This is a Q&A session with brand-new Top Star Aran Kei on her arrival in Tokyo for her debut there with Sakura/Secret Hunter. The original transcript was published in ENAK Sumire Style on September 13, 2007. (Archive link here.)
Continue readingThis article about the junior performance of Wind over Yamataikoku was published by Sponichi on June 20, 2017. (Archive link here.)
6th-year hopeful Hiryuu Tsukasa’s first leading role: ‘The opening spotlight was so bright…’
On June 20th, in the Takarazuka Grand Theatre performance of the junior performance for the Takarazuka Revue Hanagumi play Wind over Yamataikoku in Hyogo Prefecture, 6th-year future hopeful Hiryuu Tsukasa achieved her first leading role.
Wind over Yamataikoku is the story of a young man who fights to protect his country while being consumed by love for the Queen, Himiko. From her first appearance, where she appears in a blinding spotlight to suddenly launch into a powerful rendition of the theme song, Hiryuu thrilled the audience with her confident acting and singing skills. At 1.71 metres, she is not as blessed regarding physique as some recent otokoyaku are, but her presence on stage far outsizes that.
At the curtain call, she said “while there are still all sorts of challenges ahead, like the theme of the play I want to value the connections between people, and I’m resolved to continue to devote myself to the stage.”
“The opening spotlight was so bright, and I’ve never had that kind of experience before, so during the prologue number I was full of happiness and it felt like it created a link between me and the character,” she said, describing the effect the show had on her during a post-performance interview. “I want to value those feelings and that responsibility from now on,” she declared, promising her future determination.
The fourth-year Hana Yuuki, who played her first heroine with the role of Queen Himiko, also gave a strong performance. “In my first scene I was so nervous I started getting all shaky,” she said, looking back on her performance without pretentiousness.
This article about the Three Musketeers press conference was published in Daily Sports Online on May 31, 2017. (Archive link here.)
Please note: The plot of ALL FOR ONE went through heavy alterations between the press conference and the show opening, so there may be differences from what is described in the article.
Moon Troupe’s Tamaki Ryou excited for new production about ‘The Three Musketeers’
On the 31st, the Takarazuka Revue Moon Troupe’s Top Star, Tamaki Ryou, appeared in Takarazuka city at a press conference for the new show she will be starring in, All For One ~d’Artagnan and the Sun King~ (Takarazuka Grand Theatre, Hyogo Prefecture, July 14th to August 14th; Tokyo Takarazuka Theatre, September 1st to October 8th) and declared how enthusiastic she is.
In the show, based on Dumas’ famous classic novel The Three Musketeers, Tamaki plays d’Artagnan, a novice member of the Musketeers who is ordered to serve as the king’s opponent in fencing practice. With intrigue and action, the story is full of entertainment. “I love The Three Musketeers, and adventure shows, so I’m really looking forward to this,” she said in excitement.
She is also full of motivation since the Revue’s representative, Koike Shuuichiro, is creating the new show. “Up until now, I’ve run into many barriers that I couldn’t get over without putting in 200% effort, so that has been a plus to everything about my work. To have Koike-sensei writing my second show as Top makes me so happy!” she declared strongly.
Since the new show takes place during summer vacation, Mr. Koike says “There’s a lot to enjoy about this show, and it would be wonderful if people from many different generations came to see it.” He has hopes for attracting new fans.
The show’s setting is France in the time it was ruled by the Sun King, Louis XIV, played by Manaki Reika. After discovering the king’s secret, d’Artagnan and the Three Musketeers have to combat the intrigues of the court. Dumas’ original Three Musketeers was set in the reign of Louis XIII, but Mr. Koike has made large adjustments. Top Musumeyaku Manaki Reika’s performance as the ‘male’ king also appears to be attracting a lot of attention.
This is an extremely interesting article about Sagiri Seina’s career and the Top Star system as a whole. It also discusses her unique partnership with Sakihi Miyu.
The original article was written by Murakami Kumiko and published in Nikkan Sports on June 11, 2017. (Archive link here.)
The countdown starts from the moment of becoming Takarazuka’s Top Star: Sagiri Seina’s retirement
The Takarazuka Revue is surrounded by a ‘violet-colored’ veil. Its greatest charm, if described in the words of the Japanese seasons, is that just like the sakura, it is most beautiful because it is fleeting. No matter how popular or outstandingly talented the Top Star, nearly all retire within an average of 2-2.5 years. This countdown starts from the moment of ascending to the position of Top Star.
Sagiri Seina, who said her farewells to the Revue’s home theatre in Hyogo Prefecture on May 29th, had the 2550-seat Takarazuka Grand Theatre operating over 100% capacity for all 5 of her Grand Theatre shows. She retires having achieved a new record.
In the 103-year history of Takarazuka, achieving unprecedented numbers is not so out of the ordinary. Plays are chosen to suit the character of the Top Star, and for original shows a system of ‘writing to the star’ is in place. Thus, the Top Star has an extreme level of responsibility: it is not going too far to say she bears the full responsibility for ticket sales.
