This article about one of the new 105th class entrants was published by Nikkan Sports on March 30, 2017. (Archive link here.)
Matsuoka Shuzo’s oldest daughter, 169cm Megumi, one of 40 who pass Takarazuka entrance exam
The announcement of those who passed the entrace exam for the 105th class to enter the Takarazuka Music School, which raises future Takarasiennes, took place in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture, on the 30th. One of the entrants is Matsuoka Megumi (17), the oldest daughter of sportscaster and TV talent Matsuoka Shuzo (49) and former TV Tokyo announcer, Taguchi Emiko (51).
Miss Matsuoka is 169 cm tall and hopes to become an otokoyaku. When she was in her 3rd year of middle school, she watched a DVD of Phantom, starring then-Flower Troupe Top Star Ranju Tomu, and her goal became to join the Takarazuka Revue. This was her first attempt at the entrance exam.
“From around a year ago I started [seriously]1 studying ballet and voice, and this was my first try at the entrance exam. I really like vocal training and singing, so I’d like to become a star who the audience can feel refreshed while watching.”
Her tall, dignified bearing brings to mind her father Shuzo. “If you’re going to take the exam, don’t do anything by halves,” he urged her.
Megumi says that before the exam, he told her “no matter what happens, it’s your future at stake.”
“I haven’t called him with the news yet, but he’s always supported me. So I know he’s passionately watching over me!” she says, blushing.
Despite her nervous expression, she answers questions boldly. Her attitude is similar to the very manly and popular Takarazuka star Makaze Suzuho, the pride of Cosmos Troupe2. Her mother, Emiko, who accompanied her, says “I want her to become a Takarasienne who can communicate day by day how grateful she is for this opportunity.”
The Takarazuka Music School is known for its highly competitive entrance rate, and this year it was only a 1 in 26 chance of passing. 1042 girls took the entrance exam for the 105th class, and Megumi was one of 40 to pass.
While to Megumi, Kobayashi Ichizou is her great-great-grandfather, he is also the founder of the Hankyuu/Toho Corporate Group. Her grandmother, Matsuoka Shigeko3, also performed with the Takarazuka Revue under the stage name Chinami Shizuka. Many of her uncles and other relatives are managers or board members of the Group’s companies. Megumi is practically the definition of an ‘heiress’.
1 – This bracketed addition was in the original article. I do not know what the actual context of her statement was.
2 – At time of the original publication the announcement that Makaze Suzuho would become Top Star had not yet occurred.
3 – Estimated reading.