The World of Mel Kishida Comes to Life! “Shinigami Hime no Saikon” Becomes a Stage Play

Shinigami Hime no Saikon (lit. The Princess of Death’s Second Marriage) is a light novel by Meiya Onogami. Even though the novel is Onogami’s debut work, it has already won literary awards and become a popular series. The series features illustrations by Mel Kishida, who is well known even on TokyoOtakuMode, where his work has become a hot topic. Shinigami Hime no Saikon follows an eccentric young lady of noble birth named Alicia, who is nicknamed the Princess of Death after her first husband-to-be dies at the alter. She is then arranged to marry an infamous prince, and a slapstick story ensues.

The story of Shinigami Hime no Saikon is now being brought to life as a stage play. The leading parts will be played by Ami Himesaki, a member of the Fukuoka based idol unit LinQ, and Motohiro Ota, a young stage actor who has gained attention in the world of theater. The opening night of the play is March 13 and it will run until March 17 at the Space Zero Hall, which is located close to Shinjuku, Tokyo.

For those not native in Japanese, understanding the play might be a bit difficult. Even for many native Japanese speakers, understanding historical samurai plays is a daunting challenge. And let’s not even get into kabuki plays; even we have no idea what’s said in those. What about noh or kyogen plays you ask? We couldn’t tell you. Most of us slept through our classical literature class in high school.

However, don’t let our repartee stop you from going; chances are you would have a really good time. Seriously. There are many faces to theater. There’s ballet, such as Swan Lake, where you can be mesmerized by the flurry of people dancing on stage without having to worry about boring, long, drawn out monologues. There are also theatrical plays that come in a variety of styles, whether it be a drama that ends tragically or a comedy that ends happily. Whatever your preference, there is a lot at the theater to enjoy. What the audience gets to savor is not purely the story, but also the world of the play.

For this reason, in order for those who are non-native to increase their enjoyment of Japanese theater, we suggest focusing on the story’s costumes. Even without being able to understand the dialogue, you can tell much about the story’s mood by the costumes used throughout. Such a method can really pay off in the theatrical play of Shinigami Hime no Saikon, the script of which has been penned by the greatly sought-after Ichiro Anabuki. Especially for those who are not well acquainted with Japanese theatrical arts, the value of experiencing this work firsthand makes this a play not to be missed.

Recently, we had the opportunity to converse with the leading stars of this leading play.

TOM: The script reading has just begun and everyone is preparing for their roles. Since this work is being adapted from a hugely popular light novel into a play, how is the enthusiasm for it?

Ota: Truthfully, many of the plays that I have been able to participate in up until now first started as comics. This work isn’t a Japanese story, it’s not a present day story, and its original work wasn’t even a manga or anime - it’s a light novel. Because of that, I think that fans already have their own image of the work that they created while reading it. I want to build upon this image without shattering it.

Himesaki: This is my first time acting in a play and I’m very nervous!

TOM: It’s your debut, huh. Well, you know what they say, once you step on the stage, there’s no going back, right?

Ota: Welcome to the world of theater!

TOM: The majority of our readers are from overseas. Nevertheless, they know a great deal about Japanese pop culture.

Ota: When I previously performed in a play for Bleach, there were fans who came from Germany to see it. I thought to myself, “That is amazing enthusiasm. I really have to give it my all.” (haha)

TOM: Mel Kishida, who drew the illustrations for the light novel of Shinigami Hime no Saikon, is a very popular illustration even on TOM. He embodied the world of Onogami’s work and he not only expanded upon the reader’s image of the world, he brought them into his own world through his grand contribution. Kishida’s world has been prominently reflected in the play’s costumes, hasn’t it?

Ota: When I put on the despot Kashburn’s cloak, I just get a really good feeling. However, moving around on stage while wearing it is really tough! It’s difficult to move elegantly with it on.

TOM: The cloak looks really good on you, Ota. Would you wear it as an everyday item?

Ota: No way!

TOM: Himesaki, you have such a small stature and your skirt is almost touching the floor...

Himesaki: Alicia’s clothes are lightly colored and have flower patterns and her skirt just barely reaches the floor. Even in the original work, you never really see her shoes. Her clothes are not something I would normally wear, and I’m worried that I’m going to step on the hem of the skirt and fall over.

Ota: What? They look really good on you, just like they’re your regular clothes. Even when I first met you, I thought you would be perfect for the part of Alicia (haha).

Himesaki: No, no, that’s not true at all! (haha) Alicia is truly an airhead, innocent-minded, and can’t read into situations. But there is a gentle strongness to her...I will try my best to become her!

We look forward to seeing how this series’ world is brought to life on the stage.

Shinigami Hime no Saikon Official Site:
http://www.decca-pj.com/shinigamihime/ (Japanese)

© 2007 Meiya Onogami/Mel Kishida/Published by ENTERBRAIN Inc.

Ami Himesaki from LinQ as Alicia
Ami Himesaki from LinQ as Alicia
Motohiro Ota as Kashburn
Motohiro Ota as Kashburn
Yoshiya Seki from Shinsengumi Lien as Theonard
Yoshiya Seki from Shinsengumi Lien as Theonard
Naoki Abe as Eulan
Naoki Abe as Eulan
Daiki Yoshida as Ruark
Daiki Yoshida as Ruark
Seiji Fukuyama as Trace
Seiji Fukuyama as Trace
Aya Takigawa as Nora
Aya Takigawa as Nora
Keita Kubo as an original cast member for the stage play
Keita Kubo as an original cast member for the stage play
Ami Himesaki and Motohiro Ota in their costumes
Ami Himesaki and Motohiro Ota in their costumes
Origial novel "Shinigami Hime no Saikon" vol.1 cover art by Mel Kishida
Origial novel "Shinigami Hime no Saikon" vol.1 cover art by Mel Kishida
Origial novel "Shinigami Hime no Saikon" vol.2 cover art by Mel Kishida
Origial novel "Shinigami Hime no Saikon" vol.2 cover art by Mel Kishida
Origial novel "Shinigami Hime no Saikon" vol.3 cover art by Mel Kishida
Origial novel "Shinigami Hime no Saikon" vol.3 cover art by Mel Kishida
Origial novel "Shinigami Hime no Saikon" vol.4 cover art by Mel Kishida
Origial novel "Shinigami Hime no Saikon" vol.4 cover art by Mel Kishida
Origial novel "Shinigami Hime no Saikon" vol.5 cover art by Mel Kishida
Origial novel "Shinigami Hime no Saikon" vol.5 cover art by Mel Kishida

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