News: Kiriya Hiromu's retirement

The big news of the day is that Kiriya Hiromu, topstar of Tsukigumi, is retiring. It feels strange, knowing this is the first time I can clearly remember the retirements of two successive top stars. I joined fandom just as Komu was departing, and I saw Mizu going as well, but I didn't really remember Komu's departure so well.

This time, it's Kiriyan. Kiriyan who has been the face of Tsukigumi for me for years, as so many people came and went. Kiriyan, who took every role and made it her own. Kiriyan, who made me laugh and cry and simply be awed. Kiriyan, who has Finch-kun.

I'm not sad, persay. I'm happy to see a Topstar who has polished her troupe until it shone. Asako was wonderful, but Tsuki's glitter was fading when she left. Kiriyan took her troupe and made it shine again, so brightly. I was fortunate enough to see their bitter, melancholy Elisabeth with Asako and then the sheer, exuberant madness that was The Gypsy Baron in Tokyo.

Kiriyan renewed Tsukigumi and she's leaving while it's still blazing like a firework. She's leaving while she's healthy and happy and the troupe are at their best. She's taken the troupe she loves and polished it until it shines, and now, she's ready to let it go.

And to be honest, I can not wait to see what she's going to do next :)