#sou kazuho

[zukadiary]

10 years, 10 top stars: pt 3

ICYMI, which is understandable since I ONCE AGAIN haven’t followed up in like TWO MONTHS, I’m slooooooowly celebrating my blog’s 10th birthday by streaming 10 of my favorite top stars.

10 years 10 top stars profile #3: Sou Kazuho

A few things I love about Eritan:

I think above all else, she has a special place in my heart because she was the reigning top star of my favorite troupe when I started visiting Japan for live shows. She was my first live Yukigumi, first live revue, first SS-seki, first top star taidan I got to see in person.

Her voice is weird, but in a way I adore

Her super Kansai-tinged otokomae energy, and her line delivery/acting style have always stood out to me

EriAyu combi chemistry <3

I think there's a cheekbone theme...

Top Eritan memories:

Having no idea how to get Takarazuka tickets, I relied on my favorite things Japan for pretty much everything my first trip, and this somehow scored me my aforementioned first SS-seki at my aforementioned first play/revue combo, Shall We Dance / Congratulations TAKARAZUKA!! I have absolutely no idea how I must have looked, but two women sitting next to me asked me unsolicited if I was okay when the curtain went down.

The opening scene of Maeda Keiji in the Tokyo theater. I don't recall how well the projections showed on DVD, but her SFX-aided sword work was something to behold (and how she rode MATSUKAZE THE KABUKI HORSE)

Seeing her post-tkz play debut, the Mystery of Edwin Drood, and getting called up on stage

Stream #3 will be Shall we Dance (SUBBED) / Congratulations TAKARAZUKA!! (Snow 2013)

(cw: racial makeup in the revue)

WHEN: Tomorrow (Friday, Sept 8) at 7:30am ET (That’s NY time)

WHERE: DM me for link/password (please don’t be shy!)

[princeofcyberpunk]

random scout characters ive collected as my personal favorite group of guys

Imoto Sayumi

there is not a THING going on up there except that hairbow

Fukukawa Yoko

we need more goth characters in this franchise that arent overtly "scary" or "halloween" themed. anyway apparently she hates wasting money so i automatically relate hell yeah frugal queen

Hoshihara Tsugumi

APARENTLY SHE RUNS AWAY IF BOYS SAY THEY LIKE HER?? LMAO?? her dismayed expression is really everything to me

Fujieda Nunoka

girl i am begging you to get brown contacts

Matsutani Kazuho

apparently she wants to be a model but is worried about her appearance. alright thats another for the 'make them kaede's friend because they have no real lore and a tangential relation to fashion' pile

Yashiro Momoko

she feeds the stray cats in her neighborhood how could i not love her

Kurashima Mao

i am resisting the urge to make a "bLuE hAiReD wOkE fEmiNiSt" joke so hard rn anyways shes completely correct i can attest i am an urchin im very spiky

Shirasagi Akesumi

all it says is that he's self-conscious about his apperence and while im inclined to say that makes him endearing the evil within me is saying "well yeah with a dumbass asymmetrical haircut like that you better be"

Chidori Yaena

im gonna be so real i genuinely thought that she was a frog for a second anyway we need more inazuma eleven characters with bows on them

Rinnouji Raigo

ok putting aside the fact that this man is a cyclist HIS DUB NAME IS AVID PEDDLER. his parents must fucking HATE HIM

Takama Ai

im gonna be real i only like her because her design is scary what is WRONG with her

Kazamatsuri Sou

he looks like those times in the Yo-Kai Watch canon where the Yo-Kai use those leaves to appear as humans. but like. if Ventoct did that

Hiraraki Raina

she aparently loves american tv and orders DVDs from there of said shows. i am afraid of which ones she's referring to because last time i checked the only good thing on TV we export is cartoons

Reizei Rikihito

his hair is cute and his name is fun to say what more could i ask for

Aragaki Rekkuu

he looks like he'd be rivals with the previous guy and also kinda like he fell out of beyblade

and finally Shima Naemi

SHE WANTS TO BE A DETECTIVE AND LOOKS LIKE SHES ABOUT TO CRY I LOVE HER we need to have a whole game about this girl stat

[liminal-roses]

A list of siennies, who wrote the monthly column about their classmates in Graph, for no reason (if anybody knows other info, please share!)

