The opening music "Overture"
The opening is as quiet as "Supers"
The scene is a concert. Haruka is playing the piano on the left.
Michiru is playing the violin on the right of the center.
They play arranged "Chasin' After You".
Elegant violin of Michiru and powerful piano of Haruka end soon.
They play only the last part.
As KIMURA Sanae (as Sailor Uranus) says "I wanted to play a little more"
on the official guide videotape, it was so short that we feel that we wanted
to listen a little more. (KIMURA Sanae rehearsing with the glasses on the videotape is nice!)
Haruka smartly bows abreast with Michiru, and goes away.
They have successfully attracted the audience,
and brought them to the world of the play.
I think TAHARA Yuko (as Sailor Neptune) might have been selected
because she could play the violin. Without makeup, she looks sincere
and agreeable though she doesn't have strong individuality.
The scene she rehearses Deep Submerge hard on the official guide videotape
was very impressive.
"Chasin' After You"
The song of Star Lights. Their message song for "that lady".
Actually they sing it as Three Lights. But Three Lights have one more song
sung in the music festival, so I think "Chasin' After You" is the song of
Star Lights. I like this song more than "Nagare-boshi e" (To shooting stars)
in the animation version because it represents their emotion for "that lady"
more deeply.
This music is arranged and used at many parts of the musical, so it might be
one of the theme songs of "SailorStars" musical.
All of the three sing emotionally and manlily opening their legs and
violently moving their bodies. The content of the words is understandable
for people who have read the manga.
They have on headset microphones and headphones.
(TAKEUCHI Naoko likes them very much.) But it is strange Seiya who doesn't
have a instrument has on them and sings having a microphone...
We were wondering what part KASAHARA Ryuji plays as eagerly as we were wondering if MOCHIZUKI Yuta appears as Mamoru (Darien) before we watch the musical. He appears as Kasser's Kamen (assumed name ^^;) and plays as a clown and M.C. Of course, he plays a cool villain who picks on Sailor Scouts coming up to our expectations(?) at the important scenes after this one.
"It's Cho Very Bad!" (It's the worst!)
- "cho-" means "super-" or "ultra-" -
I believed this was a song of the Galactica Gundan (Corps) which appeared
behind the stage of rehearsal and was plotting something.
But they are performers of the festival. Their name is ChoverybaComets.
Are they, AnimaMates, students of Crossroads High School?
Though the songs of villains of the former musicals sound weird,
how bright and cheerful this song is!
Once I hear the song, I can't help singing "Choveryba Choveryba Choveryba".
Rhythmical music and quickly moving Sailor Animamates.
Well carrying and mellow voice of Fox who is the leader of them is also
very nice.
The words of the song sound to have no messages about the content of
the musical. But listening seriously and carefully, it is confusing and funny.
Are we being deceived by the world of Sailor Moon and have we made roses
blossom on vines? ^^;
"Lonely Distance"
Usagi (Serena) is lost in thought on the roof of Crossroads High School.
The words of "Though we could meet each other every day as we liked
in that days, I selfishly said that it wasn't enough."
make us break into tears.
Three Lights are at the roof when Usagi comes there. They hide themselves
in a flurry when she appears. But Yaten fails to hide and sticks to a wall,
and Taiki makes a fool of him saying "Are you Lupin the Third?"
Taiki breaks into an imitation of a hero corps, and Yaten points out
"That is being held over there."
(Hero Festival was being held at the next hall to the theater.)
This scene is full of jokes. Speaking of "next to the theater",
Usagi said to AnimaMates, "Please rest at the next aquarium."
after the former song. And Tinnyanko licked her lips saying
"Are there many fish?" I wonder how these jokes were changed at
the performances in Osaka.
By the way, Yaten imitated emergency stairs instead of sticking to a wall
in performance videotape. It seems some scenes were changed little by little
as they repeated performances.
Usagi is worried that Mamoru might have a secret love affair with
a blonde. And Setsuna in white comforts her saying "Don't worry.
You are a blonde." Usagi says "You are like a mother." Setsuna says
"I'm happy you didn't say "an old lady"." to protest Three Lights calling
her an old lady. Only SAITO Rei (as Sailor Pluto) can handle easily
such a joke as sounds black^^;
Though the song is moving, the stage is full of jokes after the song.
The contrast is very nice.
"Star Hunter"
I feel myself brainwashed by the refrain of "phagephagephage phage".
Listening the words carefully, we can understand why AnimaMates aim at
starseeds, what are starseeds, and what are Sailor Crystals. They are not clear in the animation version.
How clever are the Galactica Gundan of the musical version, in comparison
with them of the animation version. They say that they should make an accident
and call Sailor Scouts to find Sailor Crystals. If they of the animation
version were one-severalth as wise as them of the musical version,....
the series would end soon^^;that is bad.
