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beccalendsahand · 2 years
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Flower Troupe Survey! The Best of Yuzuka Rei (PART 3)
The Troupe Survey is a current segment in the TakarazukaGRAPH magazine in which each month a different troupe is given a survey on their Top Star and a selection of their answers are printed in the magazine. There are 4 parts to this article: 1. The things about (Top Star) that have made a big impression on us 2. Stage: Shows or scenes which have stayed in our hearts 3. We want to see (Top Star) as a… 4. The (Top Star) Awards (The Top Star gives out special awards to troupe members)
As this article is so long I will be publishing the translation in parts! You can read part 3 under the cut!
Part 3: We want to see Yuzuka Rei as a…
First Place, 9 votes: A Teacher
Haryu Mitsuki: In rehearsals, I often see her politely teaching Madoka (Hoshikaze Madoka, Top Musumeyaku) and giving advice to the younger actresses in a soft and gentle voice. So I think that if she was a teacher she would pick up on her students' weaknesses and kindly teach them how to overcome them! And maybe during break time, she’d play dodgeball and other games with her students?!
Tsubasa Anju: If Yuzuka was my teacher I would give it my all and study so that she would give me her praise! And I would never sleep during class (laughs).
Yuzuka’s Comment: Being a school teacher must be a very hard job to do, but maybe if I could teach something completely unrelated to the performing arts it would feel like a hobby. For example, how much I enjoyed history classes at school always depended on what period was being taught. Also, I always found it exciting how the structure of each class would change based on the period we were studying. So I think it would be fun if I could teach with some pizazz like they do in high school dramas and films.
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Second Place, 8 votes: A Pilot
Hina Ririka: I’d have heart-eyes if I saw her as a handsome pilot!!! She would definitely be the number one most popular of them all!!
Serina Ei: When I saw her on the national tour pulling along her case as she walked, I thought she would definitely look amazing wearing a pilot's uniform and pulling a carry-along suitcase!!
Yuzuka’s comment: It would be cool to have an impressive job like that wouldn’t it? I’ve often thought about how wonderful it would be to speak fluent English and get to go back and forth between loads of different countries like international flight attendants do. I haven’t done anything to qualify for a job like that though! (laughs)
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Third Place, 7 votes: A Doctor
Natsuki Manato: Imagine she's your doctor. The moment she would enter the doctor's office time would stop! And then she’d say “Why have you come to see me today?” with a sweet voice and her eyes drawing you in, and your symptoms would just get worse! (laughs) But as it’s Yuzuka, I’m sure she would use her abundant knowledge and accurate judgment to nurse you back to health!!
Nanairo Hazuki: I think if Yuzuka was a doctor she would be able to cure any illness with just her good looks!
Yuzuka’s comment: If I make your symptoms worse then surely that's a bad thing? (laughs) Doctors are amazing, they look after their patients and make sure that no matter how busy they are they never compromise the care that they give. I’ve had to go to the doctors countless times. I make sure to prioritise my health, but I still end up having to go… I can’t thank them enough for all the times they have helped me.
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Other answers:
A ninja (Takasho Mizuki), Michael Jackson (Kaga Ririka), An Itamae (a type of high-class Japanese chef) (Minami Maito), Literary Master (Tsugumi Maho), an owner of a karaage chicken restaurant (Misora Maru), a Shinto priest (Shizuno Megumi) and a tv announcer (Kiran Rune)
BTS Photos:
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End of Part 3, the forth and final part is coming soon! For more takarazuka translations, click here
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beccalendsahand · 3 years
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Yuzuka Rei Interview (Nikkei Woman Feb 2020 - Yuzuka Rei Special Issue)
A long Interview Rei did with “Nikkei Woman” on her (then) upcoming debut as Top Star in February 2020. The magazine is aimed at career women, so the interview asks questions about the pressures of Takarazuka, her career path, as well as a “this or that” quickfire section on her daily habits. I have included scans of the photo shoot too please excuse the washi tape I have stuck on one of them
Enjoy!
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Yuzuka Rei, the new Top Star of the Takarazuka Revue’s Flower Troupe: A Big Analysis into the girl who continues to shine!
Get to the heart of the Top Star who, equipped with clever brains and stunning appearance, captures the eyes of her audience, and explore the reason she shines so bright.
“In 2019 I struggled, suffered and over thought. And so, in 2020 I want to pursue my ideal ‘image’” 
Yuzuka Rei’s career path and 2020 At the end of 2019 Yuzuka Rei took over as Top Star, and in 2020 she will make her official debut as the lead of the new flower troupe. We listened to her talk about what the turning points in her career have been, and asked her about her determination going forward.
Within the Takarazuka Revue’s 5 troupes, the flower troupe is the company's oldest. Yuzuka Rei became that troupes newest top star at the end of last year.
“2019 was a year of a lot of changes within myself. Basically, before then I had thought that I wasn’t the type that liked to think pessimistically. But, unusually for me, I found I was wallowing in my pain and overthinking, it was a dark year in my Takarazuka life. But without that experience, I think I would have been indifferent to what things were important to me and what things I was am aiming for.”
Yuzuka goes on to say that the play that changed her the most was her starring role in “Hana Yori Dango” (Also known in English: Boys Over Flowers).
“There were many junior actors in that show, so I felt a sense of the responsibility that was ahead of me as the future top star. And as the original work it was based on is so famous, we had a lot of press coverage for the show, and I became almost crushed by the the pressure. But with that production I noticed how when everyone respects each other and works hard to create a good show, an incredible chemical reaction takes place. It didn’t matter whether we were seniors or juniors, or what role we had, a strong bond was born between us all. I think it was then that I realised what the most important part of creating a play actually was. Each cast member stood on stage with pride, and backstage we were all beaming with honest smiling faces. When we are happy in our hearts, it affects the audience too. The whole theatre is wrapped in happiness and an uplifting warmth. Ahh I know now that this is the kind of “image” I want to be surrounded by in my life.”
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After a year of solid learning, she begins 2020 as Top Star.
