AwesomeNyappy

I like the original more, but they remake was cool as well! And yes to having aurora on repeat 😂 I did, yes. Their sound was definitely darker, and I think it was Miku’s way to move away from ancafe’s image to pursue something completely different. I liked their music, but for me, there was no spark there. What do you think? Yes, I saw them live twice! Once in 2009, and the last time in 2014. In 2012 I decided against going to their concert because I would have had to skip at least one day at uni. A friend of mine, who lives in Berlin, went to the show, and said it was amazing. In hindsight, I think I should’ve taken the chance. I once even accidentally caught takuya’s guitar plectrum! I just saw something flying my way and caught it out of instinct. I never got to see a lot of Japanese bands live, but I’m glad I had the chance to see ancafe.

The other two songs were smile ichinan II onna and escapism another mixtape followed soon, introducing me to all of these amazing b-sides (ese uranai, super rabbit, Aurora, hisokyo, ame no hankagai, etc). I think that most of the songs that had not been released on one of their studio albums were among their best. Their music definitely changed, but I had the feeling it had more to do with them trying to appease a wider audience? I think that their songs were less heavy (which is probably why they hired a keyboard player in the first place.) I’mnot saying that their old songs were less sparkly, but their third album (and first without Bou) felt more...glittery? 😂 Me too...but I don’t have the money nor the time to travel to Japan atm. I’v been waiting for another Europe tour since 2014, and I still have got to come to terms with the fact that this is seriously it, and they will not continue to bring this joy into my life. This may sound dramatic, but their music was always with me in my teenage and young adult years, and they will be missed!

Yes, it was my first ancafe song, too! Got a mixtape from a friend of mine, and three an cafe songs were on there. I instantly Fell in love with Snow scene. As far as I know, You wrote the song, yes. And I feel you. My teenage self was so sad because he used to be my favourite. I had just discovered them a year before that, and suddenly he left. It's not like I'm that interested in his private life, but sometimes I wonder what he's up to or if he's alright. I wonder if he maybe got an education after leaving the VK scene? Anyways, I Wish him all the best.

Snow scene is definitely one of my favourite (maybe my no. 1 favourite) song(s). It creates such a melancholic atmosphere. After reading about them disbanding soon, I listened to Stumble across a miracle for the first time in a long time, and suddenly all of the good memories I had with this band came to the surface. I've never even listened to this song much, but it gave me the chills.

@Seelentau I...cannot...wait. Calling a grown man “-chan” is disrespectful, but some fangirls might not know/ care? I’m still looking forward to the concert though. Hope the new album is any good, haven’t had the time to listen to it yet.

Anyone here that wants to hang out at the concert in Cologne? Or anyone going there by car? It's my first time attending a concert alone, and frankly, I don't really know what to do with myself. I'm also open to meeting new, interesting and kind people! I'm not an extreme fan, you can safely hang out with me there without suffering some second hand embarrassment. I'm just there to listen to some good music and have fun. Also, I'm heading to the train station right after the concert. So if someone feels unsafe walking on their own, just ask me! Edit: I also wanted to sell a Dir en Grey live DVD (5 ugly Kingdom). So if anyone coming to the show in Cologne is interested in that, please PM me

Accidentally catching Takuya's guitar pick at a concert. I just stood there when suddenly sth flew my way, so I caught it out of pure instinct. Only when I opened my fist, I realised what I had caught Meaningless to say I was very excited to take it home as a memory.

I liked Versus very much. Would recommend

A big yes to you both! well, there are fans out there who make videos about why their favourite ship is totally real (especially seen that in VK, but I’m sure there were dir en grey fans like this too at some point), so it certainly raises the question how in touch these fans are with reality. They might even sent shipping fanart to their favs etc. but I guess most older VK fans are not like that, and enjoy VK for what it is, which is great

I remember being 16 and trying to learn the natsu koi natsu game dance with my best friend. Good times. Oh yes, I also love jibun, completely forgot to mention it! I really like their style in that one.

