This article about the debut of the 107th class was published in Sponichi Annex on June 26th, 2021. The original article can be found here (archive link here).
Please note that at time of first posting I have not seen the show or the rockette dance, so I do not have full context for what is being described.
Takarazuka’s 107th class debuts – top-ranked musumeyaku Shiraki Hana moved, “This is the grand stage I’ve always yearned for”
The 107th class of the Takarazuka Revue, which joined the company this spring, debuted on stage for the first time on the 26th, with the opening of the Cosmos Troupe production Sherlock Holmes/Delicieux! in the Takarazuka Grand Theatre, Hyogo Prefecture.
Though there were only 38 members1 present due to one absence, they appeared in their matching green hakama to give a charmingly innocent address to the audience, “We want to preserve Kobayashi Ichizou’s teachings of ‘Pure, Proper, Beautiful’ in our hearts and keep improving every day…” The traditional rockette dance fit the sweets-themed revue show as the debuting class bounded from a macaron tower set in a choreographed number lasting around 4 minutes 30 seconds, set to the melodies of Mon Paris and Oh, Takarazuka. 2 more members were absent due to injury, and though the line dance only had 36 people they basked in great applause from the audience.
Musumeyaku Shiraki Hana, who entered the company in the top rank, said excitedly “This is the grand stage I’ve always yearned for. The moment the lights fell on me I was so moved.” Aohane You said “The audience was so beautiful from the stage too, and I sent my thoughts to each and every member of the audience.”
Although, due to injuries, it could not be a performance of the entire class together, Shiraki said, trying to reign in her expression, “I want us to have the consciousness that all 39 of us are ‘creating this debut rockette together’ and keep doing our best until closing day with one heart.” Although the debut was affected by COVID-19 and took place later than usual, Nanairo Hazuki said “during that time, I learned that we have to do our best as stage performers and members of society,” so it seems that self-awareness also sprouted during this time. The performance lasts until August 2.
1 – There are 39 total members in the class; though one (Hinano Niko) is absent from the pre-show address, and two (Aiha Hiyori and Aihoshi Shun) are absent from the rockette, all are fully-fledged members of the Takarazuka Revue.