#i actually love the fact that keito takes everything so seriously

[macaronnya]

Fresh(?) Impressions (5)

Other parts: |Trickstar| |UNDEAD| |2wink| |Ra*bits| |Akatsuki| |fine| |Ryuseitai| |Knights| |Valkyrie| |Switch| |MaM/Double Face/Crazy:B| |Eden| |Alkaloid|

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Hello Enstarries~☆ It is the next unit, Akatsuki! I don't have anything to write here as an introduction anymore but leaving it empty is weird, especially with the lengthy disclaimer. So, I'll just babble a bit here. As of now, the first shuffle event is here! I am aiming to get Kaoru! Idk if I'll actually like him as much as I hope but I like the song, his card is pretty and I can always use another Glitter 5☆ rn. I hope he won't be too expensive....

DISCLAIMER!: Everything said here is for entertainment purposes only and not meant to attack anyone. This is not an accurate description of any characters but my subjective rambling for fun, so please don't take it too seriously. (Just to be safe, I'm kinda scared of elite idol fans) Also, you will hear me mention other games a bunch of times bc I'm that bad and uncreative at explaining and I'm still grieving A3!EN's shutdown. Eng is my 2nd (or 3rd?) language.

Without further ado...Let's Ensemble!☆

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I love traditional japanese music mixed with modern, or to be precise, hearing kotos and shamisen playing with modern intruments in modern tunes. It's just SO cool and beautiful, just what their unit theme is, according to enstars wikia. I like the majority of their songs. As far as I know, akatsuki means dawn or so (Akatsuki no Yona = Yona of the Dawn), which explains their red theme. I like their outfits quite a bit as well. Kimonos are SO pretty and I like their more loose approach to it. All the colors work so well together! Oh, and I thought it's cool how they danced with swords and fans (like in Love Live or Pretty Rhythm). Anyways, weren't they one of the ruling and oppressive units in the "!" era? Yikes 😬 Well, they're good now.

8/10 - really like their music and the members are kinda funny

Keito Hasumi

He is, what one and he himself would call, a hobbyless person. Anzu just asked him why he was sitting alone and he went on and on just to say he didn't know what to do with his free time lol He looks so boring at first with his student council president look and aura but the fact that he masks his awkwardness with long paragraphs and lectures, plus he likes comics, reminds me of Sakyo (A3!), which makes him funny again. It even fits with the I-used-to-be-an-evil-boss or whatever happened in the "!" era. And what's up with his points system 😂 Does he have a whole book with everyones' names and points inside it, that he carries everywhere? Would have an actualy blacklist. Or maybe even: Dear Diary, today Miss Producer made fun of me :( Gosh, Leona (Twst), his VA twin would fold him in half in a second. With all of that done, I like his voice. It's a weird mix of being high and deep at the same time but not really and it feels like drinking cold water.

6.5/10 - pathetic funny man I'd be too scared of him in rl tho bc of his authorative air

Kuro Kiryu

Kazuma Kiryu?!?!?!?! (Yakuza series) Big scary looking guy who changed his way of being a gangster to being a big dorky softie 💕 We love to see it. Big bro, likes sewing, caring, hubby material He may not be a man of many words but that's OK, I'm sure his actions prove his good intentions. He seems like he can cook and do housework. Probably has a single father. I love this trope of scary giant with a heart of gold so so much He's also ambitious enough to pursue both being an idol and designer!!! Literally a fusion of Yuki, Omi and Juza (A3!). Is his hair color red or black? Whatever it is, I bet if a card of him with his hair down comes out, everyone is gonna go crazy (me included).

8/10 - good boy, I'd pat his head

Souma Kanzaki

He never grew out of his chuuni phase and even went as far as to get an official license for his sword, if that isn't dedication idk what is. -insert meme of a guy cutting cake with a giant sword but instead it's a fish and his katana- He's like Gakupo (Vocaloid) but real. May or may not be friends with the ninja guy. He used to have a lot of friends in elementary school but then became a loner, is what I imagine. Dude didn't even realise people were kinda put off by his sword. If he has a license, then he practices kendo, right? He can actually wield it, right? If he also likes swords a lot and not just being a samurai, he'd have a field day with Touken Ranbu. His voice is softer than I imagined it to be, it has a pudding like texture.

7.5/10 - part of the drama gangy, would be the uncle kids love only for his cool things

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Conclusion

They can live perfectly fine in a house with just the three of them without burning it down. We have a cook, smn who does the paperwork and finances, and a handy guy. Honestly, still a pretty normal group here. I can't wait for more songs of them to come.

That's about it this time. I hope you found it nice and all if you made it this far. If you have any thoughts you wanna share, just remember, that everything is just for fun and stay polite! See you in the next part~☆

[clockworkspider]

Oh no... They're trying so hard

[hsj-scenarios]

Jump! in horror movies: Starting with Hey! Say! 7

Yamada Ryosuke: Evil Dead (2013)

Movie synopsis: Mia, a drug addict, is determined to kick the habit. To that end, she asks her brother, David, his girlfriend, Natalie and their friends Olivia and Eric to accompany her to their family’s remote forest cabin to help her through withdrawal. Eric finds a mysterious Book of the Dead at the cabin and reads aloud from it, awakening an ancient demon. All hell breaks loose when the malevolent entity possesses Mia.

For Yamada I quite frankly had an ABUNDANCE of horror picks for him, from Hannibal, Tate Langdon and Kit Walker, etc ..

But I decided to go with Evil Dead, instead of making him the villain I went for the hero (sorta) Since Yamada is a friends and family guy who holds deeply the moments he spends with loved ones and is loyal to family moments specially, I wouldn’t doubt he’d stop everything he’s doing to take time for his sibling in need and spend time with her.

