Hiyama Arisu will be appearing in the NHK Asadora drama series "Omusubi " starring Kanna Hashimoto . In the 19th episode, "What is a mother?" (February 10-14), she plays Sone Marie, a high school student who is hospitalized at the Osaka Shin-Yodogawa Memorial Hospital where Yui (Hashimoto) works. We asked her about her thoughts on achieving her goal of making her first appearance in a Asadora, as well as an episode from the filming that she said was a "valuable experience."
◇ "I learned a lot from filming surrounded by veteran actors"
Hiyama, who is now 17 years old and in her second year of high school, won the grand prize at the 2015 Pucchigumi Model Audition when she was in the second year of elementary school, and began her entertainment career as a model for the monthly magazine for girls, Pucchigumi (Shogakukan). After that, she became an exclusive model for the elementary school fashion magazine, Nico☆Puchi (Shinchosha), and has been active mainly in stage productions and advertisements. "Omusubi" will be her first TV drama appearance.
She said she was informed of her appearance in "Omusubi" by phone, and smiled, saying, "It was a Asadora that I had always wanted to appear in, so I was really happy when I heard I would be appearing."
"At the same time, it didn't seem real, and I thought, 'Is this really happening? Is this a dream?' I was with my mother at the time and we were both happy, but we both said, 'I wish I'd recorded that phone call' (laughs)."
The character she plays, Marie, is a high school girl who is hospitalized due to malnutrition caused by excessive dietary restrictions. Hiyama reflects, "There are many things I can sympathize with, such as the fact that we are the same age and that we both love to eat, but it was difficult to express Marie's conflicts and changes in her feelings, as well as the difference between what she says and what she really thinks."
"It was my first TV drama, so I felt some pressure, but my co-stars were all veterans and they told me, 'You can bring your own acting skills to the table,' and kindly taught me all sorts of things and talked to me. It was a really warm set, and no matter what acting I did, they immediately picked it up and gave it back to me, and when the director gave instructions, everyone was quick to incorporate them into their own acting, and I thought their quick reaction was amazing. I learned a lot and it was a valuable experience."
◇ What he learned about the appeal of being an actor through the filming of "Omusubi"
Hiyama, who is originally from Fukushima Prefecture and currently lives in Miyagi Prefecture, experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake when he was three years old. He says he has a special feeling for "Omusubi," which depicts the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the Great East Japan Earthquake in the play.
"I was young at the time, but I still remember the moment when things fell due to the shaking of the earthquake. Only those who have actually experienced an earthquake can understand this, so watching ' Omusubi' made me think again about the need to remember the feelings of that time when depicting the disaster."
Regarding co-starring with lead actress Hashimoto, she said, "I've always been a big fan of Kanna, and have seen her in various works, including the movie 'Kingdom,' so I was happy to be able to co-star with her."
"Kana-san is very pretty and has a very clear complexion. When I met her for the first time, I was shocked and thought, 'Someone this cute actually exists!' She always spoke to me kindly, so I felt really happy."
Looking back on the filming of "Omusubi," he said with shining eyes, "It was a great experience to be able to appear in a wonderful production that can have an impact on the viewers. I had a lot of fun communicating with the staff and cast throughout filming. It was my first time on a TV drama set, but I feel that this aspect is also one of the charms of the job of an actor."
Finally, she sent a message to the viewers, saying, "I was extremely nervous during filming, but I did my best, so I hope you will continue to support Marie. I will continue to work hard to become a successful actor."
