#A SERAMYU LEGEND

[landofanimes]

ANZA ∞ Akiko Kosaka - The Day The Future Becomes the Past -

September 24, 2023

The newest reunion concert of Bandai Sailor Moon musical cast members had two performances, and Kosaka disclosed the setlist!

The event featured, among other things, 2 songs written by Sanae Kimura and composed by Kosaka, one in each performance. Nao Takagi only featured in the Nighttime show, so the setlist has 2 extra myu songs.

SETLIST

Densetsu Seitan ~A Cappella~

[ Non-myu songs ]

Kanata e, by Anza

Anata, by Akiko Kosaka

Hitori Janaino...

Lai Lala Blue Moon, by Kosaka

Forever

3 People [Daytime] / EMPTY HEART [Nighttime], both by Sanae and Kosaka

[ Back to myu - Daytime ]

Fukkatsu! Crisis Yurusumaji

Stay Alone

Chou Bi! Uranus to Neptune

Over The Moon

Onna no Ronsou

La Soldier

Kokoro Tabanete Makin' For the Right

Minna Dareka ni Aisarete

[ Back to myu - Nighttime ]

Fukkatsu! Crisis Yurusumaji

Harsh! Saint Cry!! [only at Night]

Destined Couple [only at Night]

Stay Alone

Kokoro Tabanete Makin' For the Right

Chou Bi! Uranus to Neptune

Over The Moon

Onna no Ronsou

La Soldier

Minna Dareka ni Aisarete

[ Non-myu ]

Amazing Grace

Horohoro no Kaze, by Kosaka

Tsubasa, by Anza

[ Back to myu ]

Moon Revenge

Densetsu Seitan

And apparently a mysterious encore? Does anyone know what was it? (or is Secret the name of the song?)

A lot of non-seramyu songs in this one - like, nearly half the list! To be fair this and Legend Forever are Anza and Akiko's collabs which feature myu guests, and this one doesn't have as many guests, hence the music choices and balance, but anyway... I found some of the titles among Kosaka's or Anza's music so I figured that's what they are.

Anyway, as usual here's the Youtube ♪ Playlist ♪ I made for it!

[avaneshop]

SeraMyu Uchiwa (hand fan) for a special pre-show event for the Shin Kaguya Shima Densetsu (New Legend of Kaguya Island) musical

(available here)

[rin-the-shadow]

I’ve been rewatching some of the old Sailor Moon musicals, in part because the new ones reminded me how much I enjoyed them. In particular, I’ve been rewatching Eternal Legend/Eien Densetsu, and its revision.

While I do think that in general, the revision does a much better job with its story and characters, there is actually one whose arc I marginally prefer in the original, and that’s Queen Beryl. While her arc is basically the same throughout the both, in the original 1997 summer production, two of her generals were revived along with her. And yes, the heartbreak plot thing they try against Mercury and Venus is so much more of an Amazon Trio thing to do, but let’s talk about what Zoisite and Kunzite’s presence in this musical does for Beryl.

In the 1997 Summer performance of Eternal Legend, it’s Kunzite and Zoisite who discover that Galaxia has been manipulating Beryl and reveal this to her. What’s notable about this is that just before that, Princess Kakyuu attempts to make her understand she’d being deceived, but Beryl refuses to listen. When her knights tell her that they’ve been deceived and that Endymion is actually dead, she instantly believes them and retreats with them. 

Later, the three of them confront Galaxia over her betrayal and manipulation of them, and it’s implied that the three of them reached the decision to do so as a group. However, Kunzite and Zoisite make an additional declaration that, with Endymion dead, their only loyalty is to Queen Beryl, and imply that this might have been more important to them anyway. They proceed to attack Galaxia’s subordinates and overpower them, but when it becomes apparent they can’t beat Galaxia herself, Beryl tries to intercede for them. And after Galaxia kills Kunzite and Zoisite in front of her, Queen Beryl immediately tries to attack Galaxia in retaliation.

Between original and revision, there’s a slight change in Galaxia’s line before she prepares to execute Beryl, which is necessitated by the removal of the Shitennou from the revision. There, she only says that she will give Beryl a dignified death, and Beryl remains on the ground looking defiant before Sailors Saturn and Pluto interfere. In the original, she says, “Unlike your knights, I will grant you a dignified death.” Emphasis mine. By the time Saturn and Pluto interfere, Beryl is already back on her feet preparing to attack again, even though by this point she has to know what the results will be. 

