YUJI ODA & YUTO NAKAJIMA -Special Talk

Q1 What was your first impression, when you were first offered the part in the remake of the smash hit US drama series?

YUJI ODA

I watched the original series up to season 6 and I was amazed by it. Due to the high quality of the original series with the fantastic cast members, I instantly felt a good deal of pressure to live up to it for the Japanese remake. In a similar way that a small-scale business faces up to a large-scale company, I feel like I should give it my all for this.

YUTO NAKAJIMA

I had already watched the original series up to season 4. As the original series is really fashionable and sophisticated, I wondered how we will be able to present these alluring features for the Japanese remake. Also, the character “Mike Ross” immediately came to the top of my head.

YUJI ODA

Two of the producers from the original series came for the script reading session. It was simply amazing.

YUTO NAKAJIMA

Yes. The producers kindly encouraged us a lot for this remake. However, I still felt quite nervous. Also, having watched myself and Yuji on set, I felt quite relieved as they seemed confident that we would be fine for the parts.

YUJI ODA

Even though we have been given a lot of encouragement in this aspect, I hope that we keep moving forward in the right direction.

YUTO NAKAJIMA

It might be hard, but I am very positive about this new challenge.

YUJI ODA

I would be happy, if we are given many more great opportunities to film in fantastic locations!!

YUTO NAKAJIMA

I hope we can film in fancy locations!

Q2 This will be the first time that the both of you will be co-starring. What are your impressions of each other?

YUTO NAKAJIMA

Well, he’s very kind and nice to me.

YUJI ODA

That’s because I’m pretending to be nice (lol).

YUTO NAKAJIMA

Hey, wait!?

YUJI ODA

Just kidding, I didn’t expect that you would say such a nice thing (lol).

YUTO NAKAJIMA

We shook our hands when we met for the first time and instantly connected.

Q3 As a legendary actor in many dramas and movies, I’m sure you had already known about his profile?

YUTO NAKAJIMA

Yes, of course!! At first, I was so nervous, but he is really nice and encouraging to work with. I am hoping to rely on him.

YUJI ODA

As it takes a lot of stamina and commitment to appear in a long drama series, I’m kind of quite jealous of his young energy (lol)! He seems very sharp on set, so as his buddy, I have to try my best not to let him down.

YUTO NAKAJIMA

It’s been such a pleasure working with you on set.

YUJI ODA

I’m sure that the age differences will show up in various situations, however I’m thrilled with this fresh new challenge.

Q4 What kind of preparations have you guys undertaken to prepare yourself for the role? I’m sure that for Yuji, this is not the first-time experience playing a lawyer?

YUJI ODA

Being a lawyer is a major feature of my character. However, in this drama, what’s also important may be the family like initiations between the characters at the law firm. Therefore, I hope that the lines can assimilate with this kind of atmosphere (lol).

YUTO NAKAJIMA

I will try my best here (lol).

YUJI ODA

Thanks, because you are playing the role of a genius, right?

YUTO NAKAJIMA

As this is my first time playing a legal role, I had the opportunity of speaking to an actual lawyer. But, as Yuji is saying, I think that it’s a drama in which the characters may have some degree of flexibility in that sense. The story also encompasses various important issues connected with society, so I hope that these are some of the areas which I can get to know more about.

Q5 What are some of the good ways of getting passed a long filming period?

YUJI ODA

Energy is what you need. I think Yuto might be able to handle three consecutive episodes?

YUTO NAKAJIMA

Are you kidding me!? That will be too much for me (Lol).

YUJI ODA

I’m sure it might be hard with your busy schedule (lol).

Q6 The drama itself contains a lot of characters with various personalities. We are excited to see how the Japanese version develops.

YUJI ODA

The original drama series has now been continuing for a long time. And the characters have now fully developed. However, it is not possible to exactly imitate the original content, so, I also think that for this version too, we should dig deep to discover some of the great qualities that each of the unique characters possess including Shogo Kai. It is these kinds of area that we need to pick up on earlier down the line.

