Marina Kawano performance at AnimeNEXT 2018

Marina Kawano is a singer from Fukuoka, Japan. Her music career began in 2010 after winning the 4th Animax All-Japan Anisong Grand Prix, since then she’s been featured on various Anime opening/ending theme most recently the main theme and ending theme for Square Enix “NieR: Automata” during the show we learned that this was the first time she has performed in the States.

I found Miss Kawano singing voice to be very pretty, her stage presence very energetic. Movements were very fluid and polished, her outfit was even reflective of that image. These are things that I’ve come to associate with idols in the J-Pop scene,  the total package is everything.

I love the fact that even with the language barrier (she doesn’t speak English and I don’t speak Japanese), I still felt engaged in her conversations. Making that connection with your audience is extremely crucial, as it helps to enrich your concert experience so I’d like to applaud her for that.

As far as the song selection goes I have mixed feelings. Some songs I enjoyed and others not so much but it comes down to a matter of preference rather than a lack of anything on Marina part. All in all, I had a really fun time I wasn’t disappointed in the least. It was a great way to end the action pack weekend at AnimeNext.

For those of you who are curious, here is a copy of the setlist from her show, check out her music and let me know what you think. Join the conversation and let me know if you would go to a Marina Kawano concert.

Setlist