Julie comes in dead last posting this one
(Since I don't know who started this, I'll go with ceteranna's title) The Preferences and Opinions Meme
1. Who is your favorite current Top Star?
Otokoyaku: Yuzuki R-- actually no, I have a bit of reservation/resentment where Chie is concerned, so Matobu Sei. Musumeyaku: Sakurano Ayane. (*blinks* ...both Hanagumi... Is that right? *thinks* ...Yeah, it is.)
2. Who is your favorite current Nibante?
Otokoyaku: Ranju Tomu. Musumeyaku: Hanakage Arisu.
3. Who is your favorite current sienne who is neither a top star or a nibante?
Otokoyaku: Nagina Ruumi. Musumeyaku: Argh. If I HAVE to pick... Amasaki Chihana. (Maybe I say that because I just wrote to her, though. I actually can't decide.)
4. Where is your current troupe loyalty?
Soragumi.
5. Which is your favorite troupe for
a) 1995-1999: Probably Yukigumi/Hanagumi until 1998, then Soragumi of course.
b) 2000-2002: Soragumi.
c) 2003-2005: Soragumi.
d) 2006-2009: Soragumi.
6. Which sienne would you switch your troupe loyalty for if they transferred somewhere else?
Honestly, no one. Even if Alice-chan moved to another troupe I'd follow her there, watch her and everyone else a lot... but I think my heart will forever remain with Soragumi.
7. What kind of play/stories do you want to see Takarazuka do?
Heroine-centric ones. Just one Bow Hall a year or something, pretty please? (I want to see Alice-chan star in a staging of Once on This Island -- and no turning it into Elisabeth Goes Caribbean, Hankyuu.)
8. What types of plays do you want to see more of? (ie comedy, romance, western, supernatural, fable/fairy tale)
I think I'm not the only one who finds this question not too different from #7, but... Supernatural / fantasy was exciting in theory but didn't work amazingly for Taiou Shijinki, I think. Maybe smaller-theater fantasy / fairy tale, then? (A Bow Hall staging of Into the Woods is also one of my dreams. IT COULD TOTALLY WORK.) And smart, well-written comedy / dramedies.
9. Would you like to see Takarazuka do a non-singing play?
Sure. In Bow I think it could work, but not Grand Theater.
10. Which is your favorite version of Elisabeth and why?
Soragumi. Independent of my troupe-love, in my budding days as a fan I saw Zunko!Death and said, "I want THAT one." ♥ A more in-depth explanation of my reasons would take too long. :P
11. Which is your favorite version of Rose of Versailles and why?
Objectively in a "this is a passable show" way, Hoshigumi 2001. Honorable mentions to Soragumi 2001 (for sentimental reasons -- my first exposure to Takarazuka) and Sora 2009 (for laughs ;D).
... *snorts* question 12?!
13. Which are your top 5 favorite Takarazuka plays?
*steals from 100 Questions Meme* Never Say Goodbye, Singin' in the Rain, Boxman, Paradise Prince, Phantom... no, Kiss to the Flames... Oh, I don't know. (I never claimed to be anything but completely biased. X3)
14. Which are your top 5 favorite revues?
Sora Fantasista, Neo Voyage, Revue Densetsu, Red Hot Sea... and can I count the finale section of Taiou Shijinki? (I'm sure I could think of another full revue, but Taiou finale really needs a mention.) If not, maybe Takarazuka Dream Kingdom... or Tuxedo Jazz. (Btw, it makes me SO happy to see how many people list "Sora Fantasista" as one of their favorite revues even if they're not huge Soragumi fans :D)
15. Who is your favorite Top Star combi of all time?
Wao Youka and Hanafusa Mari.
16. What is your favorite Top Star / Nibante combination of all time?
Shizuki Asato and Wao Youka (although by rights this answer should also include O-Hana, and the question would be "your favorite top-musumeyaku-nibante love triangle of all time".)
17. Which troupe would you most likely cheat on your current favorite troupe with?
...Hoshigumi, maybe? Honestly, I spread my love around too much to say 100%, but I think Hoshi is the other troupe where I love the fullest range of stars (upperclassmen to underclassmen).