"Sailor Busters"
This is the point. I can say I started writing this essay because I wanted to
write about this song^^;
When I saw the musical on August 10th, I was in the 18th row and rather far
from the stage. So I only tasted the atmosphere of the whole musical and
watched the looks on the faces of performers through binoculars.
I didn't notice the details at that time.
After the day, I spent every day listening the CD of the musical I bought at
the theater, recollecting the stage and ruminating about it.
This song sounds like a parody of a movie music. I feel it is very interesting
that the song includes imitated songs of the songs in each character's
repertory of former musicals.
The original songs are "Warui-ko no uta" (The song of a bad girl)
by Ami (Amy), "Namikimichi no koi" (Fall in love on a tree-lined street)
by Minako (Mina), "The theme of Saturn" by Hotaru, "Norito" (a Shinto prayer)
(?) by Rei (Raye) and "Dream Yume wa ookiku" (Let's have a big dream)
by Ami, Rei, Makoto (Lita) and Minako.
At first, I thought the songs were imitated nicely and NAKAYA Kanatsu
(as Sailor Venus) sang "Namikimichi no koi" - which SUZUKI Nana had sung
solo in the first Sailor Moon musical and TAKEUCHI Naoko had listened
repeatedly - with very nice voice though she was a new face. But listening
carefully, it sounded strange. I began to have some questions and it bothered
me.
When I went to see the last stage of Tokyo August 18th, I was in the 7th row.
Though I was close to the right end, it was a nice position. It was so close
to the stage that binoculars I brought was not useful.
(If I had been close to the left end, I would have been very close to
Hotaru and Chibiusa (Rini)^^;)
At that time, I noticed each song was not sung by each character who had sung
each original song.
Each character who has sung each original song is spotlit and performs
respectably, but another character sings the song.
I asked a friend of mine who were to watch the last stage of Osaka to
investigate this. And I got the answer.
Singer of the original song Singer of the imitated song
Ami Hotaru
Minako Ami
Hotaru Makoto
Rei Minako
Makoto (a part of the song) Rei
They persistently say "How are the toilets?" Of course, they are probably
arousing fear for a joke. But they may have considered the movie of
"Hanako in the toilet".
"Fukitsuna kaze" (Ominous Wind)
Chibiusa appears. But the reason of the appearance is not so respectable.
I think this scene is superfluous. I wonder if the appearance of Serenity
of the 30th century is a shift to make the appearance of Chibiusa consistent
with the story.
I hope Chibichibi will appear instead of Chibiusa in the revision.
"Sailor War Supreme"
9 Sailor Scouts and Sailor Star Lights are together on the stage, and sing
the opening of the war. I'm happy about the return of the theme song of
the musical of "Sailor Moon" and that of "Sailor Moon S". But I feel it lacks
originality as the end of Act 1. It is less impressive than Usagi and Mamoru
vs 3 Outer Senshis vs Evil Corps in "Sailor Moon Supers". I feel it is very
annoying that each of them walks about the stage actively. It is the climax
of the first half and the scene we want to watch each character and her look
thoroughly, so I want them not to move so.
The solo of Sailor Saturn and that of Sailor Pluto stand out in such
a situation. Though TAKEDA Keiko (as Sailor Saturn) and SAITO Rei (as Sailor
Pluto) were new faces in "Sailor Moon Supers", they showed their existence
with the nerve on the stage and the well carrying voice, and caught the heart
of the audience. An actor/actress who has individuality or something shines
can catch up with a leading actor/actress even if his/her role is not
important. We can't imagine anyone but KIMURA Sanae and KOTANI Misako plays
the role of Sailor Uranus or Sailor Mars anymore, can we?
It is because of
not only their roles and the direction but also their lack of appeal that
the new faces of this time, NAKAYA Kanatsu (as Sailor Venus) and SATO Emika
(as Sailor Jupiter), are not conspicuous. Especially, NAKAYA Kanatsu is
a new hope who has been selected in the audition, so I want her to try hard
showing her personality more after this.
Act2
"Galaxia no Dokusai" (Dictatorship of Galaxia)
Galaxia, the most beautiful rival (I don't dare to say "villain".) in the
history of the SailorMoon musical, appears showered with dazzling light.
My daughter seems to have been fascinated by the cool appearance which
represents the beauty and the power of Galaxia at a glance.
"It is me who should be the king on the top of this incomparable Galaxy."
"I lead selected Galactica and construct true ideal cosmos here."
Galaxia sings her thought full of confidence supported by her youthfulness
and her power glittering in the light.
Hearing this part, I think she does not just aim to destroy or to eliminate
as former villains but try to achieve something with more constructive
ideals. The words around "Why does it take you such a lot of time to conquer
such trifling lineage of that solar system." are very interesting because
they tell us what does Galaxia think of Serenity and Sailor Scouts of the
solar system.
