Following the retirement of Sagiri Seina, who had been leading Snow Troupe until now, Nozomi Fuuto has been appointed as the new top star. From the very first time she saw the Takarazuka Revue live, she’s held on to one fierce ambition: “I want to stand on that stage myself.” Since entering the Revue, she’s acquired true ability and technique while overcoming obstacles “for the sake of better performance.” Countless people have hopefully anticipated that for a woman like Nozomi the day would eventually arrive when her shoulders would bear the biggest feathers, and that “someday” has finally become reality. Now having risen to the top star stage, she graciously talks to us about her mental state.

When people comment on Nozomi Fuuto, what’s most often said is “above all she’s diligent.” She is more sincerely uncompromising than anyone, with regard to her craft, and she grabs hold of theatergoers’ hearts with performances above and beyond expectation. Nozomi, who is often praised for the abilities and high technical skills that she’s gained through tremendous effort, told us her true opinion when she first appeared in this magazine two years ago. “I think way too much. I put myself in my own box. My challenge from here on out is to unleash myself more freely.” That same woman bided her time and has now been inaugurated as top star. Has she cornered herself? Is she being crushed by the weight of that heavy responsibility? A feeling of fairly high tension hung in the air of the interview room as we wondered. However, contrary to the worries of the interview staff, she appeared in the studio smiling, with a “long time no see.” When I asked about her current mental state, she responded, “Right now, I’m extremely positive.” Those words were quite unexpected.

—Before you arrived, we were a bit nervous. We were thinking, “I wonder how she’s feeling now.” But then, during the break in the photo shoot you said upfront, “I often watch dramas to switch on and off.”

“Hahaha! Every season, I check in on all the popular dramas without fail. At my home in Takarazuka I can record them, but during Tokyo performances I can’t, so I look them up online on my phone and frantically try to keep up that way (haha).”

—Then, you were also talking about Hanyu Yuzuru, of whom you’re a big fan.

“Ah, when I was talking about making plans to go to the Pyeong Chang Olympics to see his performance. Though I don’t even have a ticket yet (haha).

—Seeing you smile so brightly was a relief. That, and the first words out of your mouth being your declaration of positivity. So the first thing I want to ask is how has your mental state changed recently?

“As I got higher up in seniority, thoughts like ‘an otokoyaku has to be like this’ and ‘I need to be a role model for the underclassmen’ just sped up. In the midst of that, I was transferred from Flower Troupe to Snow Troupe, and plunged into a totally new environment, and I got out from under that pressure of torturing myself with ‘it has to be done this way;’ little by little I came to be able to release that tension… I think I said that last time too though. Lately I’ve truly felt like I’ve been able to relax even more.”

—What prompted that change?

“Last year, I had the privilege of performing the lead role in Don Juan, and that experience was really huge for me. Within that, meeting the outside instructors, like Satou Hiroki who taught us the flamenco choreography, was particularly huge. They were powerful and energetic, and during rehearsal they’d say things like, ‘Do this while letting out an AAAAHHH!’ ‘If something goes wrong keep moving your body anyway,’ and, ‘If that doesn’t work next time try doing it this way;’ it was a completely different approach from what I’d experienced in Takarazuka up to that point. Until then I’d go back and forth to that same rehearsal room, and inside I’d drive myself thoroughly into a wall, and work toward opening day while writhing in anguish… that was my style and I thought it was correct, but Don Juan overturned that line of thinking. Realizing that this other way of thinking existed was a huge shock. I can’t really put it into words well… but what the instructors taught me, and what was fiercely present in the show itself, was the soul of flamenco, this feeling of ‘even if it’s painful we can live through today for the sake of tomorrow,’ and ‘for the sake of living tomorrow we can stand firmly right here today.’ That had a strong impact on me, and every day I was able to stand on stage feeling ‘aah, I’m alive!’”

—Actually Don Juan received a storm of rave reviews. Of course the musical itself was superb, but there were also many admiring voices saying “Nozomi Fuuto advanced to the next level.”

“Thank you so much. For me, having that opportunity really gave me a positive outlook. That being said, because I’m serious by nature, every single day there were things that worried me and depressed me as well. But even still, I grew to accept them with this big feeling of ‘this is what it means to be alive.’ In relation to acting too, it’s not doing well versus doing poorly, but when I saw a person who was ‘living’ up on stage my heart would quiver… Of course, elevating my technical skill is also essential, but beyond that it’s being able to establish this sense of ‘how will I live’ on stage. I really feel like my excess leaves have been trimmed away and everything has been simplified.”

—Even though your technical abilities are so exemplary, last time you expressed worries such as “I get inside my head,” “I can’t let out my feelings well,” and “I can’t break out of my own box.” Talking to you now, I feel like you’ve overcome that, and cleared your own challenge of “setting yourself free.”

“I see, maybe that’s true. You saying that just now made me notice for the first time (haha).”

—It’s an incredibly positive change.