“What I want to inherit from (predecessor) Asumi (Rio) is her character. Due to her influence the whole troupes awareness of their character has changed. Also something that I learnt from her was how to face my weaknesses and fight without running away. I think I would like to carry that lesson with me in my heart”
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The Turning Points Of Yuzuka’s Career
2007 April - Joined the Takarazuka Music School 2009 March - Entered the Takarazuka Revue April - Theatre debut in the cosmos troupes “Amour, its something like...”. Then joined the flower troupe 2013 April - Played Turk Malloy in the main performance of “Oceans 11″, in the newcomer performance played Terry Benedict 2014 February - Played the lead in the newcomer performance of top star Ranju Tomu’s leaving show “The Love of the Last Tycoon” June - First leading role in a Takarazuka Bow Hall Production “Nocturn” August - Played Rudolf in the main performance of “Elisabeth”, played the the lead role of Tod in the newcomer performance 2015 August - Played Lady Oscar in the Umeda Art Theatre Main Hall and the Taiwan production of “The Rose of Versailles” 2016 April - Played the onnayaku role of Jackie, and the role of Parchester the Family Solicitor in the switch cast for “Me and My Girl” 2017 October - Played Lieutenant Ijuin Shinobu in “Haikara-san: Here Comes Miss Modern” at Drama City Theatre and the Nippon Seinenkan 2018 January - Played Alan Twilight in “The Poe Clan” TURNING POINT 1 - From this point on, Asumi Rio became a kind of “mentor” to me
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November - First lead in a national tour with “Melancholic Gigalo” and “Exciter!! 2018″ 2019 June - Starred in “Hana Yori Dango” at the TBS Akasaka Act Theatre TURNING POINT 2 - During the days that I felt almost crushed under the pressure of the original works huge reputation, I learnt what would become fundamental to my future
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November - After the 25th, succeeded Asumi Rio as the new top star of the flower troupe 2020 January - Starred in the dance concert “Dance Olympia” at the Tokyo International Forum March - Will make her debut at the Takarazuka Grand Theatre with top musumeyaku Hana Yuuki as the new Top Combi in “Haikara-san: Here Comes Miss Modern” (RIP this didn’t happen till July because of Corona Virus caused delays)
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The mindset of someone who keeps challenging herself: How Yuzuka Rei prepares her heart and mind 
Within theatre, in order to continue to present an unwavering performance of high quality, one must find a method to train their mind. What is the trick to Yuzuka’s strong mindset?
The secret to Yuzuka’s unwavering strength is in the habit of honing her “centre”. 
Q. How do you display such natural power without being nervous? A. I’m a very nervous person but, once I have admitted to being nervous, my mind and body become one and the power those nerves once had is lifted, and it becomes easy. When I think about trying not to be nervous when I already am, my body and mind separate and I become unable to do anything. So, if I notice the fact that I am nervous, I affirm to myself, saying something like “It’s just that there are many people in front of me, my feelings are understandable, it can’t be helped”. And then this strange power is lifted and it becomes easy, I can do what I do, and become who I need to become.
Q. At times when you are feeling down after failure, what is your pick-me-up method? A. I have now learnt that I am able to recover faster once I become aware of what I should do next, rather than focusing on the failure itself. Before, I used to drag myself down a lot by thinking “Ahhh I did that!” But now, I realise that thinking about what I should do next in order to recover is important. So I find I recover faster by focussing on the comeback method rather than the failure itself.
Q. Who are the people or what are the words that have influenced your way of thinking? A. I wonder...Maybe in the end its only my own experience that has given me the inspiration that my heart needs to feel motivated. There have been times where I have received encouragement from my great senpais at Takarazuka, and other times where popular sayings from around the world have been helpful. But really, what has inspired me to the core has been my own experience and own feelings. That’s the main energy that drives me forward.
Q. Do you care about the reviews written about you? What about your popularity? A. If I said I didn’t, that would be a lie. Still, in order to aim for a higher quality performance, I make sure to not get pulled in by reviews, and I stand on stage with pride every day. Usually, how I felt the performance went matches the reviews written. So inevitably, when the review is bad I fall into self loathing. But so that me and my fellow actors don’t get stuck in these feelings we switch our way of thinking. We aim to do better everyday and look toward creating something more polished and sophisticated. We have accepted our failures within ourselves and make a point to continue to stand on stage everyday with pride.
Q. When you hit a wall, who do you call on for help? A. I’m not very good at asking people for help. I learn what I need to do by thinking objectively about it without depending on others or running away. By nature I’m not very good at relying on people, so instead I think to myself “I should know what to do if I think objectively about what needs to be done”. I have a lot of role models around me, so rather than listening and learning, I often learn by observing how they approach things.
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The 12 Habits that make Yuzuka Rei
Yuzuka’s tips for working woman on making a fresh start!
If you had to choose one, which group would you be in?
Small daily habits, likes and dislikes all come together to create the Yuzuka Rei we see today. From these 12 questions we will dig deeper into the reason she shines.
1. Do you or don’t you set new years goals? Rather than say I don’t set them, I'm in the group that sets them but doesn’t continue with them. In various situations I get asked about my new years goals, so I give answers. However, my current situation continues to change so I don’t really tend to continue pursuing the goals I set in the new year.
2. For schedule management are you a diary or a smart phone person? I’m a diary person! I like to write in my own words. Apart from using the  “Takarazuka scheduler” app to check the performance schedule, I like to plan my month as a double page spread on diary paper, written in black pen. I don’t use coloured pens or stickers.
3. Are you fast or slow at learning your script? Reading is something I love so I think I’m fast? Most scripts, after a couple of reads I can remember it, regardless of whether it has a lot of terminology or not, so I think I’m quite fast!
4. Do you or do you not eat breakfast? I eat breakfast! When I’m performing I eat just before the 11am curtain call. Once the curtain rises I don’t have time to eat for 3 hours, and eating in the morning at home makes me hungry at an awkward time which disrupts my performance. So, with my stomach in mind I learnt that eating just before the show is best. Make sure to always eat your rice!
