Kageki’s monthly feature for 2008 asked each Top Star which they would pick of 2 different options. This issue asked about summer fireworks and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Which side are you on? August 2008

Q1: Which do you prefer when enjoying fireworks?
A: Firework displays
B: Handheld fireworks

Q2: How will you experience the Olympics?
A: On TV
B: On location

Matobu Sei (Flower Troupe)

Q1: B (Handheld fireworks)
When I was little, I really liked the fireworks that looked like octopus legs. When I set the one firework stick alight, bam! it would split into tons of different parts. But recently I haven’t really had the time to play with fireworks.

Q2: A (On TV)
I guess I’ll be watching on TV. I feel like we have similar mindsets with athletes. Especially in women’s volleyball, where the players are chasing after their dreams in a world of only women… I think their dedication and lifestyle is really cool. I’m fascinated by how intense the pressure must be since it’s a world where getting medals depends on how the game goes.

Sena Jun (Moon Troupe)

Q1: A (Firework displays)
I want to watch big fireworks being launched from a multi-story building. When I’m in town at the time of the Takarazuka fireworks display, I always watch from a high place. Since I don’t do well in crowds, I find a deserted spot in a multi-story building and have the fireworks all to myself.

Q2: A (On TV)
To be honest I’m really not that interested (laugh) but if I was going to watch it would be on TV. I watch figure skating since it’s pretty (laugh). I like watching TV documentaries about how it’s not just the results of a match, but in what way each person is striving, and the mentality they use to deal with the competition.

Mizu Natsuki (Snow Troupe)

Q1: A (Firework displays)
I want to watch fireworks being launched at a firework display. Recently, of course I really enjoyed the firwork display at the Muko river¹. While I was watching it from a dressing room of the theatre, the noise and the synergy were so intense…I was really moved. I also feel like fireworks create a really good atmosphere, where people passing through who have never seen each other before come together to share the excitement over one thing.

Q2: A (On TV)
If I went to the stadium, all I would be able to watch was the soccer matches, so I’d rather watch on TV where I can see the highlight scenes that summarize a variety of events… This year I’ll enjoy myself just watching the good bits of the Beijing Olympics (laugh).

Aran Kei (Star Troupe)

Q1: A (Firework displays)
Handheld fireworks are fun, but of course I want to see big fireworks… When I’m watching fireworks being launched, I don’t care how far away I’m watching from as long as there’s only a few people there (laugh). When I was an upper student² I went to see a firework display in Yokohama that was really amazing… It’s left the largest impression on me of any firework display I’ve ever seen.

Q2: B (On location)
Since I’ve never been able to watch the Olympics on location, I really want to experience what that feels like. My favorite event is gymnastics. While of course this goes for all the events, it’s something I absolutely couldn’t do, and it seems like for gymnastics the level of physical ability required is especially high… I’m most interested in the women’s floor exercises.

Yamato Yuuga (Cosmos Troupe)

Q1: B (Handheld fireworks)
For ages I’ve loved buying a big set of different kinds of fireworks and have tons of fun with it. When I was in elementary school I went to play with fireworks after a scary test of courage… I really like the kinds of fireworks where you’re not sure what it’s going to turn into and it ends up being something wonderful you couldn’t have predicted.

Q2: A (On TV)
While the idea of cheering from the stadium is appealing, it seems like it would be really time-consuming, and since on TV there are easy-to-understand explanations of what’s going on that would be better. I really like doing sports myself as well as watching them, so I want to gather a whole bunch of people in front of the TV to cheer.

1 – The Muko River runs directly past the Takarazuka Grand Theatre.

2 – Students in their second year at the Takarazuka Music School.