Ahh, Momoiro Clover Z. Since 2008, the five-member group — Kanako Momota, Shiori Tamai, Ayaka Sasaki, Momoka Ariyasu and Reni Takagi — has carved out their own little niche of the J-pop female idol group market. Anime fans know them as the group that did theme songs for recent installments of Japan’s “holy trinity” of anime — Sailor Moon Crystal, Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection “F” and Pokemon — as well as Bodacious Space Pirates. Other people may know them as that group that teamed up with KISS:
And still others may not know them at all. So here, have an introductory video.
We’ve known since April that they were making their way to Hawaii, but that was pretty much all we knew … until today. Thanks to an initial tip from L.B. Bryant on Twitter, I’ve since learned that multiple sources, including the official Trans-America Ultra Live Tour page, AEG Live and Flavorus, have released information on the show — now scheduled for 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at The Republik (1349 Kapiolani Blvd., third floor). Oh yeah, and tickets go on sale this week. Shuffle those budgets for otaku-related things, put in for your vacation time and get those credit cards ready!
So for now, here’s what we know:
— General admission tickets are $45; VIP tickets, which include a meet-and-greet panel with the group a few hours before the concert at 5:15 p.m., are $150.
— There will be staggered ticket sales online at www.flavorus.com/event/Momoiro-Clover-Z/330769. American Express cardholders get first crack on from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Hawaii time Wednesday. Then there’s a Goldenvoice presale — your password on that will be “JUSTICE” — starting at 7 a.m. Thursday. If you miss both of those, general sales of whatever’s left start at 10 a.m. Friday.
— The nearest Ingress portals are “Uraku Waterfall” and “Anonymous Man Mural.” I’m not sure whether they’re Pokestops or gyms in Pokemon Go or whether they’re reachable from The Republik, but there’s a good chance of them being one of those.
Good luck, folks. Somehow I have a feeling this show’s going to sell out quickly. For more information on the tour and the group, visit www.momoclo.net/ustour2016 .
Otaku Ohana 