However, Yamada is very well known for being a scaredy-cat when it comes to ghosts and such but let’s keep in perspective that this is his sister life on the line (even if she’s turned into a terrifying demon). A few of Yamada’s traits as a Taurus are devotion and responsibility, mix those with seeing his sibling in threatening danger and he’s capable of putting up a great fight and leaving behind his fears; not only for his sibling’s sake but for everyone else accompanying him in the cabin. Again, friends and family are the most important things in his life.

Whether or not Yamada gets killed off it would surely be for the sake and safety of his sibling’s life, if not he would not rest until the demonic entity is no longer haunting his sibling, he already lost most of his friends to the demon, he wouldn’t bare to lose his sibling.

So for Yamada, I think he’d make a great hero for this kind of horror flick!

Chinen Yuri: Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Movie Synopsis: In 1944 Spain young Ofelia and her ailing mother arrive at the post of her mother’s new husband, a sadistic army officer who is trying to quell a guerrilla uprising. While exploring an ancient maze, Ofelia encounters the faun Pan, who tells her that she is a legendary lost princess and must complete three dangerous tasks in order to claim immortality.

Pan’s Labyrinth seemed like the perfect flick for Chinen and I mostly picked it because in some ways he reminds me of Ofelia (the protagonist).

The scene that really screams Chinen to me is the one where Ofelia finds herself in the presence of the ‘Pale Man’, a skinny and terrifying child-eating monster with his eyes placed inside his hands. After Ofelia was warned not to consume anything on the table, she eats two grapes, awakening the Pale Man who then ate two of the fairies protecting Ofelia.

A few of Chinen’s weaknesses are being impatient and saying anything no matter how insensitive, much like a child. Being constrained isn’t something he likes either, now freedom and being outdoors is something he much rather do, much like our character Ofelia.

He’s curious and very much energetic, I believe Chinen would easily accept the Faun’s three tasks in return for immortality, but he’d do them his way despite the warnings.

However, the faun asks for the blood of an innocent in order to open the portal to the underworld and although Chinen may desire the gifts the faun offers he in no way would trade his baby brother’s blood, he wouldn’t have the heart to harm a child for his own pleasures, therefore he would prefer disobeying the faun’s orders.

But in return to the faun’s requests Chinen would offer his own blood due to a wound shot, and for that he passes the the final test, which was to spill his own blood rather than that of a child’s.

So despite Chinen having ‘bratty’ or ‘childlike’ behavior, he would still put himself first instead of harming an innocent one.

(Ps. This movie is much more detail than what I’m giving you and even though I called Chinen bratty and childlike I do not think of him in that way seriously, it’s just for the movie purpose)

Okamoto Keito: Silent Hill (2006)

Movie Synopsis: Rose Da Silva and her husband Christopher are deeply disturbed by their adopted daughter Sharon’s constant sleepwalking and nightmares about Silent Hill, a town that was abandoned 30 years ago due to a massive coal seam fire. Against Christopher’s wishes, Rose takes Sharon on a trip to Silent Hill to find answers. Her erratic behaviour concerns police officer Cybil Bennett. Rose flees from Cybil, but when a girl steps out into the road, Rose crashes and blacks out. Waking up some time later, Rose finds herself in the foggy dimension of Silent Hill and realizes that Sharon is missing.Exploring the town for Sharon, Rose pursues the same girl she encountered prior to the crash, but the town transitions into a nightmarish dimension inhabited by inhuman monsters, including the fearsome Pyramid Head.

For Keito I decided to pick Silent Hill, oddly enough! For those who know of the films and original games perhaps may think this is a very odd movie pick, perhaps by the disturbing darkness this film has and Keito’s ‘soft’ or ‘shy’ personality.

However, as timid and quiet as Keito seems to be in front of the cameras I do believe he possesses determination, courage and confidence. He may also have some aggressive tendencies if rubbed the wrong way (No, I do not mean this in an abusive way whatsoever).

With those characteristics I believe he’d have the perfect undying passion to go look for his missing adopted child despite the horrifying creatures he would encounter. I have no doubt Keito would be scared out of his mind but knowing his child is missing with inhuman monsters lurking around is a reason enough to put up a good front and face them.

His impulses and impatience might get him into trouble and perhaps nearly killed, but for me he’ll be the hero for his child. Through his journey within Silent Hill he will meet certain people and he would seek help in finding his child and also try to understand what goes on in the disturbing town.

I strongly believe that despite the town’s horrific story and the things he had seen, plus his own fears, he would absolutely put his child first. For them he would fight the monsters and the cult, anything to find safety for his child, and to get the hell out of Silent Hill.

Nakajima Yuto: Tate Langdon from American Horror Story: Murder House (2010) 

Drama Synopsis: It centers on the Harmon family: Dr. Ben Harmon, Vivien and their daughter Violet, who move from Boston to Los Angeles after Vivien has a miscarriage and Ben has an affair. They move into a restored mansion, unaware that the house is haunted by the ghosts of its former residents and their victims.

Tate Langdon: Tate Langdon is the son of Constance Langdon and brother of Adelaide, Beauregard, and another unnamed sibling. He is a sociopathic teenage ghost who resides in the Murder House, and becomes romantically involved with Violet Harmon. He first appears in the pilot episode as one of Ben’s new patients. During a session, Tate describes an ongoing dream in which he commits a mass shooting at his high school. It is revealed in “Halloween (Part 2)” that Tate was allegedly responsible for a school shooting that took the lives of fifteen of his classmates.

Now this is a rather odd pick considering I initially intended in placing Yamada as Tate, but I wanted to try something different with Yuto so I went with American Horror Story.

(Note: Firstly, I won’t lie, I feel a bit iffy adding Tate to this list considering the actual school shootings that have happened, but keep in mind Tate is a mere character and I do not approve any of his behavior nor do I think Tate or Yuto are really or anything alike, this is all for fun and not to be taken seriously.)

