It was CENTIMILLIMENTAL’s first time in Manila, and judging by the warm reception he received from his fans, it wouldn’t be his last. Also known as Atsushi, the 32-year-old singer-songwriter from Japan has become a very familiar name among anime fans and J-pop enthusiasts. Widely known for his enormous contributions to the popular anime series GIVEN, which premiered in 2019 and continued until the sequel movies released up to 2024, he has carved out his career with emotionally resonant and straightforwardly sentimental pop-rock tracks.

This year, he released his new studio album, Cafuné, which shares the title of his first-ever world tour. By nature, the Brazilian Portuguese word “cafuné” is a wondrous concept: it denotes the act of touching the strands of a loved one’s hair – the kind that lovers extend to express their affection, the kind that mothers give to soothe their child, the kind of touch that longs to heal someone. It is such a small yet meaningful gesture, filled with warmth and tenderness, and precisely enough, it was exactly what Centimillimental’s concert was all about. 

Despite being an unusual venue for concerts and fanmeets, the area around Paco Arena was filled with people, who in their eagerness, queued as early as 1 PM. Presented by Wish Us Luck Entertainment, the concert turned out to be a wonderful success. Upon the show’s announcement, fans were quick to purchase tickets, reaching a sold-out capacity for general admission early. Centimillimental’s first visit to the Philippines was also packed with special activities, which included autograph signing, photo-ops, and a high-touch session for selected tiers. 

Making his entrance, Centimillemental performed the yearning “Kimi Omou Yoru” (The Night I Think of You) followed by “Tsukiakari” (Moonlight) while playing the keyboard. He was supported by a live band – 2 guitarists and 1 drummer. When he took the stage, he focused on his craft – he let his music run through him, singing and playing with unparalleled intensity. The crowd’s appreciation was the same as they cheered and sang along to each song. They vibed with the unabashedly upbeat “Super Ultra I LOVE YOU” and “Hitorigoto” (Talking to Myself). When he played tracks from GIVEN – songs like “Fuyu no Hanashi” (A Winter Story), “Umi e” (To the Sea), and “Kizuato” (Scar) – fans sang along like they were anthems.

Centimillimental was not a man of many words. In fact, he was rather timid on stage. Before playing certain songs, he would sometimes mention the title. When he addressed the crowd, he said in an apologetic tone while reading from his phone, “I can’t speak English very well.” Fans then gave reassuring cheers. He mumbled “salamat” while slightly raising his arm.

Despite this, he is a seasoned performer, both as a vocalist and a multi-instrumentalist. He switched from playing the keyboards to rocking out with a guitar flawlessly. His vocals in his recorded songs are already very emotionally-driven, but still, his live performance was even better. One prime example of this was when he played “Marutsuke”. While the spotlight was solely on him and his keyboards, he sang in such an impassioned tone that it was easy to feel the lonesome existentialism that lingered in the song. His passion for singing and playing music was palpable. It’s exactly what made his concert worthwhile. 

Toward the end of the concert, he took a photo with the crowd while holding a banner filled with their handwritten messages. For the encore, Centimillimental bid goodbye with “Hoshi Ga Furu” (Stars Are Falling) and “Yuigon”.

Special thanks to Wish Us Luck Entertainment!

by Sandra Mae Laureano