...And then we can just reminisce their smiles

I don't know if it's partly because of things going on currently in my (personal) life and this is kind of like my way to process that, but I've had couple of very scary realisations about Zuka retirements.
Of course those realisations are partly caused by news of Chika's retirement. I'm still kinda...Well, not actually completely realised it. Yes, Asa (and Ahi and Ai-chan) was my first 'siennes' that I like retires' moment, but it was already been announced when Asa will retire when I actually found Takarazuka's magical world and both Ahi and Ai-chan came to the scene just about week before their retirement (or actually, I will write bit about Ahi later in this post. That is if ever get to that point). Yes, I like Asa hundred times more than Chika, but I still like her and haven't have proper time to investigate her since there's been so much other things going on with Zuka. I bet if I looked more of her performances I might like her quite much. Her retirement annoucement is first I have "experienced" and, well, somehow I feel like when Chika will leave, there isn't anymore connection between present Snow Troupe and Komu. I mean, they were Top-nibante combi and even though Tom is still in Senka....Well, she is 'The Senka Goddess'. Though she has been fading little bit during last couple of years.
And really, Komu and Yumiko are the reasons for me being interested about Snow Troupe and now with Komu having been retired for around four years and Yumiko retiring there really isn't any reason for me to follow Yuki anymore. Of course, barring who will become next Top and nibante.

And then, my Flower Troupe's Fantastic Four; Osa, Asa, Yumiko and Un-chan (I know that Asa left to Moon by the time Un-chan transferred to Flower, but still I call them that since all four of them either originates from Flower or have made the biggest roles there). Osa retired, Asa retired, Yumiko going to retire and I don't know how long it will be before Un-chan retires since this marks her third year as Top and usually Top stays at that position around 2-3 years.
Each of them played big part when it comes to intriguing my Zuka interest; Osa as Phantom was my first Takarazuka clip I saw and it was love at first sight, then came Asa's Bill and after that Appartement Cinema with Osa, Yumiko and Un-chan. Of course, Colden Gombi also plays a big part, but without those four...They're the reason I became hooked in the first place.
And Ayane, my first musumeyaku love <3 I just can't/don't want to believe she also will retire this year.

There's so much more I'd like to write about retirement things, but the more I think the more confused I'll become. And it makes my head (and heart) hurt. And it's just mid January.

On lighter note, I purchased two Zuka DVDs from fellow European fan. First one is Higher than the Sky of Paris/Fancy Dance (starring Asa, Mihoko, Yuu-kun, Kiriyan, Maa-kun and Seri (aka the kind of cute, round faced otokoyaku) to name few). It is pretty much my Moon Dream Team.
....And...
Me and my girl hanarenai~ Yes, Me and My Girl, year 2008 Moon Troupe's version. It's not epic like Elisabeth or Phantom, but still it has place in my heart for reasons that are hard to explain. And the thing about Ahi...I watched the beginning of this play last autumn and thought that the otokoyaku with vest is kind of cute though her singing voice isn't that pleasant. And guess what, I realised just today that otokoyaku is actually no one else but dear Ahi.

(~Me and my girl lalalaa~)

Both the husband and the wife ask of each other "Where is Elisabeth's love?"

I should really, really stop reading other blogs of Takarazuka fans. Now I have this little voice in my head that tells me to get every version of Elisabeth.
Eh, how about no? Though I could buy that Applause dvd thing, where are scenes from three first Elisabeths. I have also ordered (and still waiting...) Flower Troupe's version and have year 2005 Moon Troupes's production in my laptop. And since I don't care so much about year 2007's production (sorry Chika. But I still watch clips from yt), that would leave this year's version. So in a way, I would need to buy only two dvds.

Though my must buy list has become longer than would be wise. As I've said, I've ordered Flower's Elisabeth and also Cosmos' Never Say Goodbye, which is the last show for Wao and Hana (;__;).
Then;
A Kiss to the Flames/Neo Voyage - Even though the play would suck, but Wao/Hana <3 And the tearjerker scene
Lucifer's Tear/Tarantella - somehow Komu has stolen my heart (it must be how most of the times she looks like scared little boy, and though she looks so petite she has so much passion, especially when she dances) and I really, really want to have show where she is the Top Star. Well, this is her and Maa-chan's last show. And how I can go wrong with show that has a) very human Lucifer b) character dieing for about hour, and still do it in touching way c) revue, that is for half an hour almost non stop Komu dancing

and after those two comes messy pile of Phantom (probably Wao/Hana version, at first, because they are amazing just like that), Immortal Thorns (Need some Osasa love ;__; ), Ernest in Love (Umai! <3 Plus bit more Ai-chan can't hurt, right?), Last Play/Heat on Beat (last play of Asa is "must have") and then somehow bit more Komu love (with Tom, The Senka Goddess, please). And of course something with Yuu-kun (matte my darling~)

I haven't even listed those cds, books, magazines, or top star dvds etc I'd like also to purchase.

Yes, for the next....Ten years I'm going to be soo broke *sighs*

Some Top Star/Nibante love (Umai!)

Warning; this post is probably going to be full of Youtube videos. Sorry


I remember reading somewhere that Top star and nibante can be combi at its own way, especially when siennes' chemistries work. Especially after seeing Ernest in Love (Moon, 2005) I totally believe it. Asako/Kiriyan combi is made of win.

