Ahhhh, vampire...! Ahhhh, requiem...!

[matataku_hoshi]

Watching "Tsukigumi Chronicle 2004" is making me think about Bara no Fuuin (aka Seal of Roses).

Don't get me wrong, it's on my favorites list and there is a great deal to love.  But I think my biggest problem is that out of Emi Kurara's three characters, it's Paula (the WWII character) that has the most chemistry with Francis (Rika's character).  The romances with Lydia (the medieval character) and Jennifer (the modern character) were a little rushed.  Paula probably had about the same amount of stage time, but maybe since it was established that she and Francis knew each other already, their romance felt a little more intimate.  In any case, at the end of the show when Francis decides to take a chance and be with Jennifer, I unfortunately kind of feel like Francis isn't with the right girl.  Or at least not the one who sang such a chemistry-filled duet with Rika on the ceiling.

So how do I fix this all in my head?  I tell myself that obviously by having the same actress play the same three characters, they're all supposed to be the same person, or at least have the same soul.  You say this doesn't make sense because Paula was Jennifer's grandmother?  It's okay, very little of the show makes sense.  For example, what exactly happened to the other vampires living in the Valley of Roses after the time jump?.  Occasionally, however, when I'm bored I try to come up with logic for it.  (Like the other vampires?  I've decided that they all went their separate ways after Lydia died, but they occasionally all reunite to be background dancers for Francis, a la the Vampire Requiem number).

Tsukigumi Chronicle 2004 contains some really shiny stuff in regards to this show.  Like Hokushou Kairi in the shinko.  I'm not sure who actually wins in that hotness contest, but Micchan makes a definite bid.  There's also a little bit of senshuraku footage, which makes me sad that the entire show wasn't released that way.  Even from the short clips they had I could tell it was a really good performance.  (Was any more of that included on Shibuki Jun: The Last Day?  *thinks* Did Rika have a "The Last Day" video?)

Before I finish my Bara no Fuuin blathering, how cool is it that vampire!Rika fights Nazis and smuggles Jews out of France? :D

For any of you who don't have a copy, it's one of the shows that Takarazuka Insanity Project has subtitled.  You have no excuse not to get it.

Comments

[shetan83.livejournal.com]

Occasionally, however, when I'm bored I try to come up with logic for it. (Like the other vampires? I've decided that they all went their separate ways after Lydia died, but they occasionally all reunite to be background dancers for Francis, a la the Vampire Requiem number).

LMAO. XDDD

[ladybretagne.livejournal.com]

That shinko is... yes. Many, many kinds of win and love and probably not safe for mixed company. <3 Micchan, like a lot.

[demoneyeskyo87.livejournal.com]

OMG, Bara no Fuuin is one of my favorite shows and the one I though that Rika gave out all her acting and singing skills to the max. I still have yet to see the Shinjin-Kouen version(because of that adorable Hiromi-chan , ^_^).

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

"OMG, Bara no Fuuin is one of my favorite shows and the one I though that Rika gave out all her acting and singing skills to the max."

Bara no Fuuin was actually the first Rika show that I saw. I sadly have not seen enough Rika shows to judge which one is the absolute best, but Bara no Fuuin is definitely a very strong performance.

[broodingvampire.livejournal.com]

My biggest question for Seal of Roses would be "why did Mikail die in the end of the show, when before he was 'only' transported to the future (or something like that) in the previous fight with Francis, which also involved the big cross? :P Or Mikail didn't die after all?

[muffin-song.livejournal.com]

You mean when they fought in 1314? I don't have the DVD in front of me, but I think the first time Mikhail was able to just disappear (the way he did when he first took the seals of the cross). I don't think it ever transported him into the future. The second time (in 2004) I got the impression that the power of the cross just blew up in his face.

I guess that is confusing, now that I think about it.

[broodingvampire.livejournal.com]

Yes, that one. Colour me confused ^^;