#Hanagata Hikaru

[andromache-hectoris]

I have promised @eralkfang a great while ago to post my scans of Mitsuru. As an apology, I now present all her postcards I've collected by far with no watermarks. Still a long way to go...

Please do not repost them outside Tumblr.

[lgbtqmanga]

New Releases Oct. 24, 2023

Cheerful Amnesia vol. 1 by Tamamushi Oku

When Arisa loses her memories from the past three years, her girlfriend, Mari, worries it might mean the end of their budding relationship. A needless concern, it turns out, because when Arisa lays eyes on her, she falls in love all over again! Arisa’s not about to let a little severe brain damage get her down, because she has a chance to relive all their firsts for a second time—from dates, to kisses, and even beyond…!!

I'm in Love with the Villainess (manga) vol. 5 by Inori, Aonoshimo, and Hanagata

A RIVAL APPEARS!

Rae is willing to do anything to be close to her mean-girl crush Claire, including being her maid and waiting on her hand and foot. And Rae’s hard work is paying off—Claire is even starting to tolerate the other girl’s presence! But that teeny-tiny bit of progress is threatened when a new transfer student shows up. Manaria Sousse is not only a beautiful foreign princess, she’s also Claire’s childhood best friend and first love! How is Rae supposed to compete with that?!

Monthly in the Garden with My Landlord vol. 1 by Yodokawa

Manga editor Asako Suga decides moving into a new home is just the thing she needs to get over a painful breakup with her toxic ex-girlfriend. She finds the perfect place for rent—affordable, spacious, lovely garden included—but there’s one catch. The house comes with a live-in landlord! It’s disappointing enough that Asako can’t have the single life she hoped for, but her cute landlord also seems to be hiding a big secret...Will living together bring them closer, or turn out to be more trouble than it’s worth?

Otherside Picnic (manga)n vol. 7 by Iori Miyazawa, Eita Mizuno, and Shirakaba

When Sorawo and Toriko escaped from the Beach of the End in the Okinawan Otherside, watching them go was none other than Satsuki Uruma—Toriko’s precious, vanished friend.

Back in real life, the adventurous pair come across Akari Seto, a younger student at Sorawo’s university and a karate user who’s being targeted by—cat ninjas?! Can the three girls escape the attacks?

Sating the Wolf by Troy Arukuno

Noah, a wolf with no family, was banished from his beloved pack after presenting as an Omega. While wandering alone in a village of herbivores, he meets Henri, a rabbit who lives alone with his little brothers. In a town where carnivores are feared, Henri bravely takes Noah in and offers him a job. When Noah accidentally goes into heat, it suddenly awakens Henri's Alpha instincts.

Will a world divided between carnivores and herbivores accept the relationship between a little Alpha rabbit and a big Omega wolf?

Undead: Finding Love in the Zombie Apocalypse vol. 1 by Fumi Tsuyuhisa

Which will you find in this devastated world — love or despair?

Nineteen-year-old Hikaru Asahina lost everything the day the world ended. Everything, that is, except his childhood friend Ai Kosaka, who has always taken care of him. Now the two of them, along with other survivors, struggle to stay alive in a post-apocalyptic world filled with man-eating zombies. 

And when Ai confesses to feeling something more for Hikaru, it changes everything. After all, the more precious someone is to you, the harder it is to lose them. In a world like theirs, is something like love even possible? 

[kaynstein]

Soga no Iruka & Empress Kougyoku

(Kamatari)

[hoshigomi]

『Ｒａｙ　-星の光線-』 Hoshigumi, 2020 [x]

[kittychan-sings-enka]

Let’s all take a few moments to appreciate Natori Rei’s big ginger boy Takechiotoko

[zukalations]

Before retirement, Senka star remembers a miraculous 22 years - Hanagata Hikaru

I am currently focusing on translations of show scripts, but I hope to post new article/interview translations around once a week!

This interview with Hanagata Hikaru discussing her upcoming retirement was first published in April. It was recorded before the originally intended Tokyo opening of the show, so it does not reference the further delays and closures.

