Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (the musical?)

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney did two things I thought were impossible: it made lawyers look like decent human beings, and it made legal matters fun. While Hollywood would take a series that’s achieved fan-made-flash levels of love and make it a movie, a group of Japanese actresses plan to make a musical. That’s right, actresses. The cast of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (the musical) will be all female.

Since the first Ace Attorney game I’ve eagerly awaited every sequel, playing each game into the wee hours of the morning like some would with Halo, World of Warcraft, or a good book (for those of you with eyes that recognize non-digital text). A piece of advice: never cry “Objection!” after midnight or your virtual courtroom experience may turn into a real one, and judges are less forgiving if you object without a good reason.

Actress Ranju Tomu, pictured here in costume, will play Phoenix Wright

If popularity was based on flash and satire, then Ace Attorney would be extremely popular. If you’ve ever watched Phoenix Wrong on Newgrounds, you know what I’m talking about. Personally, one of my favorite fan-flashes involves a boot to the head.

It appears members of the Japanese acting group the Takarazuka Revue are fans of the game as well, but instead of creating flash, they are planning to perform a musical based on the first game.

Unlike the all-male cast of kabuki plays, the Takarazuka Revue is an all-female cast and has performed many American musicals over the years. These actresses play male and female roles, and have gained both male and female fans and admirers for their performances. If the name Osamu Tezuka rings any bells, you should read more about their history. Check them out on Wikipedia, or even on their own Wikipedia.

Me three.

Ace Attorney may have originated in Japan, but it seems western style is once again influencing Takarazuka Revue’s performances, as they have decided to go with the name “Phoenix Wright” instead of the original Japanese name of “Ryuichi Naruhodo” for the main character.

Okay. I know nothing about musical theater, except that Spiderman, Legally Blonde, and Monty Python (Spamalot) were made into musicals, but I’m pretty sure this would be the first video game to be adapted into a musical…anywhere. Could we soon see video game musicals here? Could Takarazuka’s play possibly even find its way here? Only time will tell whether people cry “Objection!” to the idea. I wonder if that will be a song title? Hmmmm…

Objection! Objection! I object to what you say!

There’s no way it happened like that, there is no way.

Hold it! Take that! Take that and that and that!

The truth is right in front of you, the evidence is clear.

Objection! Objection! Objection! You hear?