18. Which character is your favorite Takarazuka hero?
*again, stealing from 100 Questions* Kevin Randall from Boxman, Georges Malraux from Never Say Goodbye, Akechi Kogorou from The Black Lizard.
19. Which character is your favorite Takarazuka heroine?
Katherine MacGregor from Never Say Goodbye, Kurotokage from The Black Lizard, Gilda Lavanne from El Halcon.
20. Which character is your favorite Takarazuka villain?
Chauveliiiiiinnnnnn and his lackey Coupeau ;D from The Scarlet Pimpernel. Aguilar from Never Say Goodbye. Count di Luna from A Kiss to the Flames. Laroux and Oz from Scout. And sooooo many more X3
21. Do you prefer if a top couple has about the same age, or if the musumeyaku is much younger?
Seriously, has anyone answering this question said YES, I LOVE THE MUSUMEYAKU LOOKING LIKE JAILBAIT NEXT TO HER PARTNER? All I've seen is "I don't care either way" and "no, I like them to be closer in age" sort of answers.
And I don't think anybody really needs to ask me this question, because I've been vocal enough about my feelings. It's not that older top star x younger musumeyaku partner doesn't work sometimes. It's just that I think it's unfair to seasoned musumeyaku, I dislike the implication that less mature and more cutesy musumeyaku are preferable... And honestly, putting a young, fresh face next to a top star can make the otokoyaku look like a cradle-robber old.
22. If you would have a chance to be cast for a role in a Takarazuka play, which role would you want to play the most?
Kathy from Singin' in the Rain. Leonora from A Kiss to the Flames.
23. If you would have one night alone in the Takarazuka Daigekijou, what would you do?
Run around and explore EVERYTHING. The lifts, the orchestra pit, the rotating stage, the ginkyou, the hanamichi, the quick-change rooms! The passageways that they use to go backstage / to the rehearsal rooms / etc! I want so desperately to see how it all works; someday I'd love a backstage tour even if it didn't involve meeting any Takarasiennes.
I'd also probably give a go at singing on the stage, not that it would be all that impressive. ^__^;;
24. If you would have the chance to write a play for Takarazuka, what kind of play would that be? You can either just name a type (like comedy, tragedy etc.), name a book/movie you would like to turn into a play) or tell us your own awesome original idea.
I would write a heroine-centric plaaayyyyyyy or, okay, I would write a ridiculous love comedy fluff piece with lots of wacky side characters and criminally hot bad guys. ;D
25. As we'll most likely have to face the retirements of 3/4 of current Senka within the next six years, please tell us who can see/want to see as new members of future Senka. Please feel free to give reasons. (Please ignore the fact that they'd have to leave their current troupes, if that would be a reason for you not to name someone.)
Natsumi You, Takashou Mizuki, Mayuzuki Kou, Mirai Yuuki, Ema Naoki, Mari Yuzumi, Nishiki Ai... Tsuki and Sora upperclassmen are allowed to stay where they are a bit longer D:< (...okay, fine, I'd like to see Kotobuki Tsukasa and Suzuna Saya in Senka too)
Your Favorite! (pick one!)
1. Otokoyaku or musumeyaku
BOTH. You can't have one without the other.
2. Comedy or drama
I go back and forth a lot on this; unfortunately I have to say "both" again ^^;;;
3. Singing or dancing
Singing. Singing is much easier to appreciate / form an opinion on than dancing is for me.
4. Western style play or traditional Japanese style play
Western-style play, although I do appreciate some Nihonmono too.
5. Oscar or André
Oscar.
6. Death or Franz Joseph
Franz Joseph.
7. Play or Revue
Revue, just because revues are always more likely to be enjoyable than the plays are :P
8. Tuxedo or 10 layer bell-bottom latin pants
Tuxedo.
9. Sequins or feathers
Sequins. The feathers look really ridiculous and heavy a lot of the time; somehow I accept sequins more easily.
10. Main theater or Bow Hall (or Umeda or whatever other smaller theater they use)
Bow Hall / Umeda. On average, the plays tend to be better in smaller theaters.
