Musical Moriarty the Patriot: A Study in Scarlet Reprise

The musical "Moriarty the Patriot: A Study in Scarlet Reprise" opened at the Tennozu Galaxy Theatre on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
The original work is the manga "Moriarty the Patriot," which has been serialized to great acclaim in "Jump SQ." (published by Shueisha) since 2016.
The story is set in late 19th-century London, the height of the British Empire's glory. It vividly depicts the fated battle between James Moriarty, the "Lord of Crime," who schemes to dismantle the corrupt class system through "crime," and Sherlock Holmes, the "great detective," who pursues his mysteries.
Since its premiere in May 2019, the musical "Moriarty the Patriot" has captivated audiences with the energy generated by live piano and violin performances, drawing them deep into the world of the story and creating great emotion and excitement with each performance.
And in 2026, the momentous 10th anniversary of the original manga's serialization, it has been decided that the "Beginning Story," Op.1, the origin of the series, will be performed as "A Study in Scarlet Reprise" by two teams!
How did the "Lord of Crime" come to be, and how did he meet the "Great Detective"?
The origins of these two fated lovers are now vividly revived in the theater.
I had the opportunity to cover the dress rehearsals held on June 25th and 27th, prior to the opening performance.

~Cast comments~

William James Moriarty: Shogo Suzuki
I have the impression that the actors and staff were desperately taking responsibility for their actions, overcoming various challenges, and yet gathering at the rehearsal space every day based on trust to create the show. It was a rehearsal space where I truly reaffirmed the meaning of that "trust," and I am now in a state of mind to sublimate both the good and the bad into expression. This production will have a long run of about a month, and you will be able to enjoy both the Op. team and the Reprise team during the performance period.
What colors of scenery will be reflected in the eyes of our audience in the theater? What will they see there? And what can we deliver to them? With determination, we will perform every day. To our audience, this is a theater you have gathered in. We will continue to deliver our best with all our might.

Sherlock Holmes: Ryo Hirano
Thank you for your continued support of the musical "Moriarty the Patriot." In its seventh year, this production returns to its roots. However, like life itself, it's like a spiral staircase; although the scenery may seem similar, I believe it has become a completely different world. With this production, I hope to weave together nostalgia and newness. This production is longer than usual, running only in Tokyo, and is packed with new attempts, such as a two-team system and new songs. One of the highlights is the two-team system, which offers the fascinating opportunity to see how emotions are conveyed and even the path the story takes differ.
I myself, along with the two Johns, Lestrade, and Hope, feel that we must live each performance with a fresh perspective. We have all worked together as a team in rehearsals to ensure that the show will be loved by many people. We will deliver a great Moriarty the Musical, as always, and a new and wonderful Moriarty the Musical.

Albert James Moriarty (Op. Team): Hidetoshi Kubota
Having sailed across the vast and treacherous ocean, this ship is still in the midst of its voyage. Hoping that its destination will be a peaceful and equal world, it will sail with its sails high until the final performance. This production is not a revival of the original, but a newly reproduced work. The fact that it is presented by two teams is also one of its highlights. Please enjoy both stories. Finally, thank you for boarding this wonderful ark that is the Galaxy Theatre. Please experience the many magnificent shows that will unfold before your eyes. Have a wonderful journey.

Albert James Moriarty (Reprise Team): Kazuaki Yasue
Rehearsals for this revival have been a daily clash of the feelings of those who have worked on Moriarty the Musical before and the feelings of us newcomers on stage, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how it all turns out. The Op. team has a weighty presence, a culmination of the strong feelings from previous productions. The Reprise team, while respecting the previous works, has approached their roles with a new chemistry in mind, considering the meaning of our participation now. I hope the audience will enjoy the new Moriarty the Musical. The curtain is finally rising! All I can do is face each performance with care and deliver it to the audience. I hope you will enjoy the new Moriarty the Musical and Albert. See you at the theater.

Louis James Moriarty (Op. Team): Ikkei Yamamoto
Rather than feeling like I'm reviving a work from seven years ago, I feel it's a fresh approach to working on a new project. I'll do my best to deliver a new kind of enjoyment to our audience. The highlight will be, as the title suggests, Sherlock's case! I've always loved the dynamic of William being behind it all. Once again, I'm truly grateful to be a part of this production. I hope everyone will enjoy this beginning story with a fresh perspective after seven years.

Louis James Moriarty (Reprise Team): Hiroki Hyakuna
This production is designed to be enjoyable not only for those who have loved the work since its premiere, but also for those who are seeing "Moriarty the Patriot" for the first time. You will be able to feel the relationships between the characters and their individual beliefs more deeply, which is something that can only be portrayed in a reprise. The passion of the music and drama has also been further refined, so I hope you will enjoy even the smallest emotional shifts. Personally, I am filled with anticipation for finally being able to deliver this to everyone. I can't wait for you to feel this passion in the theater! I think there will be many new discoveries for me as Louis during the actual performance, so I will live through the world of "Moriarty the Patriot" while being stimulated every day. Finally, thank you very much to everyone who always supports us. The entire company will deliver this work with all our hearts. We hope you will fully enjoy the charm of musicals that can only be experienced in the theater and the world of "Moriarty the Patriot". We are looking forward to seeing you there.

