Ep 15 – Unique Tigers | Travis Japan Concert Tour 2025 VIIsual
Domo Penlight Chronicles dad. Hello everyone. Hi. Hello. Welcome to Penlight Chronicles where we’re just three friends who want to share our love for Stardo idols with you. Hi everyone. I’m Michael. I’m Zoe. And I’m Hushi. And today we have a special guest joining us for a very special episode. Uh before I tell you guys the topic, round of virtual applause, I guess, for our special guest. Uh, life in cartoon motion. Kenneth. Yay. Hello. Thank you. Thank you for having me. Of course. Just for a quick moment, I guess, insert or whatever it is. Somebody fill in words. My brain isn’t working. But we’ve maybe introduction, but uh we’ve invited Kenneth today to our podcast because we’re gonna be talking about something that the three of us like, but we probably don’t love as much as he does. So, yeah. So, before we get into it, Kenneth, would you like to just give our, uh, listeners a bit of an introduction as to who you are? Hi. Yeah, my name is Kenneth Mogan. I own and operate the blog Life in Cartoon Motion, um, which talks about everything from music to movies to toys, a lot of Stardto idols. Um, specifically the ones that we’re going to be talking about today. So, I’m I’m really excited to be here. Yeah. excited to have you here. Thank you. It’s very exciting. Um, as we always say about our special guests, they’re here to lend us a little bit of credibility because sometimes, as uh my lovely co-host Zoe likes to say, we know nothing. We sometimes we truly do know nothing. We do know nothing. So uh listeners, we are bringing you a very special episode because somehow somehow between the four of us, we have covered the entirety of Travis Japan’s visual tour 2025’s North American Leg. Mhm. Yay. And if those words are not some of the most exciting words I’ve ever said, I can’t do this. So, how this worked out um is so twothirds of Penuro aka me, Michael and Hosshi, hi attended the New York show. Kenneth attended the Anaheim show and Zoe watched the New York live stream and so we have got you covered today. All angles. Yep. All angles. I actually I actually was there in Japan too for the for the first uh show there. Oh, me too. Yeah. Oh, you were there too? Yeah, I went to the opening show as well. Okay. So, we covered literally the entire We literally covered Yeah, we have Japan, America online. Yep. Amazing. This is the most organized we’ve ever been. That’s not even our main group. Well, I support whoever is going to come here to North America. Oh, of course. So, just a little bit of background for anybody who doesn’t know who Travis Japan is. Travis Japan is made up of seven members. We have Mia Chica Kao, otherwise known as Chaka, uh, member color red, and he’s the leader of the group. Then we have Nakamura Kao, uh, known as Umei. He’s green. Shimeya shime pink. Kawashima Noel. Noel white. Yoshi. Shizu. Yellow. Matsuda. Genta. Genta. Blue. Matsukura. Kao. Machu. As in Machu Picchu. And he’s orange. And yes, you didn’t hear wrong. There are three Kaos. You’re just going to have to love it. Mhm. Mhm. And so the group was formed in 2012 and they finally debuted in 2022. So far they have two albums, Road to A and Visual, nine singles or digital releases. They started off their tours with a bang. Their first world tour uh which encompassed Taipei, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seattle, LA, and New York City was in 2024. And then they’re in the middle of doing their second world tour. Uh they’ve covered New York, Anaheim, and they’re going to hit Taipei, Hong Kong, and Bangkok later in the year. Yes. Yeah. Yes. And so they are very exciting to us because they are and I’m going to be wrong. Somebody’s going to correct me, but they’re I’m already correcting myself in my head, but they are one of the first Stardo idols to come to North America and do a tour. No, I think they are the first. I think they are the first. Are we going to reference Akanishi Jin’s random American tour? No. Was Oh, I didn’t even know that was a thing. I forgot that existed. So, no. Hence, I was correcting myself in my head when I was already saying it out loud. But now that technically, yeah, now that you say it, I it rings a bell. I don’t know. What was Was he just doing LA and New York? I can’t remember now. It’s been really long. Okay. They’re the first group in a very long time. Yes. The first group that we’ve seen. That’s Yeah. They’re the first group of the the current idols, I think, that have done it. And they’re not Akani Jin was a solo act at that point or he did a solo tour. Oh, we don’t talk about that. If we get into tattooing, we’re never shutting up. Um, next time, next time. Next time. Next time. So then this is why it’s so important to us even though three out of the four of us here are not full on Travis Japan fans. Like I’m the first to say that I’m a bit more of a casual fan. I’ve got Travis Japan fans around me. So I’ll consume the media. I’ll know what’s happening. But I’m not going to hunt for it like I would some of my other groups. Mhm. Yeah, but but for me the importance is to show the support and to show the the Jimu show the company that international fans a exist and b will show up. It does not matter. Yeah. And it’s not every day that they come to North America. Mhm. Oh, of course not. It’s not every day. Yeah. So, it’s a once in a blue moon opportunity to see idols on like literally home ground. I know. And it’s very very special. So, I think even if I’m not like a huge fan or like hardcore fan, like I would still go just to be able to see a Stardo concert. Yeah. And I would support Yeah. There’s There’s nothing like a Startto concert. Mhm. No matter which group you’re going to see, it’s it’s an experience. It’s a very awesome experience. Exactly. Yeah. I I really appreciate them coming here because it’s it’s it’s like they’re finally acknowledging that we exist and like they’re putting the show on for us specifically, which Yeah. is a very different vibe from them doing it in Japan. Yeah, for sure. And just having it two years running makes it feel like, oh, this is serious. They’re serious about this. It’s not just a oneoff. They’re here for fun. I know. Yeah. Yeah. I really hope they expand the tour if they continue to do it because I’m sure lots of fans like there are fans like in other cities too who would love to see them in their city. Mhm. Yeah. Yeah. And maybe they can even go to Europe. Oh, I just want them to go everywhere. Like world tour for real world. Literal world tour. Yes. But yeah, just I remember the excitement of the 2024 announcement. I was just like, I am ready. I am not ready, but I am ready. Oh, and this year it was just it was just anticipation for me because I was like, “When are they announcing it? When are they announcing it? They’re coming back.” Right. They’re coming back, right? It was just Yeah. But we’ll get into this probably a little bit later, but I swear there is no Stardo release that goes the way it’s supposed to go. Yeah. But we won’t we won’t talk about that just yet. We want to we want to start these thoughts with some, you know, let’s put out some highlights and just kind of get some impressions, get some feelings about this concert out before we really dive into some other stuff. Yes. Yes. So, we’re going to be talking about the concert itself. So, if you haven’t seen the concert, beware of spoilers, but also go watch the live stream on Family Club online. Tickets are still available. You can I think although by the time this podcast is out, it might be over. How about we we should check the date for that. Please check the date for that. I think it’s um done by August 8th. I think we have time then, right? Or no, but when this episode comes out. Okay, no. This episode comes out on the 6th, so people will Okay. Two days. Yay. Two days. So, if you haven’t seen it, rush to see it. Yes. Literally run. Yes. Run to your keyboards. Rush to see it. Yes. Rush. Oh my god. Anyway, so I’m going to give this moment to our special guest before we accidentally steamroll him because the three of us we can. Oh, sorry. Wait. I just checked. They have until August 10th. So, 4 days. Oh, wonderful. Even better. A whole weekend. But I’m going to give this opportunity for our special guests to talk about the Anaheim show. And then I’ll leave space for Zoe and Hosi and I to talk about the live stream as well as NYC. And then we can just kind of compare the three. Mhm. Okay. Well, I Yeah. So, the Anaheim show I I’d never been to The Grove. Um I don’t I’ve never really been to Anaheim being honest. Um but it was it was a bigger venue than when they were here last year. Okay. And and it it just Yeah, it felt like a nicer venue as well. I hope that doesn’t get me in trouble for saying. Um but it’s Well, the Grove is iconic, isn’t it? Yeah, exactly. and and it was it was just there. So, I I just actually posted my review of the concert on my blog last night. And one of the things that I I love about the group is I I interviewed them before the show. Oh. And when you when I’m was talking with them and interviewing them, they’re they’re just the sweetest bunch of people. And then when they get on stage, it’s like something switches and they are completely just it’s amazing. Like I love watching them move and and the way that they synchronize. It’s just it’s incredible. Um I was very excited as well because Noel was back um for the Anaheim show. he was on hiatus when I went to Japan and so I loved loved the the concert in Japan. It was wonderful, but there was definitely a piece missing. And so to have him back on stage was just I’m like, “Oh yes, their their their puzzle is complete again.” And I loved him coming in for Say I Do and Tokyo Crazy Nights and and it just it was I could go on and on, but I’m also like at a loss for words. But it’s I just I love So I did not see the New