Hokushou Kairi’s #1!! (Part 1)

The ‘Top Star #1′ series was published in GRAPH in 2016, and surveys all the troupe members about their favorite roles, personality attributes, and mannerisms of the respective Top Stars. Hokushou’s ran in the October issue. It’s being posted in 2 parts due to length—Part 2 can be found here.

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Looking Back on 2015: Hinami Fuu

One of the yearly retrospective features from the December 2015 issue of Kageki, featuring Star Troupe Top Musumeyaku Hinami Fuu.

Looking Back on 2015: Hinami Fuu

While Like a Black Panther/Dear Diamond!! was the retirement performance for the Top Combi, I tried not to be too conscious of that and I remember it as an enjoyable show. Nene-san [Yumesaki Nene] is so lovely and cute…of course, I learned a lot of things about being a musumeyaku during rehearsals for this show.

Next was the national tour performance. I was really worried about taking the position of Top Musumeyaku, but Michiko-san [Hokushou] looked after me all the time and lent me her strength. I feel like without that I would have lost the determination to battle on as a performer.

The role of Elaine in Great Pirates I felt was a great one to advance as a musumeyaku, so I put together a really detailed image of how I wanted to perform as Elaine. Amour, That is… was the show I debuted in, so when I think about that time I’m really deeply moved. Having the chance to encounter it again made me really happy.

I had a lot of difficulties with Guys and Dolls in rehearsals, but when the curtain opened I felt the warmth of the audience and the rest of Star Troupe around me, and it made me really happy… It was so fun that I would feel lonely every day after the performance was over, so it was a very happy performance for me.

Since I was conscious of the fact that I am poor at Japanese dance, I practiced up to my limits for the Takarazuka Traditional Dance performance. By the time it came to perform I was looking forward to it, and on the day of the show I was able to enjoy myself through the dancing.

This year I had a lot of valuable experiences and met a lot of different people through each performance, but among all those people the meeting that most affected me was with Michiko-san. Next year I will keep working hard to increase the feeling of improvement I have now.

New Star Troupe Top Star: Hokushou Kairi Special Report (part 1)

Part of Hokushou Kairi’s special feature as new Top Star in the November 2015 issue of Graph, featuring a personal statement and messages between her and Hinami Fuu.

New Star Troupe Top Star: Hokushou Kairi Special Report

While I was worried about whether I would really be able to succeed at the beginning of the Great Pirates/Amour, that is… national tour, everyone received me so warmly that I forgot all my concerns in a moment and was filled with energy, diving into Star Troupe with all my heart. In rehearsals I didn’t really feel like a Top Star, but during the finale on opening night the applause was so intense that I couldn’t even hear the music, and I was so happy to be able to repay all my fans this way… It’s a scene I’ll never forget.

Right now, rehearsals for Guys and Dolls have started, and seeing Star Troupe’s powerful energy and their amazing unity, I feel like it’s something that would only be true of the Troupe that won the Sports Festival [laughs]. It’s a work with a comedy touch, and we have the perfect performers for all the characters, so it was all really carefree and I was able to enjoy the rehearsals.

While my status might change, my determination to keep taking on new challenges as a professional performer remains the same. I want to try to convey that with my entire attitude, not just words, and I hope to create an environment where I can keep advancing and developing various new talents. By adding my own touches to the powerful and energetic troupe that Yuzuki-san created, I think we can all advance even further together. I hope that the new Star Troupe can also enjoy themselves.


Dearest Fuu-chan <3

Now that a few months have passed since we started our married life as newlyweds after an arranged marriage, have you become a bit more used to me? [laughs] You’re always bright and cheerful like the sun, Fuu-chan. Thank you for all your energy and kindness <3
We can’t forget this fresh atmosphere or the style that only we have, so let’s take on new territory with our comrades in Star Troupe! Let’s keep working hard!

Micchan

Dear Michiko-san,

Michiko-san!! At this moment, I’m so HAPPY to be in Michiko-san’s shadow!!
Being in my beloved Star Troupe, and meeting someone I came to like so much: it makes me so happy to be beside you. I have to thank God for you, Michiko-san.
I might not understand much but I do know love! From now on I’m going to give it my all to follow you, so please take care of me.

Hinami Fuu