On 16 April, idol group, Rev. from DVL, released their first major single through entertainment giant Yoshimoto Kogyo, thanks largely to the break-out success of member Kanna Hashimoto.
However, what was intended to be a celebration of the Fukuoka-based unit’s new-found fame ended up generating sad and bitter complaints from idol fans. At the center of the controversy was the inclusion of tickets to a “high-five party” bundled in with their single LOVE-arigatou-.
As their name suggests these events allow Rev. from DVL fans to slap palms with the idols during one of four events in Tokyo (16, 17, 20 April) and Osaka (19 April). Purchasers of the new single would receive a ticket to the event entitling them to attend the party and receive a guaranteed personal high-five or handshake with a member of Rev. from DVL.
However, the rub is that you get a high-five or handshake with a member of the 13-girl idol group. Printed on the ticket is the name of the member (and only that member) you can get the interaction with.
With other idol groups that might not be so bad, but in Rev. from DVL’s case it’s like attending a meet and greet with the original Jackson Five but only getting access to Tito. Of course, Tito’s probably a wonderful person and performer in his own right, but you can’t help feeling a little let down.
In the same way, a vast majority of LOVE-arigatou- buyers were surely hoping to see Kanna Hashimoto’s name on their golden tickets, and those who didn’t let everyone know online.
“I bought the CD hoping to get a high-five ticket with Hashimoto… but it was random.”
“If you bought one of these lottery tickets and didn’t get Hashimoto, I think you’d be angry.”
“Even at an AKB48 live show you can get high-fives from everyone after the performance.”
“How many freakin’ CDs do I have to buy to get a ticket with Hashimoto?!”
Several of the more avid idol otaku’s determined to high-five the young woman dubbed the “beyond angelic idol” and “once in a millennium idol” in the media were left feeling gouged by the random name ticket campaign. That being said it would appear the irritation was directed more at Yoshimoto than the group itself.
So while the release of Rev. from DVL’s first major single was somewhat sullied by unsatisfied supporters, the fact that people care so much says something about the group’s current popularity.
Source: Netallica, Rev. from DVL (Japanese)
Images: Amazon
Video: YouTube – Rev.from DVL
