Makoto Rei, the top star of Takarazuka Revue Star Troupe, who will be retiring on August 10th next year, held a press conference at a hotel in Osaka City on the 24th. Her retirement performance will be "Ashura Castle Eyes/Esperanto!", which opens on April 19th at the Takarazuka Grand Theater.

When asked when she decided to leave the company, she said there was no particular time in particular, but "Ever since I became a leading actress, graduation has been in the back of my mind. COVID-19 stopped everything in the middle of the debut, and now that we're finally in a position to finish, I've decided to complete this 110th anniversary year and to graduate at this time."

She revealed that she told her fellow troupe members on the 21st, the day before the final performance of "I don't remember! / Tiara Azul -Destino-". As she has announced that she will be the third active performer to hold a concert at Nippon Budokan "ANTHEM-Anthem-" (January 18th to January 21st, 2025), she recalled, "Everyone had a vague feeling. They listened to me carefully, in an atmosphere of preparedness." As for her partner, Hitomi Maisora, who will be leaving the troupe in "Kioku ni-", she revealed the countdown between them, saying, "Around the time rehearsals began, we talked about what we could do for each other in preparation for graduation. We decided to do our best."

Rei is the top of the 95th class, having made her debut in 2009. She has been attracting attention from an early stage as a male role with all three qualities. A director once commented, "Rei is 100%. She's too perfect." On this day, Chairman Koji Murakami introduced Rei, saying, "She faces the stage with all her heart and soul, giving us courage, hope, and energy. She has sharp dance moves, passionate singing, and human acting skills; she's a stunning performance that has it all. A rare top star."

However, Rei herself said, "I love singing and dancing, but I was a drag on the juniors when I was on stage. I had to give back to the people who had high expectations of me. I was so reckless." Looking back at her past self, she said, "I want to tell myself not to do it so desperately. I didn't listen to their advice and I didn't understand it." She revealed the pain she felt at the time.