This article about the junior performance of The Poe Clan was published by Sankei West on January 23. The original article can be found here. (Archive link here; Page 2.)

‘A masterpiece that will go down in manga history’ – Seino Asuka performs enthusiastically in Takarazuka Flower Troupe’s junior performance of The Poe Clan

The junior performance of the Takarazuka Revue Flower Troupe show The Poe Clan took place on the 23rd at the Takarazuka Grand Theatre (Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture). Junior performances feature only those who have been with the company seven years or less, and take place on one day each in Takarazuka and Tokyo. The junior lead, Seino Asuka, an otokoyaku star on her 4th year in the company, gave an enthusiastic performance as Edgar, the protagonist played by Top Star Asumi Rio in the main cast.

The show is a musical adaptation of Hagio Moto’s masterpiece manga. Seinou Asuka had an impactful appearance as the lead: her protagonist has a lovely appearance and after becoming a ‘Vanpanella’ lives forever without aging as a beautiful youth. Shiroki Mirei, who was cast as the heroine, played a woman with adult charms.

In her curtain call statement, Seino said ‘This masterpiece will go down in manga history. I felt the dificulty of living as Edgar and I know I have a long way to do. As Edgar lives earnestly as a Vanpanella, I want to value each moment. I aim to make this a show that will remain in people’s hearts,’ she declared enthusastically, gaining great applause from the audience.

In the question session after the performance, Seino said ‘Asumi-san’s Edgar is far beyond what I could reach,’ with some regret. About the last scene, where she is riding in the gondola, she said ’[looking out at the audience] felt really good.’ In this production she felt even more enjoyment at being onstage and also achieved fresh experiences; ‘through encountering this role, I was able to feel new affection towards people and gratitude towards everyone around me.’ She also said she gained a lot from the experience.

Asumi Rio, who played the role in the main cast, told her ‘relax and make sure you don’t injure yourself.’ Apparently, Asumi, who had taken great care in creating the appearance of her character’s ‘eternally beautiful youth’, instructed her in how to do her makeup as well. ‘It’s a non-human role. I studied how to create translucent-seeming skin from the foundation up,’ she said.

On the other hand, Shiroki Mirei said she gained strength from the main cast Top Musumeyaku, Senna Ayase’s words ‘make yourself into a Vanpanella.’ ‘I worked hard to exist as something inhuman.’ As she has reached her 7th year in the company, the last year eligible for junior performance, this is her last junior performance. ‘In the last scene my character had, I felt really emotional as it was like my graduation from junior performances. Until this production ends I want to continue growing as a performer,’ she said.