#an cafe 20th anniversary

[nyappyforeverbr]

【Interview】Miku (An Cafe) × ClubZy ONLINE │Part #1

In February of that year, 2023, Miku was interviewed by the ClubZy Online team. ClubZy is a Japanese magazine specializing in visual-kei artists managed by Visual-kei Oyaji/Seiichi Hoshiko. The editor in chief of the magazine is Hakuei (Penicillin).

To access the interview, it was necessary to pay a contribution/subscription fee on the ClubZy no Nico channel (Japanese live broadcast platform), Cafekko Sara signed and sent us the interview!

After starting their hiatus in January 2019, AN CAFE made a 'live comeback' at [OSAKA MUSE 35th Anniversary Event “OUR CANVAS”] held last June/2022. After such a surprise, they celebrated their 20th anniversary this year by performing at Zepp Haneda on January 5th and 6th, 2023. In addition, it was also announced that they will be performing live in Tokyo and Osaka in August this year, surely many readers are creating expectations for the full resumption of activities. We caught up with Miku (Vo.) to talk about An Cafe's past, present and future!

Interview: Takayuki Murakami Photo: Susumu Miyawaki

- On January 5th and 6th, you got together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Reiwa from First NYAPPY o(≧∀≦)o” at Zepp Haneda. Miku: The reason why we decided to do this live was because the members reunited before the 20th anniversary. When we went out to eat, everyone probably had the word “20th anniversary” flashing in their heads, but no matter what they did, they couldn't say “Let's do this together” to each other. We talked privately, but we didn't talk about An Cafe. I totally understand that feeling. I didn't leave because I wanted to, so remembering that makes me sad. I wonder if the others felt embarrassed. So, although not everyone mentioned it, last June there was an anniversary event for Osaka MUSE, An Cafe was invited. I got a message from the team about what it was going to look like, and right away I thought, "Oh! I can see some light." After talking with Teruki, he summoned the members. Everyone kindly agreed to do a live in June. And that. We started talking about doing a 20th birthday and we made it happen in January.

- Osaka MUSE's anniversary event was held at the ideal time. This time the title was "First NYAPPY o(≧∀≦)o in Reiwa". What was the concept?

Miku: The concept might have been different for everyone... No, it's the same. I wonder if it was. Anyway, to satisfy the fans, I did my best by delivering the best live with the feeling of thinking it's an important date. That's why we had fun, more than that, I had a strong desire to make the audience have fun.

-Was the set list also decided with that in mind?

Miku: For the set list, first of all, we have about 140 songs if you align them with Excel. So I surprised myself by saying, “Wow, there are so many songs!” Like (laughs). All songs are important to me, but from there I chose the most important ones. There were still about 50 songs left, that's right. I thought this was not applicable but this time it was 2 days wasn't it? 2 days of An Cafe. Generally, we only change a few songs in streams for days in a row. But this time, for the first time, I changed the songs almost completely. Thanks to that, I was able to include more.

-The fans were happy to be able to listen to several songs. In other words, Miku thought of the set list by himself, was that it?

Miku: Yes. If I “decided” and suggested it to everyone; they accepted my proposal.

-After all, everyone was looking at the same goal. So what did you feel when you performed live?

Miku: It's still a dream, and it really is like a dream. I can not explain. It was very funny. It was extraordinary, it's like a dream, still.

-There are many things I thought about after watching the show. I felt strongly that An Cafe's live performance was extraordinary.

Miku: The extraordinary space is the synergy between the band and the audience. Members are what make An Cafe great. Honestly, I don't think I'm good, but when I go on stage I can shine. Fans too, when everyone comes together, everyone can shine. A special space is created. Therefore, our role as an artist is to give our fans dreams, but they also make us dream. I feel like I'm being taken care of.

-Certainly, the audience's reaction was beautiful, and the live atmosphere, the feeling was excellent. And during An Cafe's concert there are many attractive parts, first of all, the music is good, the melody has a sparkle. It's amazing how exciting it is.

