#umeda haruka

[jpidols]

[zukadiary]

Anastasia (Umeda Arts, 2023)

I’m flattered that the overwhelming response to my poll was to bring back reviews :D Since I posted that, Takarazuka has unfortunately been involved in a terrible tragedy (additional information here). I may review the Takarazuka performances I was able to see at a later date, but at the moment I’m going to take some space from doing so.

In the meantime, a very bright spot in a long-awaited trip otherwise filled with multiple bouts of shocking news was the Broadway musical Anastasia, featuring Asami Hikaru (my ご贔屓, kamioshi, bias to end all biases, for those who joined during COVID and somehow missed this) amidst a rather star-studded cast. Getting to see Anastasia was quite special, not only because it’s been 4 1/2 years since I was last able to travel to Japan and see Komu, but also because I HAD tickets to the original Spring 2020 run before, well, you know (not to mention the ruined plans to see fave #2 as the same role in the tkz version). On top of that, it was good.

The Broadway version of Anastasia follows two con men in post-revolution Russia, Dmitri and Vlad, who, amidst rumors that Anastasia Romanov has somehow survived the execution of the rest of the royal family, accidentally find the real one while auditioning actresses to pretend to be her for reward money.

Given that my bias to end all biases taidan’d 17 years ago, I’ve seen my fair share of Japanese theater outside of Takarazuka in my quest to spend as much time in her presence as humanly possible. Usually, I find the non-OG cast members (especially men!!) unimpressive to the point of superfluousness. Imagine my shock when I found myself raising my opera glasses when Komu wasn’t even on stage.

Ranking!!

Anya: Aoi Wakana / Kinoshita Haruka

Anya is a poor street sweeper with amnesia who has a feeling SOMEONE is waiting for her in Paris (turns out it’s her grandmother, the dowager empress). I was supposed to see each actress twice, but due to the flu making its rounds through the cast, I ended up seeing Wakana three times and Haruka only once… which is unfortunate, because Haruka is an absolute powerhouse, and Wakana is a TV actress. The cast lineup for my first of four viewings was absolutely flawless, and I wish it had been the finale instead (especially because I was in shock from Sora taidan dropping like 3 hours prior to curtain). Haruka has a Broadway-quality voice, and her acting not only made sense, but also lacked that peculiar anime-like delivery that most of the Japanese actors I’ve seen have in spades (IYKYK). Although perhaps she returned from flu recovery too quickly and didn’t have her whole voice, Wakana’s singing wasn’t really up to the challenge of the role; all of Anya’s big solo’s were rendered anticlimactic by very flat long notes. I also found her acting to be over the top and desperate, whereas Haruka’s was quite nuanced.

Dmitri: Kaiho Naoto / Aiba Hiroki / Utsumi Akiyoshi

Dmitri is the romantic lead, something of a street urchin who starts off by hatching a moneymaking scheme to produce a fake Anastasia, and ultimately gives it all up after falling in love with Anya. I got to see Kaiho and Aiba, and to be honest, the only reason I’m not mad I had to see Aiba once is because that day Kaiho Naoto was Gleb. I know I am very late to this party, but this was the first time I got to see Kaiho Naoto live, and hooooooooooo boy. That man’s voice gave me chills, he acts like a normal person and not a cartoon, and his facial expressions are SO dynamic. His fans in the FIRST ROW had their opera glasses up, and now I take back making fun of them in my head. Incredible casting choice for Dmitri; he did an amazing job going through the full range of emotions and showing character growth, plus he looked so good in that scruffy little outfit. Tbh, marry me (Aiba on the other hand was an anime boy made flesh and blood and I can’t say I cared for it).

Vlad: Osumi Kenya / Ishikawa Zen

Vlad is Dmitri’s old man friend, a former aristocrat and adulterous lover to Lily. This one is slightly less cut and dry because both actors had their merits, but alas, I’m a big Ishikawa Zen fan. Osumi Kenya is a dancer and Zen is not, and that was quite apparent in any scene with choreography. Other than that, I quite preferred Zen’s knockout voice, nuanced acting, and overflowing kindness. He’s irl bffs with Komu, so I found his Vlad’s chemistry with Lily to be more compelling; but he also integrated himself seamlessly into each cast, despite that I imagine it’s tricky to get the best possible rapport going when the roles are changing all the time. Osumi definitely gave his Vlad quite a bit of enjoyable energy and unique flair, but ultimately, I thought his Vlad was a bit over the top (he’d be a huge hit in a kids’ show), and he seemed to be acting next to rather than with the rest of the cast.