But it seems that the pitch of this song is too low for SARA Saori (as Galaxia) or she has difficulty singing the song dancing. I hear her panting^^;
-----Your Majesty Galaxia, your physical strength declines if you keep sitting on the throne and seldom act. How about looking for the true starseeds for yourself for a change.
-----Bishuuuu-----
Ohhh, please forgive me. That is my "Otakuseed". I can't come to watch the
musical again taken it away from. I'm already your follower. I actually have
told people how strong and beautiful you are, and tried to increase people who
want to come to next performance to see you. Please return it to me.
Haynes! Galaxia!
------Joking apart^^;
The sound effect of military march used at this scene reminds me of that of the Nazis, and I feel bad. In addition, it is too long.
"Light ni aventure" (Venture lightly)
This song and next two songs are the songs on the stage of the music festival
at Crossroads High School.
This is a dazzling song full of youthfulness of four teenage girls, isn't it?
Rei looks very nice playing the base guitar. It is Rei and Ami who sing.
The name of the band is "Beauty Beauty Mystic Dynamite ........ Unit"
...very long^^; I can't catch the last of the name.
In Act1, Usagi declared that she would not participate in the band.
So the four girls competed for the position of the lead vocalist.
They sang, and Kasser's Kamen judged. The judgment was "The black and the
blue!" Minako was disappointed, and fell to the keyboards with the sound
effect of "jaaann". This scene was the only one where NAKAYA Kanatsu
made me have a clear memory of her.
"See Me Bokutachi-no jidai" (See Me Our days)
A light song like an idol star, Three Lights.
Considering only the face, I think OKUYAMA Momoko (as Sailor StarHealer)
can be Seiya only if she wears false hairs behind. I wonder if it wasn't
because KATAYAMA Sayuri was good at singing that she was selected for the
part of Seiya. I'm sure that ONO Hikari (as Sailor StarMaker) was selected
because of her height and her intelligent looks.
All of the three hold out well in the barenavel costume. When Three Lights
transformed into Star Lights, a child behind me said "They just took off
their costume." ^^;
At the performance on August 18th (morning), Yaten said "Thank you for coming
to our last stage in Tokyo." and basked in applause of the audience.
But he(she) seemed to have got nervous at her first ad lib. He(she) used
a femininism and restated in a flurry. Her smile in a flurry gave a good
impression to me. I wonder whether he(she) could say successfully at the
afternoon performance. I'm sure that there were many ad libs on the last stage
in Osaka which was the very last stage of the Summer Special Musical "SailorStars".
Yaten in the musical seems to have completely caught the heart of the
audience as a comic actor. I think he(she) has suddenly got his(her)
popularity.
"Knockin' Down Hesitation"
This is the first song in this musical that I was pleased at and learned.
Usagi sings and dances rhythmically with Three Lights. There are some scenes
OYAMA Anza (as Sailor Moon) rehearses this scene repeatedly in the official
guide videotape, so I'm sure that this is a climax for her.
She sings and performs eagerly showing her honor. It is very funny that she
appears on the stage timidly like Usagi but her look becomes full of
confidence like Anza when she begins to sing. Did you determine during the
introduction, Usagi?(^^;) I have thought that she has a mellow and well
carrying voice. But I notice she has such a great ability as a singer for the
first time though I'm ashamed to say this.
The words contain a cheerful message proper for OYAMA Usagi and are very nice
though they are not directly related to the content of the musical. This song
makes us feel we can't be unduly hesitant and that we should break our shells
to be positive, doesn't it?
(The scene of the Edo period and that of the sub space)
"Now, I'll catch you, Prince. Oh, you are here. I've caught you." ...
Please don't throw your arms around a masterless samurai saying so^^;
It is not only Chibiusa who will say "What is this?" seeing that, you know.
HIRAMITSU Takuya (director) said this scene of the Edo period was a leader of
this musical. This scene reminds us of the cassette collection [R2].
Do the characters of SailorMoon and the Edo period match? I thought this scene
nonsense at first. But watching repeatedly, some hints are dropped in this
scene as to what is to follow. This scene is well calculated. But we can enjoy
this scene enough at ease even if we don't think of such a thing.
"I am about to be taken to a show tent because my hair is blue."
"Pink hair is rare. You come too." "Handsome fish dealer, ISSHIN Usanosuke..."
"Hotaru Punch! Hotaru Kick!" ...etc. Ami of the musical has become as strange
as her of the cassette collection.