Miku: I'm glad you realize that. Maybe it's because I'm a shadow. I have a very sociable personality and I really like folk songs. Usually, the members compose the songs, but I'm the one who decides the melody line myself. That's why, while it's bright and poppy, it's also full of melancholy. I feel like we managed to convey that in the song.

-If the melody is lively, bright or heavy, I feel it is in good taste.

Miku: I think the reason why we like visual-kei is that it has some shadows and is dark. I think the members really prefer dark songs. But An Cafe has the image of a brilliant band, doesn't it? It's about trying to reconcile the band's image with our tastes, and even if we want to do something brilliant, there will be some minor tastes.

-It's hard to mix light and dark well, but An Cafe is good at it. In addition to being able to enjoy many high quality songs, I thought it was good to have a place to show the instrumental formation, which is typical of the band.

Miku: In An Cafe, there is a section that focuses on the musical ensemble called "Etcetera", and I think this is a very important scene in live performance. So I definitely wanted to do that this time around, so I included it in the set list.

-That is great. Do you leave the etcetera content to the instrument team?

Miku: Yes. I think Teruki is the main and leading actor. I usually don't participate. When I entered the studio, they said, "Miku-kun, it's okay if you're late."

-The default is to come into the studio later, see what you think and give the OK.

Miku: No, it's like watching for the first time during the live.

-What? Don't you check in the studio?

Miku: They don't (laughs). I try to snoop around during the final rehearsal which is held on stage, but after the studio rehearsals they only do the actual performance. So I don't know what they're going to do until the day of the show (laughs). But etcetera's content is always good, and I trust all the members.

-It's also nice to see Miku leaving the stage when Etcetera enters. Without appealing to the public by saying, "I'm going to be gone for a while", I could feel the importance of the members from the fact that they were gone so quickly.

Miku: That was good (laughs). I have no problem leaving the stage. I've been doing this since we started doing etcetera. ~ x ~

to be continued...

[pipofthewild]

#NatsumeYuujinchou20thAnniversary Cafe Colour proofing done for the bonus coasters you get with your menu 💪 The illustrations from the covers of the first volume and the latest volume are also there! My favourites are the one with Natsume, Tanuma and Taki, and the one with Natsume and Reiko ☺️

Source

So pretty!! I think the one with Natsume, Tanuma and Taki is my fav too.

[treecakes]

they need to draw more urihime and sasago for merch art where are they

[woolydemon]

maybe I should make a klavier gavin ugly compilation

[oshaberi-usagi]

I drew Franziska again in her outfit from the collaboration cafe at the time of the 20th anniversary…

There is also a time lapse from the middle to the middle. The file size was too large to record all the way through😂

[briebysabs]

Mochijun is amazing and I feel like ppl don’t understand how much she’s worked. PH began in 2006, had long chapters a minimum of 40 pages. I wasn’t there for the run but to release 104 chapters in 9 years you can assume there were almost no breaks. If you’ve read Brocante which is a sketchbook that comes with special edition of vol 11 (I strongly recommend getting it if you can). You would know she’s been planning VnC from 2009-2015. So essentially for 6 out of those 9 years of PH’s run mochijun was working on two manga at the same time. That’s crazy.

And mind you, she didn’t take that long of a break after PH. It ended in March of 2015 I believe and then she had to compose the PH final artbook soon after. And vnc started in December. And went on with few breaks until a few years ago. Then you include supervising the 2009 ph anime and VnC’s anime when they came out. Then include the ph and vnc collab, the ph 15th anniversary cafe, the now mochijun 20th anniversary online lottery. Then you include interviews, signings, covers of GJ magazines. She worked on a shoujo rei MV. She makes all the additional items that come with volumes. I think she released 3 light novels for PH (though idk if she wrote them or overlooked its creation by another writer). There’s likely stuff I forgot depending on her role in stage plays. Or art she did in miscellaneous magazines or art she did for other creators. Or much more I just don’t know about. Jun Mochizuki is not a company or a small studio. She has assistants thank god but most of this will fall on one woman.

