This round-robin style talk with all the 92nd class members was published in the October 2017 issue of GRAPH, as part of a series on the more senior classes (those who have been in the company 10 years of more).
The participants are: Chinami Karan, Shouno Chio, Ayanagi Shou, Kizaki Reo, Tenma Michiru, Matsukaze Akira, Shizuki Otone, Takasumi Hayato, Rinjou Kira, Houzuki An, Marika Yume, Makaze Suzuho, Seki Yurito, and Mana Haruto.
92nd Class Ties!
After pulling a classmate’s name out of the box, they have to express her appealing points with 3 keywords!
START!
Chinami Karan, Moon Troupe
“Who will I get~ Who will I get~ (singing) Everyone’s so unique that I’ll have plenty to say no matter whose name I get~”
About Shouno Chio…
The 92nd class’ pride as a dancer
I was really startled to see her dance when we first got into TMS! She could put her leg so high and extend her feet so beautifully, and with a perfectly calm face she would spin 5 times! 6 times! 7 times at once! Just going round and round, so I would end up thinking ‘are her legs going to be okay?’ (laughs)
Overflowing knowledge, floods of conversation
If you ask her one thing, she’ll reply with 10 times that, with such rapid-fire talk that it’s impossible even to get in acknowledgement that you’re still paying attention. She knows a lot about history and manga, and not by half-measures either – she’ll explain from A to Z, so just listening I’ll end up with more than I can digest (laughs). But sometimes by the time I notice it she’ll be on a totally different topic (laughs)
Difference between adorable appearance and reality
In contrast to her cute face, her natural voice is surprisingly low (laughs). Also, she knows a lot and her handwriting is very pretty so it seems like she’d be able to do anything skillfully but…she’s unexpectedly bad with her fingers. When she was a yokasei she couldn’t even braid her hair properly!
Shouno Chio
“No~ I’ve never done 7 spins! (laughs) As for having a lot of knowledge…If I realize there’s something I don’t know I’m the type who just has to go and research it. So that’s resulted in me being like this (laughs). It’s true, I’m bad with my fingers even now. Despite that I’m fussy doing my hair and take ages on it, although sometimes it just turns into a mess halfway through (laughs).”
About Ayanagi Shou…
Inexhaustible Kansai dialect
Despite her face, she speaks Kansai dialect, and once she gets started she won’t stop (laughs). What was really funny was in the shinjin kouen of Romeo et Juliette, where she played Mercutio. In one rehearsal, she yelled ‘Yo, c’mon~!’ at Tybalt (Rinjou Kira). Full Kansai dialect (laughs). I feel like she’d probably go into it any time she got excited enough.
Surprisingly, an uncle type
Though she’s as beautiful as a Johnny’s band member, she’s an uncle inside (laughs). Recently she was really taken with Chapi-chan (Manaki) and kept saying ‘Cute~ She’s so cute~’ She was delighted just to pass next to her, so basically she’s just an ordinary fan.
Wants to be spoiled
She’s always been like that. But it varies depending on who she’s dealing with – towards our retired classmate, Yukie (Toumi Sarasa) she would put on a really manly air and be like ‘Say Yukie, won’t you _____? *sparkle*’ but towards Momo-chan (Momohana Hina) she’ll go over like ‘Momo-chaaan~’, acting like a younger sibling (laughs). Momo-chan would often get cross with her and be like ‘Be a man towards me too!’ (laughs)
Ayanagi Shou, Snow Troupe
“Mercutio! (laughs) Reika (Rinjou) was shocked at that too (laughs). It’s true, I really love Chapi-chan. I respect her! Momo-chan has felt like a younger sister ever since before I entered TMS. I’m rather the ‘baby of the family’ among my classmates, but Yukie was even more so than me (laughs).”
About Kizaki Reo…
Caring elder sister
She is really dextrous with her fingers, and in TMS she would do everyone’s hair for them, and teach makeup basics… She did so much for me! Though I’ve likely forgotten everything I learned from her (laughs). There’s no doubt that onstage, she’s a man! (laughs) But she used to be surprisingly girly, so in my head she’s not an ‘older brother’ but an ‘older sister’.
Full-bodied voice
Powerful, I guess, or ‘hefty’? (laughs). She has a really wonderful voice that she knows how to control, and has a lot of singing power too – I love it. She’s always held her own distinct viewpoints, so I think that must help her get things across on stage; no wavering, just very straightforward.