Even before that point, all throughout the musical there seems to be a lot of genuine loyalty between Queen Beryl and her knights. And much of that is just in their nonverbal interactions, rather than spoken out loud. It is very refreshing to see that as an actual thing, rather than just something that’s stated, or even adapted out. (Particularly in comparison to the previous musical she appeared in, where she didn’t seem to care what happened to her Shitennou as long as she got Endymion.) In some ways, it almost increases the parallels between herself and Sailor Moon...and makes their contrasts more apparent. Where Usagi refused to hate Galaxia even after seeing all her friends murdered in front of her and discovering that Endymion was revived as a mud puppet, Beryl reacts by immediately trying to kill Galaxia. Beryl still ultimately needs that extra help from Sailor Pluto’s being able to empathize with her original situation before she’s able to make the switch and realize where clinging to hatred and pursuing power is going to lead them.

Overall, I would say that yes, I can understand why the subplots with the Shitennou were cut from the revision. Their scenes take up time, and the writers may have been looking to tighten up the pacing both from a general writing perspective, and also to fit stuff in to serve as a send-off for the actors who had been there from the beginning. Heck, you could even make the argument that not reviving Kunzite and Zoisite makes more sense from Galaxia’s perspective. After all, she wants Beryl to be “happy” with the fake Endymion so that she won’t question her, but also continue hating Sailor Moon enough to do her dirty work. Why give her additional minions who will not only be loyal to Beryl, but also have a chance to see what you’re doing and clue her in on it?

But it is still nice to see Beryl’s character being driven by something other than just unrequited love, and/or lust for power. And Galaxia’s puzzlement at any kind of loyalty that’s not based in fear or expectation of gain between villain and subordinate. 

[xan-the-13th]

Musical Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon (Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon) 2017: Le Mouvement Final

Original work of Takeuchi Naoko Screenplay and Directed by: Hiramitsu Takuya

Venue and Date:

Tokyo: AiiA 2.5D theatre (September 9-18)

Aichi: Ai Plaza Toyohashi (September 23-24)

Osaka: Umeda Arts Theater - Theater Drama City (September 29 - October 1st) 

Casts:

Nomoto Hotaru as Tsukino Usagi/Sailor Moon

Takeuchi Yume as Mizuno Ami/Sailor Mercury

Kobayashi Karen as Hino Rei/Sailor Mars

Kaede as Kino Makoto/Sailor Jupiter

Hasegawa Rimo as Aino Minako/Sailor Venus

Shiotsuki Shuu as Tenou Haruka/Sailor Uranus

Fujioka Sayaka as Kaiou Michiru/Sailor Neptune

Ishii Mikako as Meiou Setsuna/Sailor Pluto

Mirai as Tomoe Hotaru/Sailor Saturn

Kanda Airi as Chibiusa/Sailor Chibi Moon

Harukawa Meiko as Seiya Kou/Sailor Star Fighter

Tatemichi Riona as Taiki Kou/Sailor Star Maker

Matsuda Sakii as Yaten Kou/Sailor Star Healer

Okamura Asami as Princess Kakyuu

Isuzu Coco as Sailor Galaxia 

Aoki Shion as Sailor Iron Mouse

Hashigaki Miyu as Sailor Tin Nyanko

Kobayashi Yuka as Sailor Aluminum Siren 

Yuuto Iriya as Sailor Lead Crow

Shadow Galactica:

Shiihara Yukari

Hidano Yoshimi

Sakisaka Ayumi

Nagasawa Ayano

Chibi Chibi (W-cast):

Yamaguchi Hinari

Niitsu Chise

Yamato Yuuga as Chiba Mamoru/Tuxedo Mask

[nekobunnie]

TAGGED!!

Tagged by:  TWINS!! @lixxiful​ Rules: Tag 10 followers you wanna know better

Birthday: 10th December

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Favourite Colour(s): Black + Red, and Purple

Pet(s): Sir Meow the Angry Cat

Wake-Up Time: 6:50am

Love or Lust: Love

Lemonade or Ice-Tea: Both

Cat or Dog: Cats

Coke or Pepsi: Coke

Day or Night: Night

Text or Call: Text.

Met A Celebrity: Nope

Light or Dark Hair: Dark

Short or Tall: in the middle

Chapstick or Lipstick: Lip tint. does that count?