I was more talking about the "rumors" that girls pay VK band members for spending time with them, etc. But, of course, the industry in general pays into that. Which, you know, I do not have a problem with IF fans understand that's it's an illusion. Hell, I go to concerts, and I'm paying for an illusion. I go to conventions and watch actors during Q&As, and I've also worked behind the convention scene to know that actors are, well, actors, and they want to please their fans. Nothing wrong with that. It is just that I think that many fans do not know that it's not 100 % real. And that's where we have a problem.

Maple Gunman was an amazing music video! I still watch it sometimes, and then I just keep smiling through all of it. I also like Tekesuta Kousen (the nostalgia!), Aroma, Snow Scene and Wagamama Koushinkyoku. Smile ichiban ii onna might be cringe-y, but I also love it for it.

My biggest issue with VK is the fan-band relationship. While I think it's nice that fans (mostly in Japan because it's often too expensive for overseas fans) want to actively support their favorite bands (buy the CDs instead of downloading everything, buy merchandise), it often evolves into some intense hero worship that I feel uncomfortable with. Instead of just enjoying the music, there is often jealousy and resentment among fans. I go to a concert to enjoy the music, and maybe I'm also curious about how certain members look in real life, I am not there, however, to a) insult other fans, b) touch band members without their permission, c) trying to crowd them after the show. I also feel uncomfortable with the way that some VK artists use fans to pay their bills (it's prostitution, basically). I just feel that most of these relationships are based on girls being alone and projecting their fantasies onto these men that they do not know. They want them as their boyfriends, but are paying to spent time with them....it's exploiting them. I'm not generally against these types of arrangements if it's consensual, but some girls probably pay money for affection of a bandsman, and that's just...no. Don't get me wrong- there are some nice VK fans out there. But I've been to some concerts, and I've seen people being super disrespectful.

Then I just definitely give their newer stuff a listen 😊

I just know their old albums...but from what I gathered from here that is probably a good thing...?

Same! I’ve been listening to them since 2006, which was, on my opinion, still their best era 😊 Their music gives me strength in a way that no other VK band ever could. AnCafe are basically saying: life might be hard sometimes, but when pressure is weighing you down, all you can do is remember all the good things in life and just dance. That’s it. Escapism and tekesuta kousen are great songs! My favourite will forever remain snow scene, partly, because it’s the first song I ever listened to.

Anyone else attending the show in Cologne?

Definitely Luna Sea.

Oh, I know those fanpages of course! Let me know when you’re ready, I certainly want to be part of it!! I once participated in a caffekko fan project a few years ago (we send them a fan book, so to speak), and I’m all ready for it. Thank you so much for putting effort into this. Keep us other caffekkos updated 😊

I started being a fan around the same time, back in 2006. A friend gave me a mix tape of their music, and I instantly fell in love. I’m so glad you will be able to see them one last (well, technically two) last time! Sadly, even if I decided to go to Japan, I have an internship coming up, which ends in late January. So it’s sadly not possible. But I hope you have a great time! Can you do me just one favour? When BondS comes on (and it has to, come on), sing along extra loud? Jump around, cry your heart out? I cannot be there, so someone has to.

I cannot even put my sadness into words. I’ve been a fan for 12 years, and even though I expected it (and I’m also glad that they can move on), it is still a shock. I only had the chance to see them live 2 times (I was in Japan two years go, but sadly, AnCafe’s tour only started shortly afterwards.) I wished to see them live at least one last time. Now I know it is never going to happen. I’m sad I cannot bid this band farewell for it really influenced my teenage and early adult life. Bye Nyappy. This time for good.

Merry- T.O.P (not to be confused with the KPOP artist ;)) I’m just in love with the whole album and it’s just the right kind of heavy.

@IruAxI really like your collection of songs! It’s a perfect mix of old and new ancafe Koukai and ese uranai are also songs that are close to my heart. I still remember listening to them on my MP3 player (no smartphones back then :D) whole being on holiday in my early teenage years. Ah, the memories.

The title says it all: what are your favourite An Cafe Videos and why? Would love to hear about your favorites

Thanks for your recommendations I’ll definitely look into it