A few of Yuto’s traits are being warm-hearted, generous and passionate and a negative few are being ignored and facing difficult realities much like Tate.

I can very easily see Yuto getting involved with the new girl, and after years of loneliness that relationship might get clingy from Yuto’s side. However, as twisted as he could be he wouldn’t miss a chance in reminding his loved one how much he loves them. When Yuto loves, he loves genuinely and hard. He is sincere and would show his feelings with much ease and clarity.

But within the house Yuto’s warm-hearted self would also obligate him to do good for others and help those in need, no matter how gruesome the task, he’d do anything to please others just for the sake of bringing them happiness even if it’s just for a moment. He would pretty much take the initiative in resolving the problems of others.

He would see to it to grant others wishes, even if murdering was involved.

Tate Langdon wasn’t a family guy, except for his younger sister Adelaide. In Yuto’s case, family isn’t the first thing he thinks about when waking up or going to sleep, he is independent and would spend most of his time not only in the murder house in which he died in but more so with his lover.

With his arrogance and stubbornness he would very easily ignore and detach himself from his promiscuous mother. He could appreciate the fact that his mother was seeking help for his disturbing dreams/past but truth be told he much preferred and enjoyed spending time with his psychiatrist’s daughter.

Because just for once, he could feel genuine happiness and mental stability. For him, love was a much greater thing than accepting the fact that he was after all, the ghost of a murderer.

[sambart93]

2017.12.14 Adekan 2 [Review]

I was so excited to go and see this! I was surprised how small the theatre ended up being! I thought 12th row would be like the middle of the threat but turned out to be the second to last row! But even though it was a smaller venue, the boys felt so much closer to us! The stage everything felt really close which is gooood!

CAST and CHARACTERS

Sakurai Keito as Yoshizawa Shiro Mikami Shun as Yoshizawa Anri Suehara Takuma as Yamada Koujiro Tanoue Marina as Mutsukuchi Hayashino Takeshi as Tachibana Shinzou Noda Hirotaka as Wakabayashi Kenichi Kano Kazuma as Yugami Murata Hisashi as Sakura Haruto Kato Ryosuke as Uchiuma Akito Ensemble: Okada Agasa, Yoshino Teppei,  Osawa Shinji, Takashi Yukiya and Akama Hide

NON-SPOILER REVIEW Overall: If you thought the last one was nose-bleedy and sexy enough, WAIT until you see this one! Oh my! I don’t remember the first one having THIS much nakedness, this much implied sex, this many kisses nor these many moans! It was so bad! Seriously, we girls in the audience.. some people DID squeal because some parts really did get you hot and sweaty. BUT past all the sexiness, there’s actually a really good story and a heart-touching one too; we all ended up crying by the end of it! I was weeping like a baby by the end. This was a lot of fun, very sexy, but also has a real solid story. I really have no qualms or complaints about this one ^_^ Rating: 8/10

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SPOILER REVIEW

Where do I start with this.... the story I guess? I’m a little fuzzy on the details but I’ll try my best:

STORY

There has been a series of people being killed and decapitated near a run-down community. Shiro goes to investigate and discovers it’s a community of ex-convicts or simply people who want to escape their past. The owner of the community accepts everyone and anyone, and makes it a rule that people don’t pry in others business when it’s not wanted; he’s not interested in what they did or might have done so long as everyone is good; everyone deserves a second chance, is the life lesson he’s living by. And of course his brother Anri gets involved a long the way and part of Shiro’s past comes up.

DONE! Without getting into all the spoils >.<

Now for the real spoils!

So Anri goes undercover to find out what’s happening at the community as well as Mutsukuchi experimenting on people and turning them into abominations; one also being the culprit who's taking people and decapitating them because they have the desire to eat human flesh. During one of the fights, Shiro gets seriously injured but luckily an old friend (Sakura) and his comrade (Akito) turn up to help him - they too have come to Shiro for help.

But it turns out Sakura just wanted to manipulate and take Shiro's power; when he turns on Shiro and tries to cut off his arm, Anri is too late to help but ends up using his power in order to save Shiro's life. It's implied that Anri's body has gone back to that of a child in order to help save Shiro, but it's never revealed or confirmed.

I'll leave the rest to surprise you.

The ending is what makes it though; the old man of the community, Yugami, had taken Anri in and taken a liking to him, but after he learns that Anri was just manipulating and using him, he starts to doubt his life and feels like leaving because so many in the community see him as this god-like leader. There is one character who is a super old man, who goes to visit Yugami every day to show him his flower, and at the end of this scene while Yugami is having his real down moment and yelling 'I am not a god! What do these people want from me! It's better if I die! Kill me! Kill me! There is no point in me living any more! Kill me!!!' the old man just walks on stage and finally, his flower has bloomed (this is where I started balling!) and he had come to show him but he over hears all these. When Yugami realises the old man heard everything, he's distraught, but the old man tells him that he wanted to show him the flower everyday, it doesn't matter what he did, he gave the old man a new way of life so now it's time for him to give Yugami meaning in his life too. I am not doing this scene justice at all because it's just heartbreaking and heartwarming all in about the space of 5 minutes. It's one of my favourite scenes from the stage.

