#Rika Minagawa

[godtierwallflower]

I love that New panned to characters from each of the girls' daily lives to remind what they're all fighting for and how far they’ve come.

Ichigo's parents, Bu-ling's sibling, Moe and Miwa, Mint's brother, Zakuro's classmate, even Lettuce's bullies, all watching them fly into their final battle.

[hikayagami]

The preview pics for Tokyo Mew Mew New episode 17 are up!

According the summary, the director of the music video that Zakuro is making, Rika Minagawa, is her classmate who has a past connection to her. Also... Francois returns!!!

https://tokyo-mew-mew.com/story/story017.html

[2700lagostas]

[animegadaisukiidesu]

[minagawamotoko]

[iconsofanimes]

[animenostalgia]

Head’s up! The Sailor Moon 30th Anniversary Memorial Album double vinyl set is up for pre-order now on Rightstuf--you can use my affiliate link here! It’s currently slated for a Feb 2023 release. This 2 LP set includes select tracks from the original 90s anime, as well as the more recent Sailor Moon Crystal and Sailor Moon Eternal anime adaptations. Here’s a complete track listing:

SIDE A 1. ''Moonlight Legend'' DALI 2. ''HEART MOVING'' Misae Takamatsu 3. ''Princess Moon'' Ushio Hashimoto, Apple Pie 4. ''Maiden's Policy'' Yoko Ishida 5. ''Tuxedo Mirage'' Kotono Mitsuishi, Michie Tomizawa, Aya Hisakawa, Emi Shinohara, Rika Fukami 6. ''Want to be us'' Miwako Fujitani 7. ''Let's go like'' Meu Side B 1. ''Sailor Star Song'' Kae Hanazawa 2. ''The wind and the sky are surely'' Arisa Mizuki 3. ''Moon Revenge'' Kotono Mitsuishi, Aya Hisakawa, Michie Tomizawa, Emi Shinohara, Rika Fukami 4. ''Moonlight Destiny'' Hiroko Asakawa 5. ''See you at Morning Moon'' Pretty Cast Side C 1. ''MOON PRIDE -ZZ ver.-'' Momoiro Clover Z 2. ''In Love with the New Moon'' by Etsuko Yakushimaru 3. ''In Love with the New Moon'' by Mitsuko Horie 4. ''New Moon ni Koishite -ZZ ver.-'' Momoiro Clover Z 5. ''Moonbow -ZZ ver.-'' Momoiro Clover Z 6. ''eternal eternity'' Sailor Uranus (CV. Junko Minagawa) x Sailor Neptune (CV. Sayaka Ohara) Side D 1. ''Recommendation for Maidens'' Chibiusa (CV. Misato Fukuen) 2. ''Only eternity holds two people together'' Tuxedo Mask (CV. Kenji Nojima) 3. ''Tsukiiro Chainon'' Momoiro Clover Z with Sailor 5 Warriors 4. ''Want to be us'' by Yoko Ishida 5. ''Let's go like'' ANZA 6. ''Moon Effect'' Eternal Sailor Moon (CV: Kotono Mitsuishi), Eternal Sailor Chibi Moon (CV: Misato Fukuen), Eternal Sailor Mercury (CV: Hisako Kanemoto), Eternal Sailor Mars (CV: Rina Sato), Eternal Sailor Jupiter (CV: Rina Sato) (CV: Ami Koshimizu), Eternal Sailor Venus (CV: Shizuka Ito), Eternal Sailor Uranus (CV: Junko Minagawa), Eternal Sailor Neptune (CV: Sayaka Ohara), Eternal Sailor Pluto (CV: Ai Maeda), Eternal Sailor Saturn (CV: Ai Maeda) (CV: Yukiyo Fujii)

[landofanimes]

Sailor Moon Anime Most Popular Songs (Part 2/3)

Favorite songs according to the NHK 2020 Ranking Poll results in Japan! The voting went on from October 16 to November 23, 2020 and had a total of 82,706 votes. Here’s  #11-20:

     11. eternal eternity by Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune (Junko Minagawa & Sayaka Ohara), from Sailor Moon Crystal Season III      12. Todokanu Omoi -my friend's love- (Unfulfilled Thought: My Friend's Love) by Seiya, Taiki, Yaten Kou (Shiho Niiyama, Narumi Tsunoda, Chika Sakamoto), from Sailor Moon Sailor Stars      13. Nagareboshi He (To the Shooting Stars) by Three Lights (Shiho Niiyama, Narumi Tsunoda, Chika Sakamoto), from Sailor Moon Sailor Stars               >>  A.k.a. Search for your love      14. Watashi-tachi ni Naritakute (Wanting to Be Together with You) by Miwako Fujitani, from Sailor Moon SuperS      15. Moonlight Densetsu (Moonlight Legend) by Moon Lips, from Sailor Moon S               >> This version was used for seasons 3 (S) and 4 (SuperS)      16. Kaze mo Sora mo Kitto... (The Wind, the Sky, Surely...) by Alisa Mizuki, from Sailor Moon Sailor Stars      17. Route Venus by Minako Aino (Rika Fukami), from Sailor Moon R               >> This was Minako’s image song in R but was seen in the series itself in episodes 154 (SuperS) and 192 (Stars, seen above)      18. Gekkou (Moonbow) by Momoiro Clover Z, from Sailor Moon Crystal      19. Princess Moon by Ushio Hashimoto, Apple Pie, from Sailor Moon      20. HEART MOVING by Misae Takamatsu (Sakura Sakura), from Sailor Moon

