Whoh...

[muffin_song]

I'm assuming that everyone has seen this by now.

I had heard the rumors going around, but still I was surprised when I woke up from a nap today and saw the announcement on the Hankyu page.  I had lay down exhausted after getting home earlier around 3, thinking "Tomorrow is the start of Asaki Yume Mishi rehearsals, I guess nothing is going to

Comments

[muffin_song]

"I could see Kiriyan in Hana, but the end of the Yuuhi/Asa/Kiriyan triangle of awesomeness would be a big blow to Tsukigumi, I think, so I'm not sure how I feel about that."

Agreed, those three do work really well together. Although given promotions and retirements sadly they will be broken up eventually, as all good things come to an end :/ I made a comment below about Kiriyan's health...I know that Hankyu doesn't want a repeat of what happened with Charlie, but I'd like to think that (hopefully) it's been three or four years since Kiriyan had to miss performances so (hopefully) things will be okay. I hope so, for the fans' sakes, and of course for Kiriyan's as well.

"Just my long, rambly thoughts, sorry. ^^;"

It's all cool, I like rambly thoughts ^_^

[bluerevue]

Woah, I somehow hadn't thought of Yumiko yet. I guess that's a possiblity too. I've got my money on Un, though.

I really can't see them making Kiriyan top of Flower, somehow. Not after she's been in Moon so long. On the other hand, it's also sort of hard to see her as top with Yuuhi as nibante after Asako retires, although that would be best-case scenario as far as I'm concerned. Honestly it's hard to imagine Moon changing in any way right now, I love it so much as it is...

(Um.... pretend I didn't say that about Asako retiring. Oh wait, goddamn it, just said it again. Arg.)

By the way, what exactly is up with Kiriyan's health? I know she was replaced in a show or two a few years back, but no one's ever said why as long as I've been a fan. Does she have an ongoing condition of some kind?

[sumire_no_hana]

You know what's funny? As many times as I've seen people in the English-speaking community reference her illness, I haven't actually seen anyone telling anyone else what she has.

From what I've been able to glean in the past from news articles and Japanese sites, she has some variation of an autoimmune collagen disease (膠原病)... which could actually be one of several things. I might have recalled seeing one mention of a minor case of lupus, but I'm not sure if that was right or the source was reliable.

All I know for sure is that her case isn't overly major and as long as she gets the shots that she needs when she has some sort of onset, she's usually fine.

[kyanited]

I'm not sure if Kiriyan is up to it... And if at all, I'd vote for her to get tsuki after Asako. [I really don't like the thought of the magic trio/quartett being broken up :( ] I'd say Sei is 'the man', although I'd also like the thought of Yumiko coming back. It would be better for the troupe, I think.

Ah wells, I'm really sad that Osa leaves, it's the end of an era, but I'm also curious to see what she will be doing after zuka, and I'm curious to see what changes will occur in zuka.

[muffin_song]

Are you talking about physically? I really do wonder about that. You would think that she's already under a lot of stress as nibante. As far as I know she hasn't had any problems big enough to cancel performances since Senior Don Juan and Bridge of Smiles, Bridge of Tears. I feel like since I'm not a doctor I can't really judge. If you're talking about her performance, well, that's your opinion and I happen to disagree with it ^_^

"I'm curious to see what changes will occur in zuka."

Me too. This will lead I think to a lot of shifting.

[kyanited]

Heavens forbid, I have no doubt at all regarding her performance! I meant physically... the tops seem to get worked quite a bit... :(

[kozuki]

I'm really not surprised about Osa at all, I knew it was coming. I'm with you on the whole move issue Kiriyan belongs in Tsuki...I can see them moving her and she started out in Hana. I'd much prefer them to leave her where she is which is possible. I know people seem to wonder if Kiriyan could be top well I have two conflicting statements with that. I believe two members of Wataru's fanclub said something about her not being able to be top (I honestly can't remember it they said it or someone else). However members of Kiriyan's fanclub asked me if I'd come back to Japan if she became top. So there's conflicting info for ya.

I really hope they don't go move crazy...They really need to not move Kiriyan or Chie. I think I may feel a bit more strongly about the idea of them moving Chie...She seriously is Hoshi. I'm hoping for Matobu to take over. I think she could do a fine job running things.

[muffin_song]

Honestly, in regards to Kiriyan's health, we can speculate all we want (and there's nothing wrong with speculation), but probably the only people who really know what's going on are Kiriyan and Hankyu. Not to put down your sources, but I'm not sure if I would call Wataru's fanclub 100% accurate in regards to Kiriyan's future. If anything, they're probably speculating just like we are.

[kozuki]

Well clearly it's all speculation and both sources can be taken with a grain of salt because I really don't think any of them know exactly. But it is something to think about I supposse. Personally I don't really put too much believe in the rumors that she'll never be top because of her health. I could be wrong but if she can handle being second I see no reason why she couldn't be top since she's had leads in Bow shows rather then a bit part in the National Tour stuff. Pure speculation, but that's my feeling. I wouldn't be surprised if she had a short run as a top. I don't personally think that she'd stay top for very long but I think it's possible.

[muffin_song]

"I don't personally think that she'd stay top for very long but I think it's possible."

Hey, no depressing me when I've only been up for two hours! ^^ Seriously, though, what's your line of thinking on that one? I do think that Kiriyan has a great post-Zuka career ahead of her when she (sadly) does eventually decide to retire. She makes a very, very hot woman.