Japan 2014: Day 3
Oct. 2nd, 2014 09:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rose_of_painDay 3: Takarazuka & Sanctuary
Did my daily ritual of Sky Stage in the morning though at this point I had seen the same Sky Reports several times now. XD Unfortunately they don't start the actual shows til later in the morning, when I wanted to be out and doing things. The show that morning was Silver Wolf so at least it was one I'd already seen. Headed out to Umeda station, determined to find a zuka-themed train this time around. Waited like almost a full hour in the station...and never saw a single one. x_x I saw some of the trains with little anniversary stickers on them but not the full themed ones. *sigh* I guess they weren't running that day cause I never saw one the entire day, even on the other tracks I had seen them running on the day before. So I then really regretted not actually going over to the one I had seen next to my train the night before. Oh well. Its just a train.
Got to Takarazuka and decided to take some actual photos of the bridge, etc, anything I didn't the day before when I was being too dorky to think of it. There were more people hanging around outside this time around too.
The top of the Hana no Michi bridge and the gazebo.
These plates, full of flowers, decorated the whole bridge.
Being the dork that I am, I got really excited to see actual Sumire (the official Takarazuka flower) in bloom.
There were other fans taking photos in front of the mock-stage so I shyly asked one of them to take a photo of me in front of it too. XD
Headed over to irimachi and noticed a slightly bigger crowd this time around, probably since I was there a little later than the previous day. I didn't see any fanclubs lined up but I did see them coming in with the siennes. Considering each sienne I got a photo of had a pretty decent sized entourage, figured I was getting some of the more known stars this time around. Though I couldn't figure any of them out since I once again was assuming this was Hanagumi or possibly Soragumi for Sanctuary. But after showing the photos to some fans and discovering I got a few photos of Chigi (who I'm now wondering how I didn't realize it was her, she's one of the ones I can easily recognize lol but guess I just wasn't expecting her)! So I'm now thinking maybe I got Yukigumi on their way to rehearsal or maybe even a mix of troupes here. lol I just know none of them were Hoshi since they were in Tokyo. But I have photos of 4 siennes and I swear they all look familiar to me but I can't figure out who they are. XD So if anyone wants to try a go at them, let me know and I'll send you the photos. One of them is even wearing some of her fanclub wear so that might help. I don't know Yukigumi very well so I wouldn't be surprised if it is them. Didn't stick around for too long since I did want to make sure I had enough time to fully explore the museum before my show that day and do a little more shopping. XD
Even the trash cans amused me XD
Went up the fancy (and very long) staircase at the side of the Grand Theater entrance to make my way up to the 3rd (I think?) floor to go to the museum/Hall of Fame. I know there is an elevator to take up there but dammit I wanted to use the ridiculously fancy stairs that no one else seemed to be using, lol.
I keep calling it the museum but I guess the actual name for it is is the Hall of Fame XD
In the past it would be just one room with the more recent stuff but for the 100th they made an extra floor full of stuff for a whole history tour. I guess stuff changes around in there periodically though because there are things other fans mentioned seeing in their reports earlier in the year that I did not see in there. No photos were allowed in this area so you'll just have to deal with my descriptions. The first floor was dedicated to all the lead stars of old and as most of them were from before the "top star system" was technically started, guess I can't really say "all the top stars". Though I'm still a bit confused on how the system worked before that. Times like these make me really wish I could read more Japanese as I hated not being able to read any of the plaques in there and I'd really love to read more about the history, especially since there's so much of it. The books about zuka in English are really more about gender and the fans than the theater itself. I mean I know all the basic info but I'd like to know more details. There was a video playing in one part of the room telling a bit of the history and I really wish there was something like that that we could buy. I loved watching all the old footage and was really surprised how much bigger the stage seemed back in the old days and that they had live animals on stage, etc. (unless that was just during one of their tours).
