"No matter how many years pass, it's a joy to still think, 'That character in that drama was the best,'" says actress Momoko Tanabe, who has appeared in numerous dramas and movies. With her solid acting skills, she has left a different impression on viewers with each production, leaving a strong impression. She is currently playing the role of an idol who murders the president of her agency in the triple lead role of "Murder of My Favorite" (Yomiuri TV/Nippon TV, Thursdays 11:59pm). We spoke to Tanabe about her enthusiasm for this production and her thoughts on acting.
◇ "I was a bit anxious about the live performance scene where I played an idol"
The drama is based on the novel of the same name (published by Takarajimasha Bunko) by Endo Kataru, which won the Grand Prize in the 22nd "This Mystery is Amazing!" (published by Takarajimasha) Grand Prize in 2024. The idol trio "Baby★Starlight," played by Tanabe, Yokota Mayu, and Hayashi Meari, commits the crime of "murder," but vows to cover up the truth and continue performing on stage. As they face one crisis after another, they soon become embroiled in an unsolved serial murder case that is causing a stir in society.
Takamiya Rui, played by Tanabe, is a character who is smart but has difficulty expressing her emotions. "I imagine that people around her would say she seems a little scary or that they don't know what she's thinking. On the other hand, Rui has a warm personality that makes her want to help people even when they should just leave her alone. I really like that about her," he said of his impression of her.
There was also a live scene where they sang and danced in front of fans as "Baby★Starlight." "It was difficult because we had to act and do dance scenes at the same time. We had very little practice time as the three of us (with Yokota and Hayashi), so I was a bit worried about whether we would be okay," she recalled.
On the other hand, I was helped by the reactions of the staff on set.
"First of all, the first thing that gives me a sense of accomplishment is that the staff team on-site are enjoying themselves. I was so happy when everyone said, 'I want to see more of the live performance!' I'm sure that will reach everyone who watches it through the video."
◇A character from four years ago is still a hot topic
Tanabe has appeared in many productions so far. She has shown so many different faces that viewers have commented that she looks so different it's hard to believe she's the same person. In particular, she played the role of Air Self-Defense Force co-pilot Jun Ichinose in the TV drama "Rikokatsu" (broadcast on TBS in 2021), which drew attention from viewers, who affectionately nicknamed her "Chikuzenni-onna" (Chikuzenni-onna). The nickname "Chikuzenni-onna" is still a hot topic on social media.
"It's rare to find something that's so memorable, so I'm genuinely happy that it still makes an impression on people. It also motivates me to take on this character (that I'm currently playing) next time."
Four years ago when "Rikokatsu" was broadcast, she said, "I want to become an actor that makes people excited, wondering what kind of work it will be if Momoko Tanabe is in it." In regards to that, she said, "My ambition hasn't changed since then. Now, my goal is to further establish the brand of ' Momoko Tanabe ' so that people will think, 'If Momoko Tanabe is in it, it can't be wrong,'" her big eyes lit up as she said.
When I asked Tanabe, "Is acting fun?" he answered enthusiastically, "It's fun!"
"I think acting is a job that can change your life. It makes me happy when I hear (from fans) that they are who they are today because they encountered a scene or character that they can still remember. I can't change people's past, but I've come to realize that I might be able to contribute to creating an opportunity for people to change, and I think that's what's interesting about acting."
