Calling all utaite fans! Look out for the first-ever overseas Niconico KUNIKAIGI collaboration happening right on AFA2014 grounds in less than 2 weeks! Experience what niconico has to offer as they re-create niconico internet culture in real life, and get up close and personal with some of the most popular utaites on niconico.
This event will not be the first time popular utaite Ito Kashitaro will be in Singapore. As one-half of duo ITOWOKASHI, he has performed multiple times on our sunny shores. Aside from being a distinguished performer at AFA’13 last year, the duo has performed at the Itowokashi Street Live at Merlion Park, as well as at the more recent Funan Anime Matsuri. For those who have missed ITOWOKASHI’s past performances, dedicated fans have posted their accounts online. We remember them fondly for their warm and generous gestures, and their friendly interactions with their fans! Besides taking their music around Japan on their live tours, they have gone global with live performances across Singapore, Thailand, France and The Netherlands as part of their world tour.
Known for his clear and “majime” (earnest) voice, Ito Kashitaro did not in fact start out as an utaite. His first niconico upload took the form of an original composition titled “Namida ga Koboreru Mae ni”, under the name of FuwamokoP. Subsequent success and popularity of his acoustic covers took off his utaite “career”, and he started posting covers under his current moniker.
Close friends with LeftyMonsterP, the duo formed the unit ITOWOKASHI in 2012, and often collaborate to compose songs or perform lives together. The duo is seen and depicted in their characteristic masks, of which Ito Kashitaro will don a fox mask. He is also a part of multiple collaboration projects including Circle of Friends, 〆5, Smiley*2GS and Teito Hanayoi, releasing albums, performing lives and even dabbling in a bit of radio drama CDs.
Amatsuki is a common face (or should I say voice) in many of these collaborations, and the duo have released many duet covers and even released this cutely diabetic Honey Rabbit! character song CD together (see below). You can also catch Amatsuki as a guest utaite at the Nico Nico KUNIKAIGI event!
Ito Kashitaro’s most successful cover to date is “Children Record”, hitting over a million views on niconico. Aside from the wild popularity of his song covers, he has also released albums as himself and ITOWOKASHI. Fans would bounce to familiar tunes of “Hoshiai”, ITOWOKASHI’s first single penned and produced by none other than the duo themselves. Earlier this year, he has also released an album under his own name, titled “Ichii Senshin” (一意専心). Check out his vocals in this one-song preview from his album:
For all new and old fans alike, you would not want to miss this chance to watch them live at AFA’14. ITOWOKASHI will be having an exclusive showcase on the AFA Main Stage on 5th Dec (Fri) at 1230pm. Ito Kashitaro will also be featured as one of the artistes at the Nico Nico KUNIKAIGI event, held within the exhibition grounds of AFA. Come down to AFA’14 and enjoy what niconico has to offer!
Nico Nico KUNIKAIGI will be held over 3 days on 5th, 6th and 7th December. Stay tuned to their official website for more details!
What is Niconico?
The word “Niconico” is a Japanese term translating to “to laugh” or “smile”. Niconico is Japan’s largest video-sharing site with approximately 42 million registered members and 2.3 million paid members.
What sets Niconico apart from other video hosting sites is its original commenting system. Live comments from viewers are displayed over the video screen, allowing users to interact with one another in real time.
Niconico is home to a virtually endless library of user video content covering several genres such as Vocaloid, “Utattemita” Sang_it, “Odottemita” Danced_it, Played_it and Let’s Play.
The post [AFASG] NICONICO KUNIKAIGI featuring Ito Kashitaro appeared first on AFA Channel!.