97th. Ren Tsukasa "Ren's Kitchen" (2018)

96th. Kazuki Sora "Sora Kazuki's Numerous records" (2017)

95th. Seo Yuria "Sewatch!" (2016)

94th. Fuuma Kakeru "× (Kakeru) 94 ~The Formula for Laughing at Life~" (2015)

93rd. Maki Izumi "Café de Maxim 93" (2014)

92nd. Mana Haruto "Manaharu Market" (2013)

90th. Kouga Asashi (2011)

89th. Nanami Hiroki (2010)

87th. Hinata San (2007)

86th. Kazu Ryouka (2006)

85th. Mano Sugata (2005)

84th. Kiryuu Sonoka (2004)

83th. Amase Izuru (2003)

82th. Sou Kazuho (2002)

81st. Sono Mikage (2001)

80th. Asazumi Kei (2000)

79th. Koshino Ryuu (1999)

78th. Sena Jun (1998)

[odaclan]

「Honganji－リターンズ－」(Honganji: Returns)

Main Site: https://www.stars-honganji.jp/

Trailers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGbVx6U_yVk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nob8Ef737c

This is an interesting production. The story tells of how Nobunaga became possessed by the vengeful spirit of Taira no Masakado, and turned him into the “demon king” that he is. He slaughters multitudes in his path, aiming to be a god. Standing in the way of his ambitions are the people of Honganji, under the leadership of their chief-abbot Kennyo, with the assistance of the Saika gun corps. 

Cast:  -  陣内孝則 Jinnai Takanori as Nobunaga - 壮一帆 Sou Kazuho as Kennyo - 諸星和己 Morohoshi Kazumi as Saika Magoichi - ルウト Root as Kennyo’s son Kyounyo - 市川九團次 Ichikawa Kudanji IV as the wraith of Taira no Masakado

*) The trailer and earlier press releases credits 水夏希 Mizu Natsuki in the role of Kennyo, but the official cast in the website is Sou Kazuho. Perhaps the role was recast at some point.

I never thought I’d see a production where Kennyo and his faithfuls from Honganji would be shown as heroes. Even in stories where Nobunaga is the evil one, the "righteous hero” who bore the burden of stopping him is usually not people of Honganji (despite their 10-year-long squabble being fairly well-known). 

In this case I have no idea what will be the fate of Nobunaga in the end. The news releases all describe Nobunaga as “Antihero” rather than “villain”. Maybe the ghost will be exorcized?

Nobunaga being possessed or literally a demon is not new, but I think it’s apt that the “demon” in question here is the ever-feared Taira no Masakado, who is regarded with some trepidation even to this day. Nobunaga had himself claimed to be of Taira bloodline in his lifetime, so a “Taira” ghost possessing him is a fitting narrative. 

Ichikawa Kudanji also happens to be the disciple of Ichikawa Ebizou XI, who played Nobunaga a few times. A funny coincidence, there.

An interesting point is that both Kennyo and Kyounyo’s roles are performed by women. Sou Kazuho is a former Takarazuka actress, and Root is a female model (though she usually models while presenting as male). In a press conference, the staff commented that this is on purpose, this “Kennyo” character’s gender was meant to be ambiguous. They didn’t mention Kyounyo, but the appearance looks masculine. 

Another interesting aspect is that Kennyo’s costume design resembles the classic look of Tang Sanzang (Xuanzang/Sanzou Houshi), the monk from Journey to the West. 

