Takarazuka Journal

Argh. I really wish I had had a chance to get to this earlier. It's all fuzzy now. :(

Gin-chan no Koi
2008 Flower Troupe, Nippon Seinenkan

Leads: Ozora Yuuhi & Nono Sumika

[ TakaWiki ] [ Asahi Review ]

( Summary (no ending spoilers): )

( What I Thought: )

All in all, I'd recommend it for everyone, even with the lack of music, because I think the funny moments will keep you entertained even through the longer dialogues. And because Yuuhi is Yuuhi. And because of Hikaru's little mustache. And because the cast will knock your socks off.

Beware! It's the Return of the Old Review Format! (Just 'cause.)

I kinda felt like Rika looked after I finished this show...


The Blue Sky of Provence
Moon Troupe Drama City, 1999

Leads: Shibuki Jun & Mihara Shiho

[ TakaWiki Page ]

( Cast: )

( Summary: (Here there be spoilers) )

What I Thought:

This isn't my favorite Rika show by a long shot. It's not a bad show; it's just not the kind of setting and plot that really appeals to me. In a way, the complete depression of this show reminds me of the early 70s shounen ai manga like "Kaze to Ki no Uta", and I never really got into those either. How much depression and schoolboy angst do you need? I was surprised, because compared to the many copies of "Buenos Aires no Kaze", this video is relatively rare in auctions. But I guess it calls out more to the Japanese fans. Heck, maybe a lot of you would really love this show too.

I was also terribly disappointed that they had all this vocal talent and didn't take advantage of it. Mihara Shiho didn't get a single solo, and only one duet with Rika; a rather lack-luster song. Similarly, Hatsukaze Midori didn't get a solo either, only one really obnoxious song with the other schoolboys at the very beginning. The songs themselves were mostly reworked Sondheim, and while not performed badly, weren't really that great either.

( read more (Here there be spoilers as well) )

( Hehe )

I'm feeling particularly lazy today, so you get sent to the wiki for show particulars.

Hard-Boiled Egg
Moon Troupe, 1995

Leads: Amami Yuuki, Asano Kayo

[ TakaWiki ]

( What I Thought: )

*is good, writes a review in her review journal*

Angel's Smile, Devil's Tears (Faust)
Moon Troupe, 1989

( Cast )

( Summary )

What I Thought

Utako is a dork. A cute dork, with moments of brilliance, but over-all, a dork. She reminds me too much of a goofy, over-enthusiastic puppy for me to take her seriously, and all I've seen her in so far are two rather depressing, tragic, love stories. What does this tell us? Well, it tells me I really wish I had one of her comedies..... Kodama Ai reminds me eerily of Ayano Kanami at times. I liked her much more in this than in Minami no Aishuu; the more mature role suited her very well. Her singing is always a pleasant surprise. Kaname must be the cutest evil fallen angel in the history of the universe. Luckily she has a good evil smirk. Non-chan slayed me dead again and again. Too cute! Too cute! *sniffles*

The heaven scene scared me. I was very worried what the rest of the show would look like, but luckily we left behind the horrid blond wigs, angel wings, and sacharine singing fairly quickly. The next big song number was at the university and I loved it. It was definitely my favorite song in the show. There wasn't really much dancing, beyond Utako's table dance in the bar and the angsty dance of regret towards the end. Over-all it felt more like a play than a musical, which brings us to the acting. I think Kodama Ai was my favorite actress. Particularly her scene in the mental hospital: "He loves me, he hates me, he loves me, he hates me, he hates me, he hates me, he hates me..." *shivers* Everyone else was, well, all right, but not brilliant. Oh! Non-chan was pretty brilliant. ;) But Kaname kind of hammed it up a little too much, and Utako spent way too much time being a dork. *sigh*