[KAT-TUN] Kame - +act mini - 2013 vol. 23 (1/3)
This was commissioned by muffy_paradise for the jpnforph fundraiser, divided into three parts because this interview is super long. Hopefully I will be able to get the rest of these parts out quickly!
Kame - +act mini - 2013 vol. 23 (1/3)
14,000 WORDS INTERVIEW
Kamenashi Kazuya
After two years, Kamenashi Kazuya is taking on the starring role in "Tokyo Bandwagon ~shitamachi daikazoku monogatari~". He plays the second son of a large family from a low-lying area of the city inn this family drama that overflows with laughter and warmth, the type of character that he has never played before on "television". And in this very same world of "television", he also shows the world "another face" as a sports caster. This special will also explore his "present" efforts as he welcomes his third year at "Going! Sports & News".
Though he describes it as different "channels" and "angles", Kamenashi Kazuya has countless "faces" that can be seen in his many different activities. I am always taken aback by the variety and range of those "expressions" that are so easily adjusted in response to what is required of him. Following "Youkai Ningen Bem -movie version-" and "Ore ore", two completely different works with high levels of difficulty, he is starring in the drama "Tokyo Bandwagon" after almost two years. It is the first time he has ever attempted a family drama; we asked for his thoughts towards this new project where he will no doubt show us another new side to him, this time "as an actor". Furthermore, we also ask about his work as a sports caster, another "channel" that makes up a large part of who he is, and the efforts he has put in for three years in trying to convey the appeal of professional baseball through his own perspective and physical body. We have therefore conducted a thorough interview with Kamenashi Kazuya with a focus on those "two sides".
This interview took place just before he began filming for the drama series. The way he seemed slightly more talkative than usual about acting gave me the sense that his channel shift to becoming Ao was almost complete. I am happy to say that I will also be able to interview him after filming has begun, so I will include an afterward on what he is like once his character has gone through a "tune up". Next, the second half of the interview involves the side we see in "Going! ~". As he talked enthusiastically about his thoughts in his ongoing efforts as the "interviewer" for around three years, it was nevertheless possible to see him instantaneously shifting back to a drama mindset once we began wrapping up.
---Firstly, you once said things like, "I want to submerse myself in the live version's world so I don't read the original", or "I only read it after the project is over". What was the reason behind the fact that you've already started reading the original this time around?
I already read it before the plans for this drama were set in stone. It was like, "There's this novel, what do you think about it? Give it a read". So I read the original and found it very very interesting, but if I were to actually do it wouldn't that be very very difficult? And that was what I said to them.
---In terms of acting-related work, you've actually kept up with that with the two films, "~Bem" and "Ore ore", but it has been two years since your last drama series. What sort of "preparations" have you been doing for that at present?
Ummm... this time I'm preparing for it by not really preparing much at all. I think this piece of work is one where it doesn't matter how much I'm doing on my own.
---I haven't read the complete original series, but... I get the sense that Ao (in the script) will have some heated clashes with his father in the drama.
More so than the original, right?
---Yes.
That's right, that's definitely true. Like the setting about being drunk (Note: Ao causes problems as a result of alcohol consumption), I think the drama script puts more emphasis on those aspects of him "as a person". I was able to start participating in the very early stages this time around, so we've been exchanging opinions about Ao's character since last year.
---Is that so.
I think this timeslot of 9 PM on Saturdays is one where viewers tend to watch as a family, but there isn't actually a lot of family-oriented works for it... even at NTV, they haven't done this sort of thing very often. In that sense, I think this is a huge challenge, but there were also a lot of great "coincidences". We've got this interesting original work, and the fact that NTV has the televising rights for it... so to speak. It was from there that things started progressing, like "Alright, let's work out the details!". For example, should Ao refer to himself as "ore" or as "boku"? For a character like Ao, he might use "ore" when he gets home but he might use "boku wa" when he's outside. If he were to use "ore" when he's outside too, that might be the "Kamenashi-kun" part of me spilling over a bit, stuff like that (laugh). We had a lot of conversations about that sort of thing, so this human called "Ao" was created as a collective whole.
---As your very first family drama, what is it like?
In terms of the storyline this time, the character that Tamaki (Koji)-san is playing, Ganato, has an extremely pervasive presence. More so than just guiding me along, Ganato's like this "force" in this piece of work where he is definitely the driving source of courage behind how other people interact with each other. So how can we do this objectively so the viewers can interpret through their own filters? I think that's why I'm hyperaware of the fact that his presence is that of the "Number one character" on the screen this time around. Up until now, most of my roles tend to be pretty specialized ones, but I don't think this is one of them. If I had to pick, I would say this role is pretty relatable to everyone who watches this drama. My character has a "weak" stance in this, in a good way. We've got a storyteller in Sachi-san (Kaga Mariko), and I'm of the firm belief that we need to create an environment that allows all the other characters besides mine to be able to "stand" as well.
