Ai to Shi no Rondo

ai_to_shi @ 2006-11-11T22:03:00

2006-11-12T02:03:38Z

Princess Lucia's Pointless 5 x 5 Takarazuka Meme!

Five 'siennes whose hotness leaves you thrilled, astounded, bewildered, and dead in a heap on the floor: Ayaki Nao, Ichiro Maki, Kiriya Hiromu, Shibuki Jun, and Mizu Natsuki.

Five non-top 'siennes whose retirements blighted your life in ways too numerous to name: Hatsukaze Midori, Mimi Anri, Tsukifune Sarara, Juri Sakiho and Yabuki Sho

Five 'siennes you never thought you'd like and now you do, at least sort of, or on specific occasions or in specific clothing, or, well, even once counts: Todoroki Yu (not sure why, just because...), Asaji Saki (I really thought I wouldn't be able to get past her voice), Kouju Tatsuki (but only because I keep forgetting how much I really *do* love her), Makoto Tsubasa (because the first thing I saw her in was LUNA and that whole show scared me ^^;;) and Haruno Sumire (because I was comparing her Death directly to Saeko's, which was just plain silly).

Five 'siennes who should never, ever, on pain of death, I'm really not kidding about this, wear dresses: Todoroki Yuu, Haruno Sumire, Kozuki Wataru, Hoshihara Misao and Shibuki Jun.

Five 'siennes whom you can really see in a Death wig: Mizu Natsuki (w00t, soon!), Shibuki Jun, Aran Kei, Maya Miki, and Emao Yuu.

Zuke Meme!

2006-10-22T23:33:58Z

Much thanks to kinnosuikazura for giving us all something fun to do! ^__^

1 'Sienne(s) I'd like to have a tea party with: Ayano Kanami, Shirosaki Ai, Hoshina Yuri

2 'Sienne(s) with the most adorable nose: Hmmm…Shirosaki Ai, perhaps?

3 'Sienne(s) I'd like to keep as a pet and dress in pink: I really rather despise pink, but Hoshina Yuri is cute enough to be a pet.

4 'Sienne(s) I think I'm most like: Kiriya Hiromu, just because she seems like she has a really wacky sense of humour and a fun-loving personality.

5 'Sienne(s) with the best hands: Matsumoto Yuri

6 'Sienne(s) I want to pet and snuggle and give a cookie to: Hatsukaze Midori. I don’t know why. I just think she’d be very snuggleable.

7 'Sienne(s) whose closet of clothing I want: Mizu Natsuki

8 'Sienne(s) most likely to cause me to pass out just by looking at me: Ayaki Nao, Ichiro Maki

9 'Sienne(s) with the coolest hair: I…really don’t know. I’m always so focused on the wigs…Shibuki Jun, maybe?

10 'Sienne(s) I like who are OGs of at least five years retirement: Ichiro Maki, Hoshina Yuri, Minoru Kou, Shiraki Ayaka, Asaji Saki, Shizuki Asato

11 'Sienne(s) I'd promote to Top in a heartbeat, when they're ready*: Kirya Hiromu, Shirosaki Ai, Ayana Oto

12 'Sienne(s) I might find annoyingly cute if they weren't so... cute!: Hoshina Yuri. She’s got a *very* high-pitched voice when she speaks, and normally I would find that annoying, but…but…it’s Hoshina!! She is just so adorable and perfect and lovely, and her voice is just always *wonderful* for her character.

13 'Sienne(s) with the floppiest hair: I can’t think of any…

14 'Sienne(s) I wish would play the opposite of whichever role it is she usually plays: Sena Jun needs to play more women. She is just *that* awesome.

15 'Sienne(s) with the most infectious smile: Hatsukaze Midori!! Good God, but I love her smile. It’s like her entire face lights up, and you can’t help smiling right along with her.

16 'Sienne(s) I like to have as a sister: Kiriya Hiromu. She’s just so cute and funny and *real* to me.

17 'Sienne(s) whose laugh makes me laugh most: Yuuga Yamato. If you don’t believe me, watch Singin’ in the Rain.

18 'Sienne(s) who, while I think they're cool, I would run screaming away from if met in a dark alley: I seriously can’t think of any.

19 'Sienne(s) whose hair I want: Any musumeyaku with lovely long, thick, jet-black locks.

20 'Sienne(s) I think has the nicest ankles: As I apparently have no opinion of my own, I will bow to caithion’s judgment and say Todoroki Yu.

21 'Sienne(s) I'd love to go shopping with: Mizu Natsuki, because of her fashion sense, and Ayaki Nao and Kiriya Hiromu, because I’d make any excuse to spend time with them.

22 'Sienne(s) whose pictures I first saw: I’m guessing it was some combination of Ayaki Nao and Sena Jun from Elisabeth.

23 'Sienne(s) I've enjoyed when playing the opposite of whichever role it is she usually plays: Kiriya Hiromu and Sena Jun as women. Adelaide and Elisabeth never looked so hot!

24 'Sienne(s) whose hair I most want to ruffle: Kiriya Hiromu, Ayana Oto, Yuuga Yamato

25 'Sienne(s) who has the best wigs in shows: Ayaki Nao’s Death wig is The Awesomeness, and (most of) Shibuki Jun’s Francis wigs in Bara no Fuuin are lovely. But really, as I tend not to like ‘siennes in Slicked-Back Otokoyaku Hair Mode, there are few wigs I *don’t* like.

26 'Sienne(s) whose fan club I would join if I could: Kiriya Hiromu

27 'Sienne(s) who have the best on stage chemistry with their combi partner: Sena Jun and Ayano Kanami, Kiriya Hiromu and Shirosaki Ai, Haruno Sumire and Sakurano Ayane. (For retired ‘siennes, I must add Shibuki Jun and Emi Kurara, Minoru Kou and Hoshina Yuri, and Wao Youka and Hanafusa Mari.)

30 'Sienne(s) whose voice I like to listen to most: Ayaki Nao, Ichiro Maki, Shizuki Asato, Hanafusa Mari, Kiriya Hiromu, Kouju Tatsuki, Shibuki Jun…the list is rather endless.

31 'Sienne(s) I wish could be seen and not heard: Forgive me, but Asaji Saki. She is so amazing to watch, but her voice…*sighs*

32 'Sienne(s) with the cutest ears: Shizuki Asato, Kiriya Hiromu

33 'Sienne(s) whose acting I most enjoy: Ayaki Nao, Ichiro Maki, Kiriya Hiromu, Izumo Aya

34 'Sienne(s) with the best eyes: Ayaki Nao

35 'Sienne(s) I'd love to talk to about their childhood: Any of them?

36 'Sienne(s) who I think are almost more attractive in the clothing that's the opposite of their role: Sena Jun!!!

37 'Sienne(s) with the nicest chin: Mizu Natsuki. It was how I first began to pick her out of the crowd. *blushes* Also Aran Kei.

38 'Sienne(s) I'd love to see play X role*** that she played but can't be found: I just want to see Sound of Music. I don’t care who’s in it. I just want to see the show!! *whines*

39 'Sienne(s) with the cutest pet: Hmmm…the only one I can think of is Kiriyan and Finch, so I guess they win.

40 'Sienne(s) who I think has the most technically good voice: Ichiro Maki, Shizuki Asato, Hanafusa Mari, Kouju Tatsuki

41 'Sienne(s) who I first saw perform: Ayaki Nao and Sena Jun (and everyone else is Tsuki’s Elisabeth)

42 'Sienne(s) who I think have the best job in the world: Errr…all of them? In terms of post-zuka careers, definitely Ichiro Maki. Playing Elisabeth in the Toho production is awesome.

43 'Sienne(s) who should be seen on stage because they're just too *big* for DVD: Ayaki Nao, Ichiro Maki, Todoroki Yu, Matsumoto Yuri

44 'Sienne(s) with the most beautiful fingers: Matsumoto Yuri, Haruno Sumire, Ayaki Nao

45 'Sienne(s) who I think (or hope) will have the longest careers in Zuka: Kiriya Hiromu

46 'Sienne's) I most wish would sing and/or dance more in shows: I never get tired of Ichiro Maki singing and Asaji Saki dancing.

47 'Sienne's) who is a baby(ish) in my favorite troupe whom I'm watching excitedly: Does Ayana Oto count, or is she getting too old?

48 'Sienne(s) who I think should never, ever wear the clothing that's opposite their role in shows: I have issues seeing Todoroki Yu in drag. I don’t know if this have ever been done, but…I dunno. Methinks it would be weird…

49 'Sienne(s) with the most expressive face: Haruno Sumire, Ayaki Nao, Asaji Saki

50 'Sienne(s) I wish would show up at my door dressed in leather: Ayaki Nao

51 'Sienne(s) the hem of whose kimono I should most like to kiss: princesslucia called it – Matsumoto Yuri.

52 'Sienne(s) I didn't think I'd like who grew on me and who are now among my favorites: Oh, hey, caithion called this one – Todoroki Yu. I just couldn’t get into her in the beginning. It was probably seeing her as Luigi that finally convinced me how wonderful she is ^^;; And…I’m not sure this counts, but also Kouju Tatsuki. It’s not that I didn’t like her so much as I always seem to *forget* I like her. She just doesn’t *look* like much to me, and then she opens her mouth and the world explodes, and I feel like an idiot for doubting her ^^;;

53 'Sienne(s) with the best posters: Mizu Natsuki! She just looks hot in every picture I’ve ever seen of her. And my beloved Ayaki Nao, of course, who just makes me die of bliss whenever I get to look at her.

54 ‘Sienne(s) who you just *know* are amazingly sweet and humble and wonderful in real life: Hatsukaze Midori (anyone who smiles like that *has* to be wonderful), Kiriya Hiromu (for her sense of humour), Ichiro Maki (because she’s got a powerhouse singing voice, but whenever she specks, she gets insanely quiet, which to me is a sign of sweet insecurity), and Haruno Sumire (because her emotions are always written all over her face, and she is obviously completely lovable).

Yes, I know I haven't written in a while....

2006-10-21T15:53:39Z

...and I don't really have anything all that important to say. It's just that I was listening to the soundtrack to the Broadway musical version of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" for the first time in a very long time, and I was struck as to how absolutely perfect it would be for Takarazuka to perform it. I mean, just think! The costumes, the scenery, the lighting! All sooo over-the-top! And...and...if it was Tsukigumi, then Asa could be the Beast and Mihoko could be Belle, and Kiriyan would have to be either Gaston or Lumiere and would be sooooo perfect, and even though I know she usually plays "bad girls" I think Izumo Aya would make a darling Mrs. Pots, and Hoshihara Misao could play Belle's father, and the line dance would *have* to be to "Be Our Guest," and I can almost *see* them coming down the grand staircase singing the theme song...argh fjmsdksdigj8iosdg!!!!

Ok, I suppose that's enough ranting for now ^^;;

But seriously. It would be perfect. Think about it.

EDIT: Oh oh! I take back what I said about Kiriyan possibly being Gaston. She would *have* to be Lumiere so that Ai-chan could be the sexy little feather duster!!! *evil grin*

Here's your challenge...

2006-10-07T00:02:13Z

I just finished watching Tsuki's Elisabeth for the first time in a really, really long time. I've been so overwhelmed with my supplies of New Shiny that it's hard sometimes to go back and visit the old favorites. Part of the way through, I wondered if maybe some of you have this same problem. Soooooo....here's the challenge.

Go back and watch the very first Takarazuka show you ever saw. If this isn't possible (either because your first show was live or you watched it at someone else's house, etc.) then watch the first show you owned on DVD. Watch all of it, watch your favorite five minutes, or something in between, but go back and loose yourself in it for at least a scene or two.

What does it feel like?

Maybe it's still your current favorite, one you've watched over and over again. Maybe it's a bizarre revue that after all this time you *still* can't understand. Maybe it has your One True 'Sienne in it, or perhaps you don't know too many of the stars at all.

What to you see when you watch it now?

For me, watching Tsuki's Elisabeth is like coming home again; like being wrapped up in an old, comfortable blanket. I can look at it and see the faults that I didn't notice the first time around, and I can admit that there are times when it's not the best. I recognize actresses now that I didn't the last time I watched it. But despite this, it hasn't lost the magic. I can gloss over all its faults and shortcomings for the simple reason that no other show makes me feel the same way this one does.

Now think back to where you were when you watched your first show. Try to remember what you were thinking, feeling. Did you know what was coming? Were you in any way prepared for it? Or was it like being punched in the stomach by a really, really big guy?

I was in caithion's living room, sprawled out on a comfy couch, and I had no clue what was coming. All I knew was that it was Japanese, it was musical, and it was best friend approved. The fact that it was all-women didn't hurt the feminist streak in me, either. I had been offered my choice between Elisabeth, Guys and Dolls, and Luna. I picked Elisabeth because it had the prettiest cover, and because Jen promised me lots of capes. I had no clue what I was getting myself into. I didn't know that, a few months later, before I even saw my second full show, I would be shelling out over $100 just so I could see Elisabeth again. Just so I could see Ayaki Nao again. Just so I could feel what the show made me feel again.

I've seen so many shows since that evening in Jen's living room. They've made me laugh, cry, love, and hate. But nothing has ever left me as breathless as that show, not necessarily because it's the best, but because it brought me into such an amazing world. That first look left such an impression on me that it's almost pointless to try to compare the show to any other one. Nothing can beat that moment.

And no matter how many other shows I watch, no matter how much I learn and my tastes change, when I watch this show, a part of me will still be that girl sitting on Jen's couch, eyes wide in wonderment like a kid at Christmas, seeing the show for the very first time.

Put aside the new shinies. Watch you first show. Let it take you home again. Trust me - the feeling is amazing.

I almost forgot!!

2006-10-03T02:15:36Z

Happy Birthday Kiriyan!!! Many wonderful returns! I hope your gift is to one day become Top of Tsukigumi!!

^__^

Saeko Masterpiece Theater Icons!

2006-10-02T19:22:56Z

Thanks to the wonderful bunretsu, we have been showered with several weeks of stunning pictures of The Most Lovely One, Ayaki Nao. While I cannot hope to do justice to her magnificence, I have come before you with a paltry offering of icons to lay at her feet (and yours) as an offering of Love. bunretsu has kindly allowed me to share with you my meager gifts. Hopefully at least some of them will bring you pleasure. Please let me know if you like any, or if you decide to take some. Credit would be lovely ^__^

01.             02.             03.

04.             05.             06.

07.             08.             09.

10.             11.             12.

13.             14.             15.

16.             17.

* Saeko is joined in #14, 15 and 16 by her younger sister, Ayana Oto
** Text for #10 is from the title of a song sung by Heather Alexander, for a book series by Mercedes Lackey

Request for Help

2006-09-27T23:57:04Z

I realize this isn't Takarazuka per se, but it is about Elisabeth, so here it be posted.

Does anyone know where I can find a translation for "Wenn Ich Tanzen Will?" I'd like to see how the lyrics compare to "Watashi ga Odoru Toki" (which we all love jenebi for translating!) Google has been no help, and the automatic translating program is horrible. Any info would be wonderful.

Thanks so much in advance!

ai_to_shi @ 2006-09-25T18:07:00

2006-09-25T22:07:57Z

Ichiro singing "New York, New York" is Love.

Just thought I'd share.

