{"id":990,"date":"2019-01-21T23:28:00","date_gmt":"2019-01-22T06:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/?p=990"},"modified":"2021-01-09T20:08:53","modified_gmt":"2021-01-10T03:08:53","slug":"debut-roundtable-talk-104th-class-lets-bloom-as-diversely-colorful-flowers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/2019\/01\/21\/debut-roundtable-talk-104th-class-lets-bloom-as-diversely-colorful-flowers\/","title":{"rendered":"Debut Roundtable Talk: 104th Class – Let\u2019s bloom as diversely colorful flowers!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every year, the Top Star of the show in which the new class of Takarasiennes debuts will hold a roundtable talk with the 5 students who graduated with the highest grades. In 2018, the 104th class debuted during the Star Troupe production Another World\/KILLER ROUGE<\/em>, and Kurenai Yuzuru hosted the talk which was published in the June 2018 issue of Kageki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Please note that 2 of the students in the talk have very similar last names, Mashiro\/Mahiro, so keep that in mind while reading)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some outtakes from the back of the magazine are also included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Debut Roundtable Talk: 104th Class – Let\u2019s bloom as diversely colorful flowers!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
(Front) Mashiro, Kurenai, Aone (Back) Kiroya, Mahiro, Chihaya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Participants:<\/strong> Kurenai Yuzuru (Star Troupe), Aone Towa, Mashiro Yuuki, Mahiro Ren, Chihaya Mao, Kiyora Haryuu (Debuting Students)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> Alright, let\u2019s start with introductions from all of you. First is\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aone:<\/em> Yes! I\u2019m Aone Towa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em>\u00a0(looking through Takarazuka Otome1<\/sup>) Your nickname is \u2018Aone\u2019-san, right. Is there any specialty you have? You\u2019re top of the class so you must be able to do everything (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aone:<\/em> No\u2026I like singing and dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> I see. Which one do you like best between them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aone:<\/em> I like dance best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> I see. Alright, next person, go ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mashiro:<\/em> Yes, I\u2019m Mashiro Yuuki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> (looking through Takarazuka Otome) Your nickname is \u2018Piikoro\u2019. That\u2019s so cute! What is your specialty?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mashiro:<\/em> It\u2019s acting. I loved the role I was given in the Takarazuka Music School acting recital, so I decided I wanted to get better at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mahiro:<\/em> I\u2019m Mahiro Ren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> Your nickname is \u2018Rooren\u2019, that\u2019s funny. What\u2019s the reason?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mahiro:<\/em> It\u2019s from MahiRO REN\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> So that\u2019s where it came from (laughs). According to Otome, your specialty is piano?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mahiro:<\/em> Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> Got it. Next is Chihaya-san.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chihaya:<\/em> I\u2019m Chihaya Mao. My nickname is \u2018Youko\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> (looking through Takarazuka Otome) You like classical ballet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chihaya:<\/em> Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> Yes, your face certainly says you like it (laughs). So, Kiyora Haryuu-san, go ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiyora:<\/em> Yes, I\u2019m Kiyora Haryuu. I like singing and acting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em>  \u2018Ryuu\u2019\u2026 That\u2019s quite a name, isn\u2019t it. Why did you choose that stage name?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiyora:<\/em> It\u2019s from my real name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai: I see! (looking through Takarazuka Otome) Your nickname is \u2018Ohane\u2019. Next, I\u2019d like to ask what each of your motivations was for taking the entrance exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aone:<\/em>\u00a0The first Takarazuka show I saw was the debut of the 96th class2<\/sup>, and afterwards I saw\u00a0An Officer And a Gentleman<\/em>\u00a0and I thought Yuzuki (Reon)-san was just amazing\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> So then you thought you would try out?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aone:<\/em> Yes. I continued studying ballet, and I kept thinking \u2018there really is a world like that\u2019, and I decided to take the exam when I was in my second year of middle school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mashiro:<\/em> When I was in elementary school, my mother took me to see Sena Jun-san in Elisabeth<\/em>, and the moment I saw the program I was shocked and couldn\u2019t think about anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> She was really cool. So you decided because of that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mashiro:<\/em> Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mahiro:<\/em> My mother would watch the Takarazuka Revue on television a lot, and when I was in elementary school she said we should go to see a show together, but at first I didn\u2019t want to\u2026 But after we watched the performance, I was so impacted by it that I couldn\u2019t even eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> What show did you see?