Actors Kaho and Takeuchi Ryoma co-star in the TBS Tuesday drama "Jaa, Anta ga Tsukutte Miro yo It" (Tuesdays at 10pm). Actors Maehara Mizuki and Kyoka play the roles of Katsuo (Takeuchi)'s (Takeuchi) junior colleagues who are good confidants. Maehara plays Shirasaki Rui, who is moved by Katsuo's struggles in the kitchen to understand Ayumi's (Kaho) feelings, and teaches him the joys and ingenuity of cooking. Meanwhile, Kyoka plays Minamigawa Amina, whose sharp observations help Katsuo realize things he hadn't seen before. We spoke to Maehara and Kyoka about their impressions of Takeuchi and some stories from the set.
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The story is based on the manga of the same name by Natsuko Taniguchi, which is currently being serialized in the digital comic magazine Comic Tanto (Bunkasha). Yamagishi Ayumi, who always puts her lover first, and Ebihara Katsuo, a patriarchal man who believes that "it's only natural for a woman to cook," have been dating since their university days. After they started living together, Katsuo proposed marriage, but Ayumi's response was an unexpected "no way." Through cooking, Katsuo reexamines the things he took for granted and grows as a person.
-What were your impressions after reading the script?
Maehara: I read the original manga first, and it was really interesting, so I was wondering what kind of script it would be. When I actually read the script that arrived, it had all the fun of the manga, but also added the very powerful feel that (scriptwriter) Ando (Kei) has. I enjoy reading the script every time it arrives.
Kyoka: I also read the original manga. The conversations have a light-hearted tempo, and the script is very carefully written, depicting sudden differences in values and changes. I thought the character Minamigawa also brought these "differences" to light, so I found him very interesting.
--How do you play Shirasaki and Minamigawa?
Maehara: Shirasaki is someone who gives Katsuo a push, rather than supporting him. So I don't think it's right to be too kind to him, so I'm making him a little mean and sarcastic, while being conscious of the balance with Minamigawa, and I'm creating the role while discussing it with the directors. I'm trying to act each time while trying to find a way to maintain a good distance, rather than being a clingy junior.
Kyoka: Minamigawa clearly expresses his opinions, but he's not a strong character at all. He's also sensitive and able to sense other people's reactions. I try to keep a balance between not being too pushy and maintaining the energy to get the situation moving. And then there's the sense of tempo. I always pay attention to the sharpness when the three of us talk, and the words I use to make the situation more exciting.
-Is there any scene that left an impression on you?
Maehara: In episode 5, there's a scene where everyone makes chicken tempura for Katsuo's older brother (Takashi Tsukamoto, who plays Ebihara Takahiro). In the original work, it's a scene with just Katsuo, Shirasaki, and Minamigawa, but in the drama, Ayumi and Minato (Yuzu Aoki) join in, and when I first read the script, I was surprised and said, "Oh really!" In the original work, they don't meet at that moment, so I was happy to be able to act together. I also found the awkward situation of Senpai's ex-girlfriend and current boyfriend being in the same place interesting.
Kyoka: For me it was the scene in episode 4 where Minamigawa invites Katsuo out for drinks. Minamigawa himself has undergone a change, and when he notices this in Katsuo he is happy. When you bend your values you may feel rebellious or angry, but it made me realise that people can change by facing that feeling head on, and it was an important scene for me too.
--The interactions between Katsuo, Shirasaki, and Minamigawa at the office are very memorable, but what was the atmosphere like on set?
Maehara: Takeuchi-kun is always powerful and always stirring things up on set (laughs), so it's really fun. I always look forward to what Takeuchi-kun will do today. However, sometimes he's so funny that I struggle to contain my laughter, and there have been times when I've had to make a NG (laughs).
Kyoka: They really do try to make us laugh (laughs). But the more they talk, the closer the three of them become, so I hope that this atmosphere is conveyed through the video.
--Shirasaki's character loves cooking, while Minamigawa is not good at cooking, so please tell us about how you two cook at home.
Maehara-san: I make what I eat to survive and fill my stomach. If it's delicious, all the better, that's about it (laughs). Lately, I've become obsessed with pickled vegetables, as they're very easy to make and provide nutrition.
Kyoka: I don't do it that often... I make it for special occasions, like "I'm going to make this today."
Maehara: I guess that means I won't (laughs).
Kyoka: I can relate to Minamikawa's unique values. He's not a coke highballer, but he does have some preferences, like wanting to drink his favorite alcohol.
-Have you been surprised recently to learn that it's not something you take for granted?
Maehara: The other day, for the first time in my life, I couldn't sleep. The day before a shoot, I went to bed quite early, but I couldn't sleep as much as I wanted, and it was already time to wake up. I'm not good at staying up all night, and I thought I wouldn't perform well if I didn't get enough sleep, so I was surprised that I was able to stay in good spirits.
--Do you think you'll be able to overcome any sleepless moments in the future?
Maehara: I was just about ready to go without sleep for a day (laughs). Of course, I like to sleep and I go to bed early, but I was surprised to find that I can still be energetic without sleep.
Kyoka: Until now, I thought I was a night owl. I felt like I could get work done more efficiently and it suited me. However, recently, I've been getting up early for a lot of shoots, so I've been getting up early even on days other than shoots. On those days, I feel like my performance improves, or I feel better, so I'm starting to think that maybe I'm actually a morning person (laughs).
Maehara: Do you go running?
Kyoka: It was so hot this summer that I couldn't run much, but I kept myself moving by doing yoga and Pilates.
--Please tell us the highlights of episode 6 and give a message to the viewers.
Maehara: The arrows have started moving without him realizing it, and Shirasaki is feeling uneasy. I hope you'll look forward to the developments that will make you wonder if the three people who were thought to be on the same level are actually getting ahead of each other. Please also pay attention to the relationship between Katsuo and Ayumi.
Kyoka: I think it's a drama that, while you're laughing while watching, will have moments that make you stop and think, "That's true." It may shake up the values you take for granted and give you an opportunity to reexamine yourself. Minamigawa himself is constantly "updated," so I hope you'll enjoy seeing those changes.
