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zukalations · 5 years ago

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88th Class Ties

This round-robin style talk with all the 92nd class members was published in the May 2017 issue of GRAPH, as part of a series on the more senior classes (those who have been in the company 10 years of more).

In case the tags don’t cooperate, the participants are: Kouzuki Ruu, Asaka Manato, Kagetsu Miyako, Sahana Mako, Kurenai Yuzuru, Hoshou Dai, Yugiri Rai

Kozuki Ruu, Kagetsu Miyako, and Sahana Mako are the only participants still current at time of posting, and Sahana will retire at the conclusion of Snow Troupe’s 2020 show Once Upon A Time In America.

88th Class Ties

Start!

Moon Troupe, Kozuki Ruu

“Alright, I’ll start this off~! Oh, I got Maa-kun (Asaka)!”

Asaka Manato is…

Calm and collected, yet flexible Ever since we were Lower Students she’s been calm and collected, and I’ve never seen her mess up, or seen her cry. But, when we all would get together to goof around, she’d join in, that kind of feeling. In any case, she’s really clever. Also, although she’s the younger one, she has an older-brotherly feeling of ‘Everything will be okay!’, and she’s a really reliable person.

A big eater Although her appearance hasn’t changed at all up to now, I seem to have an image of her eating a lot more in the past… I remember that she wouldn’t be affected by whatever went on around her at all and just steadily kept eating at her own pace… (laughs).

So fast at remembering choreography! Ever since she was a lower student she’s been able to memorize the choreography so quickly! It was the same way in things like Takarazuka Special, and recently when I asked her ‘So how do you learn the choreography?’ she told me ‘I don’t know, I just kind of look at the choreographer and my body moves’, so I wasn’t able to comprehend it at all (laughs). I think she comes by it naturally!

Cosmos Troupe, Asaka Manato

“Ahaha! (laughs) Did I say that about the choreography? I’m terrible, aren’t I! As for being a big eater, I must have been going through my growth spurt back then~ Also, saying I’m clever is going too far! But, Ruu-chan (Kouzuki), thank you!”

Kagetsu Miyako is…

Unchangingly a cute little creature She’s always been just like a little squirrel. Even as her seniority has increased that hasn’t changed at all, so no matter when I look at her I think ‘She’s so cute~’. As for her personality, she’s really laid-back but also has a bit of a mysterious side to her. I want to have a mysterious side, so I’m jealous of that part (laughs).

Sleeps with her eyes open When we were in TMS, she would really sleep a lot. But she wouldn’t close her eyes properly when she slept, so you could never tell if she was asleep or not (laughs). Nacchan (Kagetsu), do you still sleep with your eyes open~?

Suddenly turned into a great actress She’s such a great performer! What an actress! I was so moved by her in Grand Hotel, and her role of the grandmother in Spring Snow was so powerful! I was thinking ‘and that’s Nacchan…?’ I was able to talk to her in the dressing room about performing the other day, and as a senior actress she has such an amazing way of thinking about things, and she has really sharp perception. I’m so happy that the little creature from TMS became able to have such deep conversations! (laughs)

“Nacchan is so cute 💖 ”

Moon Troupe, Kagetsu Miyako

“This is really info you could only get from a classmate (laughs). But...I know I still sleep with my eyes open (laughs). I’ve always had people tell me I’m like a little animal… Maybe it’s because when I get flustered I’ll be like ‘Wa~h!’? (laughs) Being able to talk with Maa-kun after so long, we were each able to learn from each others’ experiences, so that was interesting. Above all, I’m so happy that she became Top Star!

Sahana Mako is…

Able to see things in such an incisive way She’s always been like this, but she sees things in just slightly different ways from other people. Ever since we were in the music school, I picture Kyabii as looking at things from her own point of view and laughing (laughs). Of course it wasn’t in a bad way at all. As we’ve been in the company longer we’ve gotten so close, so as we’re talking about different things, often I’ll realize ‘Oh, she must have been looking at things this way!’ and being surprised. She’s so fun!

Such a skilled actor I love Kyabii’s acting. Perhaps this is related to her unique way of looking at things, but when we were doing the Culture Festival, all she was doing was drinking something and scowling but she had a totally different atmosphere to everyone else. And now that she is bringing that to her current performances, so I really love that sense she has.

Feminine and kind I think she has an image as a really intelligent person, but she is also such a gentle and feminine person. I like that part of her too (laughs). She’s so considerate, like a really reliable older sister, and she’s also so kind, and always sees the good points in people. Basically I just love Kyabii (laughs).

Snow Troupe, Sahana Mako

“I think Natsuko (Kagetsu) is a really unique musumeyaku, so I’m really honored to hear this from her! As our seniority has increased we have gotten into the habit of talking about all kinds of things, and I wish I had something like Natsuko’s totally unique aspects that nobody else can replicate. But that spacey side of her is really healing too. We talk about anything and everything on or offstage, so our relationship has surpassed that of classmates.”

Kurenai Yuzuru is…

She has an odd way of looking at things When we were asked our reasons for deciding to try out for Takarazuka, she said “I want to paint the seats of the Grand Theatre red”. But...they’re red already.

Loves Takarazuka She’s a dyed-in-the-wool traditional Takarazuka fan. Back then [in TMS] she went and wrote in my performance notebook, where I would pour out my passion, that she loved Asazumi Kei-san. But, even though she said she really liked her, she wrote her nickname of Kayoko-san as ‘Kakoyo-san’.

Stoic in her own way Ever since she was a lower student, she would diligently practice the things she was struggling with. But since she was seeing her goal in a slightly different way to other people, it would have the opposite effect, she would end up running away with herself even further. As a result, to come all the way around she would put in even more steady work than anyone else.

Star Troupe, Kurenai Yuzuru

“Actually, at the beginning what I wanted to say was ‘I want to paint the seats scarlet [T/N: ‘kurenai’]’ but she came back at me ‘That means empty seats!’ (laughs). Running away with myself in the opposite direction… (laughs). That’s totally true! I never see what’s close to me. But, I think maybe it’s good that I’m that way (laughs). I’ve been good friends with Sahana Mako ever since we were in TMS. We would pretend we were in Masked Romanesque together and stuff (laughs).”

“Who will I get…”

Hoshou Dai is…

The top dummy of the 88th class! Our classmates always say that me and Dai-chan (Houshou) were about even in terms of being common-sense challenged, but they all say “If we had to choose, Dai-chan was the worst!” so just give up and admit it! (laughs) You’re number one!!

The calm before the storm... This was the day before a holiday, when we were Lower Students. One of the screws in her head must have come loose. She was goofing around on the train station platform, waving her hat around and cheering ‘Ya~y!’ Of course she was promptly spotted in that state by an upper student, and I’ll never forget watching her be scolded like nothing else (laughs).

More of an older sister type in TMS She was talented in Japanese Dance, so she would help you get your kimono on and look after you and such, but once we all entered the company her character totally changed. What’s with that? (laughs)

Snow Troupe, Hoshou Dai

“I don’t want to hear that from Kurenai Yuzuru! We’re equal, aren’t we? Equal! And then, that memory from TMS (laughs). That did happen, didn’t it! Why on earth did I do that, I wonder. Doing a rockette dance while twirling my hat around… Because of me, the commuter students all got horribly scolded...I’m really sorry about that!”

Yuugiri Rai is…

One of the 88th class band of goofballs Ever since we were lower students, Rai-chan (Yuugiri) and Kurenai and I would be the group goofing around (laughs). Although she has a diligent side too, she also has a lot of surprising aspects (laughs). The thing that left the biggest impression with me was when we were taking the entrance exam. During the ‘creative dance’ portion of the exam, she—she was in a volleyball club, you know—next to me she was doing a twirling serve receive (laughs).

So multi-talented! & she loves cute things! She’s so good at drawing, and really skilled at making things. When she was a junior actress she made slippers for a senior actress. She didn’t just put a simple picture on them, but she was so dedicated to making the design! That creative side of her is so cute, and it made me think she had a surprisingly feminine side to her too.

Her voice is the best!!! Ever since we were in TMS she’s had an amazing voice and such good singing skills! She did well in our classical voice class of course, but especially in popular music, her sense of rhythm was really impressive. “So that must be what it’s like to have natural talent~” I thought; it made me jealous.

Flower Troupe, Yuugiri Rai

“I did do that twirling recieve, didn’t I (laughs). Dai-chan, you see me from all different angles, don’t you. Even if you struggle at it, helping other people gives you energy, so I think picturing the other person’s happiness helped me do my best. I’ve always loved singing, so I listened to all different genres of music and learned them by ear. Daichan, do your best! I hope you will continue performing to the end with nothing to regret!!

