Marupi, a talent who plays Bouquet, an evil leader of the enemy organization "Braidan," in the new Super Sentai series "No.1 Sentai Gozyuger" (TV Asahi, 9:30 a.m.). We asked her about the audition for this production, which she said she went into with extraordinary enthusiasm, what she keeps in mind when playing Bouquet, and who she aspires to be.
Marupi is 25 years old, born on November 5, 1999. He is from Gunma Prefecture. He has been in the entertainment industry for three years. When he first started his career, he worked for an IT company while also working in the entertainment industry.
"I continued working in both jobs because I loved them, but gradually I started getting jobs that required long-term schedule adjustments, so I decided to focus on entertainment and quit working as an office lady."
She has appeared in many magazines and comic book gravure photos. She is also a basketball-loving talent, working as a reporter for TV Asahi's "Basketball☆Five" and appearing in NHK BS's "Nekketsu Basketball." She says she has almost no experience in acting, and says, "I just finished my first stage performance the other day, so it really feels like a dream (laughs)." She says she still can't believe she's appearing in the Super Sentai, which has a history of half a century.
When he was a child, he used to watch Super Sentai with his father, who worked from home. He revealed that he had put his life on the line for this audition.
"I had always wanted to work in acting, and I wanted to do something big. But then, on a personal note, something happened in my family, and I was worried about whether I should continue working in the entertainment industry. I can say this because I passed, but I went to the audition with the feeling that if it doesn't work out, then this will be my last! The truth is... the thing that happened in my family was my father, who I used to watch Sentai with. That also happened during the audition, so I was all the more motivated. I think my enthusiasm was conveyed (to the judges) and I passed the audition (laughs)."
She was out when she was informed of her acceptance. "I was in the station building when my manager called me and told me, and I cried (laughs). (Looking back now) I was embarrassed, but I was so happy I cried. I was able to tell my dad (in heaven) the best news ever!" she said with a smile.
This audition became a turning point in her life, as she decided to continue her career in entertainment.
"Many people told me, 'If I hadn't passed this audition, I thought I would never meet Marupi again,' but it's really thanks to this audition that I was able to continue being 'Marupi.' I want to work hard this year so I can repay them for their gratitude!"
The character she plays, Bouquet, is a cute-looking character who doesn't seem like a villain.
"Evil executives have a dark image, but there is no black used in the costume, and her personality may be different from previous evil executives. I want to enjoy playing a villain to the fullest, but I am not too conscious of the fact that she is a 'villain'. I am trying to play Bouquet well. She is an interesting and charming character, so I hope I can convey that charm to everyone."
Her talent agency, Zeroichi Familia, is home to Nashiko Momotsuki, who played the evil executive Yodonna in Mashin Sentai Kiramager (2020-2021). When asked what she would like to ask Momotsuki, who is also a senior in the entertainment industry, she smiled and said, "Yodonna was a popular character among the evil executives, so I would like to ask her how to become popular!"
When asked who her role model is in the entertainment industry, she immediately replied, "Momotsuki Nashiko-senpai!" She continued, "I had the opportunity to work with her on the spin-off of Yodonna-sama, and seeing her working up close, I thought she was really cool. Although she's someone I look up to, I want to work hard and surpass her!"
Finally, she once again spoke about Bouquet, saying, "She's a character with many differences. I hope you'll look forward to seeing what kind of Bouquet you'll see in each episode!"
"No.1 Sentai Gozyuger" is a work commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Super Sentai series. The story is about five heroes with animal and dinosaur motifs fighting against the "Number One Monster" who has topped all fields, rivals with the power of past Reds, and even Gojugers themselves, in order to obtain the "Sentai Ring," a ring that is said to grant any wish if all are collected.
