Sakaguchi Kentaro (as Suganami Kotaro)
Interview
The original interview was from NHK Weekly Stera and I don't think that the magazine is still available. I bought a copy of it and translated it. I hope you'll enjoy this interview as much as I do :)
Disclaimer: I'm still a novice translator, hence my translation is not 100% accurate.
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Suganami has been slowly and steadily developing his relationship with Mone (Momone/Kiyohara Kaya). His words and gestures, which change little by little, have fascinated viewers. We asked Sakaguchi Kentaro, who plays the role of Suganami, about his impressions of the filming so far and what to look forward to in the climax.
I want to be someone who Kaya-chan can talk to easily
So, I tried to create an environment where the heroine could work comfortably. I wanted to be someone she could talk to easily about the acting and shooting. Whenever I had a short break from filming, I would send her a text message saying, "Do your best, but don't overdo". The pressure of being the Asadora heroine is immeasurable, so I don't know how much I could help her...
If I were to talk to Kaya-chan again, I would probably say "You did a great job". But since I've been by her side for almost a year, I don't think words are necessary anymore. I'll just hug her without saying anything! If I could do that, I'd be kind of cool (laughs).
Suganami had a role that required a sense of balance
The words themselves are hard, so if you only say them out loud, it creates a huge gap between the character and the audience. It was very difficult to find a way to soften it and make it seem as if I was getting closer to Mone, even though the lines were stiff. But once I started thinking about it, I became more and more addicted to it, but when I switched to "Well, I guess Suganami would say that," it suddenly became easier. That's why I have to look at Suganami objectively and watch his reactions when I act. Such a sense of balance is essential for this role.
It's easy to exaggerate Suganami's "clumsiness" and "who makes a little mistake," but I believe that it is the fact that Suganami takes these scenes seriously that makes them interesting, rather than making them funny. If the viewers find it interesting to see Suganami fumbling around in earnest, I think that's the right answer. That's why I'm very happy that SNS is booming right now. By interpreting Suganami in detail and bringing out his personality, I feel that I was able to create a Suganami that makes people laugh.
It's easy to exaggerate Suganami's "clumsiness" or "who makes a little mistake" but I think it's the fact that you have to be serious even though it's a funny scene, instead of making a funny scene funny, that makes it funny.
I hope people will pay attention to the scenes that were only possible because it was the last part of the Asadora
Although the story is approaching its climax, the most memorable part is the scene where Suganami and Ryochin (Ryo/Nagase Ren) talk in the last week (Week 24). It was very difficult to shoot. Depending on the direction and the way we acted, it was a scene where we both of them may try to place oneself above each other. Ryochin has his time with Mone, who had been with her since young while Suganami also has his time in Tokyo and have the advantage of going to get married with her. I don't think it would be good for them to compete each other too much, saying "I'm the one, I'm the one".
So I talked with Nagase-kun and the director, "I think Ryochin didn't have many opportunities to talk with people outside the island who were around Suganami's age". We talked about how we wanted to emphasize that. Then, we tried the scene, Nagase-kun acted as if something had cleared up in Ryochin's mind and as a result, both of them were saved. Perhaps it would've been difficult if this had been a 10-episodes drama series. I think this scene was only possible because it was the last part of a six-month Asadora series, so it would be great if people would pay attention to it.
The story will be completed in 24 weeks, but it ends in a way that gives us hope for the relationship between Suganami and Mone, as well as for Ryochin, Michi (Makita Aju), and everyone else will live their lives. I hope that you will be able to see how they live their lives and feel that they are really living somewhere in the future.
A Message from Kiyohara Kaya to Sakaguchi Kentaro
Thank you for your hard work in filming. Sakaguchi-san has a lot on his mind, but he never brings it to the shooting site, and yet he always leaves laughing. I think he really is an amazing person. I know it must have been difficult for you while filming other work, but you were always there to help me, and I can only thank you for that.
I'll be celebrating my 20th birthday on January 30 next year. He was so thoughtful to let us celebrate on the 2nd, since I'll be spending the 30th with my family and the 31st and 1st with my friends! I'm simply surprised. Sakaguchi-san, I'll leave the 2nd of February open for you~ (laughs).
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