But anyways, each star had their own little section with their picture, a description, and a glass case full of artifacts from their shows. There was a lot of really cool vintage stuff in there. And then every so often there would be a costume on display in the middle of each section. I was surprised how good condition some of them were in considering how old they were. Theater costumes go through a lot of wear and tear after all. Some of the cases had old props and there were a few really gorgeous headdresses. The display mostly went in order with little arrows to help guide you though you kinda had to backtrack at some points because they'd have them on either side and the arrows kinda didn't tell you to go back to the other side for the next section. XD But it was easy enough to figure out since at least they all had dates on them. I had thought this section was supposed to be for every top star though, including the modern years, but it pretty much stopped once I got to the 80s (and finally started knowing more names lol), unless I missed a section but I'm pretty sure I checked to make sure I didn't miss anything. Then the last section was for some of the directors and writers and stuff from the shows they wrote, etc...which I'll be honest, I was less interested in. lol But there was still some cool costume pieces floating here and there.
Then got to the stairs leading to the next floor and my eyes went really wide when I entered the next door...I kinda forgot that they also have RECENT costumes on display and even when I remembered that, I didn't fully realize they'd be RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF ME. lmao Ok, I'm a costume lover, so this part got me REALLY excited because I could stare right at them and see how they were made, etc and ahhhhhhhh and got even more excited when I learned I could take photos of them. XD
Tom's from one of her dinner show Fever, one of Mirio's revue outfits from Mr. Swing, and one of Masao's from Fantastic Energy
Chigi's is also from one of her dinner shows, Chie's from Etoile, and Teru's Gone with the Wind pair dance suit (that one I recognized right away XD)
I spent the most time starring at Chie's, of course, just being in awe of seeing something Chie once wore. *_* Though I admit Chigi's was by far the most impressive of the group. Though it did throw me off a little to see Chigi in the top star line-up all over the place. I kept forgetting that she is now officially top star but it took time to get used to. I guess its cause I have a hard time thinking of them as top star until their first debut show has taken place. That and I got pretty used to the line-up at the beginning of the year so it also threw me off a little to not see Tomu either.
But oh man this part of the hall of fame was like a candy shop to me! So many shinies! There was some stuff we couldn't take photos of as they did have a few older outfits and things on display up here too, including one very cute ballet-style outfit with a teeny tiny waist though I forget who wore it (it was someone I at least semi knew at least lol).
They had the most recent retired stars' hand molds up. Though I was sad they didn't have any of the others. They had all the ones for the older stars downstairs but none of the girls from my favorite era. T_T I wanted to compare my hand to Osa's...
Of all of them, my hand was the closest fit to Kimu's. Her fingers are just a tiny bit longer than me, lol Otherwise a pretty good fit! Though I did find it funny that she was the only one to have used her left hand here. I couldn't fit mine into Kiriyan's at all, her hands are so tiny! Everyone else was too big for me. XD
And of course I had to go get my photo taken with the feathers on. ^.^ Though I was totally cursing myself for forgetting I'd be doing this that day cause I totally should have worn something a little better looking for it. lol Like my sparkly vest. Oh well. It was still fun. XD And since most of the people in the theater had left to go watch Elisabeth around this time, there weren't very many in here so I got to spend a little time shaking the feathers around. lol
Though I kinda wish I had then stopped to LOOK at the costumes right there because I have no idea who's those belonged to. lol I didn't think about it at the time since I figured that area was just for the photo but I see from these photos that they do have descriptions on them but can't make out who's in the photos. I would have liked to have studied the costumes up close too. Oh well. lol At least I know if I ever go back, they'll probably still have a display like this up.
There was a little display with photos of all the retired top stars from the 80s to most recent and realize now that must have been all the ones where downstairs left off at since that's pretty much the point it ended at. Then there was the section where they display costumes and props from one of the recent shows. I was a little dismayed as I had hoped it might be Soragumi's BeruBara but I guess it was still too soon. I was surprised it was Last Tycoon since that feels like so long ago now but I guess they go back several shows for this. It was still cool seeing all the stuff though! Especially since I do like Tomu a lot. I haven't watched this show yet but I do plan to eventually. I guess I would have been more excited if I had seen it ahead of time.