The interview was written by Murakami Kumiko and published in Nikkan Sports’ column ‘Melodius Takarazuka’. Click through for pictures!

Before retirement, Senka star remembers a miraculous 22 years - Hanagata Hikaru

Senka star Hanagata Hikaru, who is planning to retire, took part in an interview ahead of her final performance. She has been in the company for 22 years. When asked what was foundational to creating her characters, Hanagata, who is a master of manliness, replied 'tone of voice'. Her final role, in the Star Troupe production Valley of Xuanyao/RAY, is the enemy of the protagonist. When establishing her character as a general, she decided he needed 'a deep voice'. After cancellations, the closing performance took place in the Takarazuka Grand Theatre in Hyogo prefecture, and she bid farewell to her beloved home turf.

This is her final performance as a Takarasienne. After the interview, she wrote the kanji 'heart' on an autograph panel. 'This is the end of a 22-year spring. That's a long time, such a long time.' She is the classmate of former Star Troupe Top Star Yuzuki Reon. Although Hanagata is of a small size for an otokoyaku, she honed her allure as one of 'The Otokoyaku' of Flower Troupe.

After transferring to Senka in July of 2014, she was challenged with a broad variety of new roles. Her performance as Binbougami [God of Poverty] in the 2018 show ANOTHER WORLD, a unique production based on rakugo*, was highly praised.

'[Retirement] is one path out of many that I considered. Finally I concluded 'this is what I want to do' and selected it. I didn't feel the slightest hint of 'is this really it?'--it's the path I chose at the end of a long journey.'

She decided to retire last year, while she was performing in the final show for the previous Star Troupe Top Star, Kurenai Yuzuru. Her last production is the debut performance for Star Troupe's new Top Combi, Rei Makoto and Maisora Hitomi. Although the Takarazuka performance was cancelled due to the effects of the novel coronavirus it held its final show. Hanagata played the antagonist general.

'He's blackhearted, you could say, a real villainous type..'. When putting together the role she felt 'ears' were important, and tried to change her voice during the performance.

'I think the audience ultimately catches things through their ears. If you're in the Grand Theatre, at the far side of the second floor seating, you can't even tell if someone is wearing a beard or not. The ears come first. In this show, I use a really deep voice, like it's echoing through the earth. Something you feel you could cut through with a knife.'

When looking back on her life in Takarauka, she thought 'Was it really me who did all that?' At times she concentrated too much on her roles, and they started to intrude on her daily life like an 'unwelcome guest'. While she was performing in Gin-Chan's Love in 2008, someone pointed out 'Why do you keep moving your shoulders so much?'

'Even though they're all men, the posture and way of walking is always different. There are people like Michael Leitch, and people like Yuzuru Hanyu. Since I'm creating a 'person', the way of walking and voice will change every time. Since I live trying to get deeper into character, it'll pop up in my personal life, too.'

This reply is based in her deep experience as a star pursuing what it means to be an otokoyaku. When jokingly asked 'how much can you say' about her life post retirement, she replied 'I probably won't continue' working on stage.

'How I feel right now is, I got this far into this because I loved being an otokoyaku. As for "blooming outside Takarazuka" that isn't something I want to do at all. I don't have any real interest in being an actress...'

While she was in middle school, one of her acquaintances recommended Takarazuka, and she resolved to enter, succeeding in passing the entrance exam.

'Compared to the 106-year history [of Takarazuka], 22 years isn't even a quarter of it. But it feels like a miracle to me. The ratio [of acceptance to the Takarazuka Music School], the ratio was really memorable too**. I never thought of giving up for a moment, but looking back now I'm just glad I didn't end up losing.'

Each year, around 40 girls enter Takarazuka. Only a few ever gain prominence, let alone become Top Star. '22 years. A child born then would already be an adult, starting their job search...' she said, thinking of the flow of time.

'Being an otokoyaku is something you can only do here. The tradition advances, and there are different eras and styles. For people who don't know Takarazuka, I think we might look a bit silly to them in some ways. But I like the worldview of this as being 'right', I like the unique way time flows here.'