Gleb: Kaiho Naoto / Douchin Yoshikuni / Tashiro Mario

Gleb, a Bolshevik general trying to fill the shoes of his father who relished executing the Romanov family, is the villain of the show. I was SUPPOSED to see all three Glebs, and I’m quite sad I didn’t, but the flu took Tashiro Mario. I ended up seeing Douchin three times and Kaiho once. This is REALLY HARD, and it’s likely impossible to separate out my feelings toward Kaiho’s Gleb in isolation, because Dmitri, without Kaiho in the role, was not compelling, so the overall impact of the show was less on the not-Douchin day. Kaiho showed up again with the voice that gives you chills, and while his performance throughout most of the show was a bit more low-key, his final scene, in which he attempts to get Anya to admit she’s playing around and return to Russia lest he be forced to shoot her on the spot if she is in fact the real Anastasia, was ABSOLUTELY FUCKING UNHINGED (spit flying everywhere, no wonder everyone got sick). Douchin, however, also has quite a powerful voice, and I think overall he did a better job of coming off as creepy and weird. He was awkward in kind of an is-this-guy-ok way, his barely concealed feelings for Anya were both clearer and more unsettling, and he felt believably indoctrinated into an ideology vs. just this is the villain because we said he’s the villain. His slick, jet-black hair and choice to wear light blue colored contacts also really enhanced the evil image. I really regret not getting to see Tashiro Mario, but I think my ever so slight preference here is Douchin just because his presence balanced the rest of the cast.

Lily: Asami Hikaru / Marcia / Horiuchi Keiko

Lily is the dowager empress's lady-in-waiting, a former countess who, in her younger days, cheated on her boring husband with Vlad and is currently tending to the dowager empress in refugee-laden Paris. LBR, I didn’t fly across the world to see the other two (although 3 or so days into my trip there was a SCARE where Komu was announced out with an injury, and I thought I might have to… but she recovered in time for my first show!). Ohhhh it was so nice, I missed her more than my COVID-era complacence led me to believe. Lily was a very fun and pleasant Komu role for me. Homegirl is 51 now (don’t talk to me) and fresh taidansha like Tamaki Ryou are getting the heroines she played a decade and a half ago, but Lily isn’t exactly someone’s mom either. She’s funny, and sassy, and wears sick costumes, and has DANCE NUMBERS! Which she did without looking injured at all! With the exception of like 20 seconds in the prologue, Lily does not appear at all until Act 2, but Act 2 is very juicy. I think I liked the look-Vlad’s-back tango even better than her piano-top nightclub solo, but both were utterly delightful. She also has great chemistry with her Yukigumi top senpai Asami Rei, comfortable yet reverent (just like in real life!). I juuuUUUUuuUUUUuuuSsstttt wish they would lower the key for her… just a little… as a treat.........

Dowager Empress Maria: Asami Rei (more like Asami SLAY)

Y’all… seeing Asami Rei live has BEEN on my bucket list, and the experience did not disappoint. Her voice may be going, but it’s completely age appropriate, and she could have done literally anything up on that stage without it ruining the impact of her presence. I legit inadvertently gasped "mother" into my mask when she made her appearance in a black and silver bejeweled gown to attend the ballet… serving boatloads of charisma uniqueness nerve and talent at 73, to say the least.

The ensemble was also a force and the songs were expertly directed, giving the whole show a stunning sound that has been rare in my experience with Japanese musicals (part vocal talent, part book made for Broadway). The play-within-a-play scene at the ballet was genuinely impressive (it's been a while since I've seen a man jump that high). All in all, a treat to watch!

[gonagaiworld]

La serie di light novel Loner Life in Another World avrà un anime televisivo nel 2024 Shūichirō Umeda interpreta la protagonista Haruka nella storia di Shoji Goji. Info:--> https://www.gonagaiworld.com/la-serie-di-light-novel-loner-life-in-another-world-avra-un-anime-televisivo-nel-2024/?feed_id=424599&_unique_id=65ad4dca09fa8 #Anime #LightNovel #LonerLifeinAnotherWorld

[osaka-itinerary]

Osaka Itinerary Best Places to Visit

Although Osaka is a large metropolis, it is not as overpowering as Tokyo. It has a reputation for serving some of Japan's greatest cuisine and has a ton to offer first-time tourists. It could be a fantastic idea for you to take a trip. Osaka is the best option for you if it's your first trip and you don't have a lot of time, in my opinion. You won't feel rushed and will have ample time to view the city's major attractions. In this post, we have mentioned the best places to visit on the Osaka itinerary.