September Night - Ichiro Maki Dinner Show

2006-09-18T23:12:12Z

So I know I promised caithion that the next Zuka show I watched would be Dal Lake no Koi, which I really, really do want to see, but all this morning September Night, the Ichiro Maki dinner show I bought from merryshannon, was staring me in the face, and I just couldn’t resist it. As it is a VHS, I have no pictures to share, unfortunately, so you’ll just have to take my word that it was Love.

This woman’s voice just gets better and better each time I hear here sing. I’m honestly beginning to think that I prefer her voice to any other ‘sienne I’ve heard, although she *is* fighting a mighty heavy battle with Zunko for that title. In any case, she just really kills me quite dead.

The show was fairly short – only about an hour – which was disappointing because they very obviously cut a good chunk out of it. Still and all, being the first dinner show I’ve ever watched, I have to say I really enjoyed it. It was a very intimate setting, and I felt like it gave the ‘siennes more of a chance to really interact with the audience.

The cast was very small – Ichiro and four musumeyaku – but that was perfectly fine with me. I didn’t want to be distracted from her for a moment. I must admit that her partner for that year – Murasaki Tomo – was quite cute. Her voice had the really high-pitched, girly musumeyaku air, but it was really strong despite this, and she rather grew on me. She also has one of the most lovely smiles I’ve ever seen. She had one solo number when she went out among the audience to sing, and it was just so obvious that she was genuinely happy.

Without a doubt my favorite song of the whole show was their rendition of “The Locomotion,” which was just hysterical. The musumeyaku all came out in poodle skirts, and Ichiro wore this God-awful neon-patched jacket with a blindingly bright tie, and it was Love at first sight. I was laughing throughout most of the song, but truly, I loved it. My favorite “serious” song was a duet with Ichiro and Tomo-chan – “The Last Night of the World,” from Miss Saigon. I’ve always loved this song to bits, and Ichiro’s crooning just made it that much more powerful.

Other songs I recognized included Bon Jovi’s “Bed of Roses,” Whitney Houston’s “I Want to Run to You,” and a bit from BeruBara’s “Ai no Junrei.” The last was sung during a Zuka medley, and that was the only song I recognized ^^;; The show ended with a rendition of “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina,” from Evita, which at first I was excited about. It’s a very lovely song, after all, and Ichiro’s powerful voice would most likely give me shivers. However, Zuka must have been listening to the horrible re-mix of the song that Madonna recorded to promote her movie, because after one lovely, slow verse, the stage exploded into disco lighting and Very Sparkly Suits. So here’s Ichiro, singing this really sad song, a huge smile on her lips and wearing one of Zuka’s signature gold suits with the really high-backed collar. That was really my only disappointment ^^;;

Probably the oddest moment was during the Zuka Medley songs, which Ichiro sang while wandering throughout the audience. It was so cute, really, because the audience members would look up and smile at her as she passed, but then quickly duck their heads and bow before Ichiro could catch their eye. Such respectful fan-worship is really adorable, in my opinion. But at about the middle of the song, two women, probably 20- or 30-ish, sunk up behind her in the spotlight, carrying two large bouquets of flowers. One of them kept motioning for the other to follow, and it was obvious they were nervous, but determined. When Ichiro turned their way, they presented her with the flowers, then scurried away. Unfortunately, Ichiro’s back was to the camera at that point, so we couldn’t see her reaction. To be honest, that weirded me out a little. I mean, isn’t that was iri and demachi is for? Let the woman sing! (The flowers were quite pretty, however, I must say.)

One thing that really struck me during the whole show was how soft and almost meek Ichiro’s speaking voice is, especially when compared to such a powerful singing voice. Whenever she talked, I had to turn up the volume, because she was so quiet. She always seemed like she was just on the border of being embarrassed, and therefore didn’t want to talk too loud, in case she said something silly. But then she would sing and the whole room was just filled. I’ve never noticed such a large contradiction before. She’s just so cute!!!

So yeah, I realize this post contained excessive amounts of fangirling for my latest obsession, but Ichiro truly is amazing, and I really can’t wait to see more of her. Her voice alone literally overpowers me, and I really do love her dearly.

Zuka 100

2006-09-18T18:09:36Z

Yay for caithion and her ability to find us such wonderful ways to procrastinate!

1	お名前と生まれ年、観劇歴を教えてください。 Please tell us your name, age, and your history of being a fan. Shannon, 25. I’ve been a fan for a about a year now, after being introduced to it by caithion.
2	初めて観た公演は何ですか？生観劇ではなく映像でもかまいません。 What was the first performance you saw? It doesn't have to have been a live show, it could be a video or DVD. Tsukigumi’s Elisabeth.
3	ハマるきっかけになった公演は何ですか？ What was the performance that first addicted you? Ummm…yeah, that would also be Tsuki’s Elisabeth ^^;; I’m really easy.
4	宝塚ファン人生における「初恋の人」はどなたですか？ Who is the "first love" that lead you to becoming a Takarazuka fan? Definitely Ayaki Nao. She blew me away as Death. I kept watching just so I could see more of her.
5	観劇は大劇場メインですか？東宝劇場メインですか？ Do you mainly go to see shows at the Daigekijou or the Tokyo Gekijou? Neither ^^;;
6	ご贔屓男役さんを教えてください。複数可。 Please tell us the otokoyaku you support. More than one is okay. Based on other people’s responses, I’m assuming this means current otokoyaku. Soooo…that would be Kiriya Hiromu, Mizu Natsuki, Aran Kei, Mizu Natuski, Sena Jun….and a whole lot more.
7	ご贔屓娘役さんを教えてください。複数可。 Please tell us the musumeyaku you support. More than one is okay. Shirosaki Ai, Ayano Kanami, Izumo Aya
8	好きな芝居作品は？３個くらいまでなら複数可。 What musicals do you like? Up to three is okay. Elisabeth, Phantom, Bara no Fuuin,
9	好きなショー作品は？３個くらいまでなら複数可。 What revue shows do you like? Up to three is okay. Hmmm…harder. Babylon, Takarazuka Maimu, VIVA
10	今まで観た中でいちばん「チケット代返してよ！」と思った作品は？実名でどうぞ。 Which, of the performances you've seen so far, was one that you thought "I absolutely must get tickets for this!" If I could ever see any performance of Elisabeth live, I would be the happiest person in the world.
11	ご贔屓以外で今いちばん気になる生徒さんは誰ですか？ Outside of the ones you support, is there a seito that you're interested in? There are very few that I wouldn’t mind learning more about, really.
12	いわゆる路線外で、大好きな生徒さんはどなたですか？複数可。 Of the ones on their way to the top, so to speak, which seito do you like? More than one is okay. Kiriya Hiromu, because she will be Tsuki’s next Top. I’m also really pushing for Ayana Oto to keep getting good roles, because she’s amazing.
13	お好みの「おじさま系上級生」を教えてください。 Please tell us which of the "avuncular type older seito" do you like? If I’m understanding this question right, then definitely Hoshihara Misao. She’s the type of sweet “uncle” I’d love.
14	お好みの「お姉さま系上級生」を教えてください。 Please tell us which of the "older sister type seito" do you like? Izumo Aya. She’s just that cool.
15	宝塚ファンとしての自分の長所と短所をあげてください。 Please tell us your strong point and weak point as a Takarazuka fan. Hmmm. Well, my weakest point is definitely not being able to recognize ‘siennes for the life of me, unless I really latch onto them and work at it. Ayaki Nao is the still the only one I’m guaranteed to recognize at any point in her career (and beyond). Oh, and my inability to understand Japanese hurts as well. In terms of strengths…maybe really not minding the extreme cheesiness of so many of the costumes? Maybe?
16	宝塚ファン人生における最大の自慢は？ What's your greatest boast as a Takarazuka fan? Errr…I Love Saeko?
17	宝塚ファン人生における最大の懺悔は？言える範囲でどうぞ。 What's your greatest confession as a Takarazuka fan? Feel free to elaborate. Probably the fact that I can’t recognize the ‘siennes (again). That’s really embarrassing.
18	再演してほしい芝居はありますか？ Is there a musical you wish they would put on again? The Sound of Music. I’d really, really love to see that!
19	再演してほしいショーはありますか？ Is there a revue show you wish they would put on again? The Sound of Music. I’d really, really love to see that!
20	あなたがファンになる生徒さんの傾向を分析してみてください。 Please try and analyze the kind of seito you're inclined to become a fan of. I seem to be really drawn to three types. One is the Ayaki Nao variety – stunningly beautiful, androgynous, moves with the grace of a gazelle, and just breaks my heart no matter what part she’s playing. The second is the Kiriya Hiromu variety – the snarky, funny, witty actresses who just make every part that much better, simply because they are the ones playing it. The third is the Ichiro Maki/Shizuki Asato variety – the belters. The ones who could sit on stage in a potato sack and do nothing but sing, and I wouldn’t care, because their voice is just that good.
21	黒エンビが今いちばん似合うのは誰だと思いますか？ Who do you think is currently best suited to a black tailcoat? I really don’t think any otokoyaku is not suited to one.
22	「主演男役」という言葉を実際に使っていますか？ Do you ever actually use the words "lead otokoyaku"? Hmmm…don’t think so.
23	轟悠さんについて何かコメントを。 Some comments on Todoroki Yuu. I’ve always respected her for how long she’s been with the company, and the fact that she’s on the board of directors. I wasn’t incredibly impressed with her at first, but over time she’s really grown on me. I’m hoping to see a bit more of her.
24	路線男役の条件って何でしょうね？ What do you think are requirements for an otokoyaku on her way to the top? Definitely a large fan-base, and good amount of talent. It’s looking as though the main thing is connections within the company, though, which is a bit of a shame.
25	路線娘役の条件って何でしょうね？ What do you think are requirements for a musumeyaku on her way to the top? The same as above, along with a healthy dose of support from the otokoyaku she’s going to be partnered with.
26	朝海ひかるさんはどうですか？ What do you think of Asami Hikaru? Like Todoroki Yuu, she’s been growing on me. So far I haven’t gone out of my way to look for a show with her, but I’ve liked what I’ve seen. Her Rudolf was amazing.
27	タカハナコンビはどうですか？ What do you think of the Taka-Hana combination? One of the best I’ve seen. O-Hana is just an amazing performer, and I felt like she and Wao were just meant for each other.
28	では、おさふーコンビは？ And what's your chief combination? Hmmm...I’d almost have to go with Wao and O-Hana, but Shibuki Jun and Emi Kurara were absolutely amazing as well.
29	この人の芸名カッコイイ！と思うのは？ What do you think is the coolest stage name? I have no clue. I’ve never heard one I didn’t like. If I could actually translate them, I might have an answer ^^;;
30	「現役時代を見たかった！」と思うOGさんはいますか？ Is there an OG whom you wish you could have seen when she was a current seito? If this means live, then Ayaki Nao, without a doubt.
31	「あのとき退団しなければ今頃は…」と思う生徒さんっていますよね？それは誰？ Is there someone you think: "They didn't retire last time, but this time..."? Who is it? ehehehe…I really do think Haruno Sumire is going to be next of the Tops to go down, but we’ll see. I know this will be a Dark Day for all of us.
32	瀬奈じゅんさんについて何かコメントを。 Some comments on Sena Jun. Really diverse actress, great chemistry with her partner and fellow actresses. She’s probably one of the best “all-around” ‘siennes I’ve seen.
33	在団中の85期娘役の中からイチオシを選ぶとしたら誰ですか？ If you had to select a current musumeyaku from the 85th class as trendy, who would it be? Emi Kurara was in the same class as Ayana Oto and Aoki Izumi????? Good God, she made Top quick!! Oh, right, the question. Ummm...I don't know anyone else in the class but those three, soooo.....no idea.
34	となみ派？あすか派？ Are you more partial to Tonami, or Asuka? To be honest, I’ve never seen either of them in a show – I only know them by reputation.
35	「その舞台化粧今すぐどうにかしてください！」と思う人っていますよね？それは誰？ Is there someone whose makeup from a certain performance you want? Who? Ayaki Nao’s Death in Tsukigumi. Because I said so :p
36	未来優希さんについて何かコメントを。 Some comments on Mirai Yuuki. Hmmm…I’ve only seen her as the lead role in the shinjin koen of “A Man Called Bacchus,” so I can’t really comment. That particular show bored me, but I think it was because I couldn’t understand the plot, not because she couldn’t act.
37	大空祐飛さんについて何かコメントを。 Some comments on Ozora Yuuhi. I don’t dislike Yuuhi, I just don’t love her as much as a lot of other people seem to, and I don’t really understand why. She acts wonderfully, has a good voice, and dances well. I always like seeing her in shows, and she’s one of the few ‘siennes I can generally recognize, which says something. I guess she’s just not one of my favorites.
38	「もっと使われてもいいはずなのにちっとも報われてない！」とあなたが思う生徒さんを教えてください。 Please tell us about a seito you think should be used more, but gets no recognition. Ermmm…I can’t really think of any. Anyone I know probably gets recognition ^^;; I do agree with bunretsu that musumeyaku in general get the shaft, but other than that...
39	いま「劇団の秘蔵っ子」と言ったら誰を連想しますか？ If I said "someone treasured by the company", who would you associate that with? Hanafusa Mari and Wao Youka. They couldn’t have had such a long run as Tops without company support.
40	あなたにとってのベストエトワールはどなた？ Who do you consider the best etoile? Ouch, that’s hard. Mimi Anri, I suppose, although O-Hana was the etoile for Sora’s BeruBara, and of course she was great.
41	「歌えない」or「踊れない」or「芝居ができない」、この中で一番不利だと思うのは？ "She can't sing", "she can't dance", "she can't act", which do you consider the biggest handicap? Until I met Asaji Saki, I honestly would have said singing, because I am so fussy about that. But honestly, now I really think it’s acting. Mariko proved that you can have a poor voice and still have a wonderful show. You can save bad singing and bad dancing. You can’t save bad acting.
42	安蘭けいさんについて何かコメントを。 Some comments on Aran Kei. Wonderful, wonderful actress. I am so thrilled she’s going to be Top! Her best performance was definitely Singin’ in the Rain, but I’ve loved her in everything I’ve seen.
43	あなたが考える「男役トップスターの理想的な任期」ってどれくらいですか？ What do you think is the preferred amount of time for a top star to hold that position? Hmmm…I guess that really depends on the ‘sienne. Three to five years, perhaps, but if they’re really excellent, then they could go on and on for all I care.
44	好きな劇作家とその先生のマイベスト作品を教えてください。2人くらいまで。 Please tell us who your favorite musical playwright is, and which of their works you like most. Up to two people is okay. ~~Not a clue.~~ After using the Wiki to death to look up all the director/writer people, apprently I love Koike Shuuichiro.
45	好きなショー作家とその先生のマイベスト作品を教えてください。2人くらいまで。 Please tell us who your favorite revue playwright is, and which of their works you like most. Up to two people is okay. Not a clue.
46	着てみたい衣装ってありますよね？ Is there a costume you'd like to try on? Any one of Death’s would do nicely, especially if I could have The Boots. And and Marie Antoinette's Red Dress with the Bling Bling.
47	あなたの好きな宝塚の楽曲を教えてください。3曲くらいまで。 Please tell us your favorite Takarazuka tune. Up to three is okay. “Yami ga Hirogaru” from Elisabeth, hands down. I don’t know if “getting totally stuck in your head for DAYS” counts as “favorite,” but I suppose I should be in a (good?) word for “Ai Areba Koso” from BeruBara. Oh, and anything at all form Golden Pharaoh.
48	ダンサーと言えば誰ですか？ If I say dancer, who do you think of? Asaji Saki. Shibuki Jun.
49	歌手と言えば誰ですか？ If I say singer, who do you think of? Ichiro Maki. Shizuki Asato.
50	役者と言えば誰ですか？ If I say actress, who do you think of? Ayaki Nao. Kiriya Hiromu.
51	マイベスト植田紳爾作品を教えてください。 Please tell us what you think is Ueda Shinji's best work. Ummm…doing a search on the Wiki on reveals one show that I recognize by him, which is BeruBara, so I guess that wins by default.
52	2001年にやったばかりの「ベルサイユのばら」をもう再演決定。実際のところどうですか？ Although "Rose of Versailles" was just performed in 2001, they've scheduled it again (2006). What do you really think of that? See, if I say that it’s too much, I’ll feel like a bit of a hypocrite, because they could perform Elisabeth all they wanted and I would want every single version. But at the same time, BeruBara is just…I dunno…a little too cheesy for my tastes, and I think it’s overdone.
53	マイベスト柴田侑宏作品を教えてください。 Please tell us what you think is Shibata Yukihiro's best work. Wiki I recognize Glassy Landscape. That’s cool.
54	小池作品について何かコメントを。 Some comments on Koike's works. Hmmm…I’m seeing Elisabeth, Seal of Roses, Lure of the Icon, Luna…Ok, I like this guy. He wins.
55	「エリザベート」は何組バージョンが好きですか？ Which troupe's version of Elisabeth do you like? Tsukigumi’s is my favorite. Yukigumi’s is the best.
56	宝塚に外部スタッフとして招きたい人がいたら教えてください。実現可能性は問いません。 Is there some staff from outside of Takarazuka that you'd like to work there? It doesn't matter how feasible it is. I think Rogers and Hammerstein would have had a blast ^__^
57	宝塚で舞台化してほしい原作モノ（小説・映画・歴史上の人物etc）はありますか？ Is there an original work (novel, movie, historical person) that you'd like to see turned into a Takarazuka performance? I think Alice in Wonderland and Beauty and the Beast would be awesome. And simply because the photo shoot was to die for, From Eroica with Love. キャスト案があれば一緒にお願いします。 If you have a cast in mind, add that too. In terms of Eroica, definitely keep Mizu Natsuki as Klaus and Yuuga Yamato as Dorian.
58	荻田作品は好きですか？ Do you like Ogita's works? Wiki Time Ummm…I’m seeing Nova Bossa Nova and Babylon. Two thumbs up.
59	齋藤作品はどうですか？ What do you think of Saitou's works? more Wiki Blue Moon Blue? arches eyebrow Ummm…weird, but strangely addicting
60	では、木村作品は？ Well then, what about Kimura's? WikiWikiWiki Oooh, Ernest in Love! GoodGood!
61	あなたにとっての宝塚ベストヒーローはどの作品のどのキャラクター？ Which character from which performance do you think is the best Takarazuka hero? This tough, but I’m going to say Francis (Shibuki Jun) from Seal of Roses. He’s an amazing character, the type that does what he has to do, not because he enjoys it, but because no one else can. That, to me, defines a hero.
62	では、ベストヒロインはどの作品のどのキャラクター？ Well then, what about the best heroine? This is a toss-up between Mai-hime (Hoshina Yuri) from My Love Lies Over the Mountains, and Marie Antoinette (O-Hana’s version) of BeruBara. They’re both such strong characters, and are played by such excellent musumeyaku. Granted, they both end up dying, but they do so in such lovely, tragic ways.
63	5年後の男役トップスターを5名予想してください。 Predict the five top stars in five years. No thank you. Although I do hope Kiriyan will be in there somewhere…. 　5年後に誰が何組にいるかなんてわかったもんじゃないので組は問いません。 We don't know who will be in which troupe in five years, so troupe doesn't matter.
64	観劇は友達と？ひとりで？ Do you go to performances with friends or alone? cries Neither.
65	観劇友達は多い方ですか？ Do you have a lot of friends who go to shows? I know several people who’ve been.
66	入り・出待ちってどうですか？ What do you think of irimachi and demachi? A little too ritualized for my taste, but definitely interesting, and something I’d love to try.
67	お茶会は好きですか？ Do you like ochakais? Never saw one, but they sound cool.
68	FCの会服について一言どうぞ。 Feel free to say something about fan club outfits. Interesting?
69	「歌劇」について何かコメントを。 A comment about "Kageki". Much Shiny. Much Japanese ^^;;
70	「宝塚GRAPH」について何かコメントを。 A comment about "Takarazuka Graph". Sparkly and pretty and happy and I wish I had money to buy them.
71	キャトルレーヴはよく使う？ Do you use Quatre Reves often? Not as yet.
72	キャトルレーヴにあったらいいな、と思うグッズは何ですか？ What goods would you like to see at Quatre Reves? Anything is fine.
73	宝塚アンに行ったことはありますか？ Have you ever been to Takarazuka-an? No ^^;;
74	ついつい見てしまうお気に入りビデオは何ですか？ Is there a video you saw unintentionally and liked? I think jenebi already covered that – there is no such thing as unintentional Zuka for foreign fans.
75	部屋を占領するビデオやプログラム、いつもどうしてますか？ What do you do with your videos and programs in your room? My DVDs I now have lined up in cases (color-coded by troupe, because I was bored) and in order by year. I, unfortunately, own no programs.
76	劇場近辺のオススメ飲食店を教えてください。 Please tell us a restaurant around the theaters that you recommend. sigh
77	プレミアつきのチケットに手を出したことはありますか？言える範囲でどうぞ。 Have you ever gotten premiere tickets? Feel free to elaborate. Ha!
78	劇団公式サイトに一言どうぞ。 Feel free to say something about the Takarazuka Home Page. I wish I could read more of it.
79	スカイステージは見てますか？ Have you seen Sky Stage? Only DVD copies ^^;;
80	第1、第2シリーズのパーソナルブックは揃えましたか？ Do you have the first or second series of personal books? Does my Ayaki Nao Memorial Book Count? 　購入状況と「買った理由」or「買わなかった理由」を教えてください。 Please tell us the purchasing circumstances, or why or why not you bought them. Errr...I bought it because Saeko is Teh Sexy?
81	娘役さんのギャル系ファッションについてご意見をどうぞ。 What's your opinion on the girlish fashion of musumeyaku? Depending on the musumeyaku, they are absolutely lovely, and I wish I could wear them.
82	男役さんのオフポート、あまりフェミニンなのは困りますか？ Is it a problem if otokoyaku are overly feminine off-stage? Not at all! It’s their life, as much as fans and the company seem to wish otherwise, and they should be able to wear what they like.
83	白状すると、ご贔屓が違う観劇友達と話をするのは疲れますか？ Confess, if you're talking with a friend about a play without seito you support, are you bored? If there’s no one in the show that I know, then yes.
84	「男役の色気」って何でしょうね？ What is the "sexiness of otokoyaku"? Androgyny, when done well, is sexy. Plus, so many of these women are just so gorgeous on their own, it doesn’t take much to make them look sexy.
85	2派？8派？知らないなんて言わせません。 Are you partial to 2 or 8? If you don't understand the question, don't answer it.
86	そこで思わずネットバトルに参戦してしまったり？ Did you participate in that internet battle without thinking?
87	いわゆる「妄想系」について一言どうぞ。知らないとは言わせません。 Say something about the so-called "delusionistic". If you don't understand the question, don't answer it.
88	「宝塚→ビアン虎の穴」と連想する非ヅカファンに一言どうぞ。 What do you think of non-zuka fans who associate Takarazuka with a lesbian tiger pit? laughs Ok. Ummm…I actually had a professor at college who assumed Zuks was basically by lesbians, for lesbians, and it annoyed me that she said that, because she’d never heard of the revue before I’d mentioned it. I don’t like it when people make snap decisions in general.
89	宝塚ファンだということを会社や学校でカミングアウト済み？ Have you come out as a Takarazuka fan at work or school? Yes, but people have no clue what I’m talking about, so it’s all good.
90	全くのドシロウトさんに「宝塚ってどうよ？」と言われたら何て切り返す？ If Doshirouto asked you "What's so great about Takarazuka?" how would you reply? Who? Well, either way, I’d say it was great because it’s unique. There are other all-female and all-male performance troupes in the world, but there is nothing like Zuka. It’s also infectious. Once you start, you really can’t stop. It’s too addicting.
91	宝塚に対して「萌え～」って言うのはアリですか？ Have you ever used the term "crush" in regards to Takarazuka? Not that I know of.
92	宝塚にハマっていることが原因で実生活の男性観が歪むことはありますか？ Has your love for Takarazuka ever slanted your perceptions of men in your real life? Nah. I still love my husband just the same ^__^
93	宝塚ファンとして「戻れないところまで来ちゃったな」と思った瞬間は？ Have you ever had an instant as a fan where you thought: "I've gone past the point of no return?" Probably when I look at my master list these days. When I first became a fan, I said I wanted a copy of Elisabeth and Phantom and then I’d be done. How the mighty have fallen….
94	「痛いファン」ってどんな人でしょうね？ What kind of person is a "painful fan"? Maybe the equivalent of an anime otaku? Someone who is involved in Zuka to the exclusion of everything else, and tends to be a know-it-all.
95	男性の宝塚ファンをどう思いますか？ What do you think of men being Takarazuka fans? I think it’s awesome, and there should be more!
96	「オールドファン」の定義を教えてください。 Please tell us your definition of an "old fan". Errr…someone who has been a fan for a really long time?
97	宝塚ファンとして絶対にしてはいけないことは何だと思いますか？ What do you think is something that Takarazuka fans must not do? Other people have already covered stalking the ‘siennes, which is a Big No No. My personal pet peeve is when fans stop supporting the actresses after they leave Zuka and continue their careers elsewhere. Why in the world would you stop caring about someone just because they’ve left???
98	宝塚ファンをやめるとしたらどんなときですか？ What would cause you to stop being a Takarazuka fan? It may be unthinkable now, but there could come a time when I’m just not interested in the show any more. It’s happened with other obsessions of mine in the past, and it could happen here. I could also go totally broke in the next five years buying shows, and never be able to afford anything again. ^^;;
99	もし、自分に娘が生まれたら宝塚に入れたい？ If you had a daughter, would you want her to enter Takarazuka? Hmmm…I’m not sure. It seems like a really painful process, and I would hate to see a child of mine go through so much pain and anguish. Still, I don’t suppose I’d stop her, if she had her heart set on it.
100	最後の質問。あなたにとって宝塚とは？「夢の世界」以外のお答えをどうぞ。 Last question. What is Takarazuka to you? Please answer with something other than "a world of dreams". I believe I’ve already answered that to the best of my ability here. ^__^