Kouzuki Ruu is…

A star student! Ever since she was in TMS she had the top grades, and she’s the leader of all of us. Ruu-chan is so reliable, just having her there lets me feel comfortable! No matter what happens, she’ll calmly be able to handle it, and she gives off such a grown-up aura.

She’s just really nice I’ve never seen her being really grumpy or irritable. My strongest image of her is her smiling gently. Ruu-chan is so nice that I’m always ending up relying on her 💖

She loves Takarazuka 💖 She’s always loved Takarazuka, and she knows so much about it, so whenever we asked her about old times she would have an answer—she’s our Professor Takarazuka! I only had superficial knowledge, so she seemed to me like she was really my senior, a powerful individual who even back then had the otokoyaku aesthetics down and a real presence as a Takarasienne (laughs).

Back to Kouzuki Ruu…

Goal!

“I’m not that nice, though~ I have really major emotional swings (laughs). I hated being called a star student ever since I was a junior actress, and I really struggled to break out of that framework… Also, I don’t know about the whole history of Takarazuka (laughs). I probably just said things based on what I knew from when I started watching Takarazuka (laughs). But, the otokoyaku style and aesthetic hasn’t ever changed! I think Rai-chan’s strongest idea of me is from TMS, so if you looked at me now it might shatter the picture you have of me… (laughs). Thank you for saying I’m grown-up and a star student ✨ Please don’t be disillusioned by the current me either!

#takarazuka #article translation #mag: graph #sienne: kouzuki ruu #sienne: asaka manato #sienne: kagetsu miyaki #sienne: sahana mako #sienne: kurenai yuzuru #sienne: hoshou dai #sienne: yuugiri rai #troupe: hana #troupe: hoshi #troupe: yuki #troupe: tsuki #troupe: sora

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zukalations · 6 years ago

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TOP MANIA - Kurenai Yuzuru, Star Troupe

TOP MANIA! was a 2017 Kageki feature where Top Stars and Top Musumeyaku talked about their work routine during performances. Kurenai’s was published in the April issue.

TOP MANIA - Kurenai Yuzuru, Star Troupe

Before the performance

1) 3 hours before curtain, warming up and rehearsal in the practice room Go to the dressing room 2 hours before curtain 2) Stage makeup 3) Visualization exercises

Although I’ve eaten my breakfast at the theatre occasionally, in general I eat before leaving the house. On opening days in the Grand Theatre, there’s usually a dress rehearsal in the morning, so I go to the practice room 4 hours before then and begin practicing.

1) Before I go to the dressing room, I’ll do vocal exercises and stretches in the practice room as warmup, and try out things I where I had thought “let’s try it this way” as solutions for problems I noticed the day before. After reviewing things I was concerned about, I go through all my lines and songs.

2) I do my makeup based on my role in the play, so depending on the show, the angle I draw my eyebrows at and the way I draw my eyes, my foundation and all the other colors will be different. The main point is the eyes, of course, but if my skin is in bad shape there’s no point to the makeup, so I take great care when doing the base foundation. While I’m doing my makeup it feels as if I am changing into my character.

3) When I think “I want to respond to this” about someone else’s lines or actions, first I think about where that motivation comes from and why I would do that. Focusing on parts where I hadn’t responded satisfactorily the day before, I visualize not just the basic timings and movements, but re-run it over and over with fine adjustments in emotion so that I absorb everything deeply.

Something that you have to have on your dressing table

I always decorate my dressing table with fresh flowers. Once in a while Aa-chan (Kisaki) will put them there for me. I want to go on stage in an energized mood, so I keep everything around me cute and sparkly. Even my hand mirror and hair dryer are decorated with Swarovski crystals, so they’re super sparkly. I don’t want to use anything un-cute (laughs).

During the show

A must-have for performances Perfume. I change my perfume depending on the role I’m playing. As one of my steps in putting together a role, I decide ‘this person would probably have this kind of scent’ and collect a lot of different perfumes, then choose from among those. Therefore, sometimes there are times where the role calls for something I never use. Even if it’s a scent I personally don’t like, using it since it suits the role will make me strangely fond of it. But then as soon as the show closes I’ll go straight back to disliking it (laughs). I’ll change my perfume according to my image of the revue as well.

Your beverage of choice during a show Pocari Sweat and licorice tea from China, also really nice water (laughs). I generally drink about the same amount of everything.

What you focus on during quick changes Although I’m in a hurry, I don’t rush. I always match up with the time. Definitely, for sure!! I’m always defying the time limits: “I won’t rush just because I’m pressed for time!” Since once before I had a quick-change where I had to change a wig and a kimono entirely in twenty seconds, that gives me a strange sense of confidence since I can tell myself if that went fine anything else will be okay (laughs).

Your favorite moments onstage The moments when the pinpoint spotlight hits me and the audience applauds. Of course if makes me happy, and coming out like that and getting applause really makes me feel like I’m standing on the stage of Takarazuka. During the shinjin kouen of The Scarlet Pimpernel, the applause from the audience was so huge...I was able to discover how much I could ride on the applause.

How far can you see into the audience? I can see everything. In the Tokyo Takarazuka Theatre, I can see to the standing area in the very back of the second floor. I can tell ‘oh, there are kids watching today~’.

After the performance

The first thing you do after a show I gargle with the licorice tea. Next I wash my hands and take off just my eye makeup. After that I talk to the people I interact with in the play and so on about things that day I think I could have done better, or things where I think I would like to do something some other way.

Do the roles you are playing affect your daily life? I’ve never had a role rub off on me ever. Even when I’m actually thinking about my role, my emotions aren’t affected by the characters’.

Bonus round

What moments make you really feel like an otokoyaku After all, I think it’s times when I’m sitting in a chair with my legs spread, or when I have my arms folded in a way a woman wouldn’t do, that I really feel ‘I’m that kind of being known as an otokoyaku’. Onstage, when I was performing as a junior actress, I would think sometimes “Right now I’m being an otokoyaku!”, but gradually those kind of things began to feel normal to me. It’s not that I’m being an otokoyaku, now, but that I’m playing my role, so right now I don’t have such an awareness of it, it just feels like ‘oh, this is how it is’.

#takarazuka #mag: kageki #troupe: hoshi #sienne: kurenai yuzuru

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zukalations · 6 years ago

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“Has anybody ever cried this much…” Kurenai Yuzuru makes fun of her own tearful outburst

This article about Star Troupe Top Star Kurenai Yuzuru’s retirement press conference was published by Nikkan Sports on February 6, 2019. The original article with photos can be found here.

“Has anybody ever cried this much…” Kurenai Yuzuru makes fun of her own tearful outburst

Top star of the Takarazuka Revue’s star troupe, Kurenai Yuzuru, who announced that she would be retiring from Takarazuka on October 13th, held a press conference at a hotel in Osaka on the 6th.

She wore a pure white suit and a silver necklace at her throat. Her distinctive personality and ability to make tears into laughter were displayed thoroughly. “And here I thought I wouldn’t cry…" "Once I get started crying, it just doesn’t stop, see." "Has anybody ever cried this much (At their retirement press conference)?” – she continued to joke about herself despite her tears.

Kurenai is from Osaka, and joined Takarazuka in 2002. She has a splendid figure at 173 centimetres, and as might be expected of an 'Osaka-ite Top', she is talented at comedy, taking pride in her ability to bring witty performances full of humanity. She wielded these talents explosively.

After her ascension to Top Star in November of 2016, she also appeared in things such as the “Dream Jumbo Lottery” television commercial, which allowed her to utilize her masterful speaking skills. She was given the responsibly of a “PR Representative” for the company, and last autumn she starred in the Takarazuka Revue’s 3rd Taiwan performance.

Regarding her retirement, she said that she decided “Right after the close of my (Grand Theatre) debut (in March of 2017), The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

Although many Takarazuka Top Stars have said that “a bell goes off inside you and you know” about when to retire, in Kurenai’s case, “I felt like it might never go off in my whole life.” Even before she passed the Takarazuka entrance exam, she would imagine herself commuting to the school by train – it was a “holy land” she yearned for.

“If I could join once again after retiring once, I would. I want to wear the Music School uniform again. I wasn’t any good at the morning cleaning sessions, but no matter how tough things where, I was happy just wearing the uniform.”

