Keyakizaka46 2nd YEAR ANNIVERSARY LIVE

This last April 6 to 8, the group held a 3-day concert to celebrate their 2nd Debut Anniversary. The venue for the concert was at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza - Main Arena. 

In this event, two of its members were not able to attend. Namely, Hirate Yurina, the center for the six consecutive singles, and Shida Manaka. It was reported earlier that due to some conflicts of the schedule, Hirate won't be able to attend the event (I wonder if that is true or maybe the management has some other plans for the group). Maybe to observe for having a new center). Also, due to poor health condition, Shida was pulled out as well. Because of the absence of the two, the remaining 19 members need to cover up their positions. With that, there were selected members to become centers for specific songs they have to perform.

Here are the alternative centers during the concert:

• Yuichanzu (Kobayashi Yui and Imaizumi Yui)

Garasu wo ware! and Mou Mori he Kaerouka?

• Watanabe Risa

Hiraishin and Getsuyoubi no Asa, Skirt wo Kirareta

• Captain Sugai Yuuka

Kimi wo Mou Sagasanai, Abunakkashi Keikaku, Fukyouwaon and Taiyou wa Miageru Hito wo Erabanai

• Nagahama Neru

Kokkyou no Nai Jidai, Kimi wo Mou Sagasanai (with Sugai Yuuka for the last two days of the concert)

• Koike Minami (with Harada Aoi's solo dancing)

Koike on Futari Sezon (Encore for the 2nd & 3rd day)

Aoi's solo dance on the bridge part of the song

• Moriya Akane

Sekai ni wa ai shika nai (Encore for the 1st & 2nd day)

• Suzumoto Miyu

Silent Majority (Encore for the 1st and 3rd day)

• Habu Mizuho

Eccentric (As I have expected, she is suited to be an alternative center for this song)

• Kobayashi Yui

Kaze ni fukarete mo
(She's one of my bets on becoming an alternative center of this song. She has that awesome pops when dancing.)

It was great that other members managed to accomplish in covering up the position. With that, the spotlight is with them. When I read the report that Hirate (nicknamed as Techi) won't be able to attend the concert due to the conflict of schedules, I immediately thought that it was a lame excuse. However, I've read in some forums, blogs and other articles online speculating that it was due to some problems with her grade - I guess that might be reasonable if so. But with the turn of the events, Hirate's absence brought a good opportunity for other members to showcase more of what they are capable of for that performance. It must have been hard doing the center for six singles and a couple live performances so let's have her rest for a while.

I haven't been able to see the full performance since there are no uploaded videos yet online. There was already a broadcast of the concert in Japan but only 6 of their songs. Lucky for those who were able to watch it. The most awaited "Boku wa yada" of Captain Sugai-sama from Fukyouwaon was not included (saved for the last). Nevertheless, I was able to see a clip of the performance as some of them were tweeted in Twitter. From the video clip I saw, I was stunned beyond words. I wanted to shout from my lungs just like the fans present in the event. The performance were so awesome and full of emotion. I can feel the thrill from the arena when they had perform Garasu wo ware (click here to watch the music video and see how bad-ass they are).

Aside from their explosive performance, the arena turned out to be emotional when Captain Sugai-sama delivered here speech. I was able to read the translated speech posted on Twitter since I'm not able to comprehend Japanese yet. Here's a part of Captain Sugai-sama's long speech:

"...we want to give back to you all. We want to make a place where Hirate & Manaka can return without any worries. We want to run up the slope, becoming stronger than we are now. Please believe in us."

As a Keyakizaka46 fan, I cannot help but be proud of the girls who managed to pull a successful and explosive concert for their 2nd Anniversary even with the absence of two of their pillars. I can't help to be emotional as well. I have fell in love with the group when I first listened to their debut single - Silent Majority. I want to know more about them. I wanted to hear more story of their journey. With that, I have managed to collect any videos related to them. I re-read almost all of their blogs, read any Keyakizaka related articles and much more. My love for them continuously grow deeper. This anniversary has given birth to another beautiful story. The change of the characters is unpredictable which made them more interesting. Their conviction to become strong, even if the group is injured, to stand up after falling - that makes them as Keyakizaka46.