I know it’s sad we haven’t gotten vnc since April but firstly, we got a lot of shit in April. So the hiatus is sad but I’m not surprised. And honestly when I found out she worked on ph and vnc around the same time, I was so shocked she hadn’t broken down for that long. On a final note, both PH and VnC are not simple manga with straight-forward plots. They have so much planning and detail and foreshadowing placed into them. She gave us two complex manga basically back to back.

[my-my-my]

Bleach 20th Anime Anniversary collaboration with Chugai Grace Cafe

[gxweek]

GX Pop-up Cafe celebrating the 20th anniversary of GX on October 6th, featuring new official artwork

Dishes

Drawbread (Golden Egg, Croquette, Yakisoba, Pizza)

Judai's Gotcha! Fried Shrimp Pasta

Underground Duel Ramen

Shou vs. Kenzan! Aniki Donburi

Wicked Canon Curry

Desserts

Manjoume Black Sundae

Manjoume White Sundae

Obelisk Blue Queen, Asuka's Panna Cotta

Time Capsule Pudding

Fubuki 10join Banana Cake

Keep Running Forward! New Journey Tiramisu

Drinks

Elemental Hero Neos (strawberry syrup, yogurt drink)

Ojama King (black sesame milk, strawberry flakes)

Cyber End Dragon (calpis soda, blood orange syrup, blue curacao syrup)

Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon (cola, cranberry syrup, mixed berries)

Cyber Blader (cranberry juice, mint)

Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill (cafe latte, banana syrup, chocolate)

Ultimate Tyranno (black tea, lemon syrup)

Water Dragon (mojito syrup, sprite, blue pine jelly)

Maiden in Love (yogurt drink)

Ancient Gear Golem (grenadine syrup, curacao syrup, black lemon jelly, club soda)

Destiny Hero Plasma (cassis syrup, berry jelly, club soda)

Rainbow Dragon (ramune syrup, calpis soda)

Fossil Warrior Skull King (brown sugar syrup, soymilk)

Volcanic Doomfire (grenadine syrup, blackcurrant syrup, oolong tea, berries)

Yubel, the Ultimate Nightmare (curacao syrup, grape jelly, calpis soda, pineapple)

[faffreux]

HAPPY 20TH ANNIVERSARY TO MARIO AND LUIGI: SUPERSTAR SAGA FROM THE STARBEANS DISCORD SERVER!!

THE COLLAB:

Every original character you see pictured here have their origins in the Beanbean Kingdom! As many of us have a deep appreciation for this one-off location in the Super Mario universe, we wanted to pull together a group photo to show just how much it still means to us 20 years later! Long live Beanbean! Click under the cut to learn more!

THE SERVER:

Born in March 2023, Starbeans Cafe is a Discord server created with adult Mario & Luigi fans in mind. Since its conception, it has blossomed into a space that welcomes all interests and hobbies and that allows us to relax, be ourselves, and form lasting friendships in the process.

WHO WE ARE:

A diverse group of creative individuals from all over the globe, we currently range in age from 18 to 35 and come together daily to express ourselves and support one another in our endeavors. We’re made up of artists, writers, programmers, seamsters, cooks, musicians, travelers, and much more!

This is only the first of many collaborations to come between our members! Stay tuned! PARTICIPANTS: @albeolambda @graveyardzhift @birthclod @moondialdoodles @darknadaworld @dreamingzinnia @6clawdy6 @ruckis-vandalizes @butchbarneygumble @telochip @thegroduschronicles @skubulbunt @bowletta @snekydoodle @numberonerated1997 @yveltalthenerd @snawful @seanhicksart @the-baron-of-burgle @battermesh @soulstickerr @fanartandvents @bean-n-shroob @partysol-the-umbrella-wielder @orange-ghost @meetthehelper @/aloe-fish (twitter) @/batteringrham (twitter) @/madzie (bluesky)

[swantranslations]

Fullmetal Alchemist Exhibition -Hong Kong- Highlights & Cafe Menu

Guess WHO just came back from the fma exhibition today! I am still in my serotonin rush as I type out this post. Upon a mutual's request, I am sharing highlights and key features of this time's exhibition, especially the Hong Kong-only elements. Hope this helps anyone who is considering going and wants to know more about it!

