VOGUE JAPAN ``50 SHADES OF ME``
Kento Kaku talks about his thoughts on "family" — What universality and family he wanted to portray in "The House of the Ninja"?
The original series "House of Ninjas" is now available on Netflix. Kento Kaku not only stars in the film, but is also a member of the production team as an original idea and co-executive producer. We will reveal the true face of this seasonal actor through 50 questions, from the genesis of the film to his daily life with his family.
“It all started with my family”
1. How did you come up with the idea for "The House of Ninja"?
: It all started with my family. When I went to see a ninja show with my children, I became interested in the culture of the ninja. I realised that although ninja have a universality that is loved by all generations, surprisingly, not many people know much about them. That is when I began to do a lot of research, and that is how this work began.
2. Is there anything you envy about ninjas?
: The fact that they can run on walls and are superhuman.
3. Looking back, what changes have you seen between now and two years ago when you brought your project to Netflix?
: By adding a lot of other people's senses, I was able to delve deeper into the characters, the story, and the unique Japanese culture of the ninja than I had originally envisioned. In a good sense, it exceeded my initial expectations. It was a great experience for me to have the experience of expanding from one thing to ten.
4. On the contrary, what did not change?
: I wanted to create a theme of universality. I thought the story would work as long as I could properly depict "family", which was the main theme of the film, so I kept that in mind.
5. How do you approach the portrayal of the family?
: A central theme of this work is that a family that has been disparate has to talk to each other again after going through various things. I put the most effort into expressing the family conversations and the humid atmosphere when things are not going well. It's not just that they don't talk to each other, but that there is a "conversation" in the way that they don't talk to each other. That is what I delved into.
6. How long have you wanted to be involved in production?
: Although it is not clear, I have always wondered what would happen if I simply created my own work. But somewhere along the way I thought I shouldn't do that. But after the Corona Disaster, I felt that waiting was not the only way to work, so I brought my own project to Netflix.
7. Which aspects were you most particular about during production?
: The first is how to eliminate explanatory dialogue and convey the message through images and facial expressions. The other is how far we can create a situation in which everyone plays a leading role. Although Haru, the character I played, is the main character in the story, I wanted to create a structure in which everyone in the family could play a leading role.
8. Any reason why you wanted to get rid of the expository dialogue?
: It's a different story if you write descriptive lines as interesting as director Christopher Nolan, but it's not real that the explanation is just an explanation.I thought it was my mission to get rid of those lines like that.
9. What was the most memorable moment of the shoot?
: We filmed the killings on the beach in winter, and it was really cold. Yosuke Eguchi, Tae Kimura, and other senior members of the crew did all the action themselves from midnight until the morning. I feel sorry for them, but at the same time, I am grateful again for their hard work.
“I feel that Japanese people know less about Japan than they think they do”
10. Are there any similarities between yourself and Haru, the character you are playing this time?
: I am not sure if we have anything in common, but I can sympathise. Haru is a character who holds something inside of himself: he stifles himself and covers up his emotions. I could both sympathise and understand the actions he takes. I think he is a character that the audience can relate to and watch.
11. Have you ever felt the need to switch between being a producer and a performer?
: Physically, it was hard. In the beginning, I was on set for scenes I didn't perform in, so sometimes I couldn't prepare myself. In the second half, I found a good balance, but in the beginning, I was also filming while fixing the script, so it was very overwhelming.
12. What was the most rewarding moment in your involvement in the production?
: According to the scenario we had created, the staff searched for locations, set up the sets, and the actors joined in, and I was thrilled when the scene came together as a scene.
13. Did the production process change the way you deal with your work?
: The most significant thing for me was that I was able to understand the enormous amount of people, budgets, and time involved in a single production, as well as the effort behind the production, which I could not have realised if I had only been involved as an actor.
14. How did you meet Dave Boyle, the director of "The House of Ninja?"
: He is the director that Netflix proposed to me after seeing the proposal I submitted.
15. Any reason for the decision to go with Dave Boyle?
: It was Dave who wrote the grand proposal for me, over 100 pages long, with characterizations and story sheets. I couldn't imagine anyone but Dave filming something of this quality. We thought he was the only one who could express the warmth of the work and the atmosphere of ninja continuing to live today amidst restrictions and endurance, and I remember saying to Dave, "I don't want it if it's not Dave".
