Cette interview est disponible en français en première page !
While Touken Ranbu, based on a smartphones and PC game, is becoming more and more popular in Japan but also abroad, the actors of the musical honoured France several years in a row, especially on the festival Japan Expo, but also in Paris at the Palais des Congrès.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event Japan Expo, so while we wait for them to reveal who will be there next July, CKJ’s team allows you today to find out more about Mario Kuroba, Ryo Kitazono, Tsubasa Sakiyama, Daichi Saeki, Syunya Ohira and Ryuji Sato – the six actors from Touken Ranbu who came to entertain the French audience last July.
Characters’ presentation:
- Mario Kuroba: he acts as Mikazuki Munechika. Swordsman from the Heian era, his weapon was forged by Sanjo Munchika. It’s one of the best sword in Japan, and it’s said that it’s one of the most beautiful ones. He represents refinement from the Heian era. He’s very generous, but he lives in his own world at the same time.
- Ryo Kitazono: he acts as Kogitsunemaru. Swordsman from the Heian era, his weapon was forged by Sanjo Munchika. First appeared in the nô play The Blacksmith (Kokajji), it’s said that his saber was forged with the help of the god Inarimyojin. Kogitsune means “little fox“, but he’s not little at all. He likes to draw the attention of his master.
- Tsubasa Sakiyama: he acts as Ishikirimaru. Swordsman from the Heian era, his weapon was forged by Sanjo Munchika. Time at the sanctuary went too slow for him, so he ventures more and more often in the outside world. He doesn’t know much about the actual world because he lived for too long at the sanctuary. More than comfort, people want him to cure sick persons. He protects the other Danshi from far away.
- Daichi Saeki: he acts as Iwatooshi. It is said that he has the Nagigata which was used by the warrior monk Musashibou Benkei. He’s really tall. He’s bold but refined, because he’s from a good family; he also has a nice personality. He cherishes Imanotsurugi, who’s small and agile.
- Syunya Ohira: he acts as Imanotsurugi. It is said that his dagger saber is the one that protected Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Genji. Yoshitsune, the insolant tengu, killed himself with this dagger. He deeply cares about brotherly love.
- Ryuji Sato: he acts as Kashuu Kiyomitsu. It is said that the saber was used by Okita Souji, from the samuraï group Shinsengumi. As Kashuu Kiyomitsu may come from an underpriviledged neighbourhood, he thinks esthetics are important to draw attention from the master. His personality is really like Yamatonokami Yasusada’s one. That’s why they argue a lot.
Hello, at first could you present yourselves and introduce the characters you’re playing in the musical?
Mario Kuroba: My name is Mario Kuroba, I play the character Mikazuki Munechika.
Ryo Kitazono: I’m Ryo Kitazono, and I embody Kogitsunemaru.
Tsubasa Sakiyama: I act as Ishikirimaru, and my name is Tsubasa Sakiyama.
Daichi Saeki: I am Daichi Saeki, and I play Iwatooshi.
Syunya Ohira: My name is Syunya Ohira I have the role of Imanotsuguri.
Ryuji Sato: And I am Ryuji Sato, embodying Kashuu Kiyomitsu.
Could you briefly describe the story of Touken Ranbu: The musical?
Ryo Kitazono: The story of the musical is based on the video game. In the musical, we tell a story about friends who fight in order to protect history.
Before being hired as actors for this muscial, had you ever played the game?
Daichi Saeki: We just knew about the game, but we never played it. It’s a rather popular game among girls, but not really among boys.
Do you think more adaptations in other formats could be possible for Touken Ranbu?
Daichi Saeki: Of course, we think Touken Ranbu is really likely to have more adaptations!
Why did you want to take part in this particuliar musical?
Daichi Saeki: What interested me, is the fact that the show is focused on katanas and Japanese culture.
Tsubasa Sakiyama: I personnaly play the role of a character who has a sword that was forged in a sanctuary. Before being an actor for the musical, I used to visit sanctuaries in Japan, and my character allows now me to know the stories of the sanctuaries in my country.
How do you think this musical became a mean to promote Japanese culture, in Japan and abroad at the same time?
Ryuji Sato: In this musical, the first part is about Japanese traditional culture, with katanas, samurai et Japan’s history, but there is also a live during the second part, more focused on idols. This idol part allows us to promote Japanese culture, to modernize it and to make it more popular through music.
You already came to Japan Expo last year. Did you gain popularity abroad thanks to the festival?
Syunya Ohira: We can’t really realize how much our popularity has grown, but it’s amazing!
You will hold two representations of the musical in Paris, did you adapt the show to play it in France, or did you keep it the same as you do in Japan?
Ryuji Sato: We didn’t change the show, but we are going to speak a little bit of French. But we will not tell you more about that… (laughs)
To finish this interview, do you have a last message for your French fans?
Mario Kuroba: It’s the first time that we come here in France for a full representation. We just want French people to come see us, and to enjoy the show.
We would like to thank Japan Expo’s staff for giving us this opportunity, and Touken Ranbu and their staff for their time!