All photos here are taken by myself. (aside from the last few which are from a news report)

See also: list of available goods + pricing (to be updated)

♡♡♡♡

Obligatory Entrance Photo!

Same as the original exhibition in Japan, at the entrance, there's the 20th anniversary Ed & Al figure, a 1:1 Al statue, and an animated transmutation circle that you can pose at.

(It is very hard to get the right timing to put down your hands though, since it moves really fast xD)

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Copies of 300+ genka are shown, and as you can see here, translated versions of the comic panels are displayed underneath the framed genka copies, which I think is very nice.

Unfortunately, much like the previous Malaysia exhibit, these are not the original genkas (it's probably too risky to ship them overseas?) but seeing these copies still made me really happy and the set-up is really awesome:) (link to set-up video)

Can't forget the coloured pages, of course! There's also one original signed illustration, but you're not allowed to take pictures of it, which is a bit sad but understandable.

There are also multiple special animations; check one of them out here!

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Costumes and props from the live-action movie are also displayed. The level of detail is really really nice ^^

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HK limited photo spots (modelled by me):

I am not sure if it's 100% accurate, but from what I have heard these two photo spots are Hong Kong-only. Please correct me if I am wrong!

Left: a wall with Mei's kunai that you can pose in front of and pretend to be Ed gaining back his right arm. Absolutely impossible to take a photo there while maintaining a straight face because it is ungodly hilarious and ridiculous. 6/10

Right: Gate of Truth door curtain near the exit; Very fun to push open and act out another iconic Ed scene (video link), or sit there and speak in a mocking ominous tone. 10/10

♡♡♡♡

Cafe:

After the exhibition, you can find the cafe inside the gift shop area. There are two extra-special items and a few other snacks that you can order; Listing all food items & their prices below!

Because I didn't order the special items, the below three photos are from HK01's report on the exhibition.

Left: The Flame Transmutation Set is fish cake + yakitori, and when you order it you'll get the food in a small black box, then the staff will help you light it up when you snap at it; basically you can pretend to be Mustang and "cook" the yakitori yourself xD

Right: The (Full)metal Transmutation Drink is peach soda, but it comes unmixed; you can put it on a special table with a transmutation circle drawn on it, and the table will shake and mix the drink for you. The idea is you can make your own liquid philosopher's stone and drink it lol

I think they're both really stupid but in an endearing way I guess lmao

♡♡♡♡

It's really late so I will organize and post the list of available goods tmr :3 stay tuned!

[nyappyforeverbr]

Interview: An Cafe × hévn Magazine vol.13 nº107 │Part #2

After 9 years, An Cafe is back on the cover of hévn magazine! The limited edition of issue 107 brings the members of An Cafe, who celebrate in 2023, the 20th anniversary of the beginning of activities! The magazine was released on September 30, 2022 and all copies have been sold (we do not know the number of copies that were produced). Veteran Visual-kei band Dolly is on the back cover. We bring here the translation of the magazine's main interview!

Text transcription and translation was performed by Cafekko Mandy

-Miku-san, how did you spend your days after the hiatus was announced? Miku: An Cafe didn't occupy a corner of my head, but rather the very center of my thoughts. I think about An Cafe a lot, and when I see An Cafe uploaded to YouTube, it's not a station that I don't want to remember, but it crosses my mind, but I don't want to accept reality, or I have a conflicting feeling it has been there for a long time . Since I spent a lot of time with the members and fans, I didn't want An Cafe to disappear because Ancafe was very important to me. It was an unforgettable existence.

-Thanks to Miku, who never forgot An Cafe and made a big decision to keep An Cafe alive, the five are back on stage. This is what everyone has been waiting for, so let me just say "thank you". Miku: That kind of thing... It was what I wanted and I thought it was close to the 20th anniversary, so I wondered if there was something I wanted to do. Before we even heard about this event, in my mind I imagined that the five of us could actually perform on stage for our 20th anniversary. If it's the 20th anniversary time, I think everyone would come back at least once.

