Bambies (バンビーズ): (also The Bambies ザ・バンビーズ) A special group of ken-1 girls (usually around eight or nine) chosen as regulars on Takarazuka TV spots. The Bambies were begun in March of 1969 with the TV show "Takarazuka Six-Oh-Oh", which featured small skits. When the time slot was changed from 6 o'clock to 4, the name changed to "Takarazuka Young Variety". In April of 1971, it became "The Takarazuka".




The first group lasted three months before changing, and afterwards the groups lasted for six month slots up until the tenth group. From then on it was a year-long rotation. In March 1979, "The Takarazuka" ended, and thereafter the Bambies made appearances on TV dramas up until September of 1979. There were fifteen groups in all.

Because of the visibility of the Bambies, many stars of the 70s and 80s got their start there. These included Mai Koyuki, Kitakouji Miho, Kyou Misa, Mine Saori, Takashio Tomoe, Kotobuki Hizuru, Haruka Kurara, Tsurugi Miyuki, Ebira Kaoru, Hyuuga Kaoru, etc.

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1st Group (1969)

Asabuki Momoe	Koshiji Hikaru	Kumi Kaoru	Mazuki Misato
Nao Hiroki	Natsugusa Michiyo	Nazuru Kayo	Sawa Kaori
Shiomi Rika	Tsukibue Mayumi

2nd Group (1969)

Asaji Mariko	Hiro Yutaka	Kazu Michiru	Kurenai Takako
Mikage Jun	Mai Koyuki	Nami Watari	Tachibana Satsuki

3rd Group (1970)

Ai Michiru	Kazami Kei	Koyanagi Mari	Maki Kaori
Misono Yuri	Nagisa Kaoru	Natsu Kouji	Sagiri Mina

4th Group (1970)

Azuma Chiaki	Hoshi Subaru	Houjou Yukari	Mario Sachi
Masaki Keiko	Mimi Harumi	Sai Gyokuren	Uzuki Chika

5th Group (1971)

Hanabusa Rie	Mayu Akari	Oka Sayuri	Sei Renka
Shima Yuri	Takara Junko	Uryuu Minako	Yuuki Kanae

6th Group (1971)

Honami Makoto	Kanna Ai	Kei Kagari	Kinugasa Akira
Kitakouji Miho	Kiryuu Noboru	Kyou Misa	Miho Marika

7th Group (1972)

Ako Chinami	Katsumi Hiroshi	Naka Iori	Natsuki Teru
Mishi Eru	Takashou Megumi	Tama Ruiko	Yume Madoka

8th Group (1972)

Chishiro Kei	Koko Marimo	Kotobuki Hizuru	Mine Saori
Sumikawa Akemi	Takashio Tomoe	Umezato Chieri	Yuuzuru Mai

9th Group (1973)

Akane Mayumi	Fujinami Yuu	Hikari Kaoko	Nono Hikari
Mashio Chinami	Michi Noboru	Taka Mario	Yutaka Ayumu

10th Group (1973 - 1974)

An Urara	Hanao Maki	Hokuto Hikaru	Jin Natsumi
Itsuki Chihiro*	Maki Sayaka	Michi Anri	Namiji Youko
Ou Wataru	Seri Machika	Shiki Izumi	Yamashiro Haruka

• under stage name Koi Noboru

11th Group (1974 - 1975)

Aoki Ryou	Ayuhara Sanae	Chiaki Manaka	Haruka Kurara
Koujou Hiromi	Machi Yuu	Megumi Hanae	Senju Kei
Takehara Sayuri	Tsukioka Chikage	Tsurugi Miyuki	Wakamiya Aino

12th Group (1975 - 1976)

Ebira Kaoru	Hinotori Mina	Kage Chisato	Kiri Satomi
Natsuki Jun	Ookawa Reo	Rei Sagiri	Toki Noboru

13th Group (1976 - 1977)

Fubuki Hitomi	Hyuuga Kaoru	Ibuki Ai	Kisaragi Mirei
Nanao Tomo	Segawa Kae	Takase Mia	Tsukumo Kyou

14th Group (1977 - 1978)

Ashibue Ruka	Azumi Reika	Azusa Noboru	Hayabusa Ren
Hitomi Mari	Ichijou Ken	Nami Yurika	Takane Shinobu

15th Group (1978 - 1979)

Akashi Noboru	Akishino Miho	Andou Nachi	Gou Mayuka
Hana Kayono	Kou Kazuki	Kusabue Masako	Takumi Kou

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Related Links:

More information, and a complete list of all 131 Bambies, can be found at the Vintage Takarazuka site. Look under レビュー研究室 and then バンビーズ.

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