How did you feel when you guys first started filming?
Keiko Kitagawa
It is also an original work, and the script did not have a “definite” character setting, or rather it seemed that the casts were given a wide range of options for expressing themselves in each of their roles. So, I felt that we had to work on the specific details on set. At the fitting session, my costumes, and the way my character wears glasses had been decided. Also, it felt like working with the students and others helped Hiiragi’s character to come out naturally. I feel that I’m gradually getting accustomed to the role.
Yuki Yamada
Until the costume fitting, I was preoccupied with the thought of “How I should portray Aoi to make the series even more entertaining?” My character is quite a genius who had graduated from the University of Tokyo, having passed the bar exam when he was a sophomore in college. I had wondered how he should relate to Hiiragi-san and the students to portray a sense of reality. I went to the costume fitting with a lot of things on my mind, and there was a cool suit prepared for me (laughter). At the costume fitting, I was asked, “What kind of image do you have in mind?” The talk began with my character’s appearance, and we decided that it would be good to keep the blonde hair I had at the time giving the impression of kind of a “rich” guy if you get what I mean. But after much discussion, we ended up with the current shaggy hairstyle with Japanese “haori.” Also, one of the crew members saw my pair of traditional Japanese leather-soled sandals, and they were like “That’s nice” and so we decided to go with it. We started filming after these processes as I gradually got a sense of the feeling for my character.
Once again, could you please tell us about the roles you each play?
Keiko Kitagawa
Hiiragi is kind of a cheerful and positive character who tends to be seen as a bit hot-headed and annoying by her students.
Yuki Yamada
My character is an intelligent individual who can see through someone quickly and is able to process it all in his head and determine how each student will do. And he has an absolute logic that “The standard is me” and “If you raise them to my level, you will pass the bar exam” as he makes it tough for students to pass. He is not a jerk, but a loving character who says, “If I can't get them to pass, there is no point in me being here.”
Is there anything about each of your roles that you can relate to?
Keiko Kitagawa
Hiiragi is portrayed as a character who eats a lot, and there are scenes where she eats Tonkatsu (pork cutlet) and dumplings. I am also the type of person who likes to eat, and when I am feeling anxious or down, I need to have something to cheer myself up to come up with good ideas. So, I am always looking forward to scenes in which my character eats. I also think that we are similar in ways we face-up to others.
Do you find it easier to play roles that you have many similarities with?
Keiko Kitagawa
When I read the script, many questions came to my head about it, but now I feel comfortable playing the role. Above all, my character is a cheerful and positive one, so I don't think that I should think too hard about it.
Do you have any parts that you can relate to Aoi?
Yuki Yamada
I really like to think things through deeply and plan ahead. Acting is also a profession for which you must think about “What will happen to this character?“ and I think we are similar in those terms. However, I don't think I am as cold-hearted as Aoi (laughter).
Keiko Kitagawa
That’s funny (laughter).
Is it tricky to agree with the whole “The standard is me” thing?
Yuki Yamada
Anyway, I think we all have our standards so I think that may be the difference to him.
What were your impressions of each other and how did you feel when it was decided that you guys will be working together?
Keiko Kitagawa
Actually, we had worked together on a historical drama before. We had met several times including the occasion for horse riding practice. I probably heard first that I was going to co-star with him. I really wanted to tell him as soon as possible that “we would be working together on the Monday Night slot” and I was looking for the right moment (laughter). Co-starring with him was something I had always wanted to do. Of course, I had seen his works and watched him on variety shows, and I had always thought “He is a really smart person.” So, I was really happy when his name came up. We started by filming with the students, and I was constantly thinking about “I'm playing the starring role, so I have to be the one to lead them“ and ”be always thinking about the young cast members.“ Then he joined the shooting, and the set suddenly really came together and I felt comfortable (laughter). We are closer in age than I had originally thought.
Yuki Yamada
Yeah, that’s true.
Keiko Kitagawa
So, we can talk about many things, and we have a lot of fun together. Although our roles are quite the opposite, I rely on him a lot during the shootings, and he is a reassuring presence.
Yuki Yamada
Thank you! I don't think I should feel this way, but I thought, “Wow, she's amazing! Someone I’ve been watching on TV for a long time (laughter)!”
Keiko Kitagawa
(laughter)
Yuki Yamada
Since you have been at the forefront of the industry for so long, I still sometimes wonder “what she always thinks about.” Besides, when people think of “actresses,” her name instantly comes up, so conversely, “I wonder what people think of me” and I feel like I must be a support for everyone.
Keiko Kitagawa
But that’s kind of scary for me I think (laughter).
Yuki Yamada
But when I spoke to her, she said that she likes gaming etc...and I was able to feel a sense of affinity.
