They made their way down to the main stage again for this, and what I really loved was that on the big screen there were all these pretty animations that turned from black and white to colour in the line "sore de ii atarashii iro de asu wo egakou". Arashi really are amazing.
Typhoon Generation - another one of the top 5 highlights was Nino's "Ja, ittekuru aa" bit at the start. He saluted at the end and was so amused with himself. <3333 It was awesome too, because after all the ballad-type songs everyone's tension went back up again.
Kumorinochi, Kaisei - Ohno solo - so freaking adorable. He came in from the back stage and was, of course, in the Uta no onii-san costume and he had these floating clouds and sun and stuff that followed along the moving platform. Riida is awesome. At the end, when he was going off-stage he did this cute jump-kick thing. <3
A Day in Our Life - Sho came out on a cart by himself and for about ten minutes was just making everyone say "OH YEAH!" which was so freaking awesome. He made the top level say it, then the bottom level, then everyone, and so on. Then everyone else came out on individual carts, the ones with the big screens on the sides, and they went into the song properly. Sho also said "wassup, party people!" which made me incredibly happy!! XP This song was also another top 5 highlight, it was freaking awesome. The carts stopped for most of this song, I think where I was sitting was halfway between Nino and Riida, but honestly that could've been another song, as I said, my memory is fuzzed by the awesomeness!
Oh Yeah - This was another highlight (I'm going to end up with more than five, I think), just because it really did feel as if the whole crowd and Arashi were one. I've heard them say about that in interviews and stuff before, but I never really got it until this song, with everyone waving their arms in the air and singing along, it was just such an overwhelmingly happy feeling, you know? I was kind of amused because they spent most of this song on the carts and only got off right at the end, while the Jrs were doing some hardcore dancing in the middle stage part. It made me think "ah, Arashi are getting old and have to pace themselves these days!!". XP (Which is totally unfair because I think they ran a whole marathon during the concert. Except Aiba, who ran twice that!)
Hadashi No Mirai - They were on the carts again for this. I remember distinctly because Nino-cart stopped right in front of me. Everyone did the furi perfectly for this and much fun was had by all, even if I was somewhat distracted by Nino being a very attractive man.
Step & Go - This was on the main stage again. I think the carts must have gone to the backstage and then they went on the moving platform or something, but that part is a blank to me (sorry). Anyway, I used to not like this song at all, until the Kokuritsu DVD and the skipping! There is nothing in the world I love more than Arashi skipping! They skipped in this, but kind of in a circle, which was also cute. And they did that thing where they stand in a line and poke out in different directions, you know like in "Yes? No?" from the Time con. It was super awesome. I love Arashi.
Beautiful Days - this was really lovely. They sang it from the middle of the arena and it was a bit emotional because it really made you understand about things being so beautiful that they make you sad, because Arashi are like that too. I think they were wearing pink suits at this point, but that may be a lie.
Tomadoi Nagara - Sho solo - Sho was wearing a very sequined jacket with the hood over his head and he came down on the moving platform to the back stage. I thought he did a good job with it, especially as it's not one of my favourites, but it was just kind of normal and not spectacular. Especially given what was coming next...
Wish - Jun solo - At this point I was really regretting not buying the Jun uchiwa, because this is honestly one of the most awesome things I've ever seen. It started with Jun (dressed very plainly in black pants and white shirt with a little Colonel Sanders tie thingie) conducting the band, then went into jazz-style Wish. He did some awesome jazz-style dancing and jazz-style singing that really suited his voice, I thought and there were random flashes of Domyouji up on the big screen (because, you know, you might forget he was in HanaDan XP). There were water fountains at the front of the stage lit up with rainbow lights that Jun conducted up and down and stuff, it was honestly amazing. Jun is so awesome.
Boku wa Boku Subete - On carts again. I didn't really know this song that well, but it was very enjoyable. I think at this point though, I was more worried that now all the solos were done that we were nearing the end, not having a watch or anything. Silly me!!!
