With an acting career spanning over 20 years, comedian Takemasa Tsukaji of the comedy duo "Drunk Dragon" has made a name for himself in numerous TV dramas. He joined the popular drama "Emergency Interrogation Room" (TV Asahi, Thursdays at 9pm) midway through the season, playing the role of detective Tamagaki Matsuo, affectionately known as "Tama-chan." With the fifth and final season now airing, we spoke to him about his thoughts on the show and how he balances his work as a comedian and actor.
◇ Received a "scolding" from Yuki Amami
"Everyone else except me had been a member from the beginning and we had a strong sense of unity. To be honest, I felt a lot of pressure joining in the middle of the group. What's more, I was taking over from Ren Osugi, so I had to be even more determined."
The series depicts the psychological battle between the Yuki Amami), and violent criminals. Tamagaki, played by Tsukaji, appeared in the third season in 2019, replacing Zenjiro Nakata, played by the late Ren Osugi.
"We were scheduled to play the roles of boss and subordinate in another production that would have been realized if Osugi-san were still alive. So when I heard about this role, I felt like I was being handed the baton by Osugi-san. There was pressure, but I thought I should give it a try."
He says he can't forget what Amami said when he first arrived at the set under pressure.
"He said to me, 'Thank you for taking on the role.' I think there were some conflicts about me taking over for Osugi-san, but I never expected to hear such words, so it really touched me. I wanted to live up to his expectations, and I acted with the hope that my presence would add a different angle to the story."
The welcoming atmosphere on set was warmer than I had imagined.
"The atmosphere is really friendly. Even though they are my seniors, Fumiyo Kohinata and Denden are very frank and don't seem intimidating at all. My first conversation with Kohinata was, 'Tsukaji, do you use a washlet?' (laughs). From that point on, I felt like I was naturally included in the group."
It's a fun set, but there are times when the leader, Amami, "closes things up."
"Amami and the other cast members have a relationship like that of a teacher and student. Even when they are chatting before filming, the moment Amami says, 'Let's go,' the atmosphere on set instantly tightens up. I think the tension in the drama is only possible because of Amami's presence."
I was even scolded by Amami-san.
"There was a scene where I had to hand over the 'conclusive evidence' to Amami-san, and while I was waiting, I had an Umaibo (snack food) and nibbled on it. Then, there was powder on my fingers, and she lovingly retorted, 'You've eaten an Umaibo, haven't you?' (laughs)"
◇I thought, "The future is still bright."
He has two roles as a comedian and an actor, but says he "doesn't switch between the two."
"I don't feel like I have to flip a switch. Both jobs coexist within me. It's like comedy and acting live together in the same house. If comedy is my friend, then acting is my friend's friend. If it weren't for comedy, I wouldn't have come into contact with acting, so I value both."
He says that being true to himself means working as both a comedian and an actor without leaning too much towards either.
"While many people tend to lean towards one side or the other, I think it's rare to be able to balance things well, even if it means bragging. I think that's what makes me unique, so I'd like to continue to do both in the future."
In the "Emergency Interrogation Room," I was encouraged and learned from the example of my senior colleagues.
"I'm 53 years old, and on sets where there are a lot of young people, I've been playing more father roles. But in ' Emergency Interrogation Room,' I'm surrounded by older seniors and I'm a youngster (laughs). Seeing my older seniors having fun and working seriously made me feel like the future is still bright, and that I want to be like them in the future."
"Even when I talk to young people, I don't put up any barriers. On the other hand, when we're filming, I'm very clear about the differences. I think it's because of this kind of atmosphere that we can create good works that will last for a long time. I would like to be the kind of person who can create a set like that," he said with a smile.