This was her expression of her love for Takarazuka. Her feelings of never wanting to leave were too strong, so in order to lay down a limit for herself, “I thought of the number 5. 6 shows (as Top) would be overdoing things a bit. And 4 shows isn’t enough. I would retire after five shows. I decided to put all of my strength into those shows. Ah, and there’s (my singing group) Kurenai 5, too, isn’t there. I only just thought of that, but wasn’t I clever?” she said, laughing as she looked back.

Kurenai will retire with Top Musumeyaku Kisaki Airi, at the conclusion of the Tokyo performance of GOD OF STARS – Saints of Cuisine/Éclair Brilliant, which opens in the Takarazuka Grand Theatre in Hyogo on July 12th. It will be her 5th main theatre show since becoming Top.

“I forgot when I told (Kisaki), so I called her. We ended up spending like an hour chatting about pointless stuff,” she laughed wryly. She said that she informed Kisaki when she planned to retire during the performance of ANOTHER WORLD in April of last year.

Kisaki replied “I’ll graduate together with Kurenai-san, I don’t have a shadow of a doubt.” And their 'married for life' retirement was decided. She informed the other members of the troupe on the 3rd of the month.

“It sounded too cheerful when I said it, so everyone was frozen like ‘…’ After that, they cried for me. I was happy.”

It’s just like Kurenai to hide her sadness inside and put on a joking exterior. She described how her attitude when informing them of her retirement decision totally bewildered the other members of the troupe.

The show that she has the strongest memories of is The Scarlet Pimpernel, which was her first junior performance and her Grand Theatre top debut. It was her first experience under the direction of Koike Shuuichiro, who is known for his strict direction. When asked about anecdotes, she said “I was having too much fun with the side entertainment (at cast parties)… but through that, I was able to learn more about how fun it was to make people happy, and how to entertain people, and how to develop a sense of service.”

When asked about after her retirement, she said “right now I can’t think about anything except Takarazuka. Or really, I don’t want to.” She said that her path was undecided. She left it at “if I was to encounter some possibility, then I would consider it.”

Also, when the question of if she was retiring to marry came up, she joked “I’m so happy someone asked me that question,” before replying “I’m not. You cannot have a marriage with one person, after all,” making everyone laugh. However, after that, her expression turned earnest. “In Takarazuka, I married Kisaki, and there are also all of my precious fans,” she continued, expressing her gratitude to those who supported her in her theatre career for 17 years.

#takarazuka #troupe: hoshi #sienne: kurenai yuzuru #article translation

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zukalations · 6 years ago

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Monthly Question!! June 2018

Monthly Question!! is the new Kageki Top Star feature for 2018, taking over from That’s RanKING! It’s somewhat similar to That’s RanKING! in that it asks the Top Stars what they think the others would do in a particular situation, but without the points competition element.

An outtake from the back of the magazine is included.

This month’s question: If you were 10cm tall for a day, what would you do?

Monthly Question! In this situation…what would you do!?

The Top Star of each troupe answers ‘if this happened, what would you do?’ Enjoy this feature as we compare their predictions!

This month’s question: If you were 10cm tall for a day, what would you do?

Makaze Suzuho, Cosmos Troupe:

I would… I’d like to get in someone’s pocket and go see the other troupes’ rehearsal rooms. I think it would be fun to see how they deal with rehearsals and what’s popular in the other troupes.

Everyone else would… If Mirio-san (Asumi) shrank to 10cm tall she would be a fairy for real (laughs). I think Tama-chan would ride around on a golden retriever, since she loves them. Daimon-san would be really shocked and be like “What do I do!! Someone help!” and go to someone else for advice, maybe (laughs). But at 10cm tall using her smartphone would be a struggle too (laughs). Maybe Sayumi-san (Kurenai) could try riding across a river on a flower petal, like on the poster for ANOTHER WORLD (laughs).

Nozomi Fuuto, Snow Troupe

I would… I might like to try riding in somebody’s pocket. Also, I might like to try pranking people like “Where’s that voice coming from!” or “There’s a tiny person in this photo!” but...I’d probably get tired of it after around an hour…

Everyone else would… Mirio would make herself a hammock and things, and turn a corner of her house into Hawaii so she could spend the time relaxing. Tamakichi (Tamaki) would try to calmly fulfill her duties just as she would every day, I think...I have trouble picturing that for her, though (laughs). Sayumi-san would have people carry her around places and just try to enjoy herself. I have trouble picturing Makyaze (Makaze) like this, but she seems like she might enjoy riding on someone’s shoulder.

Asumi Rio, Flower Troupe

I would… I’d spend the time inside some food. Like trying to sleep inside a bread roll! It would smell nice, and it would be so soft… It would be really hard to try and go anywhere, so I’d just sleep in the bread roll the whole time.

Everyone else would… I think Ryou-chan (Tamaki) would be determined to challenge herself somehow, like climbing up on the sofa, or carrying the remote control or something. Even if Aya-chan (Nozomi) shrank, I think she’d still read her scripts and sheet music. She’d be working hard to try and turn the pages thinking “maybe looking at this while I’m smaller, I’ll make some new discovery.” Kurenai-san would ride on one of the troupe members’ shoulders, or in her pocket, and go out somewhere. I can’t picture a small Yurika-chan, so I’d like to meet her and play with her.

Tamaki Ryou, Moon Troupe

I would… If I was 10cm tall, I could go into even the tiniest holes, but...if there was a mouse that would be a big problem, and if I ran into a cat or a dog I might get carried off...ahhh, it’s so dangerous! I think I’d have someone let me ride on their shoulder so I could get around safely.

Everyone else would… I think the 10cm Asumi-san might enjoy challenging herself by seeing how far she could walk. Nozo-san (Nozomi) would be really excited about being 10cm tall and spend the whole time really actively. Kurenai-san would be like “Alright!” and spend the whole time startling people by calling out ‘Here I am!’ or setting up practical jokes. I also have an image of Yurika-san as someone who likes pranks, but I think she would try to silently startle people by moving things and such (laughs).

Kurenai Yuzuru, Star Troupe

I would… Eh~? Well, in the first place, it would be really dangerous outside, so I wouldn’t go out. I’d spend the whole time very quietly at home. I wouldn’t want to do anything risky! That’s so scary!

Everyone else would… I wonder if our phones would shrink too. If so, I think Yurika would take really cool pictures. If not I think she’d just sleep (laughs). Daimon would...maybe she would get in someone’s pocket? And then she would survey the landscape from inside their pocket. I feel like Tamakichi would spend the time studying the electrical system or something (laughs). Mirio-chan might go climb up on a flower. And me, I’d be at home sleeping (laughs).

Outtakes:

Whose pocket would be best to ride in… Makaze: “Someone kind would be best. Tama-chan (Tamaki) seems like she’d take really good care of me. I’m her senior, after all (laughs). Mirio-san (Asumi) also seems like she’d be really careful with me. Sayumi-san and Daimon-san might not be the best idea (laughs). Daimon might make a sudden move and accidentally throw me out of her pocket, and Sayumi-san might forget I was in her pocket and end up hitting me, Bam! (laughs) Nope, nope, nope.”

#takarazuka #article translation #mag: kageki #sienne: makaze suzuho #sienne: asumi rio #sienne: nozomi fuuto #sienne: kurenai yuzuru #sienne: tamaki ryou

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zukalations · 6 years ago

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Monthly Question!! July 2018

This month’s question: What would you do if you were in the middle of a really scary haunted house and suddenly noticed that the person you came in with was gone?

Monthly Question!! In this situation…what would you do!?

This month’s question: What would you do if you were in the middle of a really scary haunted house and suddenly noticed that the person you came in with was gone?

Asumi Rio, Flower Troupe

I would… I would never want to go into a haunted house in the first place, but if I went in and then lost the other person...I’d just leave! I’d never go again with somebody who would make me go in, even though I hate it, and then get lost! (laughs). I’d just leave the haunted house and go home from the amusement park!

Everyone else would… I think Ryou-chan (Tamaki) would decide the best thing to do would be to leave and wait for the other person, so she’d make a dash for the exit. Aya-chan (Nozomi) would gradually make her exist, nervously feeling her way there, I think. Kurenai-san seems like she’d start yelling ‘WHERE ARE YOU~?’ in a really loud voice. I’d like it if Yurika-san were the same as me, so maybe she would leave too.

Kurenai Yuzuru, Star Troupe

I would… That’s the worst! First off I’d probably lose my temper and yell “Why aren’t you here!?” (laughs) Then, I’d look for the emergency exit so that I could get out in the middle of the route.

