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Takarazuka news roundup 2023.12.19

Additional cancellation announcements from the official site:

① Cosmos Troupe's upcoming small theater shows, Excalibur (Serika Toa/Haruno Sakura, scheduled for Hakataza -> Umeda Arts) and My Blue Heaven (Bow Hall, scheduled to be Kazeiro Hyuuga's first Bow lead), have both been preemptively canceled. All future appearances of Cosmos Troupe actresses TBD.

② The company previously announced that they would reduce the number of performances per week and the number of shows per year, in order to reduce the actresses' workload. This initiative will start from shows that have already been announced, and in some cases, tickets that have already been sold. The following performances are canceled:

Star troupe RRR/Violetopia: Takarazuka performances from 1/1-1/5 (opening day becomes 1/5 at 3:30pm); The 3:30pm shows on 1/11, 1/18, and 1/30 (2-show days become 1-show days); Shinjin Kouen is canceled. Tokyo performances at 6pm on 2/29, 3/5, 3/18, and 3/28; at 1:30pm on 3/12 (2-show days become 1-show days).

Flower Troupe Arc-en-Ciel: Takarazuka performances 2/9-2/10 (opening day becomes 2/10 at 3:30pm); 2/18 11am, 2/20 3:30pm, 3/5 3:30pm; Shinjin Koen. Tokyo performances 4/13, 4/14 (goes from two shows to one, 1:30pm becomes opening day); 6pm shows on 4/18, 5/2, 5/7, 5/14; 1:30pm shows on 4/25 and 5/24.

Snow Troupe Boiled Doyle on the Toil Trail/Frozen Holiday: Tokyo performances at 6pm on 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30; the 1:30pm performance on 2/6.

③ All 110th anniversary festivities for 2024 have been canceled. This includes:

The 110th anniversary ceremony scheduled for July

The 2024 Takarazuka Special

Sports Day

Rescinding publication of the 3rd-party investigation report

Translated from the official site:

Regarding the sudden death of a Takarazuka actress of Cosmos Troupe, we continue to extend our sincerest condolences to all of her surviving relatives. As announced on December 7 in relation to this incident, based upon written notice received from the family’s legal team on 12/6, along with the contents of the press conference held by said legal team, we made the decision to conduct a second investigation that will examine the facts of the case more closely. We are still taking the problems outlined in the investigation report that we released on 11/14 very seriously. However, as the issues present are not limited to those outlined in said report, after taking into account the information shared by the family’s legal team via the aforementioned documentation and press conference, and with the deepest consideration for the bereaved family’s thoughts and feelings, out of sincere desire to continue our earnest consultation with the family, we have made the decision to rescind publication of our report at their request. Additionally, we will continue to work toward achieving a formal compensation agreement with the family.

Threats demanding Takarazuka performance cancelation

Tiny blurb translated from 47News

In the aftermath of the sudden death of an actress from the Takarazuka Revue in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture, we've learned today, December 19, from an inside source, that the company has received numerous messages with threatening contents via post and email, demanding that the reopening of performances be suspended.

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Takarazuka's response to the recent death of an actress

Following coverage of a press conference held by the lawyer of the family of the Takarazuka actress who passed away on Sept. 30, Takarazuka has published a report of findings from their 3rd-party legal team's investigation into the incident.

The following was a high-speed team effort of translation, editing, and translation notes carried out by a group of Takarazuka fans, myself included.

Summary and next steps: Original | Translation

Published report: Original | Translation

The content is legal language that was at times difficult to capture perfectly, and I'm happy to answer questions about the nuances of the original Japanese.

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Adding to clarify that according to the announcement posted on the website, they will update by Friday November 17th if performances for Yukigumi will continue after the 23rd.

Takarazuka ongoing cancellations

From the official Line account:

As previously announced, Takarazuka Grand Theater performances have been suspended through October 22, and an investigation team of outside lawyers has been employed to conduct hearings etc. with relevant parties; however, at this juncture, more time is needed to adequately complete the investigation. We have taken into account the information we’ve received from the investigation team, and we have determined that until we are able to create an environment in which the performers can stand safely on the Grand Theater stage and audiences can be in attendance, we are unable to resume performances.

Affected by this announcement:

The entire remainder of Soragumi performances at the Grand Theater are canceled

Yukigumi is canceled through 11/23. Follow up announcement to come on the 17th regarding future performances.

The Takarazuka Special is canceled

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Kiki as Arthur in Xcalibur by Cosmos Troupe 2023

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Announcement from Takarazuka (translated from the chairman’s official statement:

We would like to express our deepest condolences with regard to the sudden death of a Revue student and apologize for the worry this has brought to our customers.

The Revue's first priority is to ensure student safety, including their physical well-being. After confirming such, we will consider how to address this moving forward. To that end, we intend to bring in specialists and take the time to provide emotional support for and attend to the emotional needs of each and every student.

We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

In addition, we sincerely ask that members of the media be considerate of family and relatives' deep grief and refrain from interviewing relatives, interviewing members of the Revue, or publishing speculative articles.

