Ado SPECIAL LIVE ‘Shinzou’ in Cinema is a Spectacular Show for Anime Music Fans

Japanese singer Ado took over the Japan National Stadium with the “Shinzou” concert, which was held from April 27-28, 2024. It was quite a spectacle at the time with a combined total of 140,000 attendees, who watched Ado perform a thrilling 26-song set live. Now, after more than a year later, fans in the United States were able to experience the event with the concert film Ado SPECIAL LIVE “Shinzou” in Cinema in theaters on May 28 and May 31. I was certainly delighted to see the concert in its remastered glory. 

Ado SPECIAL LIVE “Shinzou” in Cinema brings the concert to the big screen, serving as an immersive journey that fans can enjoy from a comfortable seat and a snack. The theatrical release features newly remastered 5.1 and Dolby Atmos audio mixes for incredible overall sound quality, and it certainly impresses. If there’s ever a Blu-ray or digital release, Ado SPECIAL LIVE “Shinzou” in Cinema will be one you will want to watch and listen to with home theater or high-quality headphones. Of course, there’s always the option of listening to Ado’s hits on Spotify, but her live vocals and the atmosphere of the concert bring immersive qualities you don’t want to miss. 

Ado SPECIAL LIVE “Shinzou” in Cinema is Stunning in Both Audio and Visuals

The setlist for Ado SPECIAL LIVE “Shinzou” in Cinema includes some notable songs, including “Sakura Biyori and Time Machine (with Hatsune Miku),” “DIGNITY” featuring B’z Tak Matsumoto, and “Show,” a collaboration song with Universal Studios Japan. From One Piece Film Red, fans get to listen to Ado perform “New Genesis,” “I’m Invincible,” “Tot Musica,” and “Backlight.” As a SPY x FAMILY fan, I was certainly hyped to hear “Kura Kura” in this concert recording, as the quality was superb. 

Ado SPECIAL LIVE “Shinzou” in Cinema is quite extensive at nearly 2 hours and 20 minutes, and it’s not only great to listen to, but the high production value makes it captivating to watch. There are many different camera angles, including one at the front of the stage to focus on Ado, while others pan out to show the scope of this grant concert. The cinematography is really great, and although Ado is known for not showing her identity in public, the stage is backlit with all-encompassing digital screens that both mask and emphasize Ado in front of her thousands of fans in attendance.

That being said, your enjoyment of Ado SPECIAL LIVE “Shinzou” in Cinema will come down to your own music tastes and preferences. As a fan of LiSA, FLOW, ONE OK ROCK, and other notable Japanese singers and bands, I can absolutely say that Ado’s vocals are top notch, and she has plenty of tracks in my Spotify favorites list. She has an amazing, and at times grungy, voice that holds my attention. Ado has a lot of range, and it’s impressive to hear her fully utilize it with no auto-tune or post-production editing, from what I could tell. Ado’s vocals are natural, even visceral to an extent, all while she’s performing on stage by herself under a silhouette, inside a massive cage, or alongside the likes of Hatsune Miku.

At the End of the Day, This One is for Ado and Anime Music Fans

The biggest takeaway from Ado SPECIAL LIVE “Shinzou” in Cinema is that it will certainly cater to Ado’s existing fans, but it’s also a great way for people familiar with her anime songs to delve deeper into her catalog. If you enjoy the opening and ending theme songs you often here in some of the most popular anime from recent years, then I’m sure you’ll find at least one song that you won’t get out of your head. 

The concert film is stunning, and I’m certainly hoping there’s more to come from Ado and other Japanese artists in a similarly produced spectacle. For now, fans will have to wait their turn, as Ado is currently on her “Hibana” tour. The tour began in Japan on April 26, and it’s heading to Europe and North America this June and July, respectively.