C}.&.l a d {.. I N B L U E >> seramyu actresses
Only 6 actresses have played Ami in Seramyu; that's remarkable considering how many played Sailorjupiter (12) or SailorChibi-Moon (13)![1] Below is a short description of each actress's career and a list of their musicals. As always, I've included my own personal opinion of the actresses and how they interpreted Sailormercury. I've also included files of their important solos and/or duets. The rest of the media files are located in the Seramyu music page in the media section.
All files are in encoded using Ogg Vorbis (.ogg format.) Most computer audio players can play .ogg files like Winamp and QCD, however you can download the Vorbis plug-in for Windows Media Player HERE to play them in WMP (download the program and install it). For more information about Ogg Vorbis (.ogg) encoding, please visit the Ogg Vorbis website or Sailormusic.net.
M}.&.o r i n o {.. A Y A K O >> 森野文子
Morino Ayako (Fall 1993 - Winter 1998) is the first and longest-running Sailormercury actress. She is tied in 5th place with Ohyama Anza (the 1st SMoon) for the longest time in Seramyu.[1] Before her musical career, Ayako was a member of the Sakurakko Club (an all-girls performance group) along with the Inner Senshi cast in the first musical, Gaiden. Anza and Ayako also created the musical group "MoMo."[2] Her most recent project was the 1998 movie The Poet, starring Stephen Fung as the poet Gu Cheng "whose self-destructive tendencies manage to take down other people" (she played his mistress, Ching-Er).[3] Her musical history includes:
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Gaiden, Dark Kingdom Fukkatsu Hen (Summer 1993) Gaiden, Dark Kingdom Fukkatsu Hen Kaiteiban (Winter 1994) Usagi, Ai no Senshi e no Michi (Summer 1994) Henshin, Super Senshi e no Michi (Winter 1995) Henshin, Super Senshi e no Michi Kaiteiban (Spring 1995) Yume Senshi Ai Eien ni... (Summer 1995) Yume Senshi Ai Eien ni ~ Saturn Fukkatsu Hen (Spring 1996) Sailor Stars (Summer 1996) Sailor Stars Kaiteiban (Winter 1997) Eien Densetsu (Summer 1997) Eien Densetsu ~ The Final First Stage (Winter 1998) |
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As the first and the original, Morino is the actress who defined the role of SMercury and truly enlivened Ami's character. She had the grace, the poise, the voice, the feel of Ami in everything she did. Even more, I really think that she evolved and matured from Gaiden to Eien just as Ami did in the series. She is the only SMercury actress who played a major role in more than half of the musicals in her career. Morino was one of the better dancers in the First Stage. She always looked good next to Venus (especially in Yume Senshi) and really kept some good time. During the ending performances of "La Soldier," Morino danced with a lot of enthusiasm right next to her partner Ohyama. I also believe the casting of two close friends like Ohyama and Morino helped them replicate Ami and Usagi's own relationship. The emotion in the final performance of "Tabidachi" is heart-breaking .... *sniff*. But Morino wasn't always perfect. Although her recorded voice was a great choice for Ami, she live-singing voice was much rougher. Her first performance of "Ii Ko wa Yameta" had many cracks and a lot of breathlessness; I do not believe she could control her voice as well as her dancing. But she did grow and her live-singing became much smoother and much more controlled. I still find her to be the best actress in terms of expression, interpretation, and overall entertainment. My personal pick!
Download: Tabidachi | Ii Ko wa Yameta | JUST COMBINATION (as MoMo)M}.&.i y a g a w a {.. Y U K I K O >> 宮川由紀子
Miyagawa Yukiko (Summer 1998) is the second actress to play SMercury in Seramyu. She participated in ballet and other TV and stage acting roles. Due to her focus on her studies, Miyagawa's only musical was the first of the Second stage, Shin Densetsu Kourin.[4] Her musical history includes:
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Shin Densetsu Kourin (Summer 1998) |
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Morino may have had the feel of Ami, but I think Miyagawa had more of the look. She had a very cute face that gave her a gentle and innocent "Ami" look. But her cuteness couldn't overshadow her less than average performance. She really portrayed Ami as "just another senshi" and didn't really seem as determined as I would've hoped. Miyagawa had a high-pitch to her speaking voice which much more striking and piercing than what I would think as Ami's voice. As a singer, she had simple voice which blended well with her castmates. Her only solo was in "Sorezore no Elegy" where she mimicked the style of Morino but lost pitch and control. However, Miyagawa was one of the best dancers of the Second Stage! I was very surprised to see her move with such grace and enthusiasm during "Seishun no Shoumi Kigen"; she definitely had rhythm and great physical control. It may seem unfair to judge her so harshly since the only musical she did was one of the worst; nevertheless, I atleast expected her to be able to do more than just dance.