Other favourite scenes would be:

This also relates to my favourite character which is DEFINITELY Wakabayashi, the Mousou King. He is absolutely hilarious! He essentially daydreams about having sex with Shiro all day, but because it's only in his head and his imagtination, he claims he isn't gay xD he is absolutly hilarious and kudos to Keito because during Wakabayashi's first scene Keito is literally naked on stage bar a metal disk that he's holding to cover his private area. And then Wakabayashi gets behind him and starts thrusting and the doors close as Shiro starts seriously moaning. It was a very raunchy scene! And then another scene with Wakabayashi is actually a higawari/daily-change scene when he meets Sakura and suddenly he's like 'Oohhh Yamada and Sakura together?!'. The day I went he gave three commands; The first was that Yamada puts his head on Sakura's lap, and the second; turn the other way so his face is in Sakura's crotch and grope his chest, to which Sakura started moaning, and the final command; to nozzle their noses. He left them to do it for like a good minute and Yamada was like 'can we stop now? Can we stop?!' and Wakabayashi was like 'nah, I'm good. Keep going ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... okay that's enough' I'm pretty sure the actors hated him after xD I know Murata wrote on his blog that he was embarrassed and is always worried every show for that scene because he doesn't know what Wakabayashi is going to say >.<

Another scene I loved was with Tachibana. Just after Anri infiltrates and gets in with the community leader, Anri is left in his room and he opens the side wall and BAM Tachibana had been eaves dropping. He tries to get through the small square in the wall but really struggles. Eventually he does. On his way out he struggles again and ends up going back through butt first xD 

Another great scene is when Mutsukuchi is telling off Anri but he doesn't want to deal with responsibility. She tells him to get out and he says something like 'okay I'll go and strip!' and goes down the aisle and starts taking his kimono/cloak off. BUT before that scene, Anri enters from the right side door and approaches a girl on the either and tells her to touch him, and to touch him more but Mutsukuchi turns up and tells him to stop xD

However, one scene that really hurt my heart though is towards the end; I really liked Sakura and Akito, even when Sakura turned on Shiro, I still liked him (blame it on the actor-biasness). BUT THEN(!!!!) he turns on Akito and kills him!! He tells him that they were never friends, that all he even did was manipulate him into doing Sakura's bidding! But after Akito is dead, Sakura says 'the last part (he said he hated him) was a lie'. But you can't completely blame Sakura because in ANOTHER scene, we see him stripped of his upper clothing and is getting whipped to crap by his dad! So clearly there's abuse and mental issues there with Sakura -- I hope Shiro can save him in the next stage. But I am SO upset Sakura killed Akito! I wanted more gayness and adventures with them two! They were a great pair =[ I was so shocked at him betraying Akito.

Going back to the sexy things that happened: There were so many kisses! There were some between Anri and Akito. Another between Anri and Mutsukuchi which shocked everyone and especially after the kiss where he so softly saying 'I really do like you'.

Now to character/acting points:

Of course Keito did a great job as Shiro! He definitely went all out this time! It takes guts to go all out naked on stage with nothing but a metal disk covering your parts, and he did look do a few times to make sure he was completely covered! Of course, the fight scenes he was in were great too! In fact all the fact scenes were great!

I really liked how this time Yamada has trouble trusting Shiro and vice-versa and it creates a distance between them. Yamada really struggles and he has a moment where he's like 'Am I even Shiro's friend?! I don't even know anything about him!' but luckily they finally meet up again towards the end and it's a beautiful moment of 'yes these two were always friends. How could they not be!' ^_^

Speaking of fight scenes; there's one moment where he's fighting against Sakura and he does his signature 'crotch in the face' pin down xD Poor Murata >.< it was fabulous haha Also I'm now super interested if he really meant it to Mutsukuchi when he said he liked her. Because it was a proper kiss and everyone went silent in shock and the way he said he liked her sounded so serious and true.

I really liked Murata in this and his character! Naturally, I appreciated the shirtless whipping scene even though it sounded super duper painful. Also the fact that his weapon is a damn whip!! OH YEAH!! xD But still(!) he's freaking switch-a-ro and betraying his friend was a huge shocker1 But damn he better be back in the third stage!! And I freaking LOVE his outfit! And fighting in THOSE heels?! DAMN! xD

Also Kato did a great job as Akito too! I am so upset we won't be coming back though -- or at least it seems like it! I really, really liked his and Sakura's relationship. Also the fight scene where he just kept getting kissed was hilarious too!

I have nothing else left to say except GIVE ME A SECOND LIVE AND/OR A THIRD STAGE ASAP PLEASE!!!

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GOODS

Even the goods are riskee o_O

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And we’re done! I’m super excited to see which higawaris made the DVD recording and stuff >.<

[sambart93]

2017.09.19 Nanbaka Review!

I got to see JP again ^_^ *peace sign* And I’d always wanted to watch Nanbaka but after a friend told me they gave up after the first episode, I was a little cautious but the fact it got a stage meant that it was good and popular right?...right?! So I watched the anime about 2 weeks before I saw the stage and I loved the anime immediately! It’s so much fun yet still has really dark moments in it! Give me season 3 now!! Anyway, so because of that, I was super excited for the stage even more! And also with the visuals and it having such a great cast: I always enjoy Tomorun’s performance, I love JP, I really like Ire and want to support him whenever I can (without going out of my way), it has NAOYA in it as probably my (most/second) favourite character -- it was looking promising!

Lets get on with it!

Official Twitter here Official Website here Press Coverage 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Video Coverage 1, 2, 3 PreOrder the DVD here, here or here

CAST and CHARACTERS

Akazawa Tomoru as 15/Jyuugo Kitazono Ryo as 1/Uno Shiozaki Ire as 69/Rock Yasukawa Junpei as 25/Niko KIMERU as Mitsuba Kiji Utsumi Daisuke as Yozakura Kenshiro Hashimoto Taito as Goku Samon Takagi Shun as Hitokoe Mitsuru Utsumi Akiyoshi as Tsukumo Miyamoto Hidemitsu as Musashi Hoshino Yuta as Rian Inagaki Seiya as Godai Yamato Okuyama Keito as Tanabata Seitaro Momiyama Kenta as Sugoroku Hitoshi Gomoto Naoya as Sugoroku Hajime Ensemble