is nervous

2006-09-15T13:05:56Z

Yesterday we didn't get mail. We got our neighbor's mail. Said neighbor did not recieve our mail. I am expecting a package any second from princesslucia containing copious amounts of Shiny Things.

What if yesterday's mail had the package? Who ended up with it? What if they realize the treasure that is in their possession and decide to keep it???

My husband claims he is more worried about bills getting lost, but I don't understand that at all. What are bills to Shinies????

WHERE IS MY MAIL????

Edit: Yay, package arrived safe and sound tjis afternoon!! *sigh of relief* Now onto the Shiny!

ai_to_shi @ 2006-09-11T17:07:00

2006-09-11T21:27:31Z

So I thought this meme might be kind of fun to adopt for Zuka. The original reads thusly: What five items owned by characters in your fandom(s) would you most like to own? How would it go if we changed it to read What five items used in a Zuka production would you most like to own? It took some doing, but I think it just may be possible to narrow it down.

1.) Death’s Boots, from the Dr. Death/Saigo no Chansu scenes. No one has Boots like that. (Tsuki Elisabeth)

2.) Nikita’s headpiece, because I want to dress up like a hot cult leader for Halloween, and I must have the proper accessories. (Hoshi Lure of the Icon)

3.) Gwendolyn’s hat, because the perfect hat can obviously overcome any and all obstacles in life. (Tsuki Ernest in Love)

4.) Marie Antoinette’s red dress and jewels, because we're apparently living in the age of bling-bling, and I want my share! (Sora Versailles no Bara)

5.) Big Joule’s teddy bear. Please don't tell me I need to elaborate. (Tsuki Guys and Dolls)

Any takers?

Hoshigumi Epiphany

2006-09-11T20:42:01Z

So, as much as I love Tsukigumi, I really am so much in love with Saeko-era Hoshigumui, and Epiphany very recently reminded me why. I don’t know why I was putting off watching this show – other than, for some reason, I was convinced I wouldn’t be able to follow the plot at all – but I can see now that I was simply being an idiot. This is, without a doubt, one of the best Bow Hall productions I’ve ever seen, and it has reaffirmed my complete and utter love for Ayaki Nao.

Not that such a love really ever need reaffirming, but really, Ichiro’s cheekbones *have* been giving her competition.

Ahem.

Synopsis here. Originally based on Shakepeare's Twelfth Night (which, due to my excessive love of this show, I must now read). Hey, Zuka's Romeo and Juliet was awesome, so I don't see why this should be any different!

This was one of those rare, lovely productions where every character was perfectly and flawlessly cast. There was not one ‘sienne who did not fit her role. I’ve noticed that this seems to be a trademark of Bow Hall shows, however – look at Ernest in Love and Singin’ in the Rain – and I was not disappointed in the slightest.

I adored Saeko, of course, because I always do, but I must say that this production was particularly suited to her talents. She really is one of the most androgynous ‘siennes, and she was the perfect choice to play both Otaka and Takagorou. Otaka was, of course, my favorite of the two roles, because the idea of Saeko playing a woman pretending to be a man is just the height of irony. She had the perfect combination of feminine charm and male gruffness, and it just seems like a role she would have really enjoyed playing. She totally won me over.

Yuri Rie as Mari was an incredible surprise. Since she doesn’t have a TakaWiki page, I couldn’t find anything out about her, but she honestly blew me away. She may have played a traditional musumeyaku role – quiet and subservient – but she did so with a passion and flare you generally only see in really high-ranking actresses. She also had a very lovely voice. I’m assuming she’s not still an active member, but if anyone has any information on her, or knows any other roles she played, I’d love to see her again!

Tsukasa Yuuki’s Iriya was probably my favorite character in the whole show, aside from Otaka. He was such a sweet and soft-spoken character, but one who obviously cared deeply for his friends and his profession. His unrequited love for Mari was both adorable and painful, and my biggest regret of the whole show was that he and Otaka never really got together. They interacted so well, and I was really looking forward to some nice romance. Still, the character was phenomenal.

I was perfectly expecting to love Matobu Sei’s Shingoro, and I was not disappointed in the slightest. I really must make an effort to watch more shows with her in them, because the more and more I see of her, the more and more I like her. She’s one of those nice, steady actresses that you can always count on to make you laugh, and who just radiates passion in her acting. She was a perfectly convincing ex-pickpocket, the type of wants to move on and live his own life but can’t seem to totally shake the last vestiges of his checkered past. She was a truly a joy to watch.