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mahiro:<\/em> It was The Legend of the Great King and the Four Gods<\/em>, starring Matobu Sei-san.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chihaya:\u00a0<\/em>When I was in elementary school, I saw AQUA 53<\/sup> on TV, and I thought they were really cool, and afterwards I watched a Takarazuka Revue show on TV and thought \u2018so this is where AQUA 5 is originally from\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> Originally (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chihara:<\/em>\u00a0My first time seeing a performance in the theatre was Mizu Natsuki-san\u2019s retirement show4<\/sup>, and since I had always liked dance I longed to be able to dance so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiyora:<\/em> My father would watch Takarazuka on the TV once in a while, and I came to like it, so when someone recommended that I try out, I started to learn more about Takarazuka and really got into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> A lot of the time we hear that pattern of \u2018So my mother\u2026\u2019 but for someone to get in to it through their father is unique. Did anything happen that caused you to get into Takarazuka?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiyora:<\/em> It\u2019s not that I saw a particular show, but as I began to research Takarazuka on my own I came to like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai: <\/em>I see. So, how was it to be onstage for the first time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aone: <\/em>When I watched a line dance from the audience I just thought it looked amazing, but wearing the feathers and dancing myself, I realized that it was much harder than it looked. During the audience address, I felt so happy the first moment when I opened my fan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> Yes, yes, it\u2019s like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mashiro:<\/em> I can hardly believe that now I will be on the same stage that I used to be watching from the audience\u2026 However, it\u2019s amazing\u2026it\u2019s an amazing feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> You\u2019re feeling amazing emotions, aren\u2019t you (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mahiro:<\/em> I was so moved during the rehearsals, and then on opening day I was struck once again by how many people were there in the audience. And then at the same time I was thinking, this is the goal I was aiming for\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> You were enlightened! (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mahiro:<\/em> I was really happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chihaya:<\/em> When I would watch from the audience, I felt like the silver bridge was a holy object I could never touch, so I couldn\u2019t believe that I was to stand there myself, and when the curtain went up I felt so nervous I didn\u2019t know what to do with myself, but now I\u2019m enjoying it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai: <\/em>Yes, yes, that\u2019s good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiyora:<\/em> I\u2019m so happy to able to stand on the same stage as Kurenai-san and all the other Takarasiennes I admire. When we opened our fans during the audience address, I was completely overwhelmed by the warm applause from the audience and the atmosphere of the theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> You were? I see. I can still clearly remember my debut. It\u2019s all totally fresh in my mind, not just the rehearsals and opening day, but also what was going on in the dressing room. I think you should all remember those feelings as well. That way, when you are a senior actress yourself, you will be able to think of how it feels to be a newly debuting student. You can only ever have one debut, there won\u2019t be another debut for you next year (laughs). You can only feel these things right now, and I think they will be a treasure for you in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Ken-1s:<\/em> Yes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> Before the line dance scene in this show, there is a scene where I introduce you all, but when I had my debut we were being introduced by the Top Star at that time, Kouju Tatsuki-san. And then shortly before that, I happened to meet Taa-tan (Kouju) at the theatre. It was really amazing timing. Although the first time I was together with Taa-tan was when we were presenting the line dance for the senior actresses\u2026 Ah, you did it with me before too, didn\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Ken-1s: <\/em>Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> I was really moved this time, to meet with you in the rehearsal room the same way as I did [for my debut]. Therefore I feel a lot of responsibility this time around and I want to look after you as much as I can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Ken-1s:<\/em> Thank you so much!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> \u2026you tell that to all the others, alright? (laughs) Next, you all can go ahead and ask me questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aone:<\/em> What is it that gives you the most energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> I think it must be performing onstage. Although it\u2019s really difficult, I get such an amazing feeling of accomplishment after a performance. Also, since I personally love Takarazuka, if I think \u2018I\u2019m able to be on this stage\u2019 it blows away any despondent feelings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mashiro:<\/em> Do you perhaps have a routine that you follow before going on stage?