Besides the obvious preparation for shows, the Top Star has a wide range of duties, from fan events to business promotions, as well as creating an atmosphere in the troupe that produces the best shows possible. The effort and motivation this requires has a limit of about 2-2.5 years. Sagiri Seina herself said at her retirement announcement conference that ‘while if I could maintain this level of energy I would love to continue being an otokoyaku forever, that is impossible, so I have to leave.’
During this limited time of being Top Star, her affinity with her partner musumeyaku also has a great influence on her path. Top Musumeyaku are not installed in their position because of their still in singing, dancing, or acting. Their potential compatibility with the Top Star is considered most important, but until they actually perform together it is impossible to know how well they actually work together. The excellence and synergy of Snow Troupe’s Top Combi of Sagiri and her partner musumeyaku, Sakihi Miyu, caused an explosion of popularity.
It is a partnership of equally talented actresses. Sagiri always aimed to put Sakihi on equal footing with herself, which, in the world of Takarazuka where the otokoyaku always comes first, meant that Sakihi also bore a great deal of responsibility. The fans, knowing the two were also close in their private lives, happily supported them.
In the ‘Farewell Recital’ performed on the final day of the last show at the main theatres, the Top Star is generally the sole focus for around 70% of the show. However, in the case of this combi, around 40% of the songs were duet numbers, an unprecedented amount. Sagiri said ‘I decided on this set list after conferring with Sakihi.’ A Top Star ‘conferring’ with their musumeyaku partner is also unprecedented. As a symbol of this trust, there was also a succession of duet dances. Their partnership’s ‘bonds’ were fully displayed, leaving nothing behind on their departure from the Grand Theatre.
English translation of lyrics from the Takarazuka original production based on the multimedia franchise.
Romanized lyrics are included as this song is available in Japanese karaoke catalogs.
Reinhardt:
Earth, the planet where humanity was born
Was laid waste by a series of nuclear wars
Humans wandered the galaxy in search of a new world
And when they finally reached a new planet, the nation they created
Became a dictator’s empire, just like the Earth they left
I was born in the Galactic Empire
I joined the military in order to depose the Emperor
After continual victories, I am now in command of the army
My goal is to create a new Galactic nation
Relying on my own luck and intuition
Tonight, as well
The goddess of victory smiles on me
Ah, Kirchheis, my friend
You are always beside me
Kirchheis: Forever!
Reinhardt: Loenthal!
Loenthal: I’ll be loyal!
Reinhardt: Mittermeier!
Mittermeier: I swear!
Reinhardt:
Before moving against the empire
I’ll defeat my enemies and gain more influence
I don’t need to listen to the old fools!
Together with my comrades I’ll sieze the future
Oh~ the stars are flowing out before me
Twinkling and waiting
For the day I take control of the galaxy
For the day I become the ruler of the galaxy!
Reinhardt:
Hito ga umareta wakusei chikyuu wa
Tabikasanaru kakusensou ni arehateta
Aratana tenchi motomete ginga ni samayoi
Tadoritsuita hoshi ni hiraita kuni wa
Ima de wa chikyuu to onaji dokusaisha no osameru teikoku
Watashi wa umareta ginga teikoku
Koutei taosu tame ni gunjin ni natta
Tsune ni kachitsuzuke teikokugun wo osameru
Watashi no mokuteki sore wa ginga ni aratana kuni wo tsukuru
Jibun no hirameki to un ni kakete
Shori no megami wa kon’ya mo mata
Watashi ni hohoemi kaketeiru
Aa tomo yo Kiruhihaisu
Katawara de watashi to tomo ni aru no da
Kirchheis: Tokoshie ni!
Reinhardt: Roientaaru!
Loenthal: Chuusei wo!
Reinhardt: Mittaamaiyaa!
Mittermeier: Chikaou!
Reinhardt:
Teikoku ugokasu sono mae ni
Teki wo taoshite kenryoku wo nigiru
Toshioita mono ni mimi wo kasazu ni
Nakama to tomo ni mirai wo te ni ireru
Oh hoshitachi ga watashi no mae ni nagareru
Mabataite watashi wo matteiru
Ginga wo seiha suru hi made
Ginga no hasha to naru hi made
Lyrics from the Takarazuka original production based on the multimedia franchise. Misaki Rion performed this song in her farewell recital.
Hildegarde von Mariendorf:
Those clear blue eyes are deeper than any lake
Their icy coldness seems to pierce deeply into my heart
Blue, blue, ice blue
Those sparkling eyes
Even though they can look through people they haven’t lost their shine
If only I could see the universe in those eyes
I’m sure I could see spreading galaxies unknown to me
Ah~ even more than having those eyes look at me
I want to gaze at the same stars together
I want to search for what those eyes are seeking out
Even if I had to give all of my self, I wouldn’t regret it
Blue, blue, ice blue
Ice blue eyes…
This is a translation of Sports Hochi’s article on the opening of My Hero, with some statements from star Serika Toa. It was published March 16, 2017, however, the original article has since been removed from the website with no archives available.
