Kanichiro plays Ginjiro, the husband of the heroine Toki (played by Akari Takaishi ) in the NHK morning drama " Bakebake " (General TV, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and other times). This is Kanichiro's first appearance in an Asadora, and Kanichiro spoke about how he felt when he received the offer, the appeal of the role, and his impressions of Takaishi and the other members of the Matsuno family.
◇ Surprised at the offer to appear in the Asadora
"Bakebake" is based on the story of Koizumi Setsu, the daughter of a fallen samurai from Matsue, and her husband Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn), and depicts the heroine, who loves ghost stories, going about her everyday life with her foreign husband. The script is written by Fujiki Mitsuhiko, who has worked on NHK's "Asagaya Sisters' Relaxed Life" and WOWOW's "Shooting Break Series."
Ginjiro, played by Kanichiro, is Toki's first husband. Born as the second son of a poor foot soldier in Inaba, Tottori Prefecture, he grew up in extreme poverty. Under the strict upbringing of his father, he continued to live the life of a samurai, even as times changed. He was arranged to marry Toki and became a son-in-law to the Matsuno family. His hobbies are Joruri and ghost stories.
When asked how he felt when he was chosen to appear in the show, Kanichiro revealed, "I thought, 'No way.' I thought Asadora were national programs that people watched in their living rooms in Japan, so I never thought I would be able to appear in Asadora."
"The character I play, Ginjiro, joins the Matsuno family as Toki's husband. I think that viewers of ' Bakebake' probably know that Toki and Ginjiro will break up later. Even so, I want to be a beloved character that makes people think, 'Wouldn't it have been nice if I'd been with this person and stayed with them forever?'"
In the 10th episode (broadcast on October 10th), Toki and Ginjiro met for the first time at an arranged marriage meeting. Looking back on this scene, Kanichiro said, "In my mind, in this first arranged marriage meeting scene, Ginjiro falls in love with Toki."
"At first, I thought that Ginjiro would marry into the Matsuno family because that was the plan, and that he would have to endure all the injustice that comes his way, but he really does love her, and even after they get married he works hard to protect Toki. I think he's a kind and honest person. I want to always be honest in my work and with people, so that his sincerity, his feelings for her, and his pure side can be seen without any falsehood."
◇What is your impression of Akari Takaishi and the Matsuno family cast?
Regarding his impression of Takaishi, who plays Toki, Kanichiro says, "She has a lightness to her, as if she has been rid of unnecessary tension and pressure."
"When I act with her, I feel that she has a strong core. Otoki-chan, played by Takaishi-san, also has a strong core, and I think that's what drew Ginjiro to her."
Regarding the members of the Matsuno family, he said, "Everyone in the Matsuno family is funny, and I think it's because of the Matsuno family that the acting on set goes beyond the script."
"Ginjiro is in conflict with Kan'emon, but the actor Kohinata is so charming that he has a gentleness that makes it hard to be upset even when he's treated badly (laughs)."
Regarding the highlights of the drama, he commented, "As the Edo period changes to the Meiji period, Ginjiro and Otoki-chan live in the gap between these two eras. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of person Ginjiro will become as he finds his own way of life and seeks 'freedom'."
"Also, knowing that he will break up with Toki-chan, how will Ginjiro come to be loved by the viewers? What I find difficult about acting is that it would be fine if there was just one bad thing about Ginjiro, but there is really nothing I don't like about him (laughs). Ginjiro is such a good person that it pains me to play him, so I hope you will also watch that aspect of him."