Lucky Man Challenge

[ltgmars]

A wise man (woman. boss?) once said:
I judge how good a concert is by how good its "Lucky Man" is.

"Lucky Man" is a crowd favorite. It's an Arashi favorite, too. It's loud and peppy, and a performance in which the individual members' personalities shine through. It is a defining part of any Arashi concert experience.

Ladies and... ladies. Ladies? Ladies. [And gentlemen, too, now that this is public.] Are you ready for the Lucky Man Challenge? Under the cut you'll find the seven "Lucky Man" performances released on DVD. Watch them -- relive, reminisce, ruminate. And once your trip down memory lane is over (with some turns more awkward and sympathetically embarrassing than others), fill up your gas tank and return to the real world, and use your favorite "Lucky Man" (use him, use him) to decide which concert reigns supreme.


Take the Lucky Man Challenge!

2003: How's it going?

2004: Iza, Now!!

2006: Arashi Around Asia, Taipei

2006: Arashi Around Asia, Korea

2007: Arashi Around Asia +in Dome

2008: Arashi Around Asia 2008, Kokuritsu

2009: 5x10

[Poll #1587670]

Comments on why you picked the one you did are quite welcome. As Sho sometimes asks, "How y'all feeling [about these particular performances of "Lucky Man"], ladies?"

Comments

[ellipsesbandit.livejournal.com]

I gotta go with 5x10 and not just because I was there, but because it really feels like 10 years worth of fans' energy is there.

As a second I pick "How's It Going" because that was the "Lucky Man" that made me an Arashi fan.

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

Aw, everything about this comment makes me wibble. For dream, bitches, for dream. ♥

[clipsie.livejournal.com]

I'm so biased towards 5x10, it's not even funny. There is just something about that concert that I love so much. ♥ Pretty sure it's the atmosphere from it. So, that's where my vote goes.

It makes me giggle how in all the ones where they are actually dancing, Ohno only slightly dances intently in How's It Going, and only for a little bit.

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

The atmosphere is excellent during the 5x10 concert. It's interesting to watch the performances in chronological order, because we get to watch them as they grow and mature as performers, and 5x10 is kind of a culmination of the rest of what they've done.

Ohno is so lazy sometimes. What I really like about his lazy dancing is that he does the movements just enough to hit them -- there isn't any extra flailing like you get with the rest of them (especially Nino). It makes it look fluid when he isn't even trying, but mostly he's just a lazy, lazy man. (When he does try it's pretty damn good, though, so I guess it's forgivable.)

[wannatee-1984.livejournal.com]

umm... for ohno's hair... XP

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

A+ ANSWER

答えをどうぞ

[whisper132.livejournal.com]

懐しい!!!!!

I'm going with 5x10 because it encapsulates the dorkitude and just the...ridiculousness that is this band. And they know everything about this song is ludicrous, but they still insist you do the "uh! uh!" anyway...and you do, because Sho-kun told you to. In 5x10 you really just see the "Arashi as puppetmasters" aspect come to life. I adore it.

I also like Taipei, but that's only because Sho's in his star spangled unitard and, for some godawful reason, I think that's just the best costume he's ever had.

I also like How's it Going because they're so darn cute and determined when they're singing.

Re: 答えをどうぞ

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

Ahaha, to be honest, I hate the "uh! uh!" Especially when Jun's doing the response. I tip my head into my hand in awkward shame. But I guess it must be a different experience when you're actually there, doing it. XD

And I honestly don't know why, but I'm not surprised at all that you like that unitard that much.

[myjulien.livejournal.com]

Aw Ilu for doing this- Lucky Man is one of my favorite Arashi songs ever! I need time to make up my mind wrt the poll!

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

It's definitely an excellent song. I never get sick of hearing it in any of its permutations.

[bubbly.livejournal.com]

I am CRAZY biased in my love for AAA 2008 Kokuritsu, but come on, Jun opens his shirt so ~fabulously~, how can you NOT choose it??

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

AHAHAHAHA, fabuJun, it's true. Going through the concerts when I did this, I got to AAA 2008, and it was like, "OHGOD what is that. Oh, it's just Jun. ... I can't look away."

[yuuki-7.livejournal.com]

I voted for 5x10 ;coz the fans' cheer is much louder in 5x10 con compared to the other 6 cons xD But I also like AAA 2008, kokuritsu and How's it going? xD

I just realized, out of thsoe 7 concerts, I've only watched 5x10 con. and AAA 2008, kokuritsu con. *runs*

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

The cheering gets to me, too. I just get so happy thinking about all of the fans there, going crazy.

