This 2010 Kageki feature introduces young performers and has them talk about recent events in their lives. The May issue features Hibiki Reona, Karyou Shizuru, Fujisaki Eri, and Makaze Suzuho.
(Please note Fujisaki makes a brief mention of researching the Holocaust for an upcoming production.)
FRESH FRESH 2010! – February
Hibiki Reona, Moon Troupe
Birthday – October 23
Debut – Susano’o, 2004
Hometown – Ichinomiya, Aichi Prefecture
Height – 170 cm
Nickname – Sayaka, Hibikichi
About your hometown
I’m from Ichinomiya, in Aichi Prefecture. Even for Ichinomiya, my family home was in a pretty rural and chilly area. It was covered in snow over New Years’ this year. It’s a laid-back country town, so it makes you want to go back there. It’s famous for its textiles, so every summer they hold the Ichinomiya Tanabata Festival.
Something that made you emotional lately
I saw the musical of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. I started crying about 10 minutes in and never stopped (laughs). My classmate Kazune Miou, who was next to me, got cross since I cried so much she was worried about me and couldn’t pay attention to the show (laughs).
A CD you listened to recently
Ever since watching The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, I’ve been listening to CDs of Inoue Yoshio, who was in the musical, practically every day. Inoue-san’s singing somehow really gets to me emotionally, and I want to know how he does it so I’m studying the songs while reading the lyrics sheet.
Something you pay attention to as a Takarazuka performer
I want to remember my gratitude and feelings of consideration for everyone I’ve learned from since entering Takarazuka. Also, I want to be full of modesty, fairness and grace…and determination (laughs).
Your ‘catchphrase’
I want to remember my smile and treasure my thoughtful spirit, so in that sense, ‘A smile in my heart’.
Your future ambitions
Since I’ve been given the chance to fulfill my dream of appearing in a Chuunichi Theatre production [Yukariko], now my only goal is to put all my energy towards that show.
Karyou Shizuru, Snow Troupe
Birthday – November 15
Debut – Susano’o, 2004
Hometown – Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Height – 171 cm
Nickname – Gaori
About your hometown
I’m from Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The Tokuyama Zoo, a big zoo with an amusement park, is about 10 minutes’ walk from my house. The moon bear there is popular since it stands up, and recently they’ve been remodeling it into something more like a safari park, so I’m excited.
Something that made you emotional lately
I casually went to see Avatar, but it was so fun! It was my first time seeing a 3D movie, but it was so powerful, and I was really moved when I thought about how much progress the world is making.
Something you’re interested in lately
My personal theme this year is ‘being a large and passionate man’, so I don’t know if you’d say ‘interested’ in her, but I’m learning a lot from Hamako-san (Mirai Yuuki), since she’s such a high energy otokoyaku. When I think of how this will be my last time working together with her, it makes me think ‘I have to learn as much as I can now!’.
Your ‘catchphrase’
‘Fire!’, because of my goal for this year (laughs). It seems like on stage I feel like a cool otokoyaku, unlike my usual self, so I want to show that I have a flaming passionate side as well.
Your future ambitions
As well as being ‘large and passionate’, my goal for this Grand Theatre production, besides of course getting deeper into my role, is to work on what I should do for the revue after I get all my choreography down, and delve deeper into each and every motion that’s part of my choreography.
Fujisaki Eri, Cosmos Troupe
Birthday – March 20
Debut – Enter the Revue, 2005
Hometown – Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture
Height – 160 cm
Nickname – Eri
Something that made you emotional lately
When it was decided that I’d have the junior performance heroine role in Casablanca, so many people told me ‘congratulations’, and I realized once again how many different people support me which was very moving.
Something you bought that you liked recently
I used to not care much for fragrances since I wasn’t very aware of different scents, but recently, I discovered a perfume with a scent I just love, so I’m having a great time wearing it every day.
A DVD you watched recently
As research for Casablanca, I watched films about concentration camps and torture every night and it was so terrifying I couldn’t sleep at all.
Something you pay attention to as a Takarazuka performer
When I was a fan, it made me so happy when I happened to see performers out in town, so I’m careful to make sure I won’t betray the fans’ dreams no matter where they see me by having the appropriate clothes and posture for a Takarasienne.
Your catchphrase
Kacha-san (Nagina Ruumi) described me as ‘crisp on the outside, soft on the inside’ and I feel like she was actually right on (laughs). I tend to be seen as having it all together, but I’m actually very laid back and mess up a lot.
Your future ambitions
If I am pushing myself too hard, I’ll lose sight of what’s around me, so I want to pay more attention to my surroundings and show more of my real self. I want to approach the stage with flexibility and serenity while still being natural.
Makaze Suzuho, Star Troupe
Birthday – July 18
Debut – NEVER SAY GOODBYE, 2006
Hometown – Kikuchi, Kumamoto Prefecture
Height – 175 cm
Nickname – Yurika, Suzuho
About your hometown
I’m from Kikuchi, in Kumamoto Prefecture. It’s the genuine countryside, full of nature. There’s a lot of hot springs, too, so when I was there I’d go to hot springs with my mom all the time. Horse sashimi and ‘ikinari dango’1 are the local specialties.
Something that made you cry recently
I was watching a documentary on TV about a child battling an illness, and after the child passed away they found a lot of letters they had written to their family members…I started crying.
Something you’re interested in lately
I’m going to play Franz in the junior performance of Treasure Sword of the Hapsburgs, and he’s a noble character with elaborate costumes, so recently I’ve become interested in accessories and all kinds of other sparkly things.
Something you bought that you liked recently
A belt with a huge rhinestone buckle that looks like a brooch. Basically I’m already really interested in shiny things lately, and this was a shop where you could choose your own buckle, so when I saw this one I was going ‘Wahhh~!’ and got so excited to buy it. I love how it doesn’t look much like a buckle at all.
A book you read recently
‘Treasure Sword of the Hapsburgs’, the book the show is based on.
Your ‘catchphrase’
‘Bringing a breath of fresh air to Takarazuka’2 (laughs). Natsuki Rei-san made it up for me.
Your future ambitions
I want to work like my life depends on it in rehearsals so I can enjoy myself on stage.
1 – A sweet made with adzuki bean paste and sweet potato.
2 – A pun on Makaze’s stage name.