YUTO NAKAJIMA

With original contents, there are various factors which we should be mindful of, however I think that in some aspect, the remake can be compatible to meet the tastes of the Japanese viewers.

YUJI ODA

I think that to a certain degree, having the characters and the scenes exactly as the original may be an extremely challenging and difficult task.

YUTO NAKAJIMA

I’m sure that in some parts, we will have to change certain areas in order to meet the tastes of the Japanese viewers. But I think that there are great parts from the original series too, and we should make the most out of it for the remake. Even though the general atmosphere may be different such as the cultural aspects, these are all formidable areas that we should be able to convey in the Japanese version.

YUJI ODA

I hope that many of the present, as well as the new fans of the drama series will enjoy watching it.

Q7 What do you think are some of the great aspects of especially for the Japanese remake?

YUJI ODA

I think that the remake can be developed, in a way which also truly defines some of the fantastic aspects of Japanese culture, such as the considerate nature of people.

YUTO NAKAJIMA

Yes, since it is based on the fantastic aspects of season 1.

YUJI ODA

In some parts, it is kind of tricky, as we must follow the main guidelines of Japanese compliance based broadcasting culture. But, on the other hand, if we follow these rules to the teeth, then it would simply be just another Japanese drama series, right? Isn’t that the hard part?

YUTO NAKAJIMA

It will be fascinating to see how the remake develops.

Q8 In your case, what are the areas that you would like to focus on for especially for the Japanese version?

YUTO NAKAJIMA

I think that even though the cultures may be different, there are also many parts that we all have in common. As the story moves forward, we will begin to recognize some of the complex issues which each of the characters may attain. As Daiki became a lawyer through misrepresenting his past history, I think that he will have to conceal these aspects along the way. Seeing and discovering some of the complexities of each of the characters should be interesting for the Japanese viewers too.

Q9 Some might say, that how Daiki wears his suit will portray how much he is growing as a character. What do you guys think about this in general?

YUJI ODA

I think I’ve already tried my best in this area (Lol).

YUTO NAKAJIMA

You undoubtedly look cool in a suit. I think that compared to us, you can easily pull off the cool gentleman’s look. In my case, I only get to wear a mourning suit at the beginning. I hope that I will gradually get more opportunities of wearing one, and begin to be more conscious about my character’s appearance.

Q10 What are some of the interesting parts of the character that you guys are playing?

YUJI ODA

Shogo Kai is a man of many talents with a lot of experience under his belt. He might seem perfect, however, attitudes towards him from his boss may make it seem otherwise, as he still has so much room for improvement. Apart from a secretary, he has never had an associate or anyone below him. However, in terms of Daiki, he’s a very pure character who tries to be at the same level of feeling and compassion as his clients. So, he came to realize that even though winning cases and receiving the rewards are important, there are other issues that we should be considering too. Each of the characters have their own positive and negative nature, and seeing how each of them grow during the story should be interesting to watch. It’s almost like a gigantic “family” that influence one another.

YUTO NAKAJIMA

Even though Daiki might seem perfect with his memory skills, the character needs to make full use of his ability in a more constructive way. You can see many of the ways Daiki expresses himself in the first episode. He also approaches some of the cases which he handles in a completely different way from Shogo, this being something which may make him an adorable character. But on the other hand, he also possesses some similar qualities to him too and the foundations are pretty much the same. And, even though the culture in Japan is top down, the way he tries to be at the same wave length with Shogo is kind of fascinating.

YUJI ODA

I see what you mean. I feel like this kind of top down culture isn’t very apparent in Shogo Kai’s business team. But, as I have grown up in this kind of society, it might affect me in some way or another. Whether or not we should consider portraying many of these aspects of Japanese society in the new drama series might be something for the viewers to look forward to. We hope you enjoy the drama series!