[recentanimenews]

Anime Project KURAYUKABA Announces Two Winners of Its VA Audition

    The feature-length animation project KURAYUKABA, based on the original story by independent creator Shigeyoshi Tsukahara, had held an open audition for the voice cast of its two characters - Kozuchi and Manjyu-uri (Bun vendor) - since October 2021. After a six-month audition and final screening period, its two winners have been finally revealed. The two are guaranteed to make their voice acting debut and appear in the film's official YouTube content.

    Kozuchi: Rika Natsumi:

  "During my participation in the audition, each time I was exposed to director Tsukahara's work, my desire to pass the audition grew stronger. I am very happy to be able to make my debut as a voice actor in this film and to have been chosen to play the role of Kozuchi. I will play the role to the best of my ability and look forward to its release along with everyone else!"

      Manjyu-uri: Napi/Yurina Sakai (Her name will be used as the actual character's name in the film)

  "Thanks for all your support! I have learned a lot as a voice actor in the KURAYUKABA voice actor audition. And I feel that the days I spent pursuing KURAYUKABA were truly enjoyable and fulfilling. I will use this experience as a basis for my performance as Manju-uri that only I can do! Thank you so much for almost two months!" 

          KURAYUKABA is a steampunk detective fantasy that is planned to be over 40 minutes long in concept. The project has received a total of 15,700,364 yen (128,000 USD) in the past two crowdfunding campaigns; the first one for the pilot film posted on YouTube in April 2020 and the second one for the prologue to the full-length film screened in August 2021.

    Main staff:

  Original story/Screenplay/Director: Shigeyoshi Tsukahara

Character design: Kazunori Minagawa

CG director: maxcaffy

Art settings/Background art: Pochi

Music/Chief designer/Design works: Akatsuki Chota

Animation production: Pancake

Planning: Twin Engine

    Pilot film:

    Prologue main trailer:

    Key visual:

    Source: CHET Group press release

  © Shigeyoshi Tsukahara / Twin Engine

  By: Mikikazu Komatsu

[teigeki-graph]

Sakura Taisen N.Y. Hoshigumi Show 2013 ~Wild West Kibou~

サクラ大戦 紐育星組ショウ2013 ～ワイルド・ウエスト・希望～

Release date:  November 27, 2013

Physical CD JAN: 4571164383101

Related studio CD: Sakura Taisen Review In Little Lip Theater VI

All songs by Hiroi Ouji (lyrics) and Tanaka Kouhei (composition)

Note: to purchase this from iTunes/stream it through iMusic, search using the Japanese title or just ‘サクラ大戦’

‘Wild West Kibou’ roles: Annie Oakley (Gemini), Wyatt Earp (Sagitta), Billy the Kid (Rika), Sister Diana (Diana), Pat Garett (Subaru), Wild Bill Hickok (Sunny), ‘Cincinatti Queen’ (Plum), barmaid (Anri), singer (Emma)

Full track listing under the cut

DISC 1

1. ストーリーパート01/Story part 01

2. ワイルド・ウエスト・希望/Wild West Kibou Uchida Naoya (Sunnyside), Asoh Kaori (Plum Spaniel), Honna Yoko (Yoshino Anri), Kobayashi Sanae (Gemini Sunrise), Minagawa Junko (Sagitta Weinberg), Saitou Ayaka (Rikaritta Aries), Matsutani Kaya (Diana Caprice), Sonozaki Mie (Kujou Subaru), Sonooka Shintarou (Dandy), Velo Takeda (Berumucho Takeda), Kitahara Rumi (Emma Schmidtmeijer) 3. ストーリーパート02/Story part 02

4. ダンディー/Dandy Sonooka Shintarou (Dandy)

5. ストーリーパート03/Story part 03

6. 恋バナ (ショート・バージョン)/Koi Bana (short version) Kasahara Rumi (Taiga Futaba), Saitou Ayaka (Rikaritta Aries), Matsutani Kaya (Diana Caprice). Futaba takes Sagitta’s place in this version of the song, which is originally from the 2011 show. 7. ストーリーパート04/Story part 04

8. シンシナティ・クイーン/Cincinnati Queen Minagawa Junko (Sagitta Weinberg), Sonozaki Mie (Kujou Subaru)

9. ストーリーパート05/Story part 05

10. 魔笛・夜の女王のアリア/Mateki: Yoru no Jo’ou no Aria [The Magic Flute: The Queen of the Night Aria] Kitahara Rumi (Emma Schmidtmeier). “The Queen of the Night Aria” is from ”The Magic Flute” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 11. ストーリーパート06/Story part 06