“But it gets scary occasionally too, my positivity (haha). In rehearsal I’ll throw words at the underclassmen like “YOU’RE NOT LIVING!!” “ARE YOU FULLY EXERTING YOURSELVES OR NOT?!!” and I even urge the underclassmen who are worriers with this kind of positivity. But then there are moments when I’d suddenly realize ah, maybe I’m not approaching them the right way, maybe on the contrary I’m causing them to have bad feelings… In order to create a good production it’s important to be able to take in a bird’s-eye view of everything with a calm perspective as well. I think I need to take great care to maintain that sense of balance.”

—Not hurtling around while still maintaining this positive attitude, that’s typical of the diligent Nozomi (haha). By the way, since your feelings have become more positive, has your private life also changed?

“During performances no matter what I’ll be thinking about the next day, and keeping myself in good condition is always strongly at the top of my mind, so in that sense I’m as stoic as always. However, I’ve come to be able to draw a precise line within myself regarding things I should abide by and things I don’t need to abide by, and when I have free off days I’ve started proactively going out. For example coming in contact with nature, and going to places I can’t normally visit… not just lazing around my house but going to places that have nothing to do with work, thinking I’d like to absorb as much as I can while having a good time. Before we started rehearsal for Bakumatsu Taiyouden I also went on a trip by myself. I felt like I wanted to reset and take on a challenge, and I also wanted to get better acquainted with the character I was playing, Takasugi Shinsaku. I got my own room at an inn and stayed over one night, and walked around the town of Hagi where he was born and raised. It was so much fun to spend that kind of time sightseeing and having tea in a place with so much history.”

—That’s a story only this positive Nozomi who’s enjoying every day could have told. Well then, I’d like to touch on today’s main topic. First of all, congratulations on becoming top star!

“Thank you very much.”

—Listening to you talk so far, I can’t help but think that you’ve risen to your position as top star under great circumstances. Do you feel that way yourself?

“I really do. On my way here there was a period of time where I was impatient, but now I can’t help but feel like this timing is really good.”

—Since I have such a strong image of you facing yourself while putting in so much steady effort, hearing the word “impatient” is kind of unexpected.

“Not at all, I was definitely harboring impatience from not progressing like I thought I should be, and getting depressed, and just repeating that cycle. My time in Flower Troupe, for example. When my classmate Asumi Rio transferred in from Moon Troupe and became top of Flower Troupe it was exactly like that. Seeing my friend, together with whom I’d worked so hard, become top of my troupe was an unbelievably happy event, but at the same time I thought, ‘Even though we stood on the same starting line, something about me must be different from her,” and all I did was search within myself for the places I was lacking and I grew depressed… But, it turned out to be really great motivation. It made me realize that I had been kind of coasting, and I was able to turn and face the areas where I really was lacking. It became a good opportunity to think about my ‘path forward.’ If I’d continued spending my days spaced out like that, who knows where I’d be now (haha).

—Of course, after that, beginning with Lucheni in Elisabeth you were entrusted with one big role after another. Your rapid progress from that point on really amazed me.

“Thank you. Thanks to that experience, I was able to face myself and my performing properly, and if you put in the effort, opportunities will definitely come to you. I think I was also able to realize that then.”

—That’s what I’d expect to hear from such a hard worker.

“I think there are two patterns of stars in Takarazuka. The first type is what I’d call the stars from the start, the ones who are given big roles from the beginning and have to put in a lot of frantic effort because their technical skills have not caught up. In the past I was jealous of that type, but I also think it’s really painful to stand on stage while holding onto anxiety and a sense of inferiority about your own inexperience, and now I understand the difficulty of that so well it hurts. The second type stores up their strength while working on their deficiencies, so that when once in a blue moon a chance comes around, they can grab it. I think this type is the majority.”

—Which are you?

“Absolutely the latter (haha). But when I realized that, things got a little bit easier. Something suddenly fluttering down from the sky like a dream… that kind of Cinderella story is impossible to believe. A fantasy event like that could never happen in my life. And so, I thought if I could put in the effort, and grab that rare chance, that would be good. From then on, it was clear what I had to do.”

—When it was decided you’d become top star, what was your first thought?

“I’d always thought that at first I’d be so happy I’d jump up and down, and then let the tears flow as I processed my joy, but in reality, before I felt that joy and happiness I was hit profoundly with the weight of the responsibility; the feeling that I’d been appointed to a very difficult mission was more prominent.”

—When the news of your top inauguration was announced, how was the reaction from the people around you?

“Of course the fans who have been cheering me on until now, my classmates, and my family were all really happy. The enormity of their reaction made me appreciate anew what an amazing thing this is.”

—You borrowed the video of a performance of PUCK from your grandmother, who loved Takarazuka, and that was your introduction to the Takarazuka Revue. Certainly your grandmother, the impetus behind your dream of joining Takarazuka, was also overjoyed?

