【Live Report】Anisong Festa Celebrates Japan Expo’s 25th Anniversary with Cö shu Nie, yama and Shoko Nakagawa
On July 10, 2026, Japan Expo celebrated its 25th anniversary with an exceptional live event: Anisong Festa, a true celebration for fans of anime music. With Cö shu Nie, yama and Shoko Nakagawa on the bill, everything was in place for an unforgettable evening.
A French Opening Act Joined by Special Guests
After warming up the crowd with a giant karaoke session, the evening began with a local opening act, STARRYSKY. The French band made a name for themselves on YouTube with original songs heavily inspired by Japanese rock. They have since collaborated with video game and anime franchises, creating poetic songs driven by a powerful rock sound.
Their collaborations with Honkai Impact, Evangelion, One Punch Man, Genshin Impact and NIKKE had the crowd singing along, showing that many in the audience were already familiar with their music. Japanese YouTuber and singer UMIKUN and French YouTuber Mitsu then joined the band for a rapid-fire anisong medley. UMIKUN remained onstage to perform “I am Just Feeling Alive,” the opening theme from Young Black Jack.
One final guest followed, and she was no less special. Mika Kobayashi joined vocalists Sasha and Tai onstage to perform their collaborative track “The Last Song.”
Cö shu Nie: The Moment French Fans Had Been Waiting For
Cö shu Nie took over the stage to thunderous applause, opening with the electrifying “Zettai Zetsumei,” the ending theme from the much-loved anime The Promised Neverland.
Vocalist, guitarist and pianist Miku Nakamura shared her joy at finally being in France before the band launched into another eagerly awaited hit: “asphyxia,” the song that introduced Cö shu Nie to many fans of Tokyo Ghoul:re.
Miku then set down her guitar and took her place at the piano. The first notes of “give it back,” the poignant ending theme from Jujutsu Kaisen, brought a more delicate atmosphere to the venue.
The applause and cheers never let up. The reaction throughout the hall made it clear just how eagerly French fans had been awaiting this performance. Session guitarist Kaz Skellington addressed the audience in English and introduced the other musicians: Shunsuke on bass and session musician Masayoshi on drums. He also presented an exclusive T-shirt design created especially for the band’s appearance in France, marking this special occasion.
The band’s electric energy flowed freely between the stage and the crowd. When the intro to “MAISIE,” the opening theme from Black Butler, began to play, the audience responded with even louder cheers.
To close the set, Kaz announced that the band’s next album would be released on July 22. Cö shu Nie then gave the audience an exclusive preview of one of its new tracks.
Keeping the Anisong Spirit Alive Between Sets
Still riding the excitement of the first set, the crowd welcomed UMIKUN and Mitsu back to the stage as they hosted the changeover between artists.
Staying true to the theme that had brought everyone together that evening, Mitsu asked UMIKUN to sing part of his favorite anime opening. His choice was KANA-BOON’s hugely popular “Silhouette” from Naruto Shippuden. UMIKUN also sang part of Mitsu’s own favorite, L’Arc-en-Ciel’s “Driver’s High,” the classic opening theme from GTO.
To keep the excitement high, the pair invited fans onstage to sing their favorite anime theme songs. Audience members eagerly joined in, taking turns to share their selections as the rest of the crowd sang along.
yama: A Venue Bathed in Blue
As preparations for the next artist neared completion, the venue turned blue beneath the glow of countless penlights welcoming yama.
The accompanying DJ, Kei Shiraishi, appeared first as the intro to the opening track began. yama’s voice filled the hall before they had even stepped onstage, singing from the wings. A slight hitch forced the track to restart, but the fans responded by cheering even louder as the intro to “Mahi” began again.
With sleek visuals evoking yama’s distinctive world filling the giant screen behind them, the set continued with “Shikisai,” the ending theme from SPY×FAMILY. When “Halo,” the opening theme from the popular Pokémon Horizons, began, screams rang out across the venue.
The adorable characters of Chiikawa appeared on the screen during “Magical Syndrome,” followed by the equally endearing Bojji from Ranking of Kings. The mood shifted with “Oz.” as the audience became completely absorbed by yama’s voice, commanding stage presence and the song’s gentle emotion.
The calm intro to “Tobou Yo” signaled a second slower track, yet one every bit as captivating. The song serves as the ending theme for the recent anime Daemons of the Shadow Realm.
yama then spoke briefly to the crowd in Japanese, sharing their happiness at performing in France for the first time.
The fans were just as delighted when “slash,” from Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, began beneath a wave of cheers.
