Masami Nagasawa

Q

The character “Dahko,” is an intelligent confidence woman, with a tremendous focusing ability, who is able to pass herself off as anybody she desires. What was your first impression, after playing out her role?

A

It doesn’t really feel like I’m playing a single role, since she passes herself off as various personalities in order to trick her targets. So, there’s always a sense of freshness about it. Despite the occasional difficulties, all of the scenes are thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding for me, since it is based on a great script.

Q

What do you mean by ‘occasional difficulties’? Do you mean the requirement to play various roles?

A

Honestly, it’s much easier for me to play multiple roles. But, on the other hand, Dahko is kind of an elusive character. So even now, I try to be imaginative about how I should portray her for the hotel suite room scenes, by trying to figure out various new ways of depicting her on set.

Q

You said before, that Ryota Kosawa’s script gets more and more compelling as you read it again and again. What are your overall impressions on his scripts?

A

The lines seem so alive. It’s so enjoyable, no matter how many times you read it. Though it includes the ‘main stream comedy’ aspects, it also allows readers to imagine the writer’s original intentions. Above all, it just all seems perfectly seamless, from the storylines, to the emotional excitement of the scripts from beginning to end, and the ‘main stream comedy’ aspect too.

Q

So, Dahko disguises herself as various characters. What do you think are the enjoyable and also the challenging aspects to this?

A

She has really put herself deep in the shoes of various characters. At first, I didn’t think that the characterization wouldn’t go as far as this, but for some of the characters, I can associate them with those which have already been covered by someone else. I’m simply playing the roles as a homage (lol). I personally think that the drama is turning out to be something quite fantastic, which isn’t simply about cosplays.

Q

The visual for the drama looks marvelous?

A

Yes, I think that the visual perfectly depicts Dahko’s humorous character very well.

Q

Having played many character roles, what’s been the most memorable moments for you so far?

A

In one of the parts, I have to play a character that speaks with a Yamagata dialect. It was exciting to read the script, and I had an enjoyable time from the beginning. Whilst playing the character, everyone watching seemed like they were having a good time (lol). Regional dialects can be strange sometimes. It can make a speaker seem kind of cute and the listeners feel soft-hearted.

Q

What are some of the challenges of playing a comedy role?

A

Having played many comedy roles in the past, I realized that it doesn’t become a comedy unless one approaches the scene with a ‘comedy’ mindset. But, at the same time, one should go into it with a focused mentality, which shouldn’t be influenced too easily by the lively and exciting momentum of filming on set. In other words, carefully approaching each of the scenes, would help win over the hearts and minds of the viewers and create an enjoyable drama.

Q

What’s the atmosphere like when the camera is not rolling?

A

Well, Fumiyo Kohinata is a mood maker who makes everyone laugh on set. He would pose many interesting questions, which always leads to compelling conversations. For example, at first, Masahiro Higashide seemed like a reserved person. But, Fumiyo would ask him many questions, which in turn makes him speak out in the end (lol).

Q

With the help of Fumiyo, what are some of the interesting sides of the cast members that had become apparent?

A

Well, many of his conversations are those which we can’t really mention (lol). It’s mostly private talks, which make everyone mumble in the end (lol). I think he’s just trying to make the atmosphere of the set feel as comfortable and as relaxing as possible for everyone.

Q

What’s should we look out for in Dahko’s suite room?

A

It’s kind of like her base station. Even though it’s supposed to be a spacious hotel room, it has really been characterized according to her style and personality, almost as if it’s her home.

Q

So, what do you mean by ‘Dahko’s style’?

A

I think it’s the ways in which she keeps things in her own personal territory (lol). Before Dahko moves in on her con games, she gathers and prepares as much information as possible beforehand, so all of this is very much expressed within the overall composition and the aura of her suite room.

Q

Apart from her careful preparations for her con games, are there any other crucial aspects which she pays attention to?

A

As everything progresses, you might begin to see her compassionate side. Even though she may be playing the role of a swindler, I think that she’s actually someone who is quite charitable and generous.

Q

Do you have any particular ways of making others open up to you?

A

Not particularly(lol). I usually need a lot of time to get to know others well. Working in an industry such as this, it can sometimes be better to keep a reasonable distance. I like to let things take its own course, without worrying too much about these kinds of things whilst filming.

Q

Up until now, there haven’t really been Japanese TV dramas based on the theme of ‘con games.’ What are your impressions on this kind of genre?

A

Fumiyo Kohinata was saying that it makes you recall of the historical master thief, ‘Gouemon Ishikawa’. Even though it may be a little different to the usual theme of ‘obtaining for oneself, whilst making the world a better place,’ the ways the storylines reach a meaningful conclusion in the end is kind of the same. So, it doesn’t feel like a new genre at all. Even though the drama has been presented in a great new way, this has all been based on the same basic framework which is kind of classic.