City or Country: ????? do you live in a city without a country or a country without a city?

Last Song I Listened To: Kalafine - Into the World

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Top 3 Ships: me X everyone. XD

Books/Manga I’m Currently Reading: Unique Legend by Hu Hsuan

Top 5 Musicals: Kuromyu, Tenimyu, Seramyu, Burimyu... Does this count?

Tagging! @daddyzenpie @sayuri12bookworm @livonarts @emmie-cb

[landofanimes]

Backstage of ANZA ∞ Akiko Kosaka ~ Legend Forever ~

With former seramyu cast member Karen Yoda making an appearance (she performed as Petz and Nephrite back in the day)

June 2015

[landofanimes]

ANZA ∞ Akiko Kosaka  ~ Legend Forever ~

The Concert

This 2015 collaboration between the first Sailor Moon stage actress and the composer brought in several other performers from the classic myus: There’s a Tuxedo Mask, a Sailor Mercury, Mars, Venus, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, Star Healer, Princess Kakyuu, Sailor Galaxia, Queen Beryl, and Tiger’s Eye present!

The concert happened on June 7, 2015. There were two performances on that day, with the night show changing a few of the songs in the line-up! As far as I know there is no recording, but thankfully Akiko Kosaka wrote it all down, and we actually have pictures! Who sings what may not be entirely accurate as I got some from pictures and from a fan report but they seem to check out!

The show starts with Anza singing accompanied by Kosaka on the piano, with the band joining in on “Kanata e” and later for the seramyu numbers (#6 onwards). The other performers start to come in on track #7! 

Here’s the song list:

Amazing Grace [Day] / Dear Anata e (Original Song “Rose”) [Night] (Anza + Kosaka on Piano)

On My Own (Anza + Kosaka on Piano)

Kanata e, by Anza  (Anza + Kosaka on Piano)

Tuxedo Mirage, from the 90’s anime (Piano Solo by Akiko Kosaka)

Anata, by Akiko Kosaka

I Miss You (Anza + Akiko Kosaka)

Lonely Distance [Day] / Gondola no Koibito-tachi [Night]

Yami koso Utsukushii (Yuri Nishina, Ryuuji Kasahara, Yuuta Mochizuki)

Galaxia no Dokusai (Tamami Matsumoto, Ryuuji Kasahara)

Toki Michite Kourin

> I don’t know where tracks #1 are from, if anyone does, please let me know. > #2 is from Les Misérables, since Anza played Eponine in the Japanese version of the play! > #3 is the second ending theme of 2006 anime series Glass no Kantai

After the break there are even more guests!

Sera Myu Medley

Galaxia Gorgeous (Tamami, Ryuuji)

Yami no Hitsugi (Yuri, Sakoto Yoshioka, Ryuuji, Yuuta)

Tuxedo Mission

Chou Bi! Uranus to Neptune [Day] / Harsh! Saint Cry!! [Night]

Kakyuu-ouhi to Three Lights (Sakoto, Anza, Momoko Okuyama, Misako Iwana)

See Me, Boku-tachi no Jidai (Anza, Momoko, Misako)

Knockin' Down Hesitation (Anza, Momoko, Misako)

Sailor War

Live With You, by Anza and Akiko Kosaka

> The medley consisted of: La Soldier → La Moon → FIRE → La Fatalité Sei Senshi → Everlasting Moonlight → L'Amour D'Amour Moonlight → Chasin' After You → L'Amour D'Amour Moonlight  → LINK → La Soldier > “Live With You” was written by Anza and composed by Kosaka for this event. They closed the line-up on their own, but everybody’s back for the sendoff:

ENCORE

Densetsu Seitan (All)

La Soldier (All)

Youtube ♪ Playlist ♪

[rin-the-shadow]

Rambling on Eternal Legend Galaxia

The more I rewatch Eien Densetsu/Eternal Legend (and its revision), the more I think that Galaxia’s fundamental flaw, regardless of whether she’s brainwashed or not, is that she doesn’t understand other people as well as she thinks she does.