Without a doubt, the funniest scenes were those that contained Mari’s suitor, Fukunaga (Asazumi Kei) and Mari’s family servant, Marui (Miya Erika). Fukunaga’s vanity and ego were so large as to be nothing but comical, especially coupled with his exaggerated leg and arm movements. His ability to make Really Cunning Plans was overshadowed only by Marui’s humorous advice. After all, she merely wanted to make sure her Mistress Mari was happy, but she couldn’t leave poor Fukunaga all by himself, now could she? He was too foolish to be on his own! Their interaction was amazingly comical, and I was very nearly rolling on the floor laughing during good portions of it.

Almost equally hysterical were Otaka’s two kabuki companions, Mimasuya (Nishiki Ai) and Kisaragi (Oohiro Ayumu). Watching women pretending to be men pretending to be women is just too amusing not to mention. That’s really all I have to say on the subject.

Other than being well cast, I must say that the dialogue, from what I could understand of it, was also first rate. Some of my favorite scenes just had me dying of laughter from the banter. In one, for example, Iriya was coming to warn Takagorou (who was still Otaka at that point) that he was in danger, but Iriya actually came across the *real* Takagorou, who didn’t know him, and it took quite some time for Iriya to figure out that something wasn’t wrong. It occurred when he grasped Takagorou’s hand and noticed that it was different from the “man” he knew. He then proceeded to stare at it for quite some time, leading Takagorou to enquire if Iriya was all right (i.e. if he didn’t require some padded walls). Another was at the end of the show, when Otaka informed Mari that she was really a female, leaving poor Mari devastated. Otaka asked if there was any way she could make it up to Mari, and Mari responded by ordering her to turn into a man. It may not sound funny here, but trust me, I was cracking up. Probably the best scene, however, was when Fukunaga got stuck with the bill at a fancy restaurant, and discovered belatedly that he didn’t have his wallet with him. The waiter continuously addressed him in a very deadpan voice, even after the lights went out on the scene. It was soooo funny!

All in all, I really can’t stress enough how much I loved this show. It honestly reminded me how incredible Saeko’s acting is, because, believe it or not, I sometimes forget ^^;; It was a very action-heavy show and didn’t have all that much music, which is generally a let-down for me, but in this case, I honestly loved it. It was also an incredibly beautiful show to watch, as the costumes were simply lovely. Saeko in kimono AND hakuma is just too much for the poor fangirl in me to take.

Since ekusudei so recently did her own write-up on this show, I am going to choose the lazy way out and point you over to her pictures. She got a good number of the shots I would have taken in any case. Just pay particular attention to angsty!Saeko! Gah, she cries so pretty!

Watch this show!!! *orders*

pulls out hair

2006-09-05T21:17:17Z

So, Kashige is leaving already. Huh. After all the blood, sweat and tears we wasted, wondering who was going to be Top next, and now we get to do it all over again.

Wheeeeee!!!

^^;;

Anyways, I am personally hoping for Tani to come in next, because she really is amazing, but thanks to bunretsu, I'm now totally afraid that they might pull my beloved Kiriyan out of Tsukigumi!! Now, don't get me wrong. She's my second favorite otokoyaku of all time, and I want to see her become Top like nothing else, but she *must* stay in Tsuki, she MUST!! She's just such an integral part of the troupe! And...and...they just *can't* pull her away from Shirosaki Ai! They're *made* for each other!!

*sigh*

Anyways, I fully support the idea of Tani being promoted, although I've heard Yumiko's name being thrown about quite a bit, and I have no problems with her, either. bunretsu also mentioned the idea of Tom coming in for a bit before officially promoting anyone, and that could also be cool. Decisions, decisions.

Why must the Zuka Gods torture us so?

Yuikigumi Versailles no Bara

2006-08-30T01:40:21Z

So this week’s victim was Yukigumi’s Versailles no Bara – Andre to Oscar, performed in 1989 and making it the oldest complete show I’ve ever watched. Yay fun.

To be honest, sometimes I wonder why I keep subjecting myself to BeruBara. Sorgumi’s 2001 performance was only the second full Zuka show I ever watched, and I’ll admit that I fell in love with it. I also had no complaints with Hoshi’s 2001 version. But, let’s face it…this really is one of Zuka’s cheesiest shows. But they keep performing it! And I keep watching it! Why is this???

It was this performance that finally answered this question. BeruBara is a very old and popular play, and most ‘siennes seem to consider it an honor to star in it. (Didn’t Wataru claim that playing Fersen was one of the best ways she could think of to end her career or something?) Anyways, each time it gets cycled through the troupes, rabid fangirls like myself let out many high-pitched squees because (insert favorite ‘sienne’s name here) is playing Oscar, Andre or Fersen! And sometimes we can even buy the exact DVDs we want with our ‘siennes playing our favorite roles! (Yay BeruBara digests.) And because we keep squeeing and buying the DVDs, the company keeps putting on the show, and thus the cycle continues. In this particular case, (insert favorite sienne’s name here) was Ichiro Maki, my latest obsession, and she was playing Oscar. I had noooo idea who any of the other ‘siennes were (except Hoshihara Misao, thank heavens) so I was basically watching this for some Hot Cheekbones Action. I was not disappointed. Still, I must admit that this was a very…interesting rendition of BeruBara.

I was under the impression that there were only two arcs for the show – Marie Antoinette and Fersen, and Oscar and Andre. I obviously assumed this version was of the second variety. However, it seems that there is, in fact, a third version, which is Andre and Oscar. While I think I still prefer the Oscar and Andre version best, I must admit that this had it’s perks, the largest being that a good chunk of the plot focused on Rosalie, the young girl who had been serving Oscar and her family for many years. I’ve always really loved this character, and the amount of time they spent developing it really made me happy. Her history seemed to go against some of the things presented in the other two versions, but we’ll forgive that.

Less forgivable, perhaps, are the 80s-style wigs and the massive amount of blue eye-shadow, but I’ll try to get past even that…..

A summary of the show can be found here, but in some cases my version doesn’t seem to follow the program, so I’ll highlight that as best I can. I’ll also focus in on the Rosalie plot, since that’s basically the big difference between this version and the Oscar/Andre version.

The show has, without a doubt, one of the most amusing beginnings, which consists of Rosalie and Oscar’s nanny attempting to find Oscar, in order to dress her for Marie Antoinette’s birthday celebration that night. Andre enters and laughs his head off when he sees the frilly pink gown Oscar is expected to wear. He suggests that Rosalie make use of it instead, as she is more likely to get enjoyment out of it. Surprised but honored, Rosalie agrees. At this point, we switch into a nice little flashback to Rosalie’s past, which is shrouded in mystery. Her mother was killed many years ago when an aristocrat’s carriage ran her over, and just before dying, she confessed that she was not Rosalie’s real mother. Rosalie was in fact the daughter of a noble family, and had been raised with her current family to conceal her true origins. The woman died before revealing Rosalie’s true parents, however, leaving Rosalie confused and alone. Andre promises to help Rosalie discover her true mother someday, and they depart for the ball.

In between the singing and the dancing and the politicking, the main event of the ball is the discussion of Marie Antoinette and Fersen, who are openly lovers. One of the loudest critics is Lady Polignak, along with her lady-in-waiting, Jeanne, whom we recognize from the previous flashback as Rosalie’s estranged sister. During the ball, we get the familiar scene of Oscar pleading with Fersen to return to Sweden for the good of France, and then her inadvertent confession of love. Fersen is sympathetic but refuses to leave, leading Oscar to one of my favorite scenes – getting drunk in the palace garden. This is where we meet Bernard, the Black Fox, who has been terrorizing noble estates. Oscar captures him but then grants him amnesty after hearing about the horrible state of the French peasantry. Rosalie also vouches for his character.

A lot of the following scenes are very close to the Oscar/Andre version, so I won’t bore you with them, as most people know the story. However, the plot does thicken around Rosalie and her family. Jeanne attacked herself to lady Polignak in order to take revenge against aristocrats for the death of her mother. I’m a little confused about exactly what happens, but I believe Jeanne tells Lady Polignak lies or exaggerations about Oscar and how she is besmirching her reputation or ruining her chances for advancement within the court. In any event, Lady Polignak challenges Oscar to a duel for revenge for these slights, and Oscar is forced to accept. Andre, however, learns of the duel and takes Oscar’s place without telling her. Instead of facing Lady Polignak’s champion, however, he is ambushed by Jeanne and several of her guards. This is the fight during which Andre is blinded. Jeanne is eventually confronted and arrested, and Lady Polignak is proved innocent, because she truly did know nothing of the trick. It is also discovered that Lady Polignak was the one whose carriage killed Rosalie and Jeanne’s adopted mother, but in a twist of fate, is revealed to be their true birth mother. Rosalie refuses to accept this, however.

The second half of the show focuses mostly on Oscar and Andre, and includes most of my favorite scenes from the other two arcs – Oscar’s forced betrothal, Andre’s attempt at poisoning himself and Oscar so no one else would have her, and, of course, the “love” scene, culminating with a very heartfelt rendition of the annoyingly catching “Ai-Ai-Ai” song. The only major addition is the resolution of Rosalie’s dilemma. She had previously become close friends with a young girl named Charlotte, who I believe it Lady Polignak’s daughter. After the truth of Rosalie’s parentage came out, the one thing she was happy about was that she and Charlotte were truly sisters. Unfortunately, Charlotte was being forced into an arranged marriage that she dreaded, and she eventually committed suicide rather than go through with it. Oscar blamed Lady Polignak and wanted to bring her to justice, but Rosalie begged for her pardon, not able to bear the thought of losing another mother. Oscar agrees, and Rosalie forgives Lady Polignak.

The show, of course, then continues with Oscar and Andre’s resolution to fight for the peasants of France, Andre’s death, Oscar’s final battle at the Bastille, and her death. It’s like Hamlet, people, except with more sparkly costumes – everyone dies. Whoohoo.

All in all, it was a decent version of the show, but, as I was mainly watching it for Ichiro, I think I would have preferred the Oscar/Andre version, because she would have gotten more screen time. Still, I can’t really complain from what I saw. It was really hard to judge her acting, because everyone was extremely over-acting, but she was definitely a worthy Oscar. I still claim she has an amazing voice, and her angst solo after rejecting her promised suitor in order to fight for France (and be with Andre) just tore at my heartstrings. (I hate the fact that I don’t know the name of this song – Oscar sings it in very bloody version and it’s stunning! It starts with “Watashi wa ai….something, and has several “doko made mou” repetitions in it. Yes, I suck at songs ^^;;) At any rate, her singing was certainly up to par, and she just oozed passion in many places. Her pain at learning of Andre’s love and his plan to poison them was perfect, and their “Ai Areba Koso” duet was very heartfelt. I must also say that Ichiro had some of the best screams at Andre’s death. Her own death at the Bastille was a little over-done, even by BeruBara standards, but hey, you can’t have everything. I think the scene I missed the most was of Oscar trying to prove herself to her soldiers, and wining them over by singing the French lullaby. I really would have liked to hear Ichiro sing that.

Mori Keaki as Andre was…all right. The wig was not as flattering as it could have been, and for some reason that really kept distracting me. I can’t really put my finger on what it was about her that I didn’t like, except that there were times her performance just seemed off. She was very passionate and sung extremely well, but her acting was just soooo over-dramatic. Again, this is BeruBara, but really, Mizu didn’t have that problem, and as she’s my basis for comparison, there you have it. I also didn’t think she had the best chemistry with Ichiro. Some scenes were extremely well done – the poison scene, the love scene – but others, such as helping drink!Oscar in the garden, were lacking. I will say that she angsted very well, especially after finding out about Oscar’s engagement. Her discussion with Fersen about Oscar’s love, and her subsequent promise to protect Oscar in Fersen’s place, was also very moving. Her death scene was also no more cheesy than anyone else's. I guess she just wasn’t quite up to my standards for some reason.

Shion Yuu was an excellent Fersen. Not up to Wao’s level, perhaps, but certainly as good as Aran Kei’s performance in Hoshi’s version. Unfortunately, I severely disliked Nishina Yuri as Marie Antoinette, so I couldn’t feel much connection between the two characters. Her voice was horribly nasally, she was over-dramatic to the point of simply being annoying, and she was completely ineffectual at commanding the stage in the way she should. This is really a shame, because I do love Antoinette and Fersen together, and I would have liked to see how they played out. Luckily, Shion Yuu had wonderful chemistry with Oscar and Andre, as well as a very lovely voice, so at least I could enjoy her performance.

As I mentioned before, the best surprise of the show was the large part Rosalie played in the plot, and Ayu Yuki gave an excellent performance. I am very upset that she doesn’t have a page on the TakaWiki, because I would love to look her up and try to catch her in other performances. She was timid and shy in the beginning, but also fiercely devoted to Oscar and Andre. Her friendship with Charlotte was very moving, and it was wonderful to see her slowly grow into her role of aristocrat. Her defense and eventual forgiveness of Lady Polignak was extremely moving. The one scene I really missed with her from the Oscar/Andre version was when she and Bernard showed them around Paris and how destitute everyone was. Still, I have so much love for her right now.

Hokuto Hikaru was, for the most part, a good choice for Lady Polignak. Of course, I kept thinking how wonderful Izumo Aya would fit the role, but perhaps this was one of her precursors. She was clearly a vain and selfish woman, but one who didn’t want anyone to truly be hurt. Her grief at Charlotte’s death and her bittersweet joy at having Rosalie accept her as a mother was incredibly moving and very well done.

One of my biggest complaints - Saotome Sachi as Jeanne. She was an excellent actress and played the part flawlessly, but dear God in heaven her Evil Shoujo Woman Laugh was soooooo annoying!!!!!

The revue, I am sorry to say, was mostly horrible. I really liked Shion Yuu’s solo, but that was about it. They dressed poor Ichiro up in the ugliest dress with the most HOPRRID blonde wig imaginable for her dance with Mori Keaki. I have never cringed so much when Ichiro was on stage, and I hope I never do again. Mori Keaki had a nice dance number, but she had the most God-awful sparkly gold jumpsuit with huge bell-bottoms. Sorry, dear, but John Travolta just called, and he wants his outfit back ^^;;

All in all, this is probably my least favorite of the BeruBara’s I’ve seen, but actresses themselves were (generally) not at fault. I think it’s just an over-the-top show at the end of a really over-the-top decade, and that’s what we ended up with. Still, I’m glad I watched it for Ichiro alone, and I really, really can’t stress enough how much I loved the focus on Rosalie. In that respect, I highly recommend the show. And, of course, it’s worth it for all the BeruBara fanatics that I know are on my f-list ^_~

Just do try to ignore the blue eye-shadow….

Obviously I wasn't that impressed with some of the wigs and make-up, and I think we all know what the characters look like, so here are three snapshots, just for the heck of it:

Ichiro as Angsty!Oscar

Ayu Yuki as a really excellent Rosalie

The Obligatory Picture of Oscar and Andre During "Ai Areba Koso" Which Must Accompany All Mention of BeruBara.

Joins in the Yukigumi and Hoshigumi Love!

2006-08-29T22:13:25Z

All I can say is, at least they're keeping us on our toes.