11. Heroes or villains?
Both. It's easy to say that heroes are usually less interesting than villains, but the right actress can make a hero really great :D
1. Who is your favorite current Top Star?
Otokoyaku: Yuzuki R-- actually no, I have a bit of reservation/resentment where Chie is concerned, so Matobu Sei. Musumeyaku: Sakurano Ayane. (*blinks* ...both Hanagumi... Is that right? *thinks* ...Yeah, it is.)
2. Who is your favorite current Nibante?
Otokoyaku: Ranju Tomu. Musumeyaku: Hanakage Arisu.
3. Who is your favorite current sienne who is neither a top star or a nibante?
Otokoyaku: Nagina Ruumi. Musumeyaku: Argh. If I HAVE to pick... Amasaki Chihana. (Maybe I say that because I just wrote to her, though. I actually can't decide.)
4. Where is your current troupe loyalty?
Soragumi.
5. Which is your favorite troupe for
a) 1995-1999: Probably Yukigumi/Hanagumi until 1998, then Soragumi of course.
b) 2000-2002: Soragumi.
c) 2003-2005: Soragumi.
d) 2006-2009: Soragumi.
6. Which sienne would you switch your troupe loyalty for if they transferred somewhere else?
Honestly, no one. Even if Alice-chan moved to another troupe I'd follow her there, watch her and everyone else a lot... but I think my heart will forever remain with Soragumi.
7. What kind of play/stories do you want to see Takarazuka do?
Heroine-centric ones. Just one Bow Hall a year or something, pretty please? (I want to see Alice-chan star in a staging of Once on This Island -- and no turning it into Elisabeth Goes Caribbean, Hankyuu.)
8. What types of plays do you want to see more of? (ie comedy, romance, western, supernatural, fable/fairy tale)
I think I'm not the only one who finds this question not too different from #7, but... Supernatural / fantasy was exciting in theory but didn't work amazingly for Taiou Shijinki, I think. Maybe smaller-theater fantasy / fairy tale, then? (A Bow Hall staging of Into the Woods is also one of my dreams. IT COULD TOTALLY WORK.) And smart, well-written comedy / dramedies.
9. Would you like to see Takarazuka do a non-singing play?
Sure. In Bow I think it could work, but not Grand Theater.
10. Which is your favorite version of Elisabeth and why?
Soragumi. Independent of my troupe-love, in my budding days as a fan I saw Zunko!Death and said, "I want THAT one." ♥ A more in-depth explanation of my reasons would take too long. :P
11. Which is your favorite version of Rose of Versailles and why?
Objectively in a "this is a passable show" way, Hoshigumi 2001. Honorable mentions to Soragumi 2001 (for sentimental reasons -- my first exposure to Takarazuka) and Sora 2009 (for laughs ;D).
... *snorts* question 12?!
13. Which are your top 5 favorite Takarazuka plays?
*steals from 100 Questions Meme* Never Say Goodbye, Singin' in the Rain, Boxman, Paradise Prince, Phantom... no, Kiss to the Flames... Oh, I don't know. (I never claimed to be anything but completely biased. X3)
14. Which are your top 5 favorite revues?
Sora Fantasista, Neo Voyage, Revue Densetsu, Red Hot Sea... and can I count the finale section of Taiou Shijinki? (I'm sure I could think of another full revue, but Taiou finale really needs a mention.) If not, maybe Takarazuka Dream Kingdom... or Tuxedo Jazz. (Btw, it makes me SO happy to see how many people list "Sora Fantasista" as one of their favorite revues even if they're not huge Soragumi fans :D)
15. Who is your favorite Top Star combi of all time?
Wao Youka and Hanafusa Mari.
16. What is your favorite Top Star / Nibante combination of all time?
Shizuki Asato and Wao Youka (although by rights this answer should also include O-Hana, and the question would be "your favorite top-musumeyaku-nibante love triangle of all time".)
17. Which troupe would you most likely cheat on your current favorite troupe with?
...Hoshigumi, maybe? Honestly, I spread my love around too much to say 100%, but I think Hoshi is the other troupe where I love the fullest range of stars (upperclassmen to underclassmen).