NON-SPOILER REVIEW Overall: Guys!! This was absolutely hilarious and so much fun! They were joking when Tomourun said in the dress rehearsals that it's basically idiots running around for 2 hours, because that's literally what happens! It's complete comical madness and it's SO MUCH FUN! I enjoyed this so damn much!! I don't even know where to start with this! It's entertaining, purposely and accidentally funny (parts that are scripted and parts that are adlibbed), there's a lot of audience participation (even teasing one of the characters xD), the songs are very well done, the characters are enjoyable, the story is simple with a lot of madness thrown in, the staging is great and how it's used, lots of running around the theatre so everyone can get close to them, even though it's hilarious I actually ended up crying at one part towards the end, Tomorun's acting was on point as usual, the costume are great, it's just... just go and watch this god dammit! I preordered the DVD at the venue because it's that good! I am trash... Seriously, everyone needs to watch this if they want a good time! I also highly recommend the anime/manga to get a little taste of the show before you start this stage. I need the dvd for this NOW! I need a second stage NOW! Rating: 9/10  - one of the best I've seen this year.

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SPOILER REVIEW

PRESHOW

I knew my seat was row 1, but I really didn’t know just how damn close my seat would really be! Also that I'd be right next to the DAMN stairs! I freaked straight away! And then I freaked out even more when I had the ENTIRE row to myself until about 2 minutes before the show started, until eventually one person either side of me finally showed up. There were on 3 of us, in the first row, on the right hand side, right next to the stage! It was ridiculous! I was so happy!! 

I've always had good luck with seating for both JP's and Tomorun's stages. Usually for JP I get within the first 2 or 3 rows for a seat and then with Tomorun, he was right next to me and fighting right in front of me and (this is where I get creepy) his clothing brushed against me when I saw Messiah (here). Also it’s thanks to Tomorun (and my friend recommending I see Binan Koukou because he’s a good actor) that I discovered MakiChan -> we all know my love for MakiChan <3 anyway, so in Nanbaka, Tomorun was literally running past me or stood on the steps or crouched down on the right side of the stage. I think he noticed me pretty much straight away too (I don't know what his eyesight is like) because he seemed to flick his eyes over to me when he could get away with it. When he first went onto the stairs next to me I could see him turn and look right at me a moment before going back into his character. I got all dokidoki <3 

Before the stage started they were playing hard rock like Metallica, which is a wonderful starter to set the mood for this stage! I absolutely loved the songs they were playing so it got me even more excited! And then the music itself in the stage is so good! But I've jumped ahead.

OH! Before I forget, there was one girl who had very obviously come to match Hoshino Yuta; she had this red Chinese-like dress/top on and her hair was platted. I love when fans indirectly cosplay to match the characters -- even though I've heard you shouldn’ do it. I know at places such a Tenimyu and TouMyu there's a strict rule about cosplaying and that it's not allowed so I always assumed it was for all the stages too. But sometimes fans do it where they're still wearing normal clothing and such (I've seen quite a few 'not' MakiChan cosplayers at his stages), it just so happens to be very similar to what one character is wearing xD

Anyway, lets get onto the rest of the stage.

THE STORY

This is very faithful to the anime/manga and we do the main introductions then we go into a new guy joining, next the Taikai is announced and so they do three of the competitions: the Daruma knock out; the Karuta; fighting competition. All the while, someone very suspicious with cuts on their neck and running around the prison and naturally this makes 15 go insane but the others take care of it. However, Musashi provokes him and his duel swords come out and Hajime has to fight him. Finally we get the prison scene where Musashi explains his past and asks 15 to find the guy for both their sakes. Hajime tells him because cell 15 won Jyuugo still has time to say what he wants and he says 'Chance wo Kure / give me a chance' and he returns to the cell and story ends. 

So it's a complete story in a way BUT because of that final scene and the mystery of Jyuugos imprisoner (which is still a mystery in the anime too) they could very easily make a second stage. WHICH I want! Right now! Like tomorrow!

I recommend you watch or read the anime/manga before seeing this stage if you want to know the story and get an idea of what could very well pop up in it.

THE STAGE

This stage was so freaking good! I cannot flail enough about how much I enjoyed this stage! Everything was amazing! I loved how faithful to the story it was but they still left a lot of room for extras and higawaris and improvised comedy and such. I love which parts of the anime/manga story they decided to use for this stage. The pacing was great too! Also, there was never a dull moment in this because of how they paced the story and how ot developed and because of how much comedy there was. BUT that's not to say it was just purely comedy; it hard it's dark moments too! I was a little confused during the '5 minutes before show time' part when they said 'oh another extra rule; please laugh a lot! Also, at the end, please cry!' but seriusly, they didn't need to tell us that. I naturally cried. Both at the sad and dark part at the end - also because Tomorun's acting is so freaking enticing and amazing -, and because I enjoyed myself so much I cried through happiness at feeling so satisfied and so entertained for 2 hours, as well as sadness that it was finishing.

I left the theatre and I was literally like this inside:

It was just so amazing,hilarious, fun, heartwarming, such a good production!

I loved the set and who they moved that around and used it. I loved the costumes and how freaking faithful and perfect they looked and acted as the characters. The music and the musical numbers were so great! I enjoyed pretty much all of them and I defintitely want to rip them into MP4s when I get my hands on the DVD - which I preordered without evening thinking about it. I was straight in line to preorder that baby and didn't care how much it was going to cost me -- especially because Nelke are known for not really putting backstages on their DVDs (I kind of do hope we get a backstage for this one because the cast talked about how idiotic their rehearsals were and how fun they were; I want to see that!), but the stage itself, even if I get just that, is so freaking worth the money for this dvd. I loved how they used the projection mapping; I loved the physical props they did; I loved the ridiculousness of this stage. It's just all good right! I actually cannot think of one thing I was disappointed at in this stage << and that's rare as pigs flying for me isn't it!

