[ Monthly Television, Sept 2023 ]
✨Friendship behind an epic story✨
We interviewed the main cast, Kento Yamazaki and Ryo Yoshizawa, about their memories on set & also noted their messages to each other, which reveal their relationship.
The third work in the popular series on a large scale.
Yamazaki Kento: “In the first film, Shin was a war orphan and went forward with the memory of his best friend Hyou (Yoshizawa Ryo plays a dual role with Eisei), with whom he had survived the war. However, there is also a responsibility for the lives of my friends lost in battle. I hope that I can express the growth of Shin in that aspect.”
Yoshizawa Ryo: “In that sense, I don't think there will be any visible growth because the unification of China is not a prerequisite for the Eisei. However, this time we are going to see the 'Purple Summer (紫夏編)' episode, which is related to Eisei's past, so I think it will help us to better understand his thoughts on the unification of China.”
In 'Purple Summer (紫夏編)', Shin's tragic past is revealed. The new cast member, Shika (Anne Watanabe), brings light to his life, and when Shin learns of this, a new resolve is born in his heart.
Yoshizawa: “When I played Eisei, I had to show the dignity of a king, so I try to avoid wasting time and to perform with just my eye movements, but I am so conscious of Hyou in 'Purple Summer', I wanted to play the role as humanly as possible, because I'm still a nobody.”
Yamazaki: “I really enjoyed the scene between Eisei and Shika part. I saw the finished film, but I was so moved by it that I couldn't help but weep.”
Yoshizawa: - Thanks (laughs). But, the character who appears in the original 'Purple Summer' is Eisei as a child, isn't it? In the film, I am playing the role, not the child actor, and the addition of the film's unique expression makes it even more dramatic.”
Yamazaki: “The part where Eisei told General Ou Ki (Osawa Takao) about his past and Shin listened to it is also original to the movie, I think that Shin could clearly see the reason why Eisei was aiming for the "unification of China". I think this is an important scene.”
The film also features a new star-studded cast, including Anne Watanabe as Shika, Yuki Yamada, Ainosuke Kataoka, and Koji Yamamoto.
Yoshizawa: “I was surprised when I heard that Anne-san was going to play the role of Shika. I felt a sense of security when I was playing the role, because I felt the motherhood in Anne-san, and when I saw the finished film, I almost cried a little bit even though I was in the show (laugh).”
Yamazaki: “My dialogue was mainly with the three members of the Zhao Army, but I think the story became many times more compelling with the participation of such great people. Moreover, when I heard that these people were fans of "Kingdom", I felt very honored. We love "Kingdom" and we do it because we think it's fun from the bottom of our hearts, so we were really happy to be working with people who share that passion.”
This is the third in the series. What do the two men, who have worked together for a long time, think "this is the site of 'Kingdom'"?
Yoshizawa: “As I may have told you in the second film, I play the role of Eisei, the king of a country. So, it is only natural that there are vassals, but the people who perform these roles are just too amazing. I have to act as the king of the Qin Dynasty in front of my seniors, so it is a tense situation, and every time I do it, I feel like "I'm sorry".”
Yamazaki: “The scenes in the royal palace are certainly tense (laughs). In addition, as for Shin, his fighting style is becoming less and less individualistic, and his tactics are also a highlight of the game. The number of people and the number of horses used in the filming is truly impressive, and I think it is on a scale that is unique to "Kingdom". I think you can feel the power of the film even more on a big screen in a movie theater, it would be a shame not to experience it, so I would be happy if you could see it in a movie theater.”
Yamazaki Kento and Yoshizawa Ryo have worked together many times before. The same deep trust and bond can be felt between them as in the case of Shin and Eisei.
Yoshizawa: “I am always impressed by Kento's power of believability. As in the "Kingdom" series, when Kento plays characters based on manga, he has the ability to make them look natural, even though their movements would normally be unthinkable for a human being. I think this is partly a technical skill that the sage has acquired through hard work, but most of all, I think it is the power to believe. I think that's what's great about Kento and what I respect about him as an actor.”
Yamazaki: “I'd like to return the compliment (laughs), but I have the impression that Oryo (Yoshizawa Ryo) is not only a technical actor, but also has a strong heart. Of course, there are times when he fool around, but he still calm at the core. I think that is the connection to Eisei and Shin, I have received a lot of help from Oryo, so I am truly grateful to him.”