In the last report, I wrote up to the point where Kyoban Festival kicked off, with its almost over-the-top extravagant opening, the appearance of popular voice actors as guests, the concept movie for "Blue Miburo," Kyoban Festival's official collaboration anime, and then, as the opening act, the performance of "Mononofu," Blue Miburo's main theme composed by Yuki Hayashi. This time I'll deliver a report focused on Kyoban Festival's leadoff act, "Takahiro Obata"!

The performance of Mononofu ended, and without missing a beat, out came the festival's first act, score composer Obata! As Obata appeared to thunderous applause, Hayashi remarked, "You were drinking beer just now, weren't you? (laughs)" "Oh, you noticed?" said Obata. At this Kyoban Festival, an ale called "Kyoban Ale," a carefully crafted brew that Hayashi, a craft beer lover, co-developed with "HINO BREWING" (a craft beer made by festival lovers for festivals), was being sold. As it turns out, Hayashi, who'd called out Obata for drinking beer, had actually already downed a Kyoban Ale himself. If the beer's that delicious, and it's a festival, then enjoying it is the correct answer, and cries of "I want one!" kept coming from the audience. I'm no exception when it comes to loving beer, but given that I was there working as an outside writer, I held back during the live and decided to enjoy it after it was over. And then Kyoban Ale sold out far faster than expected, in the blink of an eye, and in the end I never got to drink it. Heartbreaking.

The Kyoban Ale on sale at the drink counter. Looks delicious...!

Now, despite the fact that Obata had been performing in front of Kyoto Station at the pre-festival event on the 20th, on the 21st he apparently had a live show in Hiroshima. He'd appeared the day before at a concert by voice actor "Inori Minase" and rushed to Kyoto this morning. Thank you for your hard work...!

First up, a track from The Promised Neverland! A special arrangement version of Isabella's song from within the main theme.

The view from behind the PA. Suppressing the urge to go up front and get hyped, I took the photo.

Footage from The Promised Neverland began playing behind. The Promised Neverland is, of course, the smash-hit work that ran in Weekly Shonen Jump until 2020. The protagonists were raised in an orphanage where all kinds of orphans gather. But the orphanage has a secret: the gathered orphans are being raised as meat for the "demons," the apex predators at the top of this world. Having learned this terrifying truth, the protagonists set out to escape the orphanage and aim for a world where they can live in peace.

From a beautiful melody to a slightly ominous piano. Then drums come in, and the footage shows everyday life. The worldview and the melody fit incredibly well. Characters running through a beautiful forest. The music, too, as if expressing resolve, parting, and the strength to face the fate about to unfold, the melody shifts from gentle to wistful, then gradually to something valiant.

Is that the sound of a banjo? An unfamiliar stringed instrument plays a solo, and the strings layer over it. A symphonic beauty envelops Kyoto Theater. The timbre, evoking a strong core that breaks free of the everyday and overcomes a harsh fate, is wonderful.

Next was a track called "Last Battle" from a work called "Ninjala." The source isn't an anime but an action game, so there are many fun-spirited tracks, but this Last Battle is a cool number with the impression of a tension-filled future jazz.

It's apparently a score that came together from the director's offhand, joking decree, "Should we make this score jazz-only?"

A track that leaves you with the impression of, so this is how jazz turns out in the hands of a film score composer...? There's a great groove within its valiance. The drums' four-on-the-floor and the bass rhythm feel great.

The sax that comes in at various points is cool and memorable. The trumpet and trombone melodies lift the venue's mood way up! And every single hit is so cool it's electrifying! In short, a masterpiece that packs in the joy of music, that lets you savor the fundamental delight of, music is free!

The track from the Shoshimin Series, the "main theme," became Obata's last song. From the audience came cries of "Aww!" I occasionally work at live houses in Sapporo myself, and I find it interesting how anime-loving audiences are so in sync on these kinds of "go-to" rituals.

Now, the Shoshimin Series main theme, performed with vocals. Since this is a track he'd also presented at the pre-festival event, please do check the pre-festival article for a detailed track explanation. It really is a masterpiece with a beautiful melody.

Even though it's a track full of odd time signatures, not making you feel that while listening is the mark of a composer's brilliance. Since I do music myself, when I listen while counting the beat, there are many moments where I go "Huh? Wait, what?!" and get startled. Yet the fact that, unless you focus on it, it just sounds perfectly natural and easy on the ears, is truly amazing...

Amid thunderous applause, Obata's set ended, and a break was taken. It seems a good editing point came along. The report, too, continues next time.