Kyohei Honda, who appears in the TBS Sunday drama "GIFT" (Sundays at 9 PM) starring actor Shinichi Tsutsumi, plays Keijiro Asatani, a new ace candidate who joins the wheelchair rugby team "Blaze Bulls." Soon after joining the team, Keijiro becomes isolated due to his selfish behavior, but in secret, he practices every day with his father, Reiji (Yasuki Okayasu). Honda says, "This is the first time I've played a character so completely opposite to myself," and we asked him about some behind-the-scenes stories from the filming.
◇I've always wanted to appear on Sunday Theater
The drama follows Wu Tetsuya, a genius astrophysicist played by Tsutsumi, as he solves difficult problems facing the underdog team "Blaze Bulls" from his unique perspective. It's a story of redemption where the team, friends, and family reconnect.
--Could you tell us what your thoughts were about appearing in this film?
First of all, the "Sunday Theater" time slot itself is something I look forward to every season. As a viewer, I was excited to hear that I would be appearing in one of the shows that I always wonder what kind of work will come next. As an actor, it's a drama slot that I've always wanted to appear in, and it was one of my goals.
When I heard that the story was about wheelchair rugby, I read the script and was really impressed by the sheer volume of stage directions (actions, expressions, and settings of the characters other than their lines) and the intensity they conveyed. I thought, "The filming must be pretty intense."
I was really excited to see how it would be adapted into a drama, and I also had high expectations that it would be a new and challenging project for me.
--How do you see Keijiro?
Before joining the Bulls, Keijiro gave the impression of being constantly irritable and snapping at everyone, but in reality, he's a very straightforward and humane person.
I feel that he's someone who has repeatedly experienced moments like quitting basketball, which he was passionate about in high school, or becoming wheelchair-bound after an accident, where he thought, "Okay, I'll look forward and try again," only to hit another wall.
Even so, the way he looks ahead and desperately tries to "grit his teeth and keep going!" is very appealing, and I think it's wonderful that he faces everything with all his might, so I'm trying to portray that aspect of him with care.
--Is there anything in particular you keep in mind when you're acting?
When I was talking with the director about the character's personality, he said, "What are you looking at?!" kind of delinquent-like feeling, and "It's good if his emotions are intense." Especially at the beginning, I was conscious of giving him a slightly menacing look when our eyes met.
-- How did you go about creating Keijiro?
I'd been playing relatively serious roles in a Showa-era setting, so this time, playing a "blonde delinquent" was a huge change of pace (laughs).
I'm the type of person who switches into character by putting on elements of the role, such as the costume, belongings, accessories, and hairstyle, so when I changed to blonde hair and a slightly messy style, I felt like I naturally became Keijiro. Since it was such a completely opposite role, I was able to fully embrace it and feel like "a completely different person," which made it easier and more fun.
-- Do you have anything in common with Keijiro?
We have nothing in common... not at all (laughs). I'm not the type of person who can suddenly declare in front of everyone, "I'm going to be the ace!" and to begin with, I'm really bad at standing out. In fact, I tend to get embarrassed and think, "Please don't look at me," so I'm playing him as an interesting character.
Even when I'm reading the script at home and wondering, "What kind of tone should I use when saying this?", sometimes when I'm actually on set and filming starts, I find myself saying the line naturally. There are times when I have a strange feeling after the director calls "cut," and it makes me realize every day just how passionate Keijiro is.
◇Inspired by Yuki Yamada's playing skills
--What kind of preparations did you make to play the role of a wheelchair rugby player?
On the first day of practice, we received one-on-one instruction from Yasushi Mineshima, an active wheelchair rugby player who is also supervising the drama.
We started with the absolute basics, such as how to get into a rugby wheelchair, how to fasten the seatbelt, and how to put on gloves. We then progressed to actions like propelling the wheels to turn and propelling backward, and gradually moved on to practicing with a ball.
--How was the practice using the ball?
During passing practice, I couldn't even catch the ball, thinking, "How am I supposed to catch this!?"
I also tried some mini-games, but there was so much to think about, like understanding the rules while playing, how to move within the time limit, and how to create a path together with my teammates. Through this preparation period, I felt both the difficulty and the fun of this sport.
--Were there any players whose playing skills inspired you?
This is Yuki Yamada. He plays Ryo Miyashita, the Bulls' ace, and I felt that his chair skills, passing timing, and accuracy were all at a very high level.
Keijiro sees Ryo as a rival and has a strong desire to "definitely surpass him," so when I'm playing Keijiro, I often find myself watching Yamada's play with that same feeling in mind.
--How was the sense of unity within the team?
We had ample time to prepare before filming began, so I feel like the teamwork was already well established from quite early on. Because of that foundation, once filming started, there was a natural sense of teamwork, and I think we were able to realistically portray the process of growth.
--Mr. Honda, I understand you continued practicing kendo during your student days. As filming progresses, are there any aspects that resonate with your own experiences back then?
I was reminded once again of how amazing sports are. I myself dedicated the most time to kendo during my three years of high school, and I feel that the friends I spent such intense time with, including the tough training and the fun times, are a special kind of person, a little different from my classmates and friends.
In this work as well, the bonds that are formed through genuine clashes and the growth of teammates resonated with many of my own thoughts and feelings at the time.
As we continued filming, I felt that the trust between me and the other cast members had grown quite strong and deep, and I realized that the connections forged through sports are truly special.
-- Do you have a message for the viewers?
I hope you'll pay close attention to how the Bulls, a weak team with players whose morale was fragmented, will grow and what kind of team they will become.
And with Keijiro joining the team, how will the team's atmosphere change? It will be fascinating to see how the players feel and how they grow as a result of the arrival of someone with explosive energy who could break the established Bulls atmosphere.
Keijiro, who was a "super" troublemaker when he first joined the team, gradually changes throughout the story, so I hope you'll enjoy watching his growth and the process of the team coming together as one.
