Report: Experiencing the world’s biggest anime song event, Animelo Summer Live 2025!

As a big fan of both anime and Japanese music, I have always been interested in attending even more events that fuse these two themes. With Animelo Summer Live 2025 “ThanXX!”, or simply “Anisama”, celebrating its 20th anniversary, there was no better chance to experience the world’s biggest anime song music event! Spanning three hot summer days at Saitama Super Arena, August 29-31, we secure our spot for Day 2.

Anisama unites over 50 artists and voice actors crammed into those three days. This annual anime event also features exclusive collaborations on stage, offering a unique opportunity to witness your favorite artists playfully interact with one another. To no surprise, tickets for all three days were completely sold out, especially as this year, it was possible for overseas attendees to purchase tickets without needing a “Japanese eplus account“.

While I was most excited to finally see Ave Mujica perform live, there were many other notable artists whose catchy songs I had constantly put on repeat in the past, as well as touching ballads that hold a special and nostalgic place in my heart.

Given the sheer number of performances and artists for this four-hour concert, I’ll highlight some of my personal favorites! Let’s get started!

FLOW: Explosive openers!

Perhaps best known for their song “GO!!!” from the anime Naruto, often referred to as Fighting Dreamers, this veteran band was incredibly lively on stage, with lots of running and jumping across the huge stage! Their nearly 30 years of experience was evident, and their stage presence matched the energetic and catchy nature of their songs. It is no wonder they were chosen to set the tone for the evening!

Besides performing “GO!!!”, we were also treated with the GRANRODEO collaboration song “7 -seven-” from The Seven Deadly Sins, which brought an elevated infectious energy, especially through GRANRODEO vocalist KISHOW, who stole the spotlight with spinning kicks and jump splits.

Guilty Kiss: Pure charm

I was really grateful to the “Love Live!” group Guilty Kiss for including what I consider their best song, namely “Guilty Night, Guilty Kiss!”. The song and choreography offered a unique blend of sophistication and energy. It brought in positive vibes while maintaining a funky and laid-back feel. The performers were also incredibly charming while expressing “Guilty Night, Guilty Kiss!”, whether it was their gestures or facial expressions.

As someone who hasn’t actually watched “Love Live!”, my appreciation for this track is largely attributed to RON of STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION who composed it. Being able to experience this song live was a true highlight for me. The song was also incredibly well-received by the audience, evident from the increased loudness and the energy of their glowsticks.

Ave Mujica: The eminence of gothic metal

From the lively energy of Guilty Kiss, the stage transitioned sharply to Ave Mujica of “BanG Dream!”, shifting the atmosphere into something darker and almost cult-like. As digital chandeliers lit up the backdrop, a haunting violin filled the venue, revealing the members’ silhouettes on stage before unleashing the powerful opening song KiLLKiSS.

Ave Mujica’s performance was unmistakably that of a true rock band, standing out as the black sheep among the pop-heavy lineup—in the best way possible—and fully immersing the audience in their gothic world. To deepen that atmosphere, their second song was none other than Crucifix X. The track opened with Beethoven’s haunting Moonlight Sonata played on pipe organs, amplifying the sense of a dark, underground cult. As the song reached its solo section, vocalist and guitarist Sasaki Rico, known as Doloris in the world of Ave Mujica, struck a commanding pose, one knee bent to brace her guitar, captivating the gaze of everyone in the venue.

Ave Mujica closed their set with Kao (顔), one of their more playful and jazzy songs. The song had a catchy “hey” section where the crowd joined in naturally, creating a sense of unity and lifting the energy across the venue. The short but powerful performance ended on a high note, leaving fans excited and wanting more. Ave Mujica’s commanding stage presence was truly impossible to ignore.

Lia: A flood of emotions

Lia is a name that holds a special place for many fans of anime and otaku culture. As a fan myself, I was lucky enough to experience her performing Tori no Uta (鳥の詩) and “My Soul, Your Beats!” live. The former is from the classic visual novel Air, and the latter comes from the anime “Angel Beats!”. Both are deeply emotional works that have cultivated devoted followings over the years.

Hearing Lia sing Tori no Uta with a serene, cloud-filled backdrop felt truly angelic. And for those of us who love “Angel Beats!”, the song “My Soul, Your Beats!” completely brought back “all the feels”—as expressed in true internet slang fashion—making it a moment to treasure. The song was also composed by the late Kamachi Ai, who sadly passed away in 2020.

Lia’s stage performance was simple, yet it carried one of the strongest impacts of the evening.

Anisama Friends: The ultimate collaboration

Throughout the show, artists would sometimes join each other’s performances, creating rare and unexpected combinations. As the final act, Jam Project took the stage, performing the legendary One-Punch Man opening theme song “THE HERO!! ~Ikareru Kobushi ni Hi wo Tsukero~” before leading into the biggest collaboration of the evening. Under the name “Anisama Friends”, the entire cast came together for a spectacular grand finale.

Final thoughts

Animelo Summer Live 2025 “ThanXX!” was not only a memorable experience, but also a rare chance to see so many of my favorite artists live in one place. It brought back a flood of emotions from anime I cherish, leaving me grateful to have been part of such a grand celebration.

Congratulations to Animelo on their 20th anniversary and for creating such a wonderful event for anime music fans!