Takarazuka’s Mika Aihara to leave

Takarazuka top star Mika Aihara held a press conference on Saturday to announce her retirement from the company. She has decided to leave at the same time as co-star Natsuki Mizu, who declared her own retirement a week earlier.

Aihara, who is the daughter of dramatist Kohei Tsuka (61), appeared in her first Takarazuka musical in 2004 and was assigned to the Snow Troupe that same year. In May 2009, she was promoted to the musumeyaku role after Yuri Shirahane left the company.

Mizu, who has been the Snow Troupe’s otokoyaku since 2006, said last week that she was leaving, which prompted Aihara to follow. Their final performance will be on September 12 in Tokyo.

Source:
Sankei Sports