The TV Asahi drama "Reunion ~Silent Truth~" (Tuesdays at 9pm) is currently airing. It is a human love mystery starring Ryoma Takeuchi and co-starring Mao Inoue, Koji Seto, and Daichi Watanabe. We spoke to the four actors who play elementary school classmates in the drama about what it was like on set.
The drama is based on the novel "Reunion" (Kodansha) by Yokoseki Dai, which won the 56th Edogawa Rampo Prize in 2010. The story follows Junichi Hina (played by Takeuchi), a detective who became a detective while still harboring a "secret": that he buried a gun used in a crime under the cherry tree at school during his elementary school days. The story follows his fateful reunion with his classmates, who are now suspects in a murder case involving the gun he once buried.
--At the press conference the other day, the atmosphere between the four of you was like that of real classmates, with you exchanging jokes. Is there anything you keep in mind when acting?
Takeuchi: I don't really have anything in particular in mind.
Inoue: Since this is a "reunion" after everyone has gone through their own lives, I don't think it's necessary for them to be in perfect sync. I'm trying to convey the feeling that they have fun when they get together, while still maintaining a good sense of tension.
Takeuchi: The director carefully adjusted that aspect. He also instructed us to "have fun," and I think that by varying the pace, it somehow seems like they're classmates, even though they're different ages.
--What kind of things do you talk about on set?
Inoue: Basically, Ryoma is the one teasing Seto (laughs).
Watanabe: The exchange was so funny.
Takeuchi: Seto is funny.
Seto: I'm not kidding at all (laughs)? It's very cool.
Inoue: I learned today that Seto is such an interesting person (laughs).
Takeuchi: This was my first time working with Seto, but he's charming, has a baby face, and a cool voice. I think that the fact that you can't tell what's "real" and that contrast is what makes him so appealing.
Seto: Just like the character Keisuke that I play, I don't know which one is true (laughs).
Watanabe: Of the three, Seto is the most mysterious. He's someone who will tell you anything, but the fact that he seems mysterious is a little scary (laughs).
Seto: I feel the exact same way about Daichi (Watanabe). I wonder what's behind that smile... (laughs).
--Please tell us what we can look forward to in the future.
Inoue: Keisuke is bad at lying, and his weaknesses keep coming out.
Seto: But maybe that was just a lie (acting) on his part. I hope you'll look forward to finding out what the truth is.
Takeuchi: Junichi, the character I play, has a "routine" that he always does throughout the play, and it might be interesting to think about what it means!