5. Which do you do every day? Stretches or muscle training? I stretch. When I’m onstage my muscles are worked hard anyway, so I never have to do muscle training. I stretch for about 15 minutes before a show starts and then if I have time before bed, I stretch my hips, thighs, soles of my feet etc.
6. Which do you fuss over the most when applying your stage make up? Your eyes or your base? Recently, its been my base makeup. There was a time when I was very particular about my eyes and eyebrows, but now its the base for my skin that I fuss over. When the base is smooth then the other makeup products stick easier, so how well the base sticks to the skin is the most important thing.
7. Are you aware of what's popular? Or are you uninterested? I’m completely indifferent to trends. Even if I get told by people “This is very popular!” I don’t have much interest, to the extent that I keep my distance from the things that are super popular.
8. Which do you like most? Fashionable clothes, or home interior? I like clothes. But interior is my current obsession! I want to create a space with all the things I like, recently I bought a light blue sofa and a grey tv stand. I discovered that by just replacing these two things, the atmosphere of the room changed and I became able to enjoy my time at home more.
9. When it comes to tidying up and keeping tidy, are you good or bad? To say I am I good at it would be the wrong choice of words... For me, tidying and cleaning to make a comfortable space is the best way to feel refreshed. But when my mind is busy, and I don’t have the time to clean, my home gets ruined, so I think there's a link between how tidy my home is and my current mentality.
10. On days off are you an active person or an indoor person? I’m both. I also like to do short trips overseas. So that I can rest my body, I stay home during performance period. But on my 5 day holidays I’ve done things like go to London or New York by myself. Travelling is the time that I get to nourish “my real self”. Putting yourself in a place you don’t know is very exciting.
11. For daily news/info do you use the TV or the internet? I like my quiet time so I tend to just go online. Recently I don’t think I’ve been watching TV. I have a job where everyday, whether its in rehearsal or on stage, I’m surrounded by music, so even when I’m at home I'm tired of listening to sound. On my phone I check news websites and things.
12. Do you like to read books or manga? Since I was a child I’ve always like both! My parents love books , and I learnt how entertaining they are from the books “Freezing Point” and “Ryouma Goes”. But it was my brothers influence that got me reading manga with “Weekly shonen jump” as well. Even now, taking the time to read a book is a blissful experience.
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beccalendsahand · 3 years
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Yuzuka Rei X Hana Yuuki Sayonara Special Talk
Couldn’t help myself and just had to translate Reihana’s final talk in TakarazukaGRAPH (July 2021) 
Enjoy!
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Hana: I really wanted to do a photo shoot and interview with you one last time. But I know you are super busy, sorry!
Rei: (laughs) So what did you want us to talk about today?
Hana: (takes out notes)
Rei: Wow! Is that a Haikara-san clear file?
Hana: We don’t have that much time to talk so I made notes…
Rei: Ah I see! Well, actually thinking about it, unless we’re talking theatre, I don’t know much about “The Ways of Hana” (laughs)
Hana: Today I want to convey all my feelings of thanks and gratitude to you! Umm... (looks at notes) Yuzuka-san you look...looked after me… ever since I was a junior student who kept making...mistakes. I want to say so many things but, sorry…
Rei: Its okay, take your time (laughs)
Hana: Okay. Yes, really just, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!
Rei: ............End of interview? (laughs)
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Hana: I mean, you know I’m always like this but, please wait patiently if I’m finding it hard to get my words out
Rei: Of course (laughs)
Hana: So, I’m slow at absolutely everything. But you noticed that I could get things right if we went through them one by one, and even when there were things I was really struggling with, you would always say to me “It’s okay, we can do it this way instead” and so I was able to grow.
Rei: (laughs) You know, being able to do something as soon as it's required of you isn’t what's important. I think the only thing that matters is that we are ready when the audience sees us. You may not be the quickest with new things but its not like you make a fuss or give up is it?
Hana: That’s because compared to everyone else, there were so many things I couldn’t do… I had to be taught the basics of the basics of the basics.
Rei: I wonder if our time together as top combi has been very different to others in Takarazuka, I too learned a lot from going back and learning the basics again. And I was always so happy when I saw you improve! We definitely took our time in rehearsals! (laughs)
Hana: I’m really sorry!
Rei: (laughs) It’s fun though to learn something new and overcome our fears right? And then it makes me so happy when we get to perform and I see people saying things like “Wow, Hana-chan is amazing!”. I always treasure those moments.
Hana: It’s only you who says those things… You believe in me more than I do myself. In my rehearsals with you I learnt that it was important for me to be aware of all the things I’ve achieved as a performer in my position.
Rei: If you keep saying “I can’t do it” to yourself then you can find that you can’t improve even if you keep working on it. I can also relate to that. But Hana-chan, you always have the patience and the strong will power to get over any obstacle you are facing.  You are the kind of person that will be so focused on a task that you forget to take a break, so I knew you would keep improving.
Hana: When we first performed “Haikara-san: Here Comes Miss Modern”, I got the choreography for the prologue song completely wrong! (Translators note: I believe she is referring to the original 2017 production of Haikara)
Rei: You couldn't work out whether it was right foot first, or left foot!
Hana: I think everyone was smiling like “Oh it’s Hana-chan, she can’t help it” but I think the director was quite upset with me…(cries)
Rei: It’s okay, let it out.
Hana: But you said to me “It’s okay, take my hand”. For you it probably wasn’t a big deal, but you took my feelings seriously and by doing that you really saved me.
Rei: Me and you both love the arts so much that I didn’t want there to be anything that you hated or became scared of. I think it was because I could see how it affected you that I thought “I must help!”.
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Hana: Do you remember how on the second day of rehearsals we practiced our duet song together for the first time on the landing of the stairs?
Rei: I don’t! (laughs)
Hana: Ah, I do because I was enjoying our time together so much that I wrote in my diary everyday.
Rei: Ehh!! Amazing!
Hana: I wrote things like “She instructed me like this” and “Everyday spent with Yuzuka is like a precious jewel”
Rei: Why does that sound like the lyrics of a revue theme song?
Hana: Because that’s how magical it was!
