Excited lead actress says she’s already a Final Fantasy fan.
Earlier this year, Final Fantasy X was adapted into a kabuki play, with, as is the Japanese theatrical artform’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.”
▼ Toa Serika, posing with Excalibur (the Arthurian legends-version of the sword, not the Final Fantasy one
ちな宙組は“コーラスの宙組”と言われる程歌や表現が素晴らしい組です…宙組トップはこの大変エッッッッッッな芹香斗亜(せりかとあ)様でございます愛称キキさんでございます…
— よっさん🐧🏹 (@ye_mogmog) July 10, 2023
黒髪すっっごい似合うの……
エッチなクライヴ絶対似合う…どうしよう… pic.twitter.com/jzptR3UhTd
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 o June 9 for Tokyo.
Related: Takarazuka official website
Source: Takarazuka official website, Nikkan Sports
Top image: YouTube/FINAL FANTASY
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’s wondering if the Takarazuka Final Fantasy will include a lavish musical rendition of the Chocobo theme.
Anime’s greatest pervert inspires all-female stage play in Japan with Takarazuka City Hunter
All-female musical stage adaptation of Castlevania video game series on the way in Japan
Anime music legend Yoko Kanno to compose music for Japan’s Takarazuka all-female revue
Live-action Castlevania all-female stage adaptation reveals first photo of Alucard and Maria
Japan’s all-female Takarazuka Revue to perform in U.S.A. this summer
Man arrested in Tokyo after allegedly luring foreign tourists into shady Kabukicho establishments
7-Eleven Japan reimagines the fruit sando with new chocolate bread version
Japanese recipe for Tempura Twinkies takes America’s favourite snack to a whole new level
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month
Studio Ghibli calendar figures are back, look amazing whether you check the date or not[Photos]
Burger King Japan goes viral for its new Big Mouth Dirty, but is it really worth the hype?
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Shizuoka police inspector punished for playing crane games on duty
Japan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Three new starter Pokémon Jets to fly in Japan, first begins carrying passengers this month
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s all-female Takarazuka theater has enlightened 31.5:1 female to male bathroom stall ratio
Final Fantasy X kabuki stage play to stream internationally with English subtitles
Our reporter breaks her Takarazuka virginity with an all-female performance of City Hunter
Takarazuka, Japan’s all-woman theater troupe, is producing a musical about Abe Lincoln
All-female Takarazuka Revue set to perform Rurouni Kenshin musical early next year
Rurouni Kenshin comes to picture-perfect life as photos of stage musical’s cast are released
Final Fantasy X is becoming a kabuki play with actor with anime-to-stage experience
There’s a Final Fantasy live-action stage musical coming to Tokyo!
Full cast of live-action Final Fantasy X play appears in costume for the first time【Pics】
Final Fantasy XVI’s story and primary development are finished, Square Enix hiring “final” staff
Final Fantasy XVI will draw on “anguish you can only understand once you become an adult”
Beautiful live-action Final Fantasy X kabuki preview shows Yuna performing Sending【Video】
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Can’t make it to the Rurouni Kenshin musical in Japan? Preview video gives a taste of the action
Main cast for Spirited Away live-action stage play finally revealed!
Giant Final Fantasy XVI painting station artwork, 3-D video billboard fight appear in Japan【Vid】