The comedian Kanna Hashimoto plays the role of the one and only demon gal Akipee in the NHK Asadora drama "Omusubi" (General TV, Monday to Saturday 8:00 a.m. and others), starring the actress Kanna Hashimoto. We spoke to the production manager Sai Manabe and the director of the 16th week, Kensuke Matsuki, about the character creation of Akipee, who appeared in the 80th episode (broadcast on January 24th) and left a strong impression.
◇What are Akipi's detailed character settings?
Akipi, played by Watanabe, is a close friend of Ayumu (played by Naka Riisa), the older sister of the heroine Yui (played by Riisa Naka). She used to work as a gal in Tokyo with Ayumu, and now lives with her daughter in Iwate, an area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. She made her full appearance in episode 80, where she powerfully cheered up Ayumu, who had become depressed since the disaster, in the Tohoku dialect.
Regarding the creation of AkiPi's character, Matsuki began by saying, "We gathered everything on Friday, so I can't tell you everything yet...", before explaining, "AkiPi is a character who moved to Tokyo when she was young after having exhausted the experience of being a gal in her hometown. She continued to be a gal in Tokyo, and appeared in gal magazines that were popular at the time, such as "egg" and "Cawaii!". Gal magazines at the time had a lot of interesting projects, and she would do unique things to liven up the pages. It was at that time that she met Ayumu and Chanmika (Matsui Rena), and they were known as the "Three Idiot Trio". Back then, the three of them were always together, always laughing together."
She also mentioned that AkiP came to Kobe wearing clothes that she had remade herself, saying, "For us gals, fashion is life, and it's an important item that cheers us up. I'm sure the temporary housing is a world without much color, but even in that situation, she worked hard to make something colorful in her own way, and chose to wear it, which is what makes AkiP unique."
◇ Character design created through interviews
The background to Akipee's character creation was the producers' and directors' "memories of the earthquake disaster" and thorough research.
Manabe recalls, "Through actual research, such as the experiences I saw and heard when I visited the disaster-stricken areas for the drama location shoot a year after the earthquake, and listening to various stories from Takahashi Katsuhiko, a novelist from Tohoku, I thought about what would ultimately be the source of relief in this story. I talked with Nemoto Nonji, the screenwriter, about whether Ayumu's own question, 'Have I ever truly laughed from the bottom of my heart?', would be extremely important."
"Ayumu recalled the days when he was able to truly laugh during his time in Shibuya, and realized that Akipi was originally from Tohoku, so he started sending supplies to Akipi. At that time, I think Ayumu himself realized once again the importance of the saying "Happiness comes to those who smile," even in difficult times.
As Manabe continued his interviews, he felt that the people of Kobe who experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake sending relief supplies to disaster-stricken areas in Tohoku and actually visiting them as volunteers was "something they can do because they share the pain and the lessons they have learned."
"I was conscious of the fact that each individual's consciousness is being upgraded as they go through a major earthquake. To put it more spiritually, I wanted to convey a message of forcing yourself to laugh and cheer up. I think Ayumi herself was cheered up by her own words and actions through AkiPi."
Encouraged by Akipi, Ayumu is able to look forward. What kind of drama will Ayumu, who has regained his energy, bring to the story? We can't take our eyes off the future developments.
