Mizutani Kaho：Children's cheers: "So pure and moving"; Heroine role in "Ultraman Ark"; "Feelings of pride and responsibility"

Actor Mizutani Kaho plays the heroine in "Ultraman Arc," the latest installment of the Ultraman series that began airing in July. This summer, she also appeared at the "Ultra Heroes EXPO 2024 Summer Festival" event, where she revealed that she was "so moved by the genuineness of the children's cheers." Mizutani also said, "I was curious about what the children thought of this work, so when I saw them enjoying the event and being happy, I was healed. I felt more glad than ever that I did this work, and I was happy." We spoke to Mizutani, who said, "I was curious about what the children thought of this work, so when I saw them enjoying the event and being happy, I felt more glad than ever that I did this work, and I was happy."

◇The heroine Natsume Rin really gives the impression of being a "good older sister."

The theme of "Ultraman Arc" is "the power of imagination." The story depicts Tobise Yuuma (Totsuka Yuki), a rookie researcher who has just joined the Monster Disaster Prevention Science Research Center "SKIP," merging with a messenger of light that descended on Earth from a faraway galaxy, becoming a giant Ultraman Arc and protecting the future of people and the Earth from an impending crisis.

Mizutani plays Natsume Rin, a female investigator at SKIP. A genius programmer with a knack for machines, she is in charge of systems and equipment development within SKIP. She is a cheerful, reliable older sister type of character, and Mizutani won the role through an audition.

"Rin is very cheerful and proactive, but she doesn't seem too strict either. She exudes a relaxed, gentle atmosphere that permeates SKIP, and she really gives off the impression of a 'good older sister.'"

Mizutani also said that "Ultraman Ark" is "a story set in a really warm and gentle world."

"The main character, Yuuma, seems like a normal boy, so I think the kids who watch it will want to be like him, and the character I play, Rin, feels like a kind older sister in the neighborhood, so I hope they can relate to her and watch the show until the end."

She grew up with only girls, and as a child she dreamed of becoming a "wizard" or a "princess," but on the other hand, she has always thought of "Ultraman" as something that had been ingrained in her since she was a child, to the point where she can't even remember when she first knew about it.

What are Mizutani's thoughts about playing the heroine in such a historic special effects hero show?

"I once heard Hideo Ishiguro, who I worked with on stage, talk about his time in Ultraman Orb, and he said, 'It's a job that you can be proud of in front of children for the rest of your life.' That's what I've felt ever since I auditioned. I'm filled with a sense of pride and responsibility when I think that the children watching Ultraman Arc now will remember it even when they grow up."

◇26 years old, he must keep breaking out of his shell

Mizutani is known for his work in the NHK morning drama series "Toto Nee-chan" and "Natsuzora," the "Monday 9pm" drama "Ichikei no Karasu" (Fuji TV), which was also made into a movie, the Sunday Theatre series "VIVANT" that was a huge hit last year, and the "Black Pean" series (both TBS), whose "season 2" is currently airing.

This time, after taking on the somewhat unusual challenge of "Ultraman Arc" in his career, we asked him what he thinks now as an actor.

"I think that if there's one thing I can do in my life that I can do more than my potential, it's the only job I can do, so that's why I'm taking on this challenge. In addition, I'm 26 years old now, and I feel that I need to break out of my shell as I move into my 30s. I want to take on roles that are too extreme, like comedies that I haven't played before, or roles that carry weight that you don't feel in your everyday life, and I want to challenge myself in works that require me to break out of my shell, and I want to work hard in both the jobs I have now and the ones I come across in the future so that when I come across such a work, I'll be able to perform it well."