High&Low The Worst X - Yoshino Hokuto (Interview Translation)
English Translation (click on keep reading)
吉野北人さん
2015年からスタートした『HiGH＆LOW』シリーズは、男たちによる激しいバトルアクション、熱い友情や仲間との絆が多くの観客を虜にし、2022年となった今でも、長く愛されるシリーズとなった。最新作『HiGH＆LOW THE WORST X』は、髙橋ヒロシによる不良漫画の…
Q: This time Tsukasa is a key person in “HiGH & LOW THE WORST X”. Facing this challenge, how did you come up with an acting plan?
Hokuto: There are a lot of key points in “HiGH & LOW THE WORST X”, and Tsukasa was one of them this time. Until now Tsukasa has been a calm character, taking one step back and observing his surroundings. I kept this feeling in mind for the first part of the movie. In the second half of the movie, Tsukasa’s situation changes drastically, so I had to consider how to portray his emotions. Until now, Tsukasa has been a character that can’t show… doesn’t show his feelings.
Q: Being the brain of Oya High School, his calmness and cool composure were his characteristics.
Hokuto: That’s right. Since he was the type of person that doesn’t show emotions. This time, having him show them made me think that two different sides of him are being depicted. So I kept in mind showing his emotions, but in a way that’s not too much, expressing them properly through his eyes. Although he gets beaten up to a pulp, his eyes at least should never die. I acted having those small details in mind.
Q: Did you come up with this plan yourself? Was there any direction by director Hiranuma?
Hokuto: I came up with it myself. Nori-san (the director) gave me some basic instructions like “Try saying it like this”, but the emotions were something I did myself. Tsukasa gets beaten up a lot, but by making sure his eyes at least never die, I wanted to show him holding on to this thought like it was his last resort “I am going to crush that guy no matter what”.
Q: Being able to see Tsukasa’s glaring aura was a highlight, it was a new side of him that would surely surprise anyone.
Hokuto: Yes, that’s right. It’s not like Tsukasa is weak, so I wanted to show off that strength of his. Tsukasa himself is a fighter and strong-willed, isn’t he? In the scene where he seemed to be losing the fight with Suzaki, he maintains a manly side; “It’s not over yet”, something like that. I kept in mind this dual nature of his while acting in “HiGH＆LOW THE WORST X”.
映画『HiGH＆LOW THE WORST X』より
Notes: I tried roughly translating a few of the parts of this interview where Hokuto mentioned Tsukasa and how thought of acting him this time. I was looking forward to Tsukasa's character a lot this time and I am very glad he got to show so many different sides of him. I was charmed right away about his description of the portrayal of his eyes, so I wanted to share that part with everyone. This is only a part of the interview. Please keep in mind the translation is not literal and that there might be mistakes, let me know if you have any suggestions!
1:26 – 1:44 Gouki joked by saying there was mutual love between them since the matches were perfect and how they succeeded in creating couples (xD). Akihisa suggested changing places and experiencing each other’s work place for one day.
1:46 Gouki: I chose Hoku-chan, because inside himself is something that I could never imagine for me. The softness he has and the characteristic atmosphere he creates, those are things I can’t see inside myself at all. That’s why I chose Hoku-chan. Also, earlier when we were taking the pictures, I thought he was cute. I pointed at him because he was cute.
2:38 Hokuto: My reason (for choosing Gouki) is kind of similar. Gouki-kun has traits that I don’t have, he is unexpectedly really good at talking and he lights up the mood of the room. I can’t do these at all, if it were something like a joint party (they are teasing him here asking if he really is alright with just a joint party, Gouki added that he feels thrilled/fluttered and gestured him to go on), he’d be the most interesting person and the one to bring the tension up, I feel like he’d be one of the popular people.
3:19 Gouki: Let’s go to a bar together after this (everyone laughing). I am really happy, thank you.
3:31 Kazuma: I don’t think I’ve ever met a person who reflects the word “Beauty” as much as Akihisa, that’s the first reason. His external appearance is one thing of course, but taking into consideration his heart too I start thinking if it’s possible for a person to be so beautiful/pure. Personally, I am the type who is pretty calm/composed and Aki-kun is too. But when we are together, I can’t feel this, the atmosphere isn’t stressful. He is even more composed than I am, it makes me wonder where that maturity comes from.
4:28 Akihisa: Lately though, I am doing more and more as I like. I am trying to bring back my innocence/naive part.
4:41 Akihisa: For me, I admire Kazuma as a man and when for example he stands in the middle of the stage as an artist I’ve been thinking that it must feel good. The mysterious feeling he gives off and this calm side of him become into a performance, I find this amazing. You can’t of course pass this feeling without doing anything, and I think he has a lot of potential in him. And I understand that he is not achieving all this without giving it any thought at all, so including that part of his I respect him.
5:45 Question 2: What are the highlights/the parts to look forward to in this movie?
5:50 Kazuma: The atmosphere in Oya High School. This time, right from the start everyone is on good terms with each other and have strong bonds. I would like you all to look out for that emotion and passion that comes to life thanks to those strong relationships.