Download: Sorezore no Elegy (live from 'SDK')H}.&.i s a n o {.. A K A M I N E >> 赤嶺寿乃
Hisano Akamine (Spring 1999 - Winter 2000) is the third actress to play SMercury in Seramyu. She began her musical career during the Second Stage in
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Kaguya Shima Densetsu(Spring 1999) Kaguya Shima Densetsu ~ Natsu Yasumi! Houseki Tankentai (Fall 1999) Shin/Henshin Super Senshi e no Michi ~ Last Dracul Overture (Winter 2000) |
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I've always felt that Hisano's personality limited her portrayal of Ami's character. Though very pretty, her version of Ami was very loud and very strong. When I first saw her in KSDK, I noticed her voice was very striking. Even though all her Inner Senshi castmates have very distinguished voices, she rang loud and clear through during group numbers. Her solo parts very smooth and well in-tune; probably the best vocal control of all the actress. I wish she would have held back a little to express that innocent, sweet side of Ami more. In her last musical, Dracul, Akamine did revive the same Ami role Morino played in Usagi but her acting and vocal quality were not as developed. I was disappointed in how nasally and forced her "Tabidachi" solo sounded. Although singing and acting were not Hisano's strong points, she is perhaps one of the smoothest and controlled dancers in Myu. I was very impressed by how calmly and effortlessly she moved. Her sex appeal and grace set a high standard for dancing with SMercury actresses. I'm not entirely against Hisano's interpretation; she was a part of the strongest and most believable Inner Senshi group in Seramyu. But I feel she could've taken a little of herself out to keep Ami's personality in-tact.
Download: Hyouchaku Shita Keredo... | Wake Up, Usagi! | TabidachiI}.&.z a w a {.. M A R I Y A >> 伊澤麻璃也
Izawa Mariya (Fall 2000) is the 4th, and currently the youngest, actress to play SMercury in Seramyu. After her role, she joined the musical group KING along with another Seramyu actress Gunji Ayano.[5] Her musical history includes:
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Kessen! Transylvania no Mori ~ Shintojo! Chibimoon wo Mamoru Senshitachi (Fall 2000) |
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Too, too young. Izawa was not ready for this role. Her speech was very hard to follow because she spoke so fast and with very little enunciation. I was not surprised to her a shrill, high-pitched tone during her performances; her age really affected her vocal performances. Izawa nailed the shyness and insecurity of the role down. She looked like the perfect school-girl holding her books close to her body in TnM. But Izawa's singing, dancing, and acting were all very emotionless with little expression and a whole 'lotta sloppiness. I was not impressed with her short solo in "Koi no Senshi" since it was very lackluster and dull. She did not seem prepared vocally, physically, or mentally for the stage at this time. I would've liked to have seen her grow through the kaiteiban, but she left too early.