12. ミズーリキャット/Missouri Cat Matsutani Kaya (Diana Caprice), Saitou Ayaka (Rikaritta Aries)

13.  ショウは嬉しい/Show wa Ureshii Kobayashi Sanae (Gemini Sunrise), Minagawa Junko (Sagitta Weinberg), Saitou Ayaka (Rikaritta Aries), Matsutani Kaya (Diana Caprice), Sonozaki Mie (Kujou Subaru), Kitahara Rumi (Emma Schmidtmeijer)

DISC 2

1. ワイルド・ウエスト・希望 (ショート・バージョン)/Wild West Kibou (short version) Uchida Naoya (Sunnyside), Asoh Kaori (Plum Spaniel), Honna Yoko (Yoshino Anri), Kobayashi Sanae (Gemini Sunrise), Minagawa Junko (Sagitta Weinberg), Saitou Ayaka (Rikaritta Aries), Matsutani Kaya (Diana Caprice), Sonozaki Mie (Kujou Subaru), Sonooka Shintarou (Dandy), Velo Takeda (Berumucho Takeda), Kitahara Rumi (Emma Schmidtmeijer)

2. ストーリーパート07/Story part 7

3. ポアゾン ～「クレオパトラ」より～ (ショート・バージョン)/Poison ~from “Cleopatra”~ (short version) Minagawa Junko (Sagitta Weinberg), Sonozaki Mie (Kujou Subaru) 4. ストーリーパート08/Story part 08

5. BON-PSY Kobayashi Sanae (Gemini Sunrise), Uchida Naoya (Sunnyside), Suganuma Hisayoshi (Taiga Shinjirou)

6. ストーリーパート09/Story part 09

7. 愛してるって/Aishiterutte Kuno Akiko (Ratchet Altair), Asoh Kaori (Plum Spaniel), Honna Yoko (Yoshino Anri)

8. ストーリーパート10/Story part 10

9. ショウは嬉しい VS 魔笛・夜の女王のアリア/Show wa Ureshii vs. Mateki-Yoru no Jyoou no Aria Kobayashi Sanae (Gemini Sunrise), Minagawa Junko (Sagitta Weinberg), Saitou Ayaka (Rikaritta Aries), Matsutani Kaya (Diana Caprice), Sonozaki Mie (Kujou Subaru)

10. ストーリーパート11/Story part 11

11. ショウは嬉しい (ショート・バージョン)/ Show wa Ureshii (short version) Kobayashi Sanae (Gemini Sunrise), Minagawa Junko (Sagitta Weinberg), Saitou Ayaka (Rikaritta Aries), Matsutani Kaya (Diana Caprice), Sonozaki Mie (Kujou Subaru), Suganuma Hisayoshi (Taiga Shinjirou), Uchida Naoya (Michael Sunnyside), Asoh Kaori (Plum Spaniel), Honna Yoko (Yoshino Anri), Tamura Ren (Bob Lassie), Kasahara Rumi (Taiga Futaba), Sonooka Shintarou (Dandy), Velo Takeda (Berumucho Takeda), Kitahara Rumi (Emma Schmidtmeijer), Kuno Akiko (Ratchet Altair) 12. ストーリーパート12/Story part 12

13. KIRAKIRAと星を瞳に、また明日/Kirakira to Hoshi wo Hitomi ni, Mata Ashita Kobayashi Sanae (Gemini Sunrise), Minagawa Junko (Sagitta Weinberg), Saitou Ayaka (Rikaritta Aries), Matsutani Kaya (Diana Caprice), Sonozaki Mie (Kujou Subaru)

14. ここはパラダイス ～リトルリップ・シアターのテーマ～/Koko wa Paradise ~Little Lip Theater no Theme~ Kobayashi Sanae (Gemini Sunrise), Minagawa Junko (Sagitta Weinberg), Saitou Ayaka (Rikaritta Aries), Matsutani Kaya (Diana Caprice), Sonozaki Mie (Kujou Subaru), Suganuma Hisayoshi (Taiga Shinjirou), Uchida Naoya (Michael Sunnyside), Asoh Kaori (Plum Spaniel), Honna Yoko (Yoshino Anri), Tamura Ren (Bob Lassie), Kasahara Rumi (Taiga Futaba), Sonooka Shintarou (Dandy), Nishimura Youichi (Nishimura Yantarou), Velo Takeda (Berumucho Takeda), Kitahara Rumi (Emma Schmidtmeijer), Kuno Akiko (Ratchet Altair)

15. 地上の戦士/Chijou no Senshi Kobayashi Sanae (Gemini Sunrise), Minagawa Junko (Sagitta Weinberg), Saitou Ayaka (Rikaritta Aries), Matsutani Kaya (Diana Caprice), Sonozaki Mie (Kujou Subaru), Suganuma Hisayoshi (Taiga Shinjirou), Uchida Naoya (Michael Sunnyside), Asoh Kaori (Plum Spaniel), Honna Yoko (Yoshino Anri), Tamura Ren (Bob Lassie), Kasahara Rumi (Taiga Futaba), Sonooka Shintarou (Dandy), Nishimura Youichi (Nishimura Yantarou), Velo Takeda (Berumucho Takeda), Kitahara Rumi (Emma Schmidtmeijer), Kuno Akiko (Ratchet Altair)

[lgbtfurubanet]

The Fruits Basket Shipping Game!!

