[J:COM] Exclusive Interview with Actor Futo Nozomi: "In my starring role in the Takarazuka Revue's 'Mibu Gishiden', I acted with the intention of properly delivering Kanichiro Yoshimura's way of life."

Photography / Yosuke Nakagawa

On the web magazine "J:magazine!" that makes entertainment more enjoyable, an exclusive interview with Futo Nozomi, who gained immense popularity as the top star of the Takarazuka Revue's Snow Troupe and is still active mainly in musicals after leaving the troupe, is now available. Also, on J:COM's video streaming service "J:COM STREAM", starting Sunday, May 10, 2026, the Takarazuka Revue's "Mibu Gishiden" ('19 Snow Troupe, Tokyo, Final Performance) starring Futo Nozomi will be exclusively streamed for unlimited viewing, along with many other popular Takarazuka Revue performances. Please enjoy it along with the interview.

▶ Click here for the full interview with Futo Nozomi https://jmagazine.myjcom.jp/category/entertainment/post001292/

Futo Nozomi has captured fans' hearts with her overwhelming acting and singing abilities, said to be top-class even within Takarazuka. Currently, she appears in many stage productions, focusing on musicals. At the 33rd Yomiuri Theater Awards in 2026, her performances in the musicals "Master Class" and "Elisabeth" were highly evaluated, winning her the Best Actress Award and the Grand Prize. She is expanding her field of activity by challenging herself with trailer narration for overseas dramas and more. In the interview, we asked her about episodes and character building for "Mibu Gishiden" ('19 Snow Troupe, Tokyo, Final Performance) where she played the protagonist Kanichiro Yoshimura, and "Lupin III - Chase the Queen's Necklace!" ('15 Snow Troupe, Tokyo, Final Performance) where she played Count Cagliostro, as well as childhood memories such as "admiring Yuki Amami."

-- Could you tell us about your memories and character building for "Mibu Gishiden"?

Nozomi: "Mibu Gishiden" is a novel by Jiro Asada and has been made into a movie and a drama. Many Takarazuka Revue works put a big spotlight on the main character, but since the work spotlights Kanichiro Yoshimura (who I played), a person who doesn't get much historical attention, it was interesting because even though I was the lead, it felt strange to be in the center during the Shinsengumi banquet scenes, so I was off to the side, which rarely happens. Also, while having to condense a long novel into about an hour and a half, I thought a lot about "how to create it while cherishing the novel." I acted hoping to properly deliver Kanichiro's way of life every time, parts of which I could sympathize with and parts I couldn't, so it became an unforgettable and important work.

Photography / Yosuke Nakagawa

-- Was there anything difficult about playing Kanichiro Yoshimura?

Nozomi: It was difficult because Kanichiro looks like a very good person but is extremely strong with a sword. I had to show the strength deep in his eyes, having absolutely no hesitation in cutting people down, and being able to cut without hesitation for money, so I practiced with the sword fighting instructor many times. Also, the prologue before heading to battle in the final scene where he faces the government army alone was tough, and heading towards the ending where he must commit suicide, his feelings for his family made my heart ache every time I performed it.

-- Could you tell us about your memories of "Lupin III - Chase the Queen's Necklace!"?

Nozomi: It was my first work right after transferring from the Flower Troupe to the Snow Troupe, and I remember well being saved by the brightness of the work. Because I was an original character, while all the other performers developed their roles to match the characters and were being told "That looks just like them!" by the "Lupin III fans," I felt lonely that I was the only one not getting that reaction (laughs). However, Monkey Punch-sensei drew character pictures addressed to all the performers, and I was truly happy that he drew Count Cagliostro for me as well. I still treasure it to this day.

-- Please tell us how you came to love Takarazuka.

Nozomi: Originally, my aunt was a huge fan of the Takarazuka Revue, and it started when I was taken by my aunt to see a performance at the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater when I was 9 years old. Before that, I had been learning classical ballet and piano, and I liked singing, and my mother often took me to see musicals, so my aunt thought, "She'll probably like this too. She's tall, so if she gets interested, maybe she can join." At that time, Yuki Amami-san was performing, and I fell in love. I thought, "I want to become someone as cool as Yuki Amami-san!" From then on, I would follow my aunt and quite often went to see works performed at the theaters in Tokyo. ...