{"id":25336,"date":"2018-02-13T17:29:16","date_gmt":"2018-02-13T09:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/d27fq2mgp64qlg.cloudfront.net\/en\/?p=25336"},"modified":"2018-02-13T18:23:14","modified_gmt":"2018-02-13T10:23:14","slug":"qoo-news-ensemble-stars-on-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d27fq2mgp64qlg.cloudfront.net\/en\/post\/25336\/qoo-news-ensemble-stars-on-stage","title":{"rendered":"[Qoo News] C3AFA 2018 \u2013 Ensemble Stars! cast on “costume disaster”"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Ensemble Stars! idols have graced Hong Kong with their presence in 2018 C3AFA HK!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Ensemble Stars! is undoubtedly one of the most successful virtual idol franchise on earth. Some say what looks good in anime should stay in anime – because when the characters are portrayed by real actors\u00a0in the three-dimensional world, there is only disappointment left. <\/span><\/p>\n

But Ensemble Stars! on Stage has proved it wrong. The musical had its first show\u00a0in 2016. The box-office records was\u00a0overwhelming, making it last two years with four seasons. Rather than saying the franchise itself is already popular enough, we would say the actors who pour everything into the show, as proven in our short conversation, \u00a0are the key factors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Disasters that audience never knew<\/h3>\n

A successful stage play should be almost flawless, right? It is funny how the four actors –\u00a0Ikkei Yamamoto (Hokuto Hidaka), \u00a0Naoya Kitagawa (Tsukasa Suou), Chihiro\u00a0Okutani (Kaoru Hakaze), and Kaito Hori (Kanata\u00a0Shinkai), were so eager to share what embarrassing things happened on stage and back stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ensemble<\/p>\n

“My costume was\u00a0on the verge of being torn apart\u00a0at the back during a performance.”\u00a0Hori had it worst among the four boys. “My head was completely empty.” The entire accident was\u00a0something “as comical\u00a0as what is on TV”, which\u00a0he never\u00a0expected to\u00a0happen.<\/p>\n

\"Ensemble<\/p>\n

Okutani had a “costume accident” as well, but\u00a0he was luckier than\u00a0Hori. “I left a costume on stage during a scene, and I forgot to take it with me\u00a0afterwards.”\u00a0Yamamoto added,\u00a0“don’t let\u00a0his\u00a0hardworking side fool you! He got nervous easily!”<\/span><\/p>\n

Contrary to his casual, playboy-ish character Kaoru, Okutani is in fact a serious, dedicated person.\u00a0He has a unit with\u00a0Hori and another\u00a0actor from the show. They would often have “heated discussions” on how to making their performance more interesting. He also likes to come up with fresh freestyle moves and self-evaluate these moves later on.<\/p>\n

\"Ensemble<\/p>\n

To Kitagawa, the most\u00a0memorable thing is how he found out his fellow actors actually couldn’t make it to their assigned positions on stage in time. “The audience might not know what happened, but we all knew!” He laughed, “since there were so many actors on stage, no one could ever spot\u00a0our\u00a0mistakes.”<\/p>\n

Indeed, everyone is\u00a0too indulged in their singing and flamboyant looks to notice any mistake. To fans, their performances are flawless anyway.<\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>New attempts<\/h3>\n

Despite their love for the characters they portray, the actors were\u00a0tempted to do different roles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yamamoto was\u00a0interested in\u00a0the legendary student union head,\u00a0Eichi Tenshouin, for how dominating this character is. “I want to dominate others!”<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kitagawa, on the other hand, meant\u00a0business with his desire to be\u00a0Leo Tsukinaga. The Knight’s leader seems to understand\u00a0himself very well. Kitagawa thought\u00a0it\u00a0might be beneficial to analyse other characters from his point of view.<\/p>\n

\"Ensemble<\/p>\n

Okutani liked Kaoru to a point where he\u00a0wanted to create an unique\u00a0Kaoru. “He is my complete opposite, but through understanding our differences I could portray a\u00a0Kaoru that develops based on me.”\u00a0Okutani chose\u00a0Keito Hasumi, a tsundere, to be his favourite. “Although he is not the main character, I appreciate how he provides a lot of support to his\u00a0group.”<\/p>\n

Hori wanted to be someone\u00a0entirely different from Kanata. “Kanata brings me joy\u00a0for how he can always enjoys himself\u00a0despite not knowing what he is doing.” However, Hori thought\u00a0self-conscious\u00a0Chiaki Morisawa would suit him better. “Chiaki is a passionate leader, which I aim to be.”<\/p>\n

\u258d<\/span>Last But Not Least<\/h3>\n

It may be the worst for actors to be cast as an animated character. Criticisms such as “you don’t look like him”, or “your hair color is too bright” are\u00a0inevitable. The four stars \u00a0admitted that they always\u00a0felt unsettling before a show, especially performance overseas. After this show in Hong Kong, Yamamoto claimed proudly, “we want to do\u00a0Ensemble Stars! on Stage outside Japan!” Their dedication is further confirmed\u00a0by gamer\u00a0Okutani.<\/p>\n

“I didn’t even take\u00a0my Switch with me because we spent most of the time preparing!”<\/p>\n

Official Site<\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong>
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