{"id":1147,"date":"2020-01-27T14:25:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-27T21:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/?p=1147"},"modified":"2021-01-09T17:27:01","modified_gmt":"2021-01-10T00:27:01","slug":"we-are-exciter-farewell-talk-matobu-sei-and-fujii-daisuke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/2020\/01\/27\/we-are-exciter-farewell-talk-matobu-sei-and-fujii-daisuke\/","title":{"rendered":"We Are EXCITER! – Farewell Talk (Matobu Sei and Fujii Daisuke)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This talk between then-Flower Troupe Top Star Matobu Sei and Takarazuka Revue director Fujii Daisuke was published for Matobu\u2019s retirement in the April 2011 issue of\u00a0Kageki<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

We Are EXCITER! – Farewell Talk (Matobu Sei and Fujii Daisuke)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> Thank you so much for selecting me on this occasion. Even though we do talk once in a while already (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> But we don\u2019t talk in depth very often (laughs). Ever since EXCITER!!<\/em>, I\u2019ve been working with you the whole time. I think it must have never happened before, to work with the same director for 3 revues in a row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> Yeah. Even though we hadn\u2019t had much of a connection before them. I\u2019m glad to be able to work with you on your final show as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu: I think the first time I worked under you might have when I did the\u00a0Revolt of a Gallant Poet<\/em>\u00a0junior performance, while I was in Star Troupe. The other day, I read in my memorial book1<\/sup> some of the commentary you gave me back then\u2026you don\u2019t remember, do you!? (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> Huh!? I don\u2019t remember a bit\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> I didn\u2019t remember it clearly myself, but you told me something like although I gave a sexy performance I was lacking in the subtle details. So after that, even now I\u2019ll wonder if I\u2019m lacking in the subtle details (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> What\u2026You put in so much subtle detail currently (laughs). I remember thinking that you were a really Takarazuka-esque otokoyaku, and that you were really pretty and Japanese-style productions suited you well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> Before my transfer, I also worked with you on Soul of Shiva!!<\/em>, but didn\u2019t really get a chance to actually talk to you. Therefore EXCITER!!<\/em> must have been the first time we talked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> Yeah. My impression of Yuu-kun (Matobu) back then was that you were really suited to acting-heavy plays like Shigure Hill Road in Nagasaki<\/em> or The Rose of Versailles.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> Is that right, I hear that a lot\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> But since I felt that you were full of modern appeal, I thought that the show EXCITER!!<\/em> would draw that out. And I think it went pretty decently (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> It was so much fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em>\u00a0Sometime when I wasn\u2019t paying attention it became a really sexy show. Although that gave me some concerns when I was creating the Mr. YU2<\/sup> scene. Before rehearsals started I tried asking you \u2018I put in a bit of a comedy section, is that okay?\u2019\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> I told you I was also wanting something with the concept of goofing around during the day and turning into a gigolo at night and you said you were really happy. We felt like if we were going to do it we should go all out. \u2026How did that guy [Mr. YU] come into existence, anyway laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> If I was investigating his background, I think it\u2019s most likely originating from Lina-chan, in Singin\u2019 in the Rain. You might have forgotten by this time, but I was attached to that production as an assistant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> Ah, I\u2019d totally forgotten that! (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em>\u00a0Yuu-kun\u2019s Lina was so funny and I thought you were amazing. \u201cThis girl is so clever and talented to be able to make her voice come out like that,\u201d I thought. I think it was starting there that I gradually got the impression of you as a comedienne. And then I went to see the show right before [EXCITER!!<\/em>],\u00a0Me And My Girl<\/em>, and I thought \u201cwow, this is great,\u201d so that\u2019s how Mr. YU happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> I see, Bill\u2019s character was one of the elements then. So that\u2019s how it ended up as something so funny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii: <\/em>But I never expected that it would be revived a year later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em>\u00a0Although my partner had changed3<\/sup>, it was with the same troupe and the cast members were largely the same. I feel like being able to do\u00a0EXCITER!!