First post of the year~! A meme.
100 Questions Takarazuka Meme
1 Please tell us your name, age, and your history of being a fan.
Teffy, 26, and I have been a Takarazuka fan since 2004/5. Although, I didn't become a extensively active member until about 2006 when I met many wonderful people through the LJ comm and the Yahoo groups.
2 What was the first performance you saw? It doesn't have to have been a live show, it could be a video or DVD.
Blue Moon Blue.
3 What was the performance that first addicted you?
Blue Moon Blue *laughs*
4 Who is the "first love" that lead you to becoming a Takarazuka fan?
Wao Youka, the first performance I owned and watched all the way through was Phantom and I was instantly captivated by how charismatic Takako was.
5 Do you mainly go to see shows at the Grand Theater or the Tokyo Theater?
I really prefer the Grand Theater, but I also like Bow Hall and Umeda theaters.
6 Please tell us the otokoyaku you prefer. More than one is okay.
I prefer the tall, dark, and stupid ones, haha. Honestly, I really like strong, emotional performers that radiate charisma and/or power on stage. Plus, if they know how to pet and cuddle musumeyaku (plus lift them in pretty arcs) I'm a goner.
7 Please tell us the musumeyaku you prefer. More than one is okay.
I love musumeyaku that are strong and womanly, that can take care of themselves even if they must play fragile characters.
8 What musicals do you like? Up to three is okay.
Never Say Goodbye, Nijinsky, The Scarlet Pimpernel
9 What revue shows do you like? Up to three is okay.
Nova Bossa Nova, Sora Fantasista, Revue Densetsu.
10 Which performance made you think, "Give me my money back!" as you were watching it?
Thankfully I haven't had any live Takarazuka shows that have made me go like that. Same with any DVDs I have purchased, but in terms of TIME…. I'd say Trafalger.
11 Outside of the ones you prefer, which seito is on your mind the most right now?
Manaka Ayu and Aoki Izumi.
12 Of the ones NOT star-tracked, so to speak, which seito do you like? More than one is okay.
I don't really pay attention to non-star tracked ones lately since I have been pretty lazy. Also the ones I like I'm not sure they are star tracked or not *laughs*
13 Please tell us which of the "avuncular type upperclassman" do you like?
Misa Noeru.. even if she can't T_T
14 Please tell us which of the "older sister type upperclassman" do you like?
Suzana Saya <3
15 Please give us your strong point and weak point as a Takarazuka fan.
I suppose my strong point is that I'm a generally friendly type and that I have yet anyone really hate me? My weak point probably is that I still take things to heart more than I should.
16 What's your greatest boast as a Takarazuka fan?
Haha, I don't really know? I try to not boast as most of the stuff that happened to me isn't special and involve me making a fool of myself. But, I guess I am proud to be one of the TakaWiki founders.
17 What's your greatest confession as a Takarazuka fan? Feel free to elaborate.
To steal someone else's answer… I spend too much money and thought on this fandom.
18 Is there a musical you wish they would put on again?
Kiss Me Kate.
19 Is there a revue show you wish they would put on again?
Nova Bossa Nova Blue Moon Blue.
20 Please try and analyze the kind of seito you're inclined to become a fan of.
As I stated before, I generally am attracted to extremely charismatic and both emotionally and physically strong types. I like the ones that can express a wide range of emotions with their entire body and voice. Funny enough, I like the ones that can depict heartbreak the best without having to scream and angst like they having a seizure. Also, if they can truly portray the emotion of love… I'm a goner. Not only must they be able to do this, but do it with elegance, style… and then turn around and be adorable derps the next minute.
21 Whom do you think is currently best suited to a black tailcoat?
Kiriya Hiromu.
22 Do you ever actually use the words "lead otokoyaku"?
Not really?
23 Some comments on Todoroki Yuu.
Kinda done with her?
24 What do you think are requirements for a star-tracked otokoyaku?
Charisma and a real love for the audience and their partner.
25 What do you think are requirements for a star-tracked musumeyaku?
Same as above.
26 What do you think of Otozuki Kei?
Not my type at all. I generally don't like white hat type of otokoyaku, but she can sing.
27 What do you think of the Kiriyan-Marimo combination?
I wish I had seen more of it. I haven't liked a top couple in ages and I'm sad that I as soon as I realise how awesome they are they are leaving.
28 Well then, what about the Kimu-Mimi combination?
It's all right. Neither of them are my types, but they go well together.
29 What do you think is the coolest stage name?
I don't really know haha.