York live stream, but I’m assuming that Genta did the Tao drums for the Volcano. I loved that there and their mix of the remix for 99% uh the acoustic version of Okey Doki. Like I just I loved it. And Level Up is one of my favorite songs from them, period. I just I love the energy that they perform that live. And when Chucka always yells the Play You Like a Game Boy, I’m just like he gets so into it and I’m just like, “Yes.” Like, “This is so great.” And it’s just it’s it’s just an incredible thing to watch. And I always I always go to Shiu because he if you ever interview him, you ever talk to him, he’s so kind of quiet and and sweet and just everything you’d think he would be, but then again, he gets up on stage and you’re like, “What the heck?” Like, where did that come from? It’s so different watching them dance and move. And it’s yeah that’s that’s the one thing I think in my personal opinion if you have to separate all the start groups by different talents dancing is there I mean they are just top of the game like with their with their dancing. It’s incredible to watch. Oh I wish I was able to see that up close. It’s oh man it’s it’s just it’s so cool. Um, and then they their MC portion I I heard it was different in LA than it was in New York. Well, that makes sense. They played games and and like a like a this or that game. And um one of the questions that they asked, you know, the you I think Machu was the one doing the most of the talking. And so he’s like, “If you had a superpower, would you want to fly or teleport?” and Genta and everyone chose teleport except for Genta and Machu. Okay. And they started singing um we can fly like from Peter Pan. Oh my goodness. We can fly. It was And they were like fluttering. So cute. So cute. That’s adorable. It was It was so adorable. And they I just I love I love the the camaraderie that they have with each other and how much fun they have and and it just those two together. If you’ve seen any of their YouTube videos or anything, they are the biggest nerds in the best way possible. Like like that’s not a disc. like it is. I just love their they they’re just goofballs and they bring so much light and energy and and it’s it’s just fantastic and so much fun and and the concert was just and just kind of standing there watching them just and again I go back to interviewing them like it just the night and day aspect just blew me away like it it’s just it’s like something switches in them And they’re I’m like they’re they can’t be human. Like especially Noel. Like I saw one of I saw a photo from the the New York show. There’s this girl on TikTok that he’s like perfectly like upside down. Oh my god. It’s the coolest photo. Like like I mean he’s just straight up and down but his head is you know he’s reversed. It’s and just he the way that he can just like be standing still and jump into a you know flip and I’m just like it’s nuts. I’m like first of all I would not I would die like I would make it halfway and fall and never get up again. Um yep. So so yeah. So that that aspect of his cool Rush um was oh Rush such a a good song and not just because they’re all shirtless. Um, it’s it’s a really good song and and it just it’s so much so much fun. Um, I wish it they had more time cuz I would have loved to see the unit songs that they did. Um, the unit songs are really good. If you saw the the live stream that they did for Noel’s return earlier this year and you see the just the it’s great. I think my absolute favorite from the night was the the acoustic version of Okie Dokie. Ah, just because that’s it’s such a great song. Seeing Fireflies always a great great song. Underdogs because you guys said you’re not super fans, but Noel wrote Underdogs. Oh, did he? Um, yeah. And it’s it’s very autobiographical. And so hearing it with him there, I was just like, I’m gonna cry. Like I just I he he’s such an interesting human being. He wrote a book. He’s done all the like he’s if you watch the YouTube like he’s got all these certifications for things like that are just like air traffic controller I think is one of them or something. And I was like why? Like why why does he need that? I think it’s just cuz he can and just why not? It’s kind of a kind of a startle idol hobby to collect certificates. I mean they call him a brain tiger for a reason. So it’s just like wow. Like I’m I’m blown away. I heard he was learning trying to learn other languages at one point. I think he talked about in one of the videos and I’m just like do you sleep? Like where do you find the time? Honestly, that’s generally the prevailing question. Mhm. They’re just they’re such an a unique group and and just they’re so fun and so just I just love them. I I like I can go on and on and on and then you guys wouldn’t get any time to talk about the the other shows. I’m hearing that Rush you really loved and like Firefly and Underdogs and you really enjoyed their MC which sounded completely different from our MC but is there anything like you wish that was how do I put it? Was there anything compared to 2024 that you wished there was more of there was less of? They changed they brought back? Um, I was I was very sad that they did not do Candy Kiss. Like that’s that’s a song I love hearing it performed. I love watching them perform that song. Um, so that was that was one that I was I was kind of bummed about because it’s just it’s out of, you know, between that and and Level Up are the are my two my two favorites. and and so I was bummed that they didn’t do that one again because in my mind I’m like it’s the best best song. So So I was a little bummed about that, but but the songs that they did choose I’m like I was I was not sad. I love Tag is such a good song. Um and I can’t I can’t remember. There’s one song and I I kind of feel not bad, but it’s not my favorite to listen to, but watching it performed live is really and I can’t I can’t think of the name. Oh my god, I feel like a terrible person. So, it will come too. Yeah, I’m looking back over over my notes. Swing my way. That’s the one that I I’m like I like it. I like the song, but it’s it’s it’s it’s just so much better to see live than than just listening to it. Um, and and I am the first to tell people, they’re like, “What, you know, what kind of songs don’t you really enjoy?” And I don’t enjoy like the Happy Birthday songs for some reason. I’m just like, “It’s not my birthday. I don’t want to listen to this song.” Yeah, but their the HBD I really really like their their HBD and my friend for my birthday this year, she made a video that was their that’s a cute song for me. It was super cute. But it’s that one’s good to see you perform live and you know would you like one is is another one that Noel wasn’t a part of that seeing him join and I was like yes this just it just sounds better with his voice on it too. And again not that there’s anything wrong with it the recorded way but it’s just having there’s something about all seven of them that they just have this different Yes. energy when they’re all together. Yeah. Like you said before, it’s like the puzzle is finally complete again. Mhm. Yeah. Yeah. I also really All the songs that were missing Noel, my notes are like Noel’s back. It’s complete. It feels good. Yes. Um I’m trying to think. Um Whiskey and Tonic is a good one. Um Machu wrote that one. Yes. Um Yes. And yeah, it’s just And I think I’ve gone over all of them. I did like the World of Dance people when they came in. That was cool. I wonder we had the same openers. I assume the same World of Dance openers. There was a a man and a woman. I don’t remember their names. I think one of them was like Jennine. I feel horrible for not writing their names down. Yes. Um but then there was Eminon and Connect Three. Oh, so we did have different openers then. I think so. Yeah. now. And they were they were neat. Like I I love watch obviously I mean I love watching people dance cuz I could not dance my way out of anything. And so yeah. So they were very cool. The opening the couple the two did all these flips and spins and I’ I’m at the age now where I’m like oh my god that’s so dangerous. I’m like put her down. Um, but but I always also like when the when the starter groups when they’ll a lot of times in their concerts they’ll like come down from the ceiling and I always feel like like the old man that’s like that’s too dangerous. Don’t be up that high. But yeah, so it’s I’m just all of it. Bossi is another one that I really I love watching Bossy performed live from her dad. that song. There’s just something really sexy about that song. Um, and and Yes. very very fierce. I will never not laugh though because you know that Japanese bossy is about video games. Yeah. Yes. But English bossy whereas English bossy is not about video games. Oh, you mean the lyrics? Yes. Yeah. Okay. I have not listened to the English version. Yeah. It’s I that is one thing that I’ve noticed like some of their um Oh my gosh, there’s one on the album that that when you listen to the English version, um so Sunday is different as well um from from English and and I I like it. I I think it’s I like the little changes. Yeah, I that was one that I was like, “Hey, wait a second. This is not cuz I don’t know much Japanese.” Like I know very very little. But I was like, “This is different.” Yeah. So then I’m just going to kind of slide over to New York and poke Hoshi now. How was your New York experience? Um I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Uh it was much better than I expected and I think the experience in general was better than last year. Um specifically I think because we were in a bigger venue that had like assigned seats. So there was no like you know pushing and being crowded and trying to see over people or under people. I don’t know. The energy was just so high for the whole show except for you know when they had like a okie dokie