Ran-chan's outfit from it was really impressive though
Tomu's tux
Props from Last Tycoon
I was more excited about the revue outfits though XD I have a bigger interest in that than the show to be honest, from the clips I've seen
Boooooots (I have a thing for sparkly boots XD)
This one was my favorite. Though it did frustrate me with how perfect the velvet looks while mine is all fuggly and burnt. *sigh*
They had Ran-chan's mermaid dress ^.^
Dazzling Dreams props
Then there was the wall of current top stars in life size display so I of course had to get some dorky selfies with Teru and Chie. XD One of the staff ladies saw me doing this and offered to take my photo though to be honest I really just wanted the selfies. lol But I let her do it anyway since it was nice of her.
Headed back down to QR after that to make the purchases I didn't the day before. And after starring at them forever and debating back and forth, I gave in and bought the 100th anniversary Hello Kitty set. Pffft. XD But hey considering I almost bought the older set on ebay for $100, this saved me a bit of money. They just...kinda took up a lot of space. But hey I got one of the big QR bags and I felt pretty spiffy since I was the only one I saw carrying one around. lol Then went over to Taka-An and bought the last few shows I was debating on (mainly was comparing price between there and QR. TA was slightly cheaper for these 2) and ended up grabbing a VHS of El Dorado on impulse at the checkout. I keep telling myself no more VHS but this is like the last one on my wishlist and it was super cheap. ^^;;
Went outside and ate my little sandwiches for lunch but didn't stay out there for too long as I got all super hot again. Ugh. Loitered around the theater entrance doors, waiting for them to open the doors for the Bow Hall theater for my second show of my visit. It is a little awkward with how they have it set up. Unlike the grand theater, where you can wait in a big lobby for it, here you have to wait in the doorway and I felt like I was in the way of people coming into the theater, etc. even though everyone else was doing the same as me. I know its a small theater, but still. lol Eventually it was time, so got my ticket out and headed up the pretty little stairs to the Bow Hall Theater to see Sanctuary. Now I'll admit I basically only got a ticket for this because I planned to see whatever Bow Hall show was going on when I went, regardless of who it was, just to have the experience of seeing Bow Hall. But I also wouldn't have been too upset if I didn't get a ticket. But I did and I'm glad cause I ended up actually really liking the show.
First I went to the restroom since there was plenty of time and not as much to look around at outside of the theater itself. I decided to go to the restroom that was up a flight of stairs to the side instead of the closer one, since this looked like it would be less crowded and was rather surprised to be greeted with this...
Fancy bathroom is fancy! I noticed even a lot of the Japanese had the same reaction as me when they walked in. lol
Bow Hall itself was small (as expected) but nice. Even though I had a seat pretty far back, I still had a pretty good view of everything.
Like I said, I enjoyed the show itself and actually managed to follow the story pretty well despite knowing very little about the book its based on or the history of that particular time period. In fact, judging by the bits of conversation I picked up during the intermission, I think I understood the plot better than most of the Japanese fans, lol. I'll get more into the show itself in the actual review for that one though. But man, my legs really started to cramp up during the show for some reason, more so than the other shows. Not sure if it was just the way the seats were or the fact my body was really not pleased with me. ...or maybe both.
I originally had not planned to go to demachi at all since it took so long the night before and I already knew I wouldn't get any good photos but then looking down the street, I noticed a much bigger crowd so figured I might as well. After all, Elisabeth finished much earlier than my show did, so maybe it wouldn't take as long. And sure enough, this time I saw fanclubs lined up like I had seen in photos of iride so finally I was beginning to get a better feel of how this worked. And I definitely could tell which was Mirio's fanclub by the fact they ALL had Mirio's new bag. lol Then saw a lot of smaller clubs lined up to the side. So I think THIS was actually demachi for Elisabeth finally. Though I totally failed at timing and didn't get much in terms of photos. It was harder since there was more people and I only really saw the backs of most of the siennes from my spot so was hard to figure out who they were. I did see Micchan but my attempt at a photo blurred too much so I deleted it. But I could tell it was her due to her big dorky glasses. XD
It was getting late again and light was once again starting to go down but I decided I'd wait since obviously the Mirio fanclub was waiting, which meant she'd eventually come out. Sure enough my patience was rewarded and I did manage to get some photos of Mirio, even if they were pretty grainy due to the time of night but I really didn't want to use flash. It just seemed rude to use it to me and I didn't really see any other fans use it either (I think I did see one camera use flash at some point but like...only one lol). But I was still feeling pretty giddy to have finally got someone I knew (since I didn't know I had gotten Chigi and Magee at this point in time lol). And it was nice having all the fans around me on the bridge giggle in equal happiness, etc. I didn't even think to stick around to see if anyone else was coming, lol. I had intended to go to TA one last time since they were still open to maybe take one last look at programs (even if my hands were starting to hurt from all the bags I was carrying) but I stopped mid-step and backtracked because I swore I heard someone speaking English? Sure enough on a bench was Zaraphena and a friend of hers. I didn't expect to see her at all and looks like she hadn't been planning to be there that day originally anyways. So talked to them for a little bit and I'm sure I sounded like a complete idiot since I'm super awkward in person. lol Kinda forgot about going to TA after that but probably for the best and plus I found plenty of things at the one in Tokyo anyways.