John H. Watson (Op. Team): Kenta Kamakari
It was a very exciting rehearsal, filled with a mix of cherished nostalgia and the challenge of moving to a new place! I can't wait for the curtain to rise. This time, there are so many highlights! It's been powered up tremendously. Since it's a two-team system, we had plenty of time to observe each other from the outside, so it was great to see the individuality and bonds of each team! The ensemble team's performance is also a must-see! Seven years have passed since the premiere. Moriarty the Musical is moving to a new stage once again. Please come and enjoy it with great anticipation. I too will cherish the happiness of being able to create the world of Moriarty the Musical together with all of you in the theater.

John H. Watson (Reprise Team): Shinichi Hashimoto
The Opening Team has been what makes Moriarty the

A story of conviction and justice, brought to life by live music: A student's theater review.

The live violin and piano music played alongside the characters' emotions and the mysteries surrounding them.
What particularly struck me was the contrast between William and Holmes.
William, having grown up in a jaded environment, seemed to view the world with a detached perspective, observing things from a distance. However, the way he lived, directing his will and emotions outward, conveyed both strength and a sense of solitude.
On the other hand, Holmes acted according to his heart's desires and threw himself wholeheartedly into whatever was in front of him, and his way of life was something I envied.
I was completely captivated by the contrast between the two characters, who, despite seeing the same world, had different perspectives, paths they believed in, and principles they held firmly in their hearts.
And I also felt the fear of "what to believe and who to follow." Depending on who you believe in and what ideology you choose, you can go in any direction.
In a world where the line between good and evil becomes blurred, the clash of differing beliefs made for a fleeting moment where I could confront my own convictions.
Musashino University, 4rd year student, Akina Yoshimatsu

The live piano and violin performances were incredibly impressive. Not only were the songs beautifully rendered, but the violin also conveyed sound effects and even the characters' emotions, showcasing the instrument's vast and expressive repertoire. The songs throughout the musical were filled with a sense of tragedy and strong determination, and the powerful vocals and melodies repeatedly gripped my heart. Because it was a live performance, it felt as if the musicians were connecting with the emotions of each audience member, drawing me deeply into the world of the story.
Beyond the music, the story's structure and direction were also major draws. The way the Moriarty brothers skillfully manipulated everyone, even outsmarting Holmes, was both terrifying and fascinating. The lighting effects in the scenes where the three brothers stood together, combined with their overwhelming presence, left a very strong impression.
Of all the characters in the story, William was the one who particularly captivated me. His quiet gaze, which seemed to have given up on everything because of the burden of his past, and the alluring atmosphere that his past created were very appealing. While he mercilessly confronts evil, the deep compassion he shows to those who have been hurt and suffered, while having an otherworldly aura, also possesses a strange warmth that I found very appealing.
Yurie Watanabe, second-year student at Josai International University

■ Performance overview

Performance schedule/theater: June 27th (Sat) - July 19th (Sun), 2026 Tennozu Galaxy Theater
Original work: Teru Miyoshi, "Moriarty the Patriot" (serialized in Shueisha's "Jump SQ.")
Script, lyrics, and direction: Hideyuki Nishimori Music: Tadasuke
Appearance
William James Moriarty: Shogo Suzuki
Sherlock Holmes: Ryo Hirano
Albert James Moriarty: Hidetoshi Kubota / Kazuaki Yasue
Louis James Moriarty: Translated by Ikkei Yamamoto and Hiroki Hyakuna
Sebastian Moran: Takashi Sasaki
Fred Pollock: Yushin Miyajima (ORβIT) / Seiji Shintani
John H. Watson: Kenta Kamakari / Shinichi Hashimoto
Miss Hudson: Kanon Nanaki
George Lestrade / Jefferson Hope: Takashi Takagi / Yuichi Ito
Baron Lenny Dublin: Hidenari Yoshida
Earl Blitz Enders: Koji Kominami / Kosuke Naito
Karin Iji, Shinji Osawa, Daisuke Kawashima, Yuki Kimura, Airi Kumada, Seiya Shirasaki
Junpei Takama, Kazuki Takeuchi, Kanade Tanaka, Yuma Hasui, Yuta Wakabayashi, Rika Watanabe
Piano: Momoko Sakata / Tadasuke
Violin: Shumasa Hayashi
Swing: Takuya Okamoto, Katsuta Tomomatsu, Momoe Honda
Staff
Choreography: Hirosaki Uran
Sword fighting choreography: Yasuhiro Roppongi
Stage Director: Takehiro Noguchi
Art: Wakako Matsumoto
Lighting: Hideki Ohata
Sound: Shinya Yoshimoto
Video: Watanabe Kazuki
Costume: Maya
Hair and Makeup: Masako Nakahara
Vocal coach: Rika Mizuno
Assistant Directors: Masataka Takahashi, Sae Tamaya
Production progress: Kanta Asada
Promotional and merchandise design: Yuina Ouchi, Mai Takano
Promotional and merchandise photography: Takuma Suda
Promotion and Merchandise Director: Yuki Suzuki, Aika Oshima
Piano provided by: Kawai Musical Instruments Mfg. Co., Ltd.

Student Newspaper Online, June 25th & 27th, 2026: Interview with Akari Yoshimatsu, 4th year student at Musashino University / Yurie Watanabe, 3rd year student at Josai International University