special features

June is right in the middle of the rainy season, and unfortunately on that day it was raining in Tokyo. But the weather didn't seem to dampen the moods of the many Kagrra, fans at all, as they waited eagerly and impatiently for the show to begin. Some were wearing refreshingly cool-looking yukata [summer kimonos] while others were clad in Kagrra, costumes. A few minutes after the scheduled time the lights dimmed. By then Tokyo Kokusai Forum was brimming with excitement.

The first song to start off the night was '渦 / Uzu'. Dazzling green laser beams darted across the audience seats. Isshi appeared on the central stairways of the intricate, modern Japanese-style stage set. He was wearing a brilliant kimono-like dress colored bright red and resplendent with images of flowers. Just by standing on the stage, he immediately enthralled the fans. The ethereal notes of Shin's koto [箏; traditional Japanese stringed instrument] seemed to invite the audience into a different universe. The fans fluttered their hands like butterflies to celebrate the beginning of the extravagant banquet. During the next song 'ぱらいぞ / Paraizo' the audience enjoyed the dance choreography using sensu [Japanese hand-held folding fans], which is one of the many major attractions of Kagrra, concerts.

"Okay, Forum! You ready!? Let's go!!"
As Isshi instigated the audience, the band without resting moved on to the third song '賽 / Sai'. The floor shook as everybody in the hall furiously waved and whirled towels above their heads. Kagrra, went on to the fourth song '神風 / Kamikaze', where Shin, Nao, Isshi and Akiya lined up and performed side by side. The hall got even more fired up as the fans responded by moving their bodies back and forth in large motions.

"'珠～神楽幻戯～ / Syu～Kagura Gengi～' has finally started. Please enjoy the show until the very end. Let this great moment last forever..." ['forever' in Japanese is '永遠; towa, eien' which is also the title of the following song '永遠に、、、/ Towa ni...']
With a serene smile Isshi announced the beginning of the party, and then took off his flamboyant kimono. Akiya started playing a rock 'n' roll chord, then the band performed '永遠に、、、/ Towa ni...' and '嘆美なる死への憧憬 / Tanbi naru Shi heno Syoukei'. With each song everybody got more and more excited. The lights changed colors at breakneck speed, and it reflected brightly off the stylish walls placed at both ends of the stage and decked out with Japanese check patterns. Elaborate theatrics entertained the crowds during the seventh song '蓮 / Ren'. The walls opened and closed like 'fusuma [襖; traditional sliding doors]' in tandem with the melodies of Shin's koto.

The big photograph check here!