The fifth episode of the drama series " Who saw the peacock dance in the jungle? " (TBS, Friday 10pm) starring Suzu Hirose will air on February 21st. In the drama, Fujimoto Takahiro plays Akazawa Tadashi, a subordinate of Yamashita Kokoro Mugi's (Hirose) father Haruo (Lily Franky) when they were in the First Investigative Division. Vows to arrest the murderer who killed the respected Haruo, he is in charge of the investigation on the front lines. He is also the character who was in charge of the Togayama incident 22 years ago together with Haruo. We asked Fujimoto about what he keeps in mind when playing Akazawa and his impression of Hirose.
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--How do you portray Akazawa?
I've played many detective roles up until now, but Akazawa is particularly demanding of me as an old-fashioned detective who acts rough, so it feels a bit strange. There are some lines in the script that I would never say, and it's difficult to get into that mindset.
Also, as a character with a different personality from the other cast members, I am being asked to act in a completely different way. At first, I was acting while thinking, "I might be the culprit," but halfway through, I began to feel, "Maybe someone else is the culprit," and recently, I have begun to think, "Maybe I am the culprit after all," and I am wavering within the role.
I play Akazawa with the intention of "appearing unwavering even while wavering," but I'm not 100% free from doubts, so perhaps that ambiguity is what makes it interesting for the viewers. I'm sure that's also why Akazawa's name comes up in everyone's guesses as the culprit. However, I do keep in mind the core of "sticking to my beliefs as a police officer" as I play the role.
--You often work together with your subordinate, Akisada Takao, played by Itose Soichi. What kind of person is Itose?
He is a very reliable actor, adjusting his acting plan to suit my needs and watching my expressions carefully. I feel that he is also watching me while steadily pursuing his own path. I feel reassured that we are both from Fukuoka, and he treats me as a junior during breaks in filming.
--This is your first time acting with Hirose-san. What is your impression of her?
She is an actress who is very good at expressing sadness. Her performance of holding back sadness and the strength of her heart in her eyes is wonderful, and it feels like you are being sucked in when you watch her. She is a perfect fit for the role of Kokoro Mugi-chan, and it is easy to act with her.
--What does Kokoromugi mean to you, Akazawa?
I think I care about her as her senior's daughter, but there are many lines that don't seem that way, and it's painful. When I coldly say, "You know...", I sometimes act while thinking, "I'm sorry" in my heart. But I'm never a nuisance to Kokoro Mugi-chan, and I'm genuinely worried about her. However, I'm consciously acting as a detective who is bad at choosing words.
--What about Nishida Naomi, who plays the wife Kyoko, and Nomura Kota, who plays the son Mamoru?
At home, I am a clumsy father, but Nishida-san is a cheerful person, so I am saved in some ways. But recently, I have been thinking, "Maybe I'm being deceived"... (laughs). I think that Mamoru, played by Nomura-kun, holds some important key, so I try to observe his acting. But I could be the culprit, so I can't say anything (laughs). It's rare to see a drama (in which I'm starring) where you don't know who the culprit is.
-Is there any scene that has made an impression on you from the broadcasts so far?
The direction that focuses on the body parts, such as staring at the hands and close-ups of the eyes, is impressive. I also think that the beauty of the colors is outstanding, and the use of music is wonderful. When I saw the first episode, I realized once again that I was able to appear in such a wonderful work. I could also feel the good teamwork between the cast and staff, and I think it is a truly wonderful work.
--"Believing" is a key point in this drama, but what do you personally consider important when believing in something?
It's not a matter of believing or not believing, but rather the "comfort of believing" that's important to me. Even if you get deceived, I think it's a happy thing to have something to believe in.
In the drama, it's really nice to see Kokoro Mugi-chan continue to believe in (her father) Yamashita-san. I can empathize with that feeling, and I think the "power to believe without doubt" is a beautiful thing. Is it "justice" that Akazawa believes in?
-What can we look forward to in the future?
There will be more flashback scenes in the future, and Akazawa's relationship with Matsukaze Yoshiteru (played by Matsuyama Kenichi) and Yamashita-san will become clearer. Although his upbringing will not be depicted, I think the story will convey how past events have shaped Akazawa into who he is today.
In addition, new characters will appear one after another as the story moves closer to the answer. Please pay attention to how his beliefs as a detective change.
