It's like the eternal middle child.
I would like to hear about your personal interests outside of Yu-Gi-Oh! What are some of your recent likes and interests , and what are some of them?
I really like Eddie Redmayne right now. I saw the movie "All About Lily" , and I was so impressed with him! Then I saw "The Doctor and Her Theory," in which he starred, and I thought, "I can't imitate him! I thought, "I can't imitate him! The way he approaches the role is unique, and he has a strong presence with a glassy delicacy that is truly amazing.
You have a strong interest in acting, don't you?
. maybe. But it's not like I'm constantly studying the play. Anyway, I was struck by Eddie's unique gaze, the sex appeal he exudes, and the indescribable atmosphere he exudes when he is playing a role. I simply became a fan.
I would like to hear about the moment when you decided to live your life as an actor.
A number of events led me to consider taking this job seriously, and one of the most memorable was the movie "We Can't Change the World. One of the most memorable films was "We Can't Change the World," starring Osamu Mukai. It stars Osamu Mukai, Tasuku Emoto, Masataka Kubota, and myself as university students who build a school in Cambodia, based on a true story. We actually went to Cambodia for the location shooting, and it was my first time abroad, including in my private life.
How old were you?
I was 23 years old ... I think the shoot was in 2010. Anyway, I was just like, "Piyo-piyo," and I was like, "Cambodia? What kind of place?" I was just excited. I actually went to Cambodia and was guided by a navigator to visit hospitals, slave camps, and various other places, and I was shocked by what I could not feel in Japan. We captured a lot of unscripted, bare-bones reactions.
. So it was a mixture of documentary-like techniques.
Yes, that's right. Anyway, I was asked to travel around Cambodia and show my surprise to the camera, and react freely. I was like, "I didn't know there was such a way of directing! I realized the freedom of film.
Up until then I had been a Sentai hero, so when I got in front of the camera and said, "Transform! I had been filming for more than a year. I had been filming for over a year. That is why I could never have imagined the freedom of the way the film was shot, and it gave me a chance to understand the appeal of film and the depth of acting.
It has been more than 10 years since then, and you are now 33 years old. What changes have you seen?
In terms of age, I think I'm in the middle of my career; I think I can play the role of a father when I'm 40 or so without any discomfort, but I'm not there yet. But I'm not in my 20s, so I don't feel fresh. I am in the perfect in-between age range. However, Fumi is playing a role that straddles the age range, and I think I was able to play the role because I am the person I am today. I am glad I was able to play it this year.
Do you consider yourself an adult or a child? Or do you think of yourself as a child?
Well, ...... it's like I'm an eternal middle child (laughs).
. I see that you are still in your eighth grade self.
. I still have a little bit of the middle two left in me. For example, when I talk about Yu-Gi-Oh on the radio and get too passionate about it, I feel a little embarrassed because I think I couldn't control myself.
. Please let me know if there are any other moments that make you feel chuunibi.
. You look forward to Weekly Shonen Jump every week. One Piece" is really hot right now, isn't it? I also watch the "SPY x FAMILY" anime all the time. It's really interesting, isn't it? I'm going to watch it, aren't I?
I understand very well (laughs). . Lastly, what new challenges do you want to take on in the future?
As a recent new challenge, I worked with a picture book author named Masaku Nagata on a picture book titled "Mellow Flame. We came up with the story together, he drew the pictures, and in the process of creating a picture book, I realized that there is more than just acting that I can express myself in. I have had the opportunity to play many roles and work in many different productions over the past 14 years, and of course acting will continue to be at the center of my work, but I would also like to give shape to other forms of expression as well.
