On April 10 at 19:00, former Takarazuka Revue Star Troupe top star 礼真琴 (Rei Makoto) will make her 初出演 (hatsu shutsuen)—her first appearance—on a commercial TV variety show. She will appear as a studio guest on Nippon TV’s two-hour special of 「沸騰ワード10」 (Futtou Word 10).
For fans of Takarazuka and Japanese entertainment, this marks a significant new chapter in her career.
Rei Makoto Appears on “Futtou Word 10”
The program 「沸騰ワード10」 (Futtou Word 10) is celebrating its 10th anniversary. It’s described as an 業界リサーチバラエティ (gyoukai research variety)—a “industry research variety show” that investigates buzzwords trending within specific industries.
In this special two-hour broadcast, a documentary-style segment following young girls who 宝塚音楽学校入学を目指す (Takarazuka ongaku gakkou nyuugaku o mezasu)—aim to enter the Takarazuka Music School—will return for the first time in about three years. In Japanese, that’s expressed with the grammar pattern 約3年ぶりに (yaku san-nen buri ni), meaning “for the first time in about three years.”
The show closely follows five girls preparing for the highly competitive entrance exams. This kind of in-depth coverage is described as 密着 (micchaku), meaning the cameras follow subjects closely over time.
Impersonator and talent 沙羅 (Sara) serves as the reporter, even 潜入 (sennyuu)—going undercover—into a preparatory school for Takarazuka applicants. The program documents the girls’ 奮闘 (funtou), their determined struggle and hard work, all the way through to the announcement of the exam results.
Watching this emotional journey in the studio, Rei Makoto was said to have 目頭を熱くしながら見守った (megashira o atsuku shinagara mimamotta)—she became teary-eyed as she warmly watched over them.
A Return to Her Roots
Rei Makoto is a former top star (トップスター) of the Takarazuka Revue’s Star Troupe (星組). The Takarazuka Revue is an all-female musical theater company founded in 1913, famous for its lavish productions and devoted fanbase.
Entrance into the Takarazuka Music School is notoriously difficult, with applicants competing fiercely for limited spots. Young women across Japan 〜を目指す (~o mezasu)—strive for—this dream every year.
For Rei, who once stood on the Takarazuka stage herself, watching a new generation pursue the same path clearly struck an emotional chord. The phrase 見守る (mimamoru) implies more than just “watching.” It carries a sense of caring, protective observation—like a mentor or senior cheering from the sidelines.
Another Segment: Ramen Obsession
The same broadcast will also feature an entirely different topic: actress 畑芽育 (Hata Mei) and her intense love for the ramen chain 蒙古タンメン中本 (Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto).
The article describes her as being どハマりしている (do-hamari shite iru)—totally hooked. The prefix ど adds emphasis, so this means she’s not just interested—she’s deeply obsessed.
This mix of emotional documentary and lighthearted food enthusiasm is typical of Japanese variety shows, which often combine serious human stories with fun lifestyle segments.
Cultural Context: Why Takarazuka Matters
To understand why this segment is so powerful, you need to understand Takarazuka’s place in Japanese culture.
The 宝塚音楽学校 (Takarazuka Ongaku Gakkou) is the gateway to joining the Takarazuka Revue. Admission is extremely competitive, and students undergo rigorous training in singing, dancing, and acting.
Many young performers across Japan 宝塚を目指す (Takarazuka o mezasu)—aim to join Takarazuka—knowing full well how challenging it is. That’s why the word 奮闘 (funtou) fits perfectly: it conveys persistence in the face of difficulty.
For viewers, especially former Takarazuka stars like Rei Makoto, watching these applicants brings back memories of their own youth and struggle.
Learn Japanese from This Article
Key Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 初出演 | hatsu shutsuen | first appearance (on a show) |
| 密着 | micchaku | close coverage, following closely |
| 奮闘 | funtou | struggling hard, making great efforts |
| 潜入 | sennyuu | infiltration, going undercover |
| 目頭を熱くする | megashira o atsuku suru | to get teary-eyed |
| 見守る | mimamoru | to watch over warmly |
| どハマり | do-hamari | totally hooked on |
Try reading these words aloud and noticing how many are made up of kanji compounds. Recognizing patterns in kanji will dramatically improve your reading speed.
Grammar Spotlight
1. 〜を目指す (~o mezasu) — “to aim for”
Structure: [Noun] + を + 目指す
Examples:
宝塚音楽学校を目指す。 Takarazuka ongaku gakkou o mezasu. To aim for Takarazuka Music School.
トップスターを目指しています。 Toppu sutaa o mezashite imasu. She is aiming to become a top star.
This pattern is commonly used when talking about goals and ambitions.
2. 〜ぶりに (~buri ni) — “for the first time in…”
Structure: [Time period] + ぶりに
Example from the article:
- 約3年ぶりに復活する。 Yaku san-nen buri ni fukkatsu suru. It returns for the first time in about three years.
Another example:
- 5年ぶりに会いました。 Go-nen buri ni aimashita. I met them for the first time in five years.
Useful Expression
目頭を熱くする (megashira o atsuku suru)
Literally “to make the inner corners of one’s eyes warm,” this expression means to become teary-eyed.
- 感動して目頭を熱くしました。 Kandou shite megashira o atsuku shimashita. I was so moved that I teared up.
It’s a beautifully Japanese way to describe emotional moments—perfect for dramas, documentaries, and real-life achievements.
Continue Learning
📚 Working on your reading skills? Our Katakana Essentials: Adapting Global Words to Japanese lesson is a great next step.
📚 Working on your reading skills? Our Introduction to Kanji: Pictorial Foundations of Japanese Script lesson is a great next step.
Introduction to Kanji: Pictorial Foundations of Japanese Script
📚 Want to learn more about entertainment? Check out our lesson on Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties.
Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties
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