It has been announced that the eight main cast members, including lead actor Yo Oizumi and heroine Aoi Miyazaki, of the TV drama series "A Little Esper" (TV Asahi, Tuesdays at 9pm), which will have its final episode on December 16th, have wrapped up filming.
Oizumi, who led the team as the main character and was also a mood maker on set, said, "It was a stormy filming period, but I was proud that everyone I met said, 'That drama was amazing.' I think we could start filming (the sequel) again from next month, and I'm fully prepared to do so, so let's all get together again!" He showed his enthusiasm for the reunion.
Miyazaki, who appeared in a commercial TV drama series for the first time in 13 years, broke down in tears and said, "It was so much fun! I felt the love of all the staff, and although I was sad that it was ending from the day I started, I had a great time." At the end, she smiled through her tears as she was surrounded by thunderous applause.
Dean Fujioka, who showed new horizons as the "idiot boy" in his super high-energy acting, commented with a smile, "I'm glad I got to play Sakurasuke, and it's really the best thing that I was able to run through to the end with this cast. Thank you for these precious days that will continue to bloom in my heart forever!"
Takumi Kitamura, who plays an important character in the story, said, "I was still filming the Asadora' Anpan' when we were shooting the first episode... and when I watched it again recently, I realized that I was still in the role of (Anpan) at that time (laughs)! Seeing my senior colleagues working hard every day despite their packed schedules, I thought they were heroes!"
◇ Cast comments after filming (titles omitted)
▽Yo Oizumi
Thank you everyone! It was a whirlwind three months and ten days of filming. Even in the midst of all the difficulties, the staff never let the quality drop, and it was entertaining for everyone to watch, so I was proud that everyone I met said, "That drama was amazing." It was fun being with everyone in Bit5, I loved having takoyaki parties, and it was fun when the Young3 came along; they were such a wonderful cast. And I'm so grateful to Nogi-san for the script, which gave me so many lines that are like treasures! I'm really excited to start filming (the sequel) again next month, so let's all get together again! Thank you everyone for your hard work! Thank you!
▽ Aoi Miyazaki
It was so much fun! I felt the love of all the staff, and although I was sad that it was ending from the day I checked in, I had a really fun time. It was fun being able to talk with everyone as Shiki-chan, and I'll be sad to think that I won't be able to do that anymore, but I'm happy to think that the staff will be able to get some good rest without having to set an alarm clock. Dean said that he "aims to be the third Yo Oizumi," so I'll work hard to become the second Yo Oizumi (lol)! Thank you very much!
▽Dean Fujioka
We worked hard every day with this cast, and I'm happy that we were able to wrap up filming together. The role of Sakurasuke is one I haven't played recently, and there were some delicate parts, but I think the kind words and consideration everyone gave me helped the flower that is Sakurasuke to bloom. I'm glad I got to play Sakurasuke, and being able to run through to the end with this cast is truly the best thing I can say. Thank you for these precious days that will continue to bloom forever in my heart!
▽ Takumi Kitamura
I was still filming "Anpan" when the first episode was being shot... but when I watched it again recently, I realized I was still in character at that time (laughs)! I've been through some tough times, so I'm glad that my next drama will be on this set. Seeing my great seniors tackling filming every day despite their packed schedules, I thought they were "heroes"! I'm looking forward to seeing you all again.
▽ Atsuko Takahata
Thank you all so much for your hard work! The lead actor, Oizumi-san, said some really funny things despite having such a busy schedule... (laughs). If I can be of any help, I'd love to work with you again!
▽Shohei Uno
I was taken care of by both Sasuke and me. (When it was my turn to film and I was called) at first I was called "Hanzo-san and Sasuke please!", but towards the end I was called "Sasuke-san and Hanzo please!" (laughs). It was fun working with everyone, and I was really happy to be able to work with Oizumi-san in a script by Nogi (Akiko)-san!
▽ Niihara Taisuke
I turned 25 during the filming of this movie, and I thought it was the best start to my 25th year. I was really happy. I was happy to have been able to act passionately with the wonderful cast, including my dad (Dean). I will continue to work hard so that I can work with you again.
▽Mukairi Yuka
Thank you so much to everyone for your hard work. Even though we had our worries on set, we had a lot of fun and came to filming every day. I'm sad that it's over. I hope to see you again!
