#aaa sorry it took so long I had to sort my thoughts from microwaving the plays in my head to actual words

[akaikami-cherryblossom]

HII IM SENDING THE QUESTION BACK TO YOU: your top 5 a3 plays? 👀

AAAAAAA FRIEND IN THE ASKBOX<33333 I didn’t even rb the ask game but I’ll take it because I need to get my thoughts out!!!! Btw this list took me hours because I am so indecisive but it was worth it🫶

5. Romeo and Julius

Even though it’s the first play introduced, it’s still one of my favorites and it has a special place in my heart. The only reason it’s so low is because it’s the first one newborn Mankai put on, so there are some pacing issues and I honestly just wish there was more. I’ve also been using it to lure some of my irl friends into A3! because who doesn’t like a million totally-not-gay plays? Aside from that Bokura no Kizuna is the song ever.

4. Harugaoka Quartet

This one doesn’t have the best plot in my opinion, but I still love it. I enjoy a simple plot with really well-written characters, so it works! That and the event story is one of my favorites of all time. I’m also biased because I finally found a recording of the Mankai Stage version and it is WONDERFUL. There’s this one part I really like towards the end where it’s just Ennis on stage and it’s completely dark except for a spotlight. He continues to practice the first part of “Spring”, getting frustrated each time. There is no dialogue. It’s all in his expressions. The last time he starts playing, the rest of the quartet joins him as the lights come up and aaaaaaa ;-;. It’s sososo beautiful I think it was adapted excellently!!! And the final scene with “Hajimari wa Quartet” is incredible I love the added harmonies oughhhhh…

3. The Floral Prince and Sympathy for the Angel

I couldn’t decide. Floral Prince is up here because it’s got SUCH a pretty fairytale aesthetic and the story is so fun and sweet. I always like a good fairytale so this is right up my alley. Sympathy for the Angel is really important to me hehe it was the first Mankai play I subbed and I ended up loving it the first time I read it.(And I’m biased because Sakuya’s Uriel>>>>>)

2. The Wonderful Charlatan of Oz

Another one of my absolute favorites. The second I read it I was already imagining how it would look on stage and it’s so incredibly well-done and fun to watch and aaaaaaa!!!! Also Rick is just genuinely one of my favorite characters of all time no matter how bad I feel for him. Oswald is such a compelling character as well, I think the way Someya portrayed him made him fun to watch, both annoying but still likable. Same with Yokota’s Rick. He’s loud and gullible, a little stupid, but really offsets Oswald nicely. Not to mention the FINAL BATTLE UGH!!! Incredible. Admittedly, I don’t love that the rest of the Spring Troupe has smaller roles, but I don’t think this is the kind of story you can tell with this many people. It’s just good overall.

Honorable Mentions:

SSR Family(The costumes are lovely and I like a lot of the characters and plot, especially Blanc and Nero, I think they’re interesting and well-written. And my wife is there)

A Clockwork Heart(Yeah I cried so what)

The Great Sardine Search(CLASSIC. Though I’ll admit I can only watch it once in a while because Shiro’s voice is super obnoxious to me)

Wonder Rush(It has the same vibes as Sardine Search but it’s got more of a modern vibe to it, plus the plot and costumes are adorable)

Welcome to Akebono-so!(My favorite Autumn play, especially given that I don’t typically like Autumn’s plays. I like the elements of both a fantasy world and reality, plus the characters are a huge selling point for me)

Fallen Blood(I don’t remember much of the plot, but I remember being emotionally smacked in the face once I finished reading it)

Nocturnality(Gay)

Die by the Sword(Gay again but this time it’s me for Orin)

Luminous Circus(The plot is meh but I live for the aesthetic and the event story mentally fucked me up)

Oh, Exquisite Gaia!(Not a mainline play, I know, but it was going on in A3EN the same time I was auditioning for a play about Greek gods and was really nervous. I ended up getting a lead role and I’m blaming this event because that play was also what solidified my place in more plays with that director. Plus I ended up basing my character’s movements and stuff on Azuma because I liked the way he did Gaia ajsjdbfj)

1: Le Fantôme de l’Opéra and Magician’s Pure Love

I couldn’t choose just one. Yeah. Phantom is one that I only really fell in love with because of the stage version. I remember it was late at night when I watched it, but once it finished my jaw was on the floor and I had to pause and process what I just watched. That good. Hang on I have a note in my phone with a bunch of notes on the stageplays I’ll copy paste some stuff from there:

-the English language does not contain the words I need to express how I feel about the Phantom performance

-it just does not have. Enough.

-I’m gonna try anyway

-THE OPENING

-THE MIRROR EFFECT

-GUY

-TSUMUGI

-THEIR VOCALS

-WHO TF WILL LIVE UP TO THAT WHEN MACKEY LEAVES

-THEIR VOCALS x2

-THE EFFECTS BEING SURPRISINGLY GOOD

-THE SCENE WHERE CHRIS PERFORMS WITH THE PHANTOM’S VOICE

-GAY. but also PHENOMENAL

-THE UNMASK PERFORMANCE

-I liked that they didn’t just leave it and decided to use it for a conclusion/bows

-the fact that it’s ACAPELLA

-CRIED

-thank you for coming to my TED talk

As for Magician’s Pure Love, I honestly loved it from the moment I read it. It reminds me of the ballet Copelia, but less dark. I also love the event story because, and I know some people disagree, it is peak Masumi. This is the closest we’ve gotten to the Secret Good Masumi That Lives in my Head. And I love it. Not even that, the play’s plot is a lot of fun and had me guessing over and over again. Also Koma is there<3

Augh that was a lot but hehe thank you for the ask<333