I’m not a very good singer so I sometimes find that I ignore the emotions of the song and instead only focus on getting the pitch and rhythm right. But you said to me that day “When you first heard the song you thought it was beautiful, don’t ignore the emotions you had.” After that I began to let the words come from my heart whenever I sang. I think those words you said to me that day had a big impact.
........
Hana: When it comes to giving advice, you put aside everyone's status as seniors and juniors to help us all improve don’t you?
Rei: Of course I have a huge amount of respect for my seniors, but when we are on stage we all have different responsibilities and strengths. In Takarazuka, we have a very tight hierarchical relationship between actresses. So some of us end up focusing on our place in the hierarchy and as a result we become very inward, and slowly lose our pride as performers and our love for being on stage. And I don’t want that to happen to us. In “Haikara” of course Benio (Hana) is the heart of the story, the more she shines, so does the show. Though in “Nice Work If You Can Get It”, Billie (Hana) is the one that the audience emphasise with, she grounds the story in reality, whereas Jimmy (Rei) is in charge of bringing the spectacle to the scenes. They are main characters yes, but they each have a very particular role to play in the story. I think when we understand this, that is when we can shine and really do a show justice. 
Hana: I feel like if I wasn’t able to rehearse with you then I wouldn’t be able to stand on stage. Even now, there are still times where I’m afraid to go on stage, but in those moments I think “It’s okay, Yuzuka will be there with me”. Even when I fell over during the duet dance in “Haikara” that time, you helped me stay in the moment.
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Rei: I think its good to be scared, because it shows that you understand what it means to be on stage. It’s a scary place because it brings out different parts of us.
Hana: Yeah you do feel completely exposed.
Rei: Ultimately it’s a place full of times of great happiness, and a place full of great fear. 
Hana: There’s been many times where, stood on stage next to you I’ve thought “Even if I were to die here and now, I’d have no regrets” You practiced with me until I could get into that kind of mindset.
Rei: Although everything on stage is made up, there are not many other places where you can feel such a high concentration of emotions.
Hana: Yes, its because of that that its a place where I’ve learnt so much about different ways of life and different people.
Rei: Yeah. It’s so interesting to get to learn about different people and different periods of history that I probably wouldn’t have thought to look into, if I hadn’t been performing a play about them.
Hana: Yeah, its an endless learning experience.
…..
Hana: I’m always getting advice from you on how to stage certain scenes.
Rei: (laughs) You take my advice but you still tell me your honest opinions on it! That’s your power!
Hana: Yes…
Rei: When someone tells us “This is how it should be done” we can end up playing the role without a clear image in our heads about the character, and then we find that we can’t connect ourselves to the scene. I find I can often tell a characters role in the story very easily. But what makes you (Hana) different is how you are able to get the audience to feel exactly how your character is feeling, its outstanding. I remember Koyanagi (Koyanagi Naoko director of Haikara-san) saying “Hana-chan is the kind of person who can make the audience cry just by reading a restaurant menu”. That’s not to say you are overly dramatic, its more in the sense that you perform with an ease that makes everything you do seem natural.
Hana: You say that but, when I was playing Billie and Benio I had no idea what I was doing half the time.
Rei: (bursts out laughing) There were many times I would think “This girl is amazing” and then also “She’s lost the plot”! (laughs) Like, as Billie you would say things like “Wait, how do I say this line again?” (laughs) I should have taken a video it was so funny.
Hana: It wasn’t like I couldn’t move my hands and feet, it was more like I had become unable to even know how to walk...At those times I would always go to talk to you for help.
Rei: When that happens, the directors words become harsh, and you feel guilty for taking up everyone's time, and negative thoughts start to build up inside your head. So I would just let you get your feelings out and we would try something different to what we’d been doing in the scene so far. But you did so well! Unlike Billie you aren’t the type of person who likes to speak bluntly to others (laughs). It was so fun! I loved that show!
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Hana: I loved Jimmy! I loved him so much that I still have the headshot of you dressed as him in my notebook!
Rei: He’s a baaaaaaaaad man though!!! (laughs)
Hana: When I stop and think, there were so many things I couldn’t do (laughs). With all the roles you have played, Yuzuka, every moment of your performance feels like the role is made for you, you just have this unfathomable charm.
Rei: There’s so many roles I want to try! ….Do you have any more notes?
Hana: Ah! I also have a lot of memories from Dance Olympia!
Rei: Yes, like when we had to go into rehearsals straight after our new years temple visit!
Hana: That’s a new years day I will never forget!
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Rei: With the amount of work we had to do I was worried we wouldn’t be ready in time for opening night. Because of that I think I turned into a bit of a demon in rehearsals, I was so determined.
Hana: I remember thinking during that time “I will follow Yuzuka forever!” (Grasps her note paper tightly, causing it to make a loud crunch sound)
Rei: That was scary! (laughs)
Hana: Sorry! I tend to grab things too hard…
Rei: Oh really?!?! I didn’t know that!!!! (laughs)
Hana: (laughs) Like, I break pens and things straight away.
Rei: Omg is this what you do to your stuffed animals at home? (squeezes her hands into fists and makes a punching motion)
Hana: I do NOT do that! I’d feel sorry for them! (laughs) Anyway, my note after that is “I like the way Yuzuka leads me when she takes my hand”.
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Rei: When I was a junior I watched a Fred Astaire show for the first time and was so inspired. Ever since then, I have been aiming for his standard of performance. When I’m dancing with a partner I’m always thinking about how to make it easy for them to dance in my arms whilst being able to make their lines clean and precise. 
Hana: Yes, so I’m always so happy whenever we get to dance together.
Rei: I usually dance whenever I’m happy (laughs)
Hana: You embody your emotions in such a way...It always impresses me.
Rei: The movements can be ordinary, but its when we put them together with music and song that they take on meaning. Isn’t that what dancing is all about?
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Hana: In my time spent with you there have been too many moments to count that have become special to me. So really, thank you so much. It was so nice to be able to talk about it all again!
Rei: I’m so glad. When you announced your retirement officially, you said to us that your goal for the remainder of your time here was “quality over quantity” and you said you were aspiring to “become a wonderful person who everyone will miss”. Everyone clapped and there was a warm atmosphere between us all in the troupe. It was so lovely to see that everyone supported you.
