That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.

“I want to show how I've matured” Cosmos Troupe | Hoshikaze Madoka

Playing the heroine role in Cosmos Troupe’s shinjin kouen performance of Elisabeth (August 9th, Takarazuka Grand Theatre) is Hoshikaze Madoka, a musumeyaku in her third year with the Revue. “I’m aware that I'm not a great singer, but I want to show that I'm doing my best and that I've grown up a little,” she said with enthusiasm.

This is Hoshikaze’s second shinjin kouen heroine role, in addition to her heroine roles in both a Bow Hall show and a Umeda Arts Theatre Drama City show. At first glance, it seems she is sailing smoothly forward but she revealed, “I’m really inexperienced so my feelings of wanting to work hard rush ahead of me but my ability can’t quite follow In the rehearsals, it seems like every day I run into something I can't do, and frustration and troubles keep popping up.”

From her mother's influence she’s been a Takarazuka fan since she could remember. Even now she says watching the CS premium broadcast Takarazuka channel at home is her favorite way to relax. “Even on my days off, I don’t want to be far from Takarazuka,” she said.

In the main show, Hoshikaze plays the young crown prince Rudolf. It's a character who hungers for his mother's love and in his shadow of solitude chooses death, “From growing up until arriving at the decision of suicide, I provide the backdrop, so I really want to create an intensity.” Being blessed with these chances, she is steadily maturing.

Mainichi Newspaper. Osaka Evening Edition. (original article)

Hankyu dropped some bombs last week. Biggest being that following the retirement of Misaki Rion there will be no top musumeyaku of Cosmos Troupe. This was not the announcement that everyone has been waiting for.

Bah. Fucking. Humbug.

All of my friends had assumed that it was either going to be Reimi Urara or Hoshikaze Madoka. Honestly, a week ago I would have assured you that it was going to be Urara. I was just waiting for the official annoucement. Sure, she can't sing a standard musumeyaku part to save her life, but since when has that stopped Hankyu from promoting someone. She's worked with Maakun a lot and most importantly holds the Ikeda bank contract. I'm so shocked that she couldn't straight up just buy the position. That's kinda what I assumed had happened when Mirion announced after Elisabeth that she was leaving.

I can't say that this came out of nowhere. I mean, the thought had occurred to me after the National Tour chirashi had both Urara and Madoka on it, but I had thrown it out. Who does that? Whelp, apparently cosmos troupe this time.

As far as I am aware there are zero rumors about if this was Maa-kun's decision or the company. Although apparently back in the day rumor says it wasn't Sena Jun's decision to not have a partner, so I'm thinking it was the company.  It's also got Maa-kun fans tossing around the idea of taidan. I'm not sure she's ready to tap out yet, but it's hard for me to objectively tell with her. She could announce tomorrow or three years from now.

Either way I feel bad for everyone involved, but mostly the musumeyaku. Reimi Urara lost what essentially was her last chance at being a top musumeyaku but still will have the stress of being placed in large roles in plays. Madoka gets given more time before she's pushed farther into the limelight, for which I am grateful. But at the same time there is zero doubts in anyone mind that this is just a way to split responsibility between Urara and her. Although it does open up doors for some non-tracked ladies to get decent roles if there are any written without the pressure of a top musumeyaku.

-sigh-

There is one light to all of this, room for a transfer for Madoka. Beni's career is looking like it's going to be short and sweet, and Mirio's had a decent run and an older top. Maybe Kiki/Madoka or Coto/Madoka could be in the cards for my future. I would be behind both of these, although Kiki would be ideal. Romeo and Juilette for the Grand Theatre debut. Tell me that is not the perfect show for them. I would get the added bonus of getting to see Taso hopefully play the nurse.

Outside of transfer news, I'm pleased with the lineup. Sakuragi Minato took the bow hall where she gets to play a time traveler who pops into medieval Europe. Maa-kun gets her own dance show. My bet is on Urara being with Maa-kun in the dance show while Madoka get's to play opposite Zun again. I'm happy with both of these choices. Either way, I win.

This does make my timeline to return home a lot easier unless WINE THE SHOW!! brings with it taidan.