Yu Todoroki
Yu Todoroki (轟 悠 "Todoroki Yū") is a current member of Takarazuka Revue, where she plays an otokoyaku. She joined the Revue in 1985, became the top star of Snow Troupe in 1997, transferred to Superior Members in 2002 (upon the resignation of her top star partner Hitomi Tsukikage) and became the youngest member to serve on the company's board of directors in 2003. Todoroki stepped down from her position as member of the board of directors on July 18th 2020 and functions now as a special advisor. She is from Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture and her birthday  is August 11. Todoroki usually plays morally grey, charismatic men, who often have a historic background or are actual historical figures. Notable roles include: Luigi Lucheni (Elisabeth), Ravic (Arch of Triumph), Rhett Butler (Gone with the Wind), Abraham Lincoln (For The People) and Ernesto "Che" Guevara (Che Guevara). Her nicknames are Tom and Ishi-san. General information. Currently referred to as "Top of the Tops" in the Revue, she is considered to be one of the greatest Takarazuka actresses in this generation and has many fans. When Hitomi Tsukikage, her second top star partner in Snow Troupe, resigned from the  company, she considered resigning as well since she had reached the height of her career in the company. However, Yachiyo Kasugano, Todoroki's teacher (member of the theater since 1929; with the company until her death in 2012), persuaded her to stay and she became the second top star in the company's history to resign from top star status but remain in the company (Yuri Haruna is the first case). In 2003, also upon the invitation of Yachiyo Kasugano, she became a member of the directors of the company, the youngest ever to serve the board of directors in  the company's history. Todoroki Yu's ability to portray men in a realistic fashion, as opposed to the "ideal man" approach otokoyaku usually take, has been the key to her success. This manliness is also the reason, why even off-stage Todoroki's gender has caused some confusion. Michael Kunze and his wife, the dog of a fellow actress, as well as some French men reportedly perceived Todoroki Yu as male. Debuting in Moon Troupe in 1985, her career began blossoming when she was transferred to Snow Troupe in 1988. Like her juniors who went on to become top  stars, such as Yōka Wao and Jun Sena, she was a solid "second man" to Fubuki Takane, her top star superior. Upon the resignation of Takane, she rose to the top of her career on the Takarazuka stage. Currently as a member of Senka (Superior Members), she sometimes makes special appearances in the Grand Theater performances of other troupes. She also stars in smaller-theater productions with other troupes. She was the third top star to be partnered with legendary top musumeyaku Mari Hanafusa, but their time together was short due to the formation of the Cosmos Troupe in 1998 , when both Hanafusa and Todoroki's "second man" Yōka Wao were transferred to the new troupe. After a year without any performances at the Grand Theater, she joined Cosmos Troupe (Top Stars: Yūga Yamato and Hana Hizuki) for the musical "Dawn Wind", based on the life of Jiro Shirasu, started in February 2008. This was the first time she had appeared in a Cosmos production since the troupe's establishment in 1998 and made her one of the few actresses who has participated the productions of all five troupes within the company. Over the years Todoroki Yu's acting on  stage has received quite a lot of praise and earned her a series of awards. Furthermore, the Cuban embassy commended her portrayal of Ernesto Guevara in the musical "Che Guevara". She enjoys painting and has held exhibitions for her works 6 times. Todoroki Yu has held two concerts so far. "Stylish!" (Aoyama Theater) in 2002 and "Lavender Monologue" (Takarazuka Bow Hall, Nippon Seinenkan Hall) in 2007. Todoroki was a special supporter of the 2019 World Women's Handball Championship and sang Japan's national anthem at the opening ceremony. (Since 1997 Todoroki Yu has the tradition to hold a dinner  show every year.)