Takarazuka

[Shibuyaexpat]

I was flipping through the channels one day and became completely mesmerized by this. Only after asking a colleague, did I know the name of the show (?).

Has anyone ever seen this show? If so, what's the appeal?

[epigene]

Seems no one is responding to this? :?

Well, Takarazuka is an all-girls revue that dates back to 1927 (according to its website), established in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture. It consists of a performing arts school (for girls on high school level) and a theatrical company of graduates of that school.

I think the popularity of the show stems from "sisterly" admiration girls used to have toward older girls (sempai) who were beautiful, intelligent, cool, etc., when girls were not allowed to associate with boys in the old days. It's not really a "lesbian" thing, because girls usually outgrew this phase and got married to men. The strange part is there are still girls like that and older women who remain diehard fans. I think it's "fantasy land" for them. (Me excluded, I never liked it. :relief: )

There was a report in the media a couple of years ago of Takarazuka touring the UK (I think) and being trashed by the local critics. :blush:

Today, Takarazuka regarded one of the best training grounds for breaking into show business. Quite a lot of Japanese actresses of the past and today are Takarazuka-trained.

[epigene]

Yes, found an article on it for anyone interested:

http://www.japan-zone.com/modern/takarazuka.shtml

:wave:

[Shibuyaexpat]

Thanks epigene. I saw their Web site as well and it's all pretty interesting stuff. When I first saw a clip of their performance on TV, I was immediately drawn to how similar they all look to characters in the 1970s anime like Captain Harlock and Battleship Yamamoto. My Japanese is almost non-existent so when I first saw them on TV, I immediately thought that they were doing a revue of one of those anime. I feel silly now...

[epigene]

Thanks epigene. I saw their Web site as well and it's all pretty interesting stuff. When I first saw a clip of their performance on TV, I was immediately drawn to how similar they all look to characters in the 1970s anime like Captain Harlock and Battleship Yamamoto.
I think that's very interesting observation. The makeup style Takarazuka uses has been roughly the same since my childhood days (Takarazuka revues were much more popular than today and were more frequently shown on TV.) It probably is the image that the Japanese idolizes (oversized eyes, lots of long eyelashes, tall nose, etc.) that is also reflected in Japanese manga and subsequently anime. I never associated it that way... thanks! :-)

[Shibuyaexpat]

I know that the Takarazuka take their performances very seriously, but wouldn't it be hilarious if they did a musical version of one of those anime? I know that I would certainly pay good money to see it.

[epigene]

Oh, Takarazuka hit it big when they produced a musical version of "Rose of Versailles," a manga for girls about the French royal court with Marie Antoinette, etc. It kept running for years and today is sometimes brought back on stage!

Maybe they'd be willing to do a "Yamato" or "Harlock" if they think it'll be well received! :giggle:

[Shibuyaexpat]

It would be great way to reach out to the male audience :p

[caster51]

takarazuka 2years trianing school is so strict like army..
preparatory-department student is like servant of regular course student:(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf3owyEaqXs&eurl=

[KirinMan]

One of my "former" students is now a regular on the Takarazuka "main" stage. From what she tells me it really is a labor of "love" to get to the the point she is at.
I give her a ton of credit for sticking with it and "making" it.