Actress Mao Daichi / Stage play "Reading Drama 'I'm Going to Die Soon'"

Challenge yourself no matter your age. Build upon your present moment with sincerity and care.

Actress Mao Daichi

■ Profile
Actor. Born February 5th in Hyogo Prefecture. She built an era as the top star of the Takarazuka Revue's Moon Troupe. After leaving the company, she has been active in a wide range of fields including stage, film, and commercials, and has received numerous awards, including the Kikuta Kazuo Theatre Award Special Prize, the Arts Festival Award Grand Prize, the Matsuo Performing Arts Award, and the Iwatani Tokiko Award Special Prize. Her recent major appearances include the dramas "Saikou no Obahan Nakajima Haruko" and "Okome no Onna," and the film "Godmother."

Mao Daichi, a former top star of the Takarazuka Revue's Moon Troupe, continues to shine at the forefront of musicals, stage plays, and dramas even after leaving the company. During the interview, her charming and humorous personality shone through, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. This time, along with a discussion of the stage play "Reading Drama 'I'm Going to Die Soon'", we bring you a message for students who are about to spread their wings and enter society.

I originally dreamed of entering the entertainment industry, but my father opposed it at the time. That's when a friend of my father's, a fan of Takarazuka, recommended Takarazuka, saying, "Takarazuka is a school where you can entrust your daughter with peace of mind," and that's what prompted me to take the entrance exam.
From there, I underwent intensive training in classical ballet and vocal music for about three months before taking the audition. However, at the time I had never even seen a Takarazuka performance, so when I was asked in the interview, "What will you do if you fail this time?", I blurted out, "I won't come back!" (laughs). It was a world I had never seen before, and at the time I felt like, "If I don't get in, that's fine." Luckily, I passed the audition, and later, after becoming a top star, I asked my teacher at the time why, and he told me, "We're not looking at how you are at that moment, we're looking at your 'potential'."

■ Enjoying even hardships: Tips for maintaining a smile and freshness in your heart

In the case of stage performances, the warm applause, smiles, and comments from the audience such as "You gave me hope to live" and "You gave me energy" are truly encouraging. It makes me feel that all my hard work was worthwhile, and it gives me the strength to work even harder.
Of course, there are always struggles and hardships involved in creating a work of art. But at the end of it all, there are the happy smiles of our customers. That's why I want to face even those struggles with a sense of enjoyment.
In both my work and personal life, the thing I value most is a smile. I smile even if I'm faking it. Even when I'm feeling down, I try making a fake smile in front of the mirror. Apparently, this tricks the brain and naturally switches you into a more positive mood. Smiling and being cheerful are important secrets to beauty and health.
And another thing I'm always conscious of is "freshness." As we get older, we tend to think, "I already know this," or "It was like this before," but it's important to always approach new things with a fresh perspective. I want to keep my own sensibilities fresh at all times.
And what I've always valued in creating characters, ever since my time in Takarazuka, which is where it all began, is "humor" and "humanity." No matter how handsome or cool a character is, I think that having a part that makes you chuckle or a flaw that shows a lot of humanity adds depth and breadth to the role. Life is the same; it's interesting because of the rich emotions we experience, like telling jokes and laughing or crying. I encourage you all to cherish laughter and humor in your daily lives.
When interacting with people, the first thing I try to do is to be a good listener, carefully listening to what they have to say and their opinions. Through meeting and communicating with various people, I've come to realize how important it is to respect what others say and think. When you approach people with an open heart like that, relationships naturally and meaningfully form.

■ An acting career dedicated to earnestly facing "what needs to be done now"

And I have always prided myself on having sincerely faced "what I should be doing now" in my own way. Rather than chasing dreams, I have focused all my energy on each and every job in front of me, and before I knew it, when I looked back, 53 years had passed since my first stage performance.
That's why I think they'll continue to cherish and build upon each and every thing in front of them, just as they have always done. I believe that the result of that is "the present," which will lead to the future.
As I've often said before, my rival has always been "my past self." Instead of comparing myself to others, I strive to surpass the past works and my past self that have been praised. It is because I have poured my heart and soul into each "present" in this way that I am who I am today.

■The joy of entering the world as an actor. The challenge of the new stage production "I'm gonna die soon."

When I was offered the role in the stage reading drama "I'm Going to Die Soon," I was first surprised by the striking title (laughs). However, Makiko Uchidate's original work is truly fascinating, and I was very intrigued by the new challenge of incorporating singing and movement in addition to simply sitting and reading aloud.
The main character, Shinobu Hana, is a very charming woman who is always positive and doesn't use her age as an excuse. We have something in common, especially her love of fashion. The story has dramatic and unexpected twists and turns, but it's an inspiring work that shows her strength and determination to move forward no matter what.
I really love the word "actor." I've always wanted to be someone who can seamlessly immerse myself in a role, rather than trying to draw the role to myself. When I create a character, I thoroughly read the script and then shape it through repeated interactions with my co-stars during rehearsals.
This time, in addition to playing the role of Hana, I'm scheduled to play three or four more roles. My co-star, Hiroshi Nagano, is a wonderful actor with a very warm presence, and I'm looking forward to working with him again after seven years. Since the style involves expressing oneself with one's whole body while holding the script, it looks like it will be a stage where every part is a highlight.
This reading drama is also a challenge for me. Even as I get older, I realize that there are still many "firsts" out there. That's why I want to never forget the spirit of challenge, no matter how old I get.

■ You can start over as many times as you want, anytime.

To everyone in their late teens and twenties, I want to say this: "If you have an idea or want to do something, just go for it." Even if it doesn't work out, you can always try again. Don't be afraid to try anything that interests you, whether it's studying or making memories with friends, so you don't end up regretting it later.

Student Newspaper Online, July 23, 2026: Risa Ukita, 3rd year student at Tokyo Women's University

[Outline of performance]
Stage Reading Drama "I'm Going to Die Soon"

Song x Dance x Reading
The ultimate entertainment experience, born from the collaboration of these two, is about to begin!

Tatsushi Harada (2nd year, Nihon University) / Ryo Ishikawa (3rd year, Kansai Gaidai University) / Yurie Watanabe (3rd year, Josai International University) / Risa Ukita (3rd year, Tokyo Women's University) / Mayuna Yoshimatsu (4th year, Musashino University)

Masaaki Uchida, Representative Director, TOP CONNECT Co., Ltd.