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“2.5 Dimensional Musical” Live Theater

MUSICAL THE PRINCE OF TENNIS ©KT / S・N・STP ©KT / S・TM

MUSICAL THE PRINCE OF TENNIS © KT / S・N・STP © KT / S・TM

    Recent years have seen the production and performance of a large number of live stage shows that are based on original Japanese pop culture such as Manga, Anime and games ; shows that have been attracting attention.  
    These are called "2.5 Dimensional Musicals" and they even include productions that do not have any music or songs.

    There were 133 "2.5 Dimensional Musical" performances staged in 2016, attracting some 1.5 million people, with on-going performances of series such as the MUSICAL THE PRINCE OF TENNIS (nick-named "Tennimu"), Stage [Yowamushi Pedal] and Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon:The Musical.

    The term "2.5 Dimensional Musical" was spontaneously created among fans of the original works and characters; fans who have focused on this genre from early on.

Enhanced Fan Services

    Fans refer to content produced in flat media, including Manga, Anime and games, as "2 Dimensional". In contrast, like live-action dramas and movies, stage shows are said to be "3 Dimensional" from the way the actors express their performances through acting. "2.5 Dimensional" refers to the fact that while the performance is played by a 3 Dimensional actor, in the final instance it is the 2 Dimensional character that assumes the main role. These performances are referred to as "2.5 Dimensional" (the number that lies mid-way between 2 and 3) due to the fact that they faithfully reproduce the world-view of the original works and the costumes and hairstyles of the characters etc.

    The MUSICAL THE PRINCE OF TENNIS, which spear-headed the popularity of "2.5 Dimensional Musicals" has been made into a series following its premiere in 2003 and has since continued to be performed more than 1,500 times both at home and abroad.

    The original work is a Manga in which boys in a tennis club at a Junior High School who are hoping to win a national tournament take on various formidable opponents. Stage reenactment of the tennis match scenes from the Manga were thought to be impossible, but the live show reproduces the original Manga's world-view brilliantly - expressing it with the sound of balls being struck, pin-spot lighting and video. Powerful dance that incorporates the form of tennis is also an amazing sight.

(C)Takeshi Konomi / Shueisha

©Takeshi Konomi / Shueisha

<i>MUSICAL THE PRINCE OF TENNIS</i> ©KT / S・N・STP ©KT / S・TM

MUSICAL THE PRINCE OF TENNIS © KT / S・N・STP © KT / S・TM


    In recent years, Stage [Yowamushi Pedal] has driven a soaring boom in 2.5 Dimensional performances; the original being a Manga on the theme of cycling competitions.

    It is a story about a boy who loves Anime waking up in a cycling competition and taking part in road races. The road races are difficult to perform on stage, but the show has gained high acclaim by reenacting the races without bicycles, using pantomime techniques with the actors holding only handle bars.

    The show is also characterized by group performances where the actors use their bodies to simulate bicycle riding. From the popularity of the stage shows, live viewings of performances have been screened in South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. At the "Japan Expo Paris 2017”, events with actors made-up in character became a hot topic of conversation.

(C) W.W(AS)

© W.W(AS)

Stage [Yowamushi Pedal] ©W.W(AS)/Y03FP ©W.W(AS)/MA・TH・TMS

Stage [Yowamushi Pedal] © W.W(AS)/Y03FP © W.W(AS)/MA・TH・TMS


    A musical that is also popular abroad is Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon:The Musical - the story of junior-high school girls who transform into pretty guardian female warriors wearing a sailor's outfit (like the school uniform commonly worn by girls in Japan) that signifies love and justice to defeat demons attacking the streets. Each of the characters is very popular and brilliantly reproduced. As well as being performed in Shanghai, China in 2015, it has also been very popular in the West and has enjoyed great success at conventions such as the Japan Expo Paris 2014 and the "Anime Matsuri 2017" in Houston, US.

(c) Naoko Takeuchi

© Naoko Takeuchi

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon:The Musical ©T・P/MSM2017

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon:The Musical ©T・P/MSM2017

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon:The Musical ©T・P/MSM2016

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon:The Musical © T・P/MSM2016


    Likewise, the show "Live Spectacle NARUTO" is also popular abroad; the original being a Manga about a Ninja growing up, with the focus on friendship, betrayal and revenge between the main character Uzumaki Naruto and his friends, as well as his bonds with teachers and family. In 2015 it was staged in Japan, Macao, Malaysia and Singapore; and as well as being staged again in Japan in 2016, it was also performed in 6 cities across China and in Malaysia.

