News Articles
Aug 08 2007
Pikachu the Live Concert
On August 7th 2007, the Tokyo International Forum hosted three Pikachu the Live - Pokémon Movie 10th Anniversary Commemoration Summer Vacation Family Concert (ピカチュウ・ザ・ライブ ポケモン映画10周年記念 なつやすみファミリーコンサート) concerts featuring music from Pokémon movies. The show was hosted by Kōichi Yamadera (山寺宏一) and Rica Matsumoto (松本梨香) with guest performances from Shōko Nakagawa (中川翔子), Asuca Hayashi (林明日香), Sowelu, Akiyoshi Fumie (あきよしふみえ) and Gurin (グリン). The concerts were at: 10:00a.m., 1:00p.m. and 4:00p.m. JST and the ticket prices were 4,200 yen for adults and 3,600 yen for children.
Click on image for higher resolution
The orchestra was conducted by Mr. Shinji Miyazaki (宮崎慎二) who composed most of the music from the latest movie Dialga VS. Palkia VS. Darkrai and is well known for his music work for the Pocket Monsters anime series.
Each concert was about an hour and a half long with a brief intermission. While there was a full orchestra there preforming a lot of back ground music pieces from the movie and tv show, a lot of the vocal performances had recorded music which the artist sang to. It's unfortunate that all the songs could not have a fully orchestrated performance. Rica Matsumoto was the highlight of the concert with her amazing singing performances and her co-hosting of the concert.
Together which has a lot of synthesized music sounded like the karaoke version from the CD was played and Akiyoshi Fumie just sang along. Akiyoshi Fumie returned to sing Together2007 to close the concert while the other cast members on stage sang along while the audience was motioned to sing the 'Yay yay yay yay!!' chorus.
Many Pokémon fans agree that the best Pokémon song ever is Chiisaki Mono from Movie 6 sung by Asuca Hayashi. When she originally sang the Chiisaki Mono she was only 14 years old. Her voice has changed significantly since the original recording but she still managed to sing it quite well. It was interesting to note that her singing voice sounded a lot older than her spoken voice. She has definitely matured over the last 4 years.
This concert was one of the rare instances where Pokémon fans could hear the original artists sing some of the songs from the Pokémon anime and Movies live. There were video cameras setup at the concert, so hopefully a DVD is in the process of being created and will be released.
Images from the concert are available on the imageboard thread.
Click on image for higher resolution
The orchestra was conducted by Mr. Shinji Miyazaki (宮崎慎二) who composed most of the music from the latest movie Dialga VS. Palkia VS. Darkrai and is well known for his music work for the Pocket Monsters anime series.
Artist List in Order of Performance:
- Rica Matsumoto (松本梨香) (Voice of Satoshi) sang: Mezase Pokémon Master '98 (めざせポケモンマスター) / Rivals (ライバル!)/ Type: Wild / Mezase Pokémon Master '98 (Reprise)
- Shōko Nakagawa (中川翔子) (Pokémon Sunday co-host) sang: Pokémon Narikiri Sunday (ポケモンなりきりサンデー)
- Gurin (グリン) (Current DP Anime Ending Theme) sang: Kimi no Soba de ~Hikari no Teema~ (君のそばで 〜ヒカリのテーマ〜)
- Akiyoshi Fumie (あきよしふみえ) (Current DP Anime Opening Theme) sang: Together
- Asuca Hayashi (林明日香) (Movie 6 Theme) sang: A Small Thing (Chiisaki Mono) (小さきもの)
- Sowelu (Movie 9 Theme) sang: A Thing to Be Protected (Mamoru beki Mono) (守るべきもの)
- Akiyoshi Fumie return to sing: Together2007 from Movie 10
Each concert was about an hour and a half long with a brief intermission. While there was a full orchestra there preforming a lot of back ground music pieces from the movie and tv show, a lot of the vocal performances had recorded music which the artist sang to. It's unfortunate that all the songs could not have a fully orchestrated performance. Rica Matsumoto was the highlight of the concert with her amazing singing performances and her co-hosting of the concert.
