Goro Kishitani is appearing in the TBS Friday drama "Takusari Brothers" (Fridays at 10 PM). He plays Shunta Koike, a detective in the same violent crimes division of the Aomori Police Station as Makoto Takusari (Masaki Okada). Koike was previously in charge of the "Takusari Family Murder Case," in which Makoto and Minoru's (Shota Sometani) parents were murdered. There are many puzzling aspects to Koike's actions, and viewers are divided on whether he is an enemy or an ally of the brothers. We asked Kishitani about his impression of Koike and the highlights of the drama's final episodes.
◇ "I'll go to the set without deciding too much about what role I'll play."
The drama follows Detective Makoto and Medical Examiner Minoru as they investigate heinous crimes that occur daily and pursue the true culprit in the murder of two parents, a case that reached its statute of limitations just two days before the abolition of the statute of limitations.
--Please tell us your impressions when you first read the script.
First of all, I thought the title was interesting. Producer Junko Arai said she was inspired by the real-life name "Takusari," and that its sound and rarity provided the inspiration for the work. It certainly has an unforgettable impact once you hear it.
The script itself is very appealing in its structure. As I read it, I was drawn in more and more. I don't read it from the beginning as if I were playing my own character; I first approach the entire work as a single piece of literature, and I found it genuinely interesting, thinking, "This is really fascinating."
With its new plot developments and mystery-solving elements, the script naturally draws your attention back to the reader, making it a type of work that is "already interesting to read."
Afterwards, when I reconsidered my role, I decided to go into filming without deciding too much about "what position I would take." I felt it was important to be immersed in the violent crimes team, so I decided not to fixate on a role and instead try to find the best balance in each moment.
--How have you portrayed the character of Koike up to this point?
Thanks to the script, I naturally feel like I'm "becoming Koike." There's a scene in 1995 where the case the brothers are investigating took place, so I thought a bit about how to handle that time jump. In particular, I'm the only one in the violent crimes division who plays both the past and present, so I was conscious of how to connect those events.
Also, there are scenes where she interacts with her siblings in their childhood, so I think the innocent Koike of that time is quite different from the Koike of today who has gained various experiences.
I believe that being a police officer, in particular, is a profession that involves constantly confronting the misfortunes and suffering of others, and I am always conscious of that. The existence of my siblings is one aspect of that. I want to cherish the core values that led me to choose the path of a police officer, while never forgetting that background.
--Mr. Okada, what are your impressions of Mr. Someya?
This was the first time I'd met the two of them, but we had a script reading before filming began. When the members of the Aomori Police Station gathered, Okada-kun came in first, followed by Sho-chan (Someya-san), and their hairstyles were so similar that I thought, "They must be real brothers!" (laughs).
Just seeing the two of them standing side by side, there was a sense of humor and chemistry, a good balance in their very existence, and I felt like, "This is what the Tagusari Brothers are all about."
--What are your impressions of Ayami Nakajo, who plays Shiori Miyato, a detective in the same violent crimes division, and Kaito Miyachika, who plays Naoki Ishizaka, Koike's partner and a detective?
Kaito is truly amazing. He's usually an entertainer who sings and dances, but this time he's playing the role of the youngest and least experienced officer in the police station, and he's desperately trying his best to keep up. That relentless determination is incredibly appealing.
On the other hand, Shiori, played by Ayami-chan, is the only girl in the group, yet she carries a dark past and possesses a somewhat eccentric sense of humor. As she becomes involved with the brothers, she takes on the responsibility of the incident as if it were her own.
I believe Ayami herself is inherently a very rich and interesting talent that can't be contained within any framework. This time, she has deliberately tightened that overflowing charm in a stoic way and incorporated it into the role. I think the way she restrains herself and focuses on the role is truly brilliant. I think the members of the Youth Committee are a very well-balanced team.
--What is the atmosphere like on set?
It's really great. I think the atmosphere created by the two of them, Okada-kun and Sho-chan, who are the leaders, is a big factor. The work depicts the darker, more murky side of human nature, but the atmosphere on set is very comfortable. In addition to that, Arai-san's producing skills are also wonderful.
◇The final stages continue with unmissable developments. "It's getting even more interesting."
--Were there any hints you gained from your interactions with Producer Arai regarding developing your character?
I received a thorough explanation of the role from the beginning, and Mr. Arai and the director shared a clear understanding of "this is the role." I feel that we've stayed true to that vision up to this point.
It feels like it's just begun, but in reality, we're already nearing the end. I think the interesting thing is that you have both of those feelings.
-- Do you have a message for our viewers?
The story becomes much more complex from this point onward. The brothers themselves undergo significant changes as they confront their past head-on, and human relationships, particularly the question of "how much can you trust someone?", are explored in greater depth.
The overarching storyline that has been building up so far will deepen even further, and the events from previous episodes will intertwine, leading to unmissable developments. It will only get more interesting from here on out, so please be sure to watch until the very end.
