In this GRAPH feature from 2016, troupe members were asked to vote on their favorite on- and offstage things about their top stars. Asaka’s was published in the November issue.

This is the second half of the feature that I began posting last time. In part 2, the troupe members vote on their favorite things about her personality off-stage and things she does while performing. (Part 1 here.)

Note: Like Part 1, Asaka’s comments are in italics.

Asaka Manato’s #1 – Part 2

We love this about her in rehearsals!

#1 – How she notices each and every member of the troupe (33 votes)

“When I’m struggling with a role or something like that, she gives such valuable advice!” – Rinjou Kira

No, no, I keep consulting you for all kinds of things!

“She gives advice to each and every junior actress and takes them out for yakiniku 💖” – Fuuma Kakeru

Ahaha! (laughs) Well~ If we go out to eat or something, I can learn more about everyone, and it makes it easier to give advice, that’s all. I went out with the Black Angels, too. An underworld rally! (laughs)

#2 Her eye power (10 votes)

#2 How she always greets people with a smile (10 votes)

#4 The difference between her on- and off-stage personas (9 votes)

“With her nails she can’t open a can of juice… 💖 (It’s too cute, the gap is too cute!!)” – Makaze Suzuho

I couldn’t open anything with Der Tod’s nails. So, I went to Yurika (Makaze) who was nearby like ‘Open it for me~’ (laughs).

Other:

“The way she’ll fire off a wink when our eyes meet 💖 It’s just so cool 💖 💖″ – Hoshibuki Ayato

I only do this with Monchi (Hoshibuki)! Since during TOP HAT it made her blush so much and I thought it was funny (laughs). It’s not that I’m flirting with everybody! (laughs)

From Misaki Rion

“Her ability to focus! The way she changes is so impressive to me!!”

Although I’m scatterbrained by nature, I’ve realized that being able to focus is really important so I’ve learned how as I went along.

We want her to do this! From musumeyaku

#1 – Wink (8 votes)

“I want her to 💖 wink 💖 at me with those bewitching Hot Eyes!! 👁” – Mikaze Maira

I’ll do it whenever you like!

#2 – Hug (7 votes)

“I want her to pull me in with one arm! With a line like “Oh, be careful!!”. With those big hands 💖 💖” – Risaki Shigure

Ahaha (laughs)

#3 – From Elisabeth, Der Tod’s… (4 votes)

“The scene where Der Tod tries to seduce Elisabeth in her bedroom is so alluring, so I want her to try that with me.” – Mizune Shiho

The movements in that scene were things I thought of that they incorporated into the show. That’s great if it had an impression on you!

#4 – Dance (3 votes)

“I want her to be my escort for a duet dance.” – Junya Chitose

Eh~ I’d definitely end up laughing! (laughs) But I’ll do it!

From Misaki Rion

“I want her to pat my head while gazing into my eyes (laughs) 💖 💖″

“I want to exchange cheek kisses with her like in TOP HAT!! It’s so heart-pounding!!”

This is the most variety you’ve had yet! So extravagant! (laughs)

We want to emulate this! From otokoyaku

#1  – The way she uses her hands and arms (11 votes)

Oh~ I’m happy!

“My hands are small, and I have a real complex about it…Asaka-san also apparently has small hands (although they don’t look that way at all), so I want to learn more about how to gesture so my hands look bigger.” – Aizuki Hikaru

“The way she moves her long hands.” – Rukaze Hikaru

My arms are long so I used to be self-conscious about that, so if I am seen this way as an otokoyaku…It’s nice~

#2 – Dance (6 votes)

“For TOP HAT, she studied Fred Astaire’s movement so much. It was so impressive that as soon as I went to see it the first time I was so excited that I rushed to get a standing ticket for the second show (laughs).” – Matsukaze Akira

Right, right! Isn’t that cu~te? Cosmos Troupe is full of people who are so intent on research. Cosmos Troupe rules! (laughs)

#3 – The way she uses her eyes (4 votes)

#3 – From Elisabeth, Der Tod’s… (4 votes)

“All her gestures in the scene where she creeps into Elisabeth’s bedroom were so sexy. I want to be able to emulate them!” – Rui Makise

But don’t you think that’s a little too outside of normal situations to be useful!? (laughs)

Other:

“The way she wears suits 💖 So wonderfully sharp.” – Makaze Suzuho

Eh~! I have no idea! (laughs) Oh, but when I put on a suit, it really makes me remember how Osa-san (Haruno Sumire) would move.

“The way she embraces the musumeyaku! I can feel how much affection she has!! I would love to emulate that.” – Mirei Jun

Do it~!! I want to see Yuichii (Mirei) do that! (laughs)

Final comments

Ah~ having everyone praise me makes me feel so nice somehow~ (laughs). It makes me so happy to know that this is what people thing. It makes me feel like I should work even harder. Thank you so much, everyone! Let’s keep doing our best together!!