and happy birthday that little corner. It It was great. I loved the like Japan section with the the tao drums and yes the 99% version. Um I I was thinking during that I was like Michael doesn’t like this song. I hope she likes it better now. And you were like no I don’t. You still don’t like it? Wait, they came out. I’m sorry. You don’t like 99%. I don’t like absolutely insane. Oh, I so glad. What did it do to you? Nothing. I just don’t like it. And now that I see them dressed like demons trying to like suck my soul, but not in a good way, I it doesn’t endear me to the song anymore. Sorry, what? Wait, what? What? Wait, that’s a that’s a that’s a that’s a potential Patreon. Okay. Okay. Wait, I I I missed that completely. Don’t worry about it. Anyways, I’ll cut it for you. I really enjoyed that section. Uh I see I like I like the remix better than the original. I I I also might like the remix more. Universal needs to release it. Yeah, the remix was really good. I like Japanized versions of songs, I guess. How to say it. Mhm. Um yeah. Um I also did like the uh like acoustic version of Okie Dokie. It was really Yes. Just so like so sweet and comforting and warm. But is this where I admit that I don’t like okie dokie? Girl, wow. I got to go these these Oh my every fan is rioting right now. Like these tapes. I know. I know. I know. But the acoustic version I do love. Okay. I do prefer the acoustic version a lot more than the normal version. I also What else do you have? Okay. What What are your other opinions? I need to know now. I don’t I don’t have them off the top of my head. But the acoustic version for me felt a lot more reassuring than the regular version. It felt like they were holding my hand and being like, “Yes, everything will be okay.” And I’m like, I feel so much more reassured with this version than I do with the regular version. Interesting. But I I will say for that section when they brought out the chairs, I got very excited for a second until I until I realized that Traa doesn’t have like those types of songs. And I was like, “Oh, so no does not be happening here.” And Traa doesn’t have a chair song. No, they don’t have like a kissing my lips. They Oh god, can you imagine? Um Oh, I was thinking about um stamp it. No, not stamp it. Risky. But anyways. Oh, stones. The stones. Anyways, I mean, no. I’m I’m like thinking like through the songs. I’m like, “Yeah, they really don’t have one that could be like that.” Yeah, they don’t have a chair song yet, but anyway. They don’t. They need one. This is only album two. They can They have a long time. I mean, yeah. Yeah. KML was like the second single, wasn’t it? Well, yeah. But anyway, you know, um, before doing hot takes, I also don’t care much for happy birthday or HBD. It’s an okay song, but I did like that, um, there was a couple people in the audience whose birthday it was, and um, Cha told them happy birthday, and that was so cute. Yeah, that was actually cute. I liked it. See, I thought about lying. I was like, “No, cuz with my luck, someone would find out and then I’ i’d be, you know, cancelled.” Just lying about your birthday. Oh, yeah. Why not? But no, I saw there was like a Japanese woman who lives in New York and she was doing like a a vlog. Oh. So, she went to the concert, but I don’t think she’s like an actual like fan fan. Like I think she went because like she was like, “Oh, like there are Japanese idols coming to New York. I will go see the show and support them.” So for her vlog, she was like interviewing the fans and she actually found the girls whose birthday it was. Oh. And they were twins, so it was their birthday. That’s cute. That’s so cute. It was really cute. So they were like, “Yeah, it’s actually our birthday.” And they had the sign. It said like, “It’s our birthday.” And I think that’s like who they were celebrating during that time. That’s adorable. Right. That’s so wonderful. Yeah, it was really, really cute. And I was like, that’s so cute. I’m glad that they prepared that just in case they were performing it just in case. I mean, regardless, I would show it to them anyways. Oh, true. There’s always time for a happy birthday. Yeah. Right. During the MC just like a poet. Happy birthday. But yeah, I always wonder if like it is actually people’s birthdays when they bring those signs. I’m like, is it actually your birthday? I’m like, if it’s my half birthday, I will say just give it to me. It’s your half birthday. It’s my birthday. You’ll say it’s your half birthday. No, I’m saying it’s my birthday in 6 months. Oh my goodness. Just an Alice in Wonderland. It’s your unbirth. My birthday. Yes. It’s like it’s just like it’s my birthday in a year. In a year. Within the next year. It will be my birthday. Technically, come around. I mean, it’s not it’s not a lie. It’s my birthday at some point, but it’s not the truth. It’s my birthday at some point in really small letters. Yes. Yeah. They won’t be able to see that, so it’s fine. Yeah. And it’s not a lie. That’s true. Anyways, anyways, um I did like Rush, of course. Yes, they were shirtless, but it was also really pretty with the um the curtain thing that they dropped. Yeah, I kind of feel bad for people that were like far away. I don’t know if they could see what was going on really, but it was very nice from our view. Oh, I didn’t think about that. Yeah, I think from our view, we’ve also got this really interesting shadow play going on. Shadow play. So like in my notes like like we have really elongated shadows from where we were sitting. Uhhuh. Mhm. Just from the angle of it. So like it adds to like that intimacy cuz it’s them behind that like sheer translucent sheet and then these really elongated shadows. It’s a little bit like oh what’s the word? Like sexy supernatural not but sexy ghost like oh goodness it’s ghost no the shadows in I don’t know what it was like in New York but there was there was one where Genta like the the way that the light worked he was like there was his shadow and then smaller him like like lit up like it was it was really Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. I was like this is ethereal. That’s the word. Ethereal. Yeah. That’s a great word for that. Yeah. Like supernatural was not I mean ethereal can be supernatural. Sexy girl. Yes. But not not in our not in this context. That’s our new thing. Not in this context. Gent is always ethereal. as well. But I was actually like super um happy that they did rush and it was very similar to the way they did it in Japan too, but they like obviously like adjusted it for the local venues. So seeing that I was like I’m glad that they’ve brought elements from Japan like the Japan tour into the North America one or the world tour. And they also changed things quite a bit for the world tour. So, Oh, did they? Yeah. There was no Tao in Japan. Oh. Uh-uh. Not at all. Yeah. Like that was not a thing. There was no acoustic corner either. Nope. So, that’s why it’s like I love that they did these little things that made the world tour different from the Japan tour. So, it’s like you’re seeing a different show. That is exactly one of the things that I that I thought about. That’s why it was kind of cool to see to see both. I did during Rush because that, you know, there’s that moment where the pedals fall and all of that. And as I was watching it, I was like, “How the heck are they gonna do that?” And then all of a sudden they exploded out and I was like, “Oh, that’s how.” Okay, cool. It wasn’t it wasn’t quite as central as it was in Japan cuz in Japan it’s very very flowy and it’s it was all just even more ethereal than than it was here. But but it was cool that they kept it because I I was like, “Huh?” I’m like, “Is this going to work and be as sexy as it was in Japan?” I mean, the answer is yes, because anytime any of them take their shirts off, it’s like yes, please. But but it was I I thought I thought Rush was just it was a really well done song. Yeah. And it’s a very pretty song. Oh, beautiful. It’s a very pretty pretty song. They have a lot of really beautiful songs on this album. Mhm. I mean, I like the first one, too, but but there there was some beautiful tracks on this album. Mhm. Yeah. Like Rush was my favorite performance in the Japan tour, so I was really happy that it was brought over for the world tour, too. But then I was like, there are so many other great songs that I don’t know if Russia is now my favorite performance for world tour. The the one that I’m that I’m sad I still have not gotten to see live is Seasons of Gold. Oh, because on the on the road to a Blu-ray, it’s black and white until like the beat drops and it snaps to color and it just it it’s it’s it made the song I was like, “Oh my god, this is now one of my favorite songs.” like it just it was such a pretty performance and so I really I hope I hope that I get to see them perform that live at some point because it’s such a good song. Yeah. Treasure, are you listening? Yeah, exactly. Please, please make a playlist just for me. Nudge nudge. Yes, exactly. So then I have to ask last year LA was standing or sitting? Standing. I It was Yeah. I cuz I interviewed them in that show as well and it was crazy. Like the fans like all of a sudden it went from like I mean not in a bad way. It went from from like crickets to boom, there’s however many people can fit in the room. Oh my god. And I was with this this other press press girl name is Risa. And I was like, “Oh my goodness, I’m so glad I’m standing next to someone I know cuz I get so uncomfortable in tight like when there’s lots of people around.” And so I’m like, “Thank God there’s someone here that I that I know.” But it was it was really neat. And there’s the there was a fan last year that he was there too uh this year, but he’s a super ooi fan. Oh. And I mean and he has this big booming voice and it’s the it’s great. Like he just loves um and is