[adorare]

The Rose of Versailles: Fersen (2013) script & subtitles

jstage.dreamful .org/rose-of-versailles-fersen-snow-2013/

Or click the link under “source”.

-

The last zuka release of the year! The script will not match the special cast versions of this production, but you can use it to follow the scenes that are in both versions.

And just a FYI, subs for DVDs/BDs can also be used to watch skystage DVD day recordings in general (but you will have to retime them). These are titled （Year&troupe・宝塚）. Be careful not to mix them up with those titled（Year&troupe・宝塚・千秋楽）!

[hsylog]

[leenaevilin]

[Announcement] 恋を読むinクリエ 『逃げるは恥だが役に立つ』(koi wo yomu in clie nigeru wa haji da ga yaku ni tatsu)

the show will be running from August 11th, 2021 to August 18th, 2021 (Tokyo) @ シアタークリエ (Theatre Creation)

Cast:

August 11th, 2021 14:00 & 18:30

Hosoya Yoshimasa, Sena Ayase, Umetsu Mizuki, Sou Kazuho

August 12th, 2021 14:00

Oota Motohiro, Sakurai Reika, Tachibana Yuuta, Sylvia Grab

August 12th, 2021 18:30

Oota Motohiro, Sakurai Reika, Arisawa Shoutarou, Sylvia Grab

August 13th, 2021 14:00 & 18:30

Totsuka Shouta, Oohara Sakurako, Umehara Yuuichirou, Sylvia Grab

August 14th, 2021 14:00

Totsuka Shouta, Oohara Sakurako, Mizuta Kouki, Sylvia Grab

August 14th, 2021 18:30

Totsuka Shouta, Oohara Sakurako, Mizuta Kouki, Tomochika

August 15th, 2021 14:00

Oota Motohiro, Sena Ayase, Arisawa Shoutarou, Haruno Sumire

August 15th, 2021 18:30

Oota Motohiro, Sena Ayase, Tachibana Yuuta, Haruno Sumire

August 16th, 2021 14:00 & 18:30

Tateishi Toshiki, Kano Maria, Makishima Hikaru, Haruno Sumire

August 17th, 2021 14:00 & 18:30

Araki Hirofumi, Shiroki Mirei, Arisawa Shoutarou, Paku Romi

August 18th, 2021 13:00

Araki Hirofumi, Shiroki Mirei, Yata Yuusuke, Paku Romi

August 18th, 2021 17:30

Araki Hirofumi, Uchida Maaya, Yata Yuusuke, Paku Romi

natalie

[unsubtlelove]

Our song for you　－また会える日まで－『青い星の上で』[x]

[ura-nepu-haru-michi]

[zukadiary]

Hi!💓 I have a few questions, apologies if they are a lil vague, it's just something that has been on my mind lately as a fairly new fan:

1. Was it ever clear that Chinatsu is the next top? Was it the reason for Ari's transfer, or was it a need for ninbante in star and that's why Chinatsu became the next in moon?

2. Also, how did you predict back then that Coto will have a long run as top star? Based on what in particular?

3. Why did Tamaki became top star comparably so early?

4. And I know that lgbt+ culture is practically nonexistent in Japan, but i still wonder if any of the actress ever talked abt it or addressed it in any way? Has anything regarding lgbt happened around taka that you know of?

Thanks a lot for your blog!! I am writing a wiki page in my mother tongue for taka rn, since it doesn't exist yet, and ur explanations clarified a few things for me, so thanks a ton again! 💕

Hello! Not vague at all :)

It was NOT personally clear to me that Chinatsu was going to be top (usually these things are obvious, occasionally we get a surprise). I don't think it was the reason for Ari's transfer though; it's impossible to know for sure, but my guess is more because of Oda (they don't want her to wait for Ari to finish) and some need to balance Hoshi. With Chinatsu as an older top, she can stay for a shorter time (similar examples would be Sou Kazuho and Hokusho Kairi, also older tops who stayed for three Grand Theater shows) and Oda can become top sooner.

