Shogo Sakamoto, “Tenimyu” was a youth “At that time, the schedule was more about the stage than school” “Kimiyuki” became the “demon Hijikata” | ORICON NEWS

The TV Asahi drama “Going with You and Blooming ~Shinsengumi Seishunroku~” (every Wednesday at 12:15 AM) will start on the 24th. Just before the first broadcast, a press conference was held on the opening set of the new period drama at the Toei Uzumasa Eigamura, which is undergoing renewal, and the two leading actors, Kentaro Maeda who plays the role of Daisaku Kamagiri, Tomoya Oku who plays the role of Okajuro Fukakusa, and Matsunaga. Kazuto Mokuyo as Shinnojo, Katsuta Hadani as Namunosuke, Taro Hiiragi as Sanosuke Harada, Kohei Shoji as Hajime Saito, Masato Fujioka as Souji Okita, Shogo Sakamoto as Toshizo Hijikata, Nine cast members who play Shinsengumi members, including Keisuke Yamanami and Takato Nagata, took to the stage.

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“Blooming with You ~Shinsengumi Seishunroku~” is a major project that will be the first video adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s hidden masterpiece “Shinsengumi” and will be broadcast over two consecutive seasons. Although many historical figures appear, the main characters are two young soldiers who are drawn as original characters, Daisaku Kamagiri (Kentaro Maeda) and Okijuro Fukakusa (Tomoya Oku). Although the two share a passionate friendship, they are at the mercy of the times and eventually come to blows with each other.

The harsh fate of these two people is beautifully and vividly portrayed by up-and-coming screenwriter Aya Tsubota, known for the “Beautiful Girlfriend” series, and Hayato Kawai, who was behind the scenes in “10 Counts to the Future” (TV Asahi). . In addition, the film depicts the youth of the Shinsengumi members who ran through the end of the Edo period like a flash of light and was fleetingly scattered, with an unprecedented perspective and style, incorporating innovative sword fighting performances and elegant sword dances not found in traditional historical dramas. Write emotionally.

On the day of the press conference, it was a clear day in Kyoto without a single cloud. The cast appeared on set under the blue sky in matching haori and performed a brilliant sword dance as the opening act. The crowd of 100 spectators and reporters was overwhelmed, and the event became a huge success from the start. After finishing the sword dance, Maeda greeted the audience breathlessly, saying, “We were really nervous, but I think our sincerity showed through.” Oku also started the press conference by saying, “I think this was the best performance I’ve ever had!” with a look filled with a sense of accomplishment.

It seems that a strong bond has been formed between the cast members, who work hard every day not only in acting but also in sword fighting and sword dancing, and at press conferences, whenever someone is out of touch, someone will chide in, and it’s a constant struggle. In particular, Mokuyo was often criticized for having a sharp tsukkomi. The two leads said in unison that the atmosphere on set was “like a club activity,” and Mokuyo said, “Right now, there’s a gym boom in the Shinsengumi, and everyone is training hard, so everyone’s in great shape.” ”, introducing the current trends. On days off from filming, each member says, “(Shoji) I went to USJ with Kohei-kun” (back) and “I went on a date with Katsuta Hadani at an art museum” (Mokuyo). It has also been revealed that he spends his private life going wherever he wants.

■Comments
[Shogo Sakamoto]
――It’s been two months since filming started, what’s the atmosphere like on set?
I don’t think we get to dance or sing very often in historical dramas, but we practice those things together, so it’s like a club activity. I’m having fun taking photos with everyone.

――What is the key point of the costume?
The costume of Toshizo Hijikata, the character I play, is all blue, but there is a gradation here! (…she takes out her sleeves from under her haori and poses) Power (lol)!

–What was it like filming the opening and ending?
The opening theme “Flame” has a high key, so I think it would be easy for women to sing it at karaoke. Please try singing if you like! It turned out to be a really cool song, so I’m looking forward to its broadcast.

–What about your own “youth”?
I first performed in the musical “The Prince of Tennis” when I was 14 years old, and since then I have been participating in that production for nearly two years. At that time, my schedule was more focused on theater than on school, and it was also a work depicting youth, so I think that period was truly youthful for me.

–Describe the character you play in one word.
Hijikata, the character I play, is a “demon” after all. In this drama, the reason and background behind why he came to be called the “devil’s vice-commander” is clearly depicted. I would be happy if you could watch the drama and get a sense of why he becomes a demon himself and leads his team.