Hey everybody, Mod Anna here. We’ve come up with a shipping game that we hope will be fun and help generate some much needed Fruits Basket content. We can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!  1. Choose the list that best suits your needs: Fruits Basket Another, Fruits Basket, Fruits Basket (Minors), Fruits Basket (Adults), or Whole Cast. 2. Plug the list into Random.org - https://www.random.org/lists/ 3. The first two names are your pairing! For example, if the first two names on the list are Arisa Uotani and Rin Sohma, your pairing is Arisa Uotani x Rin Sohma. If you’d prefer to write about a poly relationship, feel free to take as many names off the top as you want.  4. Create something! Anything from a 100 word drabble or a doodle to a multi-chapter fic or a comic is welcome. Icons, fan mixes, anything goes - see where your inspiration takes you.  5. Submit your creation to lgbtfurubanet.tumblr.com, and tag it with fruits basket shipping game. Notes & Lists below the cut! 

Note #1: If you hate the pairing that was randomly selected for you, you can re-roll. This is supposed to encourage people to have fun and try new things, not force them to create something that makes them uncomfortable. Note #2: When submitting your work, please tag appropriately for common triggers, and put potentially upsetting content under a cut. Note #3: Our focus is LGBTQ+ content. While you’re free to use these lists for your own purposes, anything submitted to us should fall under that category. F/M pairings are fine, but characters should not be depicted as straight, cis people. Note #4: If you just want to write about a character interaction with no romantic overtones, that's totally fine too! Just make sure to label accordingly when you post your creative work.

Fruits Basket Another

Sawa Mitoma

Sawa’s Mom

Mutsuki Sohma

Hajime Sohma

Kinu Sohma

Shiki Sohma

Chizuru Sohma

Rio Mosca

Hibika Sohma

Mina Sohma

Michi Manabe

Mito

Riku Sohma

Sora Sohma

Ruriko Kageyama

Fruits Basket

Tohru Honda

Arisa Uotani

Saki Hanajima

Katsuya Honda

Kyoko Honda

Megumi Hanajima

Akito Sohma

Shigure Sohma

Yuki Sohma

Kyo Sohma

Hatori Sohma

Ayame Sohma

Kisa Sohma

Hiro Sohma

Ritsu Sohma

Rin Sohma

Kagura Sohma

Haru Sohma

Momiji Sohma

Kureno Sohma

Kakeru Manabe

Machi Kuragi

Mitsuru

Mayuko Shiraki

Mine Kuramae

Motoko Minagawa

Takei Makoto

Kimi Todo

Naohito Sakuragi

Ren Sohma

Akira Sohma

Kana Sohma

Kazuma Sohma

Tohru's Grandfather

Tohru's Female Cousin

Tohru's Male Cousin

Tohru's Aunt

Kunimitsu Tomoda

Komaki Nakao

Okami Sohma

Akimbo

Momiji’s Mom

Momiji’s Dad

Saki’s Mom

Saki’s Dad

Saki’s Grandmother

Arisa’s Dad

Kyo’s Dad

Kyo’s Mom

Yuki’s Mom

Sohma Maid

Satsuki Sohma

Hinata Sohma

Momo Sohma

Minami Kinoshita

Mio Yamagishi

Mai Gotou

Mai Iwata

Rika Aida

Fruits Basket (Minors)

Tohru Honda

Arisa Uotani

Saki Hanajima

Kakeru Manabe

Megumi Hanajima

Machi Kuragi

Motoko Minagawa

Takei Makoto

Kimi Todo

Naohito Sakuragi

Hinata Sohma

Momo Sohma

Minami Kinoshita

Mio Yamagishi

Mai Gotou

Mai Iwata

Rika Aida

Komaki Nakao

Haru Sohma

Momiji Sohma

Yuki Sohma

Kyo Sohma

Kisa Sohma

Hiro Sohma

Fruits Basket (Adults)

