The drama series "Chihayafuru -Meguri-" (Nippon TV, Wednesdays at 10pm), starring actress Ami Touma, will begin airing on July Getsuku. "Chihayafuru" is a manga by Yuki Suetsugu that was serialized in "BE・LOVE" (Kodansha) from 2007 to 2022. The drama will depict an original story set 10 years after the movie. We spoke to Touma, who plays the main character Aizawa Meguru, about her thoughts on starring in the sequel to a popular series, what she kept in mind when taking on the role of troupe leader in her first lead role in a drama series, and her outlook as an actor.
◇ The fun of playing karuta helped him prepare for his role, and he also had an exchange with Mone Kamishiraishi
The competitive karuta club at Umezono High School, where the story takes place, has few members and is on the verge of being disbanded. When Meguru Aizawa, a second-year high school student played by Touma and a ghost member of the competitive karuta club, meets Kanade Oe (Mone Kamishiraishi), a part-time classical Japanese teacher who has become the club's new advisor, his fate begins to move.
Regarding his appearance in this production, Touma revealed, "I had seen the series, so I was surprised and happy to see that it was me. 'Chihayafuru' has a lot of fans, so I was a little nervous about taking on such a new role."
When asked his thoughts on the film series, he said, "I watched them just when school was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and I thought they were amazing works. The way the characters devote their youth to one thing was dazzling, and I felt a sense of admiration for it." He also shared his impression of the original work, saying, "Mr. Suetsugu's works are full of dynamism and passion, and you can really feel the feelings of each and every character."
Speaking about the character Aizawa Meguru that she plays, she explained, "She starts out as a beginner at karuta and gradually becomes more and more absorbed. The character is drawn in by the charm of karuta." She added, "I also started practicing karuta and found it interesting, so I played the role while sharing those feelings." She said that being able to synchronize with the character's feelings was a big help in creating the character.
The original author, Suetsugu-san, also gave his stamp of approval. "Mr. Suetsugu came to the set several times and said kind and warm things to me, like, 'I'm glad you played the character of Megu-chan,'" she said with a smile.
Kamishiraishi, who played the role of Oe Kanade in the film series, is also making waves by playing a character set 10 years later. Touma said that he enjoyed playing a mini-game of karuta with Kamishiraishi during breaks in filming, saying, "We had a blast. The students all started practicing at the same time, so they didn't want to lose, and it was really frustrating when they lost. Also, just like Meguru's name comes from a card (by Murasaki Shikibu) that begins with "Meguriaite," each character has a favorite card, so if that card is taken, it's damaging. Kamishiraishi was really strong."
◇ "I received a lot of help from them" on his first lead role in a TV drama
This is Touma's first time starring in a TV drama series, and he commented that he was "nervous before it started" about his position as leader, but expressed his gratitude, saying, "Once (filming) began, I found that the staff and actors were all wonderful people, and they helped me in many ways."
"I get a lot of encouragement from them both in my acting and before filming various scenes. I made sure to say 'Good morning' loudly and to communicate with everyone as much as possible."
As a leader, the person she looks up to is "Matsuoka Mayu, who I worked with on 'The Greatest Teacher: A Year Later, I Was Loved by a Student.'" She expresses her respect for Matsuoka, saying, "I remember that in every production, the (starring/leaders) are all cheerful and smiling, but Matsuoka in particular is always watching everyone, and even during breaks in filming, she would ask, 'Are you okay? Isn't it tough?' and that was very memorable."
Touma is currently 18 years old. Although legally that age, he said with a wry smile, "I was still in high school when I turned 18, so it didn't really feel real to me." He said, "I still have about a year and a half left until I'm 20, so I hope I can become a bit more of an adult by then."
When asked what she would like to do before she turns 20, she said with shining eyes, "I'd like to take up a new hobby and visit many different places. The sooner I can, the better, so I'd like to visit many different places before I'm 20."
When asked about his goal as an actor, Touma says, "I would like to become an actor with a wide range of acting skills who can play a variety of roles. I would like to try a variety of new things." When asked what works or roles he would like to perform, he replied, "I would like to try action. I would like to challenge myself with acting that uses my whole body dynamically."
Finally, regarding the highlights of the drama, she appealed, "Meguru is a ghost club member who has no interest in karuta, and spends her time deciding that youth is not for her. But when she meets karuta and Mr. Oe, she discovers the charm of karuta and the importance of having friends, and becomes more and more absorbed in the game, so I hope you will watch."
He also said, "I hope that viewers will see how each of the characters, who had spent their lives feeling like they didn't belong, finds a place for themselves with their friends and strives to pursue one thing." (Interview, text, and photography: Masaki Endo)
