Thoughpot (Tsubo) – Sahana Mako (July 2024)

Tsubo (which I’ve translated as ‘Thoughtpot’ since it can mean both ‘pottery’ or ‘the essence of a topic/discussion’) is Sahana Mako’s monthly solo column for Kageki, which she has been publishing since the May 2021 issue.

This column is about her experiences entering Major League Baseball fandom.

Continue reading

Let’s Ask 2 Questions! – February 2013

In the 2013 Top Star feature for Kageki, the Tops of each troupe took turns submitting questions that they would all answer, as well as predicting the question writer’s own answers.

The questions from February (submitted by Yuzuki Reon):

1) Which of these things would make you surprisingly or unsurprisingly the most happy to receive on Valentine’s Day?
2) Have you ever nearly fallen off the Silver Bridge?

Continue reading

Flower Troupe Report, June 2015

Troupe Report is a Kageki feature where an appointed reporter will write about current events in the troupe, often via Q&A content with questions solicited from readers. Reporters are generally only replaced on retirement, unlike other backstage features that rotate monthly or quarterly.

This edition was written by Ootori Mayu and features mainly Q&As with Asumi Rio and other Flower Troupe stars.

Continue reading

Moon Troupe Report – June 2015

Troupe Report is a Kageki feature where an appointed reporter will write about current events in the troupe, often via Q&A content with questions solicited from readers. Reporters are generally only replaced on retirement, unlike other backstage features that rotate monthly or quarterly.

This edition was written by Shimon Yuriya and mainly features an interview-style Q&A with Ryuu Masaki.

Continue reading

This Month’s ‘Hana’ – September 2013

This Month’s ‘Hana’ is the long-running Kageki column written by former Cosmos Troupe Top Musumeyaku Hizuki Hana.

In this issue she talks about the 2013 Snow Troupe production of Rose of Versailles: Fersen and her rediscovery of the character of Fersen.

(A few paragraph breaks are added to make it more readable.)

Continue reading

Words and Pictures (Flower Troupe): Words and Pictures and P (#2, February 2013)

Words and Pictures is an update on backstage events from each troupe, with the writers rotating quarterly.

Ootori Mayu was the Flower Troupe writer for the first quarter of 2013. This column features Ootori’s experience watching Ranju Tomu’s ‘Streak of Light’ concert, Ocean’s 11 rehearsals, and Ranju’s guest appearance in The Rose of Versailles.

Continue reading

Star Troupe Troupe Report – November 2023

Troupe Report is a Kageki feature where an appointed reporter will write about current events in the troupe, often via Q&A content with questions solicited from readers. Reporters are generally only replaced on retirement, unlike other backstage features that rotate monthly or quarterly.

This edition was written by Kozakura Honoka, and talks about events backstage of the ME AND MY GIRL tour which featured Senka guest actress Minami Maito.

Continue reading

WINGS – February 2024

WINGS is a periodically revived Kageki feature where a few young actresses answer questions about themselves and Takarazuka. This issue’s column includes Misora Maru, Kishou Kazuto, Ruo Ria, and Ayaji Yurina.

Continue reading

Troupe Survey: Image Investigation! – Otozuki Kei (Snow Troupe)

This Kageki feature from 2011 has the results of a survey of all the troupe members of the time, asking their impression of their Top Star through various questionnaires.

Otozuki’s was published in the November issue, and the survey seems to have been done during the performance or rehearsals for The Man in the Iron Mask/Royal Straight Flush!.

Continue reading