Everyone else would... I think when the monsters came out to scare Mirio-chan she would try to tell them “Hey, don’t, I’m looking for somebody. Hang on a minute!” (laughs) I feel like Tamakichi would keep repeating “I just can’t believe this. I just can’t believe this,” as she headed for the exit. I think Daimon (Nozomi) would probably turn back and retrace her path. Not because she was searching for the other person, but just because she wants to get out! Yurika I think might try asking the haunted house performers. “Did they come this way? Huh, you didn’t see them!?” and get more and more upset (laughs).

Tamaki Ryou, Moon Troupe:

I would: I hate haunted houses, so I definitely wouldn’t be able to search for somebody if I lost them. Since the the ‘ghosts’ would know the way out, I’d run back and as soon as I caught up with one of the monsters following me I’d have them guide me out.

Everyone else would… Asumi-san seems as if she’d be good at haunted houses, so while I think she’d do her best to search, if she didn’t find the other person she would head to the exit by herself. My impression of Nozo-san (Nozomi) is that she isn’t very good with haunted houses, so I think if she lost the person she came with she’d run for the exit yelling “Please don’t attack me!” Yurika-san seems as if she’d have a hard time as well, but I think if she lost the person she came with she would calmly have someone let her out of one of the other exits and call them from her cell phone. I think Kurenai-san would search for the other person and yell for them, and if she couldn’t then she would be the one scaring the monsters as she sprinted for the goal.

Nozomi Fuuto, Snow Troupe

I would… First off, I totally hate haunted houses, so I wouldn’t go in. So, while I wouldn’t want to go in, if I did go in and then lost the other person...I’m sorry, but I’d head for the goal without feeling anything at all about them.

Everyone else would… Even though Mirio (Asumi) would be scared of the monsters, when they came to scare her she’d still try to ask them “This person looks like such and such, did you pass them?” and search for the other person. I feel like Tamakichi (Tamaki) would feel such a sense of duty towards the other person that she wouldn’t even notice the monsters as she retraced her steps to look for them. I think Sayumi-san (Kurenai) would just yell “Where are you~!” as she kept heading for the goal, and Makyaze (Makaze) would get in a total panic and be too scared to go on, so she would just head back to the entrance.

Makaze Suzuho, Cosmos Troupe

I would… That would be the worst. I’d make a dash for the emergency exit. I wouldn’t bother to search for the other person at all (laughs). I’d leave separately and meet up with them at the exit (laughs).

Everyone else would… Maybe Mirio-san is the type to be okay in haunted houses...I think she’d try to search for them a bit, but if she didn’t run into them she’d leave by herself. Tama-chan (Tamaki) seems like she’d search diligently. What about Daimon...I feel like she’d be scared and just leave by herself. Sayumi-san seems like she wouldn’t really search but she’d still end up meeting up with them again (laughs). She’d walk around like “Where is the exit!?” and then run into the person she lost and be like “Oh! Here you are!” and just end up leaving together with them normally (laughs).

#takarazuka #article translation #mag: kageki #sienne: kurenai yuzuru #sienne: asumi rio #sienne: tamaki ryou #sienne: nozomi fuuto #sienne: makaze suzuho

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zukalations · 6 years ago

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Debut Roundtable Talk: 104th Class - Let’s bloom as diversely colorful flowers!

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, and Kurenai Yuzuru hosted the talk which was published in the June 2018 issue of Kageki.

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

Some outtakes from the back of the magazine are also included.

Debut Roundtable Talk: 104th Class - Let’s bloom as diversely colorful flowers!

Participants: Kurenai Yuzuru (Star Troupe), Aone Towa, Mashiro Yuuki, Mahiro Ren, Chihaya Mao, Kiyora Haryuu (Debuting Students)

Kurenai: Alright, let’s start with introductions from all of you. First is…

Aone: Yes! I’m Aone Towa.

Kurenai: (looking through Takarazuka Otome*) Your nickname is ‘Aone’-san, right. Is there any specialty you have? You’re top of the class so you must be able to do everything (laughs).

Aone: No...I like singing and dancing.

Kurenai: I see. Which one do you like best between them?

Aone: I like dance best.

Kurenai: I see. Alright, next person, go ahead.

Mashiro: Yes, I’m Mashiro Yuuki.

Kurenai: (looking through Takarazuka Otome) Your nickname is ‘Piikoro’. That’s so cute! What is your specialty?

Mashiro: It’s 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.

Mahiro: I’m Mahiro Ren.

Kurenai: Your nickname is ‘Rooren’, that’s funny. What’s the reason?

Mahiro: It’s from MahiRO REN…

Kurenai: So that’s where it came from (laughs). According to Otome, your specialty is piano?

Mahiro: Yes.

Kurenai: Got it. Next is Chihaya-san.

Chihaya: I’m Chihaya Mao. My nickname is ‘Youko’.

Kurenai: (looking through Takarazuka Otome) You like classical ballet?

Chihaya: Yes.

Kurenai: Yes, your face certainly says you like it (laughs). So, Kiyora Haryuu-san, go ahead.

Kiyora: Yes, I’m Kiyora Haryuu. I like singing and acting.

Kurenai: ‘Ryuu’... That’s quite a name, isn’t it. Why did you choose that stage name?

Kiyora: It’s from my real name.

Kurenai: I see! (looking through Takarazuka Otome) Your nickname is ‘Ohane’. Next, I’d like to ask what each of your motivations was for taking the entrance exam.

Aone: The first Takarazuka show I saw was the debut of the 96th class**, and afterwards I saw An Officer And a Gentleman and I thought Yuzuki (Reon)-san was just amazing…

Kurenai: So then you thought you would try out?

Aone: Yes. I continued studying ballet, and I kept thinking ‘there really is a world like that’, and I decided to take the exam when I was in my second year of middle school.

Mashiro: When I was in elementary school, my mother took me to see Sena Jun-san in Elisabeth, and the moment I saw the program I was shocked and couldn’t think about anything else.

Kurenai: She was really cool. So you decided because of that?

Mashiro: Yes.

Mahiro: 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’t want to… But after we watched the performance, I was so impacted by it that I couldn’t even eat.

Kurenai: What show did you see?

Mahiro: It was The Legend of the Great King and the Four Gods, starring Matobu Sei-san.

Chihaya: When I was in elementary school, I saw AQUA 5*** on TV, and I thought they were really cool, and afterwards I watched a Takarazuka Revue show on TV and thought ‘so this is where AQUA 5 is originally from…’

Kurenai: Originally (laughs).

Chihara: My first time seeing a performance in the theatre was Mizu Natsuki-san’s retirement show****, and since I had always liked dance I longed to be able to dance so much.

Kiyora: 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.

Kurenai: A lot of the time we hear that pattern of ‘So my mother…’ but for someone to get in to it through their father is unique. Did anything happen that caused you to get into Takarazuka?

Kiyora: It’s not that I saw a particular show, but as I began to research Takarazuka on my own I came to like it.

Kurenai: I see. So, how was it to be onstage for the first time?

Aone: 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.

Kurenai: Yes, yes, it’s like that.

Mashiro: I can hardly believe that now I will be on the same stage that I used to be watching from the audience… However, it’s amazing...it’s an amazing feeling.

Kurenai: You’re feeling amazing emotions, aren’t you (laughs).

Mahiro: 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…

Kurenai: You were enlightened! (laughs)

Mahiro: I was really happy.

Chihaya: When I would watch from the audience, I felt like the silver bridge was a holy object I could never touch, so I couldn’t believe that I was to stand there myself, and when the curtain went up I felt so nervous I didn’t know what to do with myself, but now I’m enjoying it.

Kurenai: Yes, yes, that’s good.

Kiyora: I’m 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.

Kurenai: You were? I see. I can still clearly remember my debut. It’s 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’t 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.

All Ken-1s: Yes!

Kurenai: 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... Ah, you did it with me before too, didn’t you?

All Ken-1s: Yes.

Kurenai: 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.

All Ken-1s: Thank you so much!

Kurenai: ...you tell that to all the others, alright? (laughs) Next, you all can go ahead and ask me questions.

Aone: What is it that gives you the most energy?

Kurenai: I think it must be performing onstage. Although it’s really difficult, I get such an amazing feeling of accomplishment after a performance. Also, since I personally love Takarazuka, if I think ‘I’m able to be on this stage’ it blows away any despondent feelings.

Mashiro: Do you perhaps have a routine that you follow before going on stage?

Kurenai: I arrive at the dressing room pretty darn early; did you all know that? (laughs)

All Ken-1s: Yes.