Did I already mention the comedy was gold? BECAUSE IT WAS! I loved it all! Some scenes/moments I want to mention:

☆ There was a LOT of running around the theatre both on stage and in the seating area which was really nice for all the audience; everyone kind of got chance of being near the actors xD

☆ During the initial introductions scene; Naoya's character Hajime is supposed to be this serious and no messing around character, but during this part, Naoya/Hajime was tapping his fingers against one of the rails along to the beat while Seitarou lipsynced along with this huge smile on his face - immediately this set the mood for 'this is going to be ridiuclous and hilarious!' 

☆ I really loved the scene where Uno won and would sang during the Karuta Competition and the other three (Niko, 15 and Rock) were to the side on an upper level dancing as stupidly as they could! 

☆ AND!!! They did the famous BLEEP scene (it's in the anime too) during the Sports Day Event! I cannot believe it made it into the stage - I loved it! Tomorun was in charge of the bleeping with this massive bleep machine around his neck. It was hilarious! Even during Rock's solo song moment, Tomorun still had it wrapped around his neck so Tomorun 'played' the deck like it was a keyboard or something xD he was seriously rocking out to each.

☆ NONE of these boys gave anything less than 120% energy and performance in this stage. They were all beautiful covered in sweat and using so much freaking energy - it was so much fun to watch! I don't even know why Ire bothered to have his shirt somewhat zipped up because it was pretty much all undone anyway and the sweat coming off him was a spectacle. Tomorun sweated like a beast too and he was hardly wearing anything -- although those 'chains' around his feet and neck would've caused a lot of that sweat.

☆ I loved when Yozakura Kenshiro did his solo song, Hajime and Jyuugo were sat on the floor looking bored, and the moment the song finished, they both yelled 'kimoi!! / that's disgusting!' it was such perfect timing and of course everyone laughed.

☆ Poor Tsukumo! He was just bullied non-stop the entire stage! I was hilarious, pitiful and adorable at the same time! As soon as he appears, Rock, Uno and Niko are like 'you're a ninja!' and Jyuugo is like 'who's this poser? Why you here?' so Tsukumo immediately go shot down. Then (either the same scene or the next) the Cell 13 (Jyuugo, Niko, Rock, Un) guys  start chanting a mean name at him and I remember JP/Niko and Jyuugo turning to the audience to signal them to join in so Tsukumo had like 500 people calling him a mean name for ages xD it was so funny! One other moment that stuff with me was when he went to go off stage one time, and he suddenly yelled 'ouch/itai' as if he's stuck on one of his shurikens or a nail, but then he immediately went '.... nani mo nai/there's nothing there' -- can you HEAR the laughter coming from me?! No? Well, my descriptions are making the hilarious scenes less funny. But just you wait til the DVD comes and you can see it for yourself! Tsukumo just had the worst luck and was treated like crap throughout the entire play, but it was just so hilarious.

☆ Speaking of pitiful people, we have Mitsuru who just before he commentates the Sports Event, he's in the seating area and said: 'How many people bought bromides?! *most of the room* How many people bought MINE?! *3 people put their hands up* well now you've done it, I don't care anymore.' and moped up the stairs xD

☆ The show I saw, Naoya messed up his very first line and everyone died laughing, but he acted like he hadn't messed up and was so professional and just owned the mistake and acted like it wasn't one. Naoya is so good at everything he does. He's so good! Even when he had no lines he was still pulling the best faces ever and interacting with people ec.

☆ At scene towards the end of the stage: Mitsuru put his mic against Kimeru's chest to hear his inner thoughts, and then did it to himself and then tried it again on Kimeru but didn't work the second time around, so he poked the mic into Kimeru's butt and Kimeru tried to get off stage as quickly as possible. AND THEN Mitsuru put the mic right against Naoya's face so he couldn't talk!

I need a second stage like... already. I need, need, need a second stage, especially with this cast and staff! 

Seriously, who was the director and script writer *googles* Kawajiri Keita - huge freaking kudos for you! I'm pretty sure this guy was the one who did Hatsukoi Monster too... thanks for making such a great script and adaptation!

Now for some things about the actors or the characters I want to touch on...

ACTOR COMMENTS

Akazawa Tomoru as 15/Jyuugo:

I'm always ALWAYS super impressed with Tomorun but I never make a mental note of placing him being one of 'the top 2.5 actors'. But after this show, my brain has very much definitely implanted this memo into my brain. He always does amazing.

To be honest, I wasn't sure if he could do Jyuugo because Jyuugo is this weird happy but dark character with lots of internal turmoil and secrets but why was I worrying?! It was stupid of me to worry about Tomorun as Jyuugo because he was 

Which reminds me; is he popular? I always thought he was pretty damn popular but no one really wanted his random badges; I didn't see anyone buy his bromides; me getting a Row 1 seat is weird because I would've thought it would've been more difficult to get such a seat because I assumed he was super popular. Is he like UeChan in that Tomorun IS popular, just many people don't go out of their way FOR him and his shows? I love Tomorun, he should be popular, he should have more love... he should have al the love... more than what just Izawa gives him... which is a lot to begin with... anyway................

I really, really loved Tomorun's eye contacts! They were so vivid and amazing! You couldn't not look! It also helps that Tomorun has this wide round eyes that catch people's attention anyway. But when he's literally next to your foot and looking out in thought or shock, you can't not be attatched to his eyeline and eyes.

I also really loved Tomorun's little ballad where he talks about his cell mates about 20 minutes into the stage, as well as I loved his final song where he talks about them again and wants to be with them. Both of them are completely different tones but the songs are beautiful and Tomorun sang them so well(!) in fact, I don't think there was one bad singer - which surprised me. I expected Tomorun, or JP or even Naoya to be bad but.... nah. Everyone was either decent or really good!

