This is a feature out of Aran Kei’s memorial book that was originally published in the March 2008 GRAPH magazine. It has then-Top Star Aran passing on advice to Mahiro Shun, who at the time was a ken-5 junior actress. (Mahiro retired soon after this, but went on to perform in the most recent series of Sailor Moon musicals.)
GRAPH Otokoyaku Cram School – Star Troupe
Instructor: Aran Kei (Star Troupe Top Star)
Student: Mahiro Shun (Star Troupe member, debuted 2002)
5 questions from Mahiro for Aran
Mahiro: Touko-san (Aran) is ever so busy during rehearsals and performances, but what do you usually do to refresh yourself?
Aran: I find my pets really healing, so I guess they refresh me. I have two cats. When I get home, they will always both come to the entryway as soon as they hear me unlock the door. No matter how tired I am when I get home, when I see my kitties I’m healed and refreshed right away.
Mahiro: What’s the one thing you’re particular about that you absolutely won’t compromise on as an otokoyaku?
Aran: This isn’t specific to being an otokoyaku, but when I’m acting, I’m always trying to play a ‘living human’. So I guess I’m particular about that. In my latest play, El Halcon – The Falcon, although my character of Tyrian is from a manga, when creating my portrayal I told myself ‘he’s a living human being.’ I was very intent on that.
Mahiro: What is your favorite costume of those you’ve worn up until now?
Aran: There are too many I like (laughs). I suppose that outfit from the poster of El Halcon. But Tyrian also has a red costume that I really liked. Since I don’t have many chances to wear such things as an otokoyaku, I also really liked the white dress I wore as the etoile in A Song For Kingdoms and the red-and-gold dress from the finale (laughs).
Mahiro: Touko-san, tell me the secret of your beauty!
Aran: Wha~t!? I’m not that beautiful, there’s no secret (laughs). But if you must have some kind of answer… I think it’s important to have antenna that are highly attuned to anything, and cultivate a lot of interests. To keep my skin in good shape, I take vitamins every day and always drink a full glass of water as soon as I get up. Besides that, I think it’s really good to interact with chipper junior actresses like Eri-chan (Mahiro). (laughs)
Mahiro: Touko-san, thank you so much for taking this time to indulge me. But I thought it would be a shame to keep this chance to talk to Touko-san all to myself, so what advice would you give to all the junior actresses in Star Troupe?
Aran: You all have a lot of motivation and work really hard. I’m really looking forward to seeing how you all turn out. I want you all to believe in yourselves as you take on various challenges on stage. It’s fine if you let yourselves go once in a while, I think. I feel like you shouldn’t take things too seriously. Please don’t ever give up without doing something just because you think ‘if I do something like this it will make people angry with me.’ When I was a junior actress I tried all sorts of things and it did make people angry with me sometimes (laughs). But now I think those were all really good experiences. When junior actresses are trying different new challenges and learning from trial and error, that has an effect on the senior actresses as well. Please challenge yourselves without being afraid!