Laughs loudly and often
She laughs with a really open feeling, ‘Gahahahaha!’ and since she laughs from the belly it’s really loud (laughs). And that leads other people to where she is… (laughs) When we were yokasei, she would laugh really loudly even in situations where we weren’t supposed to laugh at all, and then we’d get caught up in it too (laughs). Even now when I end up chatting to her in a corridor, hearing that big laugh makes me really nostalgic.
Kizaki Reo, Star Troupe
“Eh! Caring? …I guess I did do that a lot. I forgot all about that (laughs). Since joining the company I’ve been paying attention to my voice and working on it, so to hear you say that makes me so happy~! Well, I do still laugh pretty loud, but I’ve managed to learn to hold it in when I’m not supposed to be laughing. Over the years I’ve learned about ‘everything in its season’ (laughs).”
About Tenma Michiru…
Doesn’t give up
She has a strong core and hates losing. When we were yokasei, we’d always be really sleepy, but Michiru-chan would be fiercely keeping her eyes open and slapping her face to keep herself awake. I saw that once without her noticing and it made me think ‘I’d better work hard too!’
A really fun person!!!
She’s always been fun, ever since TMS. Often she and Toumi Sarasa would do stand-up together. She’s really quick-witted, so she’d make everyone laugh with her great timing. Last year she was able to display her talents at the end-of-year Takarazuka Sky Stage special, which made me really happy.
Warm and big-hearted
I laugh too easily and kept screwing up in TMS, but she would always come over with a smile and be like ‘Gosh~ What have you gone and done this time!? (laughs)’ which would make me feel much better. She shows that big-heartedness on stage, and she’s really comfortable to watch. She’s very particular and I can see her working hard to improve, which gives me a lot of strength too!
Tenma Michiru, Flower Troupe
“Right, in order to keep myself from falling asleep, I’d put energizing stuff under my eyes (laughs). Mieri (Kizaki) definitely laughs really easily. I’m a nervous type, so when I saw her laughing in situations where I’d never dare to, I thought she was a really cool person (laughs).”
About Matsukaze Akira…
Akari-chan (Matsukaze) is the real hard worker here!
Ever since TMS, she’s been really stoic and hard-working. Recently, she came to consult with me about facial hair, since I’m her senior in middle-aged man roles (laughs), and we’ll see each other’s showsand go out to dinner afterwards, but whether it’s watching her on stage or talking with her, it really makes me feel that her determination in taking things on has really brought about great results. I feel a lot of respect for her at those times…it makes me feel like I should take things more seriously (laughs).
Always ahead of the times
In TMS, when I was using cassette tape to record my vocals, she was the first one to get an MD and IC recorder, which I was dying to have (laughs). Recently, when we have days off she’ll go to take lessons in things I’ve never even heard of. That’s diligence for you!
Airhead
Though she’s so serious, Akari-chan will make the most unbelievable misunderstandings. Suddenly, she’ll go totally spacey and show her airheaded side, and it always makes me laugh!
Matsukaze Akira, Cosmos Troupe
“Ume-chan (Tenma) has done a ton of different sorts of middle-aged guys, so I consulted with her in hopes of expanding my repertoire! New things? I don’t remember anything about that~ (laughs) It’s true, I’m very spacey at heart, so I put a lot of energy in onstage to not let that part of me get out (laughs).”
About Shizuki Otone…
No course-changing!
She’s very dedicated to her goals and very direct regarding the stage. Therefore, when I go to see one of her shows, we’ll end up talking it all over passionately in the dressing room afterwards. On top of that directness, she has a strict side. If she feels something is wrong she’ll say so, and I think her ability to state her own views so firmly is really amazing. If I hear some new viewpoint, I’m like ‘Is that so~, that sounds right…’ immediately (laughs).
Rapid-fire conversation
Talking about her feelings for her troupe or whatever, she’ll talk so quickly and fervently, it’s a flood like ‘Bwah~’ but she doesn’t mumble at all! (laughs) She’s always smiling, but if she’s ever provoked it’s really something!
Bright and very caring!