I must say that I am quite excited about seeing Tonami play Elisabeth with Mizu!Death. I think this is going to be one heck of a good show. I really am surprised they didn't leave her with Touko, though. I thought they would have made a good pair. Still, Asuka should be good with Touko, I really can't see anyone *not* being a good partner for her, really.

I totally agree with bunretsu - this is totally messing with my mind... ^^;;

Congrats to everyone!

Nee-chan's Meme!

2006-08-27T02:50:32Z

Yay for something to perk up my day!

(1a) LAIK OMG, my FaVoRiTe troupe iz?

Definitely Tsukigumi

(1b) Rank the five troupes in order of preference.

Tsukigumi, Hoshigumi, Yukigumi, Soragumi, Hanagumi

(2) If I were a Takarazuka fan in the late '70s, my favorite troupe would be?

Errr...no idea. From glancing at the TakaWiki, I'd guess either Yukigumi or Hoshigumi, but I have no clue. All I know is the make-up looks reeeaaaalllly scary either way ^^;;

(3a) If I were tied to a Medieval torture device and threatened with the comfy chair, the ONE Favorite Top Star of All Time that I would choose is? (And yes, only one. That's why it's called "torture".)

Erm, yes, that would be Saeko. Is it bad that this was not torture at all?

(3b) My ONE favorite Daigekijou show is?

Elisabeth (Being *favorite* I would say the Tsukigumi version.)

(3c) My ONE favorite "other" (Umeda, Bow Hall, Seinenkan, etc) show is?

Tsukigumi's Ernest in Love (but only by the skin of its teeth, because Hoshigumi's Singin' in the Rain was also amazing.

(4) Current favorite "Baby 'Sienne" (Takarasienne with less than 7 years) is?

Ha! Hiromi has exactly seven years, so I say she counts! :p

(5) Takarasienne with the best off-stage fashion sense is?

Erm...yes, I'm going to have to jump on the bandwagon here and say Mizu, because she always looks amazing.

(6) Current Takarasienne(s) with the birthday closest to mine is/are?

Hmmm...no one I recognize, but Hoshigumi's Yumeno Seika is on July 21st, so I guess she wins.

(7) I think the best singer (past or present) is?

That's a tough call between Zunko and Taatan. Of course, O-Hana wins hands-down for musumeyaku, but I really don't think I can choose between the otokoyaku.

(8) I think the best dancer (past or present) is?

I haven't "known" her very long, but I think Mariko really takes the cake for this one. She's just amazing.

(9) If I could pick the next Top Musumeyaku of Yukigumi, it would be?

Absolutely no clue. My knowledge of Yukigumi begins and ends with Ichiro Maki's reign, and that's of no help. I do hope it's someone worthy of Mizu, however, and that they don't pull Shirosaki Ai away from Kiriyan-chan!!

(10) I think this should be made into a show/revue show?

I'd love to see either Beauty and the Beast or Alice in Wonderland. Yes, I am a fairytale freak :p I think there's great room for interpretation within both of them, especially Alice. Much over-the-top-ness with sparkly costumes ^__^

This meme really drove home to me how different my opinions are when my "favorites" are compared to "the best." My answers would have been almost all different if those words had been switched. Weird.

I have Pretties!!!

2006-08-23T23:22:14Z

Look at what darkcyradis just sent me from when she was in Japan!!!!

My very first Zuka posters!!! *sigh of happiness* And what lovely choices! Total Tsukigumi and Tom Love, Osa's Erik, Wataru's Fersen, and Wao and O-Hana's sayonara performance. I can't wait to plaster my room with them ^__^ The Bara no Fuuin one isn't actually a poster, but rather a lovely little folder in which the posters can be placed, until such time as they decorate my wall. I haven't quite figured out how to display the folder yet, but of course I *must,* because Rika, Saeko and Kurara are just that hot.

Ahhh, the wonderfulness of a fangirl in love....

TCA Special 1995

2006-08-21T02:06:59Z

...aka: How Many Otokoyaku Can Shannon Recognize THIS Time?

So, TCA 1995. This is only the second special I’ve watched, and I have to say that this was much…stranger than 2004 (probably by virtue of it being almost 10 years older ^^;;). This experience also reminded me why I tend not to watch TCA Specials alone. The evening went something like this:

“Hmmm…all right, well, know I can recognize Mariko and Ichiro…ok, well, maybe only Mariko (where are my Cheekbones of Hotness?!?!)…hey, so this is the Maya Miki princesslucia has been squealing about….geez, I wish I knew who was singing that song, she’s awesome…ZOMG IT’S SAEKO IN DRAG!!!….hey, big ears and good voice, must be Zunko….lalalala no clue, no clue, oh look, it’s O-Hana!...more sparklies and fedoras and is that Rika – cool!.... bah, who are these people???. ..hey, I *like* that song and it’s Mami singing and how awesome is that…. hmmm…hmmm….ok, THAT’S Ichiro because she’s singing and I’m *dying* and I think I can recognize Yuri now (maybe)….etc., etc.”

Yahhhh.

By the end of the show I was pretty good with the top four otokoyaku. Mariko and Miki were definitely recognizable, but for some reason, Ichiro and Yuri looked alike to me.

Don’t laugh :p

It took me forever to be able to recognize KIRIYAN for cryin’ out loud, and she’s one of my all-time favorites. Perhaps these are just good testing grounds. Anyways, I was good with Ichiro when she was singing, because she has a very distinctive voice, but otherwise…yeah. No dice.

Still, this was quite an interesting experience.

We start out with some kind of rock concert with outfits reminiscent of KISS, which is fine with me, really. Yuri totally blew me away as the lead singer, and I did manage to pick out Shizuki Asato and Makoto Tsubasa in the background, which is a very high achievement for me.

Yuri rocks the free world

The next song I will only mention because it is insidious and repetitive and has bascailyl been stuck in my head ALL FREAKING DAY! (Yes, it’s on par with “Ai Areba Koso,” believe it or not.) It’s called “Ni Ni Wo Wo,” and it was sung by the four Top musumeyaku. It’s this happy, peppy, sweet, cavity-inducing song that just has a wonderfully catchy tune and won’t get out of my head! Oh, and the dresses were pretty, too.

See?

The next song that I really enjoyed was “Kitch,” because I love everything Elisabeth. It was sung by Yuri, Mami and Kuze Seika (who I’ve never heard of before and only stole the name from ekusudei’s journal). They had very nice, sparkly costumes and turbans, which was nice and cool. I thought they pronounced it weird, though, and the words were definitely different. Still, very nice.

Kinda blurry, but trust me, it was good

Oh. OH! And then there was the entire reason I really wanted this show in the first place, because there was a lovely song with Zunko singing and Saeko dancing in this lovely slinky purple dress. I must also say that her wig is love – long black hair totally works for her.

I’m such a fangirl ^^;;

The rest of this half of the show was mainly taken up by Top Star solos and their pairs dance. I was really upset that Ichiro’s solo was cut from the show. You could see the video but not hear the sound. I’m assuming there was some copyright infringement or something? The song was called “Dry Country” but I’ve never heard of it… *Much Pouting Ensues*

Miki’s dance to “Jealousy” was really stunning. This was the first time I’d ever seen her (or Yuri, for that matter) and I was really impressed. Mariko got a nice swing number, which I was glad for, since she just moves so well! The pic you get, however, is from Ichiro and O-Hana’s dance number, because Ichiro is my new Object of Squee, and O-Hana just always looks like a princess.

So pretty......

And then there’s this, where we see that Zuka and bondage really are a great combination.

Mmm...Yuri in chains...

Thus endeth the first half, but before moving on, I must do my fangirl duty and present to you a horribly blurry picture of Saeko taking her bow, because I am so proud that I recognized her ^^;;

Sae-chan!!!!

The second half had a really cute introduction after a few brief numbers. I couldn’t get a good portion of the jokes, but the ones I could get were hysterical. The four Top otokoyaku introduced themselves, but while Miki, Mariko and Ichiro all used “de gozaimasu”, Yuri simply said “desu,” and I think the other three made fun of her for not being polite enough. I think they were throwing ideas back and forth about what the best way to speak was, because I heard a few “de gozaru’s” throw around (which always cues anime fangirling because of Kenshin ^^;;). Anyways, they were obviously having a great time.

A good chunk of this half was taken up by random songs sung mainly by the lower actresses. Many of them were American, which was, of course, quite amusing. They included the following:

Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)
I Only Want to Be with You
Hot Stuff
Maneater
I Never Knew Love Like This Before
Copacabana
She Works Hard for the Money
Reach Out I’ll Be There
Puttin’ on the Ritz

Yah. Quite amusing.

But not quite as amusing as Shibuki Jun singing “I’m a Man.”

You certainly are, Rika-chan!

(I admit I had to do a double take, but I was quite proud of myself for recognizing her all by my little self ^_~)

My favorite part of the second act were the four skits that each of the Top Stars did. For some reason they mixed up the combos so the otokoyaku weren’t paired with their normal musumeyaku, but that only served to make it funnier, I think. And trust me, even if I make them sound boring, they're sooooo funny when you're watching them!

The first skit was Mariko’s, where she played a heavyweight champion boxer who endorsed Poki. Yes, that would be the candy ^^;; Her outfit was hysterical!! She got pushed around by the reporter who came to interview her, however, and ended up damaging her hand, so she became a musician instead. The funniest parts were the cheesy Batrman-esq punches that showed up in the cartoon bubbles around her when she was throwing punches, and also when the reporter showed her a magazine with “Asaji Saki” on the cover. The boxer thought she looked really cool ^_~

Heavyweight Champion Poki-sama!!!

"POW! BANG!! BOOM!!!"

The second was Miki, who was playing some hotshot actor and was (I think) discussing her fan base with a co-star. She also kept hitting said co-star with a fly swatter (which also produced the Batman sound-effect bubbles). The best part of this was definitely when Miki’s character was shown a poster of “Maya Miki” as James Dean in a Zuka show. She was dubbed “James Miki” for her coolness *grin* I was having hysterics at this point.

"BAKAYAROU!"

James Miki ^^;;

Ichiro’s was next, and to be honest, I have no idea what was going on. All I know is that it centered around eggs, and perhaps whether or not they were good to eat? Apparently, Ichiro eventually thought it was….Still, I was a little disappointed that Ichiro’s was the one I understood leas.

Ichiro very intently contemplates her...eggs...yeah...^^;;

Yuri’s was incredibly funny once I understood what was going on. She was playing a samurai during the Bakumatsu era, and was currently preparing to fight the Shinsengumi. Her character was explaining to O-Hana’s how he was planning to beat them, and each technique had part of a ‘sienne’s name in it. When mentioned, the ‘sienne’s name would flash in bubbles around them. It was quite funny, and O-Hana in kimono is Love.

Preeeeety

Yuri threatens the Shinsengumi with the "Makoto Tsubasa" sword-slashing technique!!!! Evil-doers beware!!

The show ended with each Top Star having her own solo, which were all well done. I fully approve of Miki in a lovely gangster suit and fedora – I think I may have to check this woman out more fully. Mariko actually sang a shortened version of Meatloaf’s “I Would Do Anything For Love,” which at first I thought was a bad choice because it’s so vocally demanding, but her passionate expressions really won me over. Yuri sang “Kaze no Shamrock,” which really needs no further comment, because the song is just so wonderful. I *finally* got to hear the Ichiro I was waiting for – all passion and beauty and soul-wrenching vocals – and her outfit was so sparkly I had to take a picture of it. *grin*

Hello. I am a picture of Shannon's New Obsession. Pleased to be meeting you. Aren't my cheekbones hot???

So yeah, overall, not bad, and very highly amusing. I still need work on my Recognition Meter, but I’m getting better, I really am!!! ^__^

Much Rejoicing in Zuka-Land!

2006-08-17T22:00:55Z

Yay for Mizu being Yuki's new Top! I have nothing really constructive to say about it, since it was kind of expected, but I am soooo thrilled for her! She really, really deserves it. And I cannot *wait* to see her Death in Elisabeth! I somehow get this feeling that she's going to resemble Osa's Death more than anything - very human and emotional. We shall see! Oh, how I wish I was rich so I could go see her live!!

Also, for those not on the Yahoo mailing list, it appears that Ichiro Maki is pregnant! That's so exciting! I hope her child inherits her lovely voice and sexy cheekbones! ^_~

Congratulations all around! *throws roses*

A little help

2006-08-16T12:07:53Z

Ok, kids, I really, REALLY want to buy the Yukigumi Elisabeth soundtrack, because Ichiro Maki is a god. However, I'm having some issues finding it. I checked on "Sound of Music" in Germany and found it for around $80, but since I am cheap, I would rather not pay that much if I don't have to ^^;; I went through some of the shopping sites listed on the TakaWiki and I couldn't seem to find it anywhere else. It's definitely not on any of the English sites, and I tried to check the Japanese ones, but to be honest, I'm not positive I was looking in the right places, because my Japanese is really getting terrible ^^;; I know there are auctions out there as well (through the Japanese Yahoo or eBay or something?) but again, my poor Japanese is really limiting my search abilities. Any help or other ideas would be wonderful.

Thanks muchly! ^__^

Elisabeth Dream Cast

2006-08-16T01:00:32Z

Ok, you knew this was coming. (Well, all right, I knew it was coming, and now you all have to put up with it :p ) Now that I have officially watched all five versions of Elisabeth, I can compile my dream cast. hana_no_uta put the idea in my mind again, so here it is. Most of the main characters will have alternates (you know, in case The Chosen One gets sick or something ^^;;) and because I really feel like I need to highlight the talents of more than one person.

Note: Each actress follows with the troupe in which she performed. For those who performed in more than one version, I bolded the performance I thought was best.

Enjoy!

Actresses

Death
Favorite: Ayaki Nao (Tsuki)
Yes, I’m biased because she’s my favorite of all time, but she really is amazing in this role. She just has a grace and fluidity that no one else matches, and she looks the part better than anyone. As far as I’m concerned, Saeko is Death.

Alternate: Ichiro Maki (Yuki)
Watching this woman play Death is like getting punched in the stomach – it takes all your breath away. I just have no words to express how amazing this woman is. If I wasn’t so loyal to my Saeko, she’d win, hands down. Her cheekbones really don’t hurt things, either.

Elisabeth
Favorite: Hanafusa Mari (Yuki and Sora)
She is such an angel, she has the best voice, and her “Watashi Dake Ni” makes me cry. She’s the cutest little Young Sisi and the most reserved and stoic empress. For me, she simply becomes Elisabeth.

Alternate: Shiraki Ayaka (Hoshi)
Her voice is the only one to rival O-Hana, and her acting is more passionate and emotional than I can possibly express. I just couldn’t get enough of her.

Franz Joseph
Favorite: Minoru Kou (Hoshi)
Contrary to how it may look in my reviews, I really don’t like to hate Franz Joseph, but it’s so easy for me to in so many versions! Noru made me feel sorry for the character, and I think her interpretation was the closest to what I’ve read of the real Franz. I ended up really connecting with the character more.

Alternate: Juri Sakiho (Hana)
I hemmed and hawed over who I liked better – Juri or Gaichi – but in the end I think I perfered Juri’s interpretation. She was the only actress other than Noru who really made me see Franz as a “good guy.”

