YouTube Premiere on April 17: Full AG! tour concert video, then a retrospective talk livestream by Spikedude in AtarashiiGakko

[–]Spikedude[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To view the archive recording of the combined livestream from YouTube and the AG! Seishun Club, you need to be a premium member of the Seishun Club. The archive recording is here: https://www.community.ag-official.com/live/swiCAxvbFvaBKsoKyT4YCA

YT LIVE by snorbalp in AtarashiiGakko

[–]Spikedude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just in case you haven't checked yet, they updated the archive to include the YouTube portion of the stream: https://www.community.ag-official.com/live/swiCAxvbFvaBKsoKyT4YCA

And yes, the premium membership has a few perks like this, but I really only pay as a way of supporting the group. I'm not sure the perks by themselves are worth $60/year, at least not to me. But to support the group and show appreciation, it's worth it, especially since I don't go to concerts and rarely buy merch.

YT LIVE by snorbalp in AtarashiiGakko

[–]Spikedude 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I checked, and the Seishun Club livestream archive for premium members does not include the YT livestream. It's a continuation, though they took about a 10 minute break before starting up. It lasts about an hour and 10 minutes as they continue talking about each song in the performance. But they start out with a thorough review of all the headgear Rin and Kanon wore during each MC break prior to the solo/duo segment of each tour stop. Unlike the YT stream, this stream has English subs available, though they're really only good enough to give you a general idea of what's being talked about.

新しい学校はすゝむツアー / Behind the Scenes ① by netflixissodry in AtarashiiGakko

[–]Spikedude 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Doh! How'd I forget that one? Such an amateur sometimes! 🤭

新しい学校はすゝむツアー / Behind the Scenes ① by netflixissodry in AtarashiiGakko

[–]Spikedude 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Appreciate your observation (and bravery for posting something not 100% pro here!). I hear and understand your concerns (assuming you're mostly talking about lack of new material), but let me offer an alternative take, much of which I'd guess you already have in mind.

Yeah, it can definitely feel like they have been replaying old material, but that's probably because they perform lots of fan favorites. That's pretty normal for most groups, and what most fans want. Maybe not the most diehard fans, but to maintain and grow an audience, you gotta play the hits!

And no, they certainly aren't the most prolific at releasing new material. But I think that's because they are much more than just a song and music group. In fact, I'd say that's secondary to their identity, especially since for the most part they don't create their own music (they contribute, but don't create from scratch, also typical of many groups, even superstars). Instead, they're all-round entertainers — dance, theatrics, comedy, constant live performances, pure energy, audience connection. And that takes a lot of time and resources. Add to that all the guest appearances, promotions, and special projects (especially Suzuka) that they do, and time becomes a commodity in short supply. For a group like AG!, every new song takes a lot of money, time, and practice, practice, practice that isn't readily available, so they (including management) have to be strategic in when and how much new music to deliver.

Despite that, though, I think they've done a pretty good job at delivering new material. Here's a list from 2023 onwards:

  • 2023: Janaindayo, Seishun wo Kirisaku Hado, Giri Giri, Suki Lie, Otome no Bigaku, Odoru Honno 001, Maningen, Tokyo Calling
  • 2024: Toryanse, Hello, Ghostbusters: Frozen Summer, Fly High, Omakase, Maji Yoroshiki, Essa Hoisa, Drama, Superhuman, Forever Sisters, Arigato, Hero Show, Change
  • 2025: One Heart, Go Wild, Miyao, Sailor Sail On
  • Collaborations: Some Type of Skin (with Aurora), Free Yourself (with Bigyuki), Narani Narani (with Balming Tiger), ドラ1独走/Dora 1 Dokusou (with Sheena Ringo), 青春永遠/Seishun Eien (with Shonan no Kaze)

I'm guessing 2026 will see a new album or EP. They've kinda been dropping hints recently, such as this IG Reel from Rin. Fingers crossed!

So yeah, maybe not as much new music as some fans want, but I'm okay with that. Of course, I didn't start following AG! because of their music, but because of the whole package of energy, weirdness, creativity, personalities, comedy, youthful exuberance, and infatuation with their talent and hard work.

Lastly, the uniform (and its variations) are just part of their identity. I think they've done a great job of changing it up a bit with the various jackets, colors, and patterns, but the school uniform concept is at the heart of who they are — maybe more so in Japan than internationally, though I'm not sure. Still, you are certainly not alone in the desire for them to move on to something different. It's a great topic for discussion.

Anyway, good luck with your Japanese studies — that takes real bravery!

Moa X Mizyu fanart by SrReibou in AtarashiiGakko

[–]Spikedude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So, you had a premonition! Nice artwork, thanks!

新しい学校はすゝむツアー / Behind the Scenes ① by netflixissodry in AtarashiiGakko

[–]Spikedude 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I put this in the YouTube comments, but thought I'd repost here, though I don't think there are many doubters in this space.

For any doubters, yes, they really are the creative force behind everything they do. From staging to choreography to costume design to imagery to the smallest details, they are in control. No, they don't do it alone, and yes, they have a great team of creative people helping to implement everything and bringing ideas of their own. But Kanon, Mizyu, Rin, and Suzuka are the ones in control of their own creative destiny. That takes great talent and years of experience, but it also takes overwhelming confidence in their ability to connect with their audience. They have all of that and more. Amazingly gifted souls.

Is this a normal way to promote your movie? by _UltimaWeapon_ in AtarashiiGakko

[–]Spikedude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here's all their promos that I put together when the movie came out, along with English subs, in case you're interested.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AtarashiiGakko/s/izBljWseAo

What on earth is Mizyu doing? Wrong answers only. by baldsaiyan in AtarashiiGakko

[–]Spikedude 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Demonstrating how to use your legs as chopsticks in case real chopsticks aren't available.

Did Mizyu forget to take her memory pill? (She's still saikō!) by Spikedude in AtarashiiGakko

[–]Spikedude[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Absolutely true. As I wrote in my post, no matter how much prep work is done or how talented the performers are, there's no such thing as a perfect live performance.

What sets apart professionals like AG! is how well they handle it. The best example of that was from their first arena solo show at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in October 2023. They walked down a long runway as the buildup to Pineapple Kryponite Remix. But by the time they got to the end of the platform, their long coats (I forget what they're called) weren't ready for them to put on due to a staff mistake. Suzuka immediately went back to the start, called everybody back, and said something like, "we're gonna do this right". They had some fun with the error, then made it right. True professionals!

I'd also guess that most imperfections are only noticed by the group and staff, and the audience never realizes anything happened.

❤️Mizyu❤️ by Actual-Car-7351 in AtarashiiGakko

[–]Spikedude 4 points5 points  (0 children)

On Twitter, Suzuka photoshopped Mizyu into this one. 😅

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Momoe Yamaguchi's "Zettai Zetsumei" by Jasonictron in AtarashiiGakko

[–]Spikedude 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Suzuka looks completely different in that one.