Ado SPECIAL LIVE ‘Shinzou’ in Cinema Review: Out of This World

The Ado SPECIAL LIVE ‘Shinzou’ in Cinema movie is nothing short of spectacular. Wrapped in the guise of a love letter for her fans, the movie is a high-energy, visually stunning, and deeply moving showcase of Ado's vibrant artistry. It may look like an ordinary concert recording, but the singer's mysterious anonymity is what makes this concert movie all the more special and endearing.

Ado's incredibly powerful and emotional vocals are enough to convince anyone to listen to her music, and this recorded special live takes it above and beyond. It's a whole other level of musical experience that I didn't even know of until now. Truly, I can say that without a doubt, Ado is anything but ordinary.

Where do I possibly begin to describe the force behind the singer and performer that she is? It's crazy to think about what a legendary performance this is, since it's the first time a solo female artist has performed at the Japan National Stadium. The concert took place over two days in April 2024, attracting 140,000 fans. Impressive number, but not surprising when you realize just how much of a presence Ado has and how much she stands out.

She has a powerful, crisp, and versatile voice, masterfully switching styles from her deep, husky, and soft melodies to sharp, beautiful notes to her iconic growling screams. I admit that I am but a casual fan, starting from ONE PIECE, SPY x FAMILY, and her major hits that my friend would occasionally rock out to. I would be slightly thrown off by her shouting, but after I attended her live Hibana concert just recently, I thought her music sounded pretty cool. Now, after watching this special live, I feel more validated and proud enough to pull out my Ado fan card.

I could talk on and on about the sweet yet raw intensity that breaks through her voice. I especially loved it whenever she screamed out of melody, did a playful key change, and all those things that did not exist in the studio recorded track.  It’s not noise; it is music, and this really hits differently hearing it live.

The two-hour concert is an exhilarating and fulfilling experience. I loved how everything in this show emphasized the spotlight on Ado. The colorful laser lights, the gigantic screens, animated visuals, dynamic lighting, and stylized stage sets, including Ado’s LED cage and its logistics —all of it was very colorful and captivating. Whoever designed and directed the stage certainly outdid themselves! Every song is a unique and memorable narrative because of it. Not to mention how the band was out there rocking hard, too. The lyrical instruments matched Ado’s intensity and rhythm perfectly, and I switched from loving the bass to the guitar, drums, and then circling back to Ado.

It’s tricky to pick which part of the show I liked the best. “Usseewa” was so intense right off the bat that I thought my heart would burst! The performance was booming, and Ado and the band instantly took over the stadium. When "Tot Musica” followed, the crowd cheered so loudly that I felt it in my bones.

Her 26-song sequence was as if she were transporting everyone back to her impactful debut and on to her present music style. It was one banger hit after another, and each one proving to be more explosive than the last. She held nothing back as she performed with her natural expressiveness. And it was a delight to watch as she danced all over the stage, not to mention the silhouette of her dress and ponytail. Ado's presence was powerful, delicate, and very elegant.

It was hard not to jam along and not be moved by everything that was happening. From the tragedy of “Aishite Aishite Aishite,” the hope of "I’m Invincible," the cute "Kura Kura," and the soul-ascending EDM "Show" and "Odo." The encore performances (the band introduction, "Dignity", and "Sakura Biyori & Time Machine", and especially "Kokorotoiunanofukakai") closed the show in such a vibrant and heartening fashion, leaving me to deal with my leftover energies, somehow comforted by having the experience of a lifetime. To top it off, the fireworks productions were so beautiful.

All in all,  I enjoyed how in sync everything was and how much of an electrifying audiovisual experience the Ado SPECIAL LIVE ‘Shinzou’ in Cinema was. 

Above all, what makes the Ado SPECIAL LIVE ‘Shinzou’ in Cinema movie extraordinary is its emphasis on its message - Ado’s heart. Her songs are so emotionally charged and relatable, reflecting the struggles and feelings of a generation that a lot of us can identify with. When the stadium quieted down and she started to share her utaite stories, it instantly became a shared, intimate moment. I found myself crying (again) with how passionate and emotional she was for her music and the reason she kept at it.

You see, Ado’s music has indeed been there for me in a lot of ways, too. That’s why I can say that I’m glad that I am also here; somehow included in Ado’s journey, her dream, and her happiness. This was truly a night that embodied Ado’s past, present, and future.

There aren’t enough words to describe the strong and sentimental emotions I feel for the Ado SPECIAL LIVE ‘Shinzou’ in Cinema movie. It’s an unforgettable core memory that I’ll carry with me into the future. And hopefully someday, I can share her music with someone and inspire them the say way she's done for me.

In the end, if you're an Ado fan, then you should absolutely see the Ado SPECIAL LIVE ‘Shinzou’ in Cinema movie. You shouldn't miss out on this spectacle, especially since the camera work and audio enhancement make it easier to appreciate Ado as a pop icon. Even as a casual fan of Uta from ONE PIECE or of J-rock, the mix of songs in this special live is a great introduction to her full-blast music. Even without knowing the lyrics and whatnot, I'm sure that you'll find something to enjoy. That's how good she is.

The Ado SPECIAL LIVE ‘Shinzou’ in Cinema is set to be shown in over 300 theaters in the US on May 28 and May 31, 2025. Advance tickets are now available to purchase on the official website.

Photos via Ado Official Website, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter)
© Copyright 2025 Universal Music Group N.V

Anime Atelier recieved a review copy of the movie.