Luigi Lucheni
Favorite: Kiriya Hiromu (Tsuki)
Kiriyan plays the character with such abandon, it’s almost unreal. She is crazier, wilder, more irreverent than any other ‘sienne, and she makes me laugh so much! She is, quite simply, one of a kind, and I don’t think anyone will ever be able to match her in this role. Drunk!Luigi forever!!

Alternate: Todoroki Yuu (Yuki)
As with F.J., this was a hard choice, because I love Wataru to bits and pieces, but I think Tom was better. Her Luigi had an amazingly funny devil-may-care attitude and really managed to show how foolish and moronic she really though everyone was.

Rudolf
Favorite: Kouju Tatsuki (Yuki)
Taatan just amazed me too much more than I anticipated. She was so passionate that I couldn’t help falling in love with her. Her range of emotions really got to me more than anyone else – her pain and anger at Franz not understanding her plight, her fear during “Yami ga Hirogaru,” he determination during the revolution, her love and loneliness for Elisabeth, and finally her resignation and desire for death. Stunning.

Alternate: Asami Hikaru (Sora)
I really can’t explain why, other than I really, really felt sorry for Komu’s Rudolf. She pulled at my heartstrings more than usual, I guess. I just loved her.

Sophie
Mimi Anri (Tsuki)
She has a wonderfully strong voice and her acting was flawlessly evil. I felt like she terrorized poor Sisi and bullied Franz better than anyone, and I really just love to hate her. Also, her eyebrows were the highest ^_~

Alternate: Izumo Aya (Hoshi and Sora)
Her voice is really the best, and when she’s on, she dominates the stage. Really, who could not love her Sophie???

Young Rudolf
Ayano Oto (Tsuki)
Honestly, she’s really the only one of the five who didn’t make me cringe at least once during her song. It’s just so hard for a woman to play a young boy, and she’s about the only one who did it well.

Elmer
Tsukifune Sarara (Tsuki)
Is there really even any need to explain why? Sararan is just The Best in this role – she’s the cutest, the most determined, and just plays the part so well.

Duke Max
Hoshihara Misao (Sora and Tsuki)
Her Max just makes me smile more than any others, and I feel like she had the best bond with Sisi. Her “Papi Mitai Ni” just breaks my heart every time, and I feel like her Max is the only one who really stands up to Sophie at the wedding reception to defend his daughter.

Duchess Ludovika
Rika Masumi (Hana)
She had the best interaction with Helene, Sisi and Sophie during the Bad Ischel scene, and that’s really where I judge my Ludovika’s. She also had the “flighty” feeling down during “Youkoso, Minna-sama,” where she was presenting Helene to her friends as Franz Joseph’s potential bride. She just seemed to really reflect the materialism and empty-headedness that I associate with the character better than anyone.

Helene (Hana)
This is horrible, but I don’t know her name. I can’t even type the kanji for it ^^;; I’m assuming it’s “Aya” something, because she has the same first character (彩) as Ayaki Nao, Ayana Oto, Ayabuku Mao, etc.. Anyway, I had to put her in anyway because she was the only Helene I really loved. She was just adorable and so over-the-top with her excitement. I loved her presentation to Franz Joseph, where her curtsey basically landed her on the ground. Priceless. If anyone can help me out with the name, I’d love you forever!

Countess Liechtenstein
Shijou Rui (Tsuki)
Se just really stuck with me all this time as the one who skirted the line the best between genuine concern for Elisabeth and respect and fear for Sophie. Even during “An Empress Has to Shine,” I felt like she wanted to help Sisi but didn’t know how to go about it. I also loved her version of “Beauty Care” the best, where she just totally got into the role of Head Handmaiden.

Frau Wolf
Yoshizuki Eri (Tsuki)
What can I saw other than that she was the sexiest and raunchiest of the Madams, and she had an amazingly cute chemistry with Kiriyan’s Luigi. I wouldn’t have minded being part of her harem! *grin*

Shows – Best Scenes

Tsukigumi: Dr. Death through “Saigo no Chance,” because Saeko is simply in her element in these two scenes. Her passion, her anger, her resentment and her obsession with Sisi just come on full strength. She’s the only one to jump up on Sisi’s couch, and I love that. She also has the Hair Flip and the Boots. What more can one ask for?

Hanagumi: The end of the letter-reading scene when Death comes through the mirror, continuing on through “Milk.” These two scenes showcase Osa’s passionate and human Death better than any other part of the show. I have trouble breathing at the abject pain she shows after Sisi orders her from her chambers, and I can just feel her determination building during “Milk.” It really doesn’t get better than that.

Soragumi: O-Hana’s rendition of “Watashi Dake Ni,” where her tears make me want to cry. This woman is just so talented, both as an actress and as a singer, that I just can’t stand it. This is, hands down, the best version of this song, and I love every second of it.

Hoshigumi: Mariko’s “Ai to Shi no Rondo,” which blows me away with her passionate acting. Seeing her hands literally shake at Elisabeth’s beauty and innocence is just so amazing to watch.

Yukigumi: Ichiro and Taatan’s “Yami ga Hirogaru,” during which time I must physically remind myself to breathe. They blend so incredibly well together, and they have two of the best voices I have ever heard. Wild horses couldn’t pull me away from this scene.

Best Pairs Dance
Favorite: Ayaki Nao and Sena Jun (Tsuki)
First of all, “Watashi ga Orodru Toki” was simply the best choice for a song. The instrumental version is just lovely. Asa looks like a princess, and Saeko…well, she just looks hot. They move amazingly well together, and they’re both just so talented.

Alternate: Asaji Saki and Shiraki Ayaka (Hoshi)
It’s Mariko dancing, I really shouldn’t have to elaborate. Oh, and the music was awesome – slowing down to just a classical violin and then speeding up to “Saigo no Dansu” was just priceless. Mariko also looks Hot in red velvet. Just for the record.

Overall

Favorite Version: Tsukigumi
Even if everything else was horrible, Saeko and Kiriyan would have decided it for me. I don’t care what anyone says – that duo will just never cease to amaze me, and they will always come first in my heart.

Best Version: Yukigumi
Yes, I do acknowledge there’s a difference :p In any event, this had the most well-rounded cast, some of the best costumes, and was basically lacking in no area whatsoever. Ichiro and O-Hana were a dream team, and I was just totally blown away by the entire show. It is, hands down, the best Elisabeth ever.

Hoshigumi Elisabeth

2006-08-15T23:18:47Z

So my new resolution (yes, I’m making one now, because I never seem to keep them at New year’s! :p ) is to watch and review one Zuka show per week. I have been neglecting this journal and my shows horribly lately, and I’m really going to try to rectify this. So, in honor of that, I give to you a review of my fifth and final Elisabeth – Hoshingumi.

This is without a doubt the hardest Elisabeth I have ever had to review. Watching it was like being on a roller coaster – the highs were absolutely amazing, but the lows were accompanied by stomach-churning drops. I guess in the end all I can really say is – what I loved, I loved, and what I hated…well, yeah.

This was also a very random viewing of the show, as my copy of the performance is rather terrible, and I can only see things by shrinking the screen on my compy down to the smallest window possible. However, certain scenes were included on the Applause Elisabeth disk, which luckily I own. I basically kept switching between the two, starting with my compy upstairs and then running downstairs to the Big TV every time a scene came up on the Applause disk. As annoying as the small screen on Compy-sama was, I did notice one vast improvement: it was too tiny and too blurry to have to suffer with Death’s horrid green wig. Thank God for small mercies ^^;;

All right, let’s get it out of all our systems right at the very beginning. Ready? Okay.

Asaji Saki cannot sing.

I don’t know if it’s just the fact that she has a severely limited range, if she’s tone deaf, or if she simply has no vocal talent, period. In terms of singing, she is, hands down, the worst Death of the five, and I’ll admit that she was very painful to listen to at some points.

Feel better? Good. Moving on. Why? Because for the vast majority of the show, IT DIDN’T BLOODY MATTER!!! This woman is passion incarnate! Her facial features, her movements, her eyes, her expressions, everything just screamed emotion! The most painful part for me was not listening to her poor voice, but knowing that her lack of talent meant she couldn’t vocally express all those emotions. Seriously, for those of you who’ve seen it, can you imagine what this version would have been like if Mariko could sing? Good God, she would have blown me out of the water! Thinking of what could have been is difficult, but really, I’m just so glad I bite the bullet and sat down to watch it, poor voice or no. It is so worth it.

And then, of course, there’s her dancing. No lifts in this, but that didn’t really matter, either. She just moves so fluidly and gracefully…it’s amazing. Her body has all the power her voice lacks. Probably what I love most about her dancing is the ease with which she moves. In so many of the other ‘siennes, even the ones who really do dance well, you can often tell that they’re concentrating really hard on the steps. They move very deliberately, even when they’re graceful. Not so with Mariko. She just throws herself into the movements, knowing that she’s truly good enough not to worry. I feel like her dancing can actually be interpreted, like she’s telling a story with each movement. She’s just so amazing to watch.

Some of my favorite scenes with her include “Ai to Shi no Rondo,” where her expression when she first really looks at Elisabeth is simply amazing, and the fact that her hands are actually shaking really gets to me; the end of “Watashi Dake Ni,” where she becomes the first Death (for me at least) that actually looked devastated when Sisi sheathed the knife, symbolically rejecting Death himself; and the tomb scene, where the ecstasy on her face at Sisi’s surrender morphs into rage at he lack of love in the most gut-wrenching way possible. I had shivers, people. Shivers.

Shiraki Ayaka as Elisabeth…blew me away. Totally. I am so upset that I didn’t watch this show properly before compiling my latest List of Lust, because she definitely would have made it. She is without a doubt my second favorite Sisi, right behind O-Hana (Yuki version). I thought no one would ever take that distinction from Asa, but…there you have it. First of, this woman can sing. Like, enough to make up for Mariko’s lack of talent and then some. Her voice is incredibly strong and as clear as a bell, and her tone and pitch are almost always perfect. I think I can safely say she has one of the best musumeyaku voices I’ve ever heard, and that’s saying something.

As if that wasn’t enough, her acting is phenomenal. She was an absolutely adorable young Sisi, and her transition to the stoic and withdrawn empress was perfectly believable. She radiated passion, and she’s one of the few women who I thought interacted with Franz almost as well as she interacted with Death. It was so obvious that she truly loved him and wanted to just be happy with him, but was forcing herself to maintain her distance. One of her best scenes was definitely at Rudolf’s tomb, where her abject helplessness and sorrow at Rudolf’s tomb made me want to weep. Her performance actually made me feel a little sick to my stomach – it was that real. However, I must also highlight pre-proposal scene, when Franz chooses to dance with Sisi instead of Helene. I always thought it was so weird how eagerly each of the other actresses kissed Franz. After all, she’s supposed to a young tom-boy with no interest in men, especially not near-strangers who also happen to be emperors. Ayaka played this so well, looking frightened and fascinated, hesitant and eager. The only scene I really didn’t like with her was “Mama no Kagami,” where she was much colder to Rudolf than I would have expected. Still, I really, really enjoyed her performance. She is just amazing on so many levels.

Ahhh…Franz Joseph. *smirk* It’s not really a secret that I truly dislike this character, so it really takes a lot for me to praise the actress who portrays him. However, I’ve spent a good deal of time going back and forth, trying to decide if I prefer Gaichi or Juri, who have always been my two favorite. *coughs* Yes, well, the good thing is that I no longer have that problem. Minoru Kou just won, and that, my friends, is my final answer.

Noru made me feel for Franz. She portrayed him as a very caring man who loved his wife but had no idea how to get out from under his mother’s thumb. In this case, however, he really seemed like he was trying to make it work. The disappointment on Noru’s face was expressed incredibly well in both the letter scene and the finale of the first act, which were both occasions of Sisi’s rejection. His pain and despair at Rudolf’s funeral was all the more convincing because he really seemed like he was more worried about Elisabeth than he was himself. This is a much smaller scene, but I also have to add how much I loved the Hungarian Revolution, which Elisabeth calms by revealing her dress made in the colors of the Hungarian flag. Noru’s F.J. really looked proud of her and acknowledged that she saved the day. I have so much love for Noru right now, I can’t express it.

And then we come to Luigi. Normally this character is so incredibly easy for me to rate – because I have nothing but LOVE all around – but in this case, I thought the performance was a bit flat. I really do love Shibuki Jun to bits, and I would generally duck the oncoming missiles from Arizona that caithion would be sending off at any bad mention of her One True Love, but since she felt Rika’s performance was less than amazing, I don’t feel so bad ^^;; She wasn’t a bad Luigi, really, it’s just that she didn’t give him the wildness and snarkiness that all the other ‘siennes did. At first I thought she was simply going for a different interpretation. She had her voice set to this really low drawl that basically indicated she didn’t care what the hell was going on around her, because everyone in her story (with the exception of Death) is a moron, and she was just waiting for them to get into trouble. In some cases, I really did get that feeling, and the scene turned out well. For the most part, however, I just kinda feel like she dropped the ball. The worst part is knowing that she really is capable of better, and you have to wonder if this was just an off night, and her other performances were more on target.

Emao Yuu made a relatively decent Rudolf. She had good chemistry with Mariko during “Yami ga Hirogaru” (and her strong voice did wonders in masking Mariko’s, which was an added bonus ^^;;), and I really enjoyed the exchanges between Rudy and Franz, which seemed much more charged than usual. I wasn’t blown away by her or anything, but she wasn’t bad. Just a bit more…ordinary than I would have liked, I guess.

Izumo Aya as Sophie was love. I felt like something was missing in her Soragumi performance, and whatever that was, she had it here. She dominated the stage and just became the Mother-in-Law from Hell that is every bride’s worst nightmare. This was also the first version where I wasn’t bored out of my skull during the “Emperor’s Duty” song in the beginning, where she and Franz are holding court. When she’s on, Taki just pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

Extra Bonus: Very brief glimpses of Saeko as Jura! She had hardly any lines, of course, and on my tiny screen she was practically non-existent, but she was there, and what little I saw made me a very happy little fangirl ^__^

The finale was very well done. Mariko didn’t sing much, which was a good choice on the part of the directors, and instead they let her dance, which is always a Very Good Thing. Her pair dance with Ayaka easily vaulted its way into second place directly behind Saeko’s and Asa’s for its sheer beauty and uniqueness.

All in all, I really can’t stress how much Mariko’s poor singing doesn’t matter in this production. That’s really what kept me from watching this for such a long time, and I feel pretty stupid for it now. Just give it a chance – it’s totally worth it!

New Layout!!!

2006-08-13T00:55:51Z

Everyone needs to come over to see the wonderful new layout hana_no_uta made for my journal! The Saeko beauty is too much to be enjoyed only by me!

My Loves

2006-08-12T22:16:10Z

It appears that it’s time for the next installment of the Takarazuka Lust List, and I am nothing if not a bandwagon-jumper, so this is mine. I’m doing it a little bit differently this time, however, because I decided that a bunch of possibly random pictures of 30 possibly random ‘siennes wouldn’t benefit too many people. Since I seem to have a large amount of people on my f-list who are relatively new to the fandom or who haven’t seen too many shows, I figured I would try to use this opportunity to help people along in deciding what to beg/borrow/steal/buy. That being said, each picture will be accompanied by the following:

a.) Stage name, nick name, and link to their page on the TakaWiki
b.) Why I love them – what makes them stand out in the crowd
c.) Strengths and weaknesses, focusing mainly on singing, dancing and acting abilities
d.) A list of shows I would recommend for fans of that particular ‘sienne (I’m going to mostly list shows that I have personally seen, but especially for those with shorter lists, I may branch out into shows that my friends have clearly loved so much that I feel confident in recommending them. Those will be marked with an asterisk [*] so you can’t blame me if they turn out bad!)

