Natsume Towa is making her first appearance in the NHK morning drama "Bakeke" (General TV, Monday to Saturday 8:00 AM and other times) starring Takaishi Akari, playing the role of Kuma, a maid for the Matsuno family. She spoke about the behind-the-scenes story of her audition for "Bakeke" and her impression of the Kuma she plays.
◇How did you feel when you were chosen to play the role of a bear?
Natsume says that her first audition for a leading role in a morning drama was for "Bakeke." "Many of the actors I've worked with before are also appearing in this production, so even before it aired I had heard that filming would be fun, and I'd always wanted to be in it," she reveals.
"Once the show started airing, I was captivated by its warmth and humor. It depicts the process of how Skip was created, and while there aren't any major events, there is growth and discovery in everyday life, and I love how it's filled with both joy and sadness. It's not like it's about being grateful for everyday life, but it just comforts you. I think that's great about it."
When he was chosen to play the role of the bear, he recalls, "I was so happy that my 'happy meter' shorted out and I remained calm, and it was only after a while that the shock and happiness finally began to well up within me."
"I played volleyball in the audition for the role of Kuma, but I completely messed up the simple rules. Maybe that's what overlapped with the Kuma's slightly absent-minded personality (laughs)."
◇ "I love how cute the Kumamoto dialect is"
Natsume plays Kuma, a maid at the Matsuno household. She is a hard worker who single-handedly supports Toki and the other ibises' lives in Kumamoto... but sometimes she tries too hard.
He explains about Kuma, "Kuma is a dedicated boy who is full of love for everyone in the Matsuno family."
"I'm not angry because I'm angry, but because I have a strong sense of duty as a maid. My sulky expression is also because I want to be of service to these people so strongly, so I hope that viewers can understand that. When no one is watching, I also have a happy side, humming "fufufu" as I work."
From Kuma's perspective, Tsukasasuke (played by Okabe Takashi) is "the easiest person to talk to in the Matsuno family." Natsume said, "That's why I think I can be a little forceful with him. Kuma is often next to Tsukasasuke. In the scene where Tsukasasuke gives me a scrunched up face, I tried giving him a scrunched up face back, so please pay attention."
Natsume also said that among the Kumamoto dialect words used by bears, "I like the cute words 'batten' and 'tai'."
"I'm from Saitama and don't have a dialect, so I'd like to use the Kumamoto dialect even in my private life. However, the part where the line is just 'sogyan' was difficult, so we filmed several different versions. I'm looking forward to watching the broadcast to see which 'sogyan' will be used."
◇What was the atmosphere like on set?
Regarding the atmosphere on set, she revealed, "I was worried about whether I would fit in since I joined from the Kumamoto episode, but everyone welcomed me so warmly that I wondered, 'Was I actually there?'"
"Ikewaki Chizuru would talk to me a lot, calling me 'Tohwa-chan, Tohwa-chan,' and Takaishi Akari treated me as if we had been working together for months. I had trouble putting on my geta sandals during the scene in the courtyard that we shot on the first day, but Akari changed the position of my geta so that it went smoothly and suggested my position to the director. I'm still filming with a warm and cozy feeling."
She continued, "Hidaka Yukito, who played Masaki, and Sugita Rairin, who played Takeru, talked to me a lot. I think that's why we created an atmosphere of being of the same generation." She recalled, "This is my second time acting with Okabe Takashi, since the drama 'Shinjuku Field Hospital.' In that case, I also played a character who was very harsh on Okabe's character, so I felt like I was always sorry..." she said with a laugh.
"By the way, in the scene where the bear sings 'Where are you?', the lyrics and melody I remembered were all messed up! I realized during the test that maybe it was different from what the others were saying, so I quickly checked. The order of 'boil it, bake it, eat it' was reversed, so I ate it first and then baked it."
Regarding the highlights of the Kumamoto edition, he said, "The wonderful atmosphere and fun of the Matsue edition will continue in the upcoming Kumamoto edition."
"Please look forward to the Matsuno family becoming even more lively with the addition of Kuma, Masaki, and Takeru. Just as I was warmly welcomed, Kuma has also been warmly welcomed into the Matsuno family, so I think everyone watching will be able to start their day with a little more kindness. I'll do my best in the Kumamoto episode as well!"
