Super Kabuki II “ONE PIECE”

Shimbashi Embujo Theatre, Tokyo
7 October – 25 November 2015

 
Straw Hat Luffy glares in the dramatic pose of “mie” on stage. The fascinating world of “ONE PIECE” sparkles in yet another form of entertainment: the “Super Kabuki II (second)” starring Ennosuke Ichikawa IV.

“ONE PIECE” is a  manga series created by Eiichiro Oda and published in “Weekly Shonen Jump” (Shueisha) since 1997. Readapted as TV animation, animated films and video games, it is immensely popular in Japan and abroad – to the extent that, in June 2015, the Guinness Book of Records certified it as “the most published comic series by a single author.” Set in the Great Era of Pirates, the story revolves around Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate who, aspiring to succeed to the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, embarks on a great adventure with his companions, the Straw Hats, in quest of the great hidden treasure (“One Piece”) left by the legendary King.

Super Kabuki is a modern form of kabuki created in the 1980s by Ennosuke Ichikawa III, uncle of the present Ennosuke Ichikawa IV. Taking advantage of the aesthetic forms of the traditional kabuki techniques, Super Kabuki combines them with the modern theatrical elements such as lighting and sound effects, as well as midair stunts. Also the contemporary Japanese language is used, instead of the classical Japanese.

For the Super Kabuki II “ONE PIECE”, the “Summit War Saga” has been scripted into a play and directed by Kensuke Yokouchi. Ennosuke joins as co-director and plays triple role of the hero Luffy, Redbeard Shanks and the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock. “ONE PIECE” also casts: Ukon Ichikawa, Minosuke Bando, Hayato Nakamura, Shun’en Ichikawa, Emisaburo Ichikawa, Emiya Ichikawa, Omezo Ichikawa, Mon’nosuke Ichikawa, Seiji Fukushi, Noritoshi Kashima and Kazuyuki Asano.

So what’s the Straw Hat Pirates’ adventure in the Sabaody Archipelago like? Which kabuki technique makes the hero stretch his arm like rubber (Luffy is a Rubberman, having bitten a demonic fruit of Gomu Gomu one day)? Check out also quick-change acts, great costumes and props, not to forget to mention the midair stunt of Ennosuke.

Hold onto your straw hats, guys!

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