This is a small story that has little to do with my usual photo blog.
In early April, I posted an article about seeing the new Kabuki play FFX (Final Fantasy X) in Tokyo. As I mentioned in previous article, although I enjoyed the play itself very much, I regretted that I only got to see the first part of the entire performance.
Thankfully, however, after the performance, both the first and second parts are available for a fee until the fall. It’s hard to give up when you think you can watch it anytime, but the other day I was finally able to enjoy both the first and second parts of the show.
I know it’s against the law to post visuals of the stage on a blog, but I hope you’ll spare one eye for this still image of the title backdrop.
Kabuki fans, Final Fantasy X fans, those who like Final Fantasy X, those who like neither, and anyone who is not either, I hope you will see this play at least once (laughs).
I have heard that it is largely due to the passion of Onoe Kikunosuke, a big fan of FFX, that this performance was made possible. I can clearly feel the passion of Mr. Kikunosuke and the other people who created this stage, who “love FFX.
From the perspective of a fan of the original game, the complex scenario of the original game was reconstructed in an easy-to-understand manner with minimal changes or omissions, and the important character lines were reproduced word for word. The beauty of the “realistic dance of sending off to the other world” in the first part of the film is a tear-jerker.
On the other hand, from a Kabuki viewer’s perspective, the production is impressive in that it makes unhesitating use of modern technology such as video images and stage sets, while at the same time firmly adhering to Kabuki style at key points. Among the many different performances to be enjoyed, the second part, “Summoning the Summoned Beasts,” was particularly impressive. Also, surprisingly, the music was (probably) all performed on Japanese instruments!
Although it is a big movie, nearly 6 hours in total, I don’t think you will regret watching it “through and through”.
Also, Yuna is very beautiful.
