Surreal moments, treasured memories for anime fans: An ‘Anisama World 2025 in Manila’ experience
Fans definitely had a blast as Manila hosted ‘ANISAMA,’ Japan’s biggest anime music festival, for the very first time. The Anisama World 2025 in Manila took place last June 7 at the New Frontier Theater, marking fans with an unforgettable experience.
The full lineup are well-known Japanese acts in the anime song industry, namely FLOW, ASH DA HERO, nobodyknows+, Ave Mujica, HIROSHI KITADANI, TOSHIYA MIYATA, MindaRyn, and MAYU MAESHIMA.
Still can’t get over how amazing the ‘Anisama World 2025’ is? Let’s reminisce those moments filled with superb vibes, energy, and vocals!
The iconic opening
The Anisama World 2025 in Manila started strong with an opening wherein all artists appeared onstage while Hiroshi Kitadani is performing We Are!, the iconic opening theme of ‘One Piece‘.
Both fans and artists happily sing along, and it definitely brings back memories of watching the first few episodes of ‘One Piece‘. Plus, it was followed by the artists doing the signature pose of the Straw Hat Pirates. This scene can be recalled during the Alabasta arc when they first strike that pose, an indication of an unmatched and long-lasting friendship. And, with that pose, that’s when fans knew that this ‘Anisama World 2025 in Manila’ is going to be an amazing and memorable one.
Highlights and setlist
Ave Mujica
Ave Mujica certainly surprised fans with the performance of Georgette Me, Georgette You. The venue suddenly got covered by radiant vibes, followed by their very own Ave Mujica song.
They performed a total of 4 songs, mainly from the anime ‘BanG Dream! Ave Mujica‘ including Alter Ego (Kao), and KiLLKiSS.
Mayu Maeshima
Fans get hyped up as Mayu Maeshima gets onstage and first performs the opening theme of ‘Re:Zero‘ titled Long Shot.
She also performed No Man’s Dawn from ‘Overlord IV‘ and True Peak from ‘Ishura.’
MindaRyn
Fans sing along during MindaRyn’s performance of Like Flames, the opening theme of ‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.’ Next on her song is Fireworks. She paused for a while and complimented the audience for being so energetic.
She mentioned that they are aware of the fame of Japan’s anime ‘Voltes V: Legacy’ in the Philippines. So, in her last song, she performed a cover of Voltes V no Uta, and the audience definitely got the vibes while chanting altogether the anime’s catchphrase “Let’s volt in!”
Toshiya Miyata
Loud cheers from fans welcomed Toshiya Miyata onstage. He is a singer, voice actor, and a member of the Japanese boyband ‘Kis-My-Ft2.’
He showcased a dance onstage and performed Nemophila. He also sang Meramera. For his last song, FLOW appeared onstage and they sang together Butter-Fly, an OP theme of ‘Digimon Adventure.’
ASH DA HERO
Ash, vocalist of Ash Da Hero, mentioned that this is their first time performing in Manila. Beast Mode is their first song, followed by Octave, both from the anime ‘Blue Lock: Episode Nagi.’
And, when it’s their turn to perform Judgement, (an OP of ‘Blue Lock’) Ash runs down on stage as the crowd gets hyped up. It was a lively performance as ASH DA HERO’s energy matched with the audience’s excitement.
The group expressed that they feel so honored to be at the Anisama 2025 and happy to see all the fans.
nobodyknows+
nobodyknows+ is on fire with their first song Hero’s Come Back!!, one of the timeless and OG opening theme of ‘Naruto: Shippuden.’ It was definitely an “Everybody hands up!” and a “Make some noise!” experience as they dominated the venue with strong vibes and vocals.
The rap part is just so superior, which made the audience more hyped and engaged, while the opening of ‘Naruto: Shippuden’ is playing on the screen. They also performed Kokoro Odoru (ending theme of ‘SD Gundam Force’) together with the artists.
Photo from: Satos_Cafe_Bar
nobodyknows+ also mentioned that they are excited to see all the fans, but surely, fans are more excited to finally see their performance live. And, it finally happened!
Hiroshi Kitadani
Nakama surely waited for Hiroshi Kitadani’s performance. He first performed Bokura no Spectra (OP of ‘Ultraman Blazer’) with MindaRyn.
Together with MindaRyn and Mayu Maeshima, his second song is UUUUUS! (OP of Egghead arc in ‘One Piece’), it was a perfect moment to reminisce the adventure of Straw Hat Pirates as they finally reached Egghead.
Fans chant “Ichi, ni, sunshine, yon… We go!” as Hiroshi Kitadani performed We go! (an OP of ‘One Piece’) as well. ‘One Piece’ fans certainly enjoyed the performance, looking back on their journey of watching this anime that currently has a thousand episodes.
FLOW
The crowd went all out for the last performer of ‘Anisama World 2025 in Manila,’ FLOW! Screams of excitement resurfaced at the New Frontier Theater as fans genuinely waited for this moment – to finally watch FLOW perform live.
They first performed CHA-LA HEAD CHA-LA, an OP of ‘Dragon Ball Z.’ They mentioned that this was their 2nd time performing in Manila, and they are happy to be back here.
FLOW thanked fans for loving Japanese music. But, beyond doubt, fans are more thankful to them for creating meaningful music that will always remind them of their favorite anime.
They also performed Sign (OP of ‘Naruto: Shippuden’) and COLORS (OP of ‘Code Geass’). When they sang these songs, it was very nostalgic, and fans powerfully sang along.
It’s not yet over as FLOW finally performed GO!!! and fans’ lively screams “We are fighting dreamers!!!” All artists are also onstage during this performance. This moment of singing along with FLOW’s GO!!! definitely hits different, particularly to Naruto fans.
The final song of ‘Anisama World 2025 in Manila’, performed by all artists, is Stargazer.
Overall, anisongs supremacy, indeed!
But, on a deeper level, this may just be a ‘one of those concerts’ for some, but for anime fans, it was a ‘dream,’ and it felt surreal.
Hearing those anisongs live definitely gave fans an unforgettable experience that they will constantly treasure.
Thank you, ANISAMA, for coming to Manila!
Event presented by Wilbros Live
Featured photo source: gokigensandany
