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sambart93 · 6 years

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2017.12.15 Touken Ranbu Stage [TouStage]: JyoDen [Review]!

By some miracle I managed to get a ticket for this.

Official Site here Official Twitter here Press Coverage　1、2、3、4、5、6、7、８ Press Videos　1

CAST and CHARACTERS

Aramaki Yoshihiko as Yamanbagiri Kunihiro Wada Masanari as Heshikiri Hesebe Naya Takeru as Sayo Samonji Kitagawa Naoya as Honebami Toushiro Takeshi Naoki as Doudanuki Masakuni Yokoyama Masafumi as Yamabushi Kunihiro Narimatsu Yoshihiko as Nihongo Kizu Tsubasa as Hakata Toushiro Iiyama Yuta as Sohaya no Tsurugi Yamaura Tooru as Kuroda Kanbee Isaka Tatsuya as Kuroda Nagamasa Kawashita Taiyou as Toyotomi Hideyoshi Hinata Akihisa as Yasuke Matsukawa Shinya as Mori Tomonobu

NON-SPOILER REVIEW! Overall: This was so much better than that pile of crap Akatsuki! There’s so many surprises and twists this time, as well as some things we were hoping would happen and do and it’s so satisfying to see. Also, there’s quite a few things that maybe fans of the game have questioned before or possible situations that came from playing the game - I feel like they really gave a nod to the actual game fans his time. Also, definitely take tissues! I was crying my eyes out in the first half so much and it’ll just continue for pretty much the entire play; both from shockers, sad moments and happy moments. It’s just over 3 hours which sounds super long but actually, it goes so freaking fast. So far the only thing that annoyed me was one element that was in Akatsuki, was used again in this one which just kind of made me sigh. And I hope you don’t class this as a spoiler but: oh damn Tsubasa-kun as Hakata!!!!Speaking of characters: lots of comedy again this time. I really liked Doudanuki’s fighting style. And surprisingly, for me, I actually ended up liking Hasebe and Yamabushi somewhat – but I of course won’t give away why or what scenes. And the last note: Oooooh damn the opening and ending songs are great this time! Again so much better than Akatsuki! I really enjoyed this this time! And before I forget: DO NOT LOOK AT THE COVER OF YOUR PAMPHLET BEFORE SEEING THE STAGE! DON’T LOOK INSIDE IT EITHER! ALSO!! THE MAIN VISUAL IS A SPOILER SO AVOID THAT ON THE MAIN SITE AND THEIR TWITTER TOO! Rating:　8/10

SPOILER REVIEW

This is excessively heavily spoiled from the very first sentence, so proceed with full knowledge that I’m gunna spoil the whole damn thing. doLets get right to it straight away! The full story!

So they (meaning the TouStage Staff, Scriptwriter etc.) told us the story is set before Jiji; well they damn well lied! Only the FIRST part is before Jiji and he ends up turning up towards the end of part one anyway! The second part is set AFTER Akatsuki. The focus of the story is about the one failed mission Manbachan went on while everything and everyone was still knew; we follow Kuroda Nagamasa and his father (Kanbee) who is taken by the Jikansokougun; not only that but he also wants to partner up with them so he can rule and become the Tenkabito which so many failed to do. Also we have another guy (Yasuka) working with the Jikansokougun who hold a very big grudge against the Touken Danshi so clearly he's gone back in time with the bad guys to where ManbaChan and co. are. BUT because this is BEFORE they go to Honnouji, ManbaChan and co. have no idea why he holds such a grudge on them. Another great twist is that Kuroda Nagamasa fucking knows about Touken Danshi and what they are and even travels to their world and asks them to come back to that time again to sort it all out. But obviously; they've already been back once so they (Sayo, Hasebe, ManbaChan etc.) have to be SUPER careful so their past selves done find them or discover them.

Part One — Before MikaJiji

The Group: Manba, Sayo, Doudanuki, Yamabushi, Hasebe, Honebami

So they go back in time but can't quiet figure out WHY the Jikansokougun have come back to this time. But then they are attacked by the bad guys. With Honebami heavily injured, they have to seek refuge in the castle without being caught by many of them. But Nagamasa discovers Manba, Yamabushi and Doudanuki, but happily welcomes them.

Meanwhile Kanbee got knocked out, taken away by the Jikansokougun and manipulated into wanting and needing their power in order to become the Tenkabito. When it becomes apparent what the Jikan's plans are, the Danshi attack; unfortunately they are way out numbered (the Jikan this time are those who survived Honnouji and are so much stronger than they were then!) and while Manba is desperately fighting and almost ruining himself, Yamabushi rushes into to protect him and cracks a little.

