Akari Takaishi plays Nami, a prostitute in the Heavenly Asadora drama "Bakebake" (General TV, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and other times), starring Honami Sato. In the 79th episode on January 22nd, Nami is proposed to by Fukuma (Hiroueno), and although she hesitates, she makes up her mind. Sato spoke about her role as Nami, including behind-the-scenes stories from the filming.
◇ Nami is a "positive person with a cheerful personality"
Nami was born into a farming family and, as the eldest of eight siblings, she supported herself through poverty. To support her family, which was in debt, she became a prostitute at the Tengoku brothel. She is a cheerful and strong woman who does not let her circumstances get her down.
Regarding the most memorable scene, Sato analyzes, "The scene that left the biggest impression on me was when she asked Otoki, who had become Heaven's maid, 'What about the job I could have done?' (Week 10, Episode 47). The line, 'There's no need to worry, I won't hold any grudges or jealousy,' is very Nami-like. She's a positive person who can quickly look forward, and her straightforward personality comes through, and I thought that she must have lived like this all her life."
She also said, "I think the line, 'The only way a woman can survive is to sell herself or be with a man,' is a powerful one, but I feel that for Nami, who worked in a brothel at that time, that was really the only option. She realized a long time ago that she wasn't strong enough to leave the brothel. I think she had given up on a lot of things to the point that she could say so casually that she couldn't survive without a man."
Nami is suddenly approached with an offer to buy her freedom, but she hesitates and puts off giving an answer.
"As was said in the dialogue, Nami was sold when she was young, and the only place she has ever known is Heaven's Red Light District. That's why I think she was scared to leave. She must have wanted to leave for many years, but because it was a dream she had had for so long, her anxiety over what would happen if she couldn't survive anywhere else in the red light district won out. Unlike when she was impulsively trying to become Heaven-sensei's Rashaman, this time the reality hit her hard, and I think that's what led to her fear. But then Fukuma-san told her straightforwardly, 'I'm in love with you,' and that helped her prepare herself."
Regarding the plot in which Nami is bought, he said, "Actually, Nami's fate hadn't been decided until early summer last year."
"When production manager Hashizume (Kuniomi) asked me, 'Nami, what will you do?' I replied, 'I'd be happier if I was bought out,' but I also thought that it might be better for the story if I continued to show my unyielding attitude in the red-light district. But I'm glad that someone I want to be happy with appeared. Thank you for the happy ending!"
◇There are times when she thinks of herself as the cheerleader for Sawa and Toki.
Regarding Nami's relationship with Sawa (Wan Marui), he says, "Nami told Sawa that she was her friend, but then immediately decided to buy her freedom (laughs). I have no idea if it was accurate when he told Sawa, 'You don't have to force yourself to go out.' It may have been meddling, but Nami's personality is such that she can't help but call out to people. She could see everyone from the second floor of the brothel, so she probably saw Sawa and was worried that she might be upset."
She continued, "I think there are times when I think of myself as the cheer leader for Sawa and Toki. I want to support Sawa, but I also want her to listen to what I have to say, so I end up being a bit pushy. When I played Nami, I tried to be conscious of being a character with an energy level that could be considered a bit of a nuisance, but also an annoyingly cute character that you can't hate."
Sato recalls, "I've been watching ' Bakebake' since the first week and crying, but even though Tsukasanosuke(Takashi Okabe) is awful, for some reason you can't hate him (laughs). I think that's because Ofumi is such a capable woman. I've always loved Chizuru Ikewaki, who plays Fumi, so I was really happy to be able to co-star with her! We didn't have many scenes together, but I have fond memories of talking a lot with Ikewaki and the rest of the Matsuno family on set."
Regarding what to look forward to in the future, she said, "The story will be full of turbulent ups and downs between Toki and Heaven from now on. Something sad happens to Toki, who has made it to the other side of the bridge, and it becomes difficult to tell whether she is happy or not. I too can't wait to see the footage, so I'm looking forward to the broadcast."