Hana: Yes. And it was because of everyone that I could keep going.
Rei: We have had a lot of unexpected situations thrown at us, but we’ve gained a lot from them as well. So let’s keep working hard so we can end the show with a smile, until the final night!
Hana: Yes!!!.......After I leave, will we still see each other?
Rei: (laughs) It’s not like I’m going to suddenly become a different person! (laughs) I don’t treat the people I’ve worked with so trivially!
Hana: Even when I become an old woman….?
Rei: The mood of the conversation has completely changed! (laughs)
Hana: (laughs) Until the end, lets look after each other (Translation note: yoroshiku onegaishimasu)
Rei: Let’s look after each other. (yoroshiku onegaishimasu)
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Translators note:
Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu is a set phrase in Japanese used in a number of different situations with no real equivalent in English. It is most often said on first meeting someone, to imply “lets have a good relationship” “please treat me well” “lets look after each other”
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beccalendsahand · 3 years
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Nice Work If You Can Get It! - Mini Interview with Yuzuka Rei
My translation of Yuzuka Rei’s interview on the success of Nice Work If You Can Get It, in the April issue of Takarazuka Graph!
Enjoy! 
The Broadway Musical “Nice Work If You Can Get It” is a Romantic Comedy. What was it like to perform?
Ahh, it’s a really fun show isn’t it! Although we are still dealing with such troubled times (corona virus) I’m so thankful for being part of this production because I really feel that seeing people smile and hearing people laugh has the power to heal.
It’s the kind of play where every single line needs to be gone over repeatedly, paying attention to every detail. But, despite those difficulties, we all really enjoyed ourselves, and it really helped to strengthen us as a team.
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There are so many unique characters aren’t there?
Personally, Eileen (Towaki Sea) was my favourite because she was just so cute! (laughs) After all, isn’t the fact she uses her whole body to express her happiness at being taken on her honeymoon just the cutest thing? You’d want to do anything to please her after that! Eileen makes some very funny gestures as the “Master of Modern Dance”, and in rehearsals her repertoire of dance moves kept increasing. Whenever I noticed her unconsciously behaving in a funny way, I would request she do it on stage too (laughs).
Billie (Hana Yuuki) is independent, smart, feminine and broad minded, whilst also being super cool! I’d love to have the opportunity to play her some day. I think Billie’s feelings will touch the audience’s hearts when they watch the show, because every time we were on stage I was so inspired by Hana-chan’s heartfelt performance.
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What was the role of Jimmy like to play?
Jimmy is an awful man! (laughs)
On his honeymoon night he’s alone hugging his teddy, then at his wedding to Eileen, he’s all dressed up in a tux whilst still having thoughts of Billie...
So that he didn’t become unpleasant I made sure to add a sort of charm that would make him come across as endearing and loveable instead.
Any Memorable scenes?
There are too many scenes to choose from!
I loved the back and forth I had in the bedroom scene with Yuu-chan (Natori Rei) as Officer Berry and Billie. And I also loved the song I had with all the girls whilst Eileen was having her super long bath called “It’s All Okay!” (Original English title “I’ve got to be there”). When you take a step back and think about it, it’s definitely not an “OK” situation at all! (laughs) But it was refreshing to be able to go that far and shake free from conventions and be so careless.
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Also the tap dancing was really fun! Whilst I was rushing about on stage for almost the entirety of act one, I had to also quickly change into tap shoes for the dance numbers! I got a lot of exercise! 
The final number of act one is another highlight!
So that no one discovers the illegal alcohol hidden in the basement, we all use the power of song and dance to distract everyone and make sure they don’t get anywhere near it.  It very much feels like something that could only happen in a musical! (laughs)
But I didn’t want to rely on the fact that “It’s a musical, so anything can happen” and so whilst performing I was always making sure to connect to the hearts of the audience so they wouldn’t leave thinking “Well that was sudden, I don’t understand why they did that”.
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Another one, is the song “Dododo” from the scene I have with Billie before the wedding lunch. Whilst I sing the happy number I play the ukulele, it’s a scene full of warmth. I love it.
The Gershwin's had many famous songs
The music is so good isn’t it? I was so happy to be surrounded by their songs every day. At a time where many of us felt cooped up and isolated, I think being in the rich and drunkenly joyful world of the Gershwin’s music empowered us all.
Were there any differences between the Tokyo and Osaka shows?
As the performances went on, everyone got more and more into their roles. And as such, any unnecessary things were refined and our interpretations of lines and how we played the roles became more convincing. Rather than thinking about how best to present ourselves, we focused on how to make the audience feel the genius of the play as a whole. We found that there were some moments we would continue to change based on what we noticed made the audience laugh. We also had to consider how to keep the show enjoyable for those who kept coming back to see us, as well as those who were seeing the show for the first time. We did our best in every performance to show the emotions between the lines, valuing each word whilst not being taken over by the audience’s laughter.
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Now rehearsals for the Grand Theatre production “Augustus - the illustrious one - /Cool Beast!!” have begun, how do you feel?
It’s my first time taking centre stage in a new and original “drama/revue” show, so I’m very excited for how it turns out!
Augustus, who I play, is said to have been the one to the lay the foundation for the government system we now have today, he was a man with great intelligence and an incredible vision. It’s been so valuable for me to be able to study up on this man who created a new era in history, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge of bringing his story to life on the Takarazuka stage.
Daisuke Sensei, who is directing the revue part of the show, has been looking after me ever since my first production in the Flower Troupe, “Exciter!!”, so I’m overjoyed to be performing a new revue written by him. It will be Kazuya-san and Hana-chan’s final show so it’s bitter sweet, but I hope that on the last day, we can end our time together, shoulder to shoulder, saying “We had a blast!”.
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beccalendsahand · 3 years
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Last Interview with Hana Yuuki
My translation of the final interview Hana did with TakarazukaGRAPH in the July edition. Enjoy!
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Your final show has now opened, how do you feel?
