takarazuka nerds only need apply

[aimeekitty]

so... this was just posted on the takarazuka lj:
http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/movie_list.html

OMG yeay! I've been avoiding taka for a while to save my pocketbook, so I didn't know they had little video clips from most of the shows currently available! I wish they told you a little more about them though. Like for instance,... "this is a talkie show, which means gaijin need not waste their 100 bucks on it" or "this is a talkie, but sumire still looks hot in it, worth the $100."

things you should know about my taka tastes:
- I love Sumire, Saeko, Jun Sena and conditionally Comu and Mizu .... for some reason I do not like Wataru. (sorry Wataru)... I bet I would like Takashiro Kei too.
- some of my favorite shows are Ludwig, Rose of Versailles, Elisabeth, and Ernest in Love
- I'm starting to get into kabuki and traditional japanese stories more, so I wouldn't mind getting a takarazukaXOXOXOXKimono dvd (but preferably one that's not so "talkie" that I can't enjoy it??)

I'm pretty sure I definitely have to get this one:
taka wiki ... video clip page ... .also, if char reads this post... LOOK!!!

I'm kinda interested in these:
--- http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-155 (I love the music from this one, I know it's on that "best of takarazuka" cd)

--- http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-148 - comu looking super gothy/angsty!

--- http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-145 - comu again, but this one looks cute like Ernest in Love! I wonder if it's any good?

--- http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-144 - pretty kimono

--- http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-076 - sumire!

--- http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-080 - Sumire in a white pimp suit?

--- http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-065 - again, pretty kimono

--- Also curious about the new Sumire phantom

--- I also never got the new Rose of Versailles dvds, which I really should get at least one of since I saw the show in person and all. :P

--- also... this one (or another performance of it) http://koinoyamatoji.com/yamatoji/ ( takawiki I guess it's out of print and VHS only. maybe I can search YJA for it? I wouldn't know where to start.) )

Does anyone have any of them and can make comments on whether I might like them, etc? I'm posting here because I thought my list was too long and that it might be irritating to the LJ comm. If I can narrow it down some I'll probably crosspost there.

Comments

[dusk-in-dendera.livejournal.com]

Where to begin? ^^

I just bought Osa's version of "Phantom" and thought it was beautifully done. The song You are Music was worth forking over 10,500 yen alone ^_~

I also recently purchased the 10th Anniversary Elisabeth dvd, which includes two concerts (two different pairings of Der Tod and Elisabeth: Asato Shizuki & Ayaka Shiraki and Saki Asaji and Rei Otori). Zunko still looks amazing after nine years. If you love Elisabeth, then you'd definitely be interested.

I live a hop, skip, and a jump away from Takarazuka, so if you need anything, let me know ^^

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

thanks for the help! :)

I didn't really like the previous version of Phantom, it felt a little too stiff for me? How is Osa in it? I dont even know why I ask, as she always puts a lot of emotion into her performance, but I didn't really like her as Andre in RoV (just not quite right for her. I like her in more DerTody type roles than more passive like Andre)

I probably would enjoy the Elisabeth dvd, since I love some of the older Elisabeth dvds too, actually! (I really like the first one. I love Ichiro Maki's voice) Zunko is great too, so imposing!!

[dusk-in-dendera.livejournal.com]

I wasn't sure if I would like Phantom, but Osa manages to pull off the obsessive side of Erik, yet still make him seem tender and misunderstood. She's so emotive and her "Phantom" is intriguing and complex.

You're right though; Der Tod was definitely her most amazing role. But then again, Elisabeth is my favorite musical, so I'm completely biased ^^

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

elisabeth is probably my favorite musical too, so I totally know where you're coming from.

maybe I will try Phantom then! I love the broadway Phantom... (though I know the taka version is different)

[fatwetdog.livejournal.com]

It's not a Japanese story, but the Takarazuka 12th Night is done in really exquisite Japanese clothes, and the story is Shakespeare's 12th Night so you wouldn't really have to worry about understanding the plot. I really enjoyed it.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

that sounds lovely!

[fatwetdog.livejournal.com]

Ack, sorry. I'm a big dork and just realized it isn't there. Thanks for the link though! Now I know what I'll be doing at work all day. (OMG, I *need* the Ryouma DVD.)

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

oh, is that one not on dvd, or?

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

Same here since it has Tani XD I have the VHS but it's no longer in print and only in VHS and no DVDs were made of the Shakespeare series.

[fatwetdog.livejournal.com]

Ohh, sad! I borrowed it from a professor. I didn't know it was out of print or not on DVD though. Have you seen any of the other Shakespeares? I don't know which ones they did ... I saw Tempest on the link Aimee posted, but I don't know if that's one of the Shakespeares or not.

