It was a great weekend as a fan with Japanese fantasy idol group Starmarie arriving in Manila for the Philippine leg of their Asian tour. They had a quick performance at Movie Stars Cafe Friday night shortly upon arrival, then a resounding and well-received performance at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia at Hero Faceoff 2015. The stage was then set for their live concert at Movie Stars Cafe, named as STARMARIE Asian Tour 2015 Fantastic in Manila, and arkadymac.com is glad to be a media partner for the event to bring you the highlights of this much-awaited event.
We are fortunate of course to have covered their all of their performances here in the Philippines when they visited, during BOA Summer Live 2014, a summer show at Movie Stars Cafe, Best of Anime 2014, a mini-concert at Movie Stars Cafe and a special performance at the Aldaba Recital Hall at UP Diliman. We are happy for them for having rose to prominence, with many scheduled performances in Japan, a successful Asian tour, and having been chosen to do the ending theme of a well-known anime series.
Despite several roster changes over the years, Starmarie currently has five amazing members: Nozomi Kishita, Shino Takamori, Matsuzaki Hiroka, Nakane Motoko, and Watanabe Kaede. The Japanese fantasy idol group never disappoinedt their fans with energetic performances on stage with their own repertoire and renditions of anime and Japanese songs.
Helping us out in bringing you the highlights was our Coverage Partner Jillian, who has already joined us many times in the past in covering Starmarie events and was happy to see them again.
The program started in the morning, with great hosts facilitating the event and conducting games and surprises for the audience.
Guest cosplayers Miyumi and Gumiu were there for a special appearance and performance.
Starmarie then takes the stage for the first part of their concert, much to the delight of the fans. Starmarie got to perform again in front of an ecstatic Filipino audience, and the idol group responded in kind with dazzling choreography and showmanship that demonstrated why they have a growing, loyal following in their native Japan and lots of fans all over the world.
There was then a special Rurouni Kenshin/Samurai X presentation by the wonderful actor and actresses of Movie Stars Cafe. Their choreography, acting and special effects were all superb, and it was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.
A group of Movie Stars Cafe performers called the Tokyo Girls got to perform songs from popular Japanese idol group AKB 48, and they were pleasantly surprised at the level of enthusiasm and participation of the audience, almost all of them familiar with the songs.
Fans were then thrilled to see Starmarie member Monya cosplaying as Nico Yazawa from Love Live! School Idol Project. She looked wonderful of course and the audience couldn’t stop snapping away with their cameras.
Then came time for Tokyo Cosplay Battle, a segment within the concert where the group has invited local cosplayers from all over to showcase their skills, creativity and talent. Six brave contestants answered the call for battle, all giving their best performances in front of Starmarie and Miyumi and Gumiu who all served as judges, and of course in front of the crowd who cheered them on.
Some assistants/actors from the Cafe helping one of the contestants during a transformation sequence stole the show, leaving the audience, even Starmarie, in tears … of laughter.
At the end of the judging, runners up got some great prizes like flashy earphones and cameras. Tantin Meneses won top place for her performance as Erza Scarlet, and as Champion of Tokyo Cosplay Battle she got to take home the 10,000 cash prize.
Then came the second set of their concert, putting on an amazing high-energy, non-stop and riveting performance from the group, going all out to please their fans with their incredible music and dancing. After the set, the fans were clamoring for an encore. They were overwhelmed with the long, unending chant from the fans, and Starmarie gave in and were gracious to perform two additional songs which the audience went wild to.
Then came time to say their goodbyes to the group of fans who were equally tireless in cheering all throughout the day. They were given messages in cartolina as a token of their fans’ appreciation. They had some final group photos before their autograph signing session.
Starmarie then had a short session with the media. We shared some time with them, asked a video message for all of their Filipino fans, and game them our trademark explosive tag calling card to remember us by.
Movie Stars Cafe was the perfect setting for this event as it had he makings of a great venue for concerts and functions. Everywhere you look you’ll feel like you’re in a Hollywood studio with lots of statues and memorabilia lining the walls inside the cafe and attractions outside as well. The stage is very visible from anywhere and they had lighting and effects that make the performances all the more astounding.
We at the team personally had a wonderful time and were happy we got to cheer for them as they gave a memorable performance. We do hope they will visit the Philippines again soon, as do their fans who were treated to a performance of a lifetime.
Videos of their performances coming soon, so do watch out for them.
Thank you for dropping by and do visit again soon for more cosplay features here at arkadymac.com.
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