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In Japan, plays adapted from or based on anime, manga, and games have started a huge movement. A genre called 2.5D musicals is expanding as well. This trend can also be observed overseas, as performances of such plays have been increasing in recent years. Live Spectacle Naruto, a highly esteemed 2.5D musical that was performed in four places in Japan—Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka, and Miyagi—is one of such. After finishing their performance in Japan, the troupe embarked on an overseas tour and established a good reputation there as well.
After concluding their performances in Macau and Malaysia and being showered in cheers, they left for their final performance in Singapore on June 6 and 7. This was the last stop on their tour, including Japan and abroad.
Prior to their closing performances, a press conference was held at the Singapore World Resort Theater, the venue of the performance, on June 3. Kodai Matsuoka (Naruto Uzumaki), Ryuji Sato (Sasuke Uchiha), Yui Ito (Sakura Haruno), Kenta Suga (Gaara), and writer and director Akiko Kodama were all present and talked about their ambitions. Numerous local media were also present, and when the cast showed up in their costumes, they were welcomed with grand applause.
“To be supported by so many people, I am truly honored that I was able to come to Singapore, the scene for our last performance,” said leading actor Matsuoka, revealed his feelings. “Out of 62 performances, 58 are over. When I think about the fact that there are only four performances left, it feels a little lonely, but I’ll give everything I have to the last four performances,” Ito said, reminiscing about her past performances.
When it came to the curtain-opening of their world tour in Macau, Suga commented,
“At first, I was worried, but my worries were blown away by the applause and cheering of our Macau audience, and I became more confident with each performance.” Regarding their performance in Malaysia, Sato said, “It’s the reactions of the audience that’s the real ‘live spectacle.’ They wavered between happiness and sadness in accordance with each of our words and movements, and when they booed at Sasuke’s line, ‘Sakura, you’re annoying,’ I felt their love toward the character,” revealing how touched she was by the warm feelings of the fans.
“This is a precious opportunity that allowed me to experience first-hand the difference between Japanese and overseas audiences. Japanese viewers pay attention to the smallest details of a work, to the point it surprises the creator. Our viewers in Macau and Malaysia, on the other hand, were trying to enjoy it as best as they can, to our surprise. This was very shocking to the whole staff and cast including myself; I think it’s reflected in the piece well,” writer and director Kodama said, mentioning the possibility of a new way of expression.
“Japanese people adapting a Japanese manga into a theater play with a Japanese cast - I am proud that I can perform such a play overseas as well. I would love you all from Singapore to come see our last performances,” Matsuoka relayed his message last. Others from the cast also revealed their intentions of giving their best until the end, which is to become the culmination of their performance tour.
Source: animeanime
Source article written by Katsunori Takahashi