-Intuition? Miku: Rather than intuition, when I meet and talk with the members every now and then, I feel that everyone likes An Cafe, even if it's not meant to be together.

-Miku-san, did you have the 20th anniversary in mind when you were on hiatus? Miku: I agree. At that time, there were parts where I couldn't see what it would be like, but by the time of the 20th anniversary・・・ I had a vague idea of how it would be. When we celebrated our 15th anniversary, I didn't think that the band would be able to continue activities for 15 years, so the 10th and 15th anniversary seemed far away, but after the 15th anniversary, the 20th anniversary seemed closer if we could meet again.

-First of all, please tell us your frank impressions after finishing the revived outdoor concert [OSAKA MUSE 35th Anniversary Event]. Miku: For example, if I were married and I had a son and his mother, I'd leave the son and mother behind and go on a trip, so it would feel like a family I haven't seen in a long time. I was embarrassed and really wanted to meet, but until I got on stage, I was very worried about what kind of guy I should be in front of everyone. When everyone stood in front of me, this time I was like a dog instead of a child with its mother, but I felt like a dog wagging its tail to greet me in response to my emotions. It eased my tension and I was impressed beyond amusement. However, it is not good to compare it with a dog (laughs). Very. I wanted to say that we were honest with each other

-On the official Twitter account, there was a scene posted after the show where all the members were lined up in a horizontal line and thanking each other. Miku: When I was singing, the stage was so wide that I couldn't see the members' and fans' faces as much, but when the performance ended and everyone lined up and bowed deeply, I felt that the members were like brothers. It felt like I was greeting an important member of my family. That moment was when I was happy that I was able to convey the gratitude that I couldn't convey in music.

-How was it for you, takuya-san? Takuya: I thought I would be really nervous before going on stage, but when I saw Miku-san, who was even more nervous than I was, I was relieved (laughs). Miku: (bitter smile) Takuya: Actually, when I went on stage and played the songs, I found myself playing the guitar one by one while chewing through the songs because they were songs I would never play again. I also have the impression that I managed to put my heart into every song I played for the fans who came. Since I left my own group I was happy to be able to be here again. "Thanks for coming. Nice to meet you again" I think is how I would put my feelings into words.

-How was it for you, Kanon-san? Kanon: In the beginning, there was no curtain before we appeared as a band, and there was a flurry of applause due to the Corona crisis, but I was happy when I heard it. I was so happy and embarrassed that I couldn't face it straight (laughs). Even though I've finished setting things up, I've been messing with the amp for nothing (laughs). But when the performance started, I thought, “This is An Cafe!”. It was like, "Oh my God!" there was a sense of accomplishment for having managed to spit out everything that had accumulated. As the time is fixed at the event, it was difficult to define the songs to be played. But when I was like, "I'm going to play this song. This one too...", after that, we went into the studio and decided while we were discussing things like: "How about not doing this song?".

-Yuuki-san was nervous? Yuuki: I felt safe. I wasn't nervous until then, but when the event started, I could hear the crowd cheering and I started to get nervous. I was happy when I felt that the audience and the music were intertwined, and I was glad that I came. When the performance ended and I said a few words, the smiles and happy tears of the people who came to see me, I felt that they came to see us with this in mind, at the time of the last bow, I couldn't find another word other than "thank you ".

-What are your impressions, Teruki-san? Teruki: This day's live wasn't something I put together saying "Let's do this", someone said "Would you like to do this?" during rehearsals and live performances, I kept thinking it was because people gathered there. Everyone but me thought, "There won't be another chance like this", I put together all the pieces I had in mind, and thought that there really was such a possibility. I gave up because of my own selfishness, so I felt anxious, grateful, and regretful. With the departure of the members and the hiatus in January 2019... Some members chose paths other than music, and I thought this is how the band would really end. Despite that, of course I'm happy, but it's an important premise, but there's still a band called An Cafe, and An Cafe is doing it again now... I was playing with such a strange feeling.

-Teruki-san felt that way, even though at An Cafe he was himself. Teruki: You just said An Cafe itself, but it's a band created by a lot of people. Because I'm one of the cogs, now I guess I can't say "I can't" when everyone says "let's do it".