18. Which character is your favorite Takarazuka hero?
*again, stealing from 100 Questions* Kevin Randall from Boxman, Georges Malraux from Never Say Goodbye, Akechi Kogorou from The Black Lizard.
19. Which character is your favorite Takarazuka heroine?
Katherine MacGregor from Never Say Goodbye, Kurotokage from The Black Lizard, Gilda Lavanne from El Halcon.
20. Which character is your favorite Takarazuka villain?
Chauveliiiiiinnnnnn and his lackey Coupeau ;D from The Scarlet Pimpernel. Aguilar from Never Say Goodbye. Count di Luna from A Kiss to the Flames. Laroux and Oz from Scout. And sooooo many more X3
21. Do you prefer if a top couple has about the same age, or if the musumeyaku is much younger?
Seriously, has anyone answering this question said YES, I LOVE THE MUSUMEYAKU LOOKING LIKE JAILBAIT NEXT TO HER PARTNER? All I've seen is "I don't care either way" and "no, I like them to be closer in age" sort of answers.
And I don't think anybody really needs to ask me this question, because I've been vocal enough about my feelings. It's not that older top star x younger musumeyaku partner doesn't work sometimes. It's just that I think it's unfair to seasoned musumeyaku, I dislike the implication that less mature and more cutesy musumeyaku are preferable... And honestly, putting a young, fresh face next to a top star can make the otokoyaku look like a cradle-robber old.
22. If you would have a chance to be cast for a role in a Takarazuka play, which role would you want to play the most?
Kathy from Singin' in the Rain. Leonora from A Kiss to the Flames.
23. If you would have one night alone in the Takarazuka Daigekijou, what would you do?
Run around and explore EVERYTHING. The lifts, the orchestra pit, the rotating stage, the ginkyou, the hanamichi, the quick-change rooms! The passageways that they use to go backstage / to the rehearsal rooms / etc! I want so desperately to see how it all works; someday I'd love a backstage tour even if it didn't involve meeting any Takarasiennes.
I'd also probably give a go at singing on the stage, not that it would be all that impressive. ^__^;;
24. If you would have the chance to write a play for Takarazuka, what kind of play would that be? You can either just name a type (like comedy, tragedy etc.), name a book/movie you would like to turn into a play) or tell us your own awesome original idea.
I would write a heroine-centric plaaayyyyyyy or, okay, I would write a ridiculous love comedy fluff piece with lots of wacky side characters and criminally hot bad guys. ;D
25. As we'll most likely have to face the retirements of 3/4 of current Senka within the next six years, please tell us who can see/want to see as new members of future Senka. Please feel free to give reasons. (Please ignore the fact that they'd have to leave their current troupes, if that would be a reason for you not to name someone.)
Natsumi You, Takashou Mizuki, Mayuzuki Kou, Mirai Yuuki, Ema Naoki, Mari Yuzumi, Nishiki Ai... Tsuki and Sora upperclassmen are allowed to stay where they are a bit longer D:< (...okay, fine, I'd like to see Kotobuki Tsukasa and Suzuna Saya in Senka too)
Your Favorite! (pick one!)
1. Otokoyaku or musumeyaku
BOTH. You can't have one without the other.
2. Comedy or drama
I go back and forth a lot on this; unfortunately I have to say "both" again ^^;;;
3. Singing or dancing
Singing. Singing is much easier to appreciate / form an opinion on than dancing is for me.
4. Western style play or traditional Japanese style play
Western-style play, although I do appreciate some Nihonmono too.
5. Oscar or André
Oscar.
6. Death or Franz Joseph
Franz Joseph.
7. Play or Revue
Revue, just because revues are always more likely to be enjoyable than the plays are :P
8. Tuxedo or 10 layer bell-bottom latin pants
Tuxedo.
9. Sequins or feathers
Sequins. The feathers look really ridiculous and heavy a lot of the time; somehow I accept sequins more easily.
10. Main theater or Bow Hall (or Umeda or whatever other smaller theater they use)
Bow Hall / Umeda. On average, the plays tend to be better in smaller theaters.
11. Heroes or villains?
Both. It's easy to say that heroes are usually less interesting than villains, but the right actress can make a hero really great :D