One of the main areas where I see this are in the Shitennou’s loyalty to Queen Beryl and how that goes both ways, but Galaxia never seems to be able to understand why that is. Galaxia always seems to see her underlings as things to do her dirty work, and then to be discarded if they can’t or once she no longer needs them. She sees absolutely nothing wrong with telling Beryl point-blank that she manipulated her, and only ever describes the Shitennou’s drive to die taking down Shadow Galactica as “interesting.” I don’t know that she’s ever able to understand why their deaths would have any effect on Beryl. She seems to understand that watching your friends die can have an effect, given how many times she invokes it against Sailor Moon, but I don’t know that she would expect the same thing to exist with Queen Beryl and her Shitennou. From Galaxia’s perspective, her feelings for Endymion are just a tool to be manipulated. Endymion is just something Beryl wants, more or less. Beryl’s Shitennou are tools that Galaxia gives her to let her think she has some control. Why feel anything other than disappointment when those tools break? Even if she’s able to recognize in the end that Beryl has some kind of loyalty to her Shitennou which extends beyond their capacity to get her what she wants, I’m still not sure that she understands why. (Though this is actually something that I could see non-brainwashed Galaxia coming to comprehend)

Another major one is in Uranus and Neptune’s fake betrayal. I’m not entirely sure that Galaxia thinks their offer is genuine. Her statement that “When [people] wear my bracelets, they become no more than my dogs” and her surprise that there are people her bracelets can’t control seem to imply that she has some kind of safeguard to make sure the wearers do what she wants. If I’m not reading too much into these lines, then Galaxia expects betrayal, but also believes that she is strong enough to keep any would-be traitors in line. Even if I am reading into those lines, at several points in the play, Galaxia uses the word “puppets” to describe pretty much everyone she works with. From her perspective, again, they are just tools for her to manipulate however she desires. And after all, puppets tend to come with strings. Who would expect it to know how to cut them? So overall, I don’t think she was surprised that Uranus and Neptune intended to betray her, just that they were actually able to do it.

There’s also her attitude when Queen Beryl points out that Sailor Moon has never responded with hatred no matter what Galaxia does to her. Galaxia’s response is basically, “Then I’ll make you hate me.” From her perspective, anyone would hate the one who kept taking things away from them, so if Usagi doesn’t hate her yet, it’s just that she hasn’t taken enough away. Beyond that, she’s never able to understand how it is that Usagi doesn’t lose hope, and when her own star seed, thought to be the Light of Hope, shows up, she seems to be afraid of her. Even Queen Beryl calls her out for her inability to understand the role that love plays in sustaining life. 

Considering she is missing her star seed and under Chaos’s influence at this point, this may explain some of her confusion around these concepts. However, I’m not entirely sure that it’s entirely Chaos’s influence that makes her think this way. It isn’t like she’s viewing other people as tools to be used, but she doesn’t seem to expect anyone to try to help her stop Chaos, either. When her backstory is shown in the Revision, she mentions other Sailor Senshi falling “one by one,” but it’s unclear whether or not she actually worked with any of them. If she either never worked with anyone, or only had people work with her when they thought she was strong enough to achieve their goal of defeating Chaos, he could have twisted that into a belief that loyalty doesn’t exist outside of what you can gain from others, for example. If she believed it was her strength that would defeat Chaos, he may have twisted that into a belief that sheer power was the only thing that mattered. (Heck, I wouldn’t even be surprised if she had some resentment from fighting Chaos alone for so long, and that’s what he used to make her “crush and demolish” line of reasoning.)

But there’s one other reason I don’t think her flaw of “not understanding others as well as she thinks she does” exists solely under Chaos’s influence. Even after she is freed from it, her first course of action is still basically, “Whelp, gotta go fight Chaos by myself again because that certainly didn’t go horribly last time, but it’s not like anyone else could do it.” She may genuinely think that now that she’s developed some understanding of love via Sailor Moon, she would be able to do it all herself now. The idea that this might mean scattering Chaos and trusting other people to be able to handle the now more manageable portions never occurs to her. It’s always, “handle everything myself or everything goes to crap.”

Which makes sense, considering she’s repeatedly referred to as “the most powerful Sailor Senshi.” And there may be some hubris involved (especially once Chaos gets in the driver’s seat), but I think that having that title of Strongest may also have given her an over-inflated sense of responsibility. She’s the strongest, so in her mind, she has to be the one to handle things or else everything will go badly for everyone else (and it will implicitly be her fault). 

Even if that need to shoulder everything herself is probably what isolated her and effectively allowed Chaos to take over her to begin with.