As I’ve mentioned in my articles time and again, there are countless otaku events held all throughout the world. These events are not just about anime or manga or cosplay, but all aspects of Japanese culture, from traditional to popular.
If there was an ideal form for these global events, I think it would have to be the Niconico Cho-Kaigi. The focus of Niconico Cho-Kaigi isn’t just anime and Vocaloid; here even sumo wrestlers are one of the “gods” of the event (they even held the “Grand Sumo Cho-Kaigi Basho” tournament).
I asked the girls what it was like to perform at such an otaku event.

Miyazaki “It’s not like everyone here came to see an idol concert. So before we went out on stage, I was worried if people would actually enjoy our performance. But everyone was really friendly and they all got behind us. Everyone is just really nice regardless of what genre they’re fans of.”

This reminded me of what Sachiko Kobayashi said when she spoke to the crowd at “Comiket Special 6 – Otaku Summit” held at the same Makuhari Messe hall last month. She said, “Everyone here at Comiket is so nice.”
She’s right; otaku are nice people.
And that’s why I’ve worked so hard these past few years to get the IOEA up and running. The world’s otaku are passionate about the things they like and they’re nice people. I have hope in the future that they will create.

With the group in Mexico who perform covers to Juice=Juice and other Hello!Pro numbers.
Miyamoto “I’m glad everyone at the concert was so lively.”
Kanazawa “It was fun to experience the different reactions to what we’re used to. I’m happy we got such a positive response even from people who saw us perform for the first time. It made me want to work even harder in return.”
Uemura “From the green room we could hear the screams from the audience whenever another artist went out on stage. I was worried that the audience might not scream for us when we went out, but they did and I was so relieved.”
Takagi “I think it’s a place for people who are just passionate about the things they like. If people develop even the tiniest bit of interest in us as a result of this event, then I’m happy.”

How do you want Juice=Juice to develop as a group from here on?

Takagi “It was one of our objectives when we formed the group but, I want us to become a group that can perform international tours, and if possible, I just want to keep going around and performing concerts where we can. Before we get to that point, right now we just have to focus all of our efforts on clearing our other goals first.
It’s so great performing at places (like Niconico Cho-Kaigi) with all different otaku. It was a real eye-opening experience.”

Juice=Juice
The moment I heard Juice=Juice’s “Kazi ni Fukarete” resonate through the speakers in Mexico, I knew that everything I needed for my interview with Juice=Juice the following week had fallen into place.
It just so happened that on the night of the interview, ℃-ute announced an upcoming performance in Mexico.
Four years have now passed since I saw those ℃-ute fans singing and dancing to “Dance de Bakoon!” I wonder where Juice=Juice will perform overseas first? Wherever that may be, I know I want to be there for it, no matter what. When that time comes, I’m sure my memories of Mexico and Niconico Cho-Kaigi will all come flooding back again.

J Pop Culture Observations - Back Number