Classy Magazine August 2022 Issue. Akaso Eiji Interview “About Summer”
Q1. What comes to mind when you hear the word 'summer'?
'Sea' and 'Heat stroke' (laughs). When I was a student, I often went to the sea to play. I can't go now because I'm afraid of the sun burning , but when I was living in Nagoya, I went to a beach called Suishohama in Fukui Prefecture. The white sandy beach is beautiful and the sea is green and very pretty. The sea is better than the mountains. I had a heat stroke once (bitter laugh). I've been careful since then. Even if I am not thirsty, I try to replenish water.
Q2. Do you like summer?
I like it. But if you ask me if it's winter or summer, winter is better (laughs). No matter how hot it is in summer, one T-shirt is the limit, so you can't take off more than that (laughs). In winter, even if it is cold, you can wear it a lot. I do like summer though.
Q3. Please tell us about 'Summer Memories'.
When I was in high school, it must have been that I wore a school uniform and went to a summer festival. In my hometown of Nagoya, everyone was wearing a school uniform when we went to the festival, so even the girls were in school uniforms, not yukatas. A fireworks display was also held at the festival, and I enjoyed visiting various stores while watching the fireworks. Speaking of summer-like things after moving to Tokyo at the age of 20, it's like having a barbecue I think fits more.
Q4. How did you spend your summer vacation as a child?
During summer vacation, I kept going to my grandmother's house. Staying there for about a month with the feeling of returning to the countryside,Homework in the morning, going to the pool in the afternoon, smashing watermelons in the yard, or playing with fireworks or playing games with my cousins of similar age. I was always having a great summer vacation. It was really nice to ride a bicycle (mamachari) on a hot summer day ~ (laughs). When I returned to Nagoya, my cousins were sad that they didn't even come out to see me go. But I never say that I was sad.
Q5. If you're going on a date in the summer, what kind of date is ideal?
I want to go to Okinawa or Hawaii~ It's more of a trip than a date, but it's ideal (laughs). If it's a one-day date, I want to walk around while eating something in Enoshima. I've only been to Enoshima twice, but I want to go for a walk ,to have my palm read (hand) while eating some delicious food. If you are going to play at a camp or at the sea or swimming pool, I think it would be more fun to go out with colleagues or friends rather than a partner(lovers).
About the drama Ishiko and Haneo -Are you suing me for something like that?, in which Junko Arai x Ayuko Tsukahara, well known to make hits works, participates. Please tell us how you felt when your cast was decided.
I was really happy, and because they are making a lot of great dramas, I thought I had to work hard. For example, I felt that the beauty of the video and the delicate expression of emotions in
<Meet me after School > and <Beloved> had the power to attract the audience to the point of being swept away just by looking at them.
What was your impression of Tsukahara-san's directing?
She says, "You don't have to wait until the other person finishes saying the lines," or "Even if it's different from the lines, you can put your feelings at that time into words." It was a play that I hadn't done before, but it's raw, or it's something that is instantly born on the spot, so I wondered if it would be easier for people to watch it. I thought about what it means to "live the role" again, and I am receiving new stimulation everyday.
-Acting as Aoi Ohba, a client of episode 1 and a used car salesman. In high school, he was the ace of the kendo club, and he is a straightforward and kind character. Also noteworthy is the kendo scene of Akaso san , who has actually practiced kendo
It was helpful because I remembered how to handle the armor and how to wear it, but there were some parts that I forgot because I hadn't done it for more than 10 years (bitter laugh). It's been a long time and I feel nostalgic and happy,but the Jukdo sword didn't move as I thought…
I thought that if I could use the strength like I used to practice every day, it might be better and I would be happier.
-Akaso-san's acting is thorough enough to change his personal life according to the role. What are you conscious of when playing Ohba?
While valuing what I felt at that time, I always thought, "How does it feel to be sued for something that trivial? At a time like this, I keep thinking, "What would you do if it was Ohba?"
- What are you looking forward to participating in this work?
I have to say that It's possible to co-star with Arimura (Kasumi)-san and Nakamura (Tomoya)-san. Their acting is "Wow! Awesome!' I keep feeling it. I like the rhythm of the conversation between Ishiko and Haneo, and I enjoy being part of that worldview.
- Not only this work, but you will also appear in the morning drama <Maiagare!>. It looks like it will be a busy summer because of the overlapping filming.
Thank you very much. I'm very grateful. I'm really grateful To be in an environment where I can continue to think about acting all the time.
