[Shiny Colors] My First xR Live

Summary

It far exceeded my expectations. Although I was aware of the existence of xR lives through HANGETSU and Re:FLAME, as someone accustomed to attending voice actor live concerts, I had kept my distance from them.

This is because, for live performances, I seek things that can only be obtained in that moment, such as live singing, instrumentation, and performance.
Regarding concerts where voice actors embody characters, I found value not just in them singing, but in the synergy created by them taking on those roles.
Because of this, I couldn't find value in xR lives, which I felt were limited to just a visual experience.

However, this time, I was intrigued by the concept, and especially by the novel announcement method of streaming a one-hour loop video before revealing the concert details, so I decided to participate.
(I watched [never;1] and [odd;2] via stream due to conflicting events.)

In summary, my perspective on xR lives was completely overturned.
Although the movement range for the live production was limited, it was no less impressive than previous live concerts, and while watching it in person, I never once felt that it was 'just a video'.

It was a completely different experience from watching a live Blu-ray on karaoke equipment; the high-resolution, high-definition models didn't look like they were on a display, and there was a sense of depth that made it impossible to tell where the models ended and the surrounding stage equipment began.
I was moved by how much it stirred up my desire to support them, and I could clearly see the differences in expression between performances while there, making it a concert that made me feel the great potential of xR lives.

I was so impressed that I decided I want to watch all the Illumine xR performances in person in May 2025.

[never;1]

Although there was an event conflict, the performance times did not overlap, so I watched it on my smartphone while outside.

Since the main appearance of the models had already been revealed in the pamphlet, I knew the quality was high, but including the production during the singing, it was a performance that I felt was worth paying for even as a stream.

In the stream, when the composition does not include the audience or stage equipment, unlike the live venue, you can enjoy the models with various 3D camera angles.
The switching is very seamless, and the framing balances the audience's excitement with the performers well.

As for the setlist, it was voluminous and relentless in a way that is difficult to achieve in a normal live concert due to the performers' physical stamina, and this is clearly an advantage of xR lives.
Especially in the case of Shiny Colors, although the setlist is very well thought out due to the need for transitions, the unit colors are so different that a sense of disjointedness is unavoidable.
This time, by clearly separating them by unit, the atmosphere of the songs does not change drastically, making it a very easy-to-watch structure.

Of course, I have favorite parts for each song, but the experience of thinking 'As expected, XX is great' and then having the same performer perform again, further increasing the excitement, was fresh because I rarely feel that in such unit lives.

And personally, what I was happiest about with the 3D acts was the individual motion. The differences in each character's dance technique, personality, and thoughts on the songs are clearly reflected in the fine differences in motion.
This was a point I felt was somewhat lacking in Song for Prism, so I am happy that I was able to observe this, especially for the members of SHHis and Cometic who were not made into 3D models in the TV anime.

Especially regarding Cometic, the difference between Luka Ikaruga and the two 'Double-Ha' members was striking, and the sharpness of each movement and the clear stopping at the points that should be stopped seemed to embody Luka Ikaruga's sincere feelings toward her performance. That is not to say that the performance of the two 'Double-Ha' members was bad; their soft movements reflect their personalities, which is an important element in forming the Cometic-likeness that has cuteness within coolness.

There were so many eye-opening parts just by watching the stream, and it was a performance that made me truly happy to see an xR live of this quality for Shiny Colors, which I love the most.

[odd;2]

After finishing my participation in the conflicting event, I checked the content of the performance up to that point on X.
Since I had received information from posts on X that the setlist was almost the same, I was hesitant about purchasing the archive, but then I saw that post.

My honest impression when I saw the post was, 'As expected of Shiny Colors.'

I was genuinely impressed by the idea of overturning the common sense that it is impossible to be unaffected by the performer's condition.
Although the live was temporarily interrupted, it resumed with a solo performance by Nichika Nanakusa.

At the time, thinking back to 'No Carat' which I had re-read just before, I was simply happy that Nichika, who had belittled herself by saying that SHHis was mainly Mikoto Hida and she was just standing by her side and 'no one was looking at her,' chose to stand on stage alone as SHHis.
And although she decided to go through with it, the anxious expression that could be glimpsed here and there was heartbreaking for me as I watched it on the stream.

Since then, I have enjoyed various impressions and analyses, and I was struck by the fact that from Mikoto's perspective, someone who had staked their life on the stage was finally able to make the decision to step down. That she was able to entrust SHHis to Nichika.
And I could only admire the depth of the backstory behind the "results" expressed in the live concert, such as the fact that the reasons leading up to this situation were properly expressed in enza (I was able to read SUGARLESS afterward).

And thanks to the phone call between the Producer and Hazuki Nanakusa posted on X after the performance, I realized that the time spent pondering whether Akari Mikoto would be able to return to the stage tomorrow—an expression that didn't end at the live venue—was exactly the kind of "thing you can only get at that moment" that I seek from live concerts.

At 10:00 AM the next day, when I left the hotel, I saw the news posted on X about her return for some of the songs starting from [or;3], and I was frankly surprised to find myself feeling relieved.
The experience of being so deeply immersed before even attending in person is something I probably could not have gained if it weren't for this xR live.

