A Miracle Born from Folk Performing Arts and Artists' Unique Brilliance: Warabi-za and Herald Bunny's First Collaborative Musical Breaks 40,000 Attendance Mark

Warabi-za (headquartered in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture) announces that attendance for its first collaborative production with Herald Bunny Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture), the musical 'The Midnight Star Journey' at Ihatov Theatre, has surpassed 40,000. Since its premiere in 2025, the production has drawn significant acclaim and will now launch its 'Final Tour' in May 2026, beginning with performances in Yokohama and traveling to over 12 cities nationwide. The entire run will conclude by the end of December 2026, marking the final opportunity to experience this unique theatrical space where the intensity of folk performing arts resonates with the vibrant creativity of artists.

[Special Website] https://ihatovtheater-mahiru.warabi.jp/

Artists' Artworks Take Over the Stage Design

Original and vivid artworks created by Herald Bunny's contracted artists with intellectual disabilities are boldly incorporated into stage sets and costumes. The gentle yet powerful world of Ihatov envisioned by Kenji Miyazawa is visually expanded through these 'unique expressions,' resulting in stunning set and costume designs.

Three Highlights That Make the Final Tour Unmissable

1. An Artistic Space Created by Brilliant Contracted Artists

Artworks by Herald Bunny's contracted artists are boldly integrated into stage design and costumes. This original and beautiful theatrical space breathes vivid life into the fairy-tale world depicted by Kenji Miyazawa.

2. Overwhelming Energy Forged by Folk Performing Arts and Dance

Warabi-za's long-honed physicality in folk performing arts fuses with contemporary dance. Particularly, dance sequences paying homage to 'Shishiodori' (Deer Dance), a representative folk art of Iwate, and powerful ensemble drumming create an overwhelming energy that vibrates through the theater.

3. The Audience Becomes Part of the Story: A New Theater Experience with 'Glowing Balls'

In this production, every audience member holds a 'glowing ball' that changes color in response to the drama's progression and emotions. The light from the audience becomes part of the stage, dissolving the 'boundaries' between performers and audience, stage and seats, creating an unprecedented immersive communication experience.

[STORY] A Modern High School Student's 'Journey of the Heart' Based on Timeless Masterpieces

Welcome to the Wonderland of Ihatov.

Seijima Aoi, a top student, and Aoki Meguru, who hides her true feelings while living in a flashy group, are childhood friends attending the same high school.

One day, a large, talkative drum cat appears before them!

'Welcome to Ihatov!' The drum cat invites them into the mysterious wonderland 'Ihatov'.

In search of 'something precious they've lost,' the two embark on a journey.

The crab brothers living at the riverbed, the youth silently tending to cedar trees, the acorns arguing in court, the deer resembling mountain gods.

What will Aoi and Meguru discover through encounters with the lives of animals and people in Ihatov...?

[Local Performances] Performances Enriched by Local Cast Members!

All performances offer free admission for those 18 and under, with half-price tickets for accompanying guardians, to ensure broad accessibility. Additional inclusive measures are in place so diverse audiences can enjoy the show with peace of mind. The 'Relaxed Performance' sessions, in particular, have received high praise across regions.

What is a 'Relaxed Performance'?

A performance with relaxed audience etiquette, designed for those who may find it difficult to sit still or who might make sounds. It's also acceptable for companions to verbally guide visually impaired audience members on what's happening on stage. Admission is available from age 4.

Performance Schedule

・July 25, 2026: Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture (Yurihonjo City Cultural Exchange Hall Kadare)

Hometown performance in the birthplace of lead actress Sasaki Ami.

・August 8–9, 2026: Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture (Morioka Citizens' Cultural Hall, Main Hall)

Hometown performance in the birthplace of Uehira Misaki, who plays the Mountain Cat (Chief Judge).

Sato Chime (from Kitakami City) and Miura Yoko (from Ofunato City) also appear in the cast.

A work deeply connected to Iwate Prefecture (co-host), Herald Bunny (planning and production), and Kenji Miyazawa (130th birth anniversary).

・August 22, 2026: Ōdate City, Akita Prefecture (Ōdate City Civic Cultural Hall)

Featuring Heiwa Shinichi, Chiba Makoto, and Kuroki Maho, all born and raised in Warabi-za.

Kuroki is particularly active as a third-generation member (third generation of troupe members).

・September 11–12, 2026: Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture (Kenshin Koriyama Cultural Center)

Hometown performance for Matsumoto Rina, who plays Yuzuki and the acorns, from Naraha Town, Fukushima Prefecture.

Collaborative project with International Art & Design University School.

・September 16, 2026: Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture (Yamagin Prefectural Citizens' Hall)

・November 4, 2026: Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture (Toyonaka City Cultural Arts Center, Main Hall)

・November 26, 2026: Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture (Matsuyama Citizens' Hall, Main Hall)

Hometown performance in the birthplace of Uchida Katsuyuki, who plays the Drum Cat and Carriage Master.

・December 2, 2026: Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture (SG GROUP Hall Hachinohe / Hachinohe City Public Hall)

Hometown performance in the birthplace of Akai Shiho, who plays the elder crab brother.

・December 9–13, 2026: Adachi Ward, Tokyo (Theatre 1010)

Koyama Yudai, who plays Kengo and the male deer, is from Akiruno City, Tokyo.

Performance Overview

Performance Period: May 21, 2026 (Thu) to December 31, 2026 (Thu)

Performance Duration: Two acts (100 minutes)

Cast: Sasaki Ami, Tokashi Miwa, Heiwa Shinichi, Chiba Makoto, Morishita Akio, Koyama Yudai,

Uchida Katsuyuki, Uehira Misaki, Sato Chime, Kuroki Maho, Miura Yoko, Akai Shiho,

Matsumoto Rina, Sugame Akari

Planning and Production: Warabi-za, Herald Bunny Co., Ltd.

Overview of Akita Geijutsu-mura Corporation

Manages Warabi-za, a theater company celebrating its 75th anniversary.

Warabi-za, founded on the philosophy of 'creating art that nourishes human life,' is a troupe that expresses the modern human spirit through diverse forms rooted in ethnic traditions. Based in Senboku City, Akita Prefecture—renowned as a treasure trove of folk songs—the company currently operates four performance groups, staging approximately 500 performances annually. Overseas performances have been held in 16 countries including the United States, Europe, Asia, and Brazil. Notable works include musicals based on Tohoku-rooted themes such as 'Oninomaru of Oga,' 'Ono no Komachi,' and 'Aterui,' musical adaptations of Osamu Tezuka's works like 'Phoenix,' 'Astro Boy,' 'Buddha,' and 'Kimba the White Lion,' and the musical adaptation of Studio Ghibli's film 'Only Yesterday.' In 2023, the troupe presented 'Matsuri Theatre HANA,' a non-verbal stage production inspired by the Six Great Festivals of Tohoku.

The 'Akita Geijutsu-mura' (Akita Art Village) is a multifaceted cultural complex integrating culture and tourism, featuring a hotel, hot springs, a craft beer brewery, and a forest craft hall. At its core, the Warabi Theatre produces and stages original musicals using Tohoku's local materials. The venue also hosts various workshops in folk dance, taiko drumming, and theater. The 'School Trip to Warabi-za,' a long-standing educational and cultural initiative with nearly 50 years of history, welcomes approximately 150 schools and 20,000 children annually to experience the Soran Bushi dance and agricultural activities.