There are still so many things to improve on, but I just have to keep doing what I can day by day! I really want to show my best to the audience who keep coming to see us, despite the unpredictable situation we are in at the moment. In “Augustus: The Illustrious One”, Pompeia, the character I play, says the line “Hatred will never end. As long as there are people on this Earth. But, it is for that reason that people pray.”. She means that “No matter what bad things may happen in this world, people will continue to live with hope in their hearts”. I now carry that message in my heart too.
Tell us about your time as a Junior Actress
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I didn’t have very good grades at the Music School, and I didn’t get to be in any scenes other than the ones in Grand Theatre productions, so it was a very frustrating time for me. That being said, although I wasn't given many opportunities back then, it’s not like I regret it! It made me work super hard every day, I was desperate to improve. But I loved the theatre, so it didn’t matter that I was at the back of the stage in every scene, I was determined to stand on stage with as much enthusiasm as a leading lady would! But one day, I was given the role of Giy (younger version in a flashback scene) (played by Asumi Rio in the Main Performance) in the Newcomer Performance of “The Golden Desert”. I was so shocked! Not only was I given a role, but it was Asumi Rio’s role… I was also given my first ever named role in the main performance of that show too. When I found out, I was so happy that I couldn’t even eat, but I told myself not to get my hopes up for a role in the Newcomer show. It's incredibly rare that a musumeyaku has the opportunity to play the top star role, and I had never even seen a “Young Boy Musumeyaku” role before, so whenever I was in rehearsals I was focusing on Asumi so much that it was like I had tunnel vision. I was just meticulously watching every gesture she made. I also got Asumi and a few other Otokoyaku to teach me their makeup routine, which I practiced over and over again.
In 2017 you played the role of young Takehiko in “The Wind Over Yamatai-Koku” and in the Newcomer Performance, you won the role of the heroine.
I played the young version of Asumi Rio’s role in the main performance this time, and then in the Newcomer Performance, I played Senna Ayase’s character, Himiko Mana, so it was a very valuable experience for me to be able to think about the play from each character's perspectives. When I actually started working on it, I beat myself up for not being able to get my performance to the standard I wanted, I wasn’t the “Newcomer Heroine” I had envisioned for myself. All the things Senna taught me back then became the roots of who I am today, but at the time, I just wanted to demonstrate in my performance what she had taught me as much as I could.
And in that same year, the chance arose to star as the heroine in “Haikara-san: Here Comes Miss Modern”
Whilst I was starting to get roles, I didn’t believe that that meant I would get anything outside of Grand Theatre productions. But when I was told that we would be putting on a production of "Haikara-san" starring Yuzuka (Yuzuka Rei), who I greatly admire, it was the first time I felt like “I don’t care what part I play, I just want to be part of this production!”. And so when it was decided that I would play Hanamura Benio, it completely took me by surprise, it took a long time to sink in, I just couldn’t believe it! Though when rehearsals started I found I just couldn’t grasp the character of Benio... I lacked experience and technique and so Yuzuka and the other senior actresses would stay late into the night to rehearse with me until I was finally able to play the role how I had hoped. People have praised how I embodied the frantic and reckless nature of Benio, but whenever I go back and watch the footage from opening night, I always think that I wouldn’t have achieved it without the support of everyone around me. I remember Yuzuka saying to me “You are doing everything right, just keep doing what you are doing” and so with those words I thought that I must keep going, and do my best.
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After that, we got to see you as Marybelle in “The Poe Clan” didn’t we?
That was the first time that I had a big role as part of the main cast for a Grand Theatre show, and getting to play alongside Asumi, Yuzuka and Senna really made my weaknesses stand out... Our director Koike Sensei would point out to me that “You have no dreaminess or ethereal nature”, and one time he said to me “If we compare your performance to ‘Heidi, Girl of the Alps’, Marybelle is Clara and you are Heidi!”(Translators notes, see end of article) (laughs). I think maybe Benio’s power was still left in me from "Haikara-san", and that’s why I found Marybelle difficult. The rehearsals were very hard for me to get through, but I had many one-on-one scenes’s with Edgar (Asumi Rio) and I found that by focusing on her performance, little by little, it was easier to understand my own character. Marybelle has become a role that I really deeply cherish in my heart from my Takarazuka life.
Speaking of your favourite roles, have you changed your mind about any roles you’ve been given?
Even when I started to get proper roles, that strong feeling I had of wanting to do my absolute best remained. Also, I admit, though it may be very improper for me to say, I wanted to do my best so that I could perform next to Yuzuka again. And then, in Yuzuka’s next starring production, the national tour “Melancholic Gigalo/ EXCITER!! 2018” I was given the leading lady position in the revue part of the show. I remember thinking that I couldn't just be happy, I needed to work on improving my singing and dancing. Even once we had opened, I continued to rehearse. I would practice in empty classrooms across the country, only stopping when we had to perform. The fact that I was given the responsibility to play a role which I was well aware I was not suited for, was a very big deal for me.
And then in 2019, you took over as Top Musumeyaku
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It was so unbelievable... Asumi had been Top Star ever since I first entered the Flower Troupe, I never even dreamed it was possible. Of course, it was a huge honour and I was very happy, but when it was officially announced that I would be the next top musumeyaku, I was so overwhelmed that I didn’t even know how to approach my rehearsals...During that time I was scared to stand in front of an audience because I had beat myself into a corner. When I made my debut as Top Musumeyaku in Koisuru Arena I was paralysed by thoughts like “I mustn’t cause any problems for Asumi” and “I must do everything perfectly like Senna did”. But Asumi said to me “Hana-chan, you are perfect as you are, you know?”. At one point during the show I got on a trolly and went round the audience where I got to see everyone's smiling faces looking up at me, it was in that moment that my heart finally felt at ease. Even though it was inevitable that I would compare myself to others, I think I was very preoccupied at that time by how far I felt I was from the talent of the other top musumeyaku I knew.
And then Asumi left Takarazuka with “A Fairy Tale: the spirit of the blue rose/ CHARME!”