---It is true that you've never been tasked with this sort of role before.
Right. I'm sure it's going to be kind of hard... as you would expect, there's an "image" to TV dramas. I think I'm the type where that image is closely associated with me despite all the other work that I do outside of acting. Ikeda-san (producer) said this too, but I tend to have a pretty "cool" image to me. So in addition to being able to use that to my advantage, I'm hoping to add something new, a slightly different side to show everyone.
---Did the acting experience you've gained these past two years play a big part in how you've come to think that way?
I... suppose? But it's true that I'm now able to react easily to things that are thrown my way. I used to incorporate more of "me" into them before... though there was still a difference between myself as an actor and as Kamenashi Kazuya the talent. I think that used to happen with TV dramas in particular. But after gaining experience in film, my level of awareness has really changed.
---I certainly do sense a definite change in Kamenashi-kun after "Bem" and "Ore ore".
That's... because there was a huge change in the way I approach acting-related work, I think.
---Can you feel it?
Yes. Of course, I still have a long way to go... but I think people have started viewing me as someone who can act now. I think they see me as something slightly more "commodity"-like than before... "from Johnny's", that is.
---I see.
But that's how I got my start, after all. I have no intentions of denying that because I am from Johnny's, that's not going to change. I just think that I have another environment where I'm easily accepted now. I truly feel that way. I don't think I'd be able to take on this sort of challenge on if that wasn't the case.
---During our combined interview a while ago, you said that you were often described as a "Showa-like guy". It is true that there is an air about you that reminds me of the olden days. It appears that you're planning to invoke that part of you in Ao, yes?
Which is why I'm trying to craft that sort of feel into something that I can invoke and use at will... though this drama itself has that feel to it as well.
---Are you really described as "Showa" that often?
Quite a bit, yes.
---(laugh) That's definitely not an image that Kamenashi Kazuya of KAT-TUN has, is it.
Right? It's that gap between them, don't you think? When I'm usually perceived as "Kamenashi-kun of KAT-TUN", I don't have that (Showa) image to me. I'm sure the impression of me being someone who can't live a normal life is stronger (laugh). But I actually lead a life that was very much "everyday". Like, when I catch a cold I'd wrap up my neck in a scarf... so I think I'm a bit of everything. I would turn the lights off and light candles, too.
---You have a side like that to you too!?
I do. Don't you light candles at home...? For example, you eat dinner at home, right? Usually. But you just make the place a bit dimmer and light some candles...
---And you'd eat and such?
Yep. You can't really do that when you eat out, after all. When I decide I want to eat French food at home, I'd want to give it a French restaurant sort of feel...
---Are you serious...!!
I do stuff like that too! But on the other hand, I also own a kotatsu, which is how I spend my time in the winter.
---And that's how the two coexists.
My place is all about coexisting; it's just chaotic (laugh). I grew up in a family that didn't have those sorts of things, which is probably how things turned out that way? (laugh)
---Ahh... now I can sort of see how that might cause a bit of backlash.
There are some things that you admire, right? First off, we didn't have a dining table. All the tables we had were low ones, and we didn't have a sofa. It was a house that was all tatami. When I started living on my own, the very first thing I wanted was a dining table.
---That's understandable, I see.
But it's definitely become a habit... I use the dining table too, but more often than not I end up sitting on the floor (laugh). But anyway, it doesn't come as a surprise to me or anything. It's just that what's required of me work-wise tends to be of the opposite direction, that's all. I mean, I went home for New Years and we four siblings made kites for our nephew. Then we all got into a mini truck and drove to the mountains. Stuff like let's see who's the best at flying their kites... that sort of thing?
---And Kamenashi-kun, you also...?
I do. We still use those low-lying tables when we go over to our grandma's place. All of us would sprawl around and nap.
---So... you possessed Ao's qualities to begin with, then. You don't really need to get into your role...
I have aspects of both. I can bring either aspects to life, which is why in a way, I need to gamble on that "root" part of it... My character has parts that are close to who I really am, but it's still me either way... So which is my true self? The one you see on TV? Or the one who's enjoying himself at closing parties and such? But all of those are my true selves. The side you see behind the scenes... it's not so much about having a public face and a private face as it is a "working face" and a "non-working face". And as for my "non-working face"... I think you might get to see that this time around!
---Hahaha (laugh). Perhaps we will get to see it!
To put it in simpler terms, it's something like my "Going! ~" self, I guess. But that's pretty ordinary too... in the end, it's all about the time, place, and occasion. I would never be like that when I'm with KAT-TUN (laugh).
---That is indeed true (laugh). You've got many "faces" to you. Or channels, as you call them.
That's right... but they're all me.
