Earlier this year, "Final Fantasy X" was adapted into a kabuki play, with, as is the Japanese theatrical art form’s custom, all of the roles being played by men. Now there’s another single-sex live-action Final Fantasy stage show on the horizon, but this time with all roles being played by women.
Since 1913, the all-female Takarazuka troupe has been performing lavish musical revues and plays, becoming Japan’s best-known and most highly respected theater company. In a recent announcement of its upcoming schedule, the troupe revealed that it will be staging a Takarazuka version of "Final Fantasy XVI," the latest installment in the long-running series from Square Enix which just released last month,
The play will be performed at both the Takarazuka Grand Theater in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture, and also at the company’s secondary venue, the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater in the Yurakucho neighborhood in downtown Tokyo. The "Final Fantasy XVI" play will be written and directed by Naoko Koyanagi, who has been with the company since 1999 and whose writing/directing credits include Takarazuka’s adaptations of "Lupin III" and "Shall We Dance."
▼ "Final Fantasy XVI" game trailer
A full cast list is yet to be announced, but Toa Serika, the top male-character performing actress in Takarazuka’s Cosmos troupe is set to appear, ostensible as "Final Fantasy XVI’s" protagonist Clive Rosfield. “I myself am a 'Final Fantasy' fan,” said Serika of her involvement, “so this is a very exciting project for me.”
The Takarazuka "Final Fantasy XVI" (which, like all Takarazuka plays, will be one half of a two-part performance that also includes an unrelated musical revue) will open at the Takarazuka Grand Theater on May 17, 2024, and run until June 23 before heading to the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater from July 13 to August 25. Ticket pre-sales open on April 27 for the Grand Theater performances, and June 9 for Tokyo.
Sources: Takarazuka official website, Nikkan Sports
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3 Comments
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zulander
fascinating piece of Japanese culture, good to see it continuing strong.
GillislowTier
FF is a good series to adapt to stage plays, plenty of drama and characters. Especially 16 seems right up this troupes alley. Strong lead, romantic interest, royalty, political nonsense and more
isabelle
I might be tempted to see this. It could be pretty good.
That said, if they're going to do a Square Enix title I'd rather they did Chrono Trigger :)