I was so happy to get to work together with Asumi in her final performance, and I really enjoyed getting to play a character that we see grow from childhood to adulthood. But I still had this strong feeling that I shouldn’t get in Asumi’s way. But she always treated me as her “partner”... Each supportive word she said to me touched my heart, she would say things like “Partner’s don’t stand one step behind the other, so please stand beside me”.
After that, you became Yuzuka’s partner
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As soon as Asumi left we began rehearsals for “DANCE OLYMPIA”. The rehearsal period for this show was incredibly short, and Yuzuka and I spent a huge amount of our rehearsal time together. She taught me with so much passion that I felt this huge desire to really get in the zone and keep up with her. It was this show that made me vow “I will follow Yuzuka no matter what”. Also, the show was a really valuable experience for me as there were moments where I really felt my performance skills go up a level.
And then it was decided that we would be reviving “Haikara-san” for a Grand Theatre run. I felt that I had lost the innocence and fearlessness that I had when we first performed it back in 2017, and I was so determined that Yuzuka’s debut on the Grand Theatre stage was a good one, and to prove that I had improved since then, that I think I started to lose control of Benio’s character (laughs). It was only right before the opening night that I felt ready. And then, the performance got canceled…
When I look back on it, even after the opening night I was still having a hard time about it all, and whenever I felt that way I would think of Benio and she would cheer me up. No matter what bad things came her way she would continue to look toward the future and not take things too seriously, her attitudes have now become part of my own way of thinking.
Not only “Haikara”, but my own leaving performance has had canceled shows. Of course, I wanted to perform my final night at the Grand Theatre in front of an audience, but as Benio says “Crying and being serious will do no good, it's up to you what you do next”. I’m so happy to have been able to play such a role that has gone on to encourage me in my life even after saying goodbye to her.
Throughout your career what kind of musumeyaku have you aimed to be?
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I was always trying to make up for what I lacked and I now have a little bit of regret because of it. Asumi said to me “Singing and dancing are just a matter of taking lessons. It’s your heart that makes theatre, your heart makes it ‘Takarazuka’. You have that Hana-chan, so you will be fine”. Of course, I still had to work on polishing my technique, but after hearing those words from Asumi, I thought that no matter what task I’m given, conveying what's in my heart is the most important part of being a musumeyaku. I also longed to be the classic image of a Takarazuka musumeyaku and so I wanted to become the kind with a dignified look about her, and a strong self-belief. But what I was aiming for most was to look complimentary when beside my partner. Ever since I was just a fan of Takarazuka I’ve always loved the euphoria I experienced when seeing a Top Combi together, so I’ve always been trying to make sure that I match the same aura that my partner has.
Please give a message to those who have supported you
“Is what I’m doing okay?” “For what purpose do I stand on stage?”
Whenever I have felt lost like this, I've found that once I look at the smiling faces of my audience, those feelings I had of wanting to be a Takarasienne come flooding back to me. When I hear that people have received great joy from watching a show, I am so happy that I decided to stand on stage. I think it was your love that cheered me on to keep going. I will do all I can to return this love to you, and will do my best until the end! Thank you all so much!
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Off Shots/Behind the Scenes
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Translators Notes:
"Heidi, Girl of the Alps" is an anime TV series from 1974, based on the Swiss novel "Heidi's Years of Wandering and Learning" by Johanna Spyri (1880). Clara is a lonely girl with paralysed legs, Heidi is her energetic and enthusiastic playmate. Heidi sounds similar to Benio which is probably why Hana thinks Haikara-san was still influencing her acting.
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beccalendsahand · 3 years
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Decor: Hana Yuuki translation
TakarazukaGRAPH April 2012: Decor segment with Hana Yuuki, translation under the cut
Whatever the time, wherever the place, the musumeyaku shine with beauty. We look at this aspect of their attraction through their stories from the stage!
Favourite Costumes:
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Dance Olympia: Act 1 Scene 1- Sunrise Role: Briseis 
A veiled headdress with beads decorating the forehead...It’s the kind of costume I’d wanted to wear at least once before I left Takarazuka. So I was so happy when I was given it to wear. The gold and white look so lovely together. During rehearsals I wore bits of cloth attached to my arms so that I could work out the best way to make the sleeves flutter.
The Poe Clan Role: Marybelle
There was this dress I wore for the prologue scene. The ribbons and every little detail were straight out of the manga, everything was created to look just like the original work. I was so happy to get to wear a costume that was completely new, and the sheer fabric on the sleeves and elsewhere was perfect for suggesting Marybelle’s transient state.
A Hairstyle That Brings Back Memories:
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Koisuru ARENA 
For Yuzuki Reon’s concert “REON!!” Yumesaki Nene changed her hair in every scene, so I wanted to step up to the challenge! There wasn’t much time between scenes so it was a lot of trial and error. When I was wearing this outfit, I had to take my hat off at one point. So I thought a side ponytail would go with the cool look of the costume. I had worked my hair so hard that after the concert was over it was unfortunately quite damaged! (laughs)
Nice Work If You Can Get It: Act 2 S6B Finale B Finale Lady S
When I spoke with the director and choreographer, they said that seeing as the dance was more mature, having my hair in a low bun would be more appropriate for the style we were going for. But I had already had my hair in a low bun for Dance Olympia, so I wondered how I could make it different. I tried to separate my fringe into ‘finger waves’ to match the 1920′s era, but I found it a bit of a battle to get it to suit my face! (laughs) After getting advice from Yuzuka, I kept adjusting and adjusting it, and just managed to perfect it before the opening night.
A Moment That Made My Heart Leap:
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EXCITER!! 2018: Chapter 4 Love Exciter!! - Revolution of Love - Scene 15
Halfway through EXCITER!! 2018 there’s a number where everyone dances whilst watching Yuzuka. As I danced next to her, I was struck by how incredibly cool she looked without needing a flashy costume. I can’t explain it well but, I was shocked to see that she was not the Yuzuka I knew off stage, but the Yuzuka I knew as a natural and unpretentious performer, who at the same time, manages to be a dazzling presence on stage. I’m forever grateful that I share my life with such a person.