“She was definitely happy… but it wasn’t really a ‘waaaaaah!’ flurry of excitement; she warned me to make sure I take care of my body. From the moment I entered Takarazuka I knew I wanted to wear the biggest feathers someday, and I did my best with that thought in mind, but now that I’ve got my dream in hand it’s so much heavier than I’d ever imagined… since my grandmother understands that weight, I think she’s also started to worry.”

—What did Sagiri-san say to you?

“The first thing she said was congratulations… then she also told me to take care of myself (haha). ‘Things will be difficult from here on out, so be sure to eat enough and take care of your body.’ She also said, ‘If you do your best and have faith in what you’ve done up till now, you’ll be fine. If you have faith in the troupe around you, you’ll definitely be fine. That’s all you need to do.’ That was very reassuring.

—You mentioned Asumi Rio earlier in the conversation, have you talked to her?

“Actually, I met up with her before I revealed to her that I’d be made top, and she guessed everything before I even said a word, and we gave each other an intensely emotional hug. Then, the one thing she blurted out was ‘take care of your body’ (haha). I thought again that standing in the top spot and spearheading a troupe must really be a huge undertaking.”

—Please tell us your current thoughts on the ideal top star you’d like to become.

“Since I haven’t had my debut performance yet, I won’t actually know until I try and head toward it; that’s how I truly feel… When I was an underclassman, the top stars, Haruno Sumire and Matobu Sei for example, were like gods to me. Of course they were always kind when they spoke to me, but even so they were like unreachable beings. However, Sagiri-san held such a strong awareness of creating one production while keeping lines of communication open with everyone, not getting caught up in the boundaries of upperclassmen and underclassmen. So, when I think about how I want to be… what the heck should I do (haha).

—What, you’re turning the question back onto me?! (haha)

“Ah, no, I was just thinking once again that it’s hard to put into words. Me becoming godlike, I feel like that’s totally impossible. Thinking about myself as an underclassman versus now, I feel that my image of a top star, and the things that the audience hopes for, are changing. On top of that, I’ve had the privilege of performing in lead roles a few times, and what I felt there was that if I face the things I need to do with everything I’ve got, everyone will follow me. Also, the fact that in working together with everyone to create a production, there is a lot of discovery and motivation. What I mean is if we can all work diligently as a troupe, and if we can progress individually and as a troupe with each show, I think that would be best.”

—So you won’t know what kind of top star you want to become, and where you want the new Snow Troupe to go, until you give it a try?

“Exactly. And anyway, right now I’m just excited. Like ’nothing can go wrong!!’ because I’m being positive (haha). Of course, once the new Snow Troupe begins, I think I’ll feel a tremendous amount of pressure. When I think about that I get anxious, but there is a part of me that also thinks everything will be okay because everyone is here with me (haha). And that of course is specifically because I have so much faith in Snow Troupe.

—Maaya Kiho assumed office beside you as top musumeyaku. Since the two of you will be leading Snow Troupe, have you talked to Maaya about moving forward?

“For me, as a fan first and foremost, what I’ve felt from watching Takarazuka’s top duos is that the musumeyaku are so lovely, and they make the otokoyaku standing next to them look many times cooler. So that’s the first thing I said to her. ‘I’ll be the result of your work’ (haha). We’re pretty far apart in grade, and there is also a difference in our experience, but rather than walking 2-3 steps behind me, I want her to grow beautifully as an actress and as a woman. Since I’m here by myself this is a biased view, but I think we’ll both grow as we motivate each other, because that’s what happens when you have a partner. Right now she’s still quite reserved, but I hope she can become someone who’s not afraid to give me advice, like ‘I think it would be better if you did it this way.’”

—You’ve arrived at a more positive self after struggling to get through a period of impatient thoughts and worries. You’ve bided your time and become top star. Earlier, when you said “right now I’m just excited,” we also got excited to see this new version of you and the new Snow Troupe. Finally, may I ask, now that one of your dreams has come true, what sorts of new dreams and goals to you have?

“A while ago, a childhood friend told me, ‘It’s amazing that you’ve pushed forward on the path of the dream you’ve had since your teens,’ and that really hit me. Since your qualifications for the Music School are determined when you’re between 15 and 18, a lot of people enroll with fierce admiration for Takarazuka. However, among them, there are also those who realize ‘there are other things I want to do,’ find new dreams along the way, and retire. There was a time when I’d look at the backs of those people who left so resolutely and thought they were amazing. During tough times I’d ask myself, ‘I wonder if there’s anything else I can do,’ ‘is this really the place I should be.’ But every time, at the end of the struggle, the answer was ‘this is the only place for me.’ No matter how much I worry about it, I love Takarazuka, there’s nothing for me but Takarazuka, and those passionate feelings haven’t changed between then and now. If I were to make one wish, it would be that more and more people come to watch Takarazuka. I want the people who have always loved Takarazuka to be happy, I want people who don’t know Takarazuka to gain an interest and come enjoy themselves, and I want us all to combine our power to create that kind of theater experience.”