Attack It - everyone went insane and I thought my arm was going to drop off from waving around my penlight, it was MAXIMUM TENSION UP!!! I hope they always do this song in concerts, it was the most fun ever!
Truth - Ah, I remember at this point they were wearing sparkly coats with big polka dots on them, and it was the sparkliest thing I'd ever seen. You really can't get a concept of how sparkly it is from the DVDs, and I will never again judge Arashi on their costumes unless I see them with my own eyes! Anyway, I remember this vividly because at this point I thought "wowsers, these costumes kind of don't match this song!", but I didn't mind at all, because I'd forgotten about Truth and was super happy to hear it! They were in the middle of the arena again and the dancing was of course amazing, and they drew squares in the air and so did everyone in the crowd and it was awesome! Jun didn't do his ninja kick though, but I forgave him on account of having such an awesome solo.
Ashita no Kioku - again with the crying!! They had baby pictures of Arashi up on the big stage, I'm sure everyone's read other reports about it and stuff. Mostly everyone was laughing at the pictures, or going "awwwwww" and stuff, but it was really very emotional, especially as the pictures of them got older and then at the end the pictures all came together to form the kanji for Arashi. I think everyone was just feeling so proud of Arashi, it was like this communal feeling of "oh, our boys have grown up into such fine young men!". <3
I think it was at this point where they had the MC. I'm pretty sure. I won't go into it too much, as I'm sure people with much better Japanese than me have probably translated it, but they talked about My Girl and their various upcoming projects and so forth. Nino told everyone to buy Tongari Corn and au phones and Super Mario Wii and so forth. Riida said his upcoming projects were Shukudai and Himitsu and VS Arashi. Everyone started screaming when Jun took off his shirt, so Riida stood in front of him to protect his modesty. I think Aiba told everyone to go straight home after the concert to watch My Girl so we could all watch it together with him, but that part maybe came later.
They went off stage at this point and there was video on the big screen about storms and Arashi over the past ten years and stuff, leading into the medley (which wasn't really like a medley, as they did nearly the full songs mostly), and that was all very emotional too, because there was tiny Arashi on a boat for their debut and this kind of thing, and you're filled with thoughts about how much they've had to go through to get to where they are today, and just so much pride and gratitude and so forth. And then...
A.RA.SHI - SEE-THROUGH RAIN COSTUMES!! Jun and I think Sho kept trying to cover their nipples (as if anyone hadn't seen them before), but Ohmiya seemed kind of proud of theirs. On the big screen was footage of them ten years ago in the rain costumes, which made it very obvious how much some of them had filled out. Nino and Aiba in particular. Aiba was very hot in his, what kind of a person can make a see-through rain costume so hot?? He truly is a miracle boy! They came down to the back stage on the moving platform and a couple of them fled, I know one was Riida because I could see him really well and he looked super amused, and I think Aiba as well.
Sunrise Nippon - still in rain costumes! Everyone was still laughing and in high spirits and Arashi ran around like crazy people. Fun was had by all!!
Kimi no Tame ni Boku ga Iru - got a little emotional in this as well, as I'd listened to this song every morning as a motivation for getting out of bed and going to work to earn enough money to go see Arashi (I think maybe by this point the people sitting near me thought I was an emotional basketcase), but not terribly emotional as it's such a fun song. Riida and Aiba came back for this and the others went offstage.
Jidai - FIREWORKS!! And awesome dancing! All five members back on stage and everything was so amazing that I didn't know where to look!!
Naisu na Kokoroiki - on carts again, and Nino stopped in front of my part again, so I don't remember much else about what was going on. XP
PIKA☆☆NCHI/Tomadoi Nagara/Kotoba Yori Mo Taisetsu na Mono - these were all really short on account of being done already for the solos, but still very awesome, the crowd were all super hyped up by this point.
Hero - for this they were on those rising stand things, and they rose up really high! Sho was right in front of my part for this and he didn't seem scared at all, except for when it started going back down and kind of jolted, he really freaked out. Like, really freaked out, not just a Sho-type overreaction. This song was really lovely too, with everyone singing along together and stuff.
