{"id":72636,"date":"2025-11-27T22:11:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T22:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/72636\/"},"modified":"2025-11-27T22:11:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T22:11:11","slug":"fans-brave-rainstorm-for-hiroyuki-sawanos-la-debut-annenberg-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/72636\/","title":{"rendered":"Fans brave rainstorm for Hiroyuki Sawano\u2019s LA debut \u2013 Annenberg Media"},"content":{"rendered":"

To fans of anime series like \u201cAttack on Titan<\/a>,\u201d Hiroyuki Sawano, the composer behind many classic shows\u2019 original soundtracks, is the soul of the music that brought viewers shivers and tears alongside breathtaking, rebellious stories. Despite a rainstorm, Sawano\u2019s first live concert in Los Angeles on Nov. 14 at Peacock Theater brought together audiences from across the country to immerse themselves in the stirring music.<\/p>\n

\"FansFans line up in the rain outside Peacock Theater for Hiroyuki Sawano\u2019s show. (Photo by Laury Li) (Laury Li\/Laury Li) <\/p>\n

Shortly after holding his \u201c20th Anniversary Concert \u00d7 Aniplex<\/a>\u201d in Tokyo, the 45-year-old musician brought many of his signature songs across the Pacific. Featuring six vocalists \u2014 Eliana, Laco, mpi, SennaRin, mizuki and XAI \u2014 the show presented popular tracks including \u201cCall of Silence<\/a>,\u201d \u201caLIEz<\/a>,\u201d \u201cBauklotze<\/a>\u201d and \u201cBarricades<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ClaireCosplay enthusiast Claire Sullivan dresses as Shinoa from the anime series Seraph of the End. (Photo by Laury Li) (Laury Li\/Laury Li) <\/p>\n

A Sawano fan since middle school, 22-year-old Claire Sullivan said she would \u201cdo whatever it takes to get there\u201d if Sawano ever performs in the U.S. She took off work and flew for five hours from Maryland with her sister to see her all-time favorite artist. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe brings out a lot of instruments I wouldn\u2019t even think of, like rainsticks and sleigh bells,\u201d Sullivan said. \u201cThe music will start off soft and mellow, and then switch to a completely different vibe. To me, it\u2019s just an ever-changing song, definitely one that you think you know what\u2019s going on, and you are completely surprised by it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AAllen Huang, on the far left, cosplays as an \u201cAttack on Titan\u201d character with his friends at the concert. (Photo by Laury Li) (Laury Li\/Laury Li) <\/p>\n

By 8:30 p.m., when the house lights finally dimmed, the entire room went still. Sawano took the stage to the audience\u2019s cheers in a black-and-white long blazer and joined the band at the piano to open the show with \u201c\u0259t\u02c8\u00e6k 0N t\u03ac\u026atn \uff1cWMId\uff1e\u201d from \u201cAttack on Titan suite<\/a>.\u201d Eliana\u2019s soaring, powerful voice filled the hall as she glittered in her rose gold gown in the cyan and purple borderlight. <\/p>\n

Vocalists alternated on the stage through the setlist, sending Laco on stage for the second song in the suite, \u201cBefore Lights Out.\u201d Like many of Sawano\u2019s collaborating vocalists, Laco possesses a rich, vigorous voice that instantly draws listeners into epic tales. For the evening, she wore a structured blouse with white flutter sleeves and wide-leg black leather pants inspired by kamishimo<\/a>, the traditional attire for samurai in Japanese Kabuki theater. <\/p>\n

\"Laco,Laco lifts her hand high to the audience. (Photo courtesy of Taichi Nishimaki) <\/p>\n

Laco and Sawano\u2019s collaboration is not limited to titles performed in \u201cAttack on Titan.\u201dFor Sullivan and anime script adaptation writer Eliza Harris, the pair also produced their favorite track, \u201cNEXUS<\/a>\u201d from the movie \u201cPromare<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harris\u2019s work makes her an avid anime-watcher. Since \u201cBlue Exorcist<\/a>\u201d and \u201cGuilty Crown<\/a>\u201d released in 2011, Harris has been drawn to the complexity of Sawano\u2019s triumphant music. \u201cI love how he combines orchestra, sometimes rap and hip hop,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

