Former Takarazuka top star Aika Mire appeared on Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's long-running talk show "Tetsuko's Room" (TV Asahi) on March 24th, where she shared the story of when she decided to audition for Takarazuka.
Aika, who hails from Kagoshima Prefecture, grew up freely in a nature-rich environment. She recalls her active personality, saying, "I would jump from the tetrapods, which were about 3 meters high, and climb trees, and do all sorts of things." She also remembers playing in the sea near her family home, saying, "I would swim with dolphins and often watch sea turtles laying eggs."
When I was in my third year of high school, my mother told me, "I've seen a Takarazuka performance. You do kendo and you have a somewhat tomboyish side, so you should go for it." That's what prompted me to decide to audition for Takarazuka.
When she told her guidance counselor, the counselor warned Aika, who had no experience in ballet or piano, to restrain herself, saying, "Takarazuka is where beautiful people like Kaoru Yachigusa go. Don't go there." However, Aika immediately retorted.
"Teacher! I don't think it's right to say it's impossible without even trying."
Aika turned down a university recommendation and took the entrance exam for the Takarazuka Music School, where she successfully passed.