As always, do keep in mind that the list and comments are purely personal, so don’t hate me if I skip your favorite lady or say something bad about her! If you feel I’ve omitted something deathly important about a ‘sienne on my list (like a blockbuster show or a hidden talent), do let me know. Or, better yet, make a list of your own and tell us why your favs rock! ^__^

Please note that most of these pictures were scavanged from ekusudei and princesslucia, as well as taken directly from the TakaWiki. If you want direct credit for a certain picture, please let me know and I will gladly do so.

One last thing. I’m not usually a comment whore, but what follows is the result of 13 full pages of text and five nights’ work. If this is at all useful for you, please do let me know. If it wasn’t useful and you can explain why, please also tell me that. I realize this may not do much for veterans of the show, but I’m hoping it’ll help at least a few of you.

With that in mind, on to the sparkly!!

1.) Ayaki Nao (Saeko)

(Yes, she gets a very big picture - deal with it! :p )

Why: She’s my first love, my best love, and my forever love. She captured my heart from the first moment I saw her as Death in Elisabeth, and she has continued to amaze me ever since with her tremendous voice, her dramatic acting, and her pure beauty. She’s as close to an obsession with Zuka that I’ve ever come, and the more I see of her, the more I want to see. I realize this is mostly fangirl worship, but quite frankly, I think we should all have a ‘sienne who can do no wrong in our eyes ^_~

Talents: ~~She’s good at everything! She’s Perfect!~~ *ahem* Her acting, I think, is her best strength, because she is just so darn good at everything she does. She makes me feel things no other ‘sienne does, and her characters get right into my heart and conquer my soul. The passion she so obviously puts into every single thing she does is just so overwhelming. Her dancing is generally nothing to shirk at, either, and she has an amazing ability to just glide across the stage like the most graceful gazelle. Her voice is probably her main weakness in terms of mass appeal, because she does have a tendency to go slightly flat at times, and she has a heavy vibrato that not everyone likes. Personally, I think she has a voice like steel over silk, and when she’s on, no one can touch her. But that could just be the fangirl in me, of course…. ^_~

Shows: Elisabeth (Tsuki), Seal of Roses, Rose of Versailles – Fersen and Marie Antoinette (Sora), Golden Pharaoh/Miracat, Lure of the Icon

2.) Kiriya Hiromu (Kiriyan)

Why: Because I want her for a friend or a sister. Because she openly takes so much pleasure in what she does. Because she makes me laugh longer and harder than any other ‘sienne ever. Because she is talented beyond words. And, darn it, because she is going to be Tsukigumi’s next Top someday!!

Talents: Kiriyan’s acting is nearly flawless. She becomes every character she portrays, and she does everything bigger and better and more over-the-top than anyone. Her drunk Luigi was the craziest and wildest, her Algeron was the perfect rake, and her Adelaide was perfection (even if it did take me forever to get used to seeing her in a dress!) She pulls you into her world with an effortlessness that so many other ‘siennes lack, and that astounds me. Her voice is also phenomenal, and her inflections and pitch are always right on the mark.

Shows: Elisabeth (Tsuki), Ernest in Love (Tsuki), Guys and Dolls, Seal of Roses, Nova Bossa Nova (Tsukigumi shinjinkoen)

3.) Ichiro Maki (Ichiro)

Why: I’ve seen this woman in one show. One. And I fell harder and faster for her than any ‘sienne other than Saeko. She is my new obsession, and I am determined to get as many of her shows as possible. She is amazingly talented, stunningly lovely, and has a voice that will rock you to Kingdom Come. She also has one of the most interesting post-Takarazuka careers that I’ve heard of, performing both for her own individual CDs and in the title role of the Toho production of Elisabeth. She also has Teh Cheekbones of Sex.

Talents: I really am tempted to say that she has everything in spades, because in Yuki’s Elisabeth, she honestly did, but I think her dancing might have stood out as her most impressive trait. She has a grace and sensuality in her movements that I rarely see, and I just wanted to sit back and watch her for hours. She also has an amazing voice, however, and her sense of the dramatic made me want to weep in certain places.

Shows: Elisabeth (Yuki)

4.) Sena Jun (Asa)

Why: She’s a sexy, snarky, snuggly otokoyaku who has the rather unique talent of being able to play women just as well as she plays men. I first saw her as Empress Elisabeth, and it actually took me a bit to get used to seeing her as a “man” after that. Still, I’d already fallen in love, so it didn’t take long. Asa is also lucky enough to always seem to have an amazing chemistry with whomever she is performing with, which is a huge bonus for the show at large.

Talents: I think she is a wonderful and versatile actress and, like Kiriyan, seems to pull the viewer into her role with very little effort. I must also put in a very high word of praise for her dancing, which I very much enjoy. She may not have the fluidity of Ichiro and Saeko, but she seems to be able to get down and dirty more ^_~

Shows: Elisabeth (Tsuki and Hana), Ernest in Love (Tsuki), In the Amber-Hued Rain/Cocktail*

5.) Shibuki Jun (Rika)

Why: Because she’s my best friend’s favorite, of course! (Sorry, couldn’t resist ^^;;) Anyways, Rika really needs no outside support for me to love her, because she’s already too loveable on her own. In all actuality, she is probably one of the most well-rounded and talented ‘siennes that I’ve seen, and that alone is really enough to recommend her. I can probably say without much worry that just about anyone, no matter what their tastes, could watch a Rika performance and come away satisfied. She’s just that good.

Talents: This woman can dance like there’s no tomorrow. Seriously, she’s got really good moves, amazing flexibility, and great versatility. This also lends itself well to sword-fights, where she very much excels. Her acting is what first drew me to her, because she has absolutely amazing facial expressions. Everything she thinks and feels is just open for everyone to see. Her first kiss with Emi Kurara in Guys and Dolls was so convincing it actually made me feel a jolt in my stomach. Yeah, she’s that good. Her voice is a very stable, husky alto that has the ability to make me laugh or send shivers up my spine. In short, like I said, she’s probably a safe choice for pretty much anyone.

Shows: Seal of Roses, Guys and Dolls, Elisabeth (Hoshi), Luna/Blue Moon Blue

6.) Kozuki Wataru (Wataru)

Why: At first, I loved her simply because she’s the only person to rival Kiriyan for insane!Luigi, and since that takes quite a bit, I had to see more of her. Over time, however, I’ve come to really love her on her own, because she is just a wonderful, passionate, dramatic actress who just makes me kind of ache inside when I watch her. What really got me to love her was when I saw her in Nostalgia Over the Sea, a show I really didn’t like at all and one where I could hardly follow the plot. Despite that, she nearly brought me to tears twice. That is amazing. She also gets kudos for having the best Italian of the Luigi’s *grin*

Talents: I love Wataru’s voice to little bits and pieces. It is so powerful and dynamic and full that I can’t stand it. She’s one of the few ‘siennes for whom I don’t need a visual when I’m listening to her sing. Her full range of emotions are clear as daylight in her voice, and I never, ever get tired of it. Her acting skills are nothing to shirk at either, of course, and she really just dives headfirst into the character. Her voice is really what draws me, though. It’s just so full of passion and emotion.

Shows: Elisabeth (Sora), Nostalgia Over the Sea, Angels at Dawn*

7.) Minoru Kou (Noru)

Why: What first attracted me to Noru was actually her chemistry with her fellow Top, Yuri Hoshina, and her second-tier partner, Emao Yuu. As far as I’m concerned, this trio should go down in the annals of Zuka History as a dream team. Noru leads them with grace and style, yet without stealing the spotlight, and watching her is pure joy. I don’t get a ton of sensuality or hilarity out of her, but she is probably one of the most rock-solid actresses I’ve seen.

Talents: As I noted, her acting (and interacting with others) is at the heart of who she is. She makes all of her characters seem friendly and approachable, no matter who or what they are, which leads me to believe that this is a reflection of her own friendly and open personality. She also has a very dramatic voice, and is one of the best sword fighters I’ve seen.

Shows: Golden Pharaoh/Miracat, My Love Lies Over the Mountains/Great Century, Rose of Versailles – Oscar and Andre (Hoshi), Lure of the Icon

8.) Emao Yuu (Bun-chan)

Why: I love her for many of the same reasons I love Noru, particularly for the chemistry between the trio. However, Bun-chan is a bit darker than Noru, and perhaps a bit more passionate and intense. Maybe it’s just the characters that she plays, but I always come away from her feeling rather haunted. She just leaves a lasting imprint on you that doesn’t go away.

Talents: I really, really love her voice – it’s very dark and rich and powerful – but again, I think it’s her acting that really drives her over the top. She pulls you in and holds you down and doesn’t let go until she’s finished with you.

Shows: My Love Lies Over the Mountains/Great Century, Golden Pharaoh/Miracat

9.) Wao Youka (Takako)

Why: Well…to be quite honest, because she’s Wao Youka, and she’s just that good. I’ve heard some grumbling that she may be the type of person who knows she’s that good, but really, if you’ve got it, then flaunt it. She’s was my second Top otokoyaku, and I have to admit that she blew me away. She dominates the stage whenever she’s on it, and I can’t help but gravitate towards such a strong personality. She’s also had the longest tenure as a Top Star, which proves she’s not only doing something right, she’s being recognized for it by fans and the company.

Talents: Voice. I Love Her Voice. It’s powerful, it’s perfectly pitched, and she manages to convince me more than a lot of other ‘siennes that she could really be male. Passion roles off her like a wave, and whenever she opens her mouth, I’m usually drowning. Need proof? Watch Phantom. She is Erik, and it is soooo bloody easy to believe she is one of the greatest musical geniuses in the world. Another major reason for my love is that she ennunciates better than so many of the other 'siennes, and I have a much easier time understanding her than a lot of other ladies. I’ll admit I don’t care much for her dancing, but her acting (generally) leaves nothing to be desired. If you’re looking for the quintessential otokoyaku, you’ve found her in Takako.

Shows: Phantom (Sora), Rose of Versailles – Fersen and Marie Antoinette (Sora), A Kiss to the Flame*

10.) Aran Kei (Touko)

Why: Because caithion called her a “Klaus Clone” in A Glassy Landscape, which meant that I was hooked before I even saw her ^^;; (Sorry for those who don’t get the reference – it’s from an anime.) Anyways, she impressed me very quickly, and she just kind of...kept showing up in some of my favorite shows. I think she was just around so much that she insinuated herself into my World of Love, and finally I began seeking her out, instead of just waiting for her to come to me. I guess it proves that some loves can be slow and subtle, yet still boll you over in the end. I am just so thrilled she's going to be Top so soon!

Talents: Her acting is really amazing and very versatile. She just gets into her characters so well, and I never get tired of watching her. The best example of her acting, in my humble opinion, is Singin’ in the Rain, where she just goes overboard with the hilarity. She can also dance extremely well, with Singin’ in the Rain showing off tap-dancing antics and Babylon giving us a taste of ballet. She also gets bonus points for her ability to do tongue twisters! *grin*

Shows: Singin’ in the Rain, A Glassy Landscape/Babylon, Phantom (Sora), Nova Bossa Nova (Yuki), Elisabeth (Yuki shinkin koen), A Song for Kingdoms*

11.) Mizu Natsuki (Mizu)

Why: It’s hard to explain, but for some reason, I just can’t not like Mizu. Her Andre pulled me under her spell, and I haven’t been able to climb out since. (Her Andre is also the best I’ve seen thus far, which takes a lot of talent.) Another part of it is her smile – she just seems so bloody likable! Another part is probably just raw talent, which she seems to have in spades. Oh yeah, and I also like her chin. I allowed me to recognize her back in the day when I couldn’t recognize ANYONE.

Talents: Her ballet dancing must be mentioned first, because it is simply amazing. She’s so light and airy and lovely that I can’t help but just admire her for it. Her dancing ability also allowed her to swordfight amazingly well. In fact, her fencing duel at the tomb in Romeo and Juliet is probably the best I’ve seen. She is also a very passionate actress, and, like Wataru, sometimes allows me to feel emotions even during shows that I don’t like or can’t understand.

Shows: Rose of Versailles – Oscar and Andre (Sora), Romeo and Juliet, La Esperanza, Tango Argentino (shinjin koen)

12.) Shizuki Asato (Zunko)

Why: Like Rika, this woman really has it all – she can sing, she can dance, she can act, and she’s darn good at all three! Zunko has an exceedingly powerful presence when she’s on stage, and it’s rather hard to take your eyes off her. She’s just so strong and obviously confident, it’s almost impossible not to like her.

Talents: I think it’s generally agreed among most Zuka fans that Zunko has one of The Best Voices Ever. It doesn’t matter who your favorite ‘sienne is and why – her voice will simply blow you away. She has an amazing range (best demonstrated her version of “Saigo no Dansu”), and she can climb and descend the scales like a marathon runner and stay perfectly on pitch the whole time. It’s also amazing because no matter what note she’s hitting, it’s loud and it’s strong. She’s also an amazing dancer, and I really love watching her move. I do feel like her acting could be a bit better at times, but really, her voice is just overpowering, and when she opens her mouth, nothing else matters.

Shows: Elisabeth (Sora), Passion – Jose and Carmen*

13.) Kouju Tatsuki (Taatan)

Why: Because she’s the biggest surprise Zuka ever gave me. I admit it – I look at Taatan and I think she’s not that great. She’s got cute little dimples in cute little baby cheeks, and I want to hug her and squeeze her…but I don’t feel much love. And then she opens her mouth and the whole world explodes.

Talents: She. Can. Sing. Like, really, really, REALLY sing. Her voice is actually rather high for an otokoyaku, but it melts like butter in her mouth and all I want to do is close my eyes and lay back and hear that voice wash over me for hours on end. She has the most unique voice in Zuka I have ever heard, and I just can’t let her go once she’s inside me. I will also say that her acting is superb, and she angsts like there is no tomorrow. But really, I probably wouldn’t care if she just sat on a stage wearing a potato sack, as long as she was singing.

Shows: A Glassy Landscape/Babylon, Elisabeth (Yuki), Nova Bossa Nova (Yuki), Rose of Versailles - Oscar and Andre (Hoshi), Prague Spring/Lucky Star*

14.) Hatsukaze Midori (Gaichi)

Why: Seriously? Because I love her smile. That’s really what pulled me in. She seems so quiet and shy and serious, and I would absolutely adore getting to know her in real life. She just appears very gentle and soft and loveable – I can’t help not liking her!

Talents: Her acting is simply marvelous, the clincher being that she is one of only two ‘siennes to make me like Franz Joseph in Elisabeth. Her facial expressions are just amazing, and she really seems to wear her heart on her sleeve. I also have a soft spot for her voice. It’s not very big or powerful, but it’s got a quiet intensity that I truly love.