With Laco\u2019s left hand pointing high toward the sky, she delivered consecutive dynamic tracks \u2014 \u201cZero Eclipse<\/a>,\u201d \u201cFAKEit<\/a>\u201d and \u201cHands Up to the Sky<\/a>\u201d \u2014 building the crowd\u2019s excitement to its peak, until thousands of audience members rose to their feet for the show\u2019s climax: mizuki\u2019s \u201caLIEz.\u201d<\/p>\n

The song\u2019s prelude began with a loud burst of applause from the audience. In her rose-patterned shirt, mizuki\u2019s piercing voice cut through the excited crowd. During her upbeat fourth song, \u201cKeep on keeping on,\u201d mizuki leaned over Sawano\u2019s piano. The two glanced at each other with a smile in the spotlight.<\/p>\n

\"AudienceA packed Peacock Theater stands up for mizuki\u2019s performance. (Photo courtesy of Taichi Nishimaki) <\/p>\n

Mpi, Sawano\u2019s longtime collaborating lyricist, went on stage with a rough, grounded tone in his iconic all-black outfit and wide-brimmed hat. When he started the song, \u201cCall your name<\/a>,\u201d the room grew quiet, captivated by the touching lyrics that call back to the show\u2019s heartbreaking moments. In mpi and Laco\u2019s duet \u201cApple Seed<\/a>,\u201d their voices contrasted sharply \u2014 her clear, controlled high notes against his deeper, textured sound. Later in the night, he joined SennaRin for \u201cBarricades<\/a>,\u201d a song many fans had been waiting for. Scoring the intense battle scenes in season four of \u201cAttack on Titan,\u201d \u201cBarricades\u201d is famous for how powerfully it complements the story. <\/p>\n

\"AThe audience watches Laco and mpi performing \u201cApple Seed.\u201d (Photo by Laury Li) (Laury Li\/Laury Li) <\/p>\n

For Communication Management master\u2019s student Lucy He, a long-time anime fan, Sawano\u2019s genius lies in his ability to synchronize music with narrative. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe matches the music with emotions in anime so perfectly,\u201d she said, \u201cSometimes my mood goes up and down like a roller coaster when I listen. That\u2019s exactly how the story feels too. That\u2019s why I had to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

XAI\u2019s voice brought fans an energetic momentum. During \u201cX.U.<\/a>,\u201d she reached toward the audience and encouraged them to participate, bringing everyone to their feet, clapping with the beat. <\/p>\n

\"JapaneseIn a black dress with a silver ruffle strap, XAI extends her hand forward. (Photo courtesy of Taichi Nishimaki) <\/p>\n

The light dims briefly as the audience eagerly awaits the encore. This time, without the band, Sawano and SennaRin returned for an acoustic version of \u201cSo ist es immer<\/a>.\u201d An artist Sawano personally produced, SennaRin brought a younger and brighter tone to the set. Dressed in an intricate black dress with lace and knots, the two presented an emotional last song to wrap up the night. <\/p>\n

Sawano spoke only briefly between songs, offering quick introductions to the vocalists or thanking the audience, before returning to the piano. When he spoke, the crowd answered with loud cheers that filled the theater.<\/p>\n

\"AudienceFans stand and raise their hands as they pose for the end-of-show group photo. (Photo by Laury Li) (Laury Li\/Laury Li) <\/p>\n

For 23-year-old dental school student Ahmad Qazi, the concert was more than a musical experience \u2014 it was an opportunity to connect with his brother Ibrahim, who flew in from Las Vegas. A fan of the show \u201c86<\/a>,\u201d Ibrahim was thrilled to hear Sawano and mizuki\u2019s live performance of \u201cAvid<\/a>,\u201d which was featured as mizuki\u2019s first song of the night.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s music that will instantly get to your soul, to your heart,\u201d Ibrahim said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter if you have any previous connection to it or like watching the anime where it\u2019s from. It just instantly hits you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both \u201cAttack on Titan\u201d fans, the show doubled as a reunion. \u201cI was glad that he got to enjoy the show,\u201d Ahmad said. \u201cIf [Sawano] is ever back, I\u2019ll definitely get to hear it again.\u201d<\/p>\n