This reader survey was published in GRAPH in April 1999, midway through Zunko’s run as Top Star of Cosmos Troupe.
The questions included which of her roles was the favorite, which of her characters people would want to be in a romantic or friendly relationship with, and others.
Shizuki Asato Public Questionnaire
Favorite Roles
#1. Elisabeth – Der Tod (38%)
‘As I’d hoped, he was marvelously forceful, and her singing voice was so amazing it gave me goosebumps’
‘She was so lovely I’d go to the underworld with her right away if she asked me’
‘Her otherworldy sexiness gave me chills’
#2. Excalibur – James (15%)
‘She’s just like the Prince Charming with a white horse I imagined as a child’
‘I adore how pure-hearted he is’
#3. FAKE LOVE – Albert (13%)
‘she showed a side to her appeal that was totally different from everything else she’s done’
‘the scene in the rain was so cool’
‘seeing the hidden aspects of her character’s personality was really alluring’
#4. Me and My Girl – Gerald (12%)
‘her smile totally charmed me’
‘she seemed to be having so much fun with the role, which left a big impression on me’
#5. Beyond the End – Akechi Kogorou (6%)
‘she was a wonderful Akechi who portrayed him different from the novel’
‘she was kind and unique and above all just cool’
EL DORADO – Huallpa (4%)
Afterglow of Eire – Charles (3%)
Other roles – 6%
Characters we’d most want as a lover
#1. Excalibur – James (37%)
‘James is so sincere and brave – I think he’d protect me whatever happened’
‘he’s earnest and kind…and he ends up a king! If someone like that actually existed he’d be the best possible lover’
#2. FAKE LOVE – Albert (15%)
‘although his being a gigolo would certainly make it difficult, his fascinating aura caught me’
‘he’s just so cool’
#3. The Baron’s Descendant – William (12%)
‘he’s kind and sincere, so I think I’d feel at ease with him’
‘he’s so earnest I’m sure he’d never even think of cheating, so I’d like to date with the intention of marriage’
#4. Me and My Girl – Gerald (10%)
‘he seems fun to be with’
‘though he’s not really someone I could put my trust in, I want to protect him somehow’
#5. Elisabeth – Der Tod (8%)
‘not in this world, but I’d like to love him forever in the eternal realm’
‘I think he’d come whenever I called for him’
Beyond the End – Akechi Kogorou (7%)
CAN-CAN – Boris (3%)
Other roles – 6%
Characters we’d most want as a friend
#1. Me and My Girl – Gerald (27%)
‘even if he’s not so trustworthy, he’s adorable’
‘since he’s a rich noble boy I’m sure he’d know plenty of things to do, so I’d never be bored’
#2. CAN-CAN – Boris (23%)
‘though he’s a little eccentric, I think he’d be fun to be with’
‘I’d be looking forward to seeing what masterworks he’d show off to me each day’
#3. Excalibur – James (18%)
‘I want to make friends and have him guide me around the forest’
‘he’s so straightforward and pure that I think if I was with him I would have a pure heart as well’
#4. EL DORADO – Huallpa (10%)
‘he’s very big-hearted and I think I could respect him. While it would be tough to be his wife, I’d like to talk with him as a friend’
‘he lives in so much golden luxury!’
#5. FAKE LOVE – Albert (5%)
‘he’s cool, and good in a fight – I’d like to sit with him on a bench and eat hot dogs’
The Baron’s Descendant – William (4%)
Hard-Boiled Egg – Floyd (3%)
Other roles – 10%
Favorite costumes
#1. Citrus Breeze – Pink prologue outfit (16%)
‘it set off her handsome face and was simply beautiful’
‘Zunko-san wears pink so rarely, and the way it fluttered when she danced left such an impression’
#2. Excalibur – White prologue costume (12%)
‘she was jut too cool, walking in with her mantle flying’
‘it was like her aura was glowing’
#3. Elisabeth – Der Tod’s wine-red costume (10%)
‘the costume’s color seemed to represent his feelings for Elisabeth. It suited her so well’
‘it gave such an unearthly feeling and was just lovely’
#4. Prestige – Black prologue gown (8%)
‘she was so beautiful and sexy – my heart was pounding’
‘I was spellbound by her model-like beauty’
#5. Elisabeth – Der Tod’s black longcoat (7%)
‘it was a wonderful, elegant costume that showed off her height’
‘the black longcoat and boots were just perfect for Zunko-san’
Citrus Breeze – ‘Energy for Tomorrow’ outfit (6%)
FAKE LOVE – Last costume from act 1 (6%)
Other costumes – 35%
Roles we want to see
#1. Gone With the Wind – Rhett Butler
‘I want to see a different Butler than she portrayed in the junior performance’
‘I missed her junior performance – I want to see her play a manly man who’s a bit wicked’
#2. The Tale of Genji – Hikaru Genji
‘it’s a role that would add yet another layer to her appeal’
‘I want to see passionate love scenes’
#3. West Side Story – Tony
‘I want to hear Zunko-san sing ‘Maria’’
‘I so want Cosmos Troupe to do it – I’d love to see Hanafusa-san as Maria and Wao-san as Bernardo’
#4. Ephemeral Love – Rudolf
‘although it’s a love that ends with tragedy, I want to see Zunko-san love one girl with all her heart that way’
‘it’s so lovely and elegant, so it would be perfect for Zunko-san’
#5. Guys and Dolls – Sky
‘I want to hear her say all those manly lines. She’d definitely be wonderful’
‘I love the dynamic dance scenes and the wonderful songs. I’d love to see Zun-chan as a gambler’
Me and My Girl – Bill
The Red and the Black – Julian Sorrel
The Phantom of the Opera – The Phantom
The Rose of Versailles – Oscar
War and Peace – Andrei
Yukinojo Henge – Yukinojo
Yukariko – Yukariko
Ooeyama Kaden – Ibaragi
Akanesasu Murasakino Hana – Ooama-no-Miko
Gone With the Wind – Scarlett
Gu Bijin – Xiang Yu
Other
Zunko’s thoughts
I wasn’t expecting Der Tod to be #1 in the favorite roles. Although I’ve of course heard various opinions from everyone, as for myself I love all my characters, so I’d never be able to declare one of them to be my favorite. Although James was far and away first in the ‘Lover’ category, I wonder if everyone remembered his more boyish attributes. In the ‘Friend’ category, of course it was mostly cheerful characters.
For costumes, the pink one from Citrus Breeze ended up first – maybe since I wear that color so rarely it stood out as unique. I was also surprised to see that black dress from Prestige, but there again it’s a unique costume – I’m sure everyone in the audience was startled to see it (laughs). I really liked #5, Der Tod’s longcoat, as well.
First in the roles people wanted to see was Butler, who I got to play in a junior performance, but I would like to play him again if I had the opportunity, I think. West Side Story is full of such wonderful songs, so that would be very nice to do. Although I’ve seen Guys and Dolls, I never considered that I could play Sky, but that’s also such a great show. All the rest are good too, and I’d really like to play things like a really evil character, or a really old character…I’d like to play some kind of really deep, intense role.