Tonami press conference + ramblings

Tonami's retirement press conference is up.  It sounds like she's 1) excited about doing Zorro, and 2) intending to continue with acting.

It's hard to read between the lines in these sorts of things (especially in Japanese -_-;), but I'm getting the impression that she decided it was the right moment and that it was her decision.  No matter what happens from here on out (and I wish her the best in whatever she ends up doing), she's had a truly amazing career in Takarazuka. 

I've seen a couple of retirements live, and the thing is...there's something celebratory about them.  It's more like what we would think of as a high school graduation than a funeral.  Even the normally unnoticed seito are recognized for what they have contributed.  I didn't see A-"R"ex senshuraku, but I did see demachi, and I have a strong memory of how happy Asahana Rinka looked.  It's not that she was happy to be leaving Takarazuka, but rather the kind of happiness that you feel at well, a school graduation.

It's sad when people leave, but at the same time I want to acknowledge and celebrate what an amazing 11 years Tonami has had.

/sentimental rambling

*Hanagumi* to perform "Me and My Girl" this summer.

Lucia, you are one VERY lucky fangirl.

2009 seems to be the year of the revival, or at least that's what it feels like.  I suppose I should be sick of MiiMai by now, but the truth is I've grown very fond of it.  And I could definitely see Yuu and Ayane as Bill and Sally.

Does this mean that there might be another chance for Yuuhi!Jackie?  Or will Miwacchi get a female role yet again? *snicker*

There's certainly never a dull moment around here lately ^^;;

The "More Than You Probably Needed to Know" post on the Micchan episode of "Brilliant Dreams: Stage"

First of all, I'd like to thank the survey respondents for being by and large intelligent with their answers.  With the 2008 "Enchanted by..." series in Graph, I got the impression that people were just writing in with the most recent thing they'd seen :P

For those of you who haven't seen Brilliant Dreams: Stage before, each episode focuses on a different performer.  A few months beforehand, the Sky Stage websites ask fans to write in with what they think that performer's most notable role/scene/etc. has been to date.  Each episode's guest then comments on each answer.

( I bolded the important parts so that you stand a chance of getting through my commentary )