Ryo Yoshizawa plays the role of Yuichi Nishikori, Matsue's most brilliant young man, in the NHK morning drama "Bakeke" (General TV, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and other times), starring Akari Takaishi. He spoke about his feelings about the long-term filming of the morning drama and his thoughts about playing Nishikori.
Nishikori, played by Yoshizawa, is Matsue's most brilliant student and is nicknamed "Daibanjaku." He works as an English teacher at Matsue Junior High School and supports Heaven (Tommy Bastow), who has come to Matsue as a foreign teacher. He also becomes acquainted with Toki (Takaishi) through a strange connection and becomes deeply involved with him.
Regarding the long-term filming of the morning drama, Yoshizawa said, "Nishikori has a lot of scenes, but I am still supported by the fact that there is a heroine who has it even harder than me (laughs). I've been having a lot of fun."
"The heroine, Takaishi Akari, is a heroine even when the cameras aren't rolling, and has a very mature demeanor. She also has a very pure side to her, so we all feel we have to support her, but in the end, it's her who supports us. When filming continues, there are inevitably difficult moments, but Takaishi, who should be the one having the hardest time, is the one who seems to be having the most fun on set. I think that this has saved many cast and staff members."
Regarding the character he plays, Nishikori, he says, "I feel like with each episode, his clumsiness, humanity and cuteness come out."
"In fact, during the fourth week, when Nishikori was still in Tokyo, I was conscious of portraying the height of the feeling of being a great leader. He had yet to take the teacher qualification exam, and he was brimming with pride and confidence in being called a great leader, and he had come to Tokyo with the desire to change Japan. I acted while being conscious of that fierceness and the composure of a great leader."
Regarding his acting after that, he revealed, "He failed the exam and returned to Matsue at the invitation of the prefectural governor, where he works while hiding his educational background.Even though he has a passion for education, he feels a sense of guilt about being in a place where he shouldn't be, so I tried to portray the feeling of taking a step back from everything."
Regarding his relationship with Nishikori's friend Shoda, played by Hama Masago, he explains, "To Nishikori, Shoda is something of a complex."
"Before the entrance exams, Nishikori was said to be 'rock solid' and Shoda was 'a little less than half solid', but one test result reversed their positions. I hope to portray the exquisite distance between these two who are also friends. In front of the students of Matsue Junior High, he tries hard to maintain his status as rock solid, so he speaks a little lower than usual, but there are times when even that seems to be in vain. Nishikori's clumsiness is apparent, and it feels like the students are gradually picking up on it. I think I'm getting to play a great character."
