This article about a member of the newest class at the Takarazuka Music School was published by Sports Hochi on April 10, 2021. The original article, written by Uchida Hiroki [estimated name reading] can be found here (archived version here).

Please note: though Takarasienne’s birth names are not officially publicized once they debut as performers, TMS coverage and documentation in the media uses those names. This article may be redacted in the future if I receive requests from relevant persons, or at such point I feel personally it would be appropriate.

On first and last chance at 18, Nanpei Yuria achieves TMS entry with only 3 months’ prep…even her instructor is shocked: “I’ve never seen someone pass with such a short preparation time”

From Shizuoka to her dream of being a Takarasienne. Nanpei Yuria (18), who attended Shimizu Minami Highschool in Shizuoka Prefecture, passed to become a member of the 109th class at the Takarazuka Music School. She passed the extremely difficult exam, which had a passing rate of 1 in 17.4, on her first attempt, with only 3 months’ preparation time. This 170cm ‘Cinderella girl’ siezed her “first and last chance” and is taking her first steps to her goal of being like former Flower Troupe Top Star, actress Asumi Rio, who is also from Shizuoka.

She achieved her dream. Ms. Nanpei was the only Takarazuka Music School entrant from Shizuoka this year. “After the announcement I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t think I’d pass, so right now I’m rushing to gather the kimono and things [that I need],” she said with a bright smile.

She dreamed of being a ‘musical actress’ since she was a little girl, when her whole family went to see a performance from Four Seasons Theatre. When looking at options after graduating high school, she considered studying abroad in order to learn theatre in its heartland, but said that “due to the effects of coronavirus, it would be hard to go abroad under these circumstances,” so she started to worry about her path.

What changed her destiny was a ‘senior’ who suddenly appeared to her. Last autumn, she happened to see a TV program featuring Hatsune Mayo, a former Takarazuka otokoyaku star whose studio produces many TMS passing entrants every year. “My mother told me ‘Yuria, you’re from Shimizu Minami (High School), just like her!, so I decided to consult with her about what I should do.” [They] went to her Tokyo studio right away, and when she explained her concerns about her future, “she told me ‘you have talent, so why don’t you try taking lessons here.'” Starting last December, she started taking lessons several times a month, getting to Tokyo on the bullet train or in her father’s car.

The time left to prepare was only a brief 3 months. Takarazuka only accepts applicants between the ages of 14 and 18, so for Nanpei this was her last chance. At first, “The other people had all been aiming for Takarazuka since they were little kids. I thought ‘maybe I don’t love Takarazuka enough,” though she continued her lessons despite her concerns. But even so, she was motivated by those around her as they encouraged each other while practicing. “I thought we’d all be rivals, but it was a nice atmposphere.”

When the time came, “It was my first and last chance. I put my all into it.” She made it through to the 3rd phase of the exams. She is the first alumna of Shimizu Minami High School to pass the exam since Hatsune [Mayo], 29 years prior.

Hatsune congratulated her when [Yuria] told her the good news. “I’ve never seen someone make it in with such a short preparation time,” she said.

[Yuria’s] new life starts with the school entrance ceremony on the 16th. “I’ll start wearing my hair in a regent (laughs). I want to be a Takarasienne like Asumi Rio.” She will plunge into a new world with her ambitions in her heart.