Kurenai: Oh, you knew (laughs). The truth is I’m secretly rehearsing. Of course I do a lot during the rehearsals, but even after the show opens, I’ll 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...I keep that up every morning until closing. It’s 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’s really early. My lifestyle is like a little old man (laughs).

Mahiro: What is it that is most important to you, as you have been performing as an otokoyaku for such a long time?

Kurenai: This doesn’t 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’t something that just happens, it takes help from so many other people for me to be able to perform onstage, so you mustn’t 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’s 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.

Chihaya: How do you get into character for plays, Kurenai-san?

Kurenai: 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’m really saying the lines as if they come from my own heart.

Kiyora: What do you think is the appeal of the current members of Star Troupe?

Kurenai: It’s that they’re so full of energy. Apparently my troupe is really loud (laughs). We’re 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 ‘this about you is no good’ and the person who hears it can accept that. I think we’ve built up really close bonds built on trust. Are you all done with the questions?

All Ken-1s: Yes!

Kurenai: You all here today are the students with the highest grades, so I’m sure you all have something you’re especially good at. Of course it’s very important to display your skills, and it’s 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 ‘they’re so wonderful to see, that was so moving’ and stir their emotions, is your hearts. I want you to make sure you don’t forget that.

All Ken-1s: Yes! Thank you so much.

Outtakes:

Sayumi when one of the Ken-1s was overcome with emotion… “What is it? Are you okay? Hm? Is it allergies? No? Eh, you’re too emotional? ...what a good kid. And here I thought it was allergies… (laughs)” Sayumi was able to make fun of herself after the disturbance was over.

Even during performances, she keeps reading her script over and over… Kurenai: It always ends up in such terrible shape, my script is practically falling apart, so I’ll always be holding it together with cellophane tape (laughs).

* Takarazuka Otome is a book published each year with profiles of all current Takarasiennes.

** The Scarlet Pimpernel, 2010

*** A ‘boy band’ group of Snow Troupe otokoyaku headed by then-Top Star Mizu Natsuki.

**** Roget, 2010

#takarazuka #article translation #mag: kageki #sienne: kurenai yuzuru #sienne: aone towa #sienne: mashiro yuuki #sienne: mahiro ren #sienne: chihaya mao #sienne: kiyora haryuu #troupe: hoshi

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zukalations · 6 years ago

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Star Troupe Troupe Report - June 2017

Troupe Report is a Kageki feature where an appointed reporter will write about current events in the troupe or ask troupe members for questions to answers sent in by readers. Reporters are generally only replaced on retirement, unlike other backstage features that rotate monthly or quarterly.

Star Troupe’s Troupe Report has been written by Kisaragi Ren since 2015. The June 2017 edition features questions for the leading members of the troupe and backstage anecdotes.

Star Troupe Troupe Report - June 2017

⭐️ Spending their day off in Dreamland 💖

Kurenai: It’s Grandpa Pinocchio! Grandpa~!

Kurenai and Kisaki: Grandpa! GRANDPA~!

They were such a beautiful couple you would never think they were having that conversation ✨

Against Expectations level: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Question for Rei Makoto-san

Q: Which one of Kurenai-san’s adlibs made you struggle the hardest not to laugh? (question from Fumika)

Kurenai: ‘Let’s go to Demon Island with Momotarou!’

Rei: ‘Let’s not.’

Kurenai: ‘I’ll be the monkey, and Marguerite will be the dog…’

Aa-chan (Kisaki) was startled to suddenly have her name called, and Makottsan (Rei) ended up focusing on her face. But the finishing blow was…

Kurenai: ‘And you can be the pheasant!!’

...THERE WASN’T ANY MOMOTAROU.

Chauvelin will never forget his frustration at letting his laughter slip out then.

Perseverance level: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Question for Kisaki Airi-san

Q: What is your favorite fruit? (question from Yukari)

A: It’s strawberries 🍓

Girl Power level: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Questions for Kurenai Yuzuru-san

Q: Are there any fortunes or o-mikuji* that had a deep impact on you? (question from ChaCha)

“When I was ken-1 I bought a 100yen o-mikuji that said ‘you’ll become rich one day’ and I still totally believe that ✨”

And right now Sayumi-san is the mascot figure for the Dream Jumbo Lottery ✨Now all she has to do is win!! (laughs)

This question is for her too 💖

Q. If you won the 7-million-yen lottery, what dream would you like to make come true? (question from Pit)

“I’d like to charter Star Troupe shows for students giving it their all at their jobs, or housewives working part-time, or anybody working hard trying to see Takarazuka even one more time!!”

Kisaragi: “...With all 7 million yen?”

“Darn right!! I’ll be Mother Teresa!!”

I had never expected that kind of amazing response ✨

It made me feel like a loser for wishing I could have even 1/1000 of that to use on just myself.

Hopes and dreams level: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

⭐️ Question for all the ken-3 members

Q. Where would you like to go with another Takarasienne you admire? (question from Kirara)

Aomi Sario: “I’d like to go to an aquarium with Otosaki [Itsuki]-san 💖”

Sayaka Rin: “I’d like to go to America with Hokushou [Kairi]-san ✨”

Yuuhi Maki: “I’d like to tour Japan with Sou [Kazuho]-san and go to Disneyland with Seo [Yuria]-san 🏰”

Amakake Sakura: “I’d like to go to karaoke with Sazanami [Reira]-san 🎵”

Ayazono Hina: “I’d like to go with Ichijou [Azusa]-san on a road trip to Awaji Island.”

Asakura Shizuku: “I’d like to go to the beach with Rei [Makoto]-san 🐠”

Kusanagi Kizuki: “I’d like to have a barbecue with Nagina [Ruumi]-san 🌞”

Seira Hitomi: I’d like to go to Minion Park with Kisaragi-san 🍌 (After she’s through playing Simon**. LOL)”

* O-mikuji are fortune papers that can be bought at Japanese temples and shrines. They have various fortunes written on them (ranging from ‘Great Blessing’ to ‘Great Curse’) and are selected at random from a box.

** In The Scarlet Pimpernel, Hitomi played the Dauphin Louis-Charles and Kisaragi played his abusive jailer Simon.

#takarazuka #troupe: hoshi #sienne: kisaragi ren #sienne: kurenai yuzuru #sienne: kisaki airi #sienne: rei makoto #show: the scarlet pimpernel

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zukalations · 6 years ago

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Monthly Question!! - April 2018

This month’s scenario: You are Momotaro. You are headed to Demon Island. The dog, the monkey, and the pheasant tell you ‘If you give me a millet dumpling we’ll join you’. However, if you only had one millet dumpling…

Monthly Question!! In this situation...what would you do!?

The Top Star of each troupe answers ‘if this happened, what would you do?’ Enjoy this feature as we compare their predictions!

This month’s topic: You are Momotaro. You are headed to Demon Island. The dog, the monkey, and the pheasant tell you ‘If you give me a millet dumpling we’ll join you’. However, if you only had one millet dumpling…

Flower Troupe - Asumi Rio

I would… I’d eat it myself. I can’t deal with pheasants… And the monkey and the dog might attack me, right? Therefore, I’d savor the taste of a single delicious millet dumpling and then go and do my best by myself. But probably if I were to ask Aya-chan (Nozomi), she would come along with me, I think.

Everyone else would… I think Ryou-chan (Tamaki) would get along well with the dog (laughs). I think she’d apologize to the monkey and the pheasant and then choose the dog. I think Aya-chan (Nozomi) would break the millet dumpling into three portions and ask ‘You’ll come with me this way, right?’ and convince them to go along with her. Even if Kurenai-san didn’t have any millet dumplings, she’d be able to convince them ‘This is going to be awesome, come on!’ Yurika-chan (Makaze) is pretty big, so I think she’d just pick them up and go. I feel like she’d say ‘Sorry about this...’ with a smile and scoop them all up in her arms.

Snow Troupe - Nozomi Fuuto

I would… I’d break up the millet dumpling. I’d break it up and give everyone a piece.

Everyone else would… I feel like Mirio (Asumi) would split it up too. Maybe Tamakichi (Tamaki) would be like ‘How could there only be one millet dumpling!’ and throw it to the ground, and then kneel down and tell the animals ‘Please, I need your help!’ and she would be so handsome that they would go with her. Sayumi-san (Kurenai) would use her natural communication skills on the animals and before you know it she would be great friends with all of them and they’d all join her. Makyaze (Makaze) would say ‘I don’t need allies who can be tempted with a single millet dumpling!’ and give them a thorough lecture on what a real ally is like, and after hearing that the animals would all cry and join her (laughs).