Let's read it out:

Harukas 300

Osaka's greatest views may be seen at Harukas 300. The Abeno Harukas building's observation deck, which takes up the top three levels, is referred to as it is the highest tower at 300 meters (984 feet) in Japan.

Cherry Blossom Itinerary

Although Osaka may not be as well known for its cherry blossoms as the neighboring city of Kyoto, the city does have several excellent locations to see them. Here is a one-day Osaka cherry blossom schedule as well as some advice on how to enjoy you without being overwhelmed.

Osaka Aquarium

You may climb the roofs of Osaka Station and the Umeda Sky Building, travel back in time in the Shinsekai neighborhood and explore Tsutenkatu Tower at the Osaka Aquarium.

Osaka Castle

Start your day by seeing Osaka Castle, one of the city's most well-known and moving landmarks.

The existing building was rebuilt in 1931 rebuild.

100,000 workers helped General Toyotomi Hideyoshi construct the first Osaka Castle in 1583.

An outstanding museum that provides a comprehensive description of the castles and Osaka's history is located inside the castle.

Hozenji Temple

Once satisfied, proceed north through Nipponbashi station in the direction of Dotonbori. For now, travel to Hozenji Shrine. Dotonbori is best appreciated at night when the entire area is alive with neon.

One of Osaka's most well-known temples is located in Hozenji, which is hidden away amid a maze of narrow lanes.

The ancient Hozenji temple was among the many structures in this region that were destroyed by Allied bombing assaults during the Second World War. Fudo Myo-o, a Buddhist spirit, was represented by only one statue.

Conclusion

These are some places you can visit if you are visiting Osaka. Yeah, the list does not end here, but these are some of the famous places that you can visit to explore more about the place. Also, we must suggest that you bring a ton of savings with you if you are visiting more than one city.

[darwinfish105]

Tiny Japan Volume 1 from darwinfish105 on Vimeo.

約１年で撮り溜めたチルトシフトなタイムラプスをまとめました。 日本全国をチルトシフトでミニチュアにするのが目標です。 camera:SONY a7RV/a7RIV lens:Nikon Ai AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF mount adapter:KIPON TandS NIK-NEX lens:TTArtisan Tilt 50mm f/1.4 music:Far Away by nuer self(artlist.io/song/94792/far-away) location: 0:00 明石海峡大橋(淡路サービスエリア) Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (Awaji Service Area) 0:06 名古屋港ポートビル Nagoya Port Building 0:54 四日市港ポートビル Yokkaichi Port Building 1:26 東大阪ジャンクション(東大阪市役所) Higashi-Osaka Junction (Higashi-Osaka City Hall) 1:34 梅田スカイビル Umeda Sky Building 1:50 あべのハルカス Abeno Harukas 2:14 さきしまコスモタワー Sakishima Cosmo Tower 2:38 東尋坊 Tojinbo 2:46 五月山 Mount Satsuki 2:49 伊丹空港 Osaka International Airport 3:14 舞鶴湾(五老スカイタワー) Maizuru Bay (Goro Sky Tower) 3:30 白山白川郷ホワイトロード Hakusan Shirakawago White Road 3:34 白川郷 Shirakawago 3:37 泉大津パーキングエリア Izumiotsu Parking Area 3:53 天橋立ビューランド Amanohashidate View Land 4:09 足羽川ダム(建設中) Asuwa River Dam (under construction) 4:17 福井工業大学あわらキャンパス(あわら夢ぐるま公園) Fukui Institute of Technology Awara Campus (Awara Yumeguruma Park)

[leenaevilin]

[Announcement] Mediterranean lily and fever vol.1「まむかいのおじさん」(mediterranean lily and fever vol.1 mamukai no ojisan)

the show will be running from December 25th, 2021 to December 29th, 2021 (Tokyo) @ 小劇場B1 (Shougekijou B1)

Cast:

Mikami Shun Yokomichi Yuri Umeda Haruka Shouri Fukuchi Shintarou Tsuruta Aoi Saitou Nobuaki Aoyagi Kana Asou Kinzou Oda Toshiki Shibata Mari Kadono Shou Ishibe Yuuichi Nakano Yuri

twitter natalie

[incorrect48quotes]

Meetan: Do You think I enjoy being mother hen to you all!?

Serina:

Umeko:

Nontii:

Chuchu:

Meetan: Okay fine! It's like crack to me.

