To the Future is a small GRAPH interview of junior actresses. This one was published in the February 2018 issue.

To The Future: Hanaki Maia, Cosmos Troupe

Profile
Debut: April 2013, The Rose of Versailles: Fersen
Nickname: Maia, Reina
Birthday: September 17
Blood Type: A
Offstage thing you are most interested in currently: I want to travel abroad somewhere.

‘Improving every day! I hope to be a splendid musumeyaku~’

First takarazuka show:
It was Passion and The Revue ‘99, by Cosmos Troupe. I was still very little, but from that time on I liked watching Takarazuka.

School clubs:
I was in the Tea Ceremony Club. I thought it was a good opportunity to learn about Japanese traditions, and also the club activities made it possible for me to continue studying classical ballet and such.

Motivation for taking TMS entrance exam:
Since I had been seeing the shows over and over since I was small, I came to long to be part of that beautiful world, so I thought I wanted to also perform on that stage one day.

Memories of the debut performance:
My strongest memory is of all of us classmates coming together as one and supporting each other through the rehearsals for the famous Takarazuka work The Rose of Versailles.

A role that had a deep impression:
Lola from the national tour of Passionate Flowers of Valencia. I was able to learn how hard it is to really live as a character.

Senior actresses I admire:
Shirahane Yuri and Ayanagi Shou. I love Shirahane-san’s beautiful and charming stage presence as a musumeyaku, and I really admire her. Ayanagi-san has looked out for me since the time of my debut, and I respect her so much for the way she takes on shows and characters, and for being such a warm-hearted person.

Dream as a performer:
As a musumeyaku, I want to be able to convey my own sense of being ‘splendid’ even when in close embrace with an otokoyaku. Also, I want to improve each day so that I can leave the impression of my performance with even one more person.