Oricon News – Tomohisa Yamashita skillfully expresses his “hidden passion” in “Blue Moment” The charm of “Code Blue” that exceeds expectations | Minami Nippon Shimbun | 373news.com

2024-04-26 07:09

The first episode of Fuji TV’s Wednesday drama “Blue Moment” (every Wednesday at 10:00 p.m.), starring singer/actor Tomohisa Yamashita (39), was broadcast on the 24th. The story is about a heroic drama about people saving people from various crises, with the theme of climate disasters. Viewership ratings were 4.8% for individuals and 8.6% for households (according to Video Research, Kanto area), the highest ever since Wednesday 10 drama was revived in April 2022. It has gotten off to a good start with the highest viewer ratings among the current dramas on the network. We asked pop culture researcher Koichi Kakitani (visited researcher at Waseda University) to explain the reasons for this and Yamashita’s performance.

[Lots of scene cuts]So cool…!Tomohisa Yamashita stares ahead with a serious expression

■The essence of “Code Blue” felt in the heart

My first impression after watching the first episode was, “Yes, this is what I wanted to see.” Viewers don’t just want to see entertainment about “emergency dispatch” and “rescue.” Of course, with any work, I try to depict and convey something important. However, what is important is whether it is a story that the times need. Does that provide the spiritual support that people are looking for today?

As if reaching out to reach out, we find ourselves in an uncertain position…unpredictable earthquakes and tsunamis. In response to the fear that has become so familiar to each and every one of us in recent years, it provides a strong and profound “relief” and, furthermore, a “light of hope.” What makes this possible is Yamashita’s acting and his drama.

Yamashita’s most famous work is the “Code Blue – Doctor Helicopter Emergency Lifesaving” series, which depicts lifesaving stories using a doctor helicopter. The appearance and image of the main character, Doctor Kosaku Aizawa, who is always cool, has accurate and quick judgment, and is also compassionate despite his blunt words and actions, continues to remain in the hearts of the public more than 15 years after the broadcast began. Capturing, clear and powerful.

“Blue Moment” is a story in which the main character, the meteorological genius Haruhara, and other special disaster management members (SDM) confront weather disasters. Although the setting and character (and personality) were completely different, I felt that the essence of “Code Blue” and the presence and acting ability that Yamashita showed in his previous masterpiece were inherited.

The image and memory of the “representative work” and “role” played by an actor, and if that actor becomes a “modern hero” who continues to be loved by the public for many years, it is likely that comparisons will cross the viewer’s mind. it can not be helped. However, in this respect, there is no sense of friction or conflict that gives a strange sense of superiority, and a new character is established and refreshing. This is not so easy. His ability as an actor and ability to compose the work was impressive as he was able to pull it off confidently and exhilaratingly.

Somewhere along the line, I was hoping for something as interesting and moving as “Code Blue.” The first episode started off with a lot of anticipation as it met those demands and was said to be a “YamaP drama that I wanted to see,” but also “a new YamaP drama that I haven’t seen yet.”

■“The colder it gets, the more feverish it gets” Yamashita shows off his acting skills

The greatness of Yamashita’s acting lies in his expressiveness that makes you feel a “hidden passion” inside.

The colder and harsher the reality that confronts the protagonist, the more his or her expression freezes and the more calm and collected the character is required to be, the quieter the inner heat of the character’s fighting spirit, mission, and responsibility becomes. It flares up and is transmitted strongly. Yamashita is by far the best at showing this. The more solemn and cool one’s appearance and face, the more the “inner drama” of hot and excited feelings stands out.

Moreover, the atmosphere in which no emotions are expressed openly enhances the quality of the “story of crisis” by perfectly highlighting the crisis and the severity of the tragedy. In addition, the mood created by his unpredictable and solemn presence becomes a sincere sense of responsibility and a stoic work style, which is expressed as “severity towards himself” and creates a unique character.

Just as with Aizawa in “Code Blue,” the heart of Yamashita’s acting lies in the protagonist’s “single-mindedness” and “feeling all-out.” Even in a pinch, he doesn’t show even the slightest hint of upset. His unwavering confidence, sense of responsibility, and determination to support them stand out. The calm tension that comes with such an absolute crisis, and the solid sense of trust that overflows from there. While creating a unique sense of realism for the story, these elements go beyond excitement and excitement to the viewer, giving them a unique sense of fulfillment, as if they were being “protected” or “saved” by watching.

The “nature” that the protagonists face is a threat, bringing about absurdities and absurdities that go beyond human understanding. We face this challenge resolutely and solemnly, taking the responsibility of meteorological analysis seriously and making it our mission. Yamashita embodies this kind of storytelling through the appearance, presence, and aura of the character he plays, rather than literally explaining it in words, and creates the image of a “reliable expert” who is on par with the scale and grandeur of nature. It was a start full of expectations, as he showed off his performance with his characteristic of “the colder it gets, the hotter it gets”. Yamashita’s dramas are needed across generations, and are received and supported as much as his past works. It looks like it will be a great work that proves that once again.
Pop culture researcher/Koichi Kakitani (Waseda University visiting researcher)