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Musical Hakuouki: Harada Sanosuke Arc premiered on 26th April, 2017 at AiiA 2.5 Theater Tokyo in Tokyo. Musical Hakuouki is fans’ favourite for its combination of live fighting, dancing and singing. This Harada Sanosuke arc is already the tenth work of the Musical Hakuouki series. Before the performance started, Harada’s actor Keisuke Higashi and others, including Karin Isobe, Gaku Matsuda, Yoshihiko Aramaki and Yoshihide Sasaki got together to talk about the show.
Higashi started acting as Sanosuke since the sixth work Musical Hakuouki: Reimeiroku. “The hype from the 10th work of the series and the hype from the previous shows in Osaka really got me going for this upcoming Tokyo’s performance”, he explained. Harada’s route in the game is considered to be the happiest among all routes. Regarding this belief, Higashi said he would like to show audience something that have never been seen or heard before, and “Harada Sanosuke’s life of a being a real man” (as in real man he means personality-wise).
As the female protagonist Yukimura Chizuru, Isobe said “I have been wanting to participate in Musical Hakuouki for a long time” and “this is a hopeful performance” for herself and for Musical Hakuouki. “I will continue to do my best after the Osaka performance. I am happy to be a part of this show. I hope you all feel happy watching it, especially the last scene”.
Hijikata Toshizo’s actor Gaku Matsuda felt that Musical Hakuouki was unique in how it was based on history. Matsuda first made his appearance in Shinsengumikitan. In Shinsengumikitan’s prior play Reimeiroku, Hijikata Toshizo’s actor is Sasaki, the one who plays Kazama Chikage this time.
It is unusual for an actor to change his role in the same series. “Despite being shocked at first, I still hope to repay the gratitude this work has given me by playing this role. I am happy that I can carry on the passion left by the previous actor,” said Sasaki. He also revealed that Kazama’s role would become less important in this route, “but this musical has much richer content”.
Okita Souji’s actor Aramaki was pumped about the performance. “During all these shows, changes such as a switch of actors always happen. Still, we manage to make the ‘makoto’ (in kanji ‘誠’) we believe in a reality. I will bear all the ‘makoto’ the cast have and work hard for this Tokyo performance.” Regarding the cast leader Higashi, Aramaki said, “I like Higashi-chan so much because he is a really cool Sanosuke! The audience should pay attention to him!”
Lastly, Higashi explained, “just as what Mr Mouri (scriptwriter) mentioned earlier, Harada arc is extremely difficult. In fact, many threw doubts on getting a Harada arc play. Hence, being Harada Sanosuke and a leader of this crew make me feel blessed. I hope everyone will appreciate Harada Sanosuke’s life and the value he perseveres in. If this can help lift up everyone’s spirit and help everyone go forward, the pleasure is all ours.”
Musical Hakuouki has already had Saito Hajime Arc, Hijikata Toshizo Arc, Kazama Chikage Arc and Todo Heisuke Arc. With that being said, Harada Sanosuke Arc must be a long-awaited and much expected performance.
Harada Sanosuke is a man of understanding and sensibility, and he does not get angry easily. All these characteristics give him a real man kind of image. Higashi successfully portrayed such a man with passion. The highlight was the performance of Sanosuke’s character song “モノクロの月”. The musical also focused on Sanosuke’s friendships with the Shinsengumi, as well as how he parted way with Todo Heisuke (Tsubasa Kizu) and Nagakura Shinpachi (Shodai Fukuyama), with whom they are called “the three idiots”. The show reached an intense peak as Sanosuke fought a breathtaking battle against demon Shiranui Kyou (Yusuke Kashiwagi) using a spear.
Isobe’s voice was truly beautiful. Chizuru’s life was changed in a cruel twist of fate, but still she managed to display her toughness under difficult circumstances. Hakuouki as an otome game has unique scenes that make audience’s heart race fast – Sanosuke’s tolerance that is hidden under his tough appearance and Chizuru looking at him straight in the eyes. The atmosphere was warm and filled with bliss.
To act in accordance with a belief, to protect the important things, to fight in wars with swords…all these men have a dream. In a world where order is yet to be restored, what remains for them?
Musical Hakuouki: Harada Sanosuke Arc ran from 26th April, 2017 to 30th April, 2017 at AiiA 2.5 Theater Tokyo. The blu-ray and DVD will be available for sale on 23rd August.
(C)IDEA FACTORY・DESIGN FACTORY／「薄桜鬼」製作委員会
(C)ミュージカル「薄桜鬼」製作委員会
(Material・Article・Photo/ENTERSTAGE)
Original article: https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/121034