I did feel a tad bit melancholy as I walked back to the station though because even though I had only been here 2 days, I had grown rather attached to Takarazuka and I was leaving for Tokyo the next morning. Even though I had done pretty much everything I could do in the city so its not like staying another day would have made much of a difference but it still made me sad. It was just such a magical experience being there.
Bye bye Takarazuka
Once again at the station, never saw any of the zuka-themed trains but at this point I had pretty much given up on it and just got on the first one. Though it did cheer me up a little to see how many other people on the train also had QR bags in their hands. ^.^ I had originally thought about exploring Osaka a little on this last night but I also had thought I'd be back a lot earlier than I ended up being. Oops. lol That and I was tired. I was a little nervous about finding my way to Tokyo but didn't have the energy to get up and ask around about it but having talked to Zaraphena and her friend about it, they gave me the courage that I was at least on the right track. So instead I got something to eat and chatted with Chibi on Line as I got my stuff together. The show on Sky Stage that night was another Komu show but I'm not sure which one as it had already started when I got to my room.
My loot from the day, not including stuff I bought for other people
~Lyn
Did my daily ritual of Sky Stage in the morning though at this point I had seen the same Sky Reports several times now. XD Unfortunately they don't start the actual shows til later in the morning, when I wanted to be out and doing things. The show that morning was Silver Wolf so at least it was one I'd already seen. Headed out to Umeda station, determined to find a zuka-themed train this time around. Waited like almost a full hour in the station...and never saw a single one. x_x I saw some of the trains with little anniversary stickers on them but not the full themed ones. *sigh* I guess they weren't running that day cause I never saw one the entire day, even on the other tracks I had seen them running on the day before. So I then really regretted not actually going over to the one I had seen next to my train the night before. Oh well. Its just a train.
Got to Takarazuka and decided to take some actual photos of the bridge, etc, anything I didn't the day before when I was being too dorky to think of it. There were more people hanging around outside this time around too.
The top of the Hana no Michi bridge and the gazebo.
These plates, full of flowers, decorated the whole bridge.
Being the dork that I am, I got really excited to see actual Sumire (the official Takarazuka flower) in bloom.
There were other fans taking photos in front of the mock-stage so I shyly asked one of them to take a photo of me in front of it too. XD
Headed over to irimachi and noticed a slightly bigger crowd this time around, probably since I was there a little later than the previous day. I didn't see any fanclubs lined up but I did see them coming in with the siennes. Considering each sienne I got a photo of had a pretty decent sized entourage, figured I was getting some of the more known stars this time around. Though I couldn't figure any of them out since I once again was assuming this was Hanagumi or possibly Soragumi for Sanctuary. But after showing the photos to some fans and discovering I got a few photos of Chigi (who I'm now wondering how I didn't realize it was her, she's one of the ones I can easily recognize lol but guess I just wasn't expecting her)! So I'm now thinking maybe I got Yukigumi on their way to rehearsal or maybe even a mix of troupes here. lol I just know none of them were Hoshi since they were in Tokyo. But I have photos of 4 siennes and I swear they all look familiar to me but I can't figure out who they are. XD So if anyone wants to try a go at them, let me know and I'll send you the photos. One of them is even wearing some of her fanclub wear so that might help. I don't know Yukigumi very well so I wouldn't be surprised if it is them. Didn't stick around for too long since I did want to make sure I had enough time to fully explore the museum before my show that day and do a little more shopping. XD
Even the trash cans amused me XD
Went up the fancy (and very long) staircase at the side of the Grand Theater entrance to make my way up to the 3rd (I think?) floor to go to the museum/Hall of Fame. I know there is an elevator to take up there but dammit I wanted to use the ridiculously fancy stairs that no one else seemed to be using, lol.
