Audiences are able to immerse in popular anime soundtracks at the Symphonic Anime 2023 Vietnam Arc concert started yesterday in Hà Nội. Photo courtesy of the event organsier

HCM CITY  "Symphonic Anime", one of the most renowned concerts by the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, is bringing fans of anime (a style of Japanese film and television animation) in Hà Nội and HCM City an unforgettable music experience. 

Starting on Wednesday under the name Symphonic Anime 2023 Vietnam Arc at the Hanoi Opera House, the show brought to life several original soundtracks, background music, and songs from famous Japanese anime films through the performances of the orchestra and choir.

The second show in Hà Nội was performed yesterday, and the concert will continue on Saturday at Hòa Bình Theatre in District 10, HCM City.

The concert has attracted 1,084 audience members in Hà Nội, and around 2,000 in HCM City.

It features exclusive arrangements from its most recent show, "Symphonic Anime 2023", with music pieces from popular anime series like Spirited Away, My Hero Academia, One Punch Man, Demon Slayer, Inuyasha, Attack on Titan, Spy x Family, and many more.

Thanapol Setabrahamana, assistant director of music for the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, leads over 100 members of the orchestra and choir.

His passion for anime films has been the driving force behind composing, conducting, and arranging the pieces performed during the event, he said.

Accompanying them in all three shows are award-winning Thai musical theatre artist Nan Sathida and composer Kaoru Wada, and gracing the stage in HCM City will be three famous composers - Yasuharu Takanashi, Yuki Hayashi and Taku Iwasaki.

Attendees are able to create unique music memories by immersing themselves in different music genres such as classical, jazz, and Japanese traditional music.

The event is organised by 54Entertainment (a Thai record label and entertainment agency) in collaboration with the Saigon Philharmonic Orchestra, Quickcom Events (a cutting-edge Vietnamese event management platform), and Preeco Studio (a Vietnamese broadcasting and media production company).

Speaking at a press conference for the concert in August, music director of the Saigon Philharmonic Orchestra Nguyễn Bảo Anh said that great development in the quality of Vietnamese orchestras and event organising in line with international standards have made Việt Nam an ideal place for having authentic musical experiences.

The popularity of anime in Việt Nam was also a crucial point in connecting audiences with classical music in a more modern and entertaining way, he added.

Boy Phiboon, representative of 54Entertainment, said the event would attract many young Vietnamese people since they account for a large portion of anime fans. 

“Similarities in culture and music between the two countries and the strong support from young Vietnamese audiences are also the reasons why we chose to perform here,” Phiboon said.

The event will also connect Vietnamese audiences with Thai and Japanese composers and artists.

Held in Thailand in March at Madohil University, the concert created a buzz among anime and music enthusiasts, attracting over 4,000 spectators over two nights. 

The total performance lasts around 2 and a half hours, including intermission. – VNS