30 Is there an OG whom you wish you could have seen when she was a current seito?
Makoto Tsubasa.
31 Is there someone you think: "They didn't retire last time, but this time..."? Who is it?
Well, my greatest fear came true already… so Yuumi Hiro.
32 Some comments on Hokushou Kairi.
<33333 I came to like her a lot as a soragumi sei. I'm gonna miss her.
33 If you had to select a current musumeyaku from the 93rd class to recommend, whom would it be?
Aizuki Hikaru <3
34 Are you more partial to Ayucchi's style (Manaka Ayu), or Haruko's (Otoha Minori)?
Ayu for sure. I'm love with her musumeyaku style which is both fragile, but strong. Otoha is too breakable for me.
35 Is there someone whom you want to ask to improve their stage makeup? Who?
Hmm, I don't know.
36 Some comments on Misuzu Aki.
I've loved her very early on in my fandom career and will always be a fan of her voice.
37 Some comments on Kurenai Yuzuru.
She…. should be my type, but I can't take her seriously. She is the type that even if she managed to become 熱い I will still laugh. That being said, I do like her comedic roles. Beni is pretty amazing at slapstick.
38 Please tell us about a seito you think should be used more, but gets no recognition.
Houju Ichi. SHE CAN DO EVERYTHING. WHY ISN"T SHE DOING ANYTHING?
39 If I said "someone treasured by the company", whom would you associate that with?
Tom.
40 Whom do you consider the best etoile?
Current? Um can't think of anyone… Retired? Kazune Miou and Nanase Ririko.
41 "She can't sing", "she can't dance", "she can't act", which do you consider the biggest handicap?
Acting for sure. I really dislike wooden acting and not being able to handle complicated emotions.
42 Some comments on Ouki Kaname.
Well, what can I say. She physically isn't my type (I don't like the overly pretty ones generally) and isn't as charismatic as I thought she would be. But, her acting is solid (within a certain range) and it seems her voice has improved? I've only seen her live once and I liked what I saw, but it didn't captivate me. She is a little too much on the cool side. Regardless, I look forward to seeing where she takes Soragumi if she becomes top.
43 What do you think is the preferred amount of time for a top star to hold that position?
Four years.
44 Please tell us who your favorite musical playwright is, and which of their works you like most. Up to two people is okay.
Up until now only two playwrights haven't failed me completely which are Kimura Shinji and Harada Ryou.
45 Please tell us who your favorite revue playwright is, and which of their works you like most. Up to two people is okay.
I'm more on the fence with revue playwrights. I seem to generally Like Saitou Yoshimasa (as long as he is only doing revues)… and maybe Fuji Daisuke? They both have disappointed me greatly so… I don't know *laughs*
46 Is there a costume you'd like to try on?
Hmm, honestly I want to wear any of the horrid ruffle costumes *poker face*
47 Please tell us your favorite Takarazuka tune. Up to three is okay.
Takarazuka Forever, Hello! Takarazuka, and Takarazuka Ole >_>
48 If I say dancer, whom do you think of?
Yuzuki Reon and Ranju Tomu
49 If I say singer, whom do you think of?
Miho Keiko.
50 If I say actress, whom do you think of?
Kiriya Hiromu.
51 Please tell us what you think is Ueda Shinji's best work.
What?
52 Although Star Troupe just performed "Romeo et Juliette" in 2010, Snow Troupe revived it in 2011. What do you really think of that?
I think the show was really well suited to a Grand theater stage and Kimu made a very very good Romeo. I was mostly off put by the hoshigumi version as I DON"T like the production in general and I the casting was mostly off putting.
53 Please tell us what you think is Shibata Yukihiro's best work.
He tries very hard for the novella drama doesn't he ?*laughs* The only two I really like of his is Blood and Sand and Passion. Though Valencian Passion comes close (even if its for sentimental reasons).
54 Some comments on Koike's works.
He is very good at adaptations.
55 Which troupe's version of Elisabeth do you like?
Both yuki versions.
56 Is there some staff from outside of Takarazuka that you'd like to work there? It doesn't matter how feasible it is.
An american director that isn't Frank Wildhorn maybe? How about Peter Jackson? /shot. In all seriousness, I would like to see more foreign directors since Takarazuka has become awfully incestuous and stale in their body of works.
57 Is there an original work (novel, movie, historical person) that you'd like to see turned into a Takarazuka performance?
If you have a cast in mind, add that too.
I still hold out hope for The Wedding Singer and if we must do Wildhorn again how about Jekyll and Hyde? <3
58 Do you like Ueda Keiko's works?
Hmm, often on the fence about her.
