On the Spreading of 96th Plague
DISCLAIMER: Most of you will find this post horrid, so please if you think you might be disturbed refrain from reading. After all, this is my journal and I have a right to express my biased ideas.
On reading about Ami, I've had a very tolerant reaction towards Hankyuu, FOR ONCE, that can be summed up into this concept: sometimes what is right is not fair.
As much as I find Marie Antoinette's beheading horrible, I have to admit it was the one and only event that could make French Revolution reach its peak. If it hadn't experienced such dramatic climax, the World as we know it would be very different.
I don't believe using scape-goats will ever solve TMS's story of bullying, cause bullying is part of a lot of Japanese students' life, in general, as a social disease. But I don't justify everything according to the "system's fault" theory, either.
I'm not a hater and I hope Ami is really just having short lasting health issues, as much as I hope the contagion spreading among 96th members will soon stop.
But if she retired, I wouldn't shed a tear.
Add to this the consideration about the evidence that Takarazuka is an institution who's been running for a century now, basically unchanged in its original structure and this just because - for its purposes - people, especially actresses, are expendable.
Plus, it's not like Ami has been beheaded. She's had her chance, a very shiny chance. Public didn't love her much and this is a fact, no matter the reason for this. Public is the highest Court for any performer, guilty or unguilty of previous faults.
It's not fair, but it's how show business works, I guess. You take the risk of audience's dislike the very moment you start a career.
So if she retires she'll do something else of her life. She has talent and she must have a very, very, supporting family, with the means to push her forward, within or without Takarazuka.
This is what I think and how I feel. If this post will induce a spontaneous selection of my friends, I would care as Rhett.