Regarding the production during the performance, I felt that the moments where the angle was disturbed, the focus was off for a few seconds, or the framing seemed to hurriedly chase after Nichika—perhaps implying a situation where they were forced to shoot from angles not planned for the stream—not only added realism but also had the effect of heightening the tension regarding the current situation.
I felt it also became a factor that made me sense their strong will to not interrupt the live concert and to continue the performance even if they fell into such a situation.

[or;3]

Finally, at the venue.

Because it was a general Asobi advance ticket, I ended up in the "sky seats." Although it was the 3rd floor, fortunately, it was the 2nd row, so standing was permitted.

The Tachikawa Stage Garden had a very bad reputation, and I was prepared for a restricted view, but for the xR live, since the performance is basically done on the 2nd-floor stage of a typical live concert, I was able to watch with a clear view.

As announced at 10:00 AM that day, Akari Mikoto joined midway through. There was time for the Cometic members to explain that, and I once again felt the reality of this live experience.

Following [odd;3], the SHHis part was performed by Nichika Nanakusa alone, but I was struck by the fact that the anxious expression seen in yesterday's performance was gone, replaced by a performance that showed positive emotions of protecting the stage until Mikoto-san arrived.

And after the interlude video, two shadows rose from the abyss. I had guessed it by this point, but it was Luka and Nichika's performance. I had hoped I might hear it, but I never thought I would actually get to see it.
At the 5.5th anniversary in 2023, there was a performance by the two units Cometic and Illumination Stars, but I felt a thrill the moment the intro to Shiny Stories began, a combination I thought I would never see given the recent story developments.

Although they performed together, the awkwardness in their talk couldn't be wiped away, but the fact that they were in an atmosphere where they could sublimate it into laughter is something that would never have been realized without their journey up to this point.

From here, it was a relentless setlist that drained all my stamina with:
・Kami-sama wa Shinda, tte
・Doro-nei Mei-mei
・Mujikaku Apriori
・Heads or Tails?

And then, Akari Mikoto returned for the final song before the encore. The calls during Fashionable after the encore were deafening, ignoring the explosive sound system even in the 3rd-floor seats, and it was a moment that truly inspired me.

The final song, Ai na View, felt like the culmination of SHHis's journey so far after going through these events.

Personally, it's one of my favorite phrases in Shiny Colors, and I took the lyrics to depict a scene where SHHis, whose thoughts were independent, trust each other and their thoughts become one. Despite it being such a positive song, it touched my heart and I was overcome with emotion.

My honest impression after the performance was that it was such a grand finale that I was filled with a sense of fulfillment that made me forget there was still one more performance left.

[even;4]

Since this was the only ticket I had won through the AsoPre member advance lottery, I headed to the venue with my heart full of anticipation.

Don't underestimate it just because it's the 7th row. I was surprised at how close it was.

It was a significant upgrade from the 3rd floor to the 1st floor, but the importance of front-row seats remains the same even for xR lives. Especially in terms of immersion, since my previous performance was in the L block, I had been watching from the upper left of the stage, looking down. From that angle, I couldn't deny a certain flatness that made me feel the display, but the stage production was so solid that I was still able to get really excited.
However, watching from near the front center was a whole different world.

Personally, when the spotlight moved away and the brightness dimmed slightly, the visual presence was staggering.
The imaging equipment this time had an extremely high resolution, and even watching from the front, I didn't feel any pixelation at all.

Even among all that, Ruka Ikaruga's presence during the stage for "Kamisama wa Shinda, tte" was on a different level. In particular, when the background turned deep red during the "Ikiteiku riyuu wo" part, I couldn't help but think, 'Ruka Ikaruga is really there,' and combined with the excitement of the song, I was so moved that I found myself shedding tears.

Having had this experience, it was the moment my thinking completely changed to the belief that even for an xR live, you have to go to the venue.

And then, the moment that could be called the highlight of this performance.

I've been buying CDs ever since I got into SHINY COLORS, but I couldn't help but be impressed by SHINY COLORS incorporating a gimmick that can only be experienced through a CD in this Reiwa era.

I feel once again what an exquisite emotion it is to be able to hear a song you encountered through such a special experience at a live concert. I listened to the song before looking at the lyrics, and I couldn't hold back my tears from the moment I heard a certain phrase. Seeing that phrase presented along with the lyric video production, I just couldn't hold it in.

And then, the moment the final song title was displayed, I witnessed the '1' dyed in Hana Suzuki's member color and the '3' in Haruki Ikuta's, which was an even bigger blow.

It had been a long time since I experienced being unable to stop clapping after a song ended. The atmosphere of the entire venue savoring that moment was also an experience that cannot be replaced by anything else.

Afterword

I ended up writing too much while jotting down what I was thinking over the weekend, but even taking all factors into account, I think it was a wonderful live concert.
I was able to fully feel the progress of xR technology, the storytelling of SHINY COLORS, and the journey they have taken so far.
The fact that this was a live concert that makes me look forward to future xR lives and the future of SHINY COLORS is an unchanging truth for me.

End