59 What do you think of Saitou's works?
Haha, I like him generally.
60 Well then, what about Kimura's?
He has yet to disappoint me really. More operas please.
61 Which character from which performance do you think is the best Takarazuka hero?
Georges Malraux from Never Say Goodbye and Percy from The Scarlet Pimpernel.
62 Well then, what about the best heroine?
Elisabeth and Marguerite for sure. Though I have become awful fond of Romola from Nijinsky.
63 Predict the five top stars in five years.
I'd rather not thanks.
64 Do you go to performances with friends or alone?
Both
65 Do you have a lot of friends who go to shows?
Yes.
66 What do you think of irimachi and demachi?
I miss it!
67 Do you like ochakai?
Oh I really love them. I joked once I would just go around to everyone's ochakai and see the shows maybe once or twice.
68 Feel free to say something about fan club uniforms.
Why so expensive, hideous, and weather inappropriate *laughs*
69 A comment about "Kageki".
Makes me wish I could read the articles more.
70 A comment about "Takarazuka Graph".
Needs new photographers and art directors.
71 Do you use Quatre Reves often?
Unfortunately yes.
72 What goods would you like to see at Quatre Reves?
More useful goods!
73 Have you ever been to Takarazuka-an?
Yep.
74 Is there a video you saw against your better judgment and liked?
Rome at Dawn.
75 What do you do with your videos and programs in your room?
They are on my shelves.
76 Please tell us a restaurant around the theaters that you recommend.
Izumis and the okonomiyaki place on the second floor of Sorio II
77 Have you ever paid premium prices for sold-out tickets? Feel free to elaborate.
Not…. for grand theater shows…….. shinkos maybe……
78 Feel free to say something about the Takarazuka Home Page.
GIMME TSUKI TOPS.
79 Do you watch Sky Stage?
Whenever I can see it.
80 Do you have the first, second, or third series of personal books?
Only Sagiri Seina's?
81 What's your opinion on the girlish fashion of musumeyaku?
I actually prefer the musumeyaku that come in looking very cool as opposed to girlish. Although, it is cute fashion.
82 Is it a problem if otokoyaku are overly feminine in off-stage portrait photos?
Yes, I don't particularly like the overly feminine types to start off with, but I'm totally okay if they go full on girl with skirts and such.
83 Confess, if you're talking with a friend about a play without seito you support, are you bored?
No not really, as its rare for there to be a show without some sort of seito I support.
84 What is the "sexiness of otokoyaku"?
The fact these women can take the male gender and make it something uniquely theirs.
85 Are you partial to the TakaWiki or to Takarazuka blogdom?
TakaWiki.
86 Have you gotten caught up in any internet conflicts?
Sadly yes, though nothing that has been directed at me. I've been more of an indirect casualty.
87 Do you prefer not to think of the Takarazuka Revue as a business?
No, because it is a business. Kobayashi was a brilliant business man and it irks me whenever the higher ups make decisions that seem ridiculous or produce discord.
88 What do you think of non-zuka fans who associate Takarazuka with a lesbian tiger pit?
Annoying. Though I think it is the actual western zuka fans that are the worst about it.
89 Have you come out as a Takarazuka fan at work or school?
Yes, though nobody really know what it is.
90 If a complete beginner asked you "What's so great about Takarazuka?" how would you reply?
It is a world where you can find everything and anything you may like.
91 Have you ever used the term "infatuation" in regards to Takarazuka?
Oh yes.
92 Has your love for Takarazuka ever slanted your perceptions of men in your real life?
No, my perception already was altered haha.
93 Have you ever had an instant as a fan where you thought: "I've gone past the point of no return?"
Oh heavens yes.
94 What kind of person is an "excessive fan"?
Those that really take things too much to heart and try to dictate how fandom should be. Though thankfully I don't know anyone like that personally.
95 What do you think of men being Takarazuka fans?
They are CUTE.
96 Please tell us your definition of an "old fan".
Those that have seen several generations of babies and tops.
97 What do you think is something that Takarazuka fans must not do?
Disrespect seito privacy and to oversexualize them.
98 What would cause you to stop being a Takarazuka fan?
I've come very close. Although, I would stop if it became too sexualized or idolish (though they are very in danger of the latter).
99 If you had a daughter, would you want her to enter Takarazuka?
I would love for her to, but its always her choice.
100 Last question. What is Takarazuka to you? Please answer with something other than "a world of dreams".
My escape from reality.