Berryz Kobo Performance At AnimeNEXT 2012

June 19, 2012 - Berryz Kobo performed for an excited crowd of fans at New Jersey's AnimeNEXT (June 8-10). It was the Japanese idol group's second appearance in America in 2 years, following 2011's appearance at Sakura-Con in Seattle, WA.

Berryz Kobo fans from around the world gathered to the idols, wearing Berryz Kobo cosplay and buying all the official Japanese merchandise within the first 3 hours of the event. Due to overwhelming attendance, the group doubled their official autograph time to accommodate all the adoring fans.

During the live concert, Berryz Kobo fans surprised the group during "Because Happiness" by spontaneously singing the accompanying ℃-ute song "Shiawase no Tochuu". The two songs are designed to be performed together, creating the new song "Chou HAPPY SONG." The unplanned participation by the crowd touched the hearts of the Berryz Kobo .

Berryz Kobo held a contest the week prior to the event which was open to fans worldwide, asking for the "fan favorite" from Berryz Kobo's extensive catalog. Fans voted via Up-Front Link's Chinami Tokunaga) was performed during the encore.

After the event, fans spilled out of the venue chanting "Berryz Saikou!" ("Berryz is the Best!"), repeating the tradition set last year by the Berryz Kobo fans at Sakura-Con.


Berryz Kobo member comments:

Momoko Tsugunaga: "Feeling this love overseas makes me feel so happy and grateful. Thank you "Berryz" much to everyone around the world for always ing me. It was so great to hear everybody's when I said 'I am the best idol in the world,' or when I asked 'Which one do you prefer, Momochi or Lady Gaga?', it was a unanimous 'Momochiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!', lol!"

Chinami Tokunaga: "Thanks to our participation to AnimeNEXT, I have so many great memories! Even though we don't speak the same language, I was so happy to communicate with everyone during our g sessions, the Q&A, and the live. I will try my best to talk and sing in English! After Sakura-Con and AnimeNEXT, I will do everything to come again in America!"

Maasa Sudo: "I'm so happy to have received so much love from New Jersey, a place really far away from Japan. I was able to feel this love when we sang and talked together, so thanks to everyone. Personally, since I really love anime and manga, I'm glad to see all this love for the Japanese culture."

Risako Sugaya: "I was so happy to go to AnimeNEXT 2012! I was deeply moved during the live, seeing all the local fans singing in Japanese with us. It motivated me even more to improve my English so we can communicate better! I want to perform again overseas."


SET LIST
Rival
Yuujyou Junjou oh Seishun
Special Generation
Dakishimete Dakishimete
Koi no Jubaku
Because Happiness
Ai no Suki Suki Shisuu Joushouchuu
VERY BEAUTY
Otakebi Boy WAO!
Maji Bomber!!
Yononaka Barairo
Icchoume Rock!
-Encore-
Jiriri Kiteru
GIRLS TIMES

--LINKS--
Berryz Kobo Official Website
www.helloproject.com/berryzkobo/index.html

Berryz Kobo Official YouTube Channel
youtube.com/berryzchannel

Up-Front Link:
www.facebook.com/upfrontlink

AnimeNEXT:
www.animenext.org

--VIDEO--
BeGenki (Naseba Naru!)
http://youtu.be/d5nmDDUglVM

--PROFILE--

All girl super group Berryz Kobo is part of Hello! Project and consists of Saki Shimizu, Momoko Tsugunaga, Chinami Tokunaga, MaasaSudo, Miyabi Natsuyaki, Yurina Kumai and Risako Sugaya. They already have 8 albums and 27 singles to their credit.

Berryz Kobo released their debut single, “Anata nashi dewa ikite ikenai” on Girls' Day (March 3rd) in 2004, and have been consistently impressing fans ever since. There are many highlights to their 8+ year history, including their 2005 Oricon top 10 hit “Special Generation”. In 2007, Berryz Kobo gave sold out performances in the Inazuma Eleven”.

In 2011, they performed in Seattle for Sakura-Con on April. Their latest single,“Be Genki <Naseba Naru!>”, was released in March 2012.

Berryz Kobo performed for the second time in America at AnimeNEXT in June 2012.