Atsushi Ito stars in the TV drama series " DOPE " (TBS, Friday 10pm) starring Kaito Takahashi of the popular group "King & Prince" and actor Tomoya Nakamura . The first episode, which aired on July 4th, saw a shocking turn of events in which Ito's character, Hajime Yamaguchi, a councilor at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, dies just 18 minutes into the episode. We spoke to Ito about what went on behind the scenes and his impressions of Takahashi and Nakamura.
◇The "Special Investigation Unit creator" dies in the first episode
The story is based on the same-titled novel by Kizaki Chiaki, who won the grand prize at the 20th Dengeki Novel Prize and made her debut as a novelist. Set in a near-future Japan where the mysterious drug "DOPE" is rampant, rookie narcotics agent Saiki Yuto (Takahashi) who has been transferred to the Narcotics Control Department's Special Investigation Division (Special Investigation Division) and the Division's trainer Jinnai Teppei (Nakamura) team up to solve the mysterious cases caused by DOPE with the unique members of the Special Investigation Division.
-What was your first impression when you read the script?
I felt that it was a very entertaining drama. The plot is thrilling and exciting, and it makes the unrealistic element of supernatural powers seem real. Furthermore, I thought that the drama was more balanced by having a realistic and straightforward character like Yamaguchi involved.
--The setting is that the Special Investigation Unit was created at Yamaguchi's suggestion, but what do you think his intentions were when he established it?
I think the reason for founding the organization was because of a strong sense of justice that includes a strong sense of crisis about the horror of supernatural powers and the current situation in which DOPE is rampant, as well as a desire to provide support to those who have taken DOPE.
-The line, "We don't kill the dopers, we arrest them. We need to find out how they are getting the DOPE," is also memorable.
I thought it was a scene that showed that while he had a strong sense of justice, he was looking beyond the current incident. Although he died early (laughs), the axis of the entire work is solidified by depicting a character with "easy-to-understand justice" like Yamaguchi at the beginning. I thought it would be easy for the audience to understand and would be the foundation for the story to progress.
--I felt that Yamaguchi's actions to protect Saiki were typical of him.
I think he also felt a sense of responsibility since he was the one who called Saiki to the Special Investigations Division. However, Saiki could see the future, so I think he should have just run away (laughs). However, I hope that the departure of a person with such strong convictions as Yamaguchi will motivate the remaining members of the Special Investigations Division to "do whatever it takes."
What was it like filming that scene?
The CG team, action team, director, and other staff members all gave me instructions like, "This is how it moves, and the fire will come out here..." and we were shooting without any explanation. When I saw the finished footage, it included CG that I didn't know about on the set, and I was surprised, "The fire feels amazing!"
--Amidst all of this, the shocking ejection of Yamaguchi awaited.
That's right. Yamaguchi dies here, so there's a chance I won't be appearing again. According to producer Hasegawa, I was taken out 18 minutes into the film, and I'd like to protest that I wanted to appear a little longer (laughs). I'd be happy if viewers could keep in the back of their minds the fact that Yamaguchi was a man with a strong sense of justice.
◇ Takahashi Kaito and Tomoya Nakamura have a "friend-like atmosphere"
--What are your impressions of Kaito Takahashi and Tomoya Nakamura?
Watching the two of them filming the promotional video, I felt that they were very close and had a friend-like atmosphere. I also felt that Nakamura-san was watching over Takahashi-kun as an older man. Takahashi-kun is a calm person with a lovely smile. I'm sure that smile brightened the atmosphere on set. It's unfortunate that I wasn't able to spend much time with him.
--The action is also a highlight of this film.
I haven't seen much of it yet, but I've heard rumors that it's pretty tough. So I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds together with the viewers.
--If you could have one supernatural power, what would you want?
It's definitely the "ability to remember lines after reading them just once" (laughs). It gets harder every year to remember them, and I wonder, "Did it really take this long?" I have children at home, so the environment for memorizing has changed, but I still can't concentrate and remember. Also, it would be nice if the lines were displayed in the center of my co-stars' faces like a teleprompter (laughs).
- Please give a message to our viewers.
I myself don't know how it will develop, so I'm looking forward to the broadcast with the same enthusiasm as the viewers. The staff and cast are really wonderful, and I'm sure it will be a great work. I hope you will immerse yourself in the world of "DOPE" and enjoy it with me until the end. I secretly hope that somewhere you will remember that there was a person named Yamaguchi... and that he will appear again somewhere (laughs).
