To the Future is a small GRAPH interview of junior actresses. This one was published in the September 2024 issue.
To the Future: Mitsurugi Kai (Star Troupe)
Profile
Debut – Killer Rouge, April 2018
Nickname – Tsurugi
Birthday – April 9
Hometown – Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Blood Type – O
Biggest current offstage interest – Going around different stores looking for perfumes. Somehow it’s hard to find things that make me think ‘This is it’!!
‘Keep on challenging myself’
First Takarazuka show
2014’s Flower Troupe Elisabeth.
School clubs
I didn’t join the club, but I did in middle school I did join our rhythmic gymnastics club’s team. I actually have a prise from the all-Japan junior championship…! I got started because my little sister was learning it and it looked like fun.
Motivation for taking the TMS entrance exam
I was so moved by my first show, Elisabeth, and on the way out I saw the class recruitment poster and thought ‘I’d love to join that school’, so I decided to take the exam.
Memories of your debut
It was a wonderful rockette with a cherry blossom theme, but during rehearsals, it just wouldn’t go right, and once when we were all jammed up Director Saitou (Yoshimasa) said ‘you look like a bunch of weeds’ (laughs). But just like weeds we stubbornly kept on getting back up and made it to opening day! Now it’s a treasured memory for me.
A role that had a deep impression on you
Rama Raju from the RRRxTakarazuka junior performance. Acting-wise, there was his internal conflict and his double-sided nature, and on top of that he had a lot of musical numbers which were a struggle, but as a character he was so cool and fun to be. Also, since I was given Akatsuki (Chisei)-san’s role for two shows in a role, she taught me in detail about a lot of things, so I’m really grateful.
Senior actresses you admire
Former Snow Troupe Top Star Nozomi Fuuto. Ever since the first show I saw I’ve respected everything about her, from her powerful singing voice to her subtle acting.
Your dream as a performer
Since I’ve joined Takarazuka, I want to value beauty and also be a wonderful otokoyaku who makes the musumeyaku think ‘I want to dance with that person!’