The acclaimed all-female musical theater troupe Takarazuka Revue has announced a new stage musical adaptation of Moto Hagio’s classic shōjo manga series, The Poe Clan (Pō no Ichizoku). This marks a fresh rendition of the beloved gothic horror fantasy, with performances slated for July-August in Hyogo and September-October in Tokyo.
A Return to the World of Vampirnellas
This upcoming production by the Takarazuka Revue’s Snow Troupe will be the third stage adaptation of The Poe Clan by the company, following successful runs in 2018 and a separate stage play adaptation in 2021. Veteran director and scriptwriter Shūichirō Koike, who helmed both previous adaptations, returns to lead this new musical. Jun Asami and Yui Neiro are set to star in the production.
The original manga, a pioneering work in the shōjo genre, captivated readers with its intricate narrative and evocative artwork. It follows the immortal teenage vampire Edgar Portsnell and his sister Marybelle, members of the titular Poe clan, as they navigate centuries in Europe, grappling with their eternal youth and the human lives they encounter. The series is renowned for its exploration of themes like love, loss, and the psychological weight of immortality.
The Legacy of The Poe Clan
Moto Hagio’s The Poe Clan was initially serialized in Bessatsu Shōjo Comic and Shūkan Shōjo Comic from 1972 to 1976. A revival of the series has been ongoing in Flowers magazine since 2016. The manga has been collected into seven tankōbon volumes by Shogakukan and was the first shōjo manga series to be published by the company in this format. It received critical acclaim, winning the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1975.
Beyond its significant influence on shōjo manga and the shōnen-ai (male-male romance) genre, The Poe Clan has seen various adaptations over the years. These include a radio drama, several CD audio dramas, and a live-action television drama in 2016. Fantagraphics Books has also licensed the manga for an English-language release in North America, with the first of two omnibus volumes released in 2019.
Previous Takarazuka Adaptations
The Takarazuka Revue’s previous musical adaptation in 2018, performed by the Flower Troupe, was a significant event for fans. It starred Rio Asumi as Edgar Portsnell and Ayase Senna as Baroness Sheila Portsnell, with Rei Yuzuka cast as Alan Twilight. This production ran at the Takarazuka Grand Theater from January 1 to February 5, 2018, and then at the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater from February 16 to March 25, 2018. Shūichirō Koike also wrote and directed that production.
The enduring popularity of The Poe Clan and the Takarazuka Revue’s commitment to theatrical excellence promise another captivating interpretation of Hagio’s groundbreaking narrative. Fans can anticipate a rich, gothic musical experience that brings the timeless tale of Edgar and the vampirnella to life once more.