---I would like to hear more about that "non-working" face you mentioned... but my apologies; we're under a time limit. Please allow me to go into further details about the drama the next time I interview you.
A follow-up, huh? I understand (laugh).
Kame - +act mini - 2013 vol. 23 (1/3)
14,000 WORDS INTERVIEW
Kamenashi Kazuya
After two years, Kamenashi Kazuya is taking on the starring role in "Tokyo Bandwagon ~shitamachi daikazoku monogatari~". He plays the second son of a large family from a low-lying area of the city inn this family drama that overflows with laughter and warmth, the type of character that he has never played before on "television". And in this very same world of "television", he also shows the world "another face" as a sports caster. This special will also explore his "present" efforts as he welcomes his third year at "Going! Sports & News".
Though he describes it as different "channels" and "angles", Kamenashi Kazuya has countless "faces" that can be seen in his many different activities. I am always taken aback by the variety and range of those "expressions" that are so easily adjusted in response to what is required of him. Following "Youkai Ningen Bem -movie version-" and "Ore ore", two completely different works with high levels of difficulty, he is starring in the drama "Tokyo Bandwagon" after almost two years. It is the first time he has ever attempted a family drama; we asked for his thoughts towards this new project where he will no doubt show us another new side to him, this time "as an actor". Furthermore, we also ask about his work as a sports caster, another "channel" that makes up a large part of who he is, and the efforts he has put in for three years in trying to convey the appeal of professional baseball through his own perspective and physical body. We have therefore conducted a thorough interview with Kamenashi Kazuya with a focus on those "two sides".
This interview took place just before he began filming for the drama series. The way he seemed slightly more talkative than usual about acting gave me the sense that his channel shift to becoming Ao was almost complete. I am happy to say that I will also be able to interview him after filming has begun, so I will include an afterward on what he is like once his character has gone through a "tune up". Next, the second half of the interview involves the side we see in "Going! ~". As he talked enthusiastically about his thoughts in his ongoing efforts as the "interviewer" for around three years, it was nevertheless possible to see him instantaneously shifting back to a drama mindset once we began wrapping up.
---Firstly, you once said things like, "I want to submerse myself in the live version's world so I don't read the original", or "I only read it after the project is over". What was the reason behind the fact that you've already started reading the original this time around?
I already read it before the plans for this drama were set in stone. It was like, "There's this novel, what do you think about it? Give it a read". So I read the original and found it very very interesting, but if I were to actually do it wouldn't that be very very difficult? And that was what I said to them.
---In terms of acting-related work, you've actually kept up with that with the two films, "~Bem" and "Ore ore", but it has been two years since your last drama series. What sort of "preparations" have you been doing for that at present?
Ummm... this time I'm preparing for it by not really preparing much at all. I think this piece of work is one where it doesn't matter how much I'm doing on my own.
---I haven't read the complete original series, but... I get the sense that Ao (in the script) will have some heated clashes with his father in the drama.
More so than the original, right?
---Yes.
That's right, that's definitely true. Like the setting about being drunk (Note: Ao causes problems as a result of alcohol consumption), I think the drama script puts more emphasis on those aspects of him "as a person". I was able to start participating in the very early stages this time around, so we've been exchanging opinions about Ao's character since last year.
---Is that so.
I think this timeslot of 9 PM on Saturdays is one where viewers tend to watch as a family, but there isn't actually a lot of family-oriented works for it... even at NTV, they haven't done this sort of thing very often. In that sense, I think this is a huge challenge, but there were also a lot of great "coincidences". We've got this interesting original work, and the fact that NTV has the televising rights for it... so to speak. It was from there that things started progressing, like "Alright, let's work out the details!". For example, should Ao refer to himself as "ore" or as "boku"? For a character like Ao, he might use "ore" when he gets home but he might use "boku wa" when he's outside. If he were to use "ore" when he's outside too, that might be the "Kamenashi-kun" part of me spilling over a bit, stuff like that (laugh). We had a lot of conversations about that sort of thing, so this human called "Ao" was created as a collective whole.
---As your very first family drama, what is it like?
In terms of the storyline this time, the character that Tamaki (Koji)-san is playing, Ganato, has an extremely pervasive presence. More so than just guiding me along, Ganato's like this "force" in this piece of work where he is definitely the driving source of courage behind how other people interact with each other. So how can we do this objectively so the viewers can interpret through their own filters? I think that's why I'm hyperaware of the fact that his presence is that of the "Number one character" on the screen this time around. Up until now, most of my roles tend to be pretty specialized ones, but I don't think this is one of them. If I had to pick, I would say this role is pretty relatable to everyone who watches this drama. My character has a "weak" stance in this, in a good way. We've got a storyteller in Sachi-san (Kaga Mariko), and I'm of the firm belief that we need to create an environment that allows all the other characters besides mine to be able to "stand" as well.
---It is true that you've never been tasked with this sort of role before.