6:08 Hokuto: Thinking of HiGH&LOW, actions comes to mind first. This time, I think the actions scenes make up more than half of the movie! It’s filled with them more than half. The action scenes that will make you feel nervous and excited are the highlight.
6:27 Gouki: With time having passed at Oya High School, everyone has taken on their individual roles creating an atmosphere where their chemistry shows. Similarly to the previous works, Housen joins forces (with Oya High School) and they form a team carrying similar aspirations. This time we see other schools appearing too and I feel like their “colours” (their traits basically) are divided pretty clearly. I think it’s a good chance to start looking for your favourite character/team again!
6:59 Akihisa: Among the 4 of us I am the only one who is coming from Housen and not Oya High School, I’d like you to see how Housen will be involved in the story with Sachio absent. Even without Sachio, I’d be happy if you’d look out for the resolutions and the soul Housen has inherited.
7:23 Was there a change in the relationship between Fujio and Tsukasa?
7:28 Kazuma: Compared to the previous works I felt like there were more easy scenes and parts in terms of acting, it came out very natural at some times.
7:36 Akihisa: Last time, after the movie you also had the shooting of a drama right? In the drama you also had a one-on-one fight, I believe the relationship you two had there had a great impact.
7:50 Hokuto: There was that feeling of distance between them having crossed fists once, but they have managed to create a strange relationship where they understood each other without words.
8:02 Kazuma: Aside that we are also together in THE RAMPAGE working as a group, and even in the group as positions as quite similar to the ones we have in Oya High School. During that time we were able to talk a lot, and so even after we entered the movie (as characters) we naturally maintained that good relationship without having to talk much.
8:41 Gouki: Fujio definitely looks like he wouldn’t dance! Like a concert.. (imitating Kazuma’s and Hokuto’s poses and moves). And Tsukasa would never do anything like dancing! So are you two really able to act so different characters without any switch at all? Do you just say like “Start” and get right away to it? (Kazuma agreed) Tell me about that switch later!
9:14 Hokuto: We’d actually like to ask you instead
9:20 Gouki: Like even if you think of Yuta there are some expressions that might be similar to performing on stage, but he showed such amazing acting that it’s difficult to believe it’s his first time. I felt that from you two as well. And I guess we grow and develop along with the roles we have, so that’s why it becomes easier to get into them. I ended up talking all the time though even though I intended to ask the question to you.
9:48 Kazuma: Even though our roles confront each other, we normally interact together openly, talking even when there is no camera and strengthening our relationship like that.
10:05 Akihisa: Seeing the poster you know right away that Fujio and Suzaki clash with each other, and so me and Gouki-kun were watching from the side that fight of “soul vs soul” (their spirits, their will and passion) and were discussing that it was amazing.
10:22 Gouki: I am not sure from what position exactly we should be saying it but objectively we both ended up thinking “Wow that was awesome”.
Notes: I am still learning and the translation is not always literal so there might be mistakes or parts I didn’t understand well. Feel free to correct me if you notice anything! I hope this helps everyone who wants to enjoy the video!
You can find the translation in the video's comment section too!
English Translation (click on keep reading)
吉野北人さん
~ 7 SECONDS CHALLENGE ~
Hokuto is asked questions and he is given 7 seconds to answer each.
0:17 Q1: How do you feel about ranking 2nd as "Nation's good-looking treasures*"?
A: I am really happy
0:24 Q2: Please say something to the people who voted for you!
A: Everyone, thank you for your votes!
0:31 Q3: What's one part you like about your face?
A: My eyes!
0:38 Q4: What's one side of yourself you can only show to the person/people you like?
A: That's a secret!
0:46 Q5: If you were to have lunch with the person you like for the first time, what would you eat?
A: Hmm, something like yakiniku (grilled meat)?
0:52 Q6: What's a role you would like to challenge on?
A: Ehh what would that be? Eeeeeh!
0:59 Q7: When was the time you were the coolest this year?
A: Today's shooting!
1:06 Q8: On the contrary, what about a time this year you weren't cool?
A: There wasn't any!
1:13 Q9: What hair colour would you like to do next?
A: Hmm, I have done a lot already~
1:21 Q10: What clothes would you want the person you like to wear?
A: If they look good at it everything is fine!
1:29 Q11: What's one thing you keep in mind in order to preserve your beauty?
A: Properly taking care of myself in my private life!**
1:36 Q12: What kind of fashion would you like to challenge this summer?
A: -
1:43 Q13: Tell us your goal for the second half of the year!
A: I'll do my best!
1:49 Q14: Strike us a cool pose for the ending!
*I believe there is no official translation for this."国宝級イケメン" is a poll ranking good-looking Japanese men run by ViVi, a Japanese fashion magazine mainly targeted towards women. Hokuto ranked 2nd in the poll for the first half of 2021.
**I chose a more open translation to this. He actually said "私生活をちゃんとすること！", "私生活" is "private life", "する" is "to do" and "ちゃんと" means doing something properly, seriously, diligently. I believe he means that he does not neglect his private life.
I don't have much experience with translating so if anyone has any different opinions or suggestions please feel free to correct me!
You can find the translation in the video's comment section too!