Notes:

Takarazuka actresses are referred to as “students” even after debut

Although the Japanese media has chosen to publish some speculation about the cause of death and the woman’s identity, please know while reading any information online that those details have been neither officially confirmed nor released.

Cosmos troupe performances have been canceled through at least 10/9 and refund information is forthcoming.

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Hi!! I'll be in Tokyo this December to (hopefully) experience one of Kiki's ohirome performances live and I was wondering what the best alternatives to buying tickets as a foreigner might be! I watched the Tokyo performance of Flügel sell completely out on the international ticket site in three minutes and I'm now mildly worried about my own odds next month. It also seems like Skype requires you to live in Japan to get a number, so I'm not sure where to go for that. (Sorry for the essay 😭)

Hi!! (This is absolutely not an essay XD)

The international site is definitely your best bet, so I'll start with my tips for success:

Set an alarm, know what day you want, and make a beeline for it (have a few backups). You will likely have less competition for a weekday during non-working hours

Look up the Japanese holiday calendar ahead of time so you don't inadvertently choose a day that people have off work

Tokyo is worse so this might be useless advice, but I noticed when I bought my Kiki ohirome tickets for Takarazuka that the normal seats sold out before the seats with merch included, despite the price being the same. Try selecting a merch-included seat first maybe??

I am VERY curious about these new Skype number requirements (I have one, but I see that the requirements are new). Out of curiosity, did you try to purchase one? It says "a form of ID" including passport, so I wonder if passport upload and any Japanese address (hotel/friend's address) would suffice? Many legitimate residents have a foreign passport with a foreign address on it, and would presumably be eligible for a Skype number.

If that works, and you're able to get a Takarazuka ID, I would highly recommend, as slim as the chances are, trying your luck at the Japanese general sale as well, since that happens before the international sale (if you have any friends in Japan, you can also ask them to help you verify with their phone number and get a Takarazuka ID that way)

Other options:

How's your Japanese? If it's functional, you can try okepi.net

Have a travel agent get you tickets before you leave

I have no idea of she is still offering this service, but My Favorite Things Japan has handled many ticket purchases for me in the past, in the days before the launch of the first international site. There was a 20% service fee at the time, but the yen is awfully weak right now so it might not be too bad. It's worth emailing to ask.

Good luck, and have fun in Tokyo!

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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!)

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suzuho makaze & serika toa in Délicieux! -Sweet Paris-

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Lighting another mans cigarette with your cigarette?? While it’s in your mouth??? You could fuck in front of me and it would be less gay

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Hi 🧍 umh i might have developed a fascination for the takarazuka plays... And miss Asumi Rio in particular... I've only watched a few but she inspired me so much, maybe here on Tumblr there's more of an audience for this i don't know uftxfjxjhsry

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Rising from the grave to a tumblr revival to say that sorry, past self, you still never bought the Blu Ray and also you can’t go to Kiki’s Ohirome (even though October is my absolute favorite time to go to Japan, it’s just not in the cards this year).  BUT, sweet summer pre-pandemic child, in about six hours you’ll be able to watch the livestream of her small theater debut from the comfort of your own, brand new, very cozy couch. Congrats. Also you never got much better at sending letters, but that’s ok, a lot has happened in the past few years.

Things I can’t handle lately: the Soragumi Red River / Citrus Breeze rehearsal clips and the fact that I won’t get to see it live, crying forever.

I’ll save my karma for whenever is Kiki’s orihome kouen but I’m still sad because she looks SO HAPPY lately and I just wanna see that in person.

Also I’m a bad fan and need to write her because its been like 2 months since I sent her anything.

Also fingers crossed she’ll get another nibante lead show next year.

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Hi, i am planning to purchase excalibur livestream from rakuten but when i tried to pay using credit card, i was redirected to an error page saying that service is not available in my region (i’m currently not in japan but i’m using nordvpn and choose japan server, i have tried switching server several times but still doesn’t work).

I usually wait for dvds or blurays. Never purchase livestream before. But because there is not yet an announcement for dvd or bluray for excalibur, i’m afraid that i’ll miss the show. Is there anyway to purchase livestream if we are not in japan? Thank you

Unfortunately, Rakuten has blocked all the mainstream VPN providers that we know of, and streaming has become kind of a pain. Some of the non-academic use VPN Gate servers tend to work, but you have to experiment to find one that does.

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花組宝塚大劇場公演「CASANOVA 」ポスター画像

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[TRANSLATION] Daimon and Kiichan’s “mit” feature from the November GRAPH

Read here

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Lead Roles are as follows: Makaze Suzuho as Danny Ocean Hoshikaze Madoka as Tess Ocean Serika Toa as Rusty Makaze Suzuho and Serika Toa had these roles for the 2011 Hoshigumi shinjinkouen.  Serika Toa also appeared in the 2013 Hanagumi production as Linus and had the lead in the shinko that year opposite her classmate, Ousaki Ayaka as Tess.

Soragumi 2019 Grand Theatre Performance 

『Ocean’s 11』

Director: Koike Shuuichirou Cast Members: Makaze Suzuho, Hoshikaze Madoka

Dates Takarazuka Grand Theatre: April 9th ~ May 27th Tokyo Granda Theatre: June 14th ~ July 21st