Hama Shogo plays Shoda Takichi, an English teacher at Matsue Junior High School, in the NHK morning drama "Bakeke" (NHK General TV, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and other times), starring Takaishi Akari. Hama, who celebrated his 10th anniversary as an actor last year, spoke to us about his impression of Shoda, who he said "has become a better person" while acting, the work that was a turning point for him, and his outlook for the future.
◇What are the similarities between you and Shoda?
Shoda, played by Hama, is a brilliant student in Matsue and a friend of Yuichi Nishikori (Ryo Yoshizawa). Compared to Nishikori, who is known as a "master of the craft," Shoda describes himself as "a little less than half as good." He takes over as Nishikori's English teacher at Matsue Junior High School. In episode 85 (broadcast January 30), he proposed to Toki's (Takaishi) best friend, Sawa (Wan Marui), but his wish was not fulfilled.
Regarding Shoda, Hama revealed, "He's a bit of a natural, which is similar to me."
"He's a very pure-hearted man, but with the encouragement of Otoki and Heaven (Tommy Bastow), he has the drive to propose to Osawa. When I first read the script, I couldn't quite grasp who he was, but as I read on, I realised that it was because he's such a straightforward person that he would act in this way."
When it came to playing Shoda, he explained, "I thought it would be best not to try and create a character. I thought kindness is something that you can't really bring out no matter how much you try to fake it."
"As I was thinking about how to play Shoda, I felt like my own character was getting better and better (laughs). Up until now, I'd interpreted the script in a different way and thought, 'Maybe I should play him like this,' so I'd been very twisted... It was really refreshing for me. I'd almost never played such a straightforward character... Up until now, I'd often played characters who commit crimes, so my face had started to look like that (laughs). So, it was a really good opportunity for me."
◇Looking back on his 10 years as an actor
Hama made his acting debut in 2015 and celebrated his 10th anniversary last year. He gained popularity for his role as Yoimachi Touma/Lupin Blue in the special effects drama "Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger" (TV Asahi), which began airing in 2018, and has since steadily built his career.
When asked about the work that marked a turning point for Hama as an actor, he mentioned the 2022 NHK drama "Futari wa Koisenu."
"Futari wa Koisenu" is a comedy about the cohabitation of an "aromantic asexual" man and woman who have no romantic feelings for others and are not sexually attracted to others. Hama plays Matsuoka Hajime, a coworker and ex-boyfriend of the main character, Kodama Sakiko, played by Kishii Yukino.
"Before appearing in this production, I had mostly guest appearances or roles with only one line. I got my first major role through the audition, and was able to watch Kishii-san and Takahashi Issei-san's acting up close, which taught me that something new can be born on set. This production taught me the importance of actors taking an active role in order to improve the production."
He says that over the past 10 years, "it feels like I've been constantly going through trial and error." "I don't know how I've grown or what I've changed. I think what I feel is ultimately just self-satisfaction... I wonder what everyone else thinks of me," he says, voicing his true, anxious feelings.
"I don't do much ego searching these days. There's too much information, so I don't want to be able to concentrate on the scene, and I don't want any noise... But I think it's about time I started doing some ego searching (laughs). I'm still a little curious about what people think of me, so I hope people will watch 'Bakeke' and tweet lots on X."
Hama says it was "fun" to play the pure Shoda. "I had a bittersweet time in 'Bakeke', so I wanted to try my hand at a pure love story," he says with a laugh.
"I've appeared in twisted love stories before, but this was my first time in a straightforward love story. I've often played so-called villains, so I hope that this will be the start of more pure roles (laughs). Of course I like twisted things, and playing a villain is fun, but I would also like to try roles I've never played before. I'll be trying out various roles... my journey as an actor is still far from over," he said, looking ahead.