I had a feeling Coto would be a long top for a number of reasons... 1) she's extremely popular and puts a lot of butts in seats, 2) she has a reputation for being a "mini Yuzuki Reon," who also stayed for a really long time, 3) the Hoshigumi producer has a bit of a reputation for putting a lot of stock in high-powered top stars and somewhat neglecting the nurturing of his track, and 4) until Ari came over there was no clear successor, which made me think they were going to ride Coto until they figured it out.

I've only heard rumors about this... one that Miya Rurika didn't want to be top star, one that Manaki Reika was so popular they designed the troupe around her and the producers didn't like her and Miya/Kacha together as much as they liked her and Tamaki together... but again, there is no way to know for sure.

Firstly, LGBT+ culture is NOT practically nonexistent in Japan—not saying this to correct you, but it's an impression a lot of people get and it makes them sad! So I want to share the reality of it! LGBT+ activism is way less prevalent than in other cultures (and as a result, legal protections are definitely behind), but this is true of pretty much all types of activism (I had an interesting conversation about this with a group of Japanese climate activists). There is a rich LGBT+ nightlife scene, and over the years Japan has been fairly ahead of the curve when it comes to queerness in media and fan culture. There is, however, a very "we pretend we do not see it" energy despite the prevalence. That said, Takarazuka actresses are almost definitely forbidden from talking about this while active, and discouraged while retired (especially if they stay in entertainment). Even if they are not actively discouraged, because there is no culture around being open about it on a real and personal level, they certainly wouldn't out other people and likely wouldn't out themselves. There are OGs both in and out of entertainment who are not shy about living as their honest selves and you can pretty much tell, but it still doesn't tend to be something they openly talk about (Nanami Hiroki and Miya Rurika have discussed breaking gender norms in interviews, but have skirted around saying anything definitive about themselves). The one exception I can immediately think of is Misuzu Aki retired and blogged about moving to Europe with her female partner.

[kittychan-sings-enka]

Depending on my work schedule I hope to stream The Rose of Versailles: Fersen Edition on monday, starting between 5 and 6 pm PST. I'll be showing the 2013 production starting Sou Kazuho and Manaka Ayu.

[liveinhecate]

[gracemyhearto]

Takarazuka Revue 2012 ~ 100th anniversary

Takarazuka Congratulations 100th Anniversary CD/DVD

Okay, with this post I upgrade my tumblr from only Sera Myu to Sera Myu and Takarazuka because I recently came back to love Takarazuka sm again and want so spread this love xD. If you follow me for Myu..sorry deal with it this is my blog *bitch pose’ xP However, I started with a gif series from my favourite takarazuka merch <3. This CD/DVD means so much to me awww idk why it’s awsome. Probably I like it so much because it was my first Takarazuka “DVD”. Also, I think the time period from about 2012 is my favourite in Takarazuka history...I think..maybe. I mean, all Takarazuka time periods are good in their own way :D

[adorare]

Maeda Keiji (Snow 2014) DVD ver. subtitles

jstage.dreamful .org/maeda-keiji-snow-2014/

Or click the link under “source.

I’ve also updated the script and subs for the raku version to match the new translation. Please save the new version!

[yukinojou]

A shining of Yukigumi top stars

[wtheckzukasubs]

“Sabrina (Uruwashi no Sabrina)” subs

Download here: wtheckzukasubs.tumblr.com/shows

Although it’s become the biggest cliché in romance, I find the story nice to follow and it made me laugh so much so many times! I haven’t watched much of the original movie to judge but Matobu is so charming! The songs are also pretty and Sabrina’s dress!!! But what you shouldn’t miss is Eritan’s character, her scenes are unforgettable!

For the newer fans, there’s a smol Daimon too.

For trigger warnings, there is a suicide attempt and some allusion to it in other scenes. I apologize if there’s more I don’t remember.