Anna Kurasawa:From "VR Uncle" to "To You Who Shines": 19-year-old attracts attention for her role as Fujiwara Kenko, behind the scenes of her excellent performance; even in her first taiga drama, she is conscious of being "relaxed and free"

Kurazawa Anna is attracting attention for her role as Fujiwara Kenko in the NHK Taiga drama "Hikaru Kimi e" (General TV, Sunday 8:00 pm and others). Kenko is a free-spirited character in contrast to her older sister Akiko (Mikami Ai), and some viewers call her the "Heian gal" or "Heian party girl." Although this is her first Taiga drama, Kurazawa was conscious of acting "freely and comfortably," and we asked her about the behind-the-scenes of her great performance.

◇The selection of Kenko in "Hikaru Kimi e" was triggered by "VR Ojisan no Hatsukoi"

Kurazawa is 19 years old and was born on March 18, 2005. She entered the entertainment industry after participating in the actor audition "LesPros Entertainment 30th Anniversary Project "Main Role Audition"" held by her current agency from 2021 to 2022. She also drew attention for playing a pigtailed high school girl in "VR Ojisan no Hatsukoi," which aired on NHK's "Yorudora" slot (General TV, Monday to Thursday at 10:45am) from April to May this year.

Kurazawa says that her role in "Hikaru Kimi e" came about after "the staff of 'Hikaru Kimi e' had seen my performance in 'VR Ojisan no Hatsukoi'," and she recalls, "I was really happy, but also surprised at the same time."

"Appearing in a taiga drama was one of my goals, but it felt a little far away, like I was waiting for it to happen, so I never thought it would happen so soon. I was very surprised when I was asked, 'Are you going to let me appear?' even though I'm still inexperienced in acting."

This was Kurazawa's first time acting in a period drama, and after deciding to appear, she wondered how she should prepare. Before filming began, she went to Kyoto because she "just wanted to go," and visited the place said to be Kenja's grave, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and the exhibition facility related to "To You, Shining" that was being held there.

At the time, Kurazawa was filming the July drama series "Billion x School" (Fuji TV), but the two-day, one-night whirlwind tour using her days off was a very fruitful time.

"The set for this taiga drama is very well-constructed and well-finished, but going to Kyoto helped me to imagine what it would be like outside the set. In addition to the etiquette lessons provided by NHK, I also learned Japanese dance, so I think I was well prepared."

◇Kenko, who even the "highest authority" Michinaga had a hard time dealing with - how did you play her?

Kenko is the second daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga (Emoto Tasuku) and his legitimate wife, Michiko (Kuroki Haru). She becomes the wife of the Crown Prince, Prince Itada (later Emperor Sanjo, Kimura Tatsunari), but is dissatisfied with the fact that the Crown Prince is much older than her. She likes glittering, luxurious costumes and props, which is why she is called the "Heian gal" or "Heian party girl."

Kenko's unrestrained behavior is so unruly that even her father, Michinaga, the highest authority at the time, has a hard time dealing with her.

"There was a huge reaction to my facial expressions, and I didn't expect people to pay that much attention to them, so I was very happy to see that the audience enjoyed it in that way."

When it came to acting, Kurazawa said, "I wanted to make sure I didn't get too caught up in the idea of being a 'Heian aristocrat.'"

"When I put on the heavy costume and entered the luxurious set, I felt like I had to stand up straight, but I thought that it would make me more polite, so I tried to be free and not be bound by that, and in a sense, to give the impression of a free and aristocratic princess. When I saw the drama broadcast, I thought, 'Kenko is quite different,' and I was a little worried that I was destroying the world view of the drama that had been carefully and lovingly created up to that point, but everyone on set said, 'Kenko is good,' so I was relieved."

On the other hand, regarding the scene where Kenko treats Prince Ikeda (Emperor Sanjo) as an "old man," Kurazawa also revealed, "When I saw the broadcast, I thought, 'What the hell are you saying?' (laughs)."

"On set, I told Kimura-san, who played Emperor Sanjo, 'I'm really sorry' (laughs). At the time, an 18-year age difference meant a much larger age gap between the two, so I can understand Kenko's feelings, including her situation, but I don't think it's right to say it out loud. But it's like Kenko (laughs)."