16. When you met with Mr. Boyle, what did you discover?
: He knows more about Japan than I do. I thought that Japanese people do not know more about Japan than they think they do. When I thought about it, I realised that Japanese people do not know much about the good points of Japan and the interesting aspects of ninja. But by listening to his point of view and actually seeing the script and direction, I was made aware once again of the good qualities of Japan.
17. What's the best part about "The House of the Ninja?"
: Among family members ranging from children to grandmothers, I believe that everyone will find a favourite character that they can relate to and enjoy from different angles, no matter what generation they are in.
18. The funniest thing you've laughed at lately?
: There is an international Instagrammer who has adults reenacting the actions of a 5 year old, and it was really funny. The whole family watched it before bed and we all had a good time.
19. How do you refresh yourself when you feel stuck?
: Exercise.
20. What do you want most right now?
: Rest.
21. Whose hero did you admire as a child?
: Takuya Kimura.
22. Your favourite historical figure?
: Colonel Harland David Sanders.
23. If you could use one special skill, what would you choose?
: Teleportation.
24. Any secrets you can tell us now?
: It may not be a secret, but I am claustrophobic and afraid of heights. I am not a good ninja at all.
25. If you could ride in a time machine, which era would you go to?
: The Jurassic period. My kids love dinosaurs these days.
27. What do you want to eat when you're tired?
: Meat.
28. What is your favourite anime?
: SPY x FAMILY. It's on at home for the rest of my life (laughs).
29. What would you like to be if you were born again?
: A basketball player; I wanted to go to the NBA.
30. Tell us what attracts you to a person?
: Petty villainousness. Of course it's not good to make people uncomfortable, but I like it when I see a little funny side of someone that makes me want to say, "Oh, that's so bad!".
31. Do you have a habit of saying that?
: I'm tired.
32. What are you into now?
: English. Many people from overseas come to the site, including Dave. Once I started studying, I started to speak English more and more, and it became fun. Now it has become a hobby, and I feel like I have to study at least a couple of times a day to get through it.
33. How do you study English?
: I speak English with people from other countries every day. Grammar and vocabulary too. It is interesting to feel the growth little by little.
34. Was there anything that you were happy to be told recently?
: When my child said to me, "I wish daddy's job would disappear".
35. What is your charm point?
: Wavy hair.
36. What is a question that bothers you in an interview?
: Charm point (laughs).
37. In one word, describe your personality.
: Rushy. Momentum.
38. What is the fashion item that you tend to increase?
: Glasses and hats.
39. What is your favourite time of day?
: Before going to bed.
40. What do you do every day without fail?
: English. Also, I'm looking at Mercari.
Parenting Secret: "Keep Your Eyes on Your Child"
41. What do you do to stay healthy and fit?
: Drink lots of water.
42. If you encountered an alien, what would you ask?
: How is Earth?─ My assumption is that civilization is more advanced there.
43. Do you have any suggestions for what you think is the most important aspect of parenting?
: Making eye contact with the child. If you speak like an adult, they will know. If I don't talk to them with the same feeling, I don't think it will work.
44. Which movie has influenced your life?
: I've always loved "Little Miss Sunshine". Everything about it is so cute. I like it a lot because it is also a story about family.
45. Things you would like to do in 2024?
: I would like to go to Europe, as I have not been there much. Especially Greece. I saw it on Instagram and the cityscape was so beautiful.
46. Recently, what is your favourite song?
: "SOULSOUP" by Official HIGE DANdism, the theme song of the movie version of "SPY x Family".
47. What country other than Japan would you like to live in?
: Australia. The atmosphere and climate suited me, and I liked the people.
48. When making a decision, what's important?
: Intuition. When I trust my intuition, it absolutely wins empirically.
49. The person in front of you wants to get well. What do you do?
: I talk about what I have been going through recently. I empathise with them and say, "I'm having a hard time too, but let's work together.
50. Favourite thing about yourself?
: The appropriate part. It's my weak point, but I don't dislike it (laughs). Basically, I think I can handle things, so I can act without thinking too much, and I am happy about that.