As the 'otokoyaku' she loves being, she is bidding farewell to her country of dreams with her memories of Takarazuka in her heart.

* A traditional Japanese comedy format.

** I could not find details for the ratio of acceptance for the 85th class, but the record of difficulty to entry was set in 1995, 2 years before Hanagata passed the TMS exam, so it was likely also a high-difficulty year.

[andromache-hectoris]

Hanagata Hikaru OFF STAGE

Part Two

Part One

@eralkfang I hope you can see some updates

please share these within Tumblr

[zukadiary]

Takarazuka roundup 4.17.20

There’s no Takarazuka till at least the end of June.

But they’ve declared all the announced retirements from Hanagata Hikaru onward will be rescheduled, so there’s hope yet we’ll still see these shows.

In the meantime, these are Miya Rurika’s favorite Animal Crossing villagers (really)

[poisonousdamsel]

[Fujima Kenji x Female OC]

Note:

Slam Dunk was created by Inoue Takehiko.

The female character (Tsuji Hikaru) here was made by me. Tsuji Hikaru was Shoyo’s Basketball Captain for the girls’ team. She have a cool and laid back personality. Though she has an impressive skills, she didn’t feel like to join any competition as basketball was ‘her get away’ thing from school stuffs.

I really love Fujima and realized that his fic is very rare😭 so I made this one. Hope you, readers, like it!💚

“Let’s eat something on our way home!”

“Sorry, I’m going to the court. It’s been a while since I warmed up.”

“What? You’ve retired, can’t you just do your basketball thing on the weekend?”

“Nope, sorry Maeko.”

And just like that, Tsuji Hikaru walked out of her classroom and went straight down to their indoor gym, where she planned on doing bits of exercise. The girls basketball team don’t have any practice on Wednesday and the boys team should be done practicing by 6 pm. The thoughts of having the court all for herself was thrilling.

She hummed while walking down the corridor, and still hummed when she opened the gym’s door.

“Hm? Hanagata?”

“….huh?”

“Oh, it’s you, Tsuji.” Fujima smiled towards her. “—what are you doing here? Are there any things that was left behind on the club’s locker room?”

“No, I just…. I just want to practice a bit.” She said while walking into the court. Fujima scoffed, a smile was still apparent on his face. “Still can’t get over the retirement, eh?”

Tsuji laughed while she took her basketball shoes out of her bag. She ducked and wore the shoes. The girl straightened her back, did some light warm up, and called out to Fujima. Her gestures showed as if she was asking him to handed her the ball. Fujima passed the ball. Tsuji catched it and immediately rushed her way to the hoop, making a lay up. A clean and smooth lay up. Fujima clapped his hands,

“Still not rusty, eh, Tsuji?” He said while walking towards her. “As expected from the girls’ captain.” He added while taking the ball from the court’s edge. Tsuji laughed away, “Ex-captain.” She corrected while wiping her sweats away.

“Ah, sorry. You already handed everything to… what’s her name again?”

“Karen, yes I have.”

Fujima nodded. He dashed to the court and from the three-pointer line, he made a shoot. Tsuji smiled, as expected from the respectable Fujima, she thought. You would never assumed that Fujima actually was the most competitive man in the entire basketball team, behind that calm and reserved attitude of his.

“Anyway, won’t you change your clothes? It looked uncomfortable to play in skirts.”

“I’m used to it.”

“Well, I’m not comfortable with it…” he murmured.

“…what?”

“Nope, never mind. Here, won’t you play one-on-one with me, Tsuji?” While tossing the ball towards Tsuji. She catched it and found herself walking towards free throw line. A smile brought up to her face, “You know I won’t like it if you went easy on me, right, Fujima?” She said while dribbling the ball on her spot. “I’m well aware of your pride.” He smiled as he walked towards his stuffs that was scattered on the edge of the court. He sipped his drink, took a towel and wiped his sweats, before he finally walked to the free throw line and stand before Tsuji.

Tsuji passed the ball, which Fujima catched.