always like, “Yeah, it’s so funny.” Um, and it’s and it’s cool like I because obviously you don’t get that in Tokyo. Like the fans do not yell at them in Tokyo. It’s it’s much more reserved and calm. But here in America, we’re all loud. So yes. And and yeah, so that that was cool. And and I think there were some there were some seats in the in the Grove, but like they were like reserved. I think the rest of it was standing room. Okay. And and it was pretty pretty packed on the cuz everybody of course wanted to be as close as you can get to the stage. I’m like I’m backing up. I can I can report on them from a ways away. Um because I learned because in at the Ford I was very close to the stage and I’m like oh I am going to get trampled. Um not in a but it’s like there was that many people. there there was that many people and I was like I don’t need to be this close like I can I can let the super fans like I’m like this is fine but yeah so it it was and this one there was like tears and I don’t remember if there were tears at the oh at the Ford I think it was all like one level and I’m short so I’m like great like you know if I get someone tall standing in front of me I get the back of their head for the whole show, but it was the tears were great because then I think you could see more and the stage there was a lot more time for them to a lot more space I felt for them to kind of move around and Okay, that’s good. And yeah, obviously not as big as it was in in Japan, but but big enough where they did do some fun, you know, some cool moves and and um I noticed on in New York, did it where they had like the scaffolds? Did they have like their names lit up on them? Yeah. Yes. They didn’t hear in LA. Really? Oh. So, yeah. So, Genta took one of the fans had an uchiwa that was his name and he like took it and like held it up there. Oh my goodness. It was for him. It was the the fan interaction. That’s one thing that I really do love to see is how they interact with the fans. Um because Traja’s very very fan focused. Like I So when when Genta was in The Lion King, he was here for the premiere. Oh, right. And there was this this little boy that was next to me that had an uchiwa a genta and I was like, “Oh, you’re a Genta fan.” And he’s like, “You can read Japanese.” And I said, “No, I just know what Genta’s name looks like.” I said, “I can’t do anything else.” But the little boy like like he came up and he like fistbumped the little boy and and it was it was such a cute thing like watching him with the the fans and I mean watching all of them with the fans. It’s it’s really cool just to kind of see how they they play off their energy and and it just I I it’s so cute. Especially like I said that little boy. That moment was like one of my favorite things to just watching him like give him a little fist bump and kind of like chat with him a little bit and it was so cute cuz he must I mean he was young. He was like maybe seven. Wow. Like he was a little kid and he was I mean you could tell like Genta just made a fan for life with this kid. This kid just was like oh my god it was so cute. Yeah. I love it when they had those like really sweet interactions with fans. Yes. Cuz it’s like it’s a two-way street. It’s not one way. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And like you don’t really get that experience unless you go to a concert and Yeah. Yeah. Having them do like these venues across the world. I think it’s like a lot more intimate versus like going to a show in Japan. So they have more of that opportunity. That’s one thing that I noticed. Yeah. It’s It’s way more intimate here cuz they’re I mean you’re not even really close to the stage at all in Japan, I don’t think. No, no, no. Unless you have like amazing tickets. Yeah. But but here and I think that’s why a lot of the the fans like rush to get like right up to the stage because you’re they’re just they’re right there. And and it is it is cool. I can see I can understand like seeing cuz this I think this was my fourth or fifth traa show. Mhm. And and I was glad I got to see them in in Japan and see them you know then compare it to here but they keep the same energy and that’s one thing that I I didn’t think it was I that it was going to be the same. I thought it would just here I thought it would be little a little bit more relaxed because it’s smaller. Oh no no no. they they still go full throttle and it’s it’s just another thing I was like dang like this is really cool to to see them perform like that and and give it their all even at such a small space it just they they went like there was you know a arena full of people and it was a a you know a nice little theater so it was it was very cool. Mhm. Yeah. Like I remember I forgot what song it was exactly but it was towards the beginning and the way they were dancing I was like you it I felt like they were going to fall off the stage with how high they were jumping and how far they were jumping. I was like oh my god. But it was also so cool to see they really just went all out and there was no difference between what they would do like in Japan versus like worldwide. I think it’s even better during like a world tour because you can see it much more closer. Oh, yeah. It’s a way different experience. Like even from the live stream, you can just tell. Oh, really? Yeah. Cuz like they’re so close and like no matter where you are in the venue, like you can see them. So I haven’t seen the live stream yet, but we were in the balcony. Like we were in the balcony towards the side. So, we can kind of track the cameras. And I don’t know what Hoshi thinks, but while I was watching it and I was watching the cameras go, I was like, how much are you actually capturing? Like, what am I seeing? That the live stream is not because they were so close to the stage. Well, they had one. They had a camera um in the back, too. Yeah. And on the sides, there were back cameras, so we could see like a full But it depends how they stationary camera. It depends how they cut it, but Yeah. Like there were like up close shots, there were like wide shots and like they were like moving throughout. So yeah, they were like covering it properly like they usually would for like a disc. We had seats which you know I celebrated so hard that we had seats assigned seating. There was no 4hour lineup this year and I was just like oh my god I bless. Thank you. The venue we were at was probably not meant for a pop concert. Oh, it was probably meant for like an orchestra because the the balconies were so far away. Oh, really? It was a beautiful venue, don’t get me wrong. But like when Hoshi and I met up with our other friends, cuz we all had different seating, we were like, “This is probably not the best venue for like a concert like this.” Cuz like Yeah. The people who were in like the center balcony were really far away. Oh, they were even further back. Yeah. like further than the camera. Oh, the camera was in front of them. Okay. So, it’s like the way that Wow. the venue. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, cuz it’s it’s like more of like a circle. Yeah. Yes. It’s an oval. Oval. Oh, that’s why they were further back. Yeah, I see. Yeah. So, you know, there’s that. But the energy was great. The second the lights turned off. It was just cuz we were on the balcony and it was just beautiful looking at all the pen lights turning on one by one. Gorgeous. And that was the kind of energy and because it’s such a small venue like you guys were saying like it’s intimate. It’s intimate. It’s the energy is just slightly different. Like I’ve I’ve been to a Tokyo Dome concert and it’s wow Tokyo Dome. But yeah, smaller venues there’s just something else about it. And then the way they’ve done it, I don’t know how they did VIP or if there was VIP for Anaheim. Yes. So there was um there was the VIP section. I mean the like the before the show like like that kind of a thing. And so then they pretty much stayed on I think the first and the second tier. Okay. And um they were they were all pretty pretty close and it Yeah. What was it like in New York? So Hoshi, correct me if I’m wrong. The first two rows were blocked off for the cameras. So then people in the third and fourth row were essentially one and two. So, congratulations to all those people. And then I think it was those two rows were VIP, right, Hoshi? Were they? It was either those two or like three, four, five, six. But like a whole bunch is VIP in the front. Yeah, in the front. Oh, yeah. The golden circle. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. They they were in the front. Um Yeah. They got early entry. They got a meet and greet. They got fun little like little merch that the rest of us didn’t get. But what happened was row three, so the new first row, all they did, they ended up just standing for the entire concert right up against the fence. Oh, right behind the cameramen, which was shocking. I did not think they would let them stand at the barricade, like hang off of it, right? They literally were hanging off the barricade like they had their bags were like, “Oh.” Uh-huh. Their arms were up against it or past it. Yeah. It was quite Wow. It was quite something actually. It was like they’re already close. I know. They’re already close. They’re the closest they will ever get. They were like ready to climb on stage. Oh my god. That’d be the only part that I’ I’d be worried about because that’s happened to multiple artists here in the States. That where where fans have climbed up on stage and done things and you know at at smaller venues like this. I think it I think it even happened at Katy Perry’s concert here. Oh, really? Um a couple months ago. Yeah. where where a fan came on stage and she just kind of was like and like walked away like and then they like dragged him off but but I’m just like yeah that would be the one thing you know that I would I would be afraid of cuz in in Japan you’d never get that option you know you’d never be able to get that close and so no no you know luckily the fans all the fans that I’ve dealt with with TJ have all been very sweet and and cute and kind and all of that, but you just wonder, you’re like, “Are any of you crazy? Please don’t be crazy.” Like, well, I I don’t like the only time I have really gone out in the States over the past like like since co has been to see Travis Japan. like they’re the only ones that can get me out of my my comfort zone because I I just get very oh gosh, what’s the word? Um I get a lot of anxiety being out like and around people and so but I’m like I have to go for them. But it’s not like that in Tokyo. In Tokyo I’m out on the train, I’m out, you know, I’m walking around. It’s just I have zero problem. But here, I’m like, “Nope, I don’t want to be out. There’s crazy people.” I also live in Hollywood. That’s like super crazy. So, I’m like, “Nope, I only I only go out when I have to.” Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I I imagine Anaheim was like standing. There was a little bit more of like the lining up ahead of the show to get in because like in New York it was all seated so everybody knew where they were going to be. So you didn’t have to do that lineup. Oh, that’s cool. Yeah, there was a line. I think they started lining up I mean hours beforehand. Like I know when I know when they were at the OC Japan for that, people camped out overnight. My god. Oh wow. Um, yeah, cuz that’s I mean at least that’s one of the things that I heard that when cuz I I interviewed some of the fans at that at that show and some of them said that there had been people that had been camped out overnight waiting for to get into the OC Japan. Yeah. But I know there was a line and it it went it went around the cuz the Oh, the Grove like the the theater. I thought it was a I thought it was going to be more like because we have a Grove here in Los Angeles that’s kind of this outdoor mall and that’s kind of what I thought it was. And no, it was just this theater that I think I heard was uh it used to be like an old train station or something. It was it was a neat it was a neat building and but yeah, so they wrapped it wrapped around and it was right next to the Angels Stadium. Okay. Um I think it’s I think it’s the Angels I don’t know the baseball team but it was a baseball stadium. But yeah, it wrapped kind of all the way around and and that’s that’s cool to see is that so many people came out to support them. Like it’s that’s that’s for me like as a as a journalist, it’s really cool to kind of see how many people follow these guys and how many people show up, you know, and how many people that travel, you know, from other countries. There was a girl that came from Canada to to be at the show in in Anaheim and and I know there were people from Japan and I think one of the girls said she was from Thailand and and it’s just it’s really cool. And I’m like and you guys came all the way to Los Angeles. Why? And I think it’s because we get to see them. We’re so close. So So that’s the coolest thing is is they wanted to to be close to them and and to see them in a way that they don’t get to see them back in Japan. Yeah. Yeah. No, that’s completely that’s completely understandable. We also got a huge influx of Japanese fans as well. I wonder what the ratio is. I don’t know. I’d be curious. I don’t know either. Huh. Huh. I didn’t think about that. I would also like to figure that out. But it’s also hard to tell because if you are a Stardo fan, even if you’re new, you kind of get trained on what the Stardo concert etiquette is because you watch the concerts. Mhm. So, I’m less scared that they’ll climb onto the stage because Yeah. I feel like they know that’s like not good. Like, no bueno. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think Yeah. And just because again I don’t know what the ratio of Japanese fans to local fans are, but I think even if it’s 50/50, that’s not something the Japanese fans will ever do. Hopefully. Hopefully. Like there there was that one lady at the concert who did do that. Uh yes. Yeah. But we’re not going to talk about but that’s like you know there there are fans that do do that once in a blue. Yes. Yes. Yes. But uh I think the I’m going to talk a little bit more about you know processes now because I am that person and in this situation and for this concert the north north the New York concert I am the sole international fan and let me tell you the whole region locking thing was hilarious from my my point of view when they region locked the tickets for sale. Mhm. Cuz I just sat there and literally watched all my American friends melt down over just how horrible the system. Yeah, it was bad. I don’t even know what this is. Like, please explain. It was Ticket Master, right? Yeah, they they were selling off ticket master and Oh, that’s all you have to say. That’s all that’s it. They had a code specific for uh North American or American residents. American. so that they could buy tickets first uh for like the first 24 hours I think and the code that they gave us did not work. My goodness. So everybody was freaking out because you know slowly they would have a few seats here and there open up but they would be mostly like towards uh the aisles or like in the balcony. So people were very upset and they were tweeting tra over and over. They’re like the code isn’t working. And then somebody from the team uh gave us a new code, I think, and that also did not work. Oh no. And so, but somehow some people were still buying tickets in in seats that were not available. So, either they would randomly pop up or somebody secretly knew the code and they were not sharing it. Oh. And then the code just didn’t work for I think like the first like hour. Mhm. M. And so I think by that point, most people that were freaking out had just bought a ticket in whatever seat they could find. And then once the code started working, people then bought tickets to the seat that they wanted and then had to scramble to like sell the ticket that they already bought first because they were scared they wouldn’t get one. So it was very it was very um hectic this year. Um it was also very hectic last year. Yes, 2024 was also very hectic. The four of us were on a trip and we were just scrambling in the middle of lunch trying to get tickets watching them sell out in like 5 minutes. I was like, “Oh, okay.” Yeah, Ticket Master is not good. Traa, please don’t use them next year. I I did appreciate the region walking so that like local fans could buy first, but but the codes need to work. Yeah, but but the codes need to work first. But I was not like Like I understand why they region locked it just because I know the Japanese fans took over the the the selling in the 2024 year as we saw, but I’m also in North America. Like that’s why expand to North America, not just the US. Like what what is this would be nice? Like I was just sitting there at work literally watching you guys meltdown and being like I would love to help but I literally cannot. I don’t know what it was in LA, but I personally think and I don’t know if I shared this with you. I I personally think that the Japanese team like Traa’s team and American venues do not know how to work with each other yet. There was a lot of issues even the ones Well, I mean like we heard about issues before like the show started but even during the show there was a lot of like technical or lighting issues. Yeah. Oh, really? Yeah. Like Yeah. Yeah. Spotlights were on people who were not who were not singing. The guy singing was not a spotlight or it was delayed. Oh, good. There was a couple a couple mic things went out with us. I I don’t remember the lighting, but I do remember there was when uh during Level Up there was there was some mic issues with with Umei and it I mean it was quick that they fixed it, but I was just like, “Wait, I know there’s a part to this song. What’s going on?” Um but yeah, but I mean but also in Japan though, it’s such a welloiled machine that it’s like Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. They’re they’re prepared for everything, but they don’t have the space to have all of the crew and and stuff like that here. I don’t I don’t remember about you, but I didn’t pull out the Uchia until like the encore cuz Oh, really? Yeah. I I think I had my my mini for a little bit and cuz I was trying to use it as a fan cuz the venue was really hot for some reason. Venue was really hot. It’s like they forgot aircon was a thing. I I I could not coordinate my hands to go opposite directions, so I just abandoned it. I just wanted to pen. But it’s not like it really matters because um Chaka never once looked up or to the side. We have a theory. Yeah. Yeah. Well, we’ll get into that later. We have a fan service theory. No, you can get into it now. I want to know. We can get into it now. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Get into it now. Chuck only looks right in front of him. dead center a little bit a little bit, you know, towards the sides, but only in the front. It’s a triangle and it’s not very tall. No, he doesn’t look up. Not once. We think they designated themselves. He also does not do much in general. I see. No, not really. Yeah. He’s more reactive than proactive. Whereas like stage is this stage right? No, stage left. Their left. Yeah, your right hand, your right hand is stage left. Yes, thank you. So, stage left is predominantly Genta umi cuz that was stage left last year too, 2024 is where they predominantly do their fan service cuz across the balcony on the other side on the other side balcony was also an Umei fan and she was a bigger Umi fan than me. Okay. She had the pen light. Then she had she had one Uchia that said, “Ooh.” The other one that said me, and then during the encore, she rolled out a poster board letter. Oh my god. You didn’t see that? It was a fullon letter. Poster board. Wow. We should have done that. And he he really didn’t give her the time of day. And I felt really bad for her. Oh, like when he was on stage, right? There was not a lot of fan service. It was everything was centered over in stage left. Oh, they they they they need to spread it out. I know. Well, Shizu and like Shizu and like Machu were more stage right. Okay. But they they need to go all over. Their fans are everywhere. But I that’s what it felt like cuz I was watching her because I was like, “Oh, she’s really enthusiastic.” While watching the show as well, right? And it was not hard to pick her up because there was also nobody in her. She was the only one with either. She was the only light. Oh, so yeah, you can’t miss her. It was literally like if Umei stood center stage on both stage right and stage left were his pen lights. Yes, cuz there was me and him for him on each side. One pen. That poor girl. Maybe a Yeah, poor girl. I felt bad. But I I love the the fans and how creative they get. I when I was in Japan for the show, I was I kind of was walking around outside Yoka the Yokohama Arena cuz I had never been there and I saw one fan that had I mean it must have been every single Uchiwa ever released of Chaka. Oh wow. That’s not even a surprise. I mean, she and she was head to toe in red and it was I’m like, “Oh, I wonder who you’re a fan of.” Um, and and it was but it was really cool. And she had them all like fanned out and displayed and it was I love watching how they like they act and how much they love them. I love it. And the fans are creative and there’s so much fun and I think I have just as much fun watching the fans as I do watching the guys and and it just it’s really neat to see all the creativity cuz I’m like I don’t I couldn’t do that. Like I I think I have I don’t even think I have an Uchiwa. Oh, really? I I mean not of Traja. I have one of Red Mearo and I think he’s the only the only I just lied to you. I haven’t I bought an Umei and Ashime when I was in Japan. Oh, okay. Very nice. But but yeah, so but I I don’t think I they’ve ever even come out of their plastic cuz I’ve just like, “Oh, this is cool. I want to buy something here.” What is this coming out of plastic? Never. Never. No. Wait, the what? Like we never take it out. They never come out of the plastic. What are you talking about? Never. Okay. Good. Good. Because I like I keep like all of like the stuff that comes with the CDs and everything. I’m like, “Nope, it stays in its nice little protective case just in case.” Like, yeah, I I had I had my Megado one because I put it up at my desk at work because I’m like, if I’m going to be stuck here for 8 hours a day, I’m going to look at something I enjoy. And I just thumbtacked into the plastic so I could just hang him. Nope. That’s the way to go. Look at him. Yeah, I should send you an UIA stand. Oh, yeah. There’s stands for them. No, just something that Michael does on the side. Yeah, that’s funny. This is why we love fans because I don’t know if they did anything in LA, but in New York, the local fans put together a a cup sleeve event I heard the day before the concert. Yeah. our one of two of our friends went. Oh, she actually got me one of the cup sleeves, but it’s not beside me right now. They rented out uh a cafe and they just decorated it all in traa stuff and it was apparently amazing and you just meet people. It’s it’s just amaz like it’s an amazing community. For me, I think my favorite part about all of this, like barring the how great the concert is, how great the boys are, how much fan service we get, and all that, it’s meeting fans in the wild. Cuz for me, and all my friends have heard the story because I can’t stop telling it. It’s one of my favorite stories to tell. But in 2024, I basically physically attacked this poor girl because she had a she had a kiss my foot two pen light at the Tra concert and it was the pen light that I’ve been eyeing for like ever since they released it. But I was like it’s so expensive I don’t want to buy it. The sto the story goes um I thought she was a Japanese fan because it’s a kiss my foot too pen light. Like it’s not a traa pen light. So I’m not even going to try to assume that she’s a local fan in any sort of way. So then we started speaking Japanese to each other and my Japanese was no good. And then it turns she then turns to her friend who starts speaking Mandarin to each other and I’m like, “Oh, this is a language I can communicate in.” And so we did that and then after a while she turned English because it turns out she was a New York local fan. Oh my goodness. Thank you. And so like we got really excited about Kiss My Foot 2 at the concert venue. And then this year she messaged me right before the concert, like maybe a week before the concert, telling me she just came back from Japan after watching Magfact. And she was like, “Are you going to go to Traa?” I’m like, “Yeah, I’m going to go to Traa. Are you going to Traa?” She’s like, “Yes, I’m going to Traa. We should meet up.” And so we met up at the venue. I’m sorry, Hoshi, by the way. Still sorry for abandoning you for that long. But then she came and she’s like, “I have something for you.” Mhm. and she had the gint tape from Minecraft wrapped into this pretty little package and then she gave that to me and then she’s like, “Oh, give it to your friend too who’s also a Kisumi fan who’s Hoshi.” I was like, “Oh, yeah, sure.” And then she pulled out four or five shot photos uh backside up so I couldn’t see them. She’s like, “Now pick like a she’s like, “Pick two.” And I was like, “One for you, one for your friend.” I’m like, “Okay.” Okay, so I picked two and they’re both Tama. And it turns out all of the cards, all the shot pictures were all Tama. And she was like, I bought 10 of each because I was hoping other Kimai fans at Traa that I can give them to a That’s all. And but these are the people you meet at these things, right? Like if I didn’t I I really did basically physically attack her. Like Hoshi was there. I don’t know if Hoshi saw me do it. I know our other friend saw me do it and she’s still laughing about it to this day, but I like I like pounced on. Oh my goodness. I was like, “No shame. I need to hold that pen light.” Oh god. I wish I had bought one of the pen lights because I love the tiger shape. I I didn’t I bought the stickers. Um, but I’m like I I for whatever reason I didn’t buy any any of the pen lights. Um, which now looking back at it I’m kind of sad because they were cool. I don’t I don’t but I don’t think I do have the the wrist the pen the wrist like thing from their first show and I bought it because it’s a slap bracelet and so I was you guys are probably too young to know what a slap bracelet is but I was so excited and so I wear that thing all the whenever I go to the the concerts and um yeah but it’s there’s just there’s the fans are really great like I’ve I have had nothing but good experiences with with the Traa fans like like with my blog they always retweet my blog and they always you know are like so like thank you for writing about them and we see that you like them like like when I posted the review for the concert in Japan one of them was like I’ve counted you’ve written like nine articles about them this year and it was like the 11th of January and I was like oh this is like I was like I have so and I love Trajo for that. I don’t know if Zoe actually had a moment to talk about the live stream and that experience at all. Oh yeah. Well, I think just being able to have a live stream was first of all like amazing. So like usually you wouldn’t be able to watch a concert if you weren’t there. So I’m really glad that like the agency let fans have that experience for the New York show. And it was really cool to see the difference between Japan and World Tour. Also seeing like the fans like you could hear people like cheering and like just hyped up for Travis Japan cuz I feel like in Japan when you watch these kind of like streams or concert discs, you don’t really hear the audience as much. So I really like the fact that you could feel the energy through the screen as well. And yeah, like just being able to see like the fans and you know, like it’s like not just like their local fans or international fans along with like the Japanese fans who traveled. So, it was nice and nice to see like the representation in the live stream, too. I think I would need to watch the live stream again to like pick out the details, but I was just like I was just like vibing. I was living for all the performances. A Yeah. My my favorite I said Rush was my favorite during the Japan tour, but my favorite this time I think was Fireflies. Oh, such a good song. Also, like granted like because I’m not like a diehard Traa fan, like I just forgot that song existed and then when they started like rapping and I was just like, “Oh my god, what is going on? Why do they sound so cool?” Fireflies is a great song. Yeah. So I was like, “Wow, this is I really like this.” No. Tao. So Oh, yeah. I really like the Tao part, too. Ta. Amazing. 