News: Sena Jun's Retirement

Though this isn't exactly new news, it's still news of a sort. The lady in question retired yesterday and she looked happier than she has in a long time.

My reason for bringing her up is because Asako was the first Takarazuka Top Star I ever saw live, in her second-to-last show, and she was astounding. I knew she was good, but I never expected her voice to be as bone-meltingly incredible as it was. She had power and charisma, and while she was clearly tiring then, she still burned the stage up. She was also one of the first Takarasiennes I saw, when I watched the Hanagumi Elisabeth, and I was smitten with her from Ernest in Love.

She's always struck me as not just a wonderful singer, but a very, very strong character actress who can express so much with the twitch of her lips or a dart of her eyes. Her comedy especially was wonderful, which is why Ernest remains ones of my favourite shows to this day. Her dynamic with not only Ayane-chan, but with Kiriyan, Ai-chan and every member of the troupe in the shows was enough to show why she was such a good Top Star.

I hope she will continue to perform, though if she doesn't, I'll understand why. Most of all, I hope that she can find some happiness and smile like she used to do, back before the pressure of being Top Star wore her out.

Farewell to the other Tsukigumi actresses as well, but as someone who has loved Asako since I first fell into fandom, I bid you farewell, Asako.