-How did you feel when you heard about the event? Teruki: For the [OSAKA MUSE 35th Anniversary Event], Miku-kun and the staff talked about it, and Miku-kun asked me to participate. It was right around the time I came into contact with Miku-kun for the first time in a while, and the two of us went out to eat together a few times. To be honest, my wish to be in this band stayed with me for a long time, and when I met Miku-kun and talked about various things, that feeling got stronger and made me want to make a band with Miku-kun again. In the middle of that, I was approached about an event, so I honestly said "I really want you to do this" and approached the members. Miku: I was happy, but honestly, I thought about a lot of things. I had a vague idea that we would meet somehow for the 20th anniversary, but I wondered if it would be good to do a show before that 20th anniversary. But it's incredible that OSAKA MUSE, to which I am indebted until now, has reached its 35th anniversary and that, even with venues closing due to the corona crisis, it has been loved by everyone for 35 years. I think it stayed open for so long because the staff are all kind, I felt strongly that there was no reason to decline the venue's invitation, and I was able to act.

[pipofthewild]

Natsuyuu 20th Anniversary Cafe menu!

The official concept menu for the first session of the 20th Anniversary Natsume Cafe has been released on Twitter... with temporary names like "Matoba-san Was Eating Under The Meeting Table!? Canape". Genius.

From the tweet:

The first session edition of the menu has been released! 🍽️ The menu has dishes, desserts and drinks inspired by charcters from Natsuyuu, and some reproduce scenes from the manga...

(pics and TL behind cut)

From L-R, top to bottom: "\A kind taste/ Corn Fried Rice"

"Tanuma is as Slender as a Beansprout(!?) Beansprout Namul Salad"

"Just Like Hinoe's Hair!? Seaweed Soup"

"Natori-san's Paper Dolls are Attached Gratin"

"All Nyanko-Sensei's Favourite Things ❤️ Curry"

"Matoba-san Was Eating Under The Meeting Table!? Canape"

From L-R, top to bottom:

"Orange drink inspired by Nyanko-sensei"

"Return the name - drink inspired by Natsume"

"Drink inspired by the Ramune spring, which everyone went to search for"

"Purple sweet potato drink inspired by Hinoe"

"Soda inspired by Reiko-san"

"Taki's Array Latte"

From L-R, top to bottom:

"The Eclairs That Taki Gave Me ♪ Dessert Plate"

"Sensei Got Huge (!?) Castella Sponge Cake Plate"

"The Wonky Flower Bed Natsume Made For Touko-san Tiramisu"

"Everyone's Favourite! Dango and Tea Set"

"Which Is The Real Nyanko-Sensei!? Imitation Nyanko Random Latte"

※ These photos are all images. Actual product may differ slightly.

※The text for each photo is not the official name of the menu item

LOOKING TASTY.

(The Natsume LaLa editor said she taste tested them at the weekend, loved them, ate too much, and had to go home with her belt done up 2 holes looser…)

Source

[muichirosboba]

YALL WE GOT JUJU JUICE

This is from Shonen Jump's new installments in their official store for their 20th anniversary!

More anime series's merch and new official art from mangaka is being showcased, as well as inspired food items in their "Jump Cafe".

Their pop-up store's location for this is Ikeburo, Tokyo.

FEATURED:

Jujutsu Kaisen

Demon Slayer

My Hero Academia

Bleach

DragonBall Z

Haikyuu!

One Piece

AND POSSIBLY MORE!

I found this out from this article:

Like it says: life-size Satoru Gojo 😏

Now bask in the information pookies!!

[revacholianpizzaagenda]

Sacred and Terrible Air ch1+2 summary

Chapters index

1. CHARLOTTESJÄL

Maj (5), Anni-Elin (12), Målin (13) and Charlotte Lund (14) are the daughters of education minister Ann-Margaret Lund and paper industrialist Karl Lund. On the 20th anniversary of the girls’ historic disappearance in a vacation area outside Vaasa, the narration goes through their last known movements, as told by the last people who saw them: the bus ride to the Charlottesjäl beach, the ice creams they always bought, the three meat piroshkis they splurged on.