Shame, shaaame! WATCH THEM ALL. DO IT.

[aeslis]

Personally I prefer 2008 because of the FLYING JUMP Nino does into the beginning of the dance, plus all the lighting, plus the way everyone grooves. Um, I'm totally biased, because I guess it seemed a bit more Nino-centric. 8)

[aeslis]

Also, I prefer the fact that they ARE dancing! The Lucky Man dance is fab, man. And I like their costumes better.

But my favorite concert apparently didn't have Lucky Man at all, which I didn't realize: my favorite is Time, by a long shot.

[rebecka-jo.livejournal.com]

this poll is rigged !

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

YOUR FACE IS RIGGED.

[ninofan.livejournal.com]

I Love the one in AAA 08
Since AAA '08 is the BEST Arashi DVD I've watched
i watch it everyday without getting bored o.o
and i Really Love Lucky man ver. in this DVD ^^
and then 5x10 ^^

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

You watch it every day? You must really like that DVD, haha. It's a good one, though, it's true.

[lamely46.livejournal.com]

I voted for AAA 2008 Kokuritsu because it was deop dead gorgeous :D

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

I really love the outfits they have for that performance, too. The pastels with accents, ahhhh~ ♥

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

I'm not too fond of this song, but I really love how they performed at at the "AAA 2008"-tour in Kokuritsu and I'm not only saying this, because it's my favourite Arashi concert EVER!

I just love the energy at this concert. You can feel it in every song and they all look so happy while performing "Lucky Man". Like I said, I don't like this song too much, but I NEVER skip it at this concert!!
Their vocals were great and so was the dance. And Riida's Maou-hair is a huge + too! ^.^

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

YOU DON'T LIKE "LUCKY MAN"? *RAGE BOULDER*

Ah, you like the Maou hair. I suppose I can forgive you.

[satoyan]

I love all of them but the first ones out of the running for me were the ones without full choreography. I LOVE EVERY BIT OF IT. I also like it without the greetings in the middle, and with as much dancing as they can stuff into it... I like Sho to rap Lucky Man all crazy while surrounded by Arashi dancing Lucky Man all crazy. Thus I chose How's It Going, with AAA 2008 a close second. ♥

[ender839.livejournal.com]

Every single part of this comment is the right answer. (Err, IMHO, I suppose.)

*high fives*

[anoudegozaruna.livejournal.com]

I'm completely biased towards AAA 2008. There's so many things to love about it. Ohno's Maou hair, Nino's backflip, Matsujun's open shirt, Sho-chan's fresh new summer cut, Aiba's prettiness, etc. And their costumes looked good, too! Plus, it was the first time they were performing in Kokuritsu and they just looked SO happy.

I also appreciate that they did the choreo instead of just walking around 'cause I love it when they dance together.

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

Aw, I'd almost forgotten that it was their first time (well, second day, but still) in Kokuritsu. That somehow makes it even better. You can just feel the excitement, right? They're throwing themselves completely into singing and dancing, and it's just so ahhh ♥

The "Lucky Man" choreography is some of my favorite, so I do like seeing them dance it all the way through.

[currycroquette.livejournal.com]

I voted purely for the rainbow costumes. It's not Lucky Man without the rainbow costumes.

It is funny to see how Ohno's dance movements changed over the years from these vids. Imma be biased and offer this, though. He went from dancing in a competitive environment, in plays and MA where dancing is the main focus and livelihood, to basically standing around with four other guys looking pretty. On top of that he's the main vocal. JS... no motivation + age - strong dancing background = getting away with the bare minimum in group routines. It's ok, Ohno, dance it like you just don't care.

[sweetestnothing.livejournal.com]

but that's why we love him. He's keepin' it real :D

[sweetestnothing.livejournal.com]

FUCK YEAH THIS WAS AWESOME

I seem to be the only one in this boat, but: AAA Taipei

why?: Sakumoto sex noises ("uh! uh! uh!", "UH! UH! UH!")
and how can you not like Sho's "HOW YA FEELIN, LAAAAYDAAAAYZ"

I love this song in every live, and yes the emotion and feeling is different in each one. But it's the little, retarded things that melt me

plus I am huge sakumoto biased. AND HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THOSE COSTUMES?