<\/em>\u00a0is my biggest achievement. I think it was a show that really showed off Flower Troupe, as well as being able to tie together with what Flower Troupe might become in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> Right. Between the first performance and the revival, Yuu-kun became even more manly, like your manly intensity had leveled up. By the way, I actually really liked Xiang Yu from Yu the Beautiful<\/em>. He\u2019s so honorable. At the end I had tears pouring down my face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> That\u2019s the first time I\u2019ve heard about this! (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em>\u00a0Xiang Yu suited you personality-wise so well that it was almost too much. And right after that was the revival of\u00a0EXCITER!!<\/em>, but even though your style and intensity had increased so much you were still willing to do something like Mr. YU\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> I think I have so much of that side to me that I\u2019d end up wanting to do it anyway (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> For some reason I have the notion that you can always hear lots of laughter from the area around Yuu-kun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> (laughs). I think its because I have a really proper foundation of being a Takarazuka Otokoyaku that I can put a character like MR. YU on top of that. In the past I found it kind of embarrassing to do fanservice things, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em>\u00a0Actually, for this show,\u00a0Le Paradis!!<\/em>, I really struggled over whether or not to put in a Mr. YU segment. Although in the end of course I gave it up (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> When EXCITER!!<\/em> was restaged, I was able to discover new things about Flower Troupe and myself, so I feel like because we had that time working together, I was able to have a sense of comfort going into this show. I\u2019ve felt so much love from all the directors and staff, with their consideration of \u201cSince it\u2019s the last time, let\u2019s\u2026\u201d. Sometimes it makes my heart ache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> Right. I have so much love (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> (laughs) Also, it\u2019s so lovely to watch all the Flower Troupe junior actresses cheerfully enjoying themselves. For this black tux number, all of the otokoyaku are participating down to the ken-1s, and it made everyone really happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> That\u2019s right. After all, you wouldn\u2019t normally get a chance to be in a black tux number at ken-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> It\u2019s actually my first black tux number, at least in a finale, since I became Top Star. I think it\u2019s a great opportunity to demonstrate \u201cThis is our Flower Troupe!\u201d When they were making the poster for my dinner show, too, I said it would be nice to wear just a simple black tuxedo without any decoration. Like, back to my foundations or something\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> Right, you said that in the end you wanted to be totally otokoyaku. I have to display the culmination of the otokoyaku Matobu Sei in this dinner show, so that\u2019s a lot of pressure for me\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu: <\/em>(laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> I knew that no matter what I gave you you\u2019ll do it without any concern for yourself, Yuu-kun. Even if you\u2019re in difficulties or struggling you won\u2019t show it; obviously not on stage, but even during rehearsals you\u2019re really cheerful. If I was going to compare you to the sun or moon I think you\u2019re like the sun. Since you\u2019re someone who gives power to other people, you give the troupe a lot of energy as well. I really respect the way you refuse to show weakness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> This is the first time anybody\u2019s told me this!  This is such a big thing for me (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii: <\/em>Therefore, I think the momentary shadows that you\u2019ll sometimes allow to show, as well as your sexiness, are all part of the allure of the otokoyaku ‘Matobu Sei\u2019. In this revue, I wanted to let you show off your ultimate manliness as part of your send-off, so I had you doing a gigolo kind of thing. You can do romantic leads and comedy characters, men and women\u2026your breadth is so large, not even as just an otokoyaku but as an actor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> I\u2019m so happy to hear you say that about my skills as an actor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em>\u00a0You\u2019ve played so many different types of roles on your way here, haven\u2019t you. In\u00a0The Rose of Versailles<\/em>, last year4<\/sup>, your Andre had such a strong core and seemed so well put together. And then when your partner changed in\u00a0Sabrina<\/em>, you naturally had such a feeling of generosity about you, and it felt like you\u2019d really grown up into a mature man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> It\u2019s sort of hard to put into words, but my goal as an actor is not to personally decide on a set style, but be someone where the directors can imagine ‘she could do this kind of role, or she could do that kind of role\u2019, so it makes me really happy to hear you say that as a director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> It seems like it would be an easy thing not to decide on a ‘color\u2019 and remain ‘clear\u2019, but it\u2019s actually very difficult. I think it\u2019s very rare for a Top Star to be like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> When I first became Top, I was over-eager, so I thought ‘I\u2019ve got to be like this now!