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> I arrive at the dressing room pretty darn early; did you all know that? (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Ken-1s:<\/em> Yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> Oh, you knew (laughs). The truth is I\u2019m secretly rehearsing. Of course I do a lot during the rehearsals, but even after the show opens, I\u2019ll keep reading over the script, or thinking about issues from the day before and what I can do about them, or listening to recordings of my vocals during the performance\u2026I keep that up every morning until closing. It\u2019s because I think that I want to make it as good as I possibly can. Also, my morning constitutional. Since I take my walk before going to the dressing room it\u2019s really early. My lifestyle is like a little old man (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mahiro:<\/em> What is it that is most important to you, as you have been performing as an otokoyaku for such a long time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai: <\/em>This doesn\u2019t have anything to do with being an otokoyaku or musumeyaku, but I think it is that I never take being in Takarazuka for granted. Of course being onstage isn\u2019t something that just happens, it takes help from so many other people for me to be able to perform onstage, so you mustn\u2019t ever take it for granted. I think everything must still seem totally new to you, but gradually you will get accustomed to it, I think. At that time, I think it\u2019s important to return to your roots, and make sure that you keep a feeling of gratitude, since you are able to be in a world that not just anybody can get into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chihaya: <\/em>How do you get into character for plays, Kurenai-san?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> I write down the first impression I get from reading the script. Getting into character is a cycle of building up and breaking down, but in the end my initial feelings are really important, so I keep remembering that as I gather up other things through my various detours. Also, as I am performing I keep asking myself if I\u2019m really saying the lines as if they come from my own heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kiyora:<\/em> What do you think is the appeal of the current members of Star Troupe?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> It\u2019s that they\u2019re so full of energy. Apparently my troupe is really loud (laughs). We\u2019re all athletically minded, and when we get angry we really blow up, but we have just as much love in us, so we can clearly tell each other \u2018this about you is no good\u2019 and the person who hears it can accept that. I think we\u2019ve built up really close bonds built on trust. Are you all done with the questions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Ken-1s:<\/em> Yes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurenai:<\/em> You all here today are the students with the highest grades, so I\u2019m sure you all have something you\u2019re especially good at. Of course it\u2019s very important to display your skills, and it\u2019s great to be able to do that, but I want you all to become performers full of heart as well. The only thing that can make you a performer who can make people think \u2018they\u2019re so wonderful to see, that was so moving\u2019 and stir their emotions, is your hearts. I want you to make sure you don\u2019t forget that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Ken-1s:<\/em> Yes! Thank you so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outtakes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sayumi when one of the Ken-1s was overcome with emotion\u2026<\/em>
\u201cWhat is it? Are you okay? Hm? Is it allergies? No? Eh, you\u2019re too emotional? \u2026what a good kid. And here I thought it was allergies\u2026 (laughs)\u201d Sayumi was able to make fun of herself after the disturbance was over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even during performances, she keeps reading her script over and over\u2026<\/em>
Kurenai: It always ends up in such terrible shape, my script is practically falling apart, so I\u2019ll always be holding it together with cellophane tape (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 – Takarazuka Otome is a book published each year with profiles of all current Takarasiennes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 – The Scarlet Pimpernel<\/em>, 2010<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 – A\u00a0\u2018boy band\u2019 group of Snow Troupe otokoyaku headed by then-Top Star Mizu Natsuki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 – Roget<\/em>, 2010\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Every year, the Top Star of the show in which the new class of Takarasiennes debuts will hold a roundtable talk with the 5 students who graduated with the highest grades. In 2018, the 104th class debuted during the Star … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[20,4],"tags":[13,360,244,42,289,292,293,115,291,290],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/990"}],"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=990"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/990\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":992,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/990\/revisions\/992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}