I don’t at all times know what to make of Section Join. It has a (not totally unearned) fame for being unhinged each by way of its abilities and its viewers, but it seems to be essentially the most secure and enduring of all North America–primarily based VTuber firms. I feel Section’s aura could also be one which straddles the road between underdog success story and massive participant, and every of the ladies conveys this differently that appeals to their viewers. And over the previous 5 years, I’ve grow to be a fan of fairly a number of of them myself, charmed by every in numerous methods.
One gateway has really been their 3D live performance; I attended one at Anime NYC 2024, and it was a pleasant (if at instances complicated) introduction to all of the performers. So whereas I didn’t attend the inaugural Section Con, I did purchase streaming tickets for all three of its concert events: Grand Passage, Fifth Orbit (a Gen-1 fifth anniversary celebration), and Bon Voyage. Notably, these concert events featured the 3D debuts of Section Join’s first-generation Japanese members and the whole lot of its second technology.
First issues first, I’ve a pair small complaints to get out of the best way. First, Kaneko Lumi’s solo efficiency was reduce from the stream, presumably due to rights/permissions points. On condition that she’s the very best singer amongst Invaders Want, I want I might have seen it! Second, I want there was a bundle deal for the concert events so I didn’t need to pay three separate processing charges. In any other case, the tickets had been fairly inexpensive general, and I used to be glad to assist the skills general.
These inconveniences apart, I loved the concert events. There’s a pleasant steadiness the place it feels polished with out being too excellent, and I feel it matches properly with the overall Section Join vibe. I additionally favored the best way every lady performed to their fanbase whereas additionally being accessible to curious newcomers. As with so many VTubers, there was a spectrum, from devoted performers to those that strived to reside as much as the highlight regardless of it being unfamiliar territory.
Fujikura Uruka, for instance, is among the music-specialized heavy hitters in Section. Whether or not it was singing “Mephisto” from Oshi no Ko solo or delivering a compelling cowl of “Jane Doe” from Chainsaw Man with Lumi and Amanogawa Shiina, Uruka’s low vocals are a pleasure to hearken to. However whereas her voice was an apparent sturdy swimsuit, I additionally bought a kick out of the best way she strikes on stage. Uruka went from huge swinging limbs and bouncy steps to clean physique rolls, and regarded good doing all of it.
Then there’s Dizzy Dokuro. I really imply this with no unwell intent, however I’m a fan of how exhausting she tries to make up for her lack of vocal capacity with effort and planning, regardless of the emotional and bodily toll she inflicts on herself. “The Actual Folks Blues” from Cowboy Bebop was undoubtedly an sudden selection, and her sultry strikes matched the tone of the tune. Her duet on “Courageous Coronary heart” from Digimon Journey has additionally put Chisaka Airi on my radar, and I undoubtedly would take pleasure in seeing them collectively once more.
Not like Uruka and Dizzy, I solely bought into Amanogawa Shiina comparatively not too long ago. My gateway was really her banana outfit; between this and the recent canine Shiori Novella from hololive, and I is perhaps a sucker for foolish costumes. With Shiina’s performances, I felt like this was a lady who can actually dazzle an viewers each on stage and on stream. The whole lot of Section Origins JP (Nasa, Michiru, and Iori) additionally ended up catching my consideration. My publicity to them earlier than this was pretty sparse, however I like their designs general and thought their performances had been actually cute.
As an apart, one factor I discover attention-grabbing is that somebody’s first 3D mannequin doesn’t need to be their first design. This was the case with Dizzy and her nurse uniform, however Shiina was additionally sporting a later outfit as properly.
I feel essentially the most iconic second of all was the primary tune for the Bon Voyage live performance:a bunch efficiency of “Pippa the Ripper,” initially (and reluctantly) by Pipkin Pippa. A whole lot of VTubers finally grow to be embarrassed about their early songs and artistic output, however not like, say Calliope Mori and the best way folks cowl it out of a pure sense of admiration, issues are a bit extra difficult on this case. It concurrently acts as a badge of disgrace for Pippa, a fan-favorite tune, a possibility to troll Pippa, and an anthem of types for Section as an entire. Beginning off with simply Uruka and Lumi, increasingly of the skills stored becoming a member of in as Pippa’s voice may very well be heard loudly protesting till she ended up on display and closely conflicted and able to combat everybody. The entire thing was actually Section Join in a nutshell.
I don’t know if I’ll ever attend Section Con itself, or what the longer term holds for them. However, it’s been a blast seeing every individual getting their 3D after which shining on stage. And for many who nonetheless wish to watch, the concert events are nonetheless obtainable to view on SPWN for a pair extra days.