After we laughed at the jokes in which individuality of each character was made good use of at the scene of the Edo period as much as we liked, a sad scene which makes our hearts ache has come. A battle between Sailor Mars and Sailor Neptune and one between Sailor Mercury and Sailor Uranus remind us of the counterattack of Neherenia in the animation of "SailorStars". Sailor Scouts are trifled with by AnimaMates and given finishing blows by Galaxia to lie wounded at last. Usagi can't do anything about it, can't even call them, and a look of suffering distorts her face.
"Sorezore-no Elegy" (Respective Elegies)
"Usagi, love us."
Ami's voice startles us.
But we are used to hearing (reading) suspicious words of them in the manga
and have made roses blossom on vines, so it sounds like an appeal full of
love. Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars sing important themes of the world of
SailorMoon - how deeply they love Usagi, how deeply they trust her as Princess
and Sailor Moon and how closely they are bound by souls. A drop of sweat is
on the face of Sailor Mars. And it glitters with the light. It seems as if
she were weeping.
I feel I wanted Minako and Rei to play this part as in the manga.
But in the musical, Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars may have been selected
as those who are close to Sailor Moon. (and Sailor Pluto as a supporting scout
?)
The melody which touches our heart and the words full of feelings of the
three. Sailor Pluto joins to increase sadness. After they finish singing, they
die leaving their heart on Usagi.
Sailor Moon is beside herself with grief at losing her friends and rage
against Galactica Corps!
"A Knight For Sailor Soldiers"
Songs of Tuxedo Mask are always short (concise). They say that this song has
only 5 lines, but I think it will be about one and a half lines if you connect
lines^^; I think "Tuxedo, A Knight For Sailor Soldiers!" is much cooler than
"Professor Tuxedo".
"I have wanted to clinch with you someday." These words mean not only the
confrontation from the Edo period in this musical of "SailorStars" but also
that MOCHIZUKI Yuta and KASAHARA Ryuji have played the roles of rivals in
former musicals of SailorMoon. I think these words are witty.
These words have become a phrase in fashion among us like the words "Mind
your own business!" of Tuxedo Mask to Tigers Eye.
The heroic way of battle of Sailor Scouts of the solar system is well represented by the words of Galaxia "I've never thought of such a way of battle!", isn't it? She says to her vassals, "The power of seeking each other. The power of believing each other. Can you do that?" The words admirably show that Galaxia is the least able to believe a person.
"La Moon"
This is the song sung by all of Sailor Scouts before the decisive battle
in the musical of "SailorMoon Supers". But I want a new song for "SailorStars".
It is needless to say about the music itself. This is a rhythmical music
which makes us want to move our bodies and to sing with them. But annoyingly,
I hear auditory hallucination of the voice of Ziorconia saying "You don't
think this is the end!!!"^^; I've heard the CD of the musical of "SailorMoon
Supers" many times, you know.
In "SailorStars", they let Galaxia escape....
"Densetsu Seitan" (The birth of the legend)
I like this song as much as "Sorezore-no Elegy".
The memorial album of this musical contains musics in order of rapid, slow,
rapid, slow and rapid from "Knockin' Down Hesitation" to "La Soldier"
(except for "A Knight For Sailor Soldiers"). It's an admirable arrangement,
isn't it? Listening this gentle music after "La Moon" which has violent
rhythm, even people who didn't watch the stage feel the atmosphere of Sailor
Scouts coming to themselves and relief after the decisive battle, I suppose.
"...Usagi..." "I want to be called so. ...ordinary name....ordinary girl..."
The feelings of Usagi and her friends of this part are part of the eternal
themes of them in all worlds of SailorMoon, aren't they? I can't help all the
more crying over their wounded heart because it is after the fierce battle.
By the way, the word of "...Usagi..." is said only once on the CD (I wonder
who the word is said by on the CD. Sailor Mars?), but on the stage, Ami and
Rei said "Usagi".
KOTANI Misako is singing very hard this song at the scene of recording on the official guide videotape. After KOSAKA Akiko (composer) lectured on how to put their heart into this song and so on, Misako sings using the whole body. I love her as such. Well, it may be also because of FUYUMORI Kayoko's words with nice messages which make them want to sing putting their heart into this song and of KOSAKA Akiko's tune which touches our heart.
"La Soldier"
The finale theme song of the musical of SailorMoon familiar to us.
The two performances I watched ended peacefully without a trespasser.
The actors and the audience seem relieved. Smiles are on their faces.
Though it occurs every time, we feel relieved to be taken back to the actual
lives and sad that we want to be in the imaginary world more after the curtain
has fallen, don't we?
At the performance of August 10th, Anza waved to us when the curtain
was falling. I couldn't see such a sign at the performance of August 18th.
The songs, the direction, the dances and the performances of SailorMoon musicals have developed up to this Summer Special Musical "SailorStars". The imaginary world which is constructed on the small stage has extent of the Galaxy and is worthy of the name of "SailorStars".