My Raison d’Être: Junjou no Afilia 10th Anniversary Tour, Tokyo Performances
It is a big step for Junjou no Afilia this year: the group celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018, and therefore flew on a national tour for this special occasion. Debuting in 2008 under the name Afilia Saga East, the group, made of members of the maid cafe franchise of the same name, has its fait number of successes and prestigious collaborations. Produced by Shikura Chiyomaru and Momoi Halko, their discography also features some titles produced by the legendary Tsunku.
As we are quite used to observe their little sisters Iketeru Hearts, it was only a matter of time until Bonjour Idol finally meddled into Junjou no Afilia’s business! We had the opportunity to spend the day with the group for their tour performances at TSUTAYA O-WEST in Shibuya on March 16.
It was quite an eventful day as we were also able to observe their rehearsal and preparation from behind the scenes, from morning to late at night. We are very happy to share this experience to you all in the first of a brand new video series! Come discover or know more about Junjou no Afilia’s busy day thanks to Bonjour Idol in the pilot episode of “Un jour avec…” (“One day with…”) below:
The group offered two performances that, despite being built on a similar pattern, were made of completely different songs. As we are getting closer to leader Maho’s graduation, active member of the group since 2010, it was the perfect occasion to bring back some vintage and rarely performed tracks – much to the pleasure of their long-time fans.
The select corner (unit song segment) of each show divided Junjou no Afilia in three units. Kaori, Anna and Amina notably delished the audience on the very catchy and playful “Spell☆Of☆Love” during the afternoon performance. Yumi, Chloe, Serrah and Kana juggled between styles, with the hypnotizing charm of “SPRInG FAcTiON” and the orchestral notes of “Kono Uta ni Eien Ai wo Sasage ku”. Finally, Beel, Maho and Meimi showed off their air-volleyball skills on “Hatsukoi///Stripe” during the night show.
The lucky fans who came for the afternoon show were rewarded by a small game organized by Chloe! Two teams, fans versus idols, were fighting each other in a delirious blind test, mixing older and newer Junjou no Afilia titles, but also songs from sister group Iketeru Hearts or Purely Monster, another idol group produced and managed by the same team. It will be difficult to forget the little challenge given to the losing team of fans, that the very cheerful Anna happily took over, impersonating her group mates under roars of laughter and a round of applause.
You say tour, I say new costumes and new song! Junjou no Afilia had a few minutes during the unit songs to change into their new outfits, spring-like sky blue satin short dresses with crimson accents, moving on stage in their shiny ruby slippers that the Wizard of Oz only wishes he had. The tour song, “Kiseki to Mahou no Chronicle”, is a emotional anthem, dedicated to the legacy of Afilia, but also to the close-knit bonds that tie all the members who took part of the group’s history throughout these past ten years.
The second and last show of the day ended on one of their latest singles, “Sore dake ga, ikiru imi nanda” – This is my only reason to live. Yumi was in charge of a spectacular monologue in the middle of the song, in the purest silence, only interrupted once by a fan, probably scared by the idea of watching his idol announce her departure. Much to the contrary! It was only a message from the group to their fans, thanking them for their eternal support, allowing them to live the best years of their youth as members of Junjou no Afilia. Message that did not fail to make us shiver with emotion. The audience then called their idols back on stage for a second performance of “Kiseki to Mahou no Chronicle”, concluding the Tokyo performances of this tour…
…except not exactly!
Junjou no Afilia will be back in town for the final performance of their tour, on April 27 at Ebisu Liquidroom. A show that the Bonjour Idol team will definitely not miss, climax of an exceptional tour for one of the most respected groups in the indie idol industry. Our video cameras will also be part of the trip, so be ready!
Next Live
Junjou no Afilia 10th Anniversary Tour Finale “Kiseki to Mahou no Chronicle”
April, 27th 2019 (Sat)
Ebisu Liquidroom
Presales – 4,500 yen // On the day – 5,000 yen (+ 1 drink)
Open – 15:00 // Start – 16:00
Buy on ePlus (Japanese)
Setlist
Afternoon Performance
01. Kono sekai ni mahou nantenai yo (この世界に魔法なんてないよ)
02. I WANT TO GROW
03. Megamisama no Pointcard (女神さまのポイントカード)
04. Japonesque x Romanesque (ジャポネスク×ロマネスク)
05. Knee High Egoist (ニーハイ・エゴイスト)
06. SURVIVE!!
07. Watashi☆LOVE na☆otome! (ワタシ☆LOVEな☆オトメ！)
08. Mirai ga Watashi wo Matteiru (未来が私を待っている)
09. Spell☆Of☆Love (Anna, Kaori, Amina)
10. SPRInG FAcTiON (Yumi, Chloe, Serrah, Kana)
11. Mirai Button (ミライボタン) (Beel, Maho, Meimi)
12. Kiseki to Mahou no Chronicle (奇跡と魔法のクロニクル)
13. Itsuka Mita Niji no Sono Shita de (いつか見た虹のその下で)
14. Lost In The Sky
15. Venus to Aoki Nanatsu no Umi (ヴィーナスと蒼き七つの海)
16. Koi no Wizard (恋のWizard百年戦争)
17. Sore dake ga, ikiru imi nanda (それだけが、生きる意味なんだ)
18. Suki wa Muteki (スキハ無敵)
Night Performance
01. Baisoku Renai Tokei (倍速恋愛時計)
02. Seinaru wktk no Hoshi (聖ナルｗｋｔｋノ星)
03. Magical☆Express☆Journey (マジカル☆エクスプレス☆ジャーニー)
04. Never Say Never
05. S・M・L☆
06. Neptune☆Sagashite (ネプテューヌ☆サガして)
07. Higouriteki Katsu Teisei Funou na Omoikomi (非合理的かつ訂正不能な思い込み)
08. Triangle Wave
09. Koi no Game ni shinaide! (恋をゲームにしないで！) (Anna, Kaori, Amina)
10. Kono Uta ni Eien Ai wo Sasage ku (この歌に永遠愛を捧げく) (Yumi, Chloe, Serrah, Kana)
11. Hatsukoi///Stripe (ハツコイ／／／ストライプ) (Beel, Maho, Meimi)
12. Kiseki to Mahou no Chronicle (奇跡と魔法のクロニクル)
13. Yakusoku no Ano Sora no Hate e (約束のあの空の果てへ)
14. Lost In The Sky
15. Venus☆Megamix! (ヴィーナス☆女神っくす！)
16. Princess to Kaeru no Mahou (プリンセスとカエルの魔法)
17. Mahou no Chocolate Densetsu (魔法のチョコレート伝説)
18. Suki wa Muteki (スキハ無敵)
19. Sore dake ga, ikiru imi nanda (それだけが、生きる意味なんだ)
— ENCORE —
EN01. Kiseki to Mahou no Chronicle (奇跡と魔法のクロニクル)
Junjou no Afilia – Official Site Junjou no Afilia – Twitter
Photos by Nathan Gey
Article and translation by Melody