    This work features action performances in which actors use their bodies in visuals and on trampolines etc. to brilliantly recreate the original characters. The Ninjutsu (fighting art of the ninja) scenes express the world of Ninjutsu in a production that takes advantage of techniques such as projection mapping, using dances and images where the cast wears suits with LED lights attached.

©KM,S/S

© KM,S/S

Live Spectacle NARUTO ©KM, S/S/LSN2016

Live Spectacle NARUTO © KM, S/S/LSN2016


    HYPER PROJECTION ENGEKI “HAIKYU!!" (based on an original Manga about volleyball) has opened up a "new field of theater" that shows scenes of volleyball matches in a production that characteristically integrates the skill of the actors with projection mapping, where scenes from the Manga are projected onto the background.

©HF/S

© HF/S
 

HYPER PROJECTION ENGEKI “HAIKYU!!” ©HF/S・HPEH

HYPER PROJECTION ENGEKI “HAIKYU!!” © HF/S・HPEH

HYPER PROJECTION ENGEKI“HAIKYU!!”©FH/S ©HF/S・HPEH

HYPER PROJECTION ENGEKI“HAIKYU!!” © FH/S ©HF/S・HPEH


Delivering Japan's charm to the world

    Under the slogan "musicals of a world-class standard from Japan" the Japan 2.5-Dimensional Musical Association has highlighted the 2.5D genre from early on and has worked hard to develop stage performances and deliver the genre abroad; its intention being to sell performance rights around the world in the future, not only by supporting the expansion of "2.5 Dimensional Musical" stage performances and live viewings abroad, but also by working to publicize stage performances through original works of Manga, Anime and games unique to Japan.

    The Association runs the "AiiA 2.5 Theater Tokyo" - a theater dedicated to "2.5 Dimensional Musicals" where live works are performed almost every day. Tickets can even be purchased overseas from the English language version of the Association's home page. There are also many overseas travelers in the audience and, depending on the performance, they can enjoy the show by wearing the latest "sub-title glasses" which offer subtitles in a maximum of four pre-set languages and allow the user to choose the size of the subtitles and the position where they are displayed.

The “AiiA 2.5 Theater Tokyo” - a theater dedicated to 2.5 Dimensional Musical   Operated by the Japan 2.5-Dimensional Musical Association (a general incorporated association)

The "AiiA 2.5 Theater Tokyo" - a theater dedicated to 2.5 Dimensional Musical Operated by the Japan 2.5-Dimensional Musical Association (a general incorporated association)


The latest “subtitle glasses” which make subtitles appear in your line of vision when worn

The latest “subtitle glasses” which make subtitles appear in your line of vision when worn

Members of the audience watch the performance wearing subtitle glasses

Members of the audience watch the performance wearing subtitle glasses


    A popular game app was made into a stage show entitled Ensemble Stars! On Stage with new performances that started in September 2017; the show is set in a famous drama school for actors and depicts the growth of actors with strong personalities. The previous show was screened in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing and Taiwan.

    These days many shows are based on what were originally games, such as the DRAGON QUEST LIVE SPECTACLE TOUR - a stage show created from a popular game that toured arenas in 2016, attracting more than 300,000 people. Based on what was originally a social network game, the Live Musical 「SHOW BY ROCK!!」 has a music theme and characters with strong personalities. It is to be performed in October 2017.

    Wouldn't you like to try out the "2.5D" world of the new stage genre at least once?

©2014 Happy Elements K.K

© 2014 Happy Elements K.K

“Ensemble Stars!” - App Logo ©2014 Happy Elements K.K

Ensemble Stars!” - App Logo ©2014 Happy Elements K.K


<i>Ensemble Stars! On Stage</i> ©2016 HEKK/ES!SP

Ensemble Stars! On Stage ©2016 HEKK/ES!SP


Live Musical「SHOW BY ROCK!!」© '12,'17 SANRIO SP#

Live Musical「SHOW BY ROCK!!」© '12,'17 SANRIO SP#


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