A mysterious hero goes into battle on the Takarazuka stage! Flower Troupe star Serika Toa’s action-packed opening night
On the 16th, the second rank star of the Takarazuka Revue’s Flower Troupe, Serika Toa, performed in the brilliant opening night of her lead musical, My Hero at the Tokyo/Akasaka ACT Theatre.
According to writer and director Saitou Yoshimasa, this is the first ever tokusatsu1 hero show in Takarazuka history. The story is about a popular actor, Noah (Serika), who after being embroiled in a scandal gets a job as a ‘faceless’ suit actor for the tokusatsu hero ‘MASK-J’. In the process, he tries to find himself.
During ‘transformation’ sequences, her beautiful face—selling point for a Takarasienne—is hidden behind the hero mask, which is a bit out of the ordinary, but the action sequences where she mows down her enemies are also a sight to behold. “The suit is easy to move in, so that’s fine, but the mask gives me tunnel vision which is a bit scary,” says Toa. She went to hero shows at amusement parks and behind the scenes at film sets to learn how to time punches and kicks.
“My finishing move is the ‘Wink Shot’. I spin around and the Shockers2 are all blown away. It’s the kind of move where I’m like, what the heck is this doing in real life! [laugh]” says Toa, who is enjoying this chance to perform with a less Takarazuka-like viewpoint. “There’s lines that are totally hero of justice-ish, and we’ll see if I can use Takarazuka magic to get your heart pounding a bit! If you’re like ‘ahhh, that’s so cool!’ then I win,” she says.
Also, Houzuki An and Ayaki Hikari showed off their costumes as ‘Blue MASK-J’ and ‘Silver MASK-J’.
My Hero runs until the 23rd in Tokyo. The Osaka performance lasts from April 2nd-10th at the Umeda Arts Theatre’s Theatre Drama City.
1 – Japanese special effects and superhero cinema, most stereotypically featuring in-camera effects with stunt actors in masked or other full-coverage suits. Famous examples are Kyouryuu Sentai Zyuranger (adapted for the US as Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers), and the Gojira film franchise.
2 – Enemies from the Kamen Rider franchise (though the term is not used in the show script the design is very similar).
One of the behind-the-scenes comics from the December 2015 issue of Graph. (The feature it accompanied is not yet translated.) ‘Fuwari’ was a musumeyaku interview feature where the guests for the month go to a cafe and chat, or in Miyu’s case, hunt for fashion tips…
This article about Ayaki Hikari’s performance in the Golden Desert junior performance was published by Daily Sports Online on November 30, 2016. The original article can be found here.
Takarazuka Revue Flower Troupe: Classmates in leading roles – “I felt very much like a beginner…” says Ayaki Hikari
The Takarazuka Revue Flower Troupe’s up-and-coming young star, Ayaki Hikari, had her first solo leading role in the junior performance of Golden Desert, which took place on the 29th at the Takarazuka Grand Theatre in Hyogo Prefecture.
In the last Flower Troupe show, Me and My Girl, she shared the lead role of the junior performance with Yuunami Kei between Act 1 and Act 2, therefore this is her first ‘solo’ junior lead. In this performance, the lead role was written specifically for the Top Star, Asumi Rio: “Of my life and stage experiences, this is among the hardest,” Ayaki reflected.
She said that Asumi advised her “the script should be pinpoint accurate, but other than that the approach is up to Aka [Ayaka’s nickname].” Regarding the shifting sets and quick-changes, Ayaki said firmly “even above getting immersed in the play, it’s important to continue considering safety.” On the other hand, “I felt very much like a beginner, but then when the audience applauded I was like ‘gosh, are they looking at me?’ and I was really moved,” she said, finally smiling.
The heroine was played by Ayaki’s classmate, the musumeyaku star Shiroki Mirei. This show is the retirement performance for Top Musumeyaku Kano Maria, who gave Shiroki vigorous encouragement, telling her “think ‘I don’t care if I die today!’ and perform it like that.” Describing how she had advanced, Shiroki said “thanks to that I was really enheartened. I’m going to do much more with that kind of intensity, not just here but in the future.”
This junior performance served as the reunion for the stars of the Takarazuka Music School Culture Festival1. “Since Shiroki has a lot of experience in the heroine roles I was thinking I could rely on her to prop me up but she helped me stand on my own two feet as an otokoyaku,” Ayaki said gratefully. Shiroki also said with some surprise “she’s come so far…she’s like a senior otokoyaku.”
Since this marks seven years since their debut performance, with this show the 6 members of the 96th class in Flower Troupe will be graduating from junior performances. As representative of the 96th class, Otohane Emi stated, looking back on their progress since debuting, “while this is a more private matter, this is the last junior performance for us 96th class members. While our journey so far has not always been easy, we intend to keep working hard to support Flower Troupe.”
1 – A recital culminating students’ 2 years in the Takarazuka Music School.
The source for this was provided by tumblr user yoz0ra. The issue of TCA press it is from is unidentified.
