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Hakuoki musical long awaited character publicity photos released; plenty of fresh faces lined up
A popular game, anime and now even a musical, Hakuoki has earned high praise from its many fans. On top of the charming characters, the secret of its high acclaim is the popular actors performing in the photos as if jumping out from the 2D world.
From May 2015, the long awaited new musical Hakuoki: Reimeiroku will be performed in Tokyo and Kyoto. Up until now on the stage we’ve seen stories focussed on Hajime Saito, Souji Okita, Toshizou Hijikata and other characters, but this time the story takes place before the birth of the Shinsengumi and is told from a new character’s perspective. As for the cast, they’re mostly new faces as it’s the early part of the story being told - just right for the tale’s innocent atmosphere.
Before the performances begin in May, publicity shots of the actors in character have now been released. With costumes to equal any seen before on stage, the photos are sure to raise expectations even further.
This time, the role of Ryunosuke Ibuki will be played by Atsushi Shiramata. Born in 1994, Shiramata is a young actor who has appeared in the musical version of Nintama Rantaro and the stage play of Legend of the Galactic Heroes.
In the role of Toshizou Hijikata is Yoshihide Sasaki who last year played Souji Okita in the “Ultra-Musical” of Bakumatsu Rock - a role which will be played by Yoshihiko Aramaki in this production. Sasaki has previously starred in the musical versions of Prince of Tennis and Nintama Rantaro.
Shohei Hashimoto continues in the role of Hajime Saito from the earlier musical - Hakuoki: Toudou Heisuke-hen. Playing Heisuke Toudou is Ren Ozawa, a young actor who has appeared in Kamen Rider Gaim. Keisuke Higashi, who plays Sanosuke Harada, made his stage debut in the second season of the Prince of Tennis musical. Hiroki Ino who will play Shinpachi Nagakura starred as Chitose in Toki no Kizuna - Sekigahara Kitan.
Teruma played the role of Toshizou Hijikata in the Bakumatsu Rock Ultra Musical, but this time will play Keisuke Sannan. Shota Takasaki retains the role of Susumu Yamazaki from the previous Hakuoki musical - Hakuoki: Kazama Chikage-hen. Taira Imata also continues in the role of Isami Kondou. Kamo Serizawa will be played by Akira Kubodera who mainly does film work, and the role of Koudou Yukimura will be again taken by Manji Edogawa who always plays the part so well.
The story’s protagonist is Ryunosuke Ibuki - an aimlessly wandering youth who has lost his mother to an illness. In no time at all he finds himself on the brink of starvation, whereupon he’s picked up by the cool-headed and arrogant Kamo Serizawa, and so begins his life as a retainer with the Ronin.
Then, he meets the much-feared men of the assassination squad Shinsengumi––Toshizou Hijikata, Souji Okita, Hajime Saito––one and all. While mingling with the members of the Shinsengumi in these turbulent times, Ibuki becomes embroiled in the way of life of these men who each adhere to their own truths.
Original Visual Novel: Otomate (Idea Factory, Design Factory)
Script/Direction/Lyrics: Nobuhiro Mouri
Music: Toshihiko Sahashi
Choreography: Shinnosuke Motoyama
Stage Combat: Yasuhiro Roppongi
Stage Combat Director: Yuta Morokaji
[Cast]
Ryunosuke Ibuki: Atsushi Shiramata
Toshizou Hijikata: Yoshihide Sasaki
Souji Okita: Yoshihiko Aramaki
Hajime Saito: Shohei Hashimoto
Sanosuke Harada: Keisuke Higashi
Shinpachi Nagakura: Hiroki Ino
Keisuke Sannan: Teruma
Susumu Yamazaki: Shota Takasaki
Isami Kondou: Taira Imata
Kamo Serizawa: Akira Kubodera
Koudou Yukimura: Manji Edogawa
Nishiki Niimi: Kouki Shinozaki
and others
[Theaters]
Tokyo: AiiA 2.5 Theater Tokyo | May 22–31, 2015
Kyoto: Kyoto Gekijo | June 10–14, 2015
Source: animeanime