Download: Millenium ~ Koi no Senshi Ja IrarenaiK}.&.a w a b e {.. C H I E K O >> 河辺千恵子
Kawabe Chieko (Chieco) (Winter 2000 - Spring 2002) is the 5th SMercury actress. Her first musical was the 2001 revision of Translyvania no Mori, playing as SMercury. She first introduced SMercury's image song, "Drive Me the Mercury," during this musical. Kawabe's career began when she first modeled for the Love Berry magazine. After her departure from Seramyu, she starred in the live-action Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon series as Tsukino Usagi's friend Osaka Naru.[6] Kawabe has released a few singles, including "Cry Baby" and "Be Your Girl," and has released a debut album, Brillance.[7] Her musical history includes:
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Kessen! Transylvania no Mori ~ Saikyou no Kataki-Dark Kain no Nazo (Winter 2001) Last Dracul Saishuu Shou ~ Chou Wakusei Death Vulcan no Fuuin/Super Revue Musical Show (Spring 2001) Tanjou! Ankoku no Princess Black Lady (Summer 2001) Tanjou! Ankoku no Princess Black Lady Kaiteiban (Winter 2001) 10th Anniversary Festival: Ai no Sanctuary and Talk Show (Spring 2002) |
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A dancer, a singer, an idol, Kawabe became the SMercury I had been looking for every since the First Stage. She is probably the most popular Ami actress, even more so than Morino. What made her stand-out was her great dancing and body control. I love watching her perform on-stage because she makes her dancing look so easy and very smooth. Transitions between pieces and choreography are very graceful and rhythmic. Kawabe always stood out during group performances, and I was very pleased to see that she was the first actress to introduce the Sailormercury image song in her FIRST musical! Her voice had a softness and sweetness like Morino's but with Hisano's strength tempered down. Although live, she let her dancing over-power her voice, Kawabe's CD vocals are very clear "Ami-like." Acting -- wasn't the best. She did take away a bit of Ami's strength when she wasn't performing and did not approach the role with a blend of her personality and Ami's as did some of her precedessors. Still, I was very disappointed to she her leave after Black Lady. Kawabe would have rivaled the talent of Morino had she stayed on longer and matured even more in the role.
Download: Drive Me the Mercury | Minna no Ai wo KaesenaiW}.&.a k a y a m a {.. M A N A M I >> 若山愛美
Wakayama Manami (Summer 2002 - Winter 2005) is the most recent actress to play SMercury. She began her Seramyu career in 2002, playing Beruche in the 9th musical, Tanjou! Ankoku no Black Lady (Kaiteiban). Wakayama landed the role as SMercury in 2003 after Kawabe Chieko left the musicals. Her first performance was at the 2002 Winter Fan Kansha where she performed "Drive Me the Mercury" live. Her musical history includes:
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Tanjou! Ankoku no Princess Black Lady Kaiteiban (Winter 2001) Mugen Gakuen - Mistress Labyrinth! (Summer 2002) Mugen Gakuen - Mistress Labyrinth! Kaiteiban (Winter 2002) Starlights! Ryuusei Densetsu! (Summer 2003) Starlights~ Ryuusei Densetsu ~ Kakyuu-Ouhi Kourin "The Final Second Stage" (Winter 2003-2004) Shin Kaguya Shima Densetsu (Summer 2004) Shin Kaguya Shima Densetsu Kaiteiban - Marinamoon Final (Winter 2005) |
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A step-down from Chieko, but not by much, Wakayama carried the seduction and poise that Kawabe expand into the Ami character. She emulated the acting, singing, and dancing of Kawabe and adds little to what she left behind. I find her look is more pleasing than Kawabe's and she is one of the best dancers in the Fourth Stage. But still there's just so much that's "un-Ami-like" about her. Her voice is strongly distinct, reminiscient of Hisano's and Wakayama is noticeable in every song she sings - it's not really soothing. Most of her solos have already been presented by past actresses since all of her musicals were remakes of older ones. I do wish they would've have written a song to suit her voice rather than have her do those of other artists. Wakayama did form a very nice connection with SMoon actress Kuroki Marina which resembled that of Morino and Ohyama's. I've grown to like her style and respect her for what she had to work with. Still, I believe she played her best role as Beruche in Black Lady. When Wakayama went up against Kawabe in that musical, I fell in love with her. She's the perfect "anti-Mercury!"
Download: Drive Me the Mercury | Hyouchaku Shita Keredo... (2004 Summer Ver.)
1 Cast & Staff. eternal.legend.
2 Anza Ohyama. Answers.com.
3 The Poet (1998). LOVE HK FILM.com.
4 Yukiko Miyagawa.The Second Stage Shrine.
5 Mariya Izawa. WikiMoon.org.
6 Friendly Dreamer. Living the Sailor Dream.
7 Chieko Kawabe. Wikipedia.