Momiji’s Mom

Momiji’s Dad

Okami Sohma

Akimoto

Saki’s Mom

Saki’s Dad

Mine Kuramae

Saki’s Grandmother

Arisa’s Dad

Kyo’s Dad

Kyo’s Mom

Yuki’s Mom

Sohma Maid

Satsuki Sohma

Ren Sohma

Akira Sohma

Kana Sohma

Kazuma Sohma

Tohru's Grandfather

Tohru's Female Cousin

Tohru's Male Cousin

Tohru's Aunt

Kunimitsu Tomoda

Mitsuru

Mayuko Shiraki

Ritsu Sohma

Katsuya Honda

Kyoko Honda

Akito Sohma

Shigure Sohma

Hatori Sohma

Ayame Sohma

Whole Cast

Sawa Mitoma

Sawa’s Mom

Mutsuki Sohma

Hajime Sohma

Kinu Sohma

Shiki Sohma

Chizuru Sohma

Rio Mosca

Hibika Sohma

Mina Sohma

Michi Manabe

Mito

Riku Sohma

Sora Sohma

Ruriko Kageyama

Tohru Honda

Arisa Uotani

Saki Hanajima

Katsuya Honda

Kyoko Honda

Megumi Hanajima

Akito Sohma

Shigure Sohma

Yuki Sohma

Kyo Sohma

Hatori Sohma

Ayame Sohma

Kisa Sohma

Hiro Sohma

Ritsu Sohma

Rin Sohma

Kagura Sohma

Haru Sohma

Momiji Sohma

Kureno Sohma

Kakeru Manabe

Machi Kuragi

Mitsuru

Mayuko Shiraki

Mine Kuramae

Motoko Minagawa

Takei Makoto

Kimi Todo

Naohito Sakuragi

Ren Sohma

Akira Sohma

Kana Sohma

Kazuma Sohma

Tohru's Grandfather

Tohru's Female Cousin

Tohru's Male Cousin

Tohru's Aunt

Kunimitsu Tomoda

Komaki Nakao

Okami Sohma

Akimoto

Momiji’s Mom

Momiji’s Dad

Saki’s Mom

Saki’s Dad

Saki’s Grandmother

Arisa’s Dad

Kyo’s Dad

Kyo’s Mom

Yuki’s Mom

Sohma Maid

Satsuki Sohma

Hinata Sohma

Momo Sohma

Minami Kinoshita

Mio Yamagishi

Mai Gotou

Mai Iwata

Rika Aida

[jennibeultimate]

While I completely agree with you about the selection criteria, I dunno if sending her makes sense if she is nowhere able to compete with full potential in her state right now. I think the decision of her participation at the Olympics should depend on her health and on the content she is able to produce rather than on past achievements even if she would have won Worlds medals, which she would have deserved. If she can skate with her full potential it's utterly stupid to not send her no matter if she is only able to do it closely to the Olympics.

JSF is stupid as hell for limiting themselves with their criterias. I think she should be given the chance to compete after Japanese Nationals for example send her to 4CC. If she is able to perform well there, she should be at the Olympics regardless of any criteria. If she is still unwell and cannot perform well I think sending her wouldn't make sense as other Team Japan members aka Kaori, Satoko, Wakaba, Mai or even Mana all have scored fair enough this season to be in consideration for a spot that would lead to the kind of same results as an injured Rika - none of them is a medal contender, but frankly Rika without a 3A isn't one either (which we don't know if she can perform her 3A or not - that's speculation) - they will all place between place 4 and 8 individually and would all be able to get 2nd best SP and FS at Team event (because let's be real Russia will occupy spot 1 in both segments)

It's cruel for Rika to have carried Team Japan the whole quad just to miss out due to injury, but this is part of sports as sad an unfair as it is. I do have experienced this with quite a lot gymnasts (Sasha Soldatova, Liu Tingting, Katsiaryna Halkina, Kaho Minagawa for example - I am still sad none of them made it to the Olympics. I am especially sad for Katya Halkina because she was a constant medalist at Worlds and Euros and carried that Belarussian team for 4 years just to not recover enough in time and even retire before the games - but I had to accept that this is the way sport is)

I am devastated for Rika and I really wish things would be different, but atm it doesn't look likely she is recovered enough to compete at JNats. And who knows if she will be enough recovered to compete at the Olympics?

I am also thinking a step further: as much as I would want to see her at the Olympics I think she needs to be fully recovered first. Because she keeps getting injuries again and again. If she is never completely healed, her injury might aggravate to even deeper trouble. Do I really want to see her at the Olympics at all cost and retire afterwards because her health won't allow her to compete anymore? Is it worth it to literally break for the Olympics? Only Rika herself can ofc answer if it would be worth it for her. But I am more concerned for her longtime health as for the Olympics (where she will be unfairly scored and undervalued again imo).

All we can do is speculate about what she is able to do, how severe and longtime her injury and recovery time is. I don't know what is the right thing to do, I am also not one to decide this.

I can only support her decisions and wish her well. Get well soon Rika! 🙏

Huh? So is there still a chance?