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

UGH THE SEX NOISES DNWWWWW

They make me cringe, honestly. But as long as they're having fun, I guess.

[jadeswallow.livejournal.com]

for me, aaa 08 is still the best since it's the one which baited me into the fandom <3

[jadeswallow.livejournal.com]

oh have you seen combination vids of all lucky man performance? it's awesome, but i think you tube has taken it down :(

[midoriai.livejournal.com]

For me, it has to be How's It Going?
They are just brimming with energy in that one...
and Ohno, he is actually dancing, hard
Actually, that sounds wrong.
Dancing, un-lazily?

and AIBA ♥
Is his birthmark peeking out from his slashed sleeve not the sexiest thing?
I'm completely biased this way...

[sweetestnothing.livejournal.com]

GOD DAMMIT, THIS COMMENT IS MAKING MY DECISION FALTER

[jujeila.livejournal.com]

hmm... it's so difficult I like the performance from 2008 but also from 2009....but I vote for 2008, because Ohno Maoue hair and Jun opens his shirt, this for me reason enough^^

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

Maou hair

[ladybuttons.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this!

Alright, newbie-ish fan here...why yes, this was my first time watching all of these performances *slighty hides a little in shame*. So I was going to choose How's it going?, but AAA 2008 was pretty fantastic (also Matsujun open shirt doesn't hurt)! Now, I feel like I need to marathon some concerts! :D

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

Yes, marathon them all. All in one sitting. It'll literally be the best 35 hours of your life.

[mongo-o-o.livejournal.com]

i voted for AAA 2008! i'm in love with 5x10 concert, but the performance of lucky man is soooo much more fun in 2008! there's the dance and all and nino jumping from that..thing..and i just love it <3 and i like the fact that jun doesn't say "uh uh" in this one xD somehow sho can pull it off but when matsujun does it it's kinda...>__>

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

Haha, I'm right there with you on the grunting thing. I'm fine when Sho does it, but I have such a visceral reaction when Jun does it. Heh, I wonder why.

[ninomisakura.livejournal.com]

"Ohno's Maou hair, Nino's backflip, Matsujun's open shirt, Sho-chan's fresh new summer cut, Aiba's prettiness" like was said!!!!
AAA 2008 Kokkuritsu is the best!!!!! No doubt. Love their costumes!!!!
every second os this is just perfect!

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

Nono, what's exciting about Jun isn't that his shirt is open, it's that his shirt is open and we can see what's underneath.

I'd be more excited about it if I didn't dislike opened-shirt MatsuJun. (Ahh, I can hear the outraged cries of fans everywhere.)

[soothing-sight.livejournal.com]

How's It Going's certainly the best for me. How the guys DANCED in that one. Awesome. :D

But, if How's 100% for me, Taipei is 96%. I mean, come ON, Aiba with his shirt open. T_T

That was a tough decision. But, in How's we get awesome Ohno!Butt in leather, Aiba's delightful hip dancing, and his sliding his hand down his chest, then pants, with those EYES.

^_____________^


I am totally looking forward to seeing the guys perform it LIVE! :D:D:D

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

All the little details totally make a performance, it's true.

Live? Are you going to a concert at some point? :D

[tomoeicemaiden.livejournal.com]

Like other people who have commented, I feel I'm a bit biased towards the 5x10 one. I just saw these clips for the first time. I'm sitting at a Starbucks and after seeing the 5x10 one I'm having to hold back my tears.

I have only just recently become an Arashi fan (like, 2 months ago), but I feel like FINALLY, I belong to something that's so great, and the fact that there are other people out there like me makes me feel even more happy. Arashi, Arashi, for dream.

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

Nearly crying in a Starbucks over a Japanese boy band? I like your style.

And welcome to the fandom! I'm glad you're having fun. There are definitely some good folks around these parts (though admittedly we have our share of problems), so you're in good company.

[zelskeet.livejournal.com]

I also love dancing Lucky Man so I choose AAA, Kokuritsu because aside from their dancing, I love their looks, costumes, Nino x Matsujun moment :D I was also amused when Aiba looked under his pants maybe to see if it was torn after he did his stunt XD

My top 3 Lucky Man performances are: Kokuritsu, How's it going? and 5x10 (mainly because of the vibes in this concert).

[ltgmars.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, there are still remnants from the previous day's failures, apparently. Aiba and his pants paranoia, Nino and his high-five of victory from Jun.