On that day, three boys are discussing whether to call the girls or to wait some more when a super deep paleness fills the room.

2. CLASS REUNION

We are introduced to the three boys in the present time (72, Vaasa, end of September).

Inayat Khan is an unemployed Iilmaraan living with his mother and a collector of disappearances-related memorabilia. Badly dressed, fat, bespectacled, unshaven, big sad eyes. Jesper de la Guardie is a high concept interior designer whose shoes alone are worth 3k reál. Blond, blue eyes, rich, empty inside. Tereesz Machejek is a Zsiemski International Collaboration Police agent. Potato-haired skrunkled beanpole in a herringbone coat. We begin to see how their lives are still tragically wrapped around the girls’ disappearance, to the point of fetishizing a scrunchie. The trio meets again on the occasion of a class reunion. Reconnecting past a falling out with Khan a few years back, Jesper has news and invites the others to a certain cafe to share them – he will need to use the projector there. As they leave, distant sleigh bells are heard.

La Puta Madre is name-dropped in passing in 64, still going strong as an interisolary drug lord, if anyone asked.

[bunnymajo]

Love and Berry 20th Anniversary Cafe Promo

[asumictransl]

Voice in Blue Guest Messages

translation on (09/22/2023)

From the Voice in Blue concert booklet

Messages from Asumi Rio's four top musumeyaku, and her classmate!

Content below the cut

Ranno Hana

Q1. What comes to mind when you think of Asumi Rio?

In the past, meat! The day before a shinjin kouen or shonichi she would take me out to eat some meat and then we’d quickly disperse! Ah... I wish I could say something cuter. Asumi, how are you doing now?

Q2. If you could appear together in a show together again, what kind of relationship would you like to play?

I love her Matsugae Kiyoaki in Spring Snow, so an extremely sadistic and arrogant person...... No, wait, I’d like to bicker on stage with an extremely arrogant Asumi (laughs)!

Q3. A message for Asumi Rio’s 20th Anniversary

Asumi, congratulations on your 20th anniversary. From her hatsubutai in Senor Don Juan, even when I was a fan, I always watched Asumi shining on stage...... Then I too became a part of Moon Troupe, and we were paired together for the first time in Fancy Dance’s chuuzume, then from there it was every performance. Then there was the Yume no Ukihashi shinjin kouen, then my transfer, and then finally our fateful reunion in Flower Troupe. She also had that truly unexpected Elisabeth ohirome. I was happy from the bottom of my heart to be able to sing, dance, and act with her again.

Asumi Rio is a glimmer of hopeful light!! Throughout these 20 years, I’ve always felt this way. Today I’d like to celebrate with all of my love with the other former wives and you guys!

Kano Maria

Q1. What comes to mind when you think of Asumi Rio?

Courage.

I was able to study under and be guided by such an incredibly courageous person known as Asumi Rio. Even after accomplishing a beautiful change from otokoyaku to actress, the way I see courage in her is everlasting. She would give me advice on how to be better on stage while wiping away my tears, and when I almost fell down the stairs in stage rehearsals she firmly grabbed me and saved me...... There’s too many times like that to list where her courage was on display!

Q2. If you could appear together in a show together again, what kind of relationship would you like to play?

Something unlike in our Takarazuka era with a simple set, like a play dialogue heavy show, and our roles being close to one another (what a luxury that would be). Something like a relationship between two people who happened to be sitting next to each other on the shinkansen, or two regular customers to a cozy cafe...... My dreams are endless.

Q3. A message for Asumi Rio’s 20th Anniversary

Congratulations on your 20th anniversary. I am truly honored to be able to be a part of your celebratory concert. Asumi will always be my driving force. For that ever-shining person, from the bottom of my heart here is my utmost respect and thanks. Here’s to a wonderful concert!

Senna Ayase

Q1. What comes to mind when you think of Asumi Rio?

Hydrangeas!