Even if I just run into her in the hall, she’ll surely smile and call out to me ‘How are you~!? Have you been doing well~?’ and even if I’m a bit tired from rehearsals it livens me up! She’s been very caring ever since TMS she’s been very caring, and currently, she feels like an ‘older sister’ figure. Recently I’ve had a lot of older guy roles, so maybe I’ve been trying to convey those caring aspects a bit??? (laughs)
Shizuki Otone, Star Troupe
“Akari-chan is a dancer type, so since I like dancing, too, maybe I should get some constructive criticism from her. I respect her a lot. Though she says she easily gets swept along, I feel a lot of love for Takarazuka from her, and I think she has a clear goal and a lot of determination. Therefore, I think whatever role she takes on, she’ll do really well~”
About Takasumi Hayato…
Passionate and manly – THE otokoyaku!
While Moon Troupe otokoyaku tend to have a more gentle aesthetic, Rumi-chan (Takasumi) has Star Troupe style passion. It feels really in-your-face, like ‘Bam!’ (laughs). It feels really good to look at her. She’s always had the atmosphere of an otokoyaku and I really like it.
But when she starts talking…
In TMS she was responsible for cleaning the classrooms, so she led everyone firmly like an older sister. Since she had to keep everyone in line I had an image of her as really strict…but in reality she’s very girly (laughs). She talks with a sweet demeanor, and that discrepancy is something I just love.
Relaxing Kansai dialect
As the current members from our class have decreased, so have the number of Kansai dialect speakers. Rumi-chan is always using it, so even though I’m from Shikoku, just hearing that makes me feel relaxed somehow.
Takasumi Hayato, Moon Troupe
“I’ve always looked to the Star Troupe members for inspiration, so I’m really happy to hear that! The whole reason I took the Takarazuka entrance exam was because I wanted to be a dignified otokoyaku who looks good in whiskers. I worked hard when I was in charge of the classroom cleaning, but actually I’m not so much the responsible type but a quiet sort, and I can be airheaded…I can’t hide that from my classmates, can I (laughs).”
About Rinjou Kira…
She’s so nice!!
In TMS there’s a position called ‘Birthday Officer’. Reika received that appointment and she was amazing! She remembers all her classmates’ birthdays, and until recently she’d take it on herself to send out ‘Happy Birthday’ messages in the 92nd class LINE chat! Although that doesn’t happen any more since the number of current members has decreased so… (laughs)
The Conan1 of the 92nd class
When we were yokasei, even though she was the youngest person in the entire class, she was so calm and seemed to already know how the world worked, so one might think ‘what the heck is with this kid!?’ but on off days she’d sleep really soundly. “On the outside, she’s a kid! On the inside, she’s a grownup!” fitted her perfectly, I thought. Also, Reika was sort of my dance tutor… In TMS I was always getting instruction from her. I think I’m here today thanks to her!!
Actually a passionate Takarazuka fan!
She loves 31 Flavors, Disney, and Takarazuka!! Whenever there are new actresses debuting she’ll be like ‘that kid’s cute~’ and check them all out quickly (laughs). Reika really loves Takarazuka from the bottom of her heart!!
Rinjou Kira, Cosmos Troupe
“In TMS I remembered everyone’s birthdays, but recently, I haven’t contacted anyone…I’m sorry… Conan!? (laughs) I don’t think I was that calm, per se, just chilling out… And I wasn’t a very good dance teacher. I do love 31 Flavors even now~ Azuran-chan (Takasumi), you know me so well!”
About Houzuki An…
Her legs are just too long!!
She had the most amazing impresion on me when I first laid eyes on her in the examination hall! When we were all lined up in our leotards I was right across from her – her skin was so white and she was so tall… Even now, when I see her in a show, the length of her legs makes her stand out and I can’t help but think she must have really amazing balance.
Does everything detachedly
Ever since she was a yokasei, she doesn’t really get people angry with her or screw up a lot, but it’s not as if she’s pushing herself desperately or extremely determined about any particular thing. She doesn’t have anything like that, and just accomplishes whatever she has to with a detached manner. No matter what, she’ll do it thoroughly but at her own pace.