Doundanuki and ManbaChan also keep bashing heads; Doudanuki doesn't want to work with someone who's so hotheaded and only cares about the fighting and completely the mission rather than caring for wounded Honebami and such. He disappears towards the end claiming he never wants to work with Manba every again; after they retreat from the battle in defeat, Doudanuki isn't seen around or near Manba (and assuming the Honmaru) ever again. I have a note here which says 'Manbachan’s very smart mouth towards Doudan' which means I super love the way Manba spoke (or argued) to Doudan in the first part of the play; some of the lines he said were great! Lots of great writing between their arguments. I also think I recall a slap? But I could be wrong.

When Honebami finally awakes from his conciousness, he's consumed from the fact he can't remember where he's from or what happened to him when he was a sword. But towards the end, Jiji finally appears and tells him to not worry about his past; that them two can finally be friends and to look towards the future.

So many parts of this story I love! Especially this first part!

I love how EVERYONE cried when Yamabushi started cracking; also we started crying when Doudan and Manba when full on out in an argument; also the fact that Manba was practically fighting himself to death broke us all.

I also love how part way through Doundan's arugment, he yells something like 'I can fight on my own!' and Yamabushi, being the idiot he is, blurts out 'why you pulling an Okurikara?' xD Everyone cracked up laughing. ALSO Yamabushi is such a sweetheart to his brother <3 he supports him so much and gives him so much good advice! Some more Yamabushi love is when Nagamasa first welcomes them and Nagamasa treats them to a meal while asking them their names and Yamabushi, as open as a freaking dictionary, yells 'This is Manbachan! And I'm BuChan! And this is (I think he said Doundan-chan)' and Manba is like 'YOU CAN'T JUST GIVE AWAY OUR IDENTITIES!' xD

I cannot compliment BuChan enough as a supporting brother <3 he's the sweetest and I love ManbaChan's and BuChan's relationship so much! All the way through their kyoudai/brotherly-ness is beautiful! Even hearing ManbaChan just saying 'hey kyoudai (brother)!' was a shocker because we all know ManbaChan has difficulty in opening up to others but with his brother, he's so much more honest and shows his affection more <3

ALSO we got a little Pre-Akatsuki-ness in Part One; where Hasebe warns Sayo not to be a burden and that's when he starts avoiding ManbaChan and when he starts saying he doesn't want to bother ManbaChan which I thought was a super nice touch and backstory they laid in there!

Also the biggest shocker is when freaking Yasuka turns up and is like 'I finally found you.... TOUKEN DANSHI!' everyone was like 'HOW DOES HE KNOW ABOUT TOUKEN DANSHI?!!?!' and then in another part (I think) Kanbee is like 'I found you! TOUKEN DANSHI!' and again the boys are like 'WHY and HOW do they know about us?!'

And then a SECOND ManbaChan runs on stage to protect ManbaChan himself, we all flipped our shit! Like ‘oooohhhh there's another aruji about?!?!?!?!?!' and it's heavily implied in the first part of the play that it's one of Yasuka's danshis! =O

And I absolutely LOVE Doudan’s fighting style! Also I really love Sayo's fighting style where he like gets all the Jikan to end up cutting themselves!

Part one (as I recall) ends with ManbaChan reporting to Aruji about the failed mission and it's AFTER Sohaya comes to the Honmaru.

I think that's it for part one but I'll probably edit and update it after.

Part Two —- After Akatsuki

The Group: Manba, Hasebe, Sayo, Hakata, Sohaya, Nihongo

The opening to part two confused the crap out of everyone because they redid the opening but with a different song to the first part. Also this time instead of it being Manba, Sayo, Doudanuki, Yamabushi, Hasebe, Honebami, it was Manba, Hasebe, Sayo, Hakata, Sohaya, Nihongo singing the opening and saying a completely different title. I think everyone was confused as fuck but then we quickly realised; OOHHH they've put TWO stories in to one stage; both are centered around the same part of time they go back two, but two completely different times in the Honmaru! I really like both opening songs and the ending song too!!!

So the boys are at the Honmaru and Yamabushi is back to normal and is challenging people to lifting his weights up, when Nagamasa turns up. All of them are shocked and don't know how to react. He explains he's spent a long time learning how to get his father back to normal and that's how he found out about the Touken Danshi and learnt how to travel to their world. Naturally, Hasebe is shocked that Nagamasa knows who he is and he becomes very happy (and also cries?). Also they talk about it's been a long time since Doudance and Sayo left to go on their adventures; which proves this is set AFTER Akatsuki.

So Nagamasa begs them to come back to his time period to fix what they couldn't last time. But Manba is hesitant at first but he decides to go with this group. They quickly realise that their past selves are still part of that timeline and Manba, Hasebe and Yamabushi have to seriously creep and sneak around so as their past selves don't discover them! But then this completely answers WHY there were two Manba's in part one! One is past Manba and one is THIS Manba! << which kind of upset me because I thought it would've been a totally juicy like if Yasuka had his OWN touken danshis and/or there was ANOTHER Aruji! xD But this story line was still good enough!