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

yep and actually i have it for sale on eBay ^^; It's good but I'd rather just keep the one. Also the Mizu Romeo and Juliet is really good too :D

[ajmeow.livejournal.com]

http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-155
Oooooh. =D
I always forget the name of this one? Ephemereal Love or something? You know it's about Rudolph right? It's a re-do of that VHS tape I had with Tsubasa Makoto. =D

As much as I love Komu, she kinda doesn't do funny/cute very well. She's way too serious. That one does look cute though, maybe she'll surprise me. =)

My mind is still in trauma over seeing Osa in a dress. -_-

[sakurae.livejournal.com]

Ah I have the two Sumire shows you have on your list at the bottom and I liked the first one since it had some really beautiful costumes. I haven't watched the second yet but Meg said it was one of her favorites if I remember correctly.

[sumire-no-hana.livejournal.com]

Hmm... lets see if I can help you out any ^_^;; This is going to be a little long!

*Ryouma-den/I Love Chopin - Definately recommended ^_^

*Utakata no Koi/Ephemeral Love (http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-155) (TakaWiki (http://www.takarazuka-revue.net/takawiki/tiki-index.php?page=Ephemeral+Love+%2F+Enter+the+Revue+%28Flower%2C+2006%29)) - I haven't seen Osa's version of it yet, but I've seen other versions. It's been done a number of times. It's not my favorite show - and tends to be a little slow and drag along a bit until the end - but I DO love the main theme song. I think it's a matter of personal preference whether you like it - some love it, some don't.

*Datenshi no Namida/Tarentella (Lucifer's Tears/Tarentella) (http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-148) (TakaWiki (http://www.takarazuka-revue.net/takawiki/tiki-index.php?page=Datenshi+no+Namida+%28Snow+2006%29)) - Haven't seen the entire thing yet, only clips and listened to most all of the songs for it, but <3 I great final show for Komu! Deliciously angsty/gothy and fits her perfectly. Everyone I know who has seen it, also, has loved it.

*Saikai / Karei Naru Sen Hyoushi 2002 (Reunion / The Splendor of 1000 Beats 2002) (http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-145) - Haven't seen it yet. Sorry I can't help you ;_;

*Shunrei no Tanki no Hikari ni/Joyful!! (In the Tender Light of a Fine Spring/Joyful!!) (http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-145) (TakaWiki (http://www.takarazuka-revue.net/takawiki/tiki-index.php?page=In+the+Tender+Light+of+a+Fine+Spring+%28Snow+2003%29)) - I can't help you on the main show, unfortunately, as I haven't seen it. I enjoy the revue though. Lots of dancing Komu (which she is so good at!), and Kashi - and this show you start to see more of Otozuki Kei (who is playing Lucheni in the new Elisabeth production - watch for her. She's really going to be awesome if she makes it to be a top).

*Palermo Shines in the Setting Sun/Asian Winds! (http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-076) (TakaWiki (http://www.takarazuka-revue.net/takawiki/tiki-index.php?page=Palermo+Shines+in+the+Setting+Sun+%2F+Asian+Winds%21+%28Flower%2C+2005-06%29)) - The main show... kinda slow, your typical Takarazuka historical grand romance story. Most of the music is forgetable . However the revue "Asian Winds" more than makes up for it. I love the revue. Here are a few youtube clips that I've posted from the revue: Clip 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgFWaRpN7bk), Clip 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7HTJaNQMSY), Clip 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA_FKnS39k4) and another clip posted by someone else: Clip 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_7sE_OEhtc) (you may recognize the song in the last clip from "House of Flying Daggers").

*Fumetsu no Toge (Immortal Thorns) (http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-080) (TakaWiki (http://www.takarazuka-revue.net/takawiki/tiki-index.php?page=Immortal%20Thorns+%28Flower+2003%29)) - Sorry, can't help you here either ;_;

*Nagasaki Shigure-zaka / Soul of Shiva! (Shigure Hill Road in Nagasaki) (http://www.tca-pictures.net/shop/cgi-bin/item_seek.cgi?goods_code=TCAD-065) (TakaWiki (http://www.takarazuka-revue.net/takawiki/tiki-index.php?page=Shigure+Hill+Road+in+Nagasaki+%28Star+2005%29)) - I've only seen the main show, not the revue, so I can't give you info on that. I DID, however, enjoy the main show. It's a bit talk-heavy at times, but it has some good songs and a tragic story line. The problem is that I'm not sure you will like it because the top star in it (besides Senka's Todoroki Yuu) is Wataru ^_^;; This was also Dan Rei's final show.

[sumire-no-hana.livejournal.com]

(incidentally, I've always been tempted in the past to friend you on my other lj (zephyrsky) but was always afraid to as I'd never actually spoken to you before and didn't know if you'd think it strange ^_^;;)

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

don't worry about me thinking it's weird... this may sound strange but I just don't really pay attention to people friending or unfriending me that much, you know? I make most of my posts except for really sensitive ones, publicly, so please be my guest!

Thanks for all the help with the takarazuka choices! I'd love for others that I didn't list, if you have any suggestions off the top of your head!

on Palermo,... sounds like it's probably a "pass" for me.

Nagasaki- the kimono period they are using in that one is gorgeous! I don't hate Wataru... hrm... I dunno. *____*

Lucifer's Tears - that sounds like a total WIN for me! YEAY!