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Hands Down for Hakumyu Shitan Kazama-Hen

I’ve always a simp and followed Hakumyu since Saito-hen 2012 (their first production) so seeing the new casts it’s a bit hard for me, moreover I already attached to them especially on their early production of Kazama and Heisuke-hen

To me their production at that time were the best and no other version can beat it.

And then Reimeroku came, it gave me bitter taste seeing the new casts didn’t exceed my expectations. Shinsengumi Kitan came, Harada-hen, Hijikata-hen (2018), and then finally Shitan Kazama-hen (2019)

At first I didn’t watch it instantly, I still love the old cast, you can say I’m very adore and love the og. But after clearing up my head and watching it with an empty mind (no bias). Oh god... hands down to Shitan Kazama-hen!

I don’t think we give enough credits for this production, therefor I am going to talk about this stage because it gives me so much nostalgia, happiness, and satisfying feelings

Overall score:

Script ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ Casts ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ Production ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Songs ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ Chemistry ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆

I’m going to give my own reviews and opinions so there will be lots of spoilers. Disclaimer: English is not my first language, so I am very sorry if there are tons of grammatical errors

Second disclaimer: this review will be very bias by how I perceived musical (usually I accentuate more on the actors/actress acting and singing ability than the production). Also I learn a little bit about theater hopes my knowledge helps the reliability of this review.

1. Acting + Singing Ability

Nakagauchi Masataka as Kazama Chikage

At first I thought no one can beat Suzuki Shogo as Kazama Chikage, his voice and acting already imprint on my head. Suzuki really potrays such a maniac and obsessive in early production, but in his own Kazama-hen he really give his best shot by understanding the character and gosh his singing ability totally improved! So after Suzuki being replaced by Sasaki, Suzuki still won because I think he lives for Kazama role. Yet, when Nakagauchi came, he really came to wreck my bias list. HIS SINGING?! ACTING?!!?!?! damn I think I might’ve like Nakagauchi more as Kazama than Suzuki. There are some parts in the beginning he was a little bit awkward, his sword ability is below than what I anticipated. But Nakagauchi really potrays anime and game Kazama. Stoic, reserved, cold, yet caring. But he lack the manic and obsessiveness towards Oni pride (?) unlike Suzuki. There is this part where Nakagauchi sang acapella when he fought with Hijikata and ~oh god~ it truly blows my mind away.

Motonoshi Sakiho as Yukimura Chizuru

is this really her? she looks different on stage anyways, hmmm... *cough* (okay start with compliment, start with compliment)

SO,

Motonoshi realllllly the embodiment of Yukimura Chizuru. All this time I thought Isobe or Tanoue are the best. Well they are, but there are this spirit and perseverance in Motonoshi when she portrays Chizuru. I don’t know maybe it’s because Kazama-hen story, so Chizuru must be very stubborn or how she potrays Chizuru that’s why there is this strong willed personality in her -which I like it so much- But what I can’t stand from her are I think she is a rookie actress on stage / musical play. You can see how awkward she is when she’s LITERALLY STANDING ON THE STAGE or BEING SLASHED BY THE ENEMY, I think she’s confused what to do, don’t know where to stand etc etc. And her acting is quite stiff. But here’s where I find it interesting. Whenever she sings she can act like normal, like chizuru, she can portray Chizuru very well WHEN SHE SINGS. And I love her voice, her voice trully blend with Nakagauchi. Is she the best Chizuru? She is, when she sings. But if I have to compare her with Tomita Maho, I guess love them both but in acting skills I prefer Tomita but Motonoshi for singing.

Wada Masanari as Hijikata Toshizo

I don’t need to say anything about him actually. He’s very positive from me. Green light. Wada Masanari have a great singing ability, I knew him from Tousute and how he portrays Hasebe really remind me of Hijikata, so I’m not surprised when he got the role. I’m more surprised by how good he is when he’s on stage. I can say he’s almost equal to our beloved captain Piroshi. His singing ability is also top notch.

Yamazaki Shogo as Okita Souji

Yamazaki Shogo really surprise me when he showed up and start to talk. His voice sound similar as Daisuke, and his cunning looks similar to Okita itself. He’s good, I have nothing negative thing to say about him (minus his laugh tho it sounds so forced). Aside from it his portrayal as Okita is really good. There’s a scene where Okita learned about Kondou death, it’s really heartbreaking and Yamazaki acting and singing skills really build up the emotions

Akazawa Tomoru as Saito Hajime

Who is Saito Hajime? It’s Akazawa Tomoru 👉🏼😎👉🏼 ........ get it? In all seriousness Akazawa is the epitome of Saito Hajime. I LOVEEEE Matsuda Ryo’s portrayal, but I also love Akazawa’s portrayal as a loner and loyal samurai in here. There are some part that he kinda overwhelm by others (like you won’t notice he’s there) but there are times where he really outshine others. I think he’s my second favorite Satio Hajime actor after Matsuda :)

Higuchi Yuta as Toudou Heisuke

No one can beat Ikeda Junya ask Toudou Heisuke, but that doesn’t mean Higuchi Yuta doesn’t do a great job as Heisuke. When I watch his scene, he has his own charisma that makes me wanted to protect him. On the stage he really can act like “I will protect you chizuru senpai” but there are also some moments where he went serious (but I can’t take him serious bcs he’s just too cute). Also I did not expect his duet with Chizuru before the battle with Rasetsu in ??? Castle. It gives me a nostalgia moment about Heisuke route :(

