Miyu Yoshimoto:Mother role, daughter in elementary school: "I guess I've reached that age" 28-year-old's true feelings: "I want to be able to believe in myself more"

Yoshimoto Miyu is currently appearing in the TV Osaka and BS TV Tokyo serial drama "Soredemo Ore, Tsuma to Shitai," co-starring Kazama Shunsuke and Megumi. Yoshimoto, who turned 28 at the end of last year, is taking on the role of a mother with an elementary school-aged daughter, and she reveals her true feelings, saying, "I guess I've reached that age." Meanwhile, in the currently-showing movie "Muromachi Burai" (directed by Irie Yu), she plays a ninja (kunoichi) and shows off some action scenes. We asked Yoshimoto, who is taking on more and more roles at her own pace, about her "current thoughts" as an actor.

◇ The thing he was most conscious of was "love for his daughter"

"Soredemo Ore, Tsuma to Shitai" is based on the novel of the same name by Shin Adachi, who is known for the movie "100 Yen Love" and the NHK serial drama "Boogie Woogie," and Adachi is also in charge of the script and direction. This "married couple sex entertainment" depicts the battle over the nighttime activities of an unsuccessful screenwriter husband and his wife who abuses him, and Yoshimoto plays Midori, a confidant of Gota Yanagida (Kazama), a screenwriter who is still unsuccessful even after turning 40.

"Midori has a rough tone, but she's a straightforward woman who is confident in her own opinions. When I talk to people, I first send what I feel in my heart to my head and then say it out loud, but with Midori, her heart and mouth are directly connected. So she may be the type of person who is easily misunderstood, but she loves her daughter very deeply."

The most important thing I kept in mind when acting was my love for my daughter.

"I often hear people with children say that 'my children are more important than me,' but I still don't understand that feeling. Of course there are people I want to cherish, but I wondered what the strength is in having someone who is cherished to the point of sacrificing themselves and who can clearly say that out loud, and that was the most difficult part. This is my second time playing a mother role, but this is the first time I've played a mother with an elementary school-aged child, and I realized that I've reached that age (laughs)."

This was my first time participating in a film directed by Adachi.

"I had of course seen his previous works, and I knew him, and I had the impression that he had created works that were down-to-earth and realistic in a good way, so I assumed he was a scary person. But in reality, he had a gentle demeanor even at the costume fitting stage, and I got the impression that he was a very peaceful person. During filming, Adachi-san's face was always smiling as he was looking at the monitor, and I thought that he really loves making things, and when I see that side of him while acting, it gets me excited too, so I've come to love the Adachi team."

◇Actions using weapons are “something else”

"Muromachi Burai," which was released in theaters at almost the same time as the start of "Soredemo Ore, Tsuma to Shitai," is a film adaptation of a historical novel by Naoki Prize-winning author Kakine Ryosuke, starring Oizumi Yo. Yoshimoto lists three highlights.

"Powerful action. The protagonist's straightforward, unobtrusive approach to reforming the world. Although it is a story set in the Muromachi period, there are also lessons that can be learned that are relevant to the present day. I think these three are the key points."

Yoshimoto played Osen, a ninja and samurai of the gang led by Doken Kotsuhi (played by Shinichi Tsutsumi), a "bad friend" of the main character, Hyoe Hasuda (played by Oizumi). This was her first time trying out action scenes using a sword (tanto). Action is a genre that Yoshimoto has been focusing on for the past few years, but she felt that "I thought there wouldn't be much difference whether I used a weapon or not, but it's actually a completely different thing."

"The sense of distance when slashing was completely different, and at first it was really awkward, to the point where I really couldn't show it to anyone. But I practiced a lot for two months before filming started, and although I'm saying it myself, I feel like it's gotten a lot cooler."

In the film, she also goes head-to-head with Rina Takeda, who is an expert in action scenes.

"Osen and Chohi (Takeda-san) had to be on equal footing. So I felt the pressure to catch up to Rina-chan, to be a match for her. But I'm the type of person who gets pretty fired up about things like that, so I was able to get through it with sheer willpower."

I just can’t see myself as attractive

We asked Yoshimoto again about his thoughts on action scenes.

"I practice the steps before filming and let them soak into my body before going to the set, but action is also acting, so emotion is the most important thing. Even if the steps are a little rough, as long as I can convey emotion, it's okay, and I really like sets where that's okay. Being pretty alone just makes it choreography, so the ideal is for the milestones between regular acting and action to be properly connected by emotion. I'd be happy if I could achieve that."

Regarding action scenes, Yoshimoto-san says, "First, I want to appear in action films in Japan, and then I want to improve my skills and one day take on the challenge overseas." On the other hand, he secretly worries that "I want to be able to believe in myself more."

"I'm grateful for the increased opportunities to work with people I respect, such as Adachi (Shin)-san and Irie (Yuu)-san, but at the same time, I don't have much confidence in myself. People around me tell me, 'Miyu-chan, you'll be fine,' but while I accept that, there's still a part of me that doesn't think I'm 100% fine. I've been involved in a variety of productions and have faced the roles, but I just can't see myself as attractive, and I can't have confidence in myself, so I think that when I overcome this wall, I'll be able to grow into a better version of myself."