First; I'm going to call this scene as "Muffin scene". It's just effing great, as normal scene without any parts or lines added by Asa or Kiriyan. But when they decide to give bit more laughs to audience...

(Dear Asako, you're not supposed to take any of those muffins. They're all Kiriyan's)

The song that comes bit later, Bunbury, is also awesome. I undertand only word here and there, but still it makes me smile.



And then....MUFFIN SONG
(copy&pasted form youtube) "Basically what's happening is that Jack (Sena Jun) is all paranoid that Gwendolen and Cecily are upset with the both of them for lying, while Algy (Kiriyan Hiromu)is too focused on the food that the two girls left over."

Kriyan's umai (delicious), Asa messing her hair, "Wait, onii-chan (brother)" "Who you're calling onii-chan?!". Oh yes

And then the version with little um...Kind of ad lip at the end

(Poor Asa, Kiriyan just loves to mess with her *grin*)

And I'm so sure Kiriyan that after last play, Kiriya didn't want to see, or eat, muffins for loong time. She had to eat them even at rehearsals



I really undertand why Moon Troupe is said to be excellent troupe for western comedies. I hope they can find nibante that is suitable for doing these kind of performances with Kiriyan

Take breath, bow deeply and burn this stage to you heart

Today Asako, Sena Jun, has retired as sienne.

Asako, who with Osa got me interested in Takarazuka.
Otokoyaku with versatile vocal range, so that she could potray Elisabeth and with charisma next to no one.

First I saw her as Bill from Me and My Girl running and goofing around tricking me to think that she is top notch comedy sienne, which she of course is, but she can do serious roles too. Then Luigi Lutcheni fron Elisabeth, so wicked, so crazy. Again Elisabeth (play), this time as title character, really shocking me. Yes, I don't deny that I don't like otokoyaku playing such a big female role, but I got to say she did the part really well. And then she played dear Der Tod/Death. It was so strange watching the actor who I've seen (and adored) as little bit simple and good-natured Bill play character like Death, and Asako played him as very cold and...Well, cold. Now I'm trying to watch Ernest in Love, her first role as Top. And I'm planning to order Last Play someday.
Maybe it's just my nature that gets easily attracted to person/things/etc, but I feel bit sad about her retirement. I don't like to even try to imagine how it feels to those who has watched her as little bud, blooming into Flower that shines under Moonlight (sorry about bad pun).

(once upon a time, there were Osa and Asa)

She left huge boots for Kiriyan to fill. But I trust that sienne, who almost made me believe that Franz Joseph actually isn't so boring character, can do it. Ganbatte, Kiriya-san!

Sadly, I think I won't be following Moon Troupe so much anymore. Not only did Asa retire, but also Ahi and Ai-chan. I really liked Ahi, though sometimes (read; most of the time) she sounded little bit like...Sheep. But somehow it didn't bother me so much. Plus she during this year's Elisabeth, she was switching between Rudolph and one of the color coded Hungarian revolutionist and that's ultimate combo of awesomeness.
And Ai-chan...I thought she would make lovely combi with Kiriyan. I don't usually notice musumeyakus that much, but Ai just got my attention, first as one of those little Deaths/mermaid prostitute (don't ask) at Elisabeth (2005).

And like this isn't enough, Yumiko is retiring 25th of April and Ayane 30th of April. There has also been rumours about Chika retiring during this year, which would mean that Snow Troupe's nibante (Yumiko) and top otokoyaku (Chika) would retire. And then who would become new top? But anyway, if the rumours are true, then Snow Troupe has very interesting year ahead.

Now more than ever, in midst of all this retiring business, I really hope that Yuuhi-kun won't retire for long time (though Cosmos is notorious for it's short staying tops. Minus Wao and Hana of course).

<3

Hey there new star, do you remember where you used to be?

I almost started this entry also with "damn", like I have two previous ones.

I again found new Takarazuka DVDs I'd like to buy. I'm becoming bit more interested about Flower Troupe around the time when Yuuhi (Yuu-kun) was at Flower Troupe. The trio of Un (Matobu Sei), Yuu-kun (Oozora Yuuhi) and So (Sou Kazuho) seemed to have great chemistry and blast together. Sadly, Yuu-kun stayed at Flower about only a year. But then she went to become Top Star of Cosmos, so...Anyway, there are only couple of plays around that time and from what I've seen and read Love and Death in Arabia/Red Hot Sea seems to be the best option.
I'd also like to have something with Osa and Asa around the time before Osa become Top or just afetr it. Looks like Immortal Thorns would be good choice here. Plus it has Yumiko.

Ugh, my Takarazuka stuff buying list seems to become longer and longer

When she dances...

Damn, Asa is master of those "Come and get me looks" when it comes to Elisabeth's duet dances. It's just...Drooliness

First there's year 2005's Elisabeth, Asa as, well, Elisabeth. She had that grin made of awesomeness during pretty mucg the whole duet dance






And then 2009, Asa as Death. For me the beginning is kind of blah, but around 1:20 it picks up. And maybe she doesn't have that same grin as Sissy during any part, but there's couple of those Death smiles.