Moon Troupe - Tamaki Ryou

I would… I’d break it into three pieces and say ‘It’s only a third now, but will you come anyway?’ and get them all to come.

Everyone else would… Asumi-san would really struggle over ‘Which one should I give this too…?’ I think. And then the monkey would snatch the millet dumpling and say ‘Come on, let’s go!’ (laughs) Who would Nozo-san (Nozomi) give it to...probably the dog. She’d bring the dog along and also do her best herself. Kurenai-san would give it to the pheasant, since with the pheasant she would be able to fly away and escape. I think she’d be the type to think about what to do if things went bad on Demon Island as well. I think Yurika-san would make two more millet dumplings herself and get them all to come with her.

Cosmos Troupe - Makaze Suzuho

I would… I’d have them all talk among themselves as to who would come with me, and if they couldn’t decide I’d have them play rock-paper-scissors. If I didn’t make sure it was all fair it would damage their relationship with each other afterwards, you see (laughs).

Everyone else would… Would Mirio-san even go to a place like Demon Island? If she did go, she definitely wouldn’t pick the pheasant since it’s a bird, and I don’t see her as caring for the monkey either (laughs), so maybe she would pick the dog. Tama-chan (Tamaki) likes dogs, so she’d go for the dog of course (laughs). Daimon-san would break the millet dumpling into three pieces (laughs) and then go defeat the forces of evil! Sayumi-san would say ‘don’t worry, when we get back there will be tons of millet dumplings!’ or something, and end up with all of them, I think (laughs).

Star Troupe - Kurenai Yuzuru

I would… I’d give a third to each of them and bring them all with me!

Everyone else would… I feel like Yurika (Makaze) would totally refuse to participate and say ‘I don’t want any part of this! I’m going by myself!’ (laughs). Daimon (Nozomi) would be like ‘Oh....What to do…’ and struggle for a bit, but then she would be like ‘I’ve got it! You can play rock-paper-scissors for it!’ I think. And then as a follow-up she’d tell the ones who lost ‘Well, you lost, I’m sorry,’ and the other two would follow her of their own volition. Tamakichi would be like ‘But I want to eat it!’ (laughs). And then...she’d probably have them play rock-paper-scissors. Either that or she’d come and ask ‘Kurenai-san, what did you do?’ (laughs). Mirio-san would be like ‘Is there something else I could give you that would work?’ and find a substitute to give them, I think.

Outtakes:

Beni: “I feel like if I was nearby, Yurika would call me over and say ‘I only have one millet dumpling, but all three of them say they want one, so what am I supposed to do?” So I’d say “Just split it into thirds,” and I think she’d end up doing that as well (laughs).

Mirio and animals: “Aren’t monkeys kind of scary too somehow? They’ll scream ‘Kii!’ and stuff… And then dogs will jump on you…”

Asumi: “In the end, the whole problem is that when I’m in such a dangerous situation, where I’m going to try and exterminate the demons, they won’t even join me unless I give them a millet dumpling! I think I’d just be like ‘Huh? Well, who needs you!’ (laughs)”

#takarazuka #article translation #mag: kageki #sienne: asumi rio #sienne: nozomi fuuto #sienne: kurenai yuzuru #sienne: makaze suzuho #sienne: tamaki ryou

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zukalations · 7 years ago

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That's RanKING - May 2017

In That’s RanKING!, the Kageki Top Star Q&A feature, the Top Stars rank each other based on questions from readers. This month’s question: Who would be best at leading a boy or girl scout troop?

Who would be best at leading a boy or girl scout troop? (Question from Outdoors Person)

1. Asaka Manato - 40 points 2. Tamaki Ryou - 21 points 3. Sagiri Seina - 18 points

Asaka Manato, Cosmos Troupe Chigi is #1 for sure! I think she'd be really passionate and get everyone into it. #2 is Ryou-chan (Tamaki). She seems good at working according to a plan, so I think she'd make a good leader. #3 is Sayumi-chan (Kurenai). In Sayumi-chan's case though, I think she'd entertain everyone with her conversational skills, so it would start out really well. But then the conversation would get out of control and in the end it would delay the whole expedition (laughs). Mirio (Asumi) I don't really see being good at this, and while I enjoy nature I'm also prone to spacing out so I don't think I should be a leader (laughs).

Tamaki Ryou, Moon Troupe Who would make the best leader, huh... In that case, I think Maa-sama would be #1. I feel like she's really smart, so she'd be able to give the kids clear instructions and keep everyone moving briskly. I think I'll sneak in at #2 (laughs). I like playing around with kids, and while I couldn't exactly keep things moving 'briskly' I could definitely manage like 'this way, kids!' #3 would be either Chigi-san or Sayumi-san...they both seem like they would have tons of fun with the kids...Chigi-san! I think Asumi-san would just be like 'have fun, guys' and watch from the sidelines.

Sagiri Seina, Snow Troupe Maa-kun I think would lead everyone really cheerfully, so she's first. While this goes for me too, since she's from a really rural area (laughs) she'd soon adjust to the environment and wouldn't mind being outdoors for a long time. 'Fresh' Tamakichi-kun (Tamaki) is in second place. Since she's young I think she'd make an energetic leader. I'm third. Though to be honest I'd rather have somebody else lead me, I like the outdoors and I think I'd find a lot of fun in it so I'd probably be okay. Kurenai-kun would probably prfer having someone else lead so she could relax and enjoy herself, and Mirio-chan would probably end up wanting to join my troop (laughs).

Kurenai Yuzuru, Star Troupe Maa-kun is #1. When she explains something she takes care to make the important points clear and organizes it all neatly, so I think she'd make a good leader. Tamakittsan (Tamaki) is #2. I think she'd really be able to make the kids understand how it felt to be surrounded by nature. #3, Chigi-san, I feel would be more like a pushy salesman trying to impress on the kids how amazing nature is, rather than a leader. As for me, when I go outside I'd rather have someone to follow, so I wouldn't be able to lead I think (laughs).

Asumi Rio, Flower Troupe For #1... I'm going to put in a vote for Maa-sama here. As for why, I think a boy scout outfit would really suit her! And then #2 is Chigi-san. She has a refreshing and enthusiastic personality, so I think she'd be good at getting everyone involved. #3 is maybe Ryou-chan. She's very earnest and fits perfectly into my mental image of a 'scout leader'. Kurenai-san doesn't really seem the boy scout type...as for me, obviously if someone told me to I'd try my best but I would most likely fail anyway (laughs).

#takarazuka #article translation #mag: kageki #sienne: asaka manato #sienne: tamaki ryou #sienne: sagiri seina #sienne: kurenai yuzuru #sienne: asumi rio

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zukalations · 7 years ago

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Talk DX - The Scarlet Pimpernel: Kurenai Yuzuru & Rei Makoto (June 2017)

Long time no post...sorry about that! Hopefully I can keep the queue sustained this time~

This is an interview with Beni and Coto during the run of The Scarlet Pimpernel, published in the June 2017 issue of GRAPH. It’s pretty in-depth and very fun!

@chemicalperfume helped with editing and translating! Many thanks as always <3

Talk DX - The Scarlet Pimpernel: Kurenai Yuzuru & Rei Makoto

Kurenai: We’re nearly to the middle of the run. I’ve always wanted to do this show, so I’m so happy during every performance. Therefore, thinking ‘I’ve still got half the run to go!’ makes me really happy!

Rei: Me too. Each week goes by too fast.

Kurenai: Darn right!

Rei: I feel like it’s a better experience for us each time.

Kurenai: Yeah! The power of the audience is really immense. They say ‘one performance does more than 100 rehearsals’, so I really feel like the audience helps us continually improve our performance. It completely changes the atmosphere.

Rei: If I go back and listen to recordings from the vocal rehearsals, it’s totally different!

Kurenai: Yeah! However, a restage performance is really difficult, isn’t it.

Rei: It is.

Kurenai: It’s already been expanded on so much through the premiere performance and the first restage, so figuring out how to perform on top of that foundation is really hard.

Rei: For troupe members like me, who weren’t in the first production, there was a feeling that the audience probably knew the show better than we did, so that was really stressful… But there was also the reverse, where since this was my first time at it I performed as if to demonstrate ‘This is what The Scarlet Pimpernel is!’

Kurenai: Yeah!

Rei: The songs are all really well known—though they’re quite difficult songs (laughs). Every time I perform each song, I feel like I’m working together with the whole orchestra in that moment and it’s always a slightly different result. It’s really fun.

Kurenai: My favorite number is ‘Days of Glory.’