Oooohh there is a hilarious moment that's in both parts and that's when Manba and co. are sneaking around and Future Manba and Yamabushi run into PAST Hasebe and they end up screaming in the middle of the hallway >.< after Manba and Yamabushi leaves, Hasebe (it's seriously hilarious) sees the Jikan trying to sneak around, spots Hasebe, look at each other and then calmly keep walking their way xD obviously Hasebe is like 'WTF?! Don't ignore me! *charges after them*'

Oh yes, by the way, this stage has A LOT of comedy moments.

At one point we see Sayo return to the Honmaru/Manba (just before the final big fight) and OF COURSE he's returning in his freaking KIWAME outfit! I bloody KNEW they were going to Kiwame him when he left at the end of Akatsuki!!! I win ALL the kudos >.< Also at the very end when Hasebe talks to the Aruji, he also says a goodbye in a 'I'm going traveling' type of way so you KNOW he's going to be kiwame'd next!!!

Speaking of game elements coming into the stage world; the fucking SHINKENS!!!! THIS TIME WE HAD HASEBE, NIHONG AND HAKATA (and Sohaya?) SHINKEN'D!!!! OHHHH MYYYYYYY I know Tsubasa is still underage by Japan standards but he's almost naked in his Shinken AND he has the tightest damn shorts!! I was LOVING IT!!!!!!

Hakata in general was my favourite part of the entire play! Tsubasa was absolutely PERFECT as Hakata. But we did get confused; we got to the end of the first part of the play and Nihongo nor Hakata had come on ONCE; neither of them had any stage time until the SECOND half! Those boys must've loved the extra sleep, but also super bored that they had nothing to do for the first 90 or so minutes. And Sohaya only had the second part and about 5 minutes in the first part anyway.

ANYWAY back to (Tsubasa as) Hakata being the best thing to walk this earth! EVERY time he had the lines like "Japanese Business Man" I flailed and fangirled so fucking hard!!! His Fukuoka accent was great too and he had so much energy! And have I already mentioned how freaking amazingly tight those shorts are?! And he has perfect legs!! I am so in love with Tsubasa as Hakata!!!!

I also loved when Nihongo met HIS original Aruji and the guy is like 'you seem familiar...' and Nihongo is like 'yeah, I'm very similar to you... BUT SO MUCH BETTER!' xD Them two had a great back and forth during the stage.

I cried towards the end too because the final battle is in SNOW; they fight in SNOW! Not real snow obviously but the amount of 'white paper as snow' that falls looks absolutely out-of-this-world beautiful! And I legit started weeping just because of how beautiful the snow looked and everything!! Seriously, it's such a beautiful sight! I was a little worried the boys would slip but nothing which is great! Seriously, the floor is just covered in snow at the end and it's SO BEAUTIFUL!

Also right at the end after defeating Yasuka and bringing Kanbee back to normal, Nagamasa and the Danshis have a talk and beg and agree that Nagamasa and co. cannot say anything about ever meeting them -- which he obviously agrees to. But then there is this beautiful moment between him and Hasebe where Hasebe was super happy that his master gave him attention and knew who he was but now they must separate. But he says 'we will meet again' and Hasebe just like cries -- and we were all crying! Hasebe had AMAZING character development in this fucking play! Before this play I would've right out told you 'I fucking hate Hasebe. I cannot stand him. I wouldn't care if he died' but after this huge development and him meeting his master and him actually being happy and emotional and everything, I really warmed up to here!

And I think that's all, again I'll let you know if I edit or update anything about this.

The Negatives; I'll be quick about this because I really freaking loved this stage!

*The fact the Honebami spends 95% of the play either injured and down, or just not onstage; he really is pointless. And when he is concious he's too busy like 'why am I the only sword that doesn't remember their past. Boohoo woe is me'. And he gets carried or gets helping walking off stage about six times! *They repeated the same scenes and lines over and over which is what they did in Akatsuki too - both times this has annoyed me. Personally I think it's a waste of time. I don't want to see the same scene again that I just saw over an hour ago; my mind isn't that dumb. Sure there's some scenes that need to be shown again, but from a different angel in order to show the whole 'hey they're back in time and need to avoid their past selves' but when you're showing the exact same scene with no extra part or from a different angel then it's just a waste of time. *The pamphlet only has ONE page of Off Shots -__- << seriously I live for the off shots, it's what makes buying the pamphlet worth it!