Doesn’t talk a lot
She has a strong mental core, and holds her own views firmly, but she’s not the type to chatter on. Since she doesn’t really change her expression a lot, when once in a while she does laugh or something, even though I’m her classmate I’ll think ‘that’s so cute~’ (laughs). When we were yokasei, we were always together since we had the same cleaning spot, and we were roommates in our honkasei year. She’s very pleasant to be around, and we still go out to eat and such sometimes, but she doesn’t really extend invitations herself (laughs). I know that’s just what she’s like, so I don’t mind, but I do think it’d be nice if Chinatsu (Houzuki) would be the one to invite me once in a while… (laughs)
Houzuki An, Flower Troupe
“Though I would goof around with everyone, I was the type who didn’t get noticed when it came time to get in trouble, I guess (laughs). I’m not so good at getting my emotions to show on my face…I am excited, though! Reika-chan is really nice and comfortable to be with, and she feels like a family member. But I’m bad at inviting people to do things (laughs) – next time I’ll be the one to make contact, sure”
About Marika Yume…
Really caring
When I transferred to Flower Troupe I had wigs or whiskers for every show, and she would help me take care of them every time. Even though she was so busy, she would take time for me, and I think as an musumeyaku she’s really amazing and someone to respect. I’m really grateful to have her as my classmate.
Knows delicious restaurants
She’s a real gourmet. When we have performances in Tokyo, she always takes me to one of her favorite places. And then while we eat a delicious meal we’ll have pretty earnest conversations about our thoughts regarding the show.
A stage performer who can do anything
In For The People, there was a scene where musumeyaku were playing soldiers, and she was so cool and sharp in the scene where they were fighting holding rifles! I feel she’s not boxed in by being a musumeyaku, but is a stage performer who can really do anything.
Marika Yume, Flower Troupe
“Wigs, right – after coming to flower troupe, Chinatsu ended up with a lot of female parts, didn’t she (laughs). In Golden Desert I was playing King Jahangir’s (Houzuki’s) attendant Rubaba, so I helped her out with her wigs. Although I’m certainly not ‘a stage performer who can do anything’, it makes me very happy that you would say that! Thank you very much. It’s so lovely to have such a cool person talk about me and to be able to talk about someone so cool! I’m so glad I’m in the 92nd class~!! (laughs)”
About Makaze Suzuho…
Loves acting
When she’s talking about acting she gets way more animated, and watching her in a show you can really tell that she loves acting. When she played ‘Death’ in Romeo et Juliette, it was really moving how she expressed all her feelings through dance only. It made me think ‘Wow! She’s become someone from another dimension!’ In A Place In The Sun she played someone with a split personality, and it was just amazing! I talk to her a lot about various theatre and drama subjects, and it seems like recently she is into prose plays, and the shows she recommends are always really fun.
Has kindness, discipline, and passion
She’ll tell people what they really need to hear in the moment, but she’s not just kind – she’ll also be strict when that’s called for. When I’m feeling down she’ll tell me ‘I’ll listen if you need it, so go ahead and call anytime, even if it’s in the middle of the night’… I really feel a bond of comrades with her – ‘She’s working so hard in Cosmos Troupe, so I should do my best in Flower Troupe!’ Maybe it’s just on my side, though… (laughs)
Loves delicious food!
Yurika (Makaze) loves delicious food, so we go out to eat together a lot. But I don’t know really what her specific favorites are, so I’d like to learn a bit more about her tastes.
Makaze Suzuho, Cosmos Troupe
“Ahaha~ I’m so glad to hear this. I do love acting and talk about it a lot! Mariko (Marika) will always tell me the good and bad points of my performances. As I’ve been in Takarazuka longer, I’ve been more and more grateful to have classmates who will tell me honestly what they think. As for my tastes~ it’s basically ‘Whatever’s tasty!!’ I feel… (laughs). But if I had to say, then maybe traditional food! I’m Japanese after all!! If it was my last meal I’d want white rice and something that complimented it (laughs).”
About Seki Yurito…
Total B-Type!!
There are a lot of reasons for this… When we were in Star Troupe together, we’d often have neighboring dressing tables, and there’d always be things like powder puff bits? Flying around? And the table would be such a jumble that there was no way to tell if she was still there or had gone home and left it that way (although apparently it’s been neater recently (laughs))…but despite all that she would iron her shirts carefully, one by one…while I really like Sekkii (Seki), I’d rather not be categorized together with her as a B-Type! (laughs)
Great physical abilities
When we were in TMS, she was so flexible, so much so that I was like ‘is she made of konjac jelly!?’ (laughs) When Star Troupe did Ocean’s Eleven, she was a member of the acrobatics troupe. She did a back bend and even though she was about ken-6 by then I thought ‘she’s still made of konjac jelly!!’ Doing stretches in rehearsal, she always is so thorough about it, so I think she puts a lot of effort into keeping that up…also, apparently she sleeps in really weird positions!!
