Theater followers bought a uncommon shock on day 2 of the competition Anime expo with the On Stage & Past panel, that includes two very particular friends: veterans of the Takarazuka Revue Hiroki Nanami and Urara Reimi. For these unfamiliar, the Takarazuka Revue is an all-female musical theater troupe identified for its lovely costumes, elaborate musical numbers, and chic dance routines. Based in Takarazuka, Japan in 1913, it’s now one of many largest troupes within the nation, with members divided into 5 subgroups. Actresses play each female and male roles, with members specializing and present process in depth coaching in every of those roles.
The primary to greet the viewers was Nanami, who was a member of the Takarazuka Revue from 2003 to 2019. She specialised as an otokoyaku (male function specialist) and performed traditional roles reminiscent of Scarlet in productions of Gone with the wind and Oscar in The Rose of VersaillesSince then she has turn out to be an actress, voice actorand singer, who performed roles reminiscent of Abyss Razor in Mashle: Magic and Muscular tissuesand Edil in Assistthe place she additionally carried out the opening theme. She is rewriting trade requirements and continues to repeatedly play male roles on stage, even in combined casts. She just lately appeared as Joe Shimamura within the stage manufacturing of Cyborg-009.
Requested what led her to the Takarazuka Revue, she mentioned that she grew up within the countryside the place she by no means had the possibility to attend performances. After seeing a Takarazuka Revue manufacturing of Gone with the wind on television she fell in love with Yuki Amami‘s portrayal of Rhett Butler. “It struck me like a bolt of lightning,” she mentioned. “It made me need to pursue this.”
Subsequent up was Reimi, who was a member of the Takarazuka Revue from 2009 to 2017. She specialised as a musumeyaku (feminine function specialist) and appeared in productions reminiscent of Valencian ardour And Sanctuary. She continues to behave on stage, together with voice work. As for her inspiration for auditioning for the group, she mentioned her mom took her to a present when she was in fifth grade. “The performers gave me a variety of vitality and it made me actually joyful. I needed to be on the facet of giving folks vitality.”
Like many manufacturing firms, members of the Takarazuka Revue should undergo a prolonged audition course of. As soon as chosen, they endure a two-year coaching program. Recalling her first audition, Reimi mentioned she was struck by the belief that everybody there had the identical dream of becoming a member of the Revue. “I used to be overwhelmed by the sheer vitality and fervour of those folks. However after that subsided, I spotted, ‘I am right here too! I am enthusiastic about this too!’ It gave me the vitality to make my voice heard.”
Nanami confessed that she failed the primary time she auditioned. “I grew up within the countryside, so I did not have any courses obtainable to organize for the Takarazuka Revue examination.” She went to a preparatory college 2.5 hours away, spending 5 hours every time. Nonetheless, she flunked her first audition. “My glasses flew off whereas I used to be twirling! I used to be nonetheless optimistic, however I did not make it. The second time, I had the sturdy will to suppose that I’d make it this time. It pushed me to make it.” As for a post-exam occasion: “I’ve a candy tooth. I used to be on a weight loss plan to organize for the examination, so afterward we got an enormous cake and I simply ate it,” she laughed.
The panelists have been requested to speak about their most memorable roles. For Nanami, it was Girl Oscar from The Rose of Versailles. “Rising up, I cherished studying the manga… I felt very honored to be on the present and play my favourite character. The truth that I may say my favourite strains and scream them on stage gave me a lot vitality.”
For Reimi, her most memorable function was Clara from Winged folksThe manufacturing follows composers Johannes Brahms And Franz Schubertand his spouse Clara. “This was a turning level in my profession and made me fall in love with performing.”
Nanami additionally talked about how she ready to carry out the otokoyaku, or male function. She famous that it typically takes a very long time to grasp the otokoyaku function, saying that it takes ten years for the mannerisms and actions to turn out to be second nature. She added, a lot to the delight of the panel viewers, “After all, the male function is rarely full with out the musumeyaku by his facet. As a result of we’re each girls, we want an additional push to make it plausible. The musumeyaku casts a spell on the otokoyaku to make it extra plausible, to make him appear extra masculine.”
“As a result of we put on attire quite a bit, our higher physique is essential,” Reimi added. “I focus quite a bit on my again and my arms.”
“And the motion of the skirt,” Nanami mentioned, coaxing Reimi to face up and mimic the swinging forwards and backwards of an extended skirt.
The 2 additionally talked concerning the conditioning they did to remain stage-ready. For Reimi, it was stretching to maintain herself versatile. For Nanami, she added, it actually helped to undergo the intensive two-year coaching program. She mentioned all of them needed to follow ballet, fashionable dance, conventional Japanese dance, piano, performing and singing. “It is all to construct you up as an actor,” she mentioned. “After two years, you’ll be able to lastly carry out on stage. Once I carry out, I deal with the angles of my outstretched arms as a result of it enhances the sweetness and makes it stand out. I additionally do power coaching as a result of I’ve to have the ability to carry the feminine lead.”
Essentially the most thrilling a part of the panel was when the 2 actresses have been requested to indicate the viewers a transfer that summed up their roles. Nanami thought for a second and stood up, taking off her jacket. In a single deft motion, she threw her jacket again on, adjusting it as she grinned on the fawning viewers. Subsequent up was Reimi, who teamed up with Nanami to assist her pose. The viewers screamed with delight as Nanami spun Reimi across the waist and plunged her into a chic pose that resulted in an outstretched arm.
As a ultimate deal with for the viewers, the actresses have been requested to guide the viewers in a brief posing workshop. Nanami confirmed the viewers the way to smoulder with their chins of their arms, whereas Reimi demonstrated one other dip that required each actresses to increase their arms in exaggerated strains.
With the viewers lastly seated, the panel ended with a number of ultimate fast plugs. Reimi is concentrated on difficult herself with completely different roles on stage and specializing in her handmade jewellery enterprise, Urara. Nanami reprises her function as Senya in Sengoku Yoko season two, which airs July 17. You too can hear her singing efficiency within the ending theme.