I keep calling it the museum but I guess the actual name for it is is the Hall of Fame XD
In the past it would be just one room with the more recent stuff but for the 100th they made an extra floor full of stuff for a whole history tour. I guess stuff changes around in there periodically though because there are things other fans mentioned seeing in their reports earlier in the year that I did not see in there. No photos were allowed in this area so you'll just have to deal with my descriptions. The first floor was dedicated to all the lead stars of old and as most of them were from before the "top star system" was technically started, guess I can't really say "all the top stars". Though I'm still a bit confused on how the system worked before that. Times like these make me really wish I could read more Japanese as I hated not being able to read any of the plaques in there and I'd really love to read more about the history, especially since there's so much of it. The books about zuka in English are really more about gender and the fans than the theater itself. I mean I know all the basic info but I'd like to know more details. There was a video playing in one part of the room telling a bit of the history and I really wish there was something like that that we could buy. I loved watching all the old footage and was really surprised how much bigger the stage seemed back in the old days and that they had live animals on stage, etc. (unless that was just during one of their tours).
But anyways, each star had their own little section with their picture, a description, and a glass case full of artifacts from their shows. There was a lot of really cool vintage stuff in there. And then every so often there would be a costume on display in the middle of each section. I was surprised how good condition some of them were in considering how old they were. Theater costumes go through a lot of wear and tear after all. Some of the cases had old props and there were a few really gorgeous headdresses. The display mostly went in order with little arrows to help guide you though you kinda had to backtrack at some points because they'd have them on either side and the arrows kinda didn't tell you to go back to the other side for the next section. XD But it was easy enough to figure out since at least they all had dates on them. I had thought this section was supposed to be for every top star though, including the modern years, but it pretty much stopped once I got to the 80s (and finally started knowing more names lol), unless I missed a section but I'm pretty sure I checked to make sure I didn't miss anything. Then the last section was for some of the directors and writers and stuff from the shows they wrote, etc...which I'll be honest, I was less interested in. lol But there was still some cool costume pieces floating here and there.
Then got to the stairs leading to the next floor and my eyes went really wide when I entered the next door...I kinda forgot that they also have RECENT costumes on display and even when I remembered that, I didn't fully realize they'd be RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF ME. lmao Ok, I'm a costume lover, so this part got me REALLY excited because I could stare right at them and see how they were made, etc and ahhhhhhhh and got even more excited when I learned I could take photos of them. XD
Tom's from one of her dinner show Fever, one of Mirio's revue outfits from Mr. Swing, and one of Masao's from Fantastic Energy
Chigi's is also from one of her dinner shows, Chie's from Etoile, and Teru's Gone with the Wind pair dance suit (that one I recognized right away XD)
I spent the most time starring at Chie's, of course, just being in awe of seeing something Chie once wore. *_* Though I admit Chigi's was by far the most impressive of the group. Though it did throw me off a little to see Chigi in the top star line-up all over the place. I kept forgetting that she is now officially top star but it took time to get used to. I guess its cause I have a hard time thinking of them as top star until their first debut show has taken place. That and I got pretty used to the line-up at the beginning of the year so it also threw me off a little to not see Tomu either.
But oh man this part of the hall of fame was like a candy shop to me! So many shinies! There was some stuff we couldn't take photos of as they did have a few older outfits and things on display up here too, including one very cute ballet-style outfit with a teeny tiny waist though I forget who wore it (it was someone I at least semi knew at least lol).
