ZUTOMAYO (Zutto Mayonaka de Ii no ni.), the enigmatic music collective known for their anime anthems, pulled off a massive, self-produced free concert on September 2nd at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site's stadium. Over 10,000 fans flocked to the event, making it an unforgettable spectacle.
Frontwoman ACAね dubbed the show "a grand experiment," and Japanese media outlet ABEMA Entertainment was there every step of the way, capturing ACAね's raw emotions and insights.
With Osaka's scorching 35-degree Celsius heat and a two-hour rehearsal under their belt, ACAね shared her anticipation: "I was so excited about the view from the stage, the changing weather, and the entire space. That moment when I can fully immerse myself in the performance, and the audience dives in with me, that's the most thrilling feeling."
This wasn't just for fan club members; anyone visiting the Expo could walk right in! The band had actually kicked off a nationwide tour in 2024 with the "Expo" theme, drawing a whopping 200,000 attendees. This Osaka Expo performance was the grand finale of that entire project.
ACAね openly admitted that this self-produced concert was "guaranteed to lose a ton of money," projecting a deficit of tens of millions of Japanese Yen. "We directly asked the Expo organizers to borrow the venue, and apparently, no other artist has done that before. It might seem foolish, but I'm thrilled," she confessed. She sees this "loss-making concert" as a social experiment: "I want to see if 'questioning or resisting inefficiency' can transform into a kind of energy, becoming a driving force for others."
The performance itself revolved around the theme of "affirming loneliness." ACAね explained that loneliness isn't about sadness or isolation, but rather a "proud and dignified loneliness" – something that can even be cool. Her inspiration? Taro Okamoto, the designer behind the Tower of the Sun at the 1970 Osaka Expo. "He once said, 'Loneliness is social,' because it's precisely through our connection to society that clashes arise. But that's a natural thing," she quoted.
During the MC segment towards the end of the concert, ACAね reiterated: "Loneliness isn't about being alone; it's a cool, 'proud and dignified loneliness,' and I want to keep protecting that state." She added, "This event had no major company or sponsor backing it. Even though today is a huge financial loss, I'm genuinely, incredibly happy to be able to perform here."
After the show, ACAね reflected: "Everyone's voices were so loud, it made me feel like maybe I really could reach someone's back in the future. Even though this was a completely self-produced, sponsor-less, massive financial loss, I'm so glad we pulled it off."
This "loss-making experiment" might be exactly what ACAね set out to prove: that loneliness isn't a bad thing; it can transform into a powerful force that propels people forward.
▼ Check out the official trailer for "ZUTOMAYO Expo 'Meikou wa Oroka Naru ga Gotoshi'" below!
Fans and netizens alike resonated deeply with her message: "ACAね's words give you the power to move forward." "Hearing 'it's okay not to force yourself to look straight ahead' brought me such peace of mind." "Her lyrics feel like a shared strength, helping fans carry their burdens."
It's clear that ZUTOMAYO's social experiment, despite burning through a significant amount of cash, fulfilled their vision. If you're curious, you can dive into ABEMA Entertainment's documentary footage to get a deeper look into their philosophy.
▼ ABEMA Entertainment's exclusive documentary: "ZUTOMAYO Up Close: ACAね – 'Loneliness is Cool'"
via： Modelpress