To the Future is a small GRAPH interview of junior actresses. This one was published in the June 2017 issue.

To the Future: Karen Yui

Profile
Debut: April 2015, 1789, Les Amants de la Bastille
Nickname: Yui
Birthday: September 6
Hometown: Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
Offstage interests: Watching all sorts of musical films

First Takarazuka show:
It was Elisabeth, starring Mizu Natsuki. I loved it and watched the DVD constantly, so much that the cover got all beat up.

School clubs:
I didn’t enter any clubs, and every day after school or on days off I went to a dance school. If I hadn’t started dance I don’t think I would be who I am today.

Motivation for taking TMS entrance exam:
The first time I saw Elisabeth I fell in love with the gorgeous world of Takarazuka, as well as Mizu Natzuki and Shirahane Yuri’s acting, so I thought ‘There’s nowhere else for me!’

Memories of the debut performance:
Since I was given the opportunity to appear in the play as well, I was able to see how amazing the senior actresses were up close. I was moved and surprised every day.

A role that had a deep impression:
Frieda Flamme [Flaemschen] (Main cast: Saotome Wakaba/Umino Mitsuki), who I was given the opportunity to play in the shinjin kouen of Grand Hotel. While everything was new to me, I was able to fully experience how fun acting and getting into character is, and I was very happy to live as Flaemschen.

Senior actresses I admire:
Maihane Mimi-san and Shirayuki Sachika-san. I respect their way of thinking and behaving as musumeyaku, and I love them for being such bright and wonderful people!

Dreams as a performer:
I want to become a stage performer who can perform in such a way that if gives happy feeling to the people who come to see Takarazuka.