[asparagusikemen]

On AKB48 Request Hour Setlist Best 200 2014, during the 2nd day (175-151),

4 graduation songs were performed in the same day

#152 Akimoto Sayaka's

Tsuyosa to Yowasa no Aida de

(強さと弱さの間で)

#154 Maeda Atsuko's

Yume no Kawa

(夢の河)

#157 Itano Tomomi's

Saigo no Door

(最後のドーア)

#162 Shinoda Mariko's

Namida no Sei Janai

(涙のせいじゃない)

Notes:

- The graduates were showed in VTR singing their parts.

- The VTR was from their graduation concerts

- Miyazawa Sae was supposed to perform 3 out of the 4 songs, but was absent, so her parts was also shown in the VTR

- Oshima Yuko was the only member who performed in all 4 songs

- The clothes that were used was the exact same clothes from the graduation concerts expect for Tsuyosa to Yowasa no Aida de

- Akimoto Sayaka's Tsuyosa to Yowasa no Aida de was the only song with 同期選抜 meaning her song was sang by just her generation only (2nd generation)

[hktarchive]

[eng] hakata hyakkaten season 2 ep 5

guest: umeda ayaka

watch here

subbed by guild48

[jpidols]

[galaxy--supernova-scans]

AKB48 2010 Weekly Calendar scans

please like/reblog if you save and link back if you edit

more here

[tomoyuu]

『HEROES MUSICAL』 Tomotsune Yuuki as Jusis Albarea Umeda Haruka as Fie Claussell Hatakeyama Ryo as Machias Regnitz

[thekimonogallery]

In the red room of Awahashi, A crow "crow" obi,

Kobashi Photo Studio Costume Cooperation Styling & Photo: (Kodobashi modoribashi) Model Haruka Mizui Dressing Kyoko Umeda

[onthewaytoasmile]

Memories of Kansai (3/3) Last of the series. These photos were taken during my last international trip to the Kansai region of Japan from September 21 to October 4, 2019 before the pandemic began. 😊 ❤️ 🇯🇵 1. Todaiji Temple, Nara, Japan 2. Students and deers interact during a school trip to Nara 3. Osaka Castle majestic from this view 4. Sake offering to Inari, God of rice 5. People lounging along Kamo River in Kyoto 6. Solitary man on top of Umeda Sky Building 7. Very energetic vendor in Kumori Market 8. Early morning walk in Osaka 9. Intimate moments you see during early morning walks 10. Amazing night view of the Osaka skyline from Abeno Harukas. I hope you enjoyed traveling through these photos. 😘 📸 Sony RX100 V #Kansai #Japan #Osaka #Kyoto #Travel #Nara #travelphotography #sonyrxmoments #sonyph_rx #Sonyrx100v #sonyrx100m5 #sony #sonyrx100 #covid19 #traveladdict #photography #japantravel #throwback #nipponpic #shinsekai #sonyphotography #hope #positivevibes #photograph #amateurphotography #Umeda #AbenoHarukas @sonyphinc @sonyrxmoments (at Kansai, Japan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWhe5mavt3Q/?utm_medium=tumblr

[nessie665]

Christine’s costumes that live rent-free in my head 

Hanafusa Mari, Melodie de Paris dress, Japan, (Takarazuka Revue), 2004

Made for Maaya Kiho, Titania’s dress, Japan (Takarazuka Revue), 2018-2019

Home dress, performer and production unknown but this dress was also seen in San Jose in 2000 and Los Angeles in 2004

Watanabe An, Bistro dress, Japan (Umeda Arts), 2010 

Glory Cramptom, the original Titania’s dress, Texas, 1991

Hanafusa Mari, You are music dress, Japan, (Takarazuka Revue), 2004

Kinoshita Haruka, You are music dress, Japan, (Umeda Arts), 2019

Kim Soon Young, Melodie de Paris dress, South Korea, 2018 

Manaki Reika, Bistro dress, Japan (Umeda Arts), 2019

Thank you so much to @petitecabriole for helping me to identify some of the actresses here 💙

[margridarnauds]

Hello! I realized a few days ago that there is (or is going to be I’m not quite sure) a production of Broadway’s Anastasia in Japan. I just wanted to know if your thoughts about it. Also I’m in love with your blog❤️

Thank you SO MUCH! 

I’m always down to talk Japanese musicals, and this is one that I’m PARTICULARLY interested in. 