\u2019, but now I\u2019ve become used to letting everyone in the troupe spoil me and letting them take care of things. I think without that side to me I can\u2019t achieve a full-sized performance onstage. An otokoyaku\u2019s heft, maybe, or that feeling of big-heartedness, or something\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> You already had achieved that by the time of the first EXCITER!! <\/em>I thought you looked like someone who would think things over in detail in a rather cool manner, but you actually went for it full-on, which made me really glad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> Thank you. Right now I\u2019m having such fun being an otokoyaku. Since I\u2019ve been told for so long that I\u2019m really feminine, I want to be the manliest one on stage, to let the audience enjoy the incongruity of it, and also enjoying myself performing as well. There\u2019s no point in telling yourself ‘I have to be like this\u2019 among so many other performers. What\u2019s the matter with my being a Top Star and having that ‘gap\u2019, I thought, and decided I wanted to own that side of myself and stick with it. When I made that decision, things became so much fun I could hardly handle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> I think that\u2019s having a wonderful effect on the other Flower Troupe otokoyaku currently. Although they all work together so well, they also have such a sense of individuality, and I can sense how they each display their own strengths in performance, so I think it\u2019s because Yuu-kun is such a good leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> No, no\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> I think you\u2019ve left the stamp of ‘Matobu Sei\u2019 on them, and I think that\u2019s a wonderful thing both for Takarazuka and for Flower Troupe. It\u2019s hard to see someone I had achieved such mutual understanding with retire, but being able to stand together with you at the end is such an honor for me. I don\u2019t know what your future path will be, but since you\u2019re such a positive person I\u2019m sure you will continue giving energy to people, so I\u2019m not worried about you at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll change at all even after I quit (laughs). Actually, if I hadn\u2019t had that first EXCITER!!<\/em>, I might not have decided to retire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> Huh, I made you decide to retire!? (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> (laughs) I felt I wanted to go on until I felt the current Flower Troupe had really been able to display itself, and it had parts where I could really show off, and besides that, when I felt that atmosphere of unity from all of Flower Troupe, I thought ‘this is the moment one of my dreams came true\u2019. Also, I could feel so much of the audience\u2019s feelings, and I felt so happy since I thought ‘We\u2019re really sharing something amazing\u2019. That was the moment I made that decision in my heart. The revival was hard since it is always a challenge to do the same thing again, but I was able to feel everything even more deeply, and recieving so much love made me so happy, so I was really happy to be able to do this last show together with Director Fujii. Director, I\u2019m so glad I met you! Thank you so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fujii:<\/em> I should be saying the same thing to you. Come back and see Takarazuka sometime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matobu:<\/em> Of course I will! Please invite me out to eat! I hope we can continue to have a good relationship!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 – It\u2019s unclear if Matobu is referring to a private scrapbook or if she means the officially published compilation book of Takarazuka content put out for her retirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 – A comedic\u00a0\u2018alter ego\u2019 who appears in some of Matobu\u2019s performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 – From Sakurano Ayane to Ranno Hana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 – The Rose of Versailles: Andre Side Story, from 2009 (more like 18 months prior)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This talk between then-Flower Troupe Top Star Matobu Sei and Takarazuka Revue director Fujii Daisuke was published for Matobu\u2019s retirement in the April 2011 issue of\u00a0Kageki.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[30],"tags":[13,360,244,42,51,299],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1147"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1147"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1147\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1148,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1147\/revisions\/1148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1147"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1147"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}