The film "Chaser Game W: A Fish-on-Water Relationship," starring Yuka Sugai plays Tsuki, the middle school-aged daughter of Itsuki (Sugai) and Fuyuame (Nakamura). We spoke to the 14-year-old positive girl, who, like her character, is known for being "incredibly cheerful" in real life.
◇The reason I was able to get into the role so easily
"Chaser Game W: A Fateful Encounter" is a film adaptation of the "Chaser Game W" series, a drama that delicately portrays the realities of the gaming industry and same-sex relationships between women, starring Sugai and Nakamura. It tells the story of Itsuki (Sugai) and Fuyuame (Nakamura) seven years later, who have changed their relationship from lovers to family and chosen to walk together. Centered on same-sex relationships, it is a girls' love story that carefully weaves together the joys and pains of "loving someone."
Okamoto, who will be playing the role of Tsuki, was born on October 13, 2011, and is a 14-year-old from Osaka Prefecture. Last year, she played the eldest daughter of Kentaro ( Fumiya Takahashi) and Meiko (Nanoka Hara ) in the NHK morning drama " Asadora , " starring Mio Imada . She was also selected as "Miss Seventeen 2025" in the exclusive model audition for the teen media "Seventeen" (Shueisha), and is currently working as a Seventeen model.
Okamoto described the character she played, Tsuki, as "a bright, energetic, and curious girl, like the sun. She can read the atmosphere of a situation and act accordingly."
Okamoto, who has a naturally cheerful personality, said that she could relate to Tsuki because they are the same age, and that this allowed her to "get into the role smoothly."
"This movie is like 'peeking into a family's life,' so I focused on acting naturally on set. I considered the way I delivered my lines, my actions, my facial expressions, and how they connected to the next scene, and just tried to be as natural as possible. Tsuki and I have some similar personalities, and I could relate to her tendency to leave her summer homework unfinished, so I think I was able to play the role well."
Regarding the family environment in which Tsuki is placed, she took a positive view, saying, "Having two mothers sounds kind of fun."
"I think it would be fun because she could borrow cosmetics from both of her mothers and wear hand-me-down clothes from them."
◇A typical 14-year-old? Her charm point is her eyebrows.
In real life, Okamoto often takes a rebellious stance towards her mother. In the drama, there is a scene where Tsuki, who is generally a well-behaved and obedient child, refuses to listen to Itsuki, and Okamoto says, "I think I have some similarities to her."
"That's why my mom calls it a 'rebellious phase.' When she tells me to 'study' or 'clean up,' I turn my face away or ignore her. And sometimes I talk back to her, which can escalate into a fight."
In a way, Okamoto is a "typical 14-year-old," and apparently she's also the type who talks a lot.
"Perhaps it's because I was born in the Kansai region, but ever since I was little, there have been a lot of funny kids around me, and I myself love to chat. I think being in an environment where someone would make a joke and someone else would respond with a witty retort has had an influence, and since I love to talk, I'd like to try hosting an event someday."
As mentioned earlier, Okamoto, who is also a Seventeen model, has eyebrows as her most charming feature.
"Even when I hide them with my bangs, they're so prominent that you can see through them (laughs). Wherever I go, people often tell me, 'You have nice eyebrows.'"
She also said with excitement that she finds "everything" about her work as a Seventeen model enjoyable.
"I'm close with the six of us who were also 'Miss Seventeen 2025,' and everyone at the editorial department talks to me like a friend, so the set feels like a second school. We have so many things in common to talk about, so I really feel like I'm experiencing my youth."
On the other hand, the actress she looks up to is Hana Hana Sugisaki.
"I really wish I could be that natural, and I really admire Ms. Sugisaki; I hope that someday I can become an actress who can act as naturally as she does."
