News: Mizu Natsuki's Retirement

[masahi]

This didn't come as a big surprise. Ever since I watched Zorro, I've been waiting for it. She's at that level of frightening-thinness which is usually a precursor to retirement in Siennes.

However, what I think is fantastic is that she looks like she's already prepping herself for a JRock/Pop career:

I can't wait to see where she goes from Takarazuka in September :) (After a good meal or six as well)

It does, though, bring to mind the question of the succession. I would like to see Kimu do well, but I don't know if they won't maybe bring someone slightly more senior in, at least for a little while.

Comments

[everchangingmuse]

This video is amazing. I'm hoping she goes the J-Rock/Pop route as well, because then my little Anime Club students might discover who she is, and we can watch videos like this on J-Rock day.^^

Who would be more senior than Kimu to bring in? I don't know my hierarchy very well at all.

[masahi]

That's where the trouble lies - there aren't many who are senior to her who aren't spoken for. The main one who should/could be top now is Tomu, who is lined up as Nibante for Cosmos. Everyone thought Yuuhi would have a couple of shows then head off, much like Takashiro Kei, but since she's staying, Tomu's Top stint looks like it has been put on hold, and since she's also backed up by Micchan as sanbante and an upcoming Kacha rapidly overtaking Tomochin as Sanbante, they really have too many people in line for Top Star. So possibly Tomu?

[everchangingmuse]

Ah. I don't know a lot about Cosmos right now, which is part of my problem in understanding the politics and such. I'm only just starting to see a bit of more recent Star (I love Pimpernel^^), and I know pretty much nothing about current Flower.

So...they could move Tomu to top in Snow with Kimu as nibante, possibly? Or move Micchan over as nibante to Kimu if they top Kimu if they want to leave Tomu for after Yuuhi goes? I'll get the hang of this one day!

There is a part of me that is insanely pleased Yuuhi looks like she's sticking around for a while. I adored her in Moon, and I'm so glad she's finally topped. Casablanca is going on the List so I can see who the current girls in Cosmos are, and see Yuuhi's grand theatre debut. I want to see Yuuhi and Kiriyan do a TCA special together and just give each other knowing looks the whole time - they've both waited so long for this, I can imagine them being sort-of giggly over the fact that they're now top stars together.^^

[masahi]

I pretty much know Star and Moon, but the rest are quite hazy for me. Snow is probably the one I know best after those two, then Flower, and Cosmos last. The only reason I know anything about Cosmos is because I have quite a few Cosmos fans on my flist :)

However, there is also Eritan in current Flower. She's Nibante there, but she was in Snow when Mizu first moved there. She was about the same level as Kimu, though, so moving back to be her Nibante would be awkward. She's best staying where she is. Of all people to move, Tomu or Micchan are the best bets, especially if Yuuhi stays put.

There is also the option of moving Morie from Moon, before she falls completely off the Star Track and get her in as Kimu's Nibante. That would be quite nice...

And will stop babbling now, honest :) (And totally agreed on Casablanca. The music sounds gorgeous)

[everchangingmuse]

I'm a big fan of moving Morie over as nibante. That would be my ideal scenario. I think she's amazing and needs more love from the company - and now that it seems both Mirio and Masaki are vying for nibante of Moon....

There is no such thing as "babbling" when it comes to Takarazuka. I always enjoy learning more! Haven't heard the Casablanca music, aside from the commercial, but I'm sure it's gorgeous. I need to watch the original (I know, I'm unAmerican or something for not having watched the Bogart version ever) so I'll understand what's going on in the Japanese.

[masahi]

I've never seen Casablanca either, which is probably a bad thing to admit for a film-major ;)

[decarabas]

I can't stop watching that video.

I hope she does do something with JRock/Jpop; I would absolutely love seeing that.

[masahi]

It would be fantastic :D And she could finally put on a bit more weight and look healthier too :)