Unexpectedly, I attended STGCC 2018 on Saturday.
I had been away from my interest in manga/anime/popculture/graphics/japanese culture/japanese music/japanese girl band/anime music… etc… for like such a long time.
STGCC had really grown so much from the previous time I really visited (which many many years ago) – I felt like I had missed something in my life for the year I had never attended.
Basically, almost everything at STGCC is of interest to me – but I’m like 35 already… its feel almost like I am passing the age where I can really indulge in things like this…
Then I was at the mini stage, and this 2 girls just caught my eyes with their enthusiasm and positivity as they spoke off the stage as they address the audience before they go on stage.
They are MauKana. Mau-chan and Kanako-chan!
There is something different about them. I would soon realised that, it was because they had both left their respective girl groups after years in the industry. And as they supposedly step into the “sunset” of their career, they managed to catch an opportunity through the success of their online show: MauKana Club (Catch it here: http://www.kaleidoline.jp/onair/73maukana.htm). The program’s popularity get so well that, when they launch a crowdfunding campaign to launch their first album as a proper idol group – their crowdfunding target was hit within half a day.
So while the MauKana Club programme had been around a year already, MauKana the Idol Group debute on 3rd May 2018.
(read about their intro in English here: https://www.singaporetgcc.com/en-gb/guests/MauKana.html)
Back to something different about them – I immediately realised how much more professional and well trained they are, as compared to the solo idol before them. Their cheerful vibe and brightly colored costume just made my moody feeling vanish. And then they sang…
And then I remembered how much I liked Japanese music and how long I’ve not been listening to it; I missed it. MauKana are awesome!
I made a point to remember their name, so that I can listen to their music online (at the point, I didnt know they only just debut and their web presence is extremely low; especially in English).
—
Some time later in the day, as I was walking around, trying to make full of the day at STGCC and see if I missed anything at the convention, I spotted Mau and Kanako standing at the “idol” store.
The “Little Akihabara” Idol Store… wish I sort of understood its a little joke for the Japanese when they saw it…
They spotted me staring blankly at them, and gestured for me to come nearer to meet them. I sheepishly followed (and a little shy… since I’m not exactly sure what to think; especially since I find them cute~ haha). I shook their hands, and they introduced themselves to me. I tried to reply with as much Japanese as I could (but I’m not confident enough to use some of the words that I’m not too sure about). I then saw the CD they are selling; however I did not buy… because my wallet is actually empty of cash. LOL! They gave me their name card, which is really surprising to me. I never knew music idols/artiste gives name cards…
After meeting MauKana, I was gestured by another artiste which I did not hear perform – she was Sae Tsukiyama (apparently someone whom had a lot more web presence). She also introduced her CD to me; unfortunately same problem. I have no cash on me to buy anything.
Pondering about actually buying the CD (I havent bought any CD for at least 10 years… since nowadays everything is on youtube, online or streamed) – I decided to rush out of the convention to withdraw money to buy the CD directly from MauKana and have take a selfie with them. (I actually also intended to buy Sae’s… but I havent really heard her sing; and she wasn’t at the store when I was back… so I refrained from buying her’s. ごめんなさい)
I rushed as fast as I could; so I was kindda half panting when I am back at the store (the store is at the furthest end from the entrance… so its a little far…) – because in my opinion – its a little meaningless if I couldnt buy it directly from them (I didn’t know their music is totally cannot be found online; with exception of the short version they put up for promo). Gladly they are still around, and they were standing in front of the store now.
I quickly went to buy the CDs (its 25 SGD) and managed to request to take a photo with both of them. (I had to pay for the photo too though… 10 SGD per person… I paid 20 SGD to take with both of them). I felt, its the little bit I can do (to spend the money), to help give them a little push for their career – especially as I’m an entrepreneur chasing a lot of difficult dreams as well – I can totally understand their challenges. I also kindda took the opportunity to give them my namecard.
Kanako, Me and Mau-chan!
I was genuinely happy, and almost felt like I’m in love~ haha (nah, I’m not going to become some geeky fanboy… not my style)
After sharing the photo on twitter and hashtagged #MauKana, I feel like, maybe I made new friends (maybe)~
So anyway, I hope I am not the only person to buy their CD – I really love their 2 songs, especially 描くは逆転ホームラン (craft a reverse homerun) – I hope this Singapore gig would be a huge push for their venture.
I really can relate to their songs too, maybe it’s an age thing. Mau-chan is 3 years younger than me; Oh yah, fun fact, her birthday is 2 March. Mine is 5 March. Which means she is a typical Pisces like me too! =D (… okay i admit she is really cute)
This is a short video I took of them while they performing the song on Day 1 of the STGCC 2018:
You can catch the short version of their MV (of this song) here:
And the autographs they so kindly signed for me (that’s the most important thing for me, about deciding to buy the CD):
You can follow them here:
まうかな (@maukana0000) | Twitter
The latest Tweets from まうかな (@maukana0000). 元アイドルの夏奈子と舞生がもう1度夢に向かって頑張っていきます！毎月第2火曜20:00〜『まうかな倶楽部』公開生配信? リフォロー、リプ、DMの返信は、できません?♀️?♀️#いいね #RT #まうかな へのTweet大大大歓迎です?左かなこ、右まう 応援よろしくお願いします?マカラー募集中。. Japan!!!
https://twitter.com/chankana0609
西尾舞生(にしおまう) (@mau_nishio) | Twitter
The latest Tweets from 西尾舞生(にしおまう) (@mau_nishio). 初めまして?『まうかな』@maukana0000 のまうです元 #スルースキルズ そして、全日本プロレス元応援大使? 世界最年少元プロマジシャン??♀️現在タロットアドバイザーもしてます(https://t.co/Uht2H1ve1X) LINE公式の #トーク占い にも登録してます☺︎. Tokyo / Japan
公式チャンネルまうかな
まうかな、YOUTUBE配信始めました！ チャンネル登録宜しくお願いします！ ▼▲▼まうかな▼▲▼ Twitter：まうかな→＠maukana0000 西尾舞生→＠mau_nishio 夏奈子 →＠chankana0609 ２人で力を合わせていきます！ 応援よろしくお願いします♡ ＊＊＊出演イ…
I shall leave the rest of the blog post with the photo of this really rare album (I doubt you are able to buy it anywhere in Singapore after they leave).
If I found how you can buy their CD… I will update here. =x