Keiko Kitagawa
I love games!
Yuki Yamada
She talked to me in a very friendly way, so she made me feel comfortable (laughter). Moreover, the fact that she feels I’m reassuring makes me feel more at ease. I’m now managing to play my role without being too nervous so that it doesn’t affect my performance.
Keiko Kitagawa
Shooting with him is exciting. He often snickers at me during acting and I love it (laughter).
Yuki Yamada
Kitagawa-san enjoys my performances a lot, but if the viewers are not, then I'd be worried (laughter).
Keiko Kitagawa
Maybe it’s just me (laughter)?
Yuki Yamada
I'm worried that if only Kitagawa-san is into it and I get too carried away with it, but no one else is, then I’d be worried.
Keiko Kitagawa
Haha (laughter). But I’m telling you, it’s funny! It's not written in the script, but his character eats a lot of gummy bears and jelly, squats on a chair and so on. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he will do next. Aoi-san’s character doesn't give her much eye contact at all in the early parts of the story, but I want him to continue to ignore her (in the filming). I'm going to approach it in the way of “How can we make eye contact...?”
Yuki Yamada
When their eyes meet properly, it probably means that they have opened-up to themselves...
Keiko Kitagawa
Yes, I think there will probably be scenes like that for a few episodes. I am looking forward to it. I check my schedule every day to see “If Aoi-sensei will be there the next day.”
Yuki Yamada
Really?! Hiiragi-sensei is conscious of it!
Keiko Kitagawa
Yes... (laughter)
Hiiragi was a judge, but she couldn't handle her cases efficiently, so she was assigned to work in law school. Are the two of you the type to get things done efficiently?
Keiko Kitagawa
Up until now, I had not thought much about efficiency, so maybe I should rethink about that (laughter). If we approach it in terms of “Is it efficient?” or “Is it logical,” then I tend to take it away from my options in the first place. I think having a kid is a big thing. Like sometimes it might be a challenge to raise one, but I occasionally let my child try out new things from scratch. Above all, the way I think about efficiency has changed from before and after having one.
Yuki Yamada
For me, if it’s something that involves a lot of people, I believe cooperation is important more than efficiency. But for my personal life, I think I talk about it a lot (laughter). Like I usually think very hard about whether something is a waste of time or things like could I fill-up a time of a day doing this rather than that etc...
Keiko Kitagawa
Oh really...
Yuki Yamada
Yes, exactly...
Keiko Kitagawa
So, you are specific about the days you are active and rest.
If the two of you had gone to law school, who would you prefer to learn from? Aoi-sensei or Hiiragi-sensei?
Keiko Kitagawa
Aoi-sensei. No doubt!
Yuki Yamada
Hiiragi-sensei.
Keiko Kitagawa
It’s Aoi-sensei.
Yuki Yamada
No way!
Keiko Kitagawa
I’ve thought about this long and hard, but if I was a student, then I would pick Aoi-sensei’s classes. Your grades are sure to go up if you just simply listen to what he says. Like there’s nothing more important than passing the bar exam.
Yuki Yamada
That’s true!
Keiko Kitagawa
Passing the exam is the first thing you should do. I don’t think you will pass them with Hiiragi’s classes.
Yuki Yamada
But the emphasis of the story is on Hiiragi-sensei coming to law school and everything begins to change.
Keiko Kitagawa
I know (laughter). Well, her classes will probably be more essential when the students have moved forward to the topic of the “three elements of the judicial community.” That’s why I first want to pass the bar exam (laughter).
Yuki Yamada
Well for me, it’s Hiiragi-sensei.
Keiko Kitagawa
You won’t pass (laughter).
Yuki Yamada
It can be challenging to learn from others, I think. I usually try to learn myself and grow as a person from new situations. It can be tricky unless you have the motivation and I think Hiiragi-sensei helps you to raise it!
So, will you pass if you took her classes?
Yuki Yamada
No doubt! Whether you pass or not is your own responsibility anyway!
Keiko Kitagawa
You’re so right about that!
If you pass the bar exam, it is possible to become judges, lawyers and public prosecutors. Which one would you guys like to be?
Yuki Yamada
I would say a lawyer. It’s difficult to decide whether one’s guilty or not, and of course there are truths which never come out. Even though it may not be so easy, one must accept the fact that he or she might not be being true to oneself, and I hope to be a lawyer who saves many people faced with various issues. Even though this may not be so easy...
Keiko Kitagawa
I would say a public prosecutor. Doing the job give you the opportunity to work with challenging cases and I think this process is something that I would quite like to take on. I think “HERO” which aired on Fuji Television had a big influence for this choice (laughter). The main character played by Takuya Kimura was so awesome!