Talking about Tomorun's sweat above remained me to mention something else about him. He is so freaking tiny! He's just bones and energy! He's so damn small! And due to the very few and thin clothing he wears in this, it was so much easier to see his collar bone and his tiny legs and stuff! I hope he eats -- he must do because he's never out of energy but it was so surprising to see this tiny boy give off such a huge and great performance. I've always liked Tomorun's acting <3 

If you have any Tomorun stage recommendations, definitely let me know!

ANYWAY...

Kitazono Ryo as 1/Uno:

Surpringly either he, his character, or both, were the most popular for this stage; everyone was buying his goods, everyone wanted his trading badge, and you could just feel the air and tension rise when he had solo songs or if there was a moment you could cheer and 'woooh' for him. He got a bigger applause and wooing in those moment we were allowed to interact than Kimeru which really shocked me. He did great as Uno though; he was perfect. They were ALL perfectly casted xD

Yasukawa Junpei as 25/Niko:

JP was just adorable, as I predicted, in this!!! It was nice seeing him do something light and fluffy and fun and happy again! Yet it was a different type of happy to his Konchuuger character. This character is very much a child and very innocent and JP really pulled off the innocent and cuteness of Niko <3 I feel like the character really suited him and I hope they do a second stage and he's back for him.

I want him to do more cute roles! He’s an awkward but really nice guy in real life yet he always does these sexy and/or dark roles, and I super want to see him being more like this:

Look how cute he is!!

But JP too and is freaking skinny looking in this stage because, just like the others, there wasn't really much fabric on him! He isn't as tiny as Tomorun but he's close enough! His tiny little legs and cute little butt. But anyway...

KIMERU as Mitsuba Kiji:

Kimeru never ceases to amaze me. He's always so freaking fabulous and owns his characters! The two girls either side of me were clearly his fans because they clapped and cheered so hard for him. He got to do this ridiculous, flamboyant performance and made to audience clap along every time and properly woooooo and cheering for him.

In one scene, Naoya turned to him and said 'by the way... why you so small?' And he's like 'I am NOT small!'.

He was so good and was perfect for this character! I want to see him do this role again! He was so much fun and he looked damn good in those heeled boots! I think I vagueley remember some thrusting dance moves from those hips of his at one point too... *coughs*

Utsumi Daisuke as Yozakura Kenshiro: 

I feel Utsumi did a great job at bringing this character to life. I didn't really know him in the anime, but in the stage Utsumi really fleshed him out and was much more memorable in the stage compared to the anime. His singing was so good too! Maybe he was the strongest singer...

Hashimoto Taito as Goku Samon: 

Taito got to use some of his breakdancing/acrobat moves in this stage which was great! But unfortunately, while I love him in the anime, his character stage time and development was very small in this one. He was a very minute character and role. Which is a shame because Goku is a character I like and I wanted to see him get more stage time. Hopefully in the second one *fingers crossed*

Hoshino Yuta as Rian: 

Hoshino made me giggle during the fight scene; he's clearly not flexible because he couldn't kick that high and he was barely able to go a cartwheel. This is a type of character we've seen Hoshino do before so of course he nailed his role and did well; Rian is the type of character he's used to and is a pro at.

Momiyama Kenta as Sugoroku Hitoshi: I really loved how in the stage, even though they find out she's a he, people like Niko and Rock still treated Hitoshi as a girl and were still like googly-eyed over him xD

Gomoto Naoya as Sugoroku Hajime: 

This character was perfect for him! He got to yell and insult people for two hours which is something we all know he's a master at! I love, love, love Hajime and Naoya was just PERFECT. He gave me the Hajime I wanted AND more because he's a pro at acting and knows how to take characters, give the performance the audience wants and adds to it so we get even more enjoyment from his character! He was the perfect Hajime <3

AND Naoya can actually sing! I was so shocked! They ALL can legit, properly sing!! They sounded soooooo good!

*

AFTERSHOW - MIOKURI (Actor Send Off)

I was super excited about the Miokuri even BEFORE the show started! I knew Naoya was going to be there as I had checked the night before. But when I rechecked the information they had pinned up, it had Kimeru for this day too! And after seeing his ridiculously, entertaining, amazing performance in this, I was nervous to see him too! 

The line went: Kitazono Ryo (I do NOT remember him being in that line), Kimeru, Takagi Shun, and lastly Naoya.

KIMERU was super duper genki and just had so much energy with everyone. He was like ‘ara! Arigatou! Kawaii!!’. And then we had Naoya who was at the end of line with his hands together in front of (or behind him, I don't quite remember) him and he bowed to everyone just like the gentlemen he is, and he was so professional and calm and just so.... ‘manly’ is a good word to describe him.

*

GOODS

The pamphlet's pictures are so good! I have to show you some!! My thought process is basically 'So cute!!! So cool! DAMN THIS PIC IS NICE!!':

I looked at the pamphlet before show and it was adding to the already crazy excitement that I had. After the show ended I just HAD to get my hands on Tomorun’s bromides also because he was so amazing seriously -- did I already say that?

--

And that’s all for today folks! Hope you enjoyed it and I made you all more excited for this stage!

[hsj-scenarios]

HSJ as Courtesans (AU)

( Note: May seem a little random, I know. But, I LOVE otome games and I remembered this mobile game I sometimes play; D3 Publisher’s Gyakuten Yoshiwara. It’s a game where the player visits one of several male courtesans nearly every night and she ends up falling in love with the one she picks -- now, she has to buy his freedom or the courtesan must pay off his own debt in order for them to get married. Anyway, enjoy the headcanons! -- Mod L )

Ryosuke:

The number one ranking courtesan the red light district has to offer. Due to his extreme popularity, he’s a terribly hard courtesan to schedule and his price is the highest they come for just one night. He takes it all in stride, however, never complaining even once about his line of work or the clients. In first impressions, he’s more than cordial, respectful, and even somewhat shy -- although, to the people that he’s comfortable with, he’s known to have a sailor’s mouth and be bullishly dominating. Even to his close friends.