Shows: Elisabeth (Tsuki), The Glassy Landscape/Babylon, Luna/Blue Moon Blue

15.) Hoshihara Misao (Hoshi)

Why: Hoshi is my favorite of the really non-top ‘siennes. She plays bit parts in all the shows I’ve seen her in, and yet her charismatic acting and up-beat voice really make me notice her every time. Seeing her in a show just always makes me happy, because I know that her character is all the more better because Hoshi is playing it. She was hands-down my favorite Duke Max in Elisabeth, and no matter who she’s playing, she always makes me laugh. I also have to admit that she is probably the most convincing looking “man” I have ever seen – sometimes she really and truly fools me!

Talents: I’ve never seen her dance, unfortunately, but her acting and her singing really make up for it. She just always seems so happy, whatever role she’s playing, and like I mentioned before, I just get this feeling that she’s always making the character better. Her voice is very light and low, but it always seems to have a laugh underneath it, and that just makes me really love to listen to her. She just has this ability to make me smile every time she comes on stage.

Shows: Elisabeth (Tsuki and Sora), Singin’ in the Rain, Seal of Roses, Rose of Versailles - Oscar and Andre (Hoshi)

16.) Juri Sakiho (Juri)

Why: Quite frankly, because anyone who can make me love Franz Joseph as much as she does deserves to be on this list. As much as I loved Gaichi in the role, Juri just made me feel that much stronger, and that just deserves special mention. Juri is just a wonderful actress that makes me really empathize with her characters, no matter what my preconceptions, and that’s really awesome.

Talents: Her acting is obviously good, or I wouldn’t have loved her F.J., but what really sealed the deal was her ability to make me almost start crying like a baby in Sora’s Phantom, when her character revealed to Erik that he was his father. Zuka doesn’t induce tears very often, and the fact that she did really makes me appreciate her talents as an actress. She also has a very nice voice. It’s not incredibly strong or overpowering, and I think this gentleness is what I love most about it.

Shows: Elisabeth (Hana), Phantom (Sora)

17.) Asaji Saki (Mariko)

Why: To put it bluntly, because she surprised me, and I am not easily surprised in Zuka. I am a very, very picky person when it comes to vocals in musical theatre, and I generally don’t care how good an actress is otherwise – if she can’t sing, I don’t want nothing to do with her. Mariko proved me wrong. She is the only ‘sienne whose acting and dancing is so incredible that I can deal with less than stellar singing.

Talents: Ok, let’s be honest. Mariko can’t sing, or at least not very well. I think her problem is that she has an incredibly limited range, because every now and then she sounds quite good. It took me quite a while to figure out why in the world the directors would cast her as Death in Elisabeth – possibly one of the most vocal-heavy roles ever performed – when it was obvious her singing was her weak point. But when I finally took the time to watch, she floored me with her passion and expressiveness. She had me near tears by the time “Ai to Shi no Rondo” was finished, and I just couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She is probably one of the most emotional actresses I’ve seen. And then, of course, there is her dancing, which is absolutely amazing. She’s most famous for her lifts, which are simply phenomenal. She’s obviously incredibly strong, and she used that strength to create some very dramatic (and hysterical) sequences. In short, this woman literally broke down all my barriers, and convinced me that, no, perhaps singing isn’t everything, especially not when she could probably bring me to tears with my TV on mute.

Shows: Elisabeth (Hoshi), Lure of the Icon, Love and Dal Lake*, Action!*

18.) Haruno Sumire (Osa)

Why: Because princesslucia would kill me if I didn’t recognize how awesome her One True Love is? Errr….yes. Anyway, Osa is, well, Osa, and if you sit down to watch her, you’ll understand what I mean. She is a very unique ‘sienne, in that honest passion seems to be her driving force. As Lucia has noted on many occasions, Osa cannot play a villain. She’s just too nice!

Talents: First off, her acting is phenomenal. You will never see a more beautifully human version of Death than hers – one with human passions and needs and emotions. Her feelings affect her movements, her voice, her tone…everything! It amazes me she can feel so much and not explode. But if I’m being honest, I really didn’t get the “Osa Love Drug” until I saw her concert “I Got Music,” and then I really understood. This show removed all the glamour and glitz and sparkles, dressed the ‘siennes in plan penguin suits, and then they exploded from here to the moon. Osa stood up and basically shouted, “Look at me! I can tap dance, conduct an orchestra, lead a drum line, and sing bloody “Nessun Dorma” in a voice that would make Puccini weep for joy!” If that’s not talent, I don’t know what is.

Shows: I Got Music, Elisabeth (Hana), In the Amber-Hued Rain/Cocktail*

19.) Todoroki Yuu (Tom)

Why: Because it’s Tom the Senka God and caithion loves her ankles! *grin* Anyways, Tom has obviously been doing something right, because she’s currently the Top of the Tops. Whenever she performs, she pushes the current Top of that troupe down a notch and takes over the lead role. Pretty cool, huh? It took me a while to find the Tom-love, but I was finally forced to admit that she simply has talent, aotherwise she wouldn't be where she is today.

Talents: She has a very unique voice that took me a while to get used to, but now I have to say I believe it’s one of her main strengths. Like Taatan, it’s a bit higher than most otokoyaku, but on her, it really works. It’s light and airy and always strong. She also dances incredibly well. I’ve seen her do some rather complicated steps and she never faltered once. The way she acts makes me believe she’s just a very likeable person in general. All her characters, even her Luigi, seem very human and, in a way, gentle. She also has some of the most expressive eyes I’ve ever seen.

Shows: Elisabeth (Yuki), Nova Bossa Nova (Yuki), Endless Flight/Season of Angels/Applause Takarazuka!

20.) Ayana Oto (Hiromi)

Why: She’s Saeko’s younger sister so she has to be good! Really! In all seriousness, that is why I first really started paying attention to her, because I wanted to see if she’d inherited any of Saeko’s talent. I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest, and I really think this little girl is on her way to becoming a star. We obviously can’t predict Tops or anything like that so far in advance, but if she stays in and keeps progressing, I think she’s got a shot at some really good roles in the future.

Talents: Her acting is amazing. This can be seen in spades in her shinjin koen portrayal of Luigi, where I think she does Kiriyan proud. She is the perfect little crazy terrorist. Her voice is still developing, but she seems to have very clear tone and is nearly always on pitch, so that bodes well. I can’t speak to her dancing much, but I’m looking forward to seeing it in the future.

Shows: Elisabeth (Tsuki) and Elisabeth (Tsuki shinjin koen), Seal of Roses shinjin koen*

1.) Hanafusa Mari (O-Hana)

Why: I have come to the conclusion that O-Hana is simply not human. She is a goddess, an angel, or some kind other kind of supernatural being, and she has come down to Earth to grace us poor humans with her divine majesty. Those of you who have heard her sing know that I’m not exaggerating in the slightest. O-Hana is also special because she’s broken so many boundaries for musumeyaku. She dominates the stage and commands the same respect as any otokoyaku. She’s the longest-running musumeyaku Top in the company’s history, and she became Top after only two years in the company! I mourned her retirement more than any of the other ladies who recently left us – it’s like the end of an era.

Talents: Her voice is quite simply indescribable. My favorite of all her roles is Christine in Phantom, because she is as perfect as I always imagined Erik’s protégée should be. She soars through notes others can only dream of, and her voice is flawlessly pure. She is also a lovely actress, can cry at the drop of a hat, and moves like a princess. As far as I’m concerned, she simply has no peer.

Shows: Phantom (Sora), Elisabeth (Yuki and Sora), Rose of Versailles – Fersen and Marie Antoinette (Sora)

2.) Hoshina Yuri (Yuri-chan)

Why: She’s my musumeyaku, in the same way that Saeko is my otokoyaku. She’s my favorite of the “mortal” musumeyaku, and she’s pretty much the only one that has me seeking out shows just so I can see her, no matter who the otokoyaku are. I was attracted to her from almost the first moment I saw her, and I was attached at the hip very soon. She is just so tiny and light and airy that I can’t help but love her.

Talents: I really love her voice. At first I thought it was too high-pitched and girly for my tastes, but it lowers quite a bit when she sings, and really, it always seems to fit her so well. She’s also an amazing actress. I’m not sure if I’m skewed because of the characters I’ve seen her play, but she always seems to have a hint of steel and strength behind all she does. I must admit to also love watching her dance – she reminds me a bit of a swan, actually. She looks so delicate, like she might break, and yet she’s always very firm, steady and graceful in all she does. I really just can’t praise her enough.

Shows: My Love Lies Over the Mountains/Great Century, Golden Pharaoh/Miracat, Lure of the Icon, Rose of Versailles – Oscar and Andre (Hoshi), Love at Dal Lake*

3.) Izumo Aya (Taki)

Why: She is without a doubt one of the most talented and respected current musumeyaku in the company. She may have been typecast into the “evil woman” roles, but to be honest, I can’t blame the directors because she is sooooo good at it! I sometimes feel like her cross-eyed-ness prevented her from becoming Top, but in some cases, I think her rank gives her the best positions for her voice and acting skills. After all, why be Christine or Elisabeth when you can be Carlotta or Sophie? *grin*

Talent: Her voice is a force of nature all on its own. She’s a pure powerhouse, and if you’re not careful, she’ll just blow you away with its strength. She makes you feel every word, almost forcing it down your throat. She is also an amazing actress, and she literally just becomes the perfect bad girl.

Shows: Ernest in Love (Tsuki), Phantom (Sora), Elisabeth (Hoshi and Sora), Angels at Dawn*

4.) Mimi Anri (Chizu)

Why: because anyone who can top Izumo Aya as Sophie in Elisabeth has got to be amazing, and in my book, she did and she is. She captured my heart the first time I saw her, and I truly hope I can get my hands on a few more of her shows. It really pains me that she retired so soon after she started getting reall nice roles.

Talents: She has an incredibly powerful voice, one that stops me in my tracks every time I hear it. She’s one of the few musumeyaku who can practically shout while singing and not lose her tone or pitch. She’s also an amazing actress. I’ve seen her outside of costume and character – during her retirement, which was the same night at Saeko’s – and she seemed like such a nice woman, but her Sophie is the cruelest and meanest of them all. That takes real talent.

Shows: Elisabeth (Tsuki)

5.) Emi Kurara (Kurara)

Why: I tend to see Kurara as the perfect example of the perfect Zuka musumeyaku. She’s light and airy and soft and gentle, and she has an openness about her that is very beautiful. She shows off her partner to the best advantage possible, but never steals the spotlight. At the same time, she gets into character so much that you can’t imagine anyone else ever playing her role. She was the first Top musumeyaku I ever saw, and she’s really stayed with me ever since. One of the things I like best about her is that you can hear her smile when she sings...I just think that's so cute!

Talents: This woman is extremely well-rounded, but her acting probably stands out a bit more than anything to me. She’s incredible expressive and passionate, and she’s had me very close to crying more than once. Her voice can be loud and strong when she wants it to be, but for the most part, it reminds me of delicate crystal, the kind that shatters with the perfect resonance. Really, she’s just a joy to watch.

Shows: Guys and Dolls, Seal of Roses

6.) Shirosaki Ai (Ai-chan)

Why: Because I think they’re setting her up to be Kiriyan’s partner (and possibly fellow Top someday), and therefore I simply must love her. Luckily, she makes that task quite simple. She and Kiriyan really do mesh well together, and that chemistry is a large part of her appeal. She is also simply adorable to watch, and is an incredible lovely woman. Her sweetness comes through so easily on stage, even when she’s playing a cruel character (such as Sophie in the Elisabeth shinjin koen). Watching her just always seems to make me happy, and I really foresee a bright future for her, assuming she doesn’t retire early.

Talents: Her acting really draws me, mainly because it can be rather unpredictable. I never exactly know what she’s going to do next, and how she’s going to interpret her character. She also has a very expressive voice and face. She’s the type of actress that gives her full range of emotions in her expressions and her singing, so you could watch her on mute or just listen to her songs and know exactly what she’s feeling. That’s a rare trait, at least from what I’ve seen. It's actually really hard for me to explain exactly what it is that draws me to her, other than her overall cuteness, but she really is just amazing. I can't wait to see how se develops.

Shows: Ernest in Love (Tsuki), Elisabeth (Tsuki shinjin koen), Seal of Roses shinjin koen, Jazzy Fairies/Revue of Dreams*

7.) Ayano Kanami (Mihoko)

Why: She makes me laugh. Seriously. I’ve only seen her in two shows, and she is just too cute for words. Her face is so expressive, and it’s just so obvious that she’s having fun. I really enjoy watching her for her, not just for the characters she creates, and that’s not very common for me.

Talents: Her voice seems to have a rather large range for a musumeyaku, which interests me greatly. She’s not in O-Hana’s league, but it’s still quite impressive. She’s also a wonderful actress and has amazing chemistry with everyone on stage, not just her co-star. I must also put in a good word for her dancing talents in general, and her ballet in particular, which is absolutely lovely.

Shows: Ernest in Love (Tsuki), Romeo and Juliet, Manon*, Jazzy Fairies/Revue of Dreams*

8.) Ootori Rei (Midori)

Why: Because when I compared her Elisabeth in Hanagumi with O-Hana’s in Soragumi, I thought Midori was actually better in some of the scenes. Granted, O-Hana’s Elisabeth in Yukigumi blew me so far away that there was no going back, but still, the point was made, and anyone who can even temporarily displace my love for O-Hana deserves a spot on my list. (For the curious, watch Midori’s “Saigo no Chansu” – it’s one of the best there is.) She is an incredibly expressive and beautiful actress, and I’m really hoping to see more of her shows.

Talents: Since I’ve only seen her Elisabeth, it’s rather hard for me to elaborate on her skills, but I will say that her acting really impressed me. She was incredibly passionate and expressive, and her voice was very strong. I would be very grateful for recommendations of other shows with her.

Shows: Elisabeth (Hana)

9.) Matsumoto Yuri (Mieko)

Why: Quite simply, because she is beauty incarnate. I’ve never seen her in a whole show, unfortunately, but from the bits and pieces of clips I’ve watched, I honestly must just sit back in awe and fascination at her work. Her grace and beauty are simply without parallel. Mieko seems to perform mainly traditional Japanese dances, and even if I didn’t love the music and her glorious kimono, I would still have to love her.

Talents: What heaven O-Hana creates with her voice, Mieko creates with her body. Every movement, no matter how tiny, is a dance, a story. Her body is her instrument, and she moves as fluidly as a river. Her attention to detail and her obvious passion and intensity are just phenomenal to watch. I am also in awe of all the training she must have undergone to become so well versed in her art.

Shows: Takarazuka Flower Diaries*, Endless Flight/Season of Angels/Applause Takarazuka!

10.) Yumesaki Nene (Nene)

Why: She’s the first real baby musumeyaku to intrigue me, and I wanted to make sure that other people knew her name, so you can all watch out for her. I’ve only seen her in one production, but her charming expressions and lovely acting really touched me. Barring early retirement, I think she’s got a great future, and I’ll definitely be looking out for her.

Talents: From what I can tell, I think her acting is going to be her biggest strength. I saw her in the title role of Tsuki’s Elisabeth shinjin koen, and she played the empress with a grace and maturity far beyond her years and status. She was simply enchanting as a young girl and bride (one of the few to make me laugh as much as O-Hana did, in fact!), and she portrayed the elder Sisi with a stoic coldness that truly impressed me. Her voice may need to develop a bit, but it was nothing to shirk at, and she’s certainly got time. I really, really have high hopes for her.

Shows: Elisabeth (Tsuki shinjin koen)