To the Future is a small GRAPH interview of junior actresses. This one was published in the October 2018 issue.
To the Future – Ichinose Kouki (Flower Troupe)
Profile
Debut – March 2014, Takarazuka Odori
Nickname – Hanako
Birthday – March 15
Hometown – Matsudo, Chiba prefecture
Blood type – B
Biggest offstage interest currently – Working out
“With all my love… ✨”
First Takarazuka show
It was Matobu Sei’s non-Takarazuka performance, in the 2003 Umeda Koma Theatre production Cinderella. After that I watched 1914/LOVE/Takarazuka Splendour.
School clubs
In high school I was in the tea ceremony club. It only met twice a week, so on days I didn’t have club activities I went to Takarazuka entrance exam prep lessons.
Motivation for taking the TMS entrance exam
From the first time I saw Takarazuka, I couldn’t forget how moved I was, and gradually fell further and further into the world of Takarazuka. I decided to try out with the single-minded feeling of “I want to stand on that sparkling stage!!”
Memories of your debut
Of course there’s the rockette with my classmates, but being able to appear in the 100-person rockette with my seniors in Moon Troupe also left an impression. The sets and costumes for both scenes were so stunning, and I was so happy every day.
A role that had a deep impression on you
Everything in MESSIAH. Whether it’s Tasaki Shigeyoshi in the main cast1, or Yamada Emosaku (main cast: Yuzuka Rei), the role I was able to play in the junior performance, or anyone else, I was able to see the work from different angles, and I was able to learn so much.
Senior actresses you admire
Asumi Rio-san. I was a huge fan of Asumi-san’s even before I entered Takarazuka, but beyond that, after entering the company, I was able to experience her kind personality and the direct way she takes on the stage close up, so I have nothing but respect for her.
Your dream as a performer
I want to be a manly, large-scale otokoyaku! I basically just love acting, so I want to play all kinds of roles!!
1 – It is unclear if this talk was recorded before Ichinose replaced Aren Touma in her role of Tamonmaru