Yuzu Aoki appears in the film "Magical Secret Tour" (directed by Chihiro Amano), starring Kasumi Arimura. Just last week, the film "NEW GROUP" (starring Anna Yamada), in which she played a main role, was released. Aoki is one of those actors who doesn't give viewers a fixed image of her, showing a different side of herself with each project. "I don't want to show too much of my own personality, I just want to work according to the role," Aoki revealed, and we spoke to her about it.
◇The director said, "Just like Aoki-san when he's talking normally."
The film is an original work inspired by a real-life incident in 2017 in which housewives were arrested at Chubu Centrair International Airport for "gold smuggling." It depicts how three women who seem far removed from crime meet by chance and deepen their bond as companions through gold smuggling. Arimura plays Wakako, a mother of two who learns of her husband's embezzlement and subsequent dismissal; Kuroki Haru plays Kiyoe, a researcher with 6 million yen in debt; and Sara Minami plays Mayu, an unmarried pregnant woman with no savings. Akihisa Shiono and Saito Takumi also appear in the film.
Regarding the film, Aoki said, "It's a story about a very fleeting encounter. But I also thought it was an incredibly exciting story."
"The combination of Arimura-san, Kuroki-san, and Minami-san, and the sparkle that comes through on screen, were very impressive. I thought it was an exciting and thrilling story. I also felt that it was doubly interesting because it was an original script based on a true story by director Amano."
Aoki played Shiina, Kiyoe's junior who was promised a bright future.
"He's a highly capable elite, but he doesn't flaunt it. He's passionate about his work and has won awards, but that's not his main goal. He grew up in a very privileged environment, and while he has a broad mind and a gentle nature, I found his indifference to the value of material things and his lack of attachment to them to be very appealing."
Director Amano asked me to act "like Aoki-san when she's talking normally."
"I think there are many different sides to me, so I tried to create the character by comparing it to my usual self, but I understood what the director was saying, so it was a big hint. When playing a role, there is always a point of comparison, like myself, so I often have opportunities to re-examine myself, but this time I played Shiina in a neutral way."
◇Although he is often described as "colorless and transparent" or a "chameleon actor"...
Aoki has appeared in numerous dramas and films. His role as "Minato-kun" in the October 2017 drama "Jaa, Anta ga Tsukutte Miro yo It" (TBS) also garnered attention. Because he shows a different side of himself in each project, he is often called "colorless and transparent" or a "chameleon actor," but he remains remarkably calm, saying, "I see it as proof that I haven't yet solidified my identity."
"I don't particularly think of myself as a 'chameleon,' and I really do get to change a lot depending on the costumes and makeup, but I think being able to work without being limited by my image is something I should cherish as one of my characteristics."
Recently, she has had two films released in quick succession: "Magical Secret Tour" and "NEW GROUP." Furthermore, she has other upcoming projects such as "Blue Lock" (released August 7th) and "Satoko wa Itsumo" (released September 18th), and her continued success is highly anticipated.
"I understand the feelings of these characters, and I'm confident that I can approach the role with a broad perspective. However, I also feel that I'm simply fortunate to be given the opportunity to play various roles, so I hope to avoid expressing my own ego too much and simply focus on the role."