My Favourite Lines
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“Once you become an adult, life can be very difficult so, (holds hand to chest) if you do not keep your dreams alive in here, you can easily be defeated by reality. However, you were always in my heart. And because of that, I was able to live my life” - From “A Fairy Tale: The Spirit of the Blue Rose” Charlotte Wheeldon (Hana)’s line
These were the words Charlotte says to the spirit of the blue rose, Elu. But, this show was the last production starring Asumi Rio, and so for me it’s tied to our relationship. I think she will become my own fairy spirit in that same way.  It is also a line with lots of different interpretations, almost as if I were speaking on behalf of Asumi Rio fans. I would say this line to the Great Asumi every day with all of my heart.
“Please let me be the last bad decision you ever make” - From “Nice Work If You Can Get It” Jimmy Winter (Yuzuka)’s line
This is the line Jimmy says when he proposes to Billie at the end of the play but, rather than the words “I love you” or “Let’s get married”, he chooses these...untraditional words (laughs). But Yuzuka carries the line with so much of her warmth and kindness that it moves my heart so much that I am swept off my feet. I think Jimmy is the worst kind of man but (laughs) when Yuzuka says Jimmy’s lines like that, I just want to jump into her arms.
A Handmade Item
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Dance Olympia: Act 2 Scene 8 Finale Lady S
There’s a scene where we sing “The Wings of the Heart” so first, I wanted a hairpiece that had the image of wings incorporated into it in some way. That would be the base. My hair would be done in a simple bun so I wanted to have the headpiece visible from the front as well as the back. It was Yuzuka’s first show as Top Star before her first Grand Theatre run, so I was very anxious. But, I threaded each feather into my headdress with a wish for the Flower Troupe to fly higher and higher... although I only made it for myself to wear! (laughs)
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beccalendsahand · 2 years
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Flower Troupe Survey! The Best of Yuzuka Rei (PART 2)
The Troupe Survey is a current segment in the TakarazukaGRAPH magazine in which each month a different troupe is given a survey on their Top Star and a selection of their answers are printed in the magazine. There are 4 parts to this article: 1. The things about (Top Star) that have made a big impression on us 2. Stage: Shows or scenes which have stayed in our hearts 3. We want to see (Top Star) as a… 4. The (Top Star) Awards (The Top Star gives out special awards to troupe members)
As this article is so long I will be publishing the translation in parts! You can read part 1 here Part 2 is under the cut!
Part 2: Stage - What Shows or Scenes have remained in your heart?
1st place, 23 votes: “Boys over Flowers” (2019)
Miharu Ayu: The fight scenes she has against Sakurako (played by Oto Kurisu) and Rui (played by Seino Asuka). I always love seeing Yuzuka in fight scenes but this show was extra special because they were staged as fistfights, which is pretty rare for Takarazuka and made the otokoyaku even more masculine! Seeing her using her whole body to protect Tsukushi (played by Shoroki Mirei) really moved me.
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Takasho Mizuki: Domyouji (Yuzuka)’s dance during the song Metamorphoses. I have no other words for it other than that it’s the definition of coolness.
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Oto Kurisu: Maybe this is in part due to the show itself being set in modern day, but she felt so real as Domyouji that I found myself thinking she was him even when we weren’t performing. Yuzuka’s acting is always so natural.
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(in the photo, Domyouji in the original Boys over Flowers Manga, and the stars of the original 2005 Jdrama adaptation, Matsumoto Jun and Inoue Mao, with comparison shots to Yuzuka Rei and Shiroki Mirei)
Yuzuka’s Comment: This show is really important to me too! Even now whenever I think back to it I’m just overwhelmed by all the fond and warm memories I have from that show. I’ve done quite a few fight scenes with swords and guns before, but very rarely with my bare hands. That scene was one of those “fights between men” that is very typical of teenage boys. All the members of the F4 have a strong sense of chivalry which was suuuuper fun to play.
2nd place, 20 votes: “Haikara-san: Here Comes Miss Modern” (2020)
Ichinose Koki: The back and forth she had with Miss Benio (played by Hana Yuuki) would change every day. I never stopped being excited the whole run because I’d always be wondering “Ooh what’s going to happen between them today?!!”. The kiss scene at the end of the show was especially well done. Whilst I watched I’d be thinking “wow the Lieutenant (Yuzuka) is real! He’s come straight out of the manga!”! I really wish there had been a compilation made of every performance of that kiss scene! (laughs)
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Keina Maya: In the finale number where she dances in the silver military uniform she has this beauty that is so dignified and cool! That number is filled with a certain charm that you can’t see in any other show. I love it.
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Haruya Yuri: She was just so cool in everything she did on stage, from how she would wrap Miss Benio in her arms, to when she fought to protect her men during the attack in Siberia! Also, let's be honest, otokoyaku in uniform are the best.
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Yuzuka’s comment: It’s such a wonderful show isn’t it? The Lieutenant is meant to have an almost fantasy-like beauty and charm, the kind that you don’t find in the real world, so I was quite anxious about how I could make him come to life on stage. But I also have fond memories of those days, even when I was having trouble with the character. I like the army uniforms too but they make it hard to show the lines of the body, so it took me a while to figure out how to wear it well.
3rd place, 11 votes: Dance Olympia (2020)
Yuunami Kei: The flamenco scene. Not only was her technique amazing, but she managed to make the whole theatre focus on one point, the sound of her feet. She performed an outstanding solo number that will go down in takarazuka history.
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Mano Kazuma: The flamenco dance. It was a passionate performance full of life and soul which was so moving that I teared up watching it. I won’t forget it for the rest of my life.
Futaba Yuyu: The flamenco number is one of those moments where Yuzuka’s every movement takes your breath away and shakes your very soul! Yuzuka, are you actually spanish?
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Yuzuka’s comment: In that scene, I wasn’t thinking about how to present myself as a takarasienne, but rather, as a human being. With the help of our choreographer, Satou-sensei, I focused on dedicating myself to the essence and feeling of flamenco.
END OF PART TWO Read in Part 3!
For more zuka-related translations click here Part 3 coming soon!
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