There are actually going to be two productions, one is the production that was in the Umeda Arts Theatre, which wrapped in April (prematurely, given the Coronavirus situation in Japan forced many productions to shutter early) but recently released a long commercial (~3 minutes or so of highlights)

I’m not sure if you’ve seen this, but just in case...

I was genuinely thrilled when this was released and it was a bit of a surprise, since I’d seen all the promo material about....maybe six months or so ago? And I thought “Okay, no trailer, this is fine. Disappointing, but fine. I can come to terms with this.” BUT THEN this dropped and I was like “...Oh my God.” 

I do believe, given the general excitement over this and the “Til Next Time” at the end of the video that it’s definitely plausible we’ll get a second replay, hopefully with most if not all of the same cast. Everyone sounds so good, I was expecting to hear “Journey to the Past” on there, because it kind of IS the Key Anastasia Song, but I was actually really thrilled to get to hear a bit of “The Neva Flows” as well, since that’s another fave.

Both of the Anastasias are actually actresses that I’ve seen and liked elsewhere; Aoi Wakana played an absolutely FANTASTIC Juliet in the recent Toho production (and can be heard on the Black Cast of Romeo and Juliet with Furukawa Yuta), and is only not on my “Stars of Toho” list because she hasn’t done enough yet that I can make a full gifset. (I’m aware that she’s a former idol, but since my main focus tends to be musicals, that’s really all I can speak of.) But I suspect, given she’s starred in two musicals and she does have name brand recognition behind her, they have big plans for her, and I’m keeping my ears pricked on her. I think she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with in the industry, if she decides to stay in it. 

Haruka Kinoshita might not have the SAME name brand recognition, but she did play as Jasmine in the Shiki production of Aladdin and also voiced the role in the dub of the 2019 film. If you’ve listened to the Japanese version of “Speechless”, that’s her. And I LOVE her rendition of it so much, even if I am skeeved by the heavy use of bronzer in the production of the Japanese Aladdin.

I don’t have any STRONG opinions on the Glebs or Dmitris from past work (not because they haven’t done anything, but just because I’ve not listened to what they have done), but I do like what I’ve heard of them on the PV. Zen Ishikawa I’m familiar with primarily from his role in Lady Bess and Tanz der Vampire (I sometimes forget that he was also in the Japanese production of The Pirate Queen, Gone But Not Forgotten), and he’s been a steady force in Japanese musicals for decades now. 

Overall, a strong cast, it looks like it was a fantastic production, and I really hope they’ll get a chance to play it again. 

The second is the Takarazuka production, which will play from June 5-July 13.

The promo poster can be seen here. It is being put on by the all-female group’s Cosmos Troupe, which I am sadly not really familiar with on the whole (because most of my immediate friends group is into Moon Troupe, I kind of favor it by osmosis.) This production is going to be interesting, in that Zuka tends to like to change its productions around. So, for example, the Umeda Arts production was more or less a copy of the Broadway, from what I can see, though I’m obliged to favor it because. It’s well established I’m a fan of Japanese theatre and I like the actresses involved. BUT Takarazuka has been known to change plots/characters around in an attempt to make it more palatable to an audience who goes to a Takarazuka performance. For example, I notice just in the announcement page that Dmitri apparently has a new song. This emphasizes the actress who plays him, since Takarazuka runs off of the Top Star system, with a sizable group of the audience showing up JUST to see Dmitri’s actress. I don’t know what, if any, other changes might occur, but I suspect this performance is going to center Dmitri more than Anya. I’m not saying she’s going to be ERASED per se, just....perhaps....decentralized. Which I have Some Feelings about if I’m correct, not all of them 100% positive, but it also does come with the territory, sadly. And is why I tend to focus on Toho/Shiki/Etc. over necessarily Zuka, though I do like plenty of Zuka shows in and of themselves, but that is of course a very lengthy, very dangerous discussion. I will say, as someone who has a longstanding interest in how musicals get translated and adapted along cultural lines, I will, as always, be very interested in what they do. 

I will say that, of the two productions, this one has the highest chance of getting a proshot/album. It’s still not TERRIBLY likely because I can’t imagine that their license would allow for it (RIP to anyone who wants a DVD of Takarazuka’s production of West Side Story. You’re going to be waiting a long, long time for that.) BUT Zuka does proshot whenever possible. So. There’s hope. Not much. But hope. Zuka also tends to be LAVISH in their costuming, so I’m really curious about what they might do with the already-stellar costumes that we have. They might go the replica route, but I suspect they’ll have a few new ones up their sleeve.