“—so are you going to defend first?” Asked Fujima. Tsuji shrugged, “Yup.” He smiled and nodded. Fujima dribbled the ball, his eyes moved to examine his surrounding. He saw an opening on his left, and immediately dashed. But to his surprise, Tsuji had already steal the ball and moved outside. Before Fujima could interfere, she tossed the ball to the hoop and made it in. 3 points for Tsuji.

She catched her breath, a smirk was visible on her face. She wiped her sweats away that was dripping through her chin.

As expected from our girls team’s ace, Fujima thought. Tsuji Hikaru, a point guard just like him, been playing basketball since junior high school but never entered any competition yet. When they had a meeting last year as the new captain of their basketball team, he remembered vividly Tsuji stated that she did not want to force or put any pressure on her team. She wanted them to play out of their will. Their basketball club did not had a coach and frankly, was built out of their seniors free time. And even though their team had to made their own regime and pattern when practicing, Fujima knew that Tsuji was a better coach and captain than him.

Had their girls team entered the inter-high, he was more than confident that they would come out as the champion. Pity the girls took basketball only as an extracurricular and did not fond of joining any competition.

“Going all out straight from the beginning, eh?” Fujima chuckled while watching Tsuji took the ball. “Swift steals and high-arched three-pointer shoot. Your skills indeed are on another level.” He added while moved to the inside of the free throw line.

“Speak for yourself, Fujima.” She smiled as she catched the ball that Fujima passed to her.

They fell silent, as though it’s a battle of will now. She slowly dribbled the ball and she changed her pace before she dashed towards the hoop. But Fujima wouldn’t let her passed him. He defended with all his might, with a hand up in the air and another stretched out, to widen his area. She took a deep breath, before she took a step back and jumped. Fujima gasped as his eyes focused on the ball, and it landed safely on the hoop.

“Another two for Tsuji.” She smiled.

“Did you seriously just….. wait, fadeaway!? Did Hanagata taught you that?”

Tsuji chuckled as she walked to took the ball that was left on the court’s edge. She looked at her watch, it’s already fifteen to eight, huh?

“How about another round and then we call it a night?”

“As you please.” Said Fujima as he gestured towards Tsuji to pass him the ball.

They were back on their feet, staring at each other and trying to figure out what kind of move that each of them had up on their sleeves. Fujima dribbled the ball slowly while he walked to the right side. As he dashed, he quickly changed his path and moved further to the hoop. Tsuji tried to catched up with him. He jumped, as well as Tsuji. But he kept getting higher and made a dunk as a finale. Tsuji fell to her butt and grunted.

“Ouch.”

“Here, let me help.” Said Fujima while he offered Tsuji his hand. Tsuji pouted and get back on her feet alone. “No need.” She said. Fujima let a slight laugh out, “—are you upset?” He asked. Tsuji walked away from Fujima. She took her bag.

“Hey, are you going already?”

“I’ve told you, it’s the last round.”

Fujima smiled, he ran towards Tsuji and grab her shoulder. “Wait here, I’ll change my clothes for a second.”

She furrowed her eyebrows, but comply nonetheless. Fujima then walked out from their locker room wearing his uniform—a green suit-like outer and white shirt inside it, with a grey pants. He smiled towards Tsuji, “Sorry, I could’ve gone out sooner but I need to took some things out of my locker first.”

“It’s alright.”

“Are you still upset?”

Tsuji’s face tinted red. She looked away as she began to walk. Fujima followed her, he laughed away, “I’m sorry.” He said. “I thought you’d hated it if I went easy on you?”

“But that dunk was unnecessary!”

“You win, anyway.” He shrugged.

“Yeah well, my butt hurts.”

Fujima’s laughter could be heard throughout the corridor. He knew Tsuji hates losing, but he never knew that she would looked like this when she’s sulking. It’s kinda cute, he thought to himself.

“Why don’t I treat you to something nice? Cheesecake and a tea, maybe?” He said while stuffing both of his hands inside his pants’ pockets. Tsuji looked at Fujima, her eyes glittered with excitement. She loves cheesecake!

