Recommended DVDs

[helsgard]

I have a Christmas gift from a friend that came with the instruction to buy a new Takarazuka DVD. (Oh, the horror! he he) So: recommendations? I like (and have) all the Elizabeths, both Ernst in Love, Singin' in the Rain, Me and My Girl, Black Rose of the Desert, Dark Brown Eyes, Excalibur, Gu Bigin, Hoshigage no Hito, Legend Ver. II., Zorro, ... a

Comments

[helsgard]

One of the first piano pieces I learned was a much-simplified (for small hands) "Toreador March." Between that and Anitra's Dance from Per Gynt I probably drove my mom crazy. Is Jose and Carmen much changed from the opera?

[helsgard]

A distant relative of mine was keen to get into opera. He did, eventually. I heard and saw a lot of opera when I was a kid. I'm afraid I like Wagner, who is much better than he sounds. :-)
Oh gosh I adore Zunko. And the other females here are rabid Zunko fans. So, looks like Zunko's Jose and Carmen it is, with Silver Rose next in line. Thank you guys so much for your suggestions!!!

[stone_depot]

Not sure if you are looking for this one, but one of the shows that Yumiko was in the lead was Silver Rose Chronicle...

Do you know what the play was about/recall any photos/scenes/songs? Maybe if you described it I can tell you which show it was (is obsessive about Yumiko like that)... XD

[helsgard]

Y'know, I started out (being a newbie) focusing on Mizu, but I have gradually come to appreciate Yumiko a whole heck of a lot too. She's what my father would have called a "brick," a compliment meaning a person of solid loyalty. A person you can depend on. I keep thinking she is stone to Mizu's water, if that makes sense and I just realized as I typed this the layers of puns there... <@_@>
I remember seeing a black-and-white photograph of Yumiko in a kimono, erm, maybe Tokogawa Tsuniyoshi era? She was standing, one hand on the shoulder of a lady, looking very grim. There was a link on Takawiki, which I had marked, but when I went there today it was gone so I have been wondering if I dreamed the whole thing.

On the gripping hand, Silver Rose is one of the DVDs I had marked as a "maybe." I had done the same with Jose and Carmen. I might have to flip a coin. :-)

[helsgard]

FOUND IT! I am sooo stupid sometimes. It's "Tsuki no Hokage."
Anyone know anything about it? Good? I love Chuushingura and am a total Aborenbo Shogun fan.

[stone_depot]

Oh that was a Bow she did with Ranju Tomu.

I think it's nice if you like Nihonmonos, though personally I prefer Osa-san's Fuyu Monogatari (Osa plays 2 roles, there's some Osa/Asa and Osa/Yumiko pairing in there that is quite interesting and fun) or Yumiko's Naked City when it comes to Bows.

Personally I loved Yumiko's shows from 2005 onwards, because there was this very good feel she's managed to weave into her on stage presence.

Silver Rose is one of my all-time favourites though, and the story, songs, etc. were really very nicely executed and brought together. But then I might be biased because I watched this one live and never got it out of my head since then. ;)

[helsgard]

Thanks to all, Silver Rose Chronicle has arrived and been viewed and is now much appreciated. And thank you translator on TakaWiki!!!

[rouen81]

Hello since nobody said anything for El Halcon I will, it is a really interesting show Aran gets to play one of the meanest magnificent bastard's I've seen which is quite different from the normal lead, but you still can't hate him. There are musumeyaku with swords, ships, pirate fights, awesome costumes, good acting.

In short if you can see this show.

PS If you don't mind I would like to know your opinion on Silver Rose Chronicle, Legend Ver II and Zorro.

[helsgard]

Ah, thank you! I had read somewhere that Aran was truly scary as the Bad Guy. It's still on my To Get list.

Opinion of Silver Rose, Legend Ver II and Zorro:
"Legend Ver. II" is the second complete show I saw, the first being Cosmos's "Elizabeth" (which turned me into a drooling twitching grinning euphoric mess). I was totally confused by the story but captivated by the costumes and the acting. I had not a clue who was doing what, but I instantly took to Yuzuki Reon. As an engineer I was constantly trying to figure out the costumes - how much does all that WEIGH? - and special effects... until there was this battle scene and I forgot everything else. Think of a child who has a vague clue what candy is, then drop her in the middle of a Godiva superstore. <@.@> I think I've watched it about eight or nine times now, and I'm starting to get a handle on the story. Of course when I got the disk I first dug out all my Korean mythology books, and queried our draftsman (he's from Korea) but then I learned it's based on a manga. (I haven't

[rouen81]

Thank you for your kind answer

[helsgard]

Ooooo oooo oooo, THANK YOU for the links!! MORE time sinks!!

A year ago on YouTube I found the Chinese series "Monkey" and I was jumping up and down with joy. I adore Monkey. But then someone yanked it for copyright and I was sad. It's difficult drawing the line between abuse and fair use, and doubly frustrating when the goodie is yanked away. Internet is spoiling me.

Eru Arukon

[amintajuliette]

I was about to say something, but my dearest Rouen81 said it all...
El Halcon is a verry intense show where you can find everything that make a "Cloak and sword adventure possible"
Aran really made a great job. I fell in love with her thanks to this production. I almost swear that Tyrian Persimon get out from the comic's pages!

Re: Eru Arukon

[helsgard]

One more reason to put El Halcon higher on the "have to get" list. As if I needed one. :-) Thanks for the comment! And please do not hesitate to comment, I'm rather isolated and love to chat.