Rei: Oh~!

Kurenai: The power of the people is really important to the whole show, but in that song everyone finally comes together!

Rei: Yeah—but there’s still a lot of individuality.

Kurenai: Exactly!

Rei: It’s so good~! I really like ‘Into the Fire.’ It makes me so excited! My classmate Seo (Yuria) is in it so I asked her ‘Hey~ Hey~ What’s it like to be in that scene?’ Apparently due to the quick-changes and the moving platforms it’s really hard for the actual performers (laughs). But I’m always excited to watch it from the wings! It’s also really popular to watch from the side entrances; it’s always a struggle to get that spot.

Kurenai: Really? (laughs) When I’m doing that scene, somehow I feel like I’m really living. There aren’t a lot of moments like that on stage, are there? (laughs)

Rei: Definitely! (laughs)

Kurenai: I feel like I’m living as Kurenai Yuzuru and as Sir Percy, and that all the other members of the League are living as their roles too. It’s full of courage—it’s a wonderful scene!

Rei: Yeah, yeah.

Kurenai: Since the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel are all good friends, I didn’t want them all to treat me as an older brother type character, just because I was the most senior, so I told them that every time. As a result, I think we all felt like equals, or I hope we did.

Rei: In the rehearsal, there was a definitive moment where your group’s acting radically changed, so I was watching like ‘Wo~w!’ But you know, my team gets along really well too!

Kurenai: (laughs)

Rei: Starting in the Prologue, Deputy Robespierre (Nanami), Mercier (Seki), Coupeau (Sazanami), and I do the offstage chorus together. We perform in the spirit of the French alliance in every show.

Kurenai: I see (laughs)

Kurenai: How about that adlib scene about the clothes Chauvelin (Rei) should wear to the masquerade!

Rei: Oh gosh.

Kurenai: You don’t laugh a bit!

Rei: That’s not it, the truth is I’m really weak to adlibs…

Kurenai: Huh? Really?

Rei: Do you know how much I’m panicking right before then!?

Kurenai: I thought it was excitement (laughs)

Rei: No no no. But listen! You never tell me anything!

Kurenai: But then there wouldn’t be any point!

Rei: So I’m always so nervous… But I haven’t yet broken my vow not to laugh, have I!*

Kurenai: But it’s not like I’m trying to make you laugh there…

Rei: No~, you almost get me every time! And then when the audience starts laughing I really want to join in.

Kurenai: Ah, that’s so hard~ I had that same issue when I was Benedict (in Ocean’s 11).

Rei: Ah~!

Kurenai: There too, even though I didn’t want to laugh at all, Toyoko-san (Suzumi Shio) as Rusty really went all-out with adlibs. She’d use a wig that went bald at the pull of a string, stuff like that.

Rei: It’s a struggle every day!

Kurenai: It was~ I don’t do that sort of thing, generally.

Rei: But, you know, I’m training every day.

Kurenai: Sometimes you can even play off it a bit, right~ (laughs)

Rei: Maybe once in 15 times I’ll give it a shot (laughs) Mainly I just rack my brain frantically but it always ends up like ‘No, no comebacks here!’ (laughs)

Kurenai: The other day, during the final scene on the Day-Dream, a button on my glove got totally tangled up in Aa-chan’s (Kisaki’s) hair.

Rei: That must have been such a hard time! But you were amazing then. I was doing my quick-change, so it was a situation where all I had to go on was the audio, but you did some sort of adlib like, ‘Ah! I love you too much to let you go!’

Kurenai: Yeah (laughs)

Rei: They say to try and make something positive even of accidents.

Kurenai: It’s more fun that way!

Rei: If it was me I’d surely just keep quiet and act as if it hadn’t happened. It’s really amazing that you could announce it to everyone like that and work it into your acting.

Kurenai: Oh, you think so?

Rei: And for me, thanks to that issue, my quick-change was…

Kurenai: Nice and relaxing?

Rei: Yes (laughs). So from my point of view, that was a happy accident (laughs).

Rei: I always watch the ‘She Was There’ scene from the wings. In that scene Sir Percy (Kurenai) is released from all his turmoil, there’s the mirror behind, and all the lights are on Sayumi-san (Kurenai)... You are just so dazzling there!

Kurenai: Ahahaha (laughs) Really?

Rei: It’s amazing! Because, like, you throw aside the teasing attitude you used with Chauvelin, and how closed-off you were to Marguerite (Kisaki), and it’s as if ‘Sayumi-san’s Percy’ truly exists there. It gives me goosebumps every time.

Kurenai: That scene really has a different atmosphere. See, even if I remember when I did it in the shinjin kouen the exact same scenery is before my eyes.

Rei: Awesome!

Kurenai: But the way it feels to me is different. It’s like I can feel how everyone on the staff is all working together to help bring my Sir Percy to life. I can feel the audience too, and the whole Grand Theatre. And besides, I have to think about how to lead into the next scene.

Rei: Ah~

Kurenai: In the shinjin kouen, when that scene ended I was like ‘it’s over!’ but now I realize I’m seeing it as one piece in the puzzle of Percy’s life. I feel like that’s what the passage of 9 years does.

Rei: That’s true. I really love that scene!

Kurenai: Somehow, this time around, Chauvelin is somehow really helping you break out of your shell, I think.

Rei: Yes.

Kurenai: People mostly see you as this ‘star student,’ right, Makocchan? But you really have a very human side to you, so it’d be good if the audience could see that.

Rei: Yeah…

Kurenai: Well, you’ve already been a great help to me, though. I’m really an unpredictable, spontaneous type of person,, so I’m grateful for your restraint. I think it’s precisely because we’re so different that things have come together so well. But I think if your attitude, rather than ‘it has to be this way!’ was more like ‘maybe I’m going to try that other way…’ then maybe in the future an even more amazing Makocchan will be born.

Rei: Yes… Yeah…

Kurenai: It won’t be as bad as you think.

Rei: For sure. Right now the biggest challenge is just that~ Wah~ You’re so understandi~ng! Sayumi-sa~n!

Kurenai: Chauvelin is a character who messes up a lot (laughs), but it’d be good if you could convey new sides of yourself through the audience seeing your struggles!

Rei: Thank youuuu~

Kurenai: The finale starts out with Makocchan. You look like you’re having fun (laughs)

Rei: I just feel like ‘I can smile too now~’ (laughs) It’s the first time I am given the duty of bringing everyone’s mood up, leading into the rockette.

Kurenai: That really struck me in rehearsals. ‘Makocchan has inherited the position I had up till now.’ So I really understand your feelings in that situation. It makes you really nervous in the beginning! Especially on opening night.

Rei: Gosh, I was so nervous!

Kurenai: And then imagine that being the New Years’ show, where they’re livestreaming it as well.

Rei: Ahhh…

Kurenai: (laughs) So you see I really understand those feelings, and it made me really happy. ‘I’m really passing the baton!’ I thought.

Rei: I...I’ll do my best!

Kurenai: In the ensemble dance I have with the group of musumeyaku, I’m supposed to be searching for Marguerite. It’s got a feeling of longing. Then in the next scene it’s otokoyaku! And it segues into the group sabre dance. Speaking of that, yesterday the sabre was really heavy.

Rei: Eh?

Kurenai: It definitely wasn’t mine!

Rei: They do vary a bit like that. The way the wood feels.

Kurenai: That little weight difference actually made it really hard, because I’m still holding it scene after scene. But to the fans, it’s not Scarpim** without the sabre dance on the Grand Stairs! That kind of feeling makes me happy somehow.

Rei: Yes! And then Sayumi-san leaves the stage first and that shout as you leave is…

Kurenai: By the way, everyone, that was thanks to Director Koike’s instructions!

Rei: Ahaha (laughs)

Kurenai: Although I might seem as if I’ll just say whatever if you give me a microphone, that was something I was specifically instructed to say. ‘Everyone Dances!***’ ‘Let’s dance! Dance, everybody!’ is what it means.

Rei: You always raise the energy level so much by saying that!

Kurenai: I always make eye contact with you, right Makocchan?

Rei: Yes!

Kurenai: In the duet dance afterwards, the costumes are actually super heavy, so it was really hard but… Aa-chan is so adorable.

Rei: Wah~ Squee <3

Kurenai: Even if she messes up a little bit I just think ‘well we all have our days’ (laughs). I’ll say something if I have to (laughs) but basically she puts trust in me too. So it’s really fun.

Rei: When watching I can tell that you both put your heart into it, so it makes me happy to see. After all it’s your Grand Theatre debut show!