Mizushi Atomu as Harada Sanosuke

Hands down to Mizushi Atomu who plays as Harada Sanosuke. In this stage production, Mizushi didn’t exaggerate Harada character AT ALL. Like if he want to be funny, he act funny, if he irrated by Heisuke, he just punch Heisuke in normal (?) way. ALSO DO I HAVE TO REMIND U HOW EFFORTLESSLY SEXY HE IS?! His charisma on stage didn’t overwhelm, eventho somehow I feel like his screentime and lines are more less than in 2015 production, but he manage tho. HE MANAGE TO SHINE TILL THE END <3

Kishimoto Yuuta as Nagakura Shinpachi

To be honest I don’t really pay attention anyone who play as Nagakura Shinpachi. I don’t even remember much from all actors who play as Nagakura bcs they’re all the same to me... lowkey, trying not to outshine other characters, and that’s it I guess? But from all who played as Nagakura Shinpachi, Kishimoto Yuuta have the best singing ability.

Teruma as Sanan Keisuke

:) Just..... Where have you been in my entire life Teruma? :) TERUMA TOTALLY STOLE THE SHOW No LIKE SERIOUSLY I don’t think no one can ever top Teruma as Sanan Keisuke. He’s scary, cunning, wicked, gray area character, and unpredictable. I know Teruma lack of Sannan’s kindness, some post said that Teruma portray it better it Souma-hen so I can not wait to see it happened. Also I DO AGREE if Sannan has his own route. Played by Teruma of course ;)

I just want to tell you guys, prepare your body and soul when Teruma do his solo. My jaw dropped really hard when I saw it.

2. Charisma

Having charisma between two main characters, enemies, and the Shinsengumi it’s not easy. Not all stage productions can nail it. But in here, our two main characters really pull it off. I know Motonoshi is a lil bit stiff playing as Chizuru, but whenever she interact with Kazama, it felt like she know what to do (stubborn Chizuru who doesn’t want to hear what Kazama said lol) and she is like a pure and naive girl about l-o-v-e around Kazama. Yet, Kazama is like the bad boy prodigy when he’s with Chizuru. SO yeah, their dynamic is like bad boy who fall in love with a good girl. Ok.

Also I love ^ that scene where Kazama slowly hugging Chizuru (maybe out of concern and wanted to comfort her) it shows how Kazama deeply care to his own kin. What I really like in this stage production Kazama didn’t force himself to Chizuru and their chemistry really building up till the end of the show.

But I still found it weird, where Kazama kissed Chizuru AFTER he killed Hijikata like tf

The Shinsengumi they also have strong bond to each other, the trio idiots (that’s what I called them ehe) they don’t really emphasize it that much but I can still feel how genuine they are towards each other. I love Hijikata and Kondou relationship, I really bawled my eyes out when he dies :D.. see in this stage production I dont really feel the closeness as Shinsengumi, moreover as a UNIT. The trio, Hijikata and Kondou, Souji and Okita, the Oni’s, even Sannan felt like an outcast. Maybe it’s because they fasten up the pace, we can not see more interactions in the daily lives of Shinsengumi, which it’s kinda shame.

3. Production

-stage-

In terms of production, yes they’re more high quality than the 2015 one. Their choreo are more various, have props (like fans) for dancing, oh and the GodDamn Sakura Tree is beautiful. But what I found it unfortunate is the atmosphere. I still remember when I watched the 2015 I get the chills from the opening, eerie vibes in Chizuru and Kodo duet song, Sannan attack Chizuru, and the sad atmosphere in the song where Hijikata got shot. But when I watched the Shitan Kazama-hen... I felt, somewhat, someway bland.

Yes Hijikata shot scene are sad and I got teary. Harada duet with Kiranui (?) are more heart wrenching. But what I’m looking for are the eerie, creepy, painful vibes in this one. It’s because our focus are the demons so It’s normal for me to expect something unexpected or inhuman vibes from the stage production. But I didn’t get any. On the other hand, the last fight where Kazama and Hijikata fought under the sakura tree it felt very grand but sad at the same time.

Kudos for the big sakura tree and and their acting too..

-songs-

The songs majority are rearranged, which I don’t find it really that disturbing, they also try to bring back Saito, Okita, Hijikata, and Heisuke iconic songs (but where is Harada song goddamnit) I think there are also new songs? But I don’t quite remember is it really a new songs or it’s just another rearranged songs. They sang Yaisa tho, that’s more than enough :D

There are also some songs that were toned down and some songs get rock versions and stuff. What totally blown me away are Heisuke sudden duet song, Sannan’s solo, and Kazama acapella. I also love Chizuru harmony and adlib, she sing very good and very light like a feather

That is all for my review.. This is all based on my own opinions and bias so I you don’t agree to what I say in this post feel free to comment on it (without forcing onto me or anyone else) I would like to say sorry for my messy English, hope you guys understand what I’m trying to say here. Now, excuse me I want to watch Souma-hen :) ✨✨✨

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