“—alright, then.”

***

“You knew this place?” Asked Tsuji while scooping her last bit of cheesecake.

“Sort of, yeah.”

“Have you come here before? It’s not well known but I came here often.”

Fujima smiled as he sipped his tea. He actually knew that Tsuji was a regular here because he overheard it when Tsuji was talking with her fellow teammates. From an outsider point of view, Tsuji was a very well mannered captain and she clearly loves her teammates. She never scolded any of them or even raised her voice. Their girls team often went on a vacation together or simply hanging out on weekends. It’s interesting to see her kind of leadership. Rather than a team, they looked more like a sisterhood. They even called Tsuji with such cute nickname, Hikacchu.

“Anyway, why did you retire early?”

“It’s nothing personal, actually. I just feel like it’s the perfect time to hand out the baton to the next captain. And I’m not going anywhere, I still come when I had some time to spare.” Tsuji said while passing her gaze to the window, looking at people who pass by the cafe. “—and why haven’t you retired? I heard you guys would join the winter invitational too?” She added.

“I just want to enjoy this as much as I can before going to college. I don’t want to have any regrets.”

Tsuji hummed. She sipped her iced honey tea. She admired Fujima’s persistence and tenacity. She could never be like him, she thought. His leadership was on whole other level, even their teachers admitted it. More over, he always came top on his class and year. Sometimes she wonder how could he keep it altogether?

“You should’ve come to practice more often, Tsuji. It’s just not the same to see the girls team without you.” Fujima said while smiled at Tsuji. “I used to looked at you and how you put yourself around your friends. I adore you.” He added. She choked on that part. Tsuji coughed while Fujima got flustered. He handed her a napkin. A small thank you was said by Tsuji. She looked at him, her face tinted red. To her surprise, Fujima’s face was also covered in a slight red. A thin smile could be seen on his face.

Wait, what….?

“Yo—y…. what….?” She stammered.

“I mean…. We’ve known each other since our first year at school. And even when we became captain, we sometimes spent time together. It felt different when suddenly you’re not there.” Fujima said while scratched his head.

“—yeah but mostly we talked about our club and regimes so, really, there’s nothing much to talk about now, is it?”

“Nevertheless, I want more time with you.”

Is this serious, she thought to herself. The look on Fujima’s face clearly stated so. This is not a joke. She never expected this kind of attitude, especially when we’re talking about Fujima. The Fujima Kenji. The calm and reserved, cool headed, stern but soft-spoken, Fujima Kenji.

She glued both of her hands together, her eyes was focused on her shoes. She couldn’t bear to see Fujima.

“…Tsuji.” He said softly, his hand held Tsuji’s. She looked at Fujima, aghast.

Frankly, he’d been keeping an eye on Tsuji since day one. With her cool and laidback personality, it’s something that he’d never seen in a girl before. He was attracted to her before he knew it.

“Our club is not the only thing that we talked about. Don’t you remember how many times have we spent our after-club on the gym? On the locker room while watching movies after examining practice videos?”

“—we studied together, with others too. We ate together, we went to amusement park together with our teammates.”

“I still want more time with you.” He repeated what he had said, a smile was still apparent on his face. His cheeks bright red.

Hell with that smile, Tsuji cussing internally.

No guy had ever asked her out before. Or told her how they felt about her. She always thought that she was a wallflower, but she was entirely okay with it. All Tsuji wanted was to live peacefully and freely, without any doubts and boundaries. But this guy? He had always been nice towards her since the very first time they met. She remembered back then, she was nearly Fujima’s height. But now her height was as high as his chin. She liked the way Fujima treated her. He never looked down on her and he respected her for what she was, what her choices was, and her vision for her team was. She never told anyone but she actually likes Fujima. And she’s good at covering it up.

And that guy adored her?

“I’m… I—”

“—think, I’d like more time with you too.” Tsuji said while helding Fujima’s hand tightly. A shy smile was seen on her face. Fujima laughed a bit, he couldn’t held back his smile.

“Thank you.” He said sofly.