Together which has a lot of synthesized music sounded like the karaoke version from the CD was played and Akiyoshi Fumie just sang along. Akiyoshi Fumie returned to sing Together2007 to close the concert while the other cast members on stage sang along while the audience was motioned to sing the 'Yay yay yay yay!!' chorus.
Many Pokémon fans agree that the best Pokémon song ever is Chiisaki Mono from Movie 6 sung by Asuca Hayashi. When she originally sang the Chiisaki Mono she was only 14 years old. Her voice has changed significantly since the original recording but she still managed to sing it quite well. It was interesting to note that her singing voice sounded a lot older than her spoken voice. She has definitely matured over the last 4 years.
This concert was one of the rare instances where Pokémon fans could hear the original artists sing some of the songs from the Pokémon anime and Movies live. There were video cameras setup at the concert, so hopefully a DVD is in the process of being created and will be released.
Images from the concert are available on the imageboard thread.
Oct 06 2006
Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation - Pokemon Ranger to Umi no Oji: Manaphy DVD Release Date
Pokémon Ranger to Umi no Oji: Manaphy is the fourth Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation movie and 9th of all Pokémon movies. The DVD is scheduled to be released in Japan on December 22nd, 2006 and will cost 3,980 yen. The catalog number is ZMBS-952.
Amazon is now taking preorders with a 25% discount. This is a great price and those that are interested in importing this DVD shouldn't delay. Amazon.co.jp link: Click Here
The offical Movie 9 website has also announced DVD Specs and bonus features:
Color/101 Minutes/Dual Layer/2ch and 5.1 ch Surround Sound
Limited Production Pokemon jigsaw puzzle is enclosed
Creditless intro and ending
Illustration setting material collection
Idea sketch collection
Preview of Pikachu Movie 2006
Suddenly, the pirate Phantom, who wants the egg, attacks them. Phantom plans to conquer the world using the power of the crown of the ocean, but it seems that Manaphy is needed to understand the mystery of the treasure. The hand of the high-tech mecha Phantom is piloting draws near... then, the egg glows brilliantly, and Manaphy hatches! What is the legendary treasure? Will all the mysteries be understood when Manaphy's mysterious power is unleashed? Can Ash, Pikachu and Jackie complete this extremely difficult mission?
Amazon is now taking preorders with a 25% discount. This is a great price and those that are interested in importing this DVD shouldn't delay. Amazon.co.jp link: Click Here
The offical Movie 9 website has also announced DVD Specs and bonus features:
Color/101 Minutes/Dual Layer/2ch and 5.1 ch Surround Sound
Limited Production Pokemon jigsaw puzzle is enclosed
Creditless intro and ending
Illustration setting material collection
Idea sketch collection
Preview of Pikachu Movie 2006
Movie Synopsis:
Satoshi and Pikachu are lost in a wasteland and meet the star of the underwater Pokemon show, Hiromi. Hiromi is a descendant of a race of people who are able to communicate with the Water Pokemon, called the people of the water. They have a legend: somewhere in the oceans of the world is the Aksha temple of the ocean, and in it is hidden a treasure called the crown of the ocean. However, no one has ever seen it. Then, the Pokemon ranger Jack Walker, nicknamed Jackie, appears. Jackie is on a top-secret mission: to protect the egg of the prince of the sea Manaphy, and to deliver it to the temple of the ocean. Hiromi and Ash assist him in his mission and join him in his journey.Suddenly, the pirate Phantom, who wants the egg, attacks them. Phantom plans to conquer the world using the power of the crown of the ocean, but it seems that Manaphy is needed to understand the mystery of the treasure. The hand of the high-tech mecha Phantom is piloting draws near... then, the egg glows brilliantly, and Manaphy hatches! What is the legendary treasure? Will all the mysteries be understood when Manaphy's mysterious power is unleashed? Can Ash, Pikachu and Jackie complete this extremely difficult mission?