Kurenai: It is! And me, Aa-chan, and Makocchan were all in Star Troupe the whole time.

Rei: That’s right.

Kurenai: Therefore I want to make sure to respect our seniors and the longtime fans. But it’s not like I’m going to take on too much there, I want to enjoy things and show ‘this is how our Star Troupe will feel!’ I want to keep on in the Star Troupe style, in a way everyone can enjoy!

Rei: I’ll follow right behind you!

* I’m not sure if Rei is discounting her breaks in the last couple performances of the Takarazuka run (at least) or if this interview took place before then.

** ‘Scarpim’ (or ‘Sukapin’ in the Japanese spelling) is the fandom nickname for the show.

*** English in original.

#takarazuka #article translation #mag: graph #show: the scarlet pimpernel #sienne: kurenai yuzuru #sienne: rei makoto

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zukalations · 7 years ago

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That's Ranking - February 2017

In That’s RanKING!, the Kageki Top Star Q&A feature, the Top Stars rank each other based on questions from readers. This month’s question: Who would be best at building a snowman?

That’s RanKING - Who’s in first place?

For 2017’s monthly corner, we use questions sent in from readers and ask each Top Star to rank who most matches each month’s theme by sharing their impressions and anecdotes. The votes are calculated with First Place as 10 points, Second Place as 5 points, and Third Place as 3 points. Please enjoy the 5 Top Stars’ variety of answers and stories!

This month's question: Who would be best at building a snowman? [Question from 'Cocoron']

1. Sagiri Seina - 35 points 2. Tamaki Ryou - 22 points 3. Asumi Rio and Asaka Manato - 11 points

Sagiri Seina, Snow Troupe Since it's a 'Snow'man, not Flower, Moon, Star, or Cosmos, but a 'Snow'man, I won't give up this one (laughs). I don't really remember having made snowmen before, but I've played a little kid with a face like a snowman. Second place is Tamakichi (Tamaki). Since she's at a stage where she's closer to childhood (laughs), I think she might be good at active things like that. Since Maakun can do any task skillfully, she's third. She's make a cute, orthodox snowman that could win a popularity contest. Kurenai-kun would start talking about something funny and in the meantime the show would melt, so she's fourth. I think Mirio-chan would be like 'Ah, the snow...' and just enjoy herself looking at the snowy landscape.

Tamaki Ryou, Moon Troupe #1 is Mirio-san. I think she would carefully plan and make one with her own personal flair, so I'm sure she would end up with a really pretty snowman. #2 is Maa-sama. She can do anything smartly, it seems, so I'm sure she would briskly and smartly construct a snowman. As for Chigi-san and Kurenai-san, this is obviously my own personal opinion here, but I think that since they're both really hot-blooded, they'd be like 'Alright! Snowman time!' and get too into it so they'd accidentally mess everything up in the end (laughs). Therefore, though I've not had a chance to try myself at making a nice snowman, I'll take the liberty of putting myself at #3.

Asumi Rio, Flower Troupe: Ryou-chan (Tamakichi) might be #1. Since she seems really strong (laughs). I think she'd build a really huge one. #2 is Chigi-san. I think she'd get really into it and bring gloves to decorate it and buckets and stuff. I feel like Maa-sama (Asaka) would think it was too cold to manage and Kurenai-san would just make a tiny one and then be like 'Enough, I'm going for lunch' (laughs), so I'll put myself right in the middle. Even though I'm not great with cold, to be honest...

Asaka Manato, Cosmos Troupe Who would be best able to make one, right? Chigi-san is #1, I think. She'd have tons of fun just playing in the snow, so she'd put that excitement into making it. #2 is Ryou-chan. She seems skillful, and I think she'd take a lot of care to get a smooth surface and such. Probably she'd keep working away till it was totally smooth. Gecko-kun* (Kurenai) would make one if she felt like it so she's #3. But if she didn't feel like it she'd just be like 'bo~ring' and go to sleep (laughs). Mirio would just take ages about it (laughs). I definitely! Coulen't make one. Too cold.

Kurenai Yuzuru, Star Troupe Chigi-san is first. She's so playful that I'm sure she could make a good snowman. Maa-kun is second since she seems like she'd be good at making and working from a plan. Tamaki-san is #3; she'd be running around and full of energy, but before you knew it there'd be a completed snowman. I'd start out wanting to make a really large snowman, but I'd get tired of it in the middle (laughs) and just make a few little ones, like 'this is good enough, right?' I'd ultimately decide that was a better idea than having a really large one and be satisfied with that, I think (laughs).

* I think this is a Maasama-only nickname for Beni; the Japanese is ‘Herao-kun’ but I thought it would be funnier to use the translation.

#takarazuka #article translation #mag: kageki #troupe: yuki #troupe: tsuki #troupe: hana #troupe: sora #troupe: hoshi #sienne: sagiri seina #sienne: tamaki ryou #sienne: asumi rio #sienne: asaka manato #sienne: kurenai yuzuru

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zukalations · 7 years ago

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That’s RanKING - April 2017

The 2017 Top Star Q&A feature from Kageki continues the format of 2016. This month: Who would be best able to deal with aliens if they appeared?

That's RanKING - Who's in first place?

This month's question: Who would be best able to deal with aliens if they appeared? (Question from 'Miller') 1. Kurenai Yuzuru (40 points) 2. Sagiri Seina (21 points) 3. Tamaki Ryou (12 points)

Star Troupe - Kurenai Yuzuru I think #1 might be Tamakittsan. I feel like she would start talking with the aliens and even if they couldn’t understand each other she'd carry on like it was a normal conversation - but afterwards she'd laugh and say "I didn't get a word of that!" Mirio-chan is #2, because I think she could get along smoothly just by exchanging smiles. #3...maybe Chigi-san? I think both Chigi-san and Maa-kun would run if they thought they were in danger. But Chigi-san has a strong sense of justice, so I'm sure she'd try too protect everyone by attacking with karate chops and such. ...I'd just bail and run (laughs)

Snow Troupe - Sagiri Seina #1 is Kurenai-kun, no contest. She likes talking and she's so good at it that if an alien turned up in front of her she'd be able to handle it easily. #2 could be me...the thing is, I'm kind of introverted when I'm off work. If I was 'on duty' I could manage pretty well though (laughs). And even if I didn't want to deal with people at the time, if the alien was in the way of something I wanted I'd talk to it to get to my goal, I think. I feel like Maa-kun would be the same way, so she's #3. I don't think Mirio-chan or Tamaki-kun would want to deal with them face to face; they'd find some other way of handling the problem.

Moon Troupe - Tamaki Ryou #1 definitely has to be Kurenai-san! I think she could get through to them with her natural brightness and high communication skills even if they didn't understand each other's language. #2 is Chigi-san. I feel like the aliens would just be overwhelmed by her passionate feelings... #3 is Maa-sama. I think even if she was talking to aliens she wouldn’t be at all disturbed and just keep the conversation going smoothly. I think that Asumi-san wouldn't be very good at this, and I think aliens would be to much for me so I'd definitely be no good by myself...I know I did this once before but I'm going to take the liberty of putting myself together with her this month as well.

Cosmos Troupe - Asaka Manato Sayumi-san [Kurenai] is #1! Her communication skills are so incredible I think she could even get through to aliens. Chigi-san is #2, but just barely. I think she'd be able to communicate well through body language. Her reaction would be like "what, you're an alien? You'd be in danger if you were discovered so I'll hide you." (laughs) #3 is Ryou-chan. It seems like she'd handle the whole thing coolly by contacting someone and saying "I've discovered an alien." I'd just ignore aliens even if I ran into them...rather, I'd pretend I hadn't seen them. (laughs) Mirio I think is the type to only notice "oh...that was an alien" afterwards. (laughs)

Flower Troupe - Asumi Rio For #1, Kurenai-san and Chigi-san are really close...Kurenai-san! With her level of speaking skill, I think she could even deal with aliens really well. I think Chigi would get really into it and start asking all kinds of questions, like "are you really an alien!?" #3 is Ryou-chan. She's quick to grasp a situation, so as soon as she realized "it's aliens!" she'd choose not to encounter them at all and flee. (laughs) Maa-sama, if I had to say, I think is more the type who'd be really interested in the aliens. (laughs) I would just give up on everything and play dead. I don't even know if they'd think of me as worth dealing with. (laughs)

#takarazuka #article translation #mag: kageki #sienne: kurenai yuzuru #sienne: sagiri seina #sienne: tamaki ryou #sienne: asaka manato #sienne: asumi rio

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