[hoshigomi]

Dazzling Valley / Ray - retirement + transfer + status change

Senka actress Hanagata Hikaru will retire with Hoshigumi’s Dazzling Valley / Ray on May 3rd, 2020, at the Tokyo Takarazuka Theatre.  

Current Hoshigumi Kumichou, Mari Yuzumi, will transfer to senka on May 4th, 2020.

Current Hoshigumi Fukukumichou, Miki Chigusa, will become Hoshigumi Kumichou on May 4th, 2020.

Current Hoshigumi musumeyaku, Shirotae Natsu, will become Hoshigumi Fukukumichou on May 4th, 2020.

[kittychan-sings-enka]

[eien-no-gakusha]

Perseverance Prevails (1)

(1) A zuka short comics series.  Pun on 石の上にも三年, which basically means sit on a [cold] rock long enough (3yrs) and it’ll warm up.  But TMS lasts 2 yrs so the figurative rock-sitting trail only lasts 2yrs as opposed to 3yrs.

Basically a bunch of reimaginings of seasoned upperclassmen stars recounting their TMS adventures.

Nozomi Fuuto’s Epic Fail Takarazuka GRAPH Feb 2018

Daimon, Seiko, & a bunch of Kanto classmates used to fly home for the holidays.  On their first summer vacation, they just started singing Valore and probably other songs throughout the flight.

It’s not until they land that Daimon finds out upperclassman Nanakaze Umi had been sitting in front of her the entire time.  Thus Daimon spends her whole summer break freaking out and dutifully warning her entire douki network that she screwed up via being a perceived annoyance to Nanakaze the whole flight. 

Turns out Nanakaze was practically Daimon’s neighbor so she saw her every day and was just waiting to get chewed out every time they crossed paths.  Daimon "went through several months in a depressed haze” until she worked up the courage to apologize to Nanakaze, who was totally cool about it all along.

Apparently, each class has a phone tree and it’s everyone’s collective responsibility to update each other of blunders and other important news so they can function (i.e. apologize) as a unit.

Forever Grateful Nozomi Fuuto Takarazuka GRAPH Aug 2018

Once Mitsuru (Hanagata Hikaru) randomly buys Haagen Dazs ice cream for the 89ths.  Young Daimon declares Mitsuru world’s best boyfriend but they wind up a few quarts short.  Daimon, with her infinite zuka wisdom, deduces 85th class must have been smaller than their own 89th so Mitsuru had miscounted.

Flash forward & Daimon is assigned to Hanagumi where she bumps into Mitsuru and ever dutiful, she thanks her for the ice cream.  Mitsuru brushes it off like it was nothing cuz she’s a cool otokoyaku, missing ice cream included.

Bonus:  Mitsuru is very good at playing the cool boyfriend.  When some 89ths were heading back to the dorm looking chilled, she pulled up in her convertible to check on them & tell them she had a treat for everyone.

[flibbityflob]

Singing in the Rain (Tsukigumi 2018)/Another World/Killer Rouge (Hoshigumi 2018)

Yesterday was. An absurd level of me running around Tokyo having eaten very little and generally trying to run on sheer excitement, glitter, and joy.

And it was thoroughly successful.

My first kangeki was a double kangeki and it was somehow the most thrilling, exciting day possible. Aside from a pretty major personal setback, I don't think the day could have gone any more wonderfully.

Singing in the Rain was an absolute delight. It's pretty clear that once Chapi retires, Tamaki is gonna be going for the handsome 50s move star vibe and I can't overstate how much she just. Has it. The show is an absolute delight, I ended up loving Sakura and the perpetual enigma of MiyaRuri finally clicked into place with her Cosmo, the most charming man around and. Yeah. Yeah it's good. Singing in the Rain as a song itself is so delightful and happy and I can't think of a better show to start my kangeki life with. It's such a charmibg little show and I desperately hope it doesn't get lost in time because it's so good!