[broken-endings]

Cinderella Phenomenon

MY VOICE CASTING 

(my first time replaying i wanted to imagine their voices as I read through, resulting in the list you see here. The actor and then the role of theirs I associated with my choice.)

mostly listed in order of appearance in the true route

Lucette--Colleen O’Shaughnessey (Sora, Digimon Adventure)

King Genaro--John Swasey (Hohenheim, FMA: Brotherhood)

Fritz--Johnny Yong Bosch (Lelouch, Code Geass)

Mythros--Todd Haberkorn (Ling, FMA: Brotherhood)

Ophelia--Michelle Ruff (Kawakami, Persona 5)

Rod*--Caitlin Glass (Haruhi, OHSHC)

Emelaigne--Erika Harlacher (Ann, Persona 5) OR Hynden Walch (Starfire, Teen Titans)

Viorica--Xanthe Huynh (Haru, Persona 5)

Karma (F)--Elizabeth Maxwell (Urbosa, LoZ: Breath of the Wild)

Young Waltz--Bex Taylor-Klaus (Pidge, Voltron: Legendary Defender)

Delora--Laura Bailey (Lust, FMA: Brotherhood)

Hildyr--Stephanie Young (Olivier, FMA: Brotherhood)

Karma (M)--Vic Mignogna (Tamaki, OHSHC)

Annice--Melissa Fahn (Rika, Digimon Tamers)

Parfait--Cherami Leigh (Makoto, Persona 5)

Jurien--Colleen Clinkenbeard (Hawkeye, FMA: Brotherhood)

Garlan--Travis Willingham (Mustang, FMA: Brotherhood)

Rumpel**--Dave Wittenberg (Teddie, Persona 4)

Waltz--Jesse McCartney (Nightwing, Young Justice)

Alcaster--Steven Jay Blum (Yamaki, Digimon Tamers)

*Rod’s voice I imagined as a Japanese VA, and Caitlin was the closest english equivalent. The original is: Junko Minagawa (Yun, Akatsuki no Yona), since she was actually playing a boy in that role who’s the same age as Rod. **Rumpel choice, I’m not happy with but i was completely stumped and that was the only one I could think of @dicesuki

[gocchisama]

Nadeshiko Glass Cannon : Story of Hirate Yurina (平手友梨奈）

Today marks the day of Keyakizaka major debut. 6 April 2016, 20 girls were introduced to the press to become Nogizaka sister group. What kind of music they would produce, what kind of appeal they would develop to grow a fanbase, all was unknown. Among those girls stood a rather young and plain one, wearing a mushroom haircut. With a calm and poised speech, she declared her will to do her best on behalf of the group. Little did we know that she would become the unmovable center of Keyakizaka. The further we dove into her world, the more questions roses. Just who is Hirate Yurina? But this is precisely her appeal : this mysterious side of her. Fans wants to know more about her, and for each layer of her personality lifted, the more fascinating she become.

“Techi” comes from her name “hirate” (平手）and friendly suffixe “chan”. To make it more original, “Hirate-chan” became “Hiratechi” then “Techi”. Credit to  @yurina46tento.

Prior to their first release, Silent Majority, there was roughly 2-3 months of introduction during “Keyakitte, Kakenai?” their regular variety show. Hirate isn’t the extrovert kind of girl, and started the series as very quiet and humble. This shyness is quite understandable after all, this is the first time most of the girls step into the idol world. You could catch sparkles of excitement from her when MC (Tsuchida & Sawabe) talked about japanese comedians (she’s fond of them), but overall she was just waiting for the two host to ask her questions and react from it. It can be seen as passive. Furthermore, her lack of reactivity encouraged Tsuchida to tease her in some extent. It is true that, at the beginning, Yurina was intimidated.

A girl whose hobby is to listen to music, who practice basketball as main club activity, and dislike haunted house. Techi’s profile is not what you could call uncommon. To be honest, with girls with unexpected skills like Horsemanship or past modeling work, Yurina comes pretty average. But is it really a rebuke? To be reserved makes the girls look cute and innocent (and thus explain why people want to tease them). Granted, she is not creating opportunities of wide laughter in the studio like Oda Nana or Ozeki Rika, but many times her airheadness brought comical situation and liven up the mood. For example, when doing the monomane of GO!Minagawa (a comedian) she was the only one who accompanied the move with his “sound” signature, making her embarassed.

The innocence of a 14 years old, makes her lovely. It could be just that, but fate was preparing a different path for her. TAKAHIRO-sensei, the main choregrapher of the group, had authority of the first senbatsu choice as he was in charge of Silent Majority dance. And while Techi ability to dance and facial expression weren’t outstanding, he felt Yurina’s strong feeling toward her dear Keyakizaka, and his intuition lead him to chose her as Keyakizaka first center. From there, early fans witnessed a change. The change.

“At crossroads brimming with people, where will you go? (Being washed away) Wearing the same clothes, wearing the same expression...”  

Silent Majority, the first and most well known track of Keyakizaka. A rugged location, filled with an heavy atmosphere where girls in military outfits shout their opposition to a crooked society of hypocrite adults. This powerful message, needed the appropriate attitude to be conveyed accurately. Techi did better than that; she traded her feeble character and became an avatar of rebellion. Her grip exploding in strength, her stare you can’t escape from, and sharp moves made people forget she was only 14. Despite her discrete debut on Keyakitte, she turned out to be a formidable vessel to deliver the meaning of the song.

