Kei Aran

Quick Facts: Who was Kei Aran?

Subject:

Kei Aran

Known for:

Acclaimed Zainichi Korean actress and former top star of the Japanese Takarazuka Revue.

Born:

1970-10-09

Century / Era:

1970s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Touko Yasuda (安田 瞳子, Yasuda Touko; 야스다 도우코; born October 9, 1970), known professionally as Kei Aran (安蘭 けい, Aran Kei), is a South Korean actress and former top star otokoyaku (an actress who plays male roles) of the Japanese Takarazuka Revue's Star Troupe. She joined the revue in 1991 and became the top star in 2007, five years after her classmates Sumire Haruno (the former top star of Flower Troupe) and Hikaru Asami (former top star of Snow Troupe) became top stars. She resigned from the company in April 2009 and is currently pursuing an acting career outside of the Revue. She is original from Konan, Shiga, Japan, and her nickname is "Touko". She is of Zainichi Korean descent and the first from such background to become the top star of the company.

Career & Major Achievements

However, she is not the first non-Japanese actress to become a Takarazuka top star: Ran Ootori, who is of Chinese descent, was top star of Star Troupe from 1975 until 1979. Snow Troupe: 1991–2000 Star Troupe: 2000–2009 Aran graduated at the top of her class from the Takarazuka Music School in 1991. She was the last member of her class to become top star, and also the last to retire from the Revue when she did so in April 2009. She was promoted by the company in 1999 along with Haruno and Asami. Before she was promoted to top star status, she was considered as one of top-stars-in-waiting along with former top stars Kei Takashiro and Yūga Yamato (Cosmos Troupe), Jun Sena (Moon Troupe), Natsuki Mizu (Snow Troupe).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The last name of her stage name, Aran is from the protagonist of a Korean legend Legend of Ariran. Starting her career in Snow Troupe, she developed her singing and acting alongside Takarazuka legends such as Yu Todoroki, Yoka Wao and Tatsuki Kouju. With the 1996 production of Elisabeth, she became the first to perform the lead role of Der Tod in the understudy performance. Later on, she participated in two Bow Hall performances starring Wao (Grand Shanghai and Wuthering Heights), in which she had prominent roles. In 1998, she had her first Bow Hall lead performance, Icarus.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1970 (1970-10-09): Birth of Kei Aran — Acclaimed Zainichi Korean actress and former top star of the Japanese Takarazuka Revue.
2. 1975: 1975 Milestone — However, she is not the first non-Japanese actress to become a Takarazuka top star: Ran Ootori, who is of Chinese descent, was top star of Star Troupe from 1975 until 1979.
3. 1991: 1991 Milestone — She joined the revue in 1991 and became the top star in 2007, five years after her classmates Sumire Haruno (the former top star of Flower Troupe) and Hikaru Asami (former top star of Snow Troupe) became top stars.
4. 1996: 1996 Milestone — With the 1996 production of Elisabeth, she became the first to perform the lead role of Der Tod in the understudy performance.
5. 1998: 1998 Milestone — In 1998, she had her first Bow Hall lead performance, Icarus.
6. 1999: 1999 Milestone — She was promoted by the company in 1999 along with Haruno and Asami.
7. 2009: 2009 Milestone — She resigned from the company in April 2009 and is currently pursuing an acting career outside of the Revue.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kei Aran

True or False: “Kei Aran was the first non-Japanese actress to become a top star in the Takarazuka Revue.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Ran Ootori, who is of Chinese descent, preceded her as the top star of Star Troupe from 1975 until 1979.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. H. M. Jones — Contemporary (Died in 1970) (1970): Pioneering British historian of classical antiquity, specializing in the later Roman Empire.
• Abraham Maslow — Contemporary (Died in 1970) (1970): Pioneering American psychologist known for the Hierarchy of Needs and self-actualization theory.
• Alan Shearer — Contemporary (Born in 1970) (1970): English football legend, record goalscorer, and respected pundit.
• Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan — Shared historical date (10-09 · Died) (705): Fifth Umayyad Caliph who consolidated Islamic rule and reformed the state.
• Abdullah Ibrahim — Shared historical date (10-09 · Born) (1934): Pianist and composer, considered the leading figure in the subgenre of Cape jazz.
• Albert Ayler — Historical peer (Died in 1970) (1970): Pioneering avant-garde jazz saxophonist known for ecstatic, spiritual improvisation.
• Alexander Kerensky — Historical peer (Died in 1970) (1970): Russian revolutionary who led the Provisional Government during the tumultuous period of 1917.
• Abby Stein — Historical peer (Born in 1991) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• Ah Young — Historical peer (Born in 1991) (1991): South Korean singer and actress known for her time in the girl group Dal Shabet.
• Al Oerter — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Four-time Olympic champion in the discus throw, pioneering athletic consistency.
• 1970 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1970
• October 9 (10-09) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 9

Frequently Asked Questions about Kei Aran