Another World was fun! I didn't get much of what was going on, a lot of the jokes and stuff were explained to me after, but my minikal Japanese managed to get me understanding some stuff! Koto was a DELIGHT and I think Beni sounds a whole lot better irl than over video, which was a pleasant surprise! Some of the more visual jokes landed for me, stuff like Koto's fear of Bin-chan, as Beni dubs Hanagata Hikaru, and the Maido Cafe joke worked, but what really made it wonderful was the sheer JOY hoshigumi evidently felt during this show. Their glee was infectious and I thrived on it. Kai was delightful as the cheerful idiot friend and everything involving her character and his stupid little movements in the background just. Worked. So so well. I'm so very glad this show exists. Also Anru had a gloriously large role and I absolutely adore her for it. That girl has her life sorted and I support her wholly. (EDIT TO SAY!!! THE BUNRAKU SCENE WAS STUNNING!!!! ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! I LOVE TRADITIONAL THEATRE SO MUCH AND IT WAS AMAZINGLY DONE)

Killer Rouge was. Well. Look. I had heard it maybe wasn't the best revue but I can't state how overwhelming it was to finally sit in the theater, opera glasses our and staring at my favourite people in a fantastic troupe. Aachan, decidedly not a singer, sang far more than I expected which I don't think was the best decision, she's a much better dancer and I think it definitely affected the show. But overall that was maybe my only major issue! Otherwise, it wD just. Joyful. Koto was absurd and illegal and I'm forwarding her my therapy bills from now on because I have to completely change my outlook on life she was. Absurd. Absurd!!! Her Romeo was FIVE YEARS AGO and yet she feels like she's aged fifreen on that period. It's alarming and I'd be more angry if I didn't love it so much. Beni was so fun! I enjoyed just watching her because she's such a delight, especially playing a shit cop getting swindled by lady thief Kai, who. Look. I'm biased but it makes me sad she's completely gone from the running because she's so stupidly charming she deserves a revue of her own just for the sheer absurd level of flirt that would occur. Rena's farewell number was just lovely and I can't get the damn theme out of my head. Maybe not the best revue on paper but it was so hard to separate it from the sheer joy of finally being there, seeing something live. An exhausting day that I don't think I'll forget for a long while.

[andromache-hectoris]

Press photos of Soga no Iruka (Hanagata Hikaru) and Empress Kōgyoku (Arisa Hitomi) in Kamatari ~Beautiful Yamato, Dreamlike Land of Tranquility~ (star troupe, 2019)

Kōgyoku was a queen-to-tenno and Iruka, as daijin, had a great influence over her. By accounts, when Nakatomi no Kamatari and Kōgyokuhe's son (played by Kurenai Yuzuru and Seo Yuria in the show) attacked Iruka during a court ceremony, the Empress famously stepped away, leaving Iruka to be assassinated.

The historical-fictious coupling first appeared in The Glow of Sunset in Asuka: A Saga of Soga no Iruka (moon troupe, 2004) with Ayaki Nao and Natsukawa Yura, that drew my attention. This time it broke my heart.

the other sources include:

https://www.daily.co.jp/gossip/2019/05/05/0012303932.shtml?ph=3

https://www.lmaga.jp/news/2019/05/66483/?cv=p#photo3

https://okepi.net/kangeki/1531

[zukazukazuka]

Takarazuka Calendar Lineups - for info on size / price visit the website, I’m just gonna quickly put down who is where:

Takarazuka Star Calendar Release date: October 20 Cover Page - Yuzuka Rei and Hoshikaze Madoka January - Asumi Rio Feburary - Miya Rurika March - Makaze Suzuho April - Kurenai Yuzuru May - Nozomi Fuuto June - Todoroki Yuu July - Senna Ayase and Kisaki Airi August - Tamaki Ryou September - Manaki Reika October - Rei Makoto November - Ayakaze Sakina and Maaya Kiho December - Serika Toa