Sakura Sake - I kind of wish they'd have done the whole song of this, because it was so awesome and everyone was really into it. Everything was very frantic at this point and I don't remember much of what was happening, aside from feeling very happy (and a little bit sweaty).
Wish - this was also super short on account of being a solo. They kind of just did the main bit. This has a very complicated furi that I had never picked up from watching the DVDs before!!!
Kitto Daijoubu - everyone went totally crazy for this as well. They were on carts again and again I don't remember much except for everybody having maximum high tension, especially when we had to say "ASA MADE!". XD
Love So Sweet - Nino and Sho did stupid flapping-like-birds dances!! It made me very happy.
Happiness - of course, Arashi ran around like crazy people for this and everyone went mad and Sho kept telling everyone to say "yeah, yeah, yeah". It was super awesome.
Believe - they were on the moving platform for this and I remember the dancing being awesome again.
5x10 - they talked a bit before this, thanking everyone for their support and such, and at least for this song it wasn't just me being randomly emotional because everybody was. They were in the very middle of the arena standing in a circle so that everyone could see them, and when they sang the line "kore kara mo, arigatou", they held onto the note for ages and the lights went on and all these gold sparkly streamers shot out from all around and it was super beautiful and the number 1 highlight. <3
Then they went away, but it was okay because I'd read concert reports from other places and knew they were doing two encores. XD
PIKA☆☆NCHI DOUBLE - this is my favourite song, so I screamed a lot when they came back out and it started, but so did everyone else, so that's okay. Arashi ran around a lot and waved a lot and it was all really awesome.
Ashita Ni Mukatte - everyone's tension peaked again (especially Aiba's) and again, much fun was had by all. I think everyone in Arashi (especially Jun) was trying really hard to convey their feelings to every single member of the audience. (My sister said afterwards she was surprised Jun wasn't actually standing at the door on the way out, shaking everyone's hands. <3)
Dekiru Dake - holy crap, Riida can sing. Again, that's really obvious, but it was really noticeable in this song, especially for someone like me who doesn't know anything about that kind of thing. They were on carts again, with lots of waving. <3
One Love - another really obvious statement: Sho is freaking hilarious. He was doing the One Love dance with these overly elaborate gestures and clearly super amused at his own awesomeness. Nino was also super amused. Jun nearly got the high note in the "hyakunen" bit, but not quite, bless him. Nino and Aiba were both kind of amused about that too. Everyone was in very high spirits, and I think there were more streamers at the end of this, but maybe it was at the end of the next encore. I didn't want them to go offstage at the end of this, because I knew they would only come back one more time.
At this point I didn't have tickets for the Sunday show and thought that this would be the only time I'd get to see them, so it was a little upsetting. Also, nobody in my section was yelling much for them to come back, but I knew they would because the official dudes weren't letting people out yet.
Fight Song - They came back, yay!! They did Fight Song mostly in silly voices, which was super awesome and yet another top 5 highlight. I couldn't be sad that there was only three songs left, because it's impossible to be sad when Arashi are singing Fight Song in silly voices and you have to be punching in the air all the time and saying "oi, oi, oi" even though you're totally exhausted and wondering how the hell Arashi have the energy to do this three nights in a row as well as everything else they do. At the end they asked Riida for his thoughts and he said "kurabeta jiten de maketeru" in a funny voice. <33333
Gori Muchuu - I honestly thought everyone's tension couldn't get higher, but it totally did!!! Jun jumped off the stage and practically threw himself into the crowd right in front of my section and stood up there singing for ages. He looked so happy! Pretty much, everyone went crazy and it was awesome!!! Sho made lots of weird noises.
They talked a bit more and thanked everyone again and said about Aiba's drama and that they'd do one more song, but that this was the last song for realz. (They didn't actually say "for realz".)
My Girl - they did this from the main stage and it was very emotional on account of being the last song and also kind of a sad song, but it was kind of happy too, because Arashi were still there and together with everyone.
Then they went away, which was sad, but still happy in a way because I'd realised my dream and got to see Arashi at Tokyo Dome and even if I never got to see them again, I would still have the precious memories of this night!
