Kamenoko: Yoshida Akemi

outgoing ll imaginative ll passionate ll reliable ll overbearing ll talkative ll dramatic ll easily carried away

Akemi developed a flair for being overly passionate at a young age, so much so it simply became a part of her every day routine. She tends to easily get carried away due to this passion; be it having a conversation where her chattiness gets the best of her, or, cheering for her friends at a sporting event where she gets a tad too excited. Despite this, she means well as a dependable source, seeing everything through to the end and making sure she gives 110% no matter what the job. She has a bright disposition and a positive view on life that can become quickly overbearing if exposed for increased lengths of time. But if she doesn’t like something, she loathes it, as her actions become increasingly dramatic and fussy.

Akemi was born and raised in Koshu, Japan with her parents in the rural countryside. Her father converted their home into the local laundromat, a landmark easily recognized from the crisp, white, sheets drying from the rooftop. The boisterous child has always lent a hand, folding smaller pieces of clothes when she was young and making deliveries as she grew older. It’s here, in her hometown, where she first discovered her love of theater as she worked to the sound of her mother’s favorite drama stories that played on the radio.

As years passed, she discovered the stories her mother listened to were a form of theater called Kabuki, and instantly fell in love. The child's room was soon filled with brochures and photos of her favorite actors and advertisements for their next play. Magazines and books from the library soon littered her floor as she yearned to know as much as she could about the stories and people who had so easily captured her heart. It’s here, among her people, where she listened to recordings while mouthing the words and committing them to memory.

Earning a small salary from assisting with the shop chores (along with a little extra help from her parents), she eventually earned enough money to see one of her favorite actors participate in the play, “Iwashi Uri Koi Hikiami” in Tokyo at the famed Kabukiza theatre. Mesmerized by the beauty and grace of the actors, it was that day she believed her place on Earth was solidified that day, vowing to, one day, take her place on stage. 

Akemi and her childhood friend, Kasumi, worked together to make their way through high school while she continued practicing her acting skills and trying to earn money, rarely applying her time towards her studies. She fumbled through her classes until graduation day but, with such low scores, there was little to no chance that Akemi would ever be accepted into a university. But her determination had earned her enough money to split an apartment's rent in Tokyo with her friend while she looked for a steady job.

Along side Kasumi, she would move to Tokyo almost immediately after graduation, applying to the Kabuki training center stationed there. Her request was met was instant rejection and she was sent on her way. The rejection hit her hard as she moped around in her new apartment for a few days until stumbling upon the all women Noh performers that were also stationed in Tokyo.

Her fire was lit once more as she burst inside their doors and begged them for a chance to train along side them in order to achieve her dream. Her tale touched the other women, but they couldn't allow her to just start working with them. The girl agreed to becoming somewhat of an janitor, cleaning the rooms and props while the other women practice their routine. In return, she would be allowed to study the women as they practiced. 

While she has been set back, Akemi's dream of becoming a Kabuki actress has not left her as she also makes frequent trips to the Kabuki training center to study their practice and returning home to do the same. A new fire has been lit as she works to obtain her goal.

-After living in Tokyo with Kasumi for several months and still no sign of getting closer towards her goals, she's begun to wonder if moving to the city was a smart move. Her friend's frequent comments on going to college have passed through her head, but she recognizes, with her past grades, she could never be accepted. The stress of her future while maintaining two full time jobs has started to take their toll and signs of insomnia are appearing. 

Likes:

.Short stories
.Kabuki
.Radio talk shows
.Meeting new people
.Exploring the city
.Candy and Snacks
.The smell of clean clothes
.Keeping busy

Dislikes:

.Sports
.Studies
.Rainy days
.Rejection
.Days that feel slow

Additional Info:

-Usually has small props on her person, nothing big, usually a fan or glasses.
-Lives in a small apartment with her roomie and close friend, Kasumi, and her dog.
-Being from the countryside, Akemi has a strong local accent that makes her a little difficult to understand at times
- Voiced by Reika Ouzeki