Desktop Calendar Release Date: October 20 January - Aizuki Hikaru February - Toa Reiya and Mao Yuuki March - Towaki Sea, Ayaki Hikari, and Rui Makise April - Houzuki An May - Minami Maito and Asami Jun June - Seo Yuria and Shidou Ryuu July - Ayanagi Shou August - Kazuki Sora, Yuunami Kei, Yumena Rune September - Rinjou Kira, Mana Haruto, Sorahane Riku October - Sakuragi Minato November - Akatsuki Chisei, Rukaze Hikaru, Amahana Ema December - Tsukishiro Kanato

Stage Calendar Release Date: November 10 Covers - Tsukishiro Kanato, Hoshikaze Madoka January - Nozomi Fuuto, Miya Rurika February - Manaki Reika, Seto Kazuya March - Serika Toa, Nagina Ruumi April - Ayanagi Shou, Makaze Suzuho May - Kurenai Yuzuru, Houzuki An June - Maaya Kiho, Rei Makoto July - Asumi Rio, Kisaki Airi August - Nanami Hiroki, Todoroki Yuu September - Hanagata Hikaru, Senna Ayase October - Aizuki Hikaru, Tamaki Ryou November - Sakuragi Minato, Seijou Kaito December - Ayakaze Sakina, Yuzuka Rei 

Personal Calendars Release Date: November 17 Senka - Todoroki Yuu Hanagumi - Asumi Rio, Serika Toa*, Yuzuka Rei Tsukigumi - Tamaki Ryou, Miya Rurika Yukigumi - Nozomi Fuuto, Ayakaze Sakina Hoshigumi - Kurenai Yuzuru, Rei Makoto Soragumi - Makaze Suzuho  *Serika Toa will be transferring to Soragumi on October 30th, 2017

Personal Desktop Calendars Release Date: November 17 Senka - Todoroki Yuu Hanagumi - Asumi Rio Tsukigumi - Tamaki Ryou Yukigumi - Nozomi Fuuto Hoshigumi - Kurenai Yuzuru Soragumi - Makaze Suzuho

Poster Calendar Release Date: November 17 Senka: Hanagata Hikaru, Seijou Kaito, Sao Kurama, Nagina Ruumi Hanagumi: Seto Kazuya Tsukigumi: Uzuki Hayate, Shimon Yuriya Hoshigumi: Nanami Hiroki, Tenju Mitsuki Soragumi: Sumiki Sayato

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Takarazuka roundup 12.20.19

Soragumi has a visual for Flying Sapa and principal roles for both that and Magnificent Emperor or whatever (Haruha Rara got the heroine role and Kazuki Sora the second-billed otokoyaku role)

El Japon/Aquavitae!! ended in Takarazuka, but the theater is on break for the Taka Special. Grand Theater performances will resume in 1/1 with Once Upon a Time in America

Speaking of the Taka Special, Seira Hitomi has been announced out of it due to injury

Maaya Kiho’s music salon will be titled “La Voile”

Rehearsal began for Hoshigumi’s Dazzling Valley/Ray. Announced for the end of this production: Hanagata Hikaru (visiting from Senka) will be retiring, kumichou Mari Yuzumi will be moving to senka, and Miki Chigusa and Shirotae Natsu will be assuming the roles of kumichou and fukukumichou respectively

Hoshigumi’s June/July 2020 small theaters have been announced: Rei Makoto and Maisora Hitomi will be taking restages of El Halcon and Ray on tour, while Todoroki Yuu will borrow a portion of the troupe to preform Cyrano de Bergerac in Akasaka Act and Drama City

Nagina Ruumi along with OGs Haruno Sumire, Mizu Natsuki, and Kurenai Yuzuru will be appearing in the Koshiji Fubuki memorial concert Apres Toi in Hakata in March. A concert of the same name took place last month in Tokyo featuring a different set of OGs

Miya Rurika will be holding a concert (thought it was a photobook at first) ft. a buncha dudes at Tokyo Forum at the end of February

If you’d like to part with 74,000JPY +TAX you can be the proud owner of a custom Star Wars suit with Nanami Hiroki’s name stitched inside it

TO MY GREAT SADNESS, Takarazuka Star Talk is ending after a 6+ year run. You have until January 31 to watch/save your favorites. You can see all the past guests here—keep hitting the もっと見る button to see them all.