Takarazuka influence

[Scandiadream]

I just wanted to clarify that while the Rose of Versailles Takarazuka came before the anime version, BOTH were based off the original manga by Riyoko Ikeda.

And you forgot to mention Sakura Taisen. The anime/manga/revues are all based off Takarazuka.

[Dan]

I was fortunate enough to visit Takarazuka (the city) this spring and visit both the theater and the Tezuka Osamu Memorial Museum, so I'd like to offer my small opinion to the question.

Good call by John on Tezuka's works, he was actually a native of the area, and although his studies of medicine and his interest in entomology are usually more prominently cited for influencing his works, it is also pretty apparent that his familiarity with the theater had an impact on him, definately Ribbon no Kishi, and arguably Black Jack, too. Black Jack, although pretty unquestionably male, definately struggles from an identity crisis similar to the theme of Ribon no Kishi.

Although as a whole from what I have read, heard from word of mouth and seen in a documentary about Takarazuka, on the whole it has not had a profound or obvious effect on the anime industry. And although most Japanese know what it is, its still not as popular as many other media outlets, and certainly not as accessable as manga/anime. In fact, the question should probably be "How has anime affected Takarazuka?"


Also, interesting to note, of Tezuka's works- Black Jack, Buddha, Phoenix and as of this summer Ribon no Kishi have all been made into Takarazuka plays.

[dr ochanomizu]

I just wanted to clarify that while the Rose of Versailles Takarazuka came before the anime version, BOTH were based off the original manga by Riyoko Ikeda...
Awhile back, I saw a documentary series called "Project X" on Japanese NHK TV about Takarazuka Revue (宝塚歌劇団 Takarazuka Kagekidan). If I recall, the all female revue with fancy costumes and songs fell into hard times with the advent of TV and hardly anybody wanted see the stage plays anymore. Takarazuka was saved by adopting popular manga "The Rose of Versailles" but the stage troupe encountered a wrath of manga fans, who thought it was blasphemous in altering the manga by ruining the beautiful story line. Particularly, the person who played Lady Oscar (I forgot her name) got most of the angry letters and protests. At any rate, the director, who was trained in traditional Kabuki stage, choreographed the play so magnificently that eventually the manga fans reversed their oppostion toward the play. This adaptation of manga became such a hit and returned Takarazuka to prosperity as exist today. I understand in order to join Takarazuka Troupe now, it is a primier process.

Here's a brief bio on ROSE OF VERSAILLES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_of_versaille

And more info on Takarazuka:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takarazuka_Revue

TS