Translation of Asahi Online Interview, originally published October 15, 2008.
(I was in a hurry to get this done, so this isn't a literal translation of the whole article, though the quotes from Aran are as correct as I could get them.)
Article informs us Touko was wearing a white jacket and black slacks and looked very neat, with a fresh expression on her face.
The interview starts with an intro and announcements from Kobayashi Kouichi. Then Aran begins to speak:
"I'm Takarazuka Revue's Star Troupe's Aran Kei. Thank you for coming here at such a busy time. During last year's Grand Theater and Tokyo Theater shows I made the decision to retire. I have so many grateful feelings in my heart for the many people who have supported me. Until my very last day I want to try my best as a Takarazuka otokoyaku, so please give me your support."
- Your feelings now, during the press conference?
"I feel happy and relieved that I can finally tell everyone. I'm filled with contentment. It's a refreshing feeling."
- Why have you decided to retire now?
"I was so happy when it was decided that I would become top star. Really, it was then that I started thinking about when it would be best to retire. But it was when it was arranged that I would perform Scarlet Pimpernel, that I thought, 'If I can do this show, that'll be enough.' When I heard that, I decided within myself."
- When she told the company?
(Touko couldn't remember, so Kobayashi helped her out, and said it was just a bit before rehearsals started for Scarlet Pimpernel.)
- I believe you’re in rehearsals now for Rose of Versailles – have you told the troupe yet?
"Yes, yesterday, before rehearsal - right now, Star Troupe is split into two groups, but the people in "Buenos Aires no Kaze' came too - I told everyone in the morning."
- What was their reaction?
"Well, when the next show's title was announced - since it has the sense of 'Mata Ne'... (laughs) I think everyone could figure it out from that. But, even I wasn't directly facing it, and up till then, no one had confronted me with, 'Are you resigning?' So yesterday when I said it plainly, naturally everyone was sad and cried. Actually, I couldn't help crying too." (laughs)
- If you've made any clear plans for what you want to do after retirement, which directors are you interested in working with?
"Of course, I want to make use of everything I've learned up till now, and I truly love singing. So I'm thinking I'll continue singing, but I don't yet have any definite plans. It would be great to have the chance to work with any director."
- You've performed many different roles up till now, but is there one that has made a particular impression on you, and for what reason?
"I've really done so many different roles, and I've loved them all and they've made a deep impression on me. But I think what made the biggest impression was performing the female role of Aida in "Song of Kingdoms" while being an otokoyaku."
- While an otokoyaku, you've done female roles, and young boy roles, and old man roles as well, right?
"That's right." (laughs) "Through the Takarazuka Revue, I've been given a wide variety of roles and been able to learn so much. I'm full of gratitude for the growth it's given me."
- "Since you've become top of Star Troupe, all of the main theater shows have had a flower in the name - "Sakura", "Revue Orchis," and "Scarlet Pimpernel." And there's a flower in your name ["Ran" = Orchid]. In your final show, what will you make bloom? [Pun in Japanese. Hana o sakaseru= "Make a flower bloom" but also "to enliven" or "make successful"]
"That's so, isn't it? My first Grand Theater show was "Sakura", but my last show will also be in sakura season, so I'd like to go out bravely, just as they do."
- You still have half a year of your Takarazuka life to go, but as you look back on it now, what comes to mind?
"What is it...? There's really too much, but I'm the last survivor of the 77th class, so I'm seeing us off... There's being in the troupe too, but I've been remembering a lot about when I entered the Music School. I took the test four times, and it took four tries to get in, but the joy of starting, and of first seeing my classmates, and putting on the uniform - I've been remembering it a lot lately."
- You've stuck with it so long that you're the last of your class. What is it that has helped you to stay with Takarazuka this long? What's the source of your power?
"What's supported me has been my many fans, who've rooted for me no matter what, and also my colleagues in Takarazuka, but -" (with a serious expression) "In the end, the most important thing was the dream I had within me. Being able to make my dream come true is the source of my strength."
- Being able to leave behind this masterpiece, you've really taken your dream as far as you could, haven't you?
"That's true. I've truly created a great, grand treasure, and I absolutely have no regrets."
- At a prior interview, you said that you wanted to speak (Takarazuka OG) Mori Keaki's line from Chuushingura of, "I have nothing to regret." [The line is in very old-fashioned Japanese] Is that the way you feel right now?
"That's right. This play "New Orleans" is set in America, but I'm absolutely going to have them put that line in there." (Bursts out laughing)
- I'll come straight out and ask it: Do you plan to get married?”
“I was really waiting for that question.” (laughs) “Thank you for asking it.” (laughs) “No, it’s a shame, but I’m afraid I don’t have any plans for that. But, after I retire, if that’s my destiny, it would be wonderful. It’s always been my hope.”
- After this, there’s still a half year until you retire, but is there something you would like to express to Star Troupe, or all of Takarazuka, right now?
“I want them to enjoy performing, because there is nothing like Takarazuka’s otokoyaku anywhere else. Truly, there are so many things that you can’t do anywhere else in the world, except in Takarazuka. I want them to be aware of that as early as possible, so I want to communicate it to them as smoothly as I can."
- Earlier, you said that you wanted to see out the 77th class. Among your classmates Asami Hikaru, Haruno Sumire, and Hanafusa Mari were all top stars who have since retired. After you told them, did they have any advice for you?
“I contacted as many of my classmates as I could ahead of time, either directly or through letters. As for advice, I spoke with Asami on the phone yesterday. ‘What’s the announcement like?’ and stuff…” (laughs) ‘What should I talk about?’ and all… I’m fortunate to be close to many of my sempai, so I got a lot of advice. I think I’ll get a lot more too.”
- Do you have anything to say regarding your partner, Toono Asuka?
“Since becoming top, she’s always been beside me, supporting me. Within Takarazuka’s musumeyaku, she’s a bit unique, and I’ve really enjoyed that we were put together. Now that my retirement is announced, I hope that until the end we can have fun with this play and this show, and make it a wonderful performance.”
- Is there any concrete decision? Is Toono also resigning?
"I can’t speak to that at present."
It says that throughout she smiled kindly, looking the interviewers in the face, and answering every single question individually. And that typically of her, she made the reporters burst out laughing on more than one occasion. She held nothing back, and her happy, contented face made an impression on them.
Note: The original Japanese text used on this site is the property of the Takarazuka Revue and Hankyu Corporation. It is used without permission, with the intent of publicizing the revue to a larger audience.
The translations on this site were done by me. I reserve all applicable copyright on them and DO NOT give permission for them to be redistributed, published, retranslated, used as fansub scripts, etc.