ON THE RISE was a 2008 Kageki feature for up-and-coming young stars, asking them various questions about their on- and off-stage life. Asaka’s was published in the May issue. (Please note that she was still a Flower Troupe member at the time.)
ON THE RISE – On and Off
Asaka Manato – Flower Troupe
Debut performance – 2002 Prague Spring
Height – 172 cm
Birthday – September 15
Hometown – Saga City, Saga Prefecture
Nickname – Maa, Manato
ON
The first Takarazuka show you saw:
The Moon Troupe National Tour ‘Cesare Borgia’
Your motivation to join Takarazuka:
When I saw the Moon Troupe National Tour ‘Ephemeral Love’ I began longing to be an otokoyaku
A memory of the Takarazuka Music School entrance exam:
I met Yumeno-san1, who is from the same place as me, and I was so happy!
Your favorite subjects in the Takarazuka Music School:
Dance, piano
Your favorite Takarazuka songs:
The songs from Elisabeth
When do you memorize your scripts?
When I’m at home, and before I go to sleep.
What do you do to stave off nervousness?
I take deep breaths and try to relax my whole body
A mistake you’ve made onstage:
In the ‘My Dear Aranjuez’ scene of ‘Enter the Revue’, I wasn’t used to the skirt I was wearing, so I stepped on the hem and fell flat on my face.
How long does it take you to put on your stage makeup?
Around 30 to 40 minutes
A must-have for stage performance:
Water
How you spend the night before an opening:
I go to sleep early while doing visualizations.
Something you focus on as an otokoyaku:
How I use my hands, wearing the costumes properly, my eyes
A show that left a big impression on you:
There are a lot of them, but in particular, Binbougami from ‘Kurawanka’
Moments that make you happy onstage:
When I get applause from the audience
OFF
Times when you’re happiest:
When we’re all talking together
Your favorite music genre:
I like everything, from hip-hop to classical
Your favorite fashion style:
I go back and forth between different things, but I always like denim
Colors you think suit you:
Blue, black
Something you cried over recently:
I cried at the cast party for ‘Pale Kiss’
Something you laughed about recently:
All the time in rehearsals
Do you have a pet?
I don’t
The first thing you do in the mornings:
Turn off the alarm clock that’s been going off over and over (laughs)
Something you do to keep up your health:
Get plenty of sleep
What kind of child were you?
I was an energetic kid
Past skills you’ve acquired:
Piano, ballet, calligraphy, English, etc.
Something you recommend from your home region:
Marubouro2 and squid from Yobuko3!
Someone you’d like to meet:
Ichiro Suzuki
Something you couldn’t live without:
The people who are important to me
1 – Presumably Yumeno Seika, who is also from Saga.
2 – Famous regional sweets from Saga.
3 – A coastal town in Saga Prefecture which is famous for its squid.