Takarazuka or Takarazuka Revue is an all women performance art group in Japan. This is a unique theatre troupe because they have a strict tradition and include only women in their group. The Takarazuka is a successful troupe that began in 1913, they remain popular and active today. They have changed with the times; they began with traditional Japanese dance and music. As the group flourished, disbanded, and made new troupes, Takarazuka has expanded to western style theatre, movies, operas, musicals, and Manga novel adaptations.

The Origin of Takarazuka

The Takarazuka was founded by a wealthy industrialist and politician named Ichizo Kobayashi. The first group was formed in Osaka, to entertain tourists who visit that city for its famous hot springs. The creation of Takarazuka had no feminist agenda, it was just because Ichizo Kobayashi thought it would be commercially successful to have an all female group who were all unmarried suggesting sexual allure to an audience.

Women Fans

Nearly all the fans of Takarazuka are young women under the age of 25. Thousands of teenage girls will apply to join the Takarazuka troupe but they only accept around 50 students in a year. Those who get accepted need to undergo a two year intense course in all the performing arts. This means that every Takarazuka member is expected to be a triple threat: singer, dancer and actor. The idea of a woman playing a man’s role has such a strong hold on the Japanese woman’s imagination, maintaining the popularity of Takarazuka.

Influence on Manga and Anime

Takarazuka has been around for a hundred years now and have influenced over three generations. These children who grew up watching Takarazuka on stage and on TV are now anime and manga writers and artists influenced by Takarazuka. Manga and anime written primarily for young women with women and girls as the lead characters are because of the influence of Takarazuka. Women characters in many animes like Sailor Moon are based directly on real Takarazuka actors.

The traditional theatre of Japan is Kabuki, where all the parts including the roles of women characters, is played by men. It is very difficult to get into Kabuki because you need to inherit the profession, aside from having to be male. Kabuki means that Japanese culture is familiar and comfortable with gender switching in performing arts.

But unlike Kabuki and western theatre in Japan which are considered elitist, Takarazuka has gone pop culture. They still keep their own traditions, particularly a rigorous training program, but the range of their performance pieces are much more liberal.