masahi: (Snow Troupe - Yukigumi)
I know it's a bit late of me to make observations about troupe retirements and whatnot, when Mizu announced hers months ago. Still, it's a surreal feeling, knowing that I was in this fandom when she became Top Star. Admittedly, I'd only been toe-dipping for about six months and the nicknames and kanji were a bafflement to me, but I have now been here and into it for the duration of a Top Otokoyaku's whole run.

I just missed the changeover in Soragumi and was still too new to be aware of Touko's debut as Top. But Komu was one of the first people I ever saw, what with the Soragumi Elisabeth being the thing that hauled me in. Her retirement to make way for Mizu was when I knew I was hooked (I blame Susano'o).

And even though Mizu was never quite my favourite, I've always been fond of her as 'my' Top Star, the first I remember clearly and strongly. I'll miss her awfully, but I have great hopes that if Yumiko has gone J-Rock, then Mizu won't be far behind ;)
masahi: (Snow Troupe - Yukigumi)
Summary:
Nishiki-e is a performance of traditional Japanese Dances centred on the theme of the Wind.

Zorro: The Masked Messiah is... well... Zorro - the heroic masked man in black riding to the rescue of the peasant underdogs.

Nishiki-e of the Wind/Zorro! - Snow Troupe 2009 )
masahi: (Default)
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.
masahi: (Snow Troupe - Yukigumi)
For those who don't know, Ayabuki Mao, Yukigumi's stalwart Nibante, is retiring next year.

This one came as a shock to me. I've been expecting Mizu Natsuki to retire in the coming year, but since I don't tend towards the grapevine, this came out of the blue. I don't know if there's a rule of age or however-many-ken not being Top Star, but Yumiko's been a solid Nibante for almost 7 years, with Osa and now, Mizu.

Maybe she didn't want Top. Maybe she did. I suspect not, because she left Flower when she was all but due to be top there. All the same, I wish she was staying, even if it was only as Senka. I'll miss her smile and her dimples, and will watch for her future career very eagerly.

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December 2012

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