Was it thanks to an incredible amount of training? Sometime it’s about something else too. In Sekai ni wa Ai Shikanai, there was this particular shoot where the MV producer had to screen the girls at the Gymnasium, the choregraphy sequence in particular. While the girls started moving, Techi was remaining still, fixing her hands. “what is she doing?” he thought. Because she was supposed to move at the same time as the girls. And when asked, Techi said “i realized how grateful i was to be part of them, and wanted to picture it deep in my memories”. After consideration, the producer noticed that standing still when everyone else was moving, naturally created a focus on her. Also, her smile toward Yonetani nanami felt natural and expressed this very gratitude she talked about, making the scene soothing. He then decided to keep it.

If a song is bland and plain, to be cute or excellent in dancing won’t change anything. But when the song has the potential to be a tube, it’s important to choose someone who has the style/character that fits the song to release his full potential. Yurina has this particulary skill to “understand” a song. Listening the track over and over, feeling the emotion rushing in her mind, and finally embodying it. In Futari saison, each performance is different. Whenever she’s happy, and look at her comrades dearly, her dance will become lively. If she’s feeling down, her solo will have a tormented feeling on it.

“People often say they want to see the past me, but past is past, and all I can do now is now.”  -Hirate Yurina

There’s a theory that seeks to explain why Yurina did so well as Silent Majority center. An answer to where she draws all her bottomless energy. In a song that express anger, rebellion and freedom, the best way to convey those feelings is to actually have lived it in the past. This theory rose when fans noticed that during Yurina’s “jibun history” (my story) instead of taking pictures of her younger self or family, she’d prefered to talk about her favorite comedian duos. To incarnate “the girl in the train”, people speculated her past hid somber events that caused this emptiness within her. All in all, the reason why she fits so much in songs about pain and suffering is simply because she’s hurt as well. What makes her want to run forward so much, if not to run from a painful past?

The truth is, i was also fascinated by this theory. I wanted to know Techi’s past. However, i also realized that adhering to this theory was also comforting myself in what i wanted Techi to be : the girl from the train. But Techi is Techi, and the gloomy girl from the Yamanotesen and her are two different person. Hirate Yurina has this burning desire to change because deep inside her, she wants to live a fulfilling life. And by that, it means to live any kind of experience, to the fullest. Her way to apprehend a song is the same way she apprehend her life : She lives it and grows from it. The Yurina during the first Silent majority performance is not the same Yurina during Kouhaku utagassen. The yurina from the past is not the same Yurina as now.

And this is striking at how we also perceive idols. Fans knows : Stereotypes picture the idol genre as sub-music making money out of girl’s cuteness and innocence over delusional single middle aged japanese men. But the truth is, Idols are just the reflect of mankind : girls who want to find their way, who they are, through a bumpy road with many obstacles along the way. Instead of crying over their fate, they work for a way out. Even if there’s no guaranteed success, even if it’s painful, the girls show lot of courage and move forward. Yurina, with all her workload, opportunities, and newfound nakamas, embrace everything to grow and get stronger. This courage inspire me to do my best. Supporting her, is like supporting myself. By being courageous facing the future, she became a great idol. By being herself, she became a great individual being.  

“Backstage, Yurina is all lively and kiddy. But when the times come to perform, she switch on to Keyakizaka Ace. It gives me goosebumps” - Imaizumi Yui

Nadeshiko is an ancient japanese word for “loveable girl”. Glass canon is a gaming vocabulary that define someone with high attack/damage but weak defense. Yurina proved many times she had great mental resilience (able to perform 10 songs+ in ariake colosseum), although she also stated many times she doesn’t consider herself as “able” to perform as Keyakizaka unmovable center. A self criticism very severe, implying her power unleashed during performance lean on frailness of mind. She did thought of quitting, and with her young age, it can’t be helped to be inexperienced. A giant of paper, who risk of consuming itself if not able to manage his energy properly.

Center is a lonely place. Despite the light of the spotlight, the 0 position is actually a dark ceiling, where mistakes are prohibited, where there’s the most pressure. But I beg to differ, Keyakizaka is not all about Hirate Yurina. Those many hands bolstering her back, this warmth surrounding her, is what makes her keep going. Those experiences she mentioned earlier, are also meetings. Coming across her newfound nakamas changed her life. Moriya Akane with whom she can act like a spoiled child, Suzumoto Miyu with whom she can share her everyday life, and Nagahama Neru with whom she can confess her worries. Being around her friends, is also where Techi is in her most natural state. Her teammates put her at ease, as well as being fuel for doing her best.

Earlier we supposed Techi drew her energy from pain. My new theory, or faith, is that Techi draw her bottomless energy from gratitude. Even though she has been pro active to make things work, she always have this kind humility toward what the present brings to her, like american family who thanks God for the food. Doing her activities to the fullest, not wasting one bit of energy, is a way to express her gratitude toward the staff, her friends, and family. This is also Keyakizaka motto: humility, kindness, and bonds.

