That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.

As expected Nozomi Fuuto and Maaya Kiho were announced the next top stars of Snow Troupe. It's not suprising in the least, but it is still delightful. Congratulations are due to both of them.

I'm not as keen on their debut show as I am on the pair of them. I mean, In the Amber Hued Rain... really? I mean, it is Daimon so this very hanagumi show is not a surprise, but meh. I know the cream of the crop in terms of plays never are really chosen for national tour (looking at you Valencia... looking at you), but whatever. I'm also grumpy on behalf of all the poor Chigi fans who are watching their new top stars tour with their actresses taidan revue with a cheap attempt at rebranding. I see you hankyu.. and I do not approve.

That being said, I'm sure their Grand Theatre debut will be something worth both of their vocal talents. A lot of rumblings about Phantom, which I could get behind. It hasn't been out of the cupboard since Tomu's debut.

I'm not huge into yukigumi these days, but damn, that taidan list. Hugs all around to everyone involved. I'm sure their last show will be worthy of their talents

In a surprise move they announced more of the schedule today, which is strange. They tend to announce on late Friday afternoon these days. I was joking with Carly that I was having such a shit day they were going to announce Madoka's transfer to hanagumi just to really put the cherry on an emotionally shit day.

Instead we got the next Snow Troupe grand theatre. Sagiri Seina and Sakihi Miyu will be doing a play based of Sun in the Last Days of the Shogunate. Wikipedia article here. There is much more information on the Japanese wikipedia page, but my brain is shut off for the night, as I've just watched Vampire Sucessions finale about 10 times a row. Anyway, it's a 1957 black and white movie about the main character "outwit[ting] the inhabitants of a brothel in order to survive in straitened times." Is that not the most Chigi-sounding show ever?! Chigi causing havoc in a brothel. 10/10 sign me up for that shit.

This will be adapted and directed by Koyanagi Naoko, who has done some good stuff before. Lupin III was hers, as was Shangri-la and Shall we Dance. I think we will get a solid Chigi-style adaptation out of this. I'm optimistic. It helps that she has been working with Koike on Elisabeth and has been learning from him.

The show however reads ominous, being titled "Dramatic S". A show written and directed by featuring a startling large amount of "s" themed words. Sagiri Seina. Sakihi Miyu. Snow Troupe. Splendor. Song & Dancing Show. Nakamura Kazunori will be writing and directing. He's done a lot of decent shows, I'm sure he will work something up that's good for yukigumi.

If these don't signal the end of Chigi's reign I will be really shocked. Honestly, I'm going to be sad to see her go. She's a wonderful actress, who has had a wonderful career. If she didn't make my heart hurt and my brain didn't flash giant 'hazard' signs at her gaunt frame I would be happy to see her stick around. Her and Miyu are sunshine and dynamite together.

Daimon gets a lead... And it's Al Capone. I can't. Daimooooooon. Mobster Daimon. Hahahaha. Oh god, I am really excited to see it, because she did sleezy bad guy so bad those first few weeks of Oceans. She owned it by the end, so I guess there is that. I guess she will have to go and re-rent all those gangster movies she watched during Oceans.

Added bonus is that Harada sensei is writing it. Which I am like, apparently the only person excited about it. *sad puppy face* .

This is going the rounds in the Japanese Twitter world:

Harada-sensei. I will be your cheering party of one! Don't worry!