Right. I'm sure it's going to be kind of hard... as you would expect, there's an "image" to TV dramas. I think I'm the type where that image is closely associated with me despite all the other work that I do outside of acting. Ikeda-san (producer) said this too, but I tend to have a pretty "cool" image to me. So in addition to being able to use that to my advantage, I'm hoping to add something new, a slightly different side to show everyone.
---Did the acting experience you've gained these past two years play a big part in how you've come to think that way?
I... suppose? But it's true that I'm now able to react easily to things that are thrown my way. I used to incorporate more of "me" into them before... though there was still a difference between myself as an actor and as Kamenashi Kazuya the talent. I think that used to happen with TV dramas in particular. But after gaining experience in film, my level of awareness has really changed.
---I certainly do sense a definite change in Kamenashi-kun after "Bem" and "Ore ore".
That's... because there was a huge change in the way I approach acting-related work, I think.
---Can you feel it?
Yes. Of course, I still have a long way to go... but I think people have started viewing me as someone who can act now. I think they see me as something slightly more "commodity"-like than before... "from Johnny's", that is.
---I see.
But that's how I got my start, after all. I have no intentions of denying that because I am from Johnny's, that's not going to change. I just think that I have another environment where I'm easily accepted now. I truly feel that way. I don't think I'd be able to take on this sort of challenge on if that wasn't the case.
---During our combined interview a while ago, you said that you were often described as a "Showa-like guy". It is true that there is an air about you that reminds me of the olden days. It appears that you're planning to invoke that part of you in Ao, yes?
Which is why I'm trying to craft that sort of feel into something that I can invoke and use at will... though this drama itself has that feel to it as well.
---Are you really described as "Showa" that often?
Quite a bit, yes.
---(laugh) That's definitely not an image that Kamenashi Kazuya of KAT-TUN has, is it.
Right? It's that gap between them, don't you think? When I'm usually perceived as "Kamenashi-kun of KAT-TUN", I don't have that (Showa) image to me. I'm sure the impression of me being someone who can't live a normal life is stronger (laugh). But I actually lead a life that was very much "everyday". Like, when I catch a cold I'd wrap up my neck in a scarf... so I think I'm a bit of everything. I would turn the lights off and light candles, too.
---You have a side like that to you too!?
I do. Don't you light candles at home...? For example, you eat dinner at home, right? Usually. But you just make the place a bit dimmer and light some candles...
---And you'd eat and such?
Yep. You can't really do that when you eat out, after all. When I decide I want to eat French food at home, I'd want to give it a French restaurant sort of feel...
---Are you serious...!!
I do stuff like that too! But on the other hand, I also own a kotatsu, which is how I spend my time in the winter.
---And that's how the two coexists.
My place is all about coexisting; it's just chaotic (laugh). I grew up in a family that didn't have those sorts of things, which is probably how things turned out that way? (laugh)
---Ahh... now I can sort of see how that might cause a bit of backlash.
There are some things that you admire, right? First off, we didn't have a dining table. All the tables we had were low ones, and we didn't have a sofa. It was a house that was all tatami. When I started living on my own, the very first thing I wanted was a dining table.
---That's understandable, I see.
But it's definitely become a habit... I use the dining table too, but more often than not I end up sitting on the floor (laugh). But anyway, it doesn't come as a surprise to me or anything. It's just that what's required of me work-wise tends to be of the opposite direction, that's all. I mean, I went home for New Years and we four siblings made kites for our nephew. Then we all got into a mini truck and drove to the mountains. Stuff like let's see who's the best at flying their kites... that sort of thing?
---And Kamenashi-kun, you also...?
I do. We still use those low-lying tables when we go over to our grandma's place. All of us would sprawl around and nap.
---So... you possessed Ao's qualities to begin with, then. You don't really need to get into your role...
I have aspects of both. I can bring either aspects to life, which is why in a way, I need to gamble on that "root" part of it... My character has parts that are close to who I really am, but it's still me either way... So which is my true self? The one you see on TV? Or the one who's enjoying himself at closing parties and such? But all of those are my true selves. The side you see behind the scenes... it's not so much about having a public face and a private face as it is a "working face" and a "non-working face". And as for my "non-working face"... I think you might get to see that this time around!
---Hahaha (laugh). Perhaps we will get to see it!
To put it in simpler terms, it's something like my "Going! ~" self, I guess. But that's pretty ordinary too... in the end, it's all about the time, place, and occasion. I would never be like that when I'm with KAT-TUN (laugh).
---That is indeed true (laugh). You've got many "faces" to you. Or channels, as you call them.
That's right... but they're all me.
---I would like to hear more about that "non-working" face you mentioned... but my apologies; we're under a time limit. Please allow me to go into further details about the drama the next time I interview you.
A follow-up, huh? I understand (laugh).