They had the most recent retired stars' hand molds up. Though I was sad they didn't have any of the others. They had all the ones for the older stars downstairs but none of the girls from my favorite era. T_T I wanted to compare my hand to Osa's...
Of all of them, my hand was the closest fit to Kimu's. Her fingers are just a tiny bit longer than me, lol Otherwise a pretty good fit! Though I did find it funny that she was the only one to have used her left hand here. I couldn't fit mine into Kiriyan's at all, her hands are so tiny! Everyone else was too big for me. XD
And of course I had to go get my photo taken with the feathers on. ^.^ Though I was totally cursing myself for forgetting I'd be doing this that day cause I totally should have worn something a little better looking for it. lol Like my sparkly vest. Oh well. It was still fun. XD And since most of the people in the theater had left to go watch Elisabeth around this time, there weren't very many in here so I got to spend a little time shaking the feathers around. lol
Though I kinda wish I had then stopped to LOOK at the costumes right there because I have no idea who's those belonged to. lol I didn't think about it at the time since I figured that area was just for the photo but I see from these photos that they do have descriptions on them but can't make out who's in the photos. I would have liked to have studied the costumes up close too. Oh well. lol At least I know if I ever go back, they'll probably still have a display like this up.
There was a little display with photos of all the retired top stars from the 80s to most recent and realize now that must have been all the ones where downstairs left off at since that's pretty much the point it ended at. Then there was the section where they display costumes and props from one of the recent shows. I was a little dismayed as I had hoped it might be Soragumi's BeruBara but I guess it was still too soon. I was surprised it was Last Tycoon since that feels like so long ago now but I guess they go back several shows for this. It was still cool seeing all the stuff though! Especially since I do like Tomu a lot. I haven't watched this show yet but I do plan to eventually. I guess I would have been more excited if I had seen it ahead of time.
Ran-chan's outfit from it was really impressive though
Tomu's tux
Props from Last Tycoon
I was more excited about the revue outfits though XD I have a bigger interest in that than the show to be honest, from the clips I've seen
Boooooots (I have a thing for sparkly boots XD)
This one was my favorite. Though it did frustrate me with how perfect the velvet looks while mine is all fuggly and burnt. *sigh*
They had Ran-chan's mermaid dress ^.^
Dazzling Dreams props
Then there was the wall of current top stars in life size display so I of course had to get some dorky selfies with Teru and Chie. XD One of the staff ladies saw me doing this and offered to take my photo though to be honest I really just wanted the selfies. lol But I let her do it anyway since it was nice of her.
Headed back down to QR after that to make the purchases I didn't the day before. And after starring at them forever and debating back and forth, I gave in and bought the 100th anniversary Hello Kitty set. Pffft. XD But hey considering I almost bought the older set on ebay for $100, this saved me a bit of money. They just...kinda took up a lot of space. But hey I got one of the big QR bags and I felt pretty spiffy since I was the only one I saw carrying one around. lol Then went over to Taka-An and bought the last few shows I was debating on (mainly was comparing price between there and QR. TA was slightly cheaper for these 2) and ended up grabbing a VHS of El Dorado on impulse at the checkout. I keep telling myself no more VHS but this is like the last one on my wishlist and it was super cheap. ^^;;
Went outside and ate my little sandwiches for lunch but didn't stay out there for too long as I got all super hot again. Ugh. Loitered around the theater entrance doors, waiting for them to open the doors for the Bow Hall theater for my second show of my visit. It is a little awkward with how they have it set up. Unlike the grand theater, where you can wait in a big lobby for it, here you have to wait in the doorway and I felt like I was in the way of people coming into the theater, etc. even though everyone else was doing the same as me. I know its a small theater, but still. lol Eventually it was time, so got my ticket out and headed up the pretty little stairs to the Bow Hall Theater to see Sanctuary. Now I'll admit I basically only got a ticket for this because I planned to see whatever Bow Hall show was going on when I went, regardless of who it was, just to have the experience of seeing Bow Hall. But I also wouldn't have been too upset if I didn't get a ticket. But I did and I'm glad cause I ended up actually really liking the show.