Brings back thoughts of original determination
When we were ken-2 or -3, we both had the lines we’d been given cut since we did them so badly… We were so mortified we just cried in the corner of the rehearsal room… We share so many memories, so when I see Sekkii working so hard in Star Troupe, it makes me really happy and takes me back to my original determination. Even though we’re in separate troupes now, Sekkii is a really significant person to me since we were together as junior actresses.
Seki Yurito, Star Troupe
“I hear I’m really B-type-ish a lot (laughs). Right now I have a dressing table next to Yumeki Anru-chan, and since she really likes neatness it makes me nervous so I’m keeping it tidy (laughs). I do sleep in weird positions. Sometimes I’ll have my hands over my head and my legs in a ballet position. Stretching is my hobby! (laughs) While Yurika really has it together now, you were really a crybaby as a junior actress and we cried together a lot… Recently I went to see you in the Paris Festival – you were really cool and I was so proud!”
About Mana Haruto…
Really scary as a yokasei (laughs)
We had the same cleaning location in the dorms, and since Manaharu-kun (Mana) had a really strong sense of responsibility as a yokasei and was really disciplined, even though I was scared of the honkasei I was scared of Manaharu too (laughs).
So good at acting!
Austere characters, young characters, cowardly characters…she’s really good at embodying her roles. Ever since we were in TMS and she stood out in the drama recitals, I’ve thought she’s really good at acting, and when I go see her in shows now I still really think that.
Trims the back of her neck
She started keeping it trimmed as a yokasei. A honkasei scolded her for having untidy hair, so Manaharu-kun jsut shaved her nape so nobody could tell her it was messy ever again, and found it a big relief (laughs) – I thought that was really brave and manly. Currently she changes her hairstyle with each role, but basically, she always keeps the back short. Lately, when we run into each other at the locker room or wherever, she’ll say ‘go for it’ and pat me on the head. Although she’s my classmate, I’m still like ‘she’s so cool and handsome!’ (laughs)
Mana Haruto, Snow Troupe
“I think I must have been really scary! The other members at that cleaning spot were Toumi Sarasa, Taso (Tenma), Chinatsu…a bunch of individualistic and free-spirited people all together, so since I was in charge of keeping them focused I would get angry a lot. Yuriko (Seki) was really responsible, but seeing me like that must have made you awfully nervous (laughs). ‘Go for it’, did I really say that!? (laughs) I actually hear a lot that I was cool and manly even as a yokasei.”
About Chinami Karan…
Gap between appearance and personality is wonderful
Though she’s really baby-faced and gives a really cute impression, in reality she’s super mature and responsible. Ever since she was a yokasei, she never backed down a bit in cleaning or in arts classes. Even when she wanted to cry, she would bear with it and keep going even as tears ran down her cheeks. I think that’s really beautiful! (laughs) Even now whenever I’m in difficulties, I think ‘what would Karan-chan (Chinami) say if I asked for her advice about this?’ She’s really super-human mentally. And she’s great at singing and dancing too! Bravo~! (applause)
High personal production values!
She does totally different stage makeup than I do, and if I look around no-one else in Moon Troupe uses the same stuff. I think she must have selected it after personal research. Her dress sense is great, and her hair color and style and everything are always so cool! She’s always on the cutting edge of fashion and it suits her so well. When we run into each other in the hall I’m like ‘she looks so good~!’ – I kind of wish I could be like that (laughs).
A good older brother
Yuumi-chan (Sakihi Miyu), who transferred in from Moon Troupe, said Karan-chan helped her out a lot. She’s really responsible and I think she’s really generous with the junior actresses as well. Generally, even if I’m goofing off she’ll be like ‘gosh~, you’re always so funny, Mikkun (Mana)!’ and respond like a kind older brother (laughs).
Back around to Chinami…
“I’m not mature at all! What have you been looking at (laughs). Mikkun is really the responsible one…is she like an older sister, or an older brother (laughs). As for the makeup, I’ve done a lot of research to get closer to my otokoyaku ideal, since I’m so baby-faced. I can’t any junior actress who comes to me for advice, so I’ll think about how she can best convey her appeal, and if she even looks a little relieved afterwards it makes me really happy too… Therefore, I’m happy to hear someone say that about me.”
GOAL!
1 – Conan is the title character of Detective Conan (Case Closed in the US), who is a teenage genius detective trapped in the body of a small child.