I heard that she liked them, and whenever hydrangeas come in season and begin to bloom I always think of Asumi. Nowadays, whenever I see a pretty one blooming on the roadside I always get happy and take a picture...... so now my phone’s camera roll is full of pictures (laughs). At some point they became one of my favorite flowers!

Q2. If you could appear together in a show together again, what kind of relationship would you like to play?

Childhood friends! I think it would be really fun to play an affectionate drinking scene talking to each other. I always thought that scenes where Asumi was drunk were so excellent and impressive, so the fans must also love it, right?!

Q3. A message for Asumi Rio’s 20th Anniversary

Congratulations on your 20th anniversary! I have been so moved and inspired by the way you always think so thoroughly about your roles and pour all the love that you have into playing each and every one. To be able to celebrate such a momentous anniversary with you makes me truly happy. I’ll sing with every bit of heart and care.

Yuki Hana

Q1. What comes to mind when you think of Asumi Rio?

She never compromises anything no matter what.

If she has the slightest bit of time, she’s training, practicing her singing, it’s an image that’s seared into my brain... her after rehearsals alone doing those voluntary trainings. Of course her costumes and accessories as well, and her specific angles, etc; she’s particular about everything down to the millimeter. Witnessing that part of Asumi up close, spending those years with her, it gave me truly invaluable experiences in my life.

Q2. If you could appear together in a show together again, what kind of relationship would you like to play?

I really love Asumi singing “Ai wo tomenai de” in her concert Love Arena (I love any Asumi though) just before she retired, and I think the lyrics, “Because I will protect you no matter what,” were a nosebleed moment for everyone else too. Just like these lyrics, my delusion is wanting to see a delinquent Asumi, and get taken out on a date by said delinquent Asumi...

Q3. A message for Asumi Rio’s 20th Anniversary

Asumi, congratulations on your 20th anniversary. I am truly happy to be able to celebrate with you like this. I am the utmost grateful for the miracle of having Asumi come to live as Asumi Rio, and being able to meet and hold such a relationship like this. I will continue to pray for Asumi’s continued health and happiness from here on.

Nagina Ruumi

Q1. What comes to mind when you think of Asumi Rio?

A translucent being. Going back to around 23 years ago, on the day of Takarazuka’s entrance exam day, I passed by Sayumi* in the hallway and I had to look again because she was shining with cuteness and beauty. ‘These are the kind of girls that get accepted,’ I thought. Our examination numbers were close, and we also sat opposite of each other once, such translucent skin and beauty, I just sat there and gazed at her without thinking. Even now this hasn’t changed a bit, when we had the chance to do a job together for the first time in forever the other day, I excitedly threw out a barrage of questions like, “Why are you so cute!” “Why do you just glow like that!” (laughs).

Q2. If you could appear together in a show together again, what kind of relationship would you like to play?

When we performed together we were parent and child, so something outside of that, as long as the roles are sufficiently intertwined with each other!

Q3. A message for Asumi Rio’s 20th Anniversary

Congrats on your 20th anniversary concert. When you think about it, we have a 20-some year relationship. Not just your translucent beauty, but also that translucent* heart you have always had continues to heal me. An actress that with such translucence added on top of the talent of working hard, has the charm of being able to be painted in any role. I have nothing but respect for her. I’m truly happy to have been classmates with Sayumi, and now once again be able to star with her like this. She has an irreplaceable existence. Here’s to eternity, from now until we become (grandpas?) grandmas.

I’m truly looking forward to Sayumi’s continued growth in her life as an actress. Notes:

*Mirio's real name is Sayumi, so this is what her classmates call her.

*What Kacha means by 'translucent heart' likely some sens of 'pure', but she uses the same word she used to describe her beauty so I kept it for effect.

Wow long time no post... It's not that I haven't been trying to translate I've just never finished anything lol. But yes its been a crazy year both in terms of Mirio and just normal life!! I'm sure most of you know my Mirio happenings (if you don't just know I'm living my best life), and who would have guessed that even though theater is so much fun, going on top of school and work stills drains so much energy out of you. I'm going to do my best to translate more things out of this concert booklet because it honestly has so much content and the concert was just, long story short, amazing. Thanks for reading!!