Ask John: What Influence Has Takarazuka Had on Anime?

Question:
What would you know about Takarazuka (you know, those all-female musical plays, where even male parts are done by women)? What impact has it had in the anime industry, considering that some actresses in this genre have voiced for anime? And, seriously, why do the Japanese like this sort of thing?

Answer:
I’m sorry to say that I don’t know enough about Japan’s Takarazuka Revue to gauge how much influence it’s had on the anime industry. I can only make some guesses, which I must warn you, may not be correct. The Takarazuka Revue company was established in 1913 and employed only chaste young women in order to be able to perform romantic plays while remaining above suspicion of immorality. The “otokoyaku” actors who play male roles may inspire devoted cult followings among young Japanese women because of the implications. The female playing a leading male role is literally a symbol of female empowerment. The otokoyaku is also romantic- a masculine figure who is simultaneously feminine. The otokoyaku represents the ability to be dominant and powerful without sacrificing femininity. The stylized men played by otokoyaku represent ideal, chivalrous, romantic men that female fans and viewers can idolize.

The official Japanese Tezuka Osamu World homepage cites Osamu Tezuka’s youth in the city of Takarazuka, and the atmosphere of Takarazuka Revue being an influence on his manga and anime series Ribbon no Kishi. Takarazuka Revue may also have influenced or inspired Ryoko Ikeda’s Rose of Versailles. Perhaps acknowledging that homage, Rose of Versailles is one of the staple plays of the Takarazuka Revue, and in late 2005 all female pop group Morning Musume announced plans to star in a stage production of Ribbon no Kishi. It’s also quite possible that the manga trope of bishonen was inspired by, or adapted from, Takarazuka. After all, the graceful and elegant men with long, flowing hair are the literary version of Takarazuka’s “otokoyaku” actors and roles.

Article revised on July 24, 2006.