And now to a goodie part; my seat was third floor and to the right so guess what; I could see WAY back stage and I saw some real good gems:

*I was spoiled for the ManbaChan double in the first half because I saw the body double get dressed and put the cape on about ten minutes before he ran on stage. But it was still cool it see - I couldn't figure out who it was though =[ *Also in the second half MakiChan was rubbing his eyes and yawning backstage which was adorable! *Also freaking Tsubasa; when he and MakiChan ran off stage, Tsubasa shuffled and went right up behind MakiChan, it was adorable! *Every time I saw MakiChan on standby to go on stage was great too! *Pretty sure I saw Iiyama dancing at one part behind stage. Either that or he was just swaying about >.< *Tsubasa was just adorable everytime he was on standby and waiting for patiently! *Also freaking Naya ran off stage at one point and nearly ran RIGHT into one of the ensemble who was about to run ON stage, but good reflexes, Naya dodged a little and slowed himself down FAST! *Also at one point, one member of staff was seriously shuffling through the Toustage script and talking A LOT to one of the other staff - almost like she was giving a huge amount of instructions or explanation. And then later on, she was JUST off stage and messing with the curtain; I'm not sure what was wrong with it, but she was fiddling with it for about ten minutes trying to sort the curtain out!

Honestly, it was just a gem-mine being able to see the stage AND backstage at the same time! I freaking loved it! I understand some people would find that a break in the stage world and bring them back to reality, but for me, it just adds to it so much more!

After the LV

So I've decided my rating for this is 8 / 10. I still majorly enoyed it and majorly cried the second time around and it's definitely my favourite TouStage they've made but... a few things just get to me.

DISCALIMER: When I first watched this, I was 3rd balcony to the far right so I couldn't see ANYTHING that happened at the top of the stairs.

I really don't like how much they babied the audience with the 'Past' and 'Present' signs throughout the second half of the play. I am definitely not intelligent nor do I have much common sense but even without that visual aid the first time around (because as I mentioned above, I couldn't see the screen or the top of the stairs at all), I figured it out and realised and understood 'oh their past selves are still here and they can't get caught' BEFORE they even explained it. And maybe my memory is better than others but I knew straight away when they were redoing scenes from the first part of the play so it was super easy for me to go 'okay that's past Manba, and over there is future Hasebe', so personally for me I found it very insulting that they felt the need to put up signs saying 'NOW' and 'PAST' every other scene in the second half.

HOWEVER, I've seen a few people commenting and stuff that they wouldn't have had any idea what was going on without those visuals aids, but like I said, I really am not that intelligent and I'm usually the first and/or only person to get confused by something, so I personally just find it really hard to understand how it would've been confusing without the signs. BUT then again, I also understand a lot of people just want a story they can enjoy; they just want to go to the cinema or the theatre or turn on the tv and just be entertained; they don't want to be confused and/or don't want to have to use their brains so much; they just want to enjoy. So in that aspect I totally get why they would've wanted those signs in the play. I also understand that the director and stuff put those signs there so that half of their questionnaires from audiences weren't like 'oh it was so confusing. I don't get it. Why can't you make it more simplier' complaints. So I totally understand from those two stand points why those signs were there but I just... how could you not figure that out by yourself and without signs?! I'm just having a lot of troubling understanding that. Maybe I've consumed too many stories... Maybe it's my fault because I'm so into the theory and logistics and the building/structure behind stories, movies and stages etc. as to why I can't understand people who don't think about that side of a production or story. Maybe it's my fault because I freaking LOVE using my brain; I live and breath things that make me think. If a stage or a play doesn't make me think or feel or give me some mystery to decipher then I'm bored. It's just my personality. I love thinking logically and maybe that's why I got it and many other didn't because, like I said, they're just going to be entertained, NOT to use their brains and that's a huge difference between me and them.

So if you have seen the play, please let me know how you felt about those signs; were they a help to you, if so, why - because I want to understand that - or, like me, did you find the signs completely insulting and babying?

BUUUUUTTT some great things I noticed this time around:

HOW FREAKING CUTE SAYO IS!!! I always knew he was cute but damn! He holds his hands out when he runs down the stairs and it's the most ADORABLE thing in the world!!!

I really really liked Doudanuki even more this time around and I am even more in love with his fighting choreography this time too!

I warmed up to Sohaya and Nihongo and lot more during the LV too! I really want Nihongo to come back next time around just for more fun - seriously him and Hakata are such a great duo! Also I want to see more development on Sohayas side.

Even Yamabushi! I liked him the first time but I liked him even MORE this time around! The actor did such an amazing job taking a character I asolutely dispise and making me seriously love him and his relationship with ManbaChan <3

DAMN MakiChan's acting last night! So much more amazing than the first time around! Especially his and Doudan's scene I freaking love and I love how evil and strained his voice gets when he's yelling and/or angry! Absolutely amazing! I'm so proud of you MakiChan!!

GOODS

And I am done! I hope this satisfies you until you get to see it!

If you know ANYONE else who’s done a review for this TouStage, PLEASE DM me the links and stuff! I want to see and hear what others have t say about it.

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