10 out of 10. Yes. Zoe, did you did you watch the live stream that they did recently like in Japan? No, I didn’t watch that one. I’m not part of the fan club. Oh. Oh, that makes sense. That makes sense. Cuz I wanted to hear your thoughts on on that versus what it was like to be there. I wish I had known you when when I was there. So that would have been fun to Yeah, cuz I went with one of my like friends who was an actual like Travis Japan fan. She invited me to come with her. So I like tagged along and I didn’t know anybody who was also going on like that day. So yeah, next time next year. Perfect. So, since we’re talking about next times, do we have any kind of feedback for next year? Like things that we wish they maybe could do or improve on or, you know, or keep doing? Or keep doing. Yeah. Yeah. I want to hear your guys’ experience cuz like you guys were actually there. I have two things. One is about this concert specifically. One is about every concert that they plan to do here. Oh, okay. Okay. Uh, for this concert, I am very upset that they did not do TGI Friday Night cuz it’s number one, it’s my favorite song on the album and number two, it was a Friday night. It’s such a missed opportunity. I mean, yeah, that is a missed opportunity. That makes sense. I was so upset. Total sense. When the concert ended, I was like, “Wait a minute. They didn’t do the whole album. They also didn’t do Sweetest Tune.” And I was upset. M well sweetest tune was weird because they did it for the dance for this sing have a different hype song. Why did they have to remix sweetest tune for this? I was a little bit confused by that. Yeah, I was I was very upset by that. Um and in general um I know that they do dreamy because we’re in America. Oh, okay. But you may no Hollywood is just so much better. It there’s so much more Broadway and especially because we are in New York. Well, in this performance, it I I feel like they they could go they should go all out Broadway. They should go full Broadway and they should also do that if they go to Hollywood. I do miss the canes and the dancing. I’m not going to lie. That’s what makes it so good. I mean, it’s a good song, but it’s the performance that really puts it over. And I mean, Dreamy is also still good, but the the vibe is so different. Dreamy lacks something. It’s lacking the performance something. The canes and the tattoos. Yes. It’s lacking those, too. Yes. Yes. Pretty much. Yeah. And I can agree with that. I can 100% agree. It’s another one that it’s Yeah. No, I completely agree. I don’t think it’s hard to transport some canes and tap shoes. Well, they did it last time in Hollywood. I think they had the canes. I’m almost 100% certain that they did last. I think they might have had canes for us because But but they didn’t do Yume. They They definitely did dreamy. No, it was it was it was my dreamy. Yeah. Um and I I prefer I also preferred in in Japanese. H I there’s some of the songs that I that they have. I I like the English versions. I personally would love to hear a Japanese version of um Candy Kiss. Mhm. Ooh, I think that would be that would be really fun. I do like that there’s a Japanese version of TGI Friday Night and in English. I mean, there’s a lot of the ones that have English and and um Japanese, but I want a full Japanese version. And when they talked about doing, you know, the English the English album for both of them, I’m like, great. Does that mean that we’re going to get like Japanese versions of songs that are just in English? Like that would be really cool. But but yeah, my my my gripe. Yeah. Do do Candy Kiss. Do TGI Friday Night because that the dancing in that is really fun. So catchy. Um Yes. And it’s so catchy. And I I personally wanted more. Like that’s that’s the one thing I do. Like in Japan the concerts are so long. Yeah. They’re like 2 and 1/2 hours. Yeah. They’re they are an event. Yeah. And so that’s one thing that I would How long was it? Yeah. I’d like more. Two hours. An hour and a half. Not even. Oh, yeah. Oh, so it’s like Okay. Yeah, it is shorter. They’re definitely 10 minutes. Okay. That’s one other thing. the MC. I mean, I don’t like I know mind a shorter English is not No, I think it’s the fact that like I mind the shorter MC. No, like it’s not the length, but I think it’s the like the content. Like I know they’re trying to speak English because they’re in America, but I thought I thought their English would have improved a little bit more. Well, okay. To be fair, to be fair, it was already a longer MC than last year. Last year, all we got was seven drinks and that was I feel like you got a little more than that. They said hi. Seven drinks. They told us what they was the MC. I feel like it I mean this this year was definitely a little bit longer, but this year was longer. Yeah. Yeah. And then like Noel was encouraging drinking and then Umei was like, “That’s not hydrating.” Did say perfectly that his microphone was not working. He was like, “Sorry guys, my mic wasn’t working. I’m back now.” Yes, it was perfect. But yeah, this year was longer. Yeah. So, I appreciate it. They try. It’s awkward, but it’s they’re they’re trying. Yeah. Their best. Yeah. That’s that’s one thing that I talked about in in my um article was that I like RMC here. There was it was mainly in English. M um and I I I can definitely tell that they’ve improved over the over the years as far as their their English speaking goes. Like I said, I interviewed them so I got to talk with them a little bit longer than than just the MC. That’s one thing that I I I did mention in the article like I was impressed by how much they’ve worked on it and I I think it’s cool. like I I they did do some things in Japanese and I like I said my Japanese is not is not great. I know a little bit but but I kind of I got what the the context was and so I know a couple fans wanted you know wanted it either all in English or or something like that. But I like when they try and and even if they they say things wrong like I find it adorable. I’m like because they know two languages. I barely know one. So I’m like I just it’s so impressive to me that that they can jump in between the two because I I’m just like yeah my brain is not wired like that. And so, so yeah, the the MC portion for us, it does sound, it does sound way different because like I said, the game they had the game and Machu talked a lot and and it just it was fun. It was I love I love listening to Machu just because he’s like a little Chihuahua. Like he is just always so excited, so cute. He’s adorable. And it’s just he is and he’s he’s got so much energy and and it’s just it’s so much and he always says I’m Machu like and it’s just and it’s so cute and that’s one thing where I was like okay this is like my fourth or fifth concert now I’m like am I going to start getting annoyed by that? I’m like, “No, because it’s never never never and it just it’s it’s cool.” Like I And like I said, it’s it’s really neat to watching them keep improving and and yeah, it’s it’s just it was fun. And so, yeah. So, I I actually wouldn’t mind more of the MC. M I wish they had done more of the games because the questions they asked were if you had to choose between a superpower, would you rather fly or teleport? Um they asked on a date, do you want to stay in or go out? They asked, oh, what was the other one? Um do you like cats or dogs? Okay. And there wasn’t there was one other one. I don’t remember what it was, but it was fun. Oh, the and like I said, the fly or the the fly or the teleport. Watching Gentin Machu flitter around like you know Pixies and Peter Pan was hysterical. But yeah, so I wanted more of that. I like that camaraderie and the playfulness that they have. Mhm. I’m glad that they like switched it up so soon like into the world tour cuz Yeah, the NYC one was definitely just them talking. Mhm. Mhm. And yeah, I think having a game would be a lot more interactive and engaging. See, so that makes me think cuz I always thought that those things were like super rehearsed and and things like that. So now I’m like now it’s like oh no, it’s like fly by the seat of your pants, which I think is cool. Like that makes me like them even more. Like I’m like I think that’s that’s neat. Yeah, it does show that they’re like basically never scripted. Yeah, they’re like performing under like pressure. They’re just like what do we say? What do we do that’s fun and entertaining? Yes. But I was like, exactly. Like I know they’ve improved their English quite a lot. Like Machu’s pronunciation is so on point. It’s really good. Yeah, he is so good. And then we have Noel, who is like basically the one brain cell of the group and keeps them all together. Mom. Noel has six children. Please don’t forget them. Yes. and he’s like just managing them and speaking English, controlling like the flow. So, I really appreciate that. And like Noel’s doing the most. No, he but I was like I want all of them to be able to interact at that level as well. So, it’s like a more like uniform and consistent experience. But I know like learning a language is not easy. It takes years and they have so much on their plate. So, I’m interested to see how it like what they sound like next year if they like do it again and come back. Well, they did promise they would come back. So, they have to come back. They Okay, good. Yeah. Good. Now, I want to see how they how they speak English. Yes. Cuz Yeah. Like, if you’re going to do a world tour, like you’re going to have to be able to like communicate at some level. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. because not everybody’s going to be able to speak Japanese or understand Japanese to like the level where like you know they can enjoy it to like the max level, the full capacity. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Although one thing that like this is like kind of off topic and not even about the concert anymore, but I think it’s just like promotion of Traa in like an overseas market. I noticed that JL1, who’s like from a completely different agency, they were also in LA around the same time. I think they’re still in LA at the moment, but seeing how they are engaging with fans, not just from like a group standpoint, but also from their management, it’s like very different from how Traa is promoted in America. So, I think it would be great if we could see something more of like what they’re doing. Like J1, like they had like radio sessions where fans could like go and sit and like actually sit in on that radio session. Like I think it was like some sort of like sweep stakes. So like you had to enter to be able to access that event. And then they also did like a popup cafe event where they like the members themselves were like baristas and then the fans Yeah. So the fans were like lining up to get into the popup and then they had like photo cards. They had polaroids and signed by the members and you can order directly from the members and I was like that’s like something Traa did. Like that would be insane. They can do a ramen shop next year. Oh yeah, right. But then it’s also like when I was listening to like the fan videos like I was watching them and the members themselves the level of English that they were speaking I was impressed like very impressed. So I think like there’s a lot of like potential and opportunity for Traa especially if they really want to like break into like a worldwide market. Yeah. There’s a lot there’s a lot of like potential for them, but it’s like we want them to succeed. Like we want to see more groups in worldwide spaces. That’s like they’re on YouTube, they’re on streaming. The next step is like okay, are they actually going to be able to like, you know, meet the fans who are abroad? Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. If you told me that Traa had a popup in like Minnesota, I’m there. Minnesota. I was trying to think of like the most motans strange state and it’s the first one that came to mind. I’m sorry. Nebraska, like the strangest state that they could possibly do something in. Yeah. Honestly, that would be amazing if they did do that. I’d be like, “Wow, I’d be there. I would fly. I’d figure out my vacations. I would fly be there.” Like fans will go. They will travel. that. Yeah. Yeah. The fans. Yeah. And and those are good ideas like like I I’d like to see stuff like that. I I definitely want to see more of them. I am glad because I mean when you look at some of the start groups you I mean you look at Snowman, you look at Stones and you look at you know some of the others that have accomplished really great things in Japan but then Traa is really the only one that’s come here. Yes. Yeah. And so I personally I think it would be great if there was like a music festival that was just start. Oh my god. Oh my god. Like the money. Oh my god. Say less. I know, right? What I’m hearing is Countdown Comes Back but in Las Vegas. Oh my god. Atmosphere. I will be there. Climbing up those dangerous stairs. Fantastic. Yeah. Oh, that would be insane. If if and if we could get like Matu Jun to, you know, do the production, I think he would produce it. He would love to. He would love to. I’m just saying. Who wants to start writing the letters? Like, I know he’s not technically part of the Jimmu show anymore other than for Arashi. But he still likes to produce. Well, he he is his own. Yeah. He can be he can be contracted. Oh my god. To be a producer. Yeah. Arashi. Arashi Inc. exists. Yes. Well, he also has his own like company production company. Yeah. So, between him and Okura. Gasp. And then, you know, Stardo, are you listening? Jesse’s grandma can train you guys for international stuff for the future. It’ll be great. Yeah. Oh my god. It’s a Oh my god. This is a Yeah. Please, please, please. We will buy it. I will begrudgingly buy. It’s going to be as big as the F1. I’m joking. It’s not if they did that though. But if they did that, all the fans that would come here and Yeah. It would be. Yeah. Literally like people will come. Oh yeah. People will come. Look at Traa. Yeah. Cuz that’s the thing is like at Traa you had people like who were not like specifically Traa fans, but they were like startle fans. So like if you put us all together and just do one big start festival. Holy moly. You’re good. So good. Yeah. Cuz just this week Oh yeah. Traa was in the States. Coyama was in Shanghai doing a fan meet. Naniwa’s world tour last year like Asia tour last year. Like look at all of that. Yeah. Kent is going to Taiwan. Snowman has their pop-up store. I want to go. Yep. Oh yes. Yeah. Snowman has her pop-up store. Like, guys, oh my god, it’s not world domination, guys. It’s like within your reach now. It’s already It’s already broken. Yeah, please. Yes, please. Cuz this brings Jun would be interested because world domination is Jun’s thing. I I’m not going to say that. He will save the world. You You don’t want to know how many times I’ve asked Aishi to say, “Please, Jim, please. I know you can put it together. I know you’ll be in New York.” Yes. Right. Oh, that. Okay. So, this is our big request. Just a festival. One big ask. I will pay Coachella prices for this festival. I will begrudgingly Coachella prices without a second thought. I will complain the whole time that I’m poor, but I will buy it without hesitation. Oh, exactly. Exactly. 100%. They know they can’t. When it comes to start, there’s no budget. Exactly. Unfortunately, this is this is part of episode irresponsible. Know that they will succeed because we will do it no matter what. I will. Yeah. It is true. Mhm. Yeah. We will pay in four installments if we must. Well, exactly. Literally. Literally. Stardo. Stardo. Like we can have a conversation. We can give you the ideas. You just need to execute. Yeah. Yes. Yes. Please converse with us. Oh my gosh. That would be Pick a spot and promote and people will be there. Oh yeah. And if they did it in Vegas. Oh my gosh. Iconic. Yeah. Exactly. It would it would be Oh, and Las Vegas is the only place where you can get both Shake Shack and In-N-Out. Yes. There we go. Yes. Oh my gosh. Come on, guys. If that doesn’t convince you, Panda Express for Kenty. Oh, yeah. Unfortunately. Wait, what about Kenty? Yeah, he loves Panda Express. He loves Panda Express. A Oh, all right. I’m going to have to bring us back and uh do the usual. Like, do we have any last kind of thoughts we want to share about this North American leg of their World Cup? Come back next year. Start a fest, please. Yes. Yes. Start a fest, please. And I I’m glad that it’s it got better. It was better. It was a better show than it was last year. And I that’s the one thing that I love that they they just keep getting better. Yes. So, keep it up. Keep it up, boys. Yes. Keep it up. They do great. Yes. I can’t wait to see them at larger and larger venues. I know the intimacy will be gone, but I want them to succeed enough. Just have a bunch of small venues. They Yeah. Easy. Yeah. A bunch of small venues. Multiple days in each. You can serve more fans but still keep the intimacy and small venues are easier to get. Well, I just want them I just want them to grow. I want them to grow and I want them to have a foothold. Yes. In like Yeah. on the international stage and I’m really excited for that. Agreed. So, this we’re coming to an end. Um so, Kenneth, it was great having you on here. Very very exciting. It was very great chatting with you. Thank you. You too. If people want to read any of your articles, where can they find you? So, life in cartoon motion.com and then everything kind of goes up from there. Like, I talk about everything there. So, that’s probably the best place because that’s where I post the most. I am not good with social media. I am so bad at it. But, yeah. Yeah. So, lifeand cartoonotion.com and that’s where you can read all of the interviews that I’ve done with Traa and a couple of the other groups and um yeah, all the other the other stuff from there too. Awesome. I’m going to probably go through your blog a bit more than I already have. That sounds like a fun use of a afternoon for me. Thank you. And so, this episode was about Traja. It was about visual. So, we encourage you guys, for any of you who’ve lasted all the way here without actually knowing anything about Travis Japan, we encourage you to visit their social media. And so, you can find them on Instagram, Travis_Japan official. You can find them on Tik Tok, Travis Japan, one word capital, C A P I T O L, or on Twitter, X, whatever you want to call it. They’re Travis Japan_CR. And so that brings us to an end of another episode. Thank you, Kenneth, again for joining us. Uh, I hope we didn’t steamroll you in any sort of way. The three of us have a tendency to No, hopefully I didn’t do that to you cuz I’m a, like I said, I’m a talker. So, no, I think we were good. We’re We’re good balance. I think we did good. Yay. Yeah. I thanks so too. So, as always, please like, comment, and follow us on whatever podcasting platform you’re listening to us on. We’re on Spotify. Leave us a review. Give us some stars so more people can find us, and more people can enjoy the wonderful world of Stardo. You can find us on Apple Podcast. You can find us on YouTube at Penlight Chronicles. We’re also on Twitter, X, whatever. Pen Kudo. That’s P E N K U R O. And so, wow. Because people haven’t heard my voice enough today, I’m also going to be closing out our episode. I feel like it’s been a while, but I sincerely hope that we get to do this episode again next year. Yes. Yes. I hope you guys have me back. This was a lot of fun. Oh my god. Yes. Of course. We’re so glad you had fun. Yeah. Thank you for coming. I know we love having guests. Yes. More friends. Yay. Uh and so more friends are always good. Yes. So I’m going to close out the episode and thank you everyone for listening. is your pengua. Bye-bye. Bye.
Travis Japan’s VIIsual North American Tour is officially over and Penlight Chronicles has you covered! Two-thirds of PenKuro attended the New York City Show and one of us watched the livestream (guess who) and our special guest caught the Anaheim show, and we are so excited to share our thoughts and feelings with you. Join Penlight Chronicles and Life in Cartoon Motion as we go through Travis Japan’s VIIsual Tour, North American leg!
Pictures sourced from Travis Japan’s Twitter and Maiko’s camera.
Special Guest: Life in Cartoon Motion (https://lifeincartoonmotion.com/)
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