First I went to the restroom since there was plenty of time and not as much to look around at outside of the theater itself. I decided to go to the restroom that was up a flight of stairs to the side instead of the closer one, since this looked like it would be less crowded and was rather surprised to be greeted with this...
Fancy bathroom is fancy! I noticed even a lot of the Japanese had the same reaction as me when they walked in. lol
Bow Hall itself was small (as expected) but nice. Even though I had a seat pretty far back, I still had a pretty good view of everything.
Like I said, I enjoyed the show itself and actually managed to follow the story pretty well despite knowing very little about the book its based on or the history of that particular time period. In fact, judging by the bits of conversation I picked up during the intermission, I think I understood the plot better than most of the Japanese fans, lol. I'll get more into the show itself in the actual review for that one though. But man, my legs really started to cramp up during the show for some reason, more so than the other shows. Not sure if it was just the way the seats were or the fact my body was really not pleased with me. ...or maybe both.
I originally had not planned to go to demachi at all since it took so long the night before and I already knew I wouldn't get any good photos but then looking down the street, I noticed a much bigger crowd so figured I might as well. After all, Elisabeth finished much earlier than my show did, so maybe it wouldn't take as long. And sure enough, this time I saw fanclubs lined up like I had seen in photos of iride so finally I was beginning to get a better feel of how this worked. And I definitely could tell which was Mirio's fanclub by the fact they ALL had Mirio's new bag. lol Then saw a lot of smaller clubs lined up to the side. So I think THIS was actually demachi for Elisabeth finally. Though I totally failed at timing and didn't get much in terms of photos. It was harder since there was more people and I only really saw the backs of most of the siennes from my spot so was hard to figure out who they were. I did see Micchan but my attempt at a photo blurred too much so I deleted it. But I could tell it was her due to her big dorky glasses. XD
It was getting late again and light was once again starting to go down but I decided I'd wait since obviously the Mirio fanclub was waiting, which meant she'd eventually come out. Sure enough my patience was rewarded and I did manage to get some photos of Mirio, even if they were pretty grainy due to the time of night but I really didn't want to use flash. It just seemed rude to use it to me and I didn't really see any other fans use it either (I think I did see one camera use flash at some point but like...only one lol). But I was still feeling pretty giddy to have finally got someone I knew (since I didn't know I had gotten Chigi and Magee at this point in time lol). And it was nice having all the fans around me on the bridge giggle in equal happiness, etc. I didn't even think to stick around to see if anyone else was coming, lol. I had intended to go to TA one last time since they were still open to maybe take one last look at programs (even if my hands were starting to hurt from all the bags I was carrying) but I stopped mid-step and backtracked because I swore I heard someone speaking English? Sure enough on a bench was Zaraphena and a friend of hers. I didn't expect to see her at all and looks like she hadn't been planning to be there that day originally anyways. So talked to them for a little bit and I'm sure I sounded like a complete idiot since I'm super awkward in person. lol Kinda forgot about going to TA after that but probably for the best and plus I found plenty of things at the one in Tokyo anyways.
I did feel a tad bit melancholy as I walked back to the station though because even though I had only been here 2 days, I had grown rather attached to Takarazuka and I was leaving for Tokyo the next morning. Even though I had done pretty much everything I could do in the city so its not like staying another day would have made much of a difference but it still made me sad. It was just such a magical experience being there.
Bye bye Takarazuka
Once again at the station, never saw any of the zuka-themed trains but at this point I had pretty much given up on it and just got on the first one. Though it did cheer me up a little to see how many other people on the train also had QR bags in their hands. ^.^ I had originally thought about exploring Osaka a little on this last night but I also had thought I'd be back a lot earlier than I ended up being. Oops. lol That and I was tired. I was a little nervous about finding my way to Tokyo but didn't have the energy to get up and ask around about it but having talked to Zaraphena and her friend about it, they gave me the courage that I was at least on the right track. So instead I got something to eat and chatted with Chibi on Line as I got my stuff together. The show on Sky Stage that night was another Komu show but I'm not sure which one as it had already started when I got to my room.
My loot from the day, not including stuff I bought for other people
~Lyn
