Actor Maito Fujioka will be appearing in the TV Asahi drama "Spring!" (March 21st, 11:15pm). We asked him about his thoughts on playing the heroine's love interest in this bittersweet youth love story.
The drama is a film adaptation of a work by Saaya Matsushita, who won the grand prize in 2023 from among 1,023 entries in the TV Asahi Newcomer Scenario Awards, which have produced many screenwriters. Starring Nogizaka46 member Nagi Inoue, the drama depicts the struggles and love of high school students in the exam period, with essays as the theme.
He began his acting career in 2020 and has appeared in a variety of popular productions. He has played a variety of roles, including a cool but clumsy handsome man, Shinsengumi's Okita Soji, and a high school student who can transform into a hero.
"This is my first time appearing in a youth love story. It's a genre I've always wanted to do, so I was looking forward to it," he said, expressing his joy at appearing in this production.
The story begins when Aoi (Inoue), an honor student who had always received A's, unexpectedly fails the first semester entrance exams for the university she wanted to attend. She is invited by her classmate Tasuku (Fujioka), who also failed, to join her in preparing for the essay portion of the second semester exam. The two develop a bond as they study together for the exam's essay section.
"Yu has a bright personality, and Aoi is rather shy, but the way these two opposite characters grow closer was heart-pounding, and I tried to bring out Yu's brightness in the performance so that the story would stand out."
Regarding his co-star Inoue, he said, "He was very dignified."
"I heard that this was her first time acting on screen, but I got the impression that she was so confident that it didn't feel that way. At first, Aoi doesn't open up to Yu very much, but as the story progresses, her facial expressions and the way she interacts with him brighten up, and that acting felt really natural."
After working on this film, he said his desire for "youth-related stories" has become even stronger.
"I was reminded that youth is great! (laughs) I thought it was great to be able to experience the youthful things I wasn't able to do when I was in high school through this role. I want to do this more and more in the future."
The drama will be broadcast at 11:15 pm on March 21. "It's a pure love story that will give you a taste of youth, so please look forward to it," he said.