Of course, the next day we went straight out and bought tickets for the Sunday night. XP
So, with much less stress than the time before, we made our way back to Tokyo Dome. Our seats were kind of crappy, but at least we were sitting together this time, and the main thing is being with Arashi so it was okay.
I won't go song-by-song for this day, because the basics were the same, I'll just note the main points. In point form!
* The atmosphere was really amazing even more than on the Friday, I guess because it was the last show, but it really did feel just like Arashi were throwing this massive party and we were a bunch of their very best friends they'd invited along. Everyone around us was really into it and dancing in the aisles and such.
* I love the way that Arashi do really big waving when they're waving at the top floor, as if it takes extra looking to see them or something. Especially Sho.
* Sho and Aiba were mostly on our side this time, whereas on the Friday it had been mostly Riida and Nino. Jun divides himself equally amongst everyone. <3
* There was an older lady in front of us dressed in fluffy yellow pom-poms and she was SO SUPER EXCITED when they did Allergy, it was the cutest thing ever.
* Again, Nino was super-amused at himself at the start of Typhoon Generation, more so even than the last time.
* This time we had Sho in front of us for Hadashi no Mirai and Riida for Hero on the risey-up thing. Riida totally wasn't scared even a bit.
* Because we were on the top level, this time we took binoculars. They make you a bit dizzy, but I got to see a good close-up during "Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy". Riida was all pretend-angry at Nino for inappropriate touching, it was very cute. <3
* Also used binoculars for Nino's solo. He's super good-looking.
* During the MC, Aiba asked if everyone had watched My Girl and Nino said Aiba didn't because they went out drinking together.
* Instead of just shielding Jun's chest this time, Riida actually unbuttoned Jun's shirt for him.
* When they were wearing the see-through rain costumes, at the start of Kimi no Tame ni Boku ga Iru, Sho pointed to his nipples and goes "Check it out", then ran off stage. XP
* Jun cried during 5x10. <3
* Riida stuffed up his jump-kick thing at the end of this solo and they kept teasing him about it during the MC, and Nino kept making him reenact it.
* PIKA☆☆NCHI Double was even more awesome than on the Friday. At Sho's part at the end, his voice broke on the line "orera wakasugita tada wakasugita" and I think he nearly cried.
* They seemed much more relaxed and were just generally goofing around more this time.
* During Gori Muchuu, Jun climbed up to be with the crowd again, and this time Aiba did too!!
* I think it was at the end of "One Love" (on the Friday night as well), they kept making everyone jump at the end of the song, before they went off stage, only this time they made us do it like 10 times. I think they knew we were only fake-jumping, because when we properly jumped, they seemed satisfied!
* It was even sadder this time when they sang "My Girl", because it was the last show and you knew it was really the last song.
* Except that when they went away, everyone just kept yelling for Arashi and nobody was leaving!! And then Arashi appeared on the big screen and Jun was all like "what are you yelling for? Why don't you just go home?" except it was Jun, so of course he didn't mean it. Sho was waving around his towel like a bullfighter. They kept teasing us in such a fashion and honestly, I didn't believe they'd really come back. BUT THEN!!!!
* THEY CAME BACK!! And did A.RA.SHI!! Everyone was so happy, but also crying because they were so happy and full of love for Arashi. And honestly, from both shows this is the SUPER NUMBER ONE highlight, because it was just so awesome and everyone was so full of energy and singing along and everything. It really made you feel like they will really always be by your side! It was the perfect ending and even when we were leaving, nobody could stop smiling. Arashi really are just so amazing. <3
After the concert, we met up with oviparous and went and had coffee, which was also the perfect ending, as she's like the sweetest person ever. <33333
And anyway, so now I'm left with this feeling that's sort of like if it's possible to achieve this dream, then maybe you can achieve any dream if you work hard enough, and that I shouldn't get brought down by stupid things, because there's something bigger and better out there. And that no matter what happens, there will always be Arashi to make me feel better.
Also? I'm totally going to all five domes next year!