"Shiori-chan Kokoro no Koe wo Kikaseteyo" (TV Asahi, excluding some regions), a drama adaptation of a phantom project that Suzuki Osamu, who retired from being a scriptwriter and television writer in March this year, had written while he was still active and had been saving, will be broadcast from 11:15 pm on December 13th. The lead role in this drama, which realistically depicts the pretense and true feelings of an "azatoi woman," is played by former TV Tokyo announcer Mori Kasumi, known as the "Reiwa era's azato queen." We asked her about her thoughts on starring in a drama as an azatoi woman, how she prepared for the role, her views on love, and her aspirations for 2025.
◇ "The thing that made me happiest was that I came into Osamu's mind."
This is a new type of drama that will first air the "front story," which appears to be a heartwarming story, and then air the "back story," which includes the protagonist's inner thoughts in the same footage. The back story will reveal the inner thoughts of Shiori (Mori-san), which were not revealed in the front story, and you can enjoy the exact opposite ending to the same footage.
Regarding starring in a highly talked-about production by Suzuki Osamu, Mori said, "The dramas that Suzuki works on always have a glimpse of planning ability that makes them more than just ordinary dramas. In that sense, I thought this time wouldn't be just another drama, either, from the moment I received the offer (laughs). When I heard that Osamu said he wanted to be in Mori, I was honoured. What makes me happiest is that my name was mentioned, and that I came to Osamu's mind."
The role of Shiori is a refreshingly cunning woman. "Shiori's cunningness is not because she is trying to please men, but because she knows best how to present herself, so I played the role while thinking about it," she recalls.
The points she paid attention to when preparing for the role were "facial expressions" and "tone of voice." "I tried out a lot of different facial expressions! In the main story, I expressed Shiori's desire to be seen as cute, but in the back story, I tried out a tone of voice that was like she was talking in front of her family without worrying about anything (laughs)."
Regarding the drama, she said, "The front and back parts are so different that I think you can enjoy them twice as completely different things, and I also think it'll be interesting to watch the front part again after watching the back part, so I hope you'll watch it in repeat. I tried to broaden my range of acting, so I hope you'll pay attention to that as well!"
◇ "I don't think, 'I have to do this to be cunning.'"
Mori herself is currently making a name for herself as an "azatoi" (cunning) character. "It's been about two years since I was called cunning, but before I knew it, I was being crowned the 'Reiwa era's cunning queen' when I appeared on TV. I think I'm the one facing the cunningest side the most (laughs)."
What does "azatoi" mean to you? "I feel like the concept of azatoi these days has changed a bit. It can mean being calculating, or it can mean having a strong will and planning. Designing yourself while objectively recognizing how you are perceived. I think that's what it means to be azatoi."
She said that she takes being called the "Reiwa Azato Queen" as a compliment. "I'm grateful that I've been given the image of a cunning character. However, I don't think that I have to act this way to be cunning. I produced myself with the desire to appear cute or reliable, and as a result, people started calling me cunning."
In her private life, she said, "No one calls me cunning." She revealed, "I'm more of a rough person, and people often tell me I'm not as cutesy as I am on TV (laughs). I think people are starting to notice me on TV (laughs)."
The drama features different types of male characters played by Taiki Taiki Sato of "FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE," Shunsei Ota of "OCTPATH," and Takeru Goto of "INI," but Mori's personal view of romance is that what is most important in a partner is "someone who can put me in a good mood."
"I'm the type of person who is easily influenced by the mood of others and gets dragged down by it... and then it gets in the way of my work, so I prefer someone who doesn't get too emotionally up and down. I like cheerful people (laughs)!"
February 2025 will mark two years since he went freelance. Finally, when asked about his aspirations for next year, he said, "I have a feeling that next year will also be a whirlwind," expressing his confidence in his current activities. He added, "I went freelance at 27 and before I knew it, I was 29, so I'd like to keep up this momentum. I hope I'll be 31 before I know it." (Interview, text, and photo: Endo Masaki)