Voluntarily became a courtesan in order to support his large family, and many speak of the wonders that Ryosuke has bought for them. A house in the mainland, comfortable living, all on top of the debt that many believe he’s close to paying off any day now. As a result, the district manager has him training new hires to someday pick his successor.

Yuto:

The second most popular courtesan in the district, although that popularity noticeably wained after a recent scandal; in which others thought he planned to run away with a married, much older, woman. He adamantly denies the accusations, although admits that he did see the woman outside of the district. Still, he hopes to gain back double what he lost and once again become a suitable rival for Ryosuke. Ever happy and smiling, that smile won’t be wiped off with false rumors.

His family sold him off to the district in order to become debt free -- placing a new debt on Yuto’s shoulders instead. He came in the same time as Ryosuke and has become what many would call a jack of all trades. Word has it that his always smiling face hides someone completely opposite of what he shows himself to be.

Chinen:

The favored protege of Ryosuke, always somewhere near the man and not yet debuted in the district. Though he’s already a young man in his early twenties, twenty the normal age of debut, the district is in awe at his quick ability to learn and believe he should take on clients soon. Some believe he is a courtesan from another district, sold away to make ends meet in hard times, but the district manager swears that Chinen is simply a natural. Two years into his stay, he has grown to be loved by the customers and other courtesans alike; spoiled rotten by the gifts many give him in exchange for not being able to rent him for a night. He certainly doesn’t complain. In fact, he doesn’t talk much at all if there’s no money or gifts involved.

Voluntarily sold himself in order to help pay for his older sister’s medical bills. He attempted working odd jobs around the island, but many just told him he would bring in more finance working for a brothel. So, he did.

Keito:

Often the subject of teasing from other courtesans, as this man is prone to his awkward moments. Also known to be quite clueless in some areas, despite his years of being part of the district. It’s a running joke that Keito has the most stamina of the bunch, though one would have to put up with all of the previously stated. Despite his shortcomings, the young man still manages to carry in his fair share of customers and most -- if not all -- come out happy in some way or the other. He’s also seen around Ryosuke often, though not for tips but because the two are close friends.

Has little recollection of what exactly brought him to the district, but he knows that he came there alone, deathly ill, and was nursed back to health. The doctor told him that he was orphaned and that the district manager would take him in, in return for becoming a courtesan. Although, Keito has a few memories of his father left and he knows the man didn’t just abandon him. Hopes to find and reunite with him once his debt is paid.

Daiki:

The delight of the whole district. There’s no moodmaker quite like Daiki and his high popularity is a testament to that. Many don’t truly take the man seriously, due to his playful features and youthful attitude. How can one believe such a man is going to seduce them by the end of the night when he has them laughing all the while? Still, the numbers don’t lie and Daiki ranks just under Yuto in the top three courtesans of the district. He swears that he’ll show clients his manly side in the end. Just have fun during the ride, alright?

He is yet another courtesan who was sold in order to pay off a family debt, although rumor has it that he has an older brother who was supposed to be sold but ended up falling in love. People speculate that, in order for his brother not to suffer, Daiki offered himself instead.

Inoo:

Renown for his ‘cuteness’, Inoo recently rose to being a top seller in the district -- though, not quite as high as the top three. Upon first coming in, no one thought Inoo would last long in such a life; as he valued love and someday beginning his own family far too much for the average prostitute. Such dreams were far and often considered stupid, since no one would want ‘used goods’ to start a family with. Let alone marry. Scold him they may, Inoo still holds those same values today and patiently waits to pay off his debt and start a whole new life with a chance at love.

Sold off by his unmarried mother purely for extra money. Such was and is the life for many bastard children, like Inoo was, and his story isn’t uncommon in the red light district.

Hikaru:

Not the biggest money maker, but with a comfortable and steady clientele, Hikaru is another moodmaker among the bunch. He’s like a wake up call, a vitamin to take for needed energy. A night with him is never a night wasted and there’s always a smile on his clients’ faces. He’s healing, many would say. It is often that the courtesan gets those who are in rough places of their lives and seek to be cheered up, which Hikaru is good at doing. In his spare time, however, he’s often noted for being withdrawn and reserved. Such a flamboyant life for an honestly timid soul can be draining.

Initially sold to pay off his father’s gambling debt, though sends money to his newly widowed sister and her children in order for them to live comfortably. Recently, she’s stopped taking the money in order for him to finally pay off his debt.

Yuya:

Known for his womanly tendencies, but don’t get get mistaken; any courtesan will tell you that Yuya is truly masculine and carnivorous. He knows his way around a woman and the years that he’s spent in the red light district haven’t gone over his head. He’s experienced and has one of the best rates of clients who come back for more. Some don’t know why. To them, he seems aloof and uncaring. Certainly a courtesan for the masochists out there. But, that’s simply his persona. A rouse. To everyone else, he’s kind and that shows with time. Recurring clients know the truth, and people who actually know Yuya know even more.

Born to a female courtesan and taken from her arms at birth. He was raised in an orphanage until it came time for his training. This life is all that he knows.

Yabu:

The man who serves as the second in command to the district manager. Yabu is being groomed for the very position once his predecessor decides to retire and, because of that, had long ago decided to stay, even when his debt is paid off. He watches over everyone and makes sure that everything is running smoothly. Honestly, he doesn’t even take clients anymore and, if he does, it’s for mutual pleasure. Many envy him, wondering how he can bring himself to stay in such a lifestyle and also of his debt free obligations. Although, none can hate him, as Yabu is reliable and always quick to turn a soft gaze where the manager turns a hard glare.

Used to be no more than an urchin, running with a small gang and living off whatever they could find. One day, he stole from a high ranking courtesan and ended up caught, faced with either being placed in an orphanage or put in the courtesan’s debt as a servant. Eventually, he became their protege.