Those cheers grew even louder as the first images from the music video for “Nisekao” appeared on the screen. The reaction left no doubt that fans had been eagerly waiting for the track.
There was barely time for the applause to subside before another favorite began. “Mahi” returned, this time performed in full. Far from showing any signs of fatigue, the crowd continued to clap, cheer and chant to the rhythm of the song, the opening theme from 2.43: Seiin High School Boys Volleyball Team.
yama brought the set to a triumphant close with “Haru wo Tsugeru,” written and composed by Vocaloid producer Kujira. The song had the entire audience dancing.
UMIKUN and Mitsu returned once again to host the intermission, inviting more audience members onstage and keeping the venue’s energy at its peak.
Shoko Nakagawa: Celebrating a Lifelong Love of Anisong
As every penlight in the venue turned pink, an introductory video began to play on the screen. Shoko Nakagawa then appeared onstage in a voluminous, sparkling red dress worthy of an idol.
She set the tone immediately with a cover of Yoko Takahashi’s timeless classic “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis,” the unforgettable opening theme from Evangelion. The audience sang along, their energy showing no sign of fading.
The opening notes of DALI’s equally famous “Moonlight Densetsu” followed. Shoko told the audience that it was the opening theme from her favorite anime, Sailor Moon.
After delighting the crowd with these two classics, Shokotan introduced herself in French:
“Je suis Shoko Nakagawa du Japon ! Ça fait 12 ans !”
“I’m Shoko Nakagawa from Japan! It’s been 12 years!”
She also touched on the latest sporting news, remarking on the strength of the French national football team.
Continuing to chat with the crowd, she expressed her love of anime music:
“Chanter des chansons d’anime, c’est mon bonheur !”
“Singing anime songs makes me happy!”
She spoke about her 20-year career and said that she hoped everyone there could create an unforgettable memory together that would last a lifetime.
Proudly proclaiming herself an otaku, she fired up the crowd once more by asking whether they were otaku too and whether they loved anime songs. The answer was, of course, a warm and resounding “Yes!” Shokotan replied by telling the audience how much she loved them.
She then introduced her brand-new song “Twilight Magic,” written and composed by the multitalented TeddyLoid. The track serves as the ending theme for the second cour of The Classroom of a Black Cat and a Witch.
Next came one of the evening’s most eagerly anticipated songs, “RAY OF LIGHT,” the ending theme from the hugely popular Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Fans throughout the venue knew every word.
“Minna, daisuki!”
“I love you all!”
The crowd answered her declaration with another burst of cheers before she continued with “Doridori,” a classic ending theme from Pokémon the Series: XY.
The fans’ enthusiasm was palpable. Without ever losing momentum, Shokotan asked whether they loved Pokémon, earning a deafening “Yes!” She then asked which Pokémon they liked best, prompting a chorus of names from across the venue.
Her next announcement was “Type: Wild” from the original Pokémon series. The most passionate fans screamed with delight before joining her to sing the chorus.
Still radiating the same infectious enthusiasm, she called out to the audience:
“Vous vous amusez ? Est-ce que c’est le meilleur ?”
“Are you having fun? Is this the best?”
Then came the climax of the evening: the song that has become synonymous with her career, “Sorairo Days” from the iconic Gurren Lagann.
The fans matched every ounce of energy Shokotan gave them. She ended her set with one final declaration:
“Anison saikou!!”
“Anisong is the best!!”
Finally, she showed the audience the special T-shirt created for the occasion. It featured an illustration she had drawn herself for her French fans, and several people in the front row were already wearing it.
An Unforgettable Night United by Anisong
Every artist invited to this mini-festival succeeded in keeping the crowd’s energy at its peak throughout the evening. Across every genre, the excitement never faded.
Anisong Festa offered a vivid celebration of the passion shared by anime and anisong fans and the artists who bring these songs to life.
For every fan in the venue, it was a night to remember.
Setlist
Cö shu Nie
- Intro
- Zettai Zetsumei
- asphyxia
- give it back
- I am the light
- Hollow
- MAISIE
- New track from the upcoming album
yama
- Intro
- Mahi (intro)
- Shikisai
- Halo (TV ver.)
- Magical Syndrome
- Oz.
- Tobou Yo
- slash (TV ver.)
- Nisekao
- Mahi
- Haru wo Tsugeru
Shoko Nakagawa
- Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis
- Moonlight Densetsu
- Twilight Magic
- RAY OF LIGHT
- Doridori
- Type: Wild
- Sorairo Days