“She looks so serious and cool on Stage, but she did also pranked me when i was sleeping! And used a scooter in Handshake even though Staff forbid it! And...” - Suzumoto Miyu

There’s no “true” Yurina. No character, no fake attitude. The girl who entered Keyakizaka “in order to change”, like a diamond glass half-full, half-empty, has finally become whole by focusing on “becoming” instead of “being”. To follow Yurina, is like walking on a journey where each day is a surprise. Because we don’t know which Yurina will come up next. The 48group is about “Idols you can meet”. What if the secret motto is “idol you can see grow”? If that the case, Techi, from the very fiber of her being and will, incarnate those words.

A courageous girl, not naive but conscious, fragile but resolute, sometimes childish but always grateful. It isn’t this oversimplification where an Ace is a girl with perfect dance, singing or comical abilities. Techi has qualities and imperfection as well, but it’s how she faces it with a brave heart that makes her incredibly beautiful and interesting. All in all, her ability to absorb, convey, sublimate Keyakizaka46 songs justify her position of Ace. The potential of Yurina might look like exceptionnal, but is it really relevant, since what she’s only doing, is being herself? Maybe she just excels at... being human.

人間は面白い。

[teigeki-graph]

Sakura Taisen Revue In Little Lip Theater VI track listing

サクラ大戦 レビュウインリトルリップ・シアターVI

Release date: March 26, 2014

Physical CD JAN: 4988064742721

Related live CD: Sakura Taisen New York Hoshi Gumi Live 2013 ~Wild・West・Kibou~

All songs by Hiroi Ouji (lyrics) and Tanaka Kouhei (composition)

Note: to purchase this from iTunes/stream it through iMusic, search using the Japanese title or just ‘サクラ大戦’

‘Wild West Kibou’ roles: Annie Oakley (Gemini), Wyatt Earp (Sagitta), Billy the Kid (Rika), Sister Diana (Diana), Pat Garett (Subaru), Wild Bill Hickok (Sunny), ‘Cincinatti Queen’ (Plum), barmaid (Anri)

Full track listing under the cut

1. ワイルド・ウエスト・希望/Wild West Kibou Uchida Naoya (Michael Sunnyside), Asoh Kaori (Plum Spaniel), Honna Youko (Yoshino Anri)

2. シンシナティ・クイーン/Cincinnati Queen Minagawa Junko (Sagitta Weinberg), Sonozaki Mie (Kujou Subaru)

3. ミズーリキャット/Missouri Cat Matsutani Kaya (Diana Caprice), Saitou Ayaka (Rikaritta Aries)

4. Kirakiraと星を瞳に, また明日/Kirakira to Hoshi wo Hitomi ni, Mata Ashita Kobayashi Sanae (Gemini Sunrise), Minagawa Junko (Sagitta Weinberg), Saitou Ayaka (Rikaritta Aries), Matsutani Kaya (Diana Caprice), Sonozaki Mie (Kujou Subaru)

5. ワイルド・ウエスト・希望 (instrumental)/Wild West Kibou (instrumental)

6. シンシナティ・クイーン (instrumental)/Cincinnati Queen (instrumental)

7. ミズーリキャット (instrumental)/Missouri Cat (instrumental)

8. Kirakiraと星を瞳に、また明日 (instrumental)/Kirakira to Hoshi wo Hitomi ni, Mata Ashita

This CD is missing “Aishiterutte” and “Show wa Ureshii,” which did not get studio recordings.

[teigeki-graph]

“Jitsu wa kono character ga suki! (Truth is, I like this character!)”

This is a fun little bit with the voice actors from the “Sakura Taisen 15th Anniversary Taishou Roman Graph” book that I’ve wanted to write-up for a while now. I’ve paraphrased the answers for simplicity’s (and my own) sake.

Yokoyama Chisa (Sakura): Maria Tachibana

Tomizawa Michie (Sumire): Maria-san!!

Takano Urara (Maria): Kanna

Nishihara Kumiko (Iris): I like everyone!!

Fuchizaki Yuriko (Kouran): Maria-san

Tanaka Mayumi (Kanna): Maria Tachibana (or is it Takano Urara?)

Okamoto Maya (Orihime): Usagi! [Ciseaux]

Ikura Kazue (Reni): Kouran

Orikasa Ai (Kaede): Kanna

Hidaka Noriko (Erica): Oogami-san, but also Suganuma-kun’s stage performance as Shinjirou

Shimazu Saeko (Glycine): Oogami-taichou!! Of course, Glycine as well.

Kozakura Etsuko (Coquelicot): Hanabi-chan

Inoue Kikuko (Lobelia): [she doesn’t really give an answer]

Takamori Yoshino (Hanabi): the Baragumi

Kobayashi Sanae (Gemini): Kayama-san just for looks, but guys like Oogami-san are also good

Minagawa Junko (Sagitta): Taiga Shinjirou

Saitou Ayaka (Rika): a lot of characters, but especially Shinjirou

Matsutani Kaya (Diana): everyone in the New York Hoshigumi. Also, Maria-san. And Glycine-san. And Orihime-san.

Sonozaki Mie (Subaru): Plum & Anri

Kuno Akiko (Ratchet): Taiga-kun

Suyama Akio (Oogami): Glycine

Suganuma Hisayoshi (Shinjirou): Sunny-san