Actors Hana Toyoshima and Yuki Kura in the film "Matching TRUE LOVE"

All the characters are somewhat "distorted." Pay attention to their twisted relationships.

■Actress Hana Toyoshima
Born on March 27, 2007, in Tokyo. She began her acting career at the age of one and gained attention for her roles in the drama "Towako Oomame and Her Three Ex-Husbands" and the Netflix film "The Bullet Train Explosion." Her recent works include the starring role in the drama "Kurosaki-san's Unwavering Love."

■Actor Kura Yuki
In 2019, he made his acting debut in the Fuji TV drama "Trace: The Forensic Investigator." In 20, he made his film debut and first starring role in Eliza Ikeda's directorial debut, "Summer, When It Arrives." He has since appeared in films such as "Blue Lock" and "Kyojo: Requiem."

Hana Toyoshima and Yuki Kura joined the cast of "Matching TRUE LOVE," the sequel to the hugely successful film "Matching." How did they approach their roles amidst the complex web of love and mysterious worldview? They spoke at length about their approach to character development and even shared a message for college students of their generation, revealing all the film's appeal.

■ How do you both approach your roles?

Toyoshima: I was initially very honored to be able to appear in the sequel to a film that was a huge hit, and I resolved to do my absolute best. The character I played, Aira, is often depicted as being caught up in the story, and her acting mainly consisted of being surprised and shouting. That's why I wanted to be someone who could naturally draw in the emotions of the other cast members and the audience through my reactions, and I approached the role with that in mind.

Kura: Because the previous work was so well-received, I think everyone who joined the cast as a new member felt at least some pressure. However, the character I played was very mysterious, so I was more excited about "how to approach playing the role" than I was pressured.

■What I learned about "death" and "the weight of life" through my work

Toyoshima: In the drama, there's a whirlwind of events that are unimaginable in everyday life, and when I first read the script, I felt it was very complicated, wondering, "What exactly is the relationship between Aira and Rin-chan?" Aira, the character I play, has a heavy past, having lost her sister in the previous work. Because of that, she doesn't know how to give or receive love, and there are many scenes where she is lost and doesn't know where to direct her feelings. That's why she has complex feelings towards Rin-chan, the protagonist played by Tao Tsuchiya, which are not just simple emotions. I made sure to always keep that "emotional turmoil" at the core of my performance.
Playing Aira made me realize once again the importance of recognizing my own true feelings. It's natural not to understand other people's feelings, but I have to understand my own feelings the best. I felt that truly accepting my true self is the first step towards my own happiness.

Kura: The characters in this work are somewhat distorted, and it feels like they are all "living while acting" as something other than themselves. So, to be honest, there were parts of the relationship that I struggled to interpret after just reading the script once. What the characters were looking for in each other just happened to be there, and they felt it was fate. No matter how distorted their love may look to outsiders, I interpreted it as a genuine and heartfelt emotion for the people involved.
Also, my character didn't have many of the easily recognizable reactions typical of horror, so I approached my performance with the idea that my role was to maintain an enigmatic atmosphere until the very end, without getting through to anyone. I made an effort to incorporate physical details, such as my posture, the way I put my hands in my pockets, and even consciously adopting an eerie sitting posture like "L" from "Death Note" to create a sense of something being off.
Since this film features many scenes where people lose their lives, I learned that the difference between someone who has experienced death and someone who hasn't, and the degree to which one places importance on life, varies greatly depending on the role.

■A whirlwind of unexpected developments

Toyoshima: The highlight of the work is the thrilling storyline that no one can predict. There are rapid twists and turns in the latter half, and I think you will experience the feeling of being surprised many times, thinking, "Wait, it's this person?!" The story takes turns at such a rapid pace that you don't have time to think about it, so I hope you will fully enjoy the rapid developments and unexpected twists.

Kura: Actually, I think it's quite a "funny movie." It has a good pace that appeals to younger generations, and while it's packed with action, romance, psychological horror, and suspense elements, it's very easy to watch. No matter which part of the movie you look at, it's impactful and enjoyable.

■The job of an actor allows me to meet a different version of myself every day.

Toyoshima: I get bored very easily, but this job as an actor, which I've been doing for nearly 18 years since childhood, is special to me. What I enjoy most is being able to become a different person and live a different life every day. What I find particularly rewarding is the process of bridging the "gap" between the emotions I feel and the expressions that are conveyed to the audience. I want to dedicate my life to creating wonderful works with the roles I encounter and the people I meet.

Kura: I also feel that the greatest appeal of acting is being able to meet different people and go to different places every day through filming and interviews. Also, being able to leave behind something I've appeared in, like a movie or a drama, is another appealing aspect. I want to continue to cherish my "core" and "ego"—the way I want to be.

■Message to university students

Toyoshima: As we get older, we tend to hesitate or feel inferior about taking new steps. That's why, if there's something you want to do right now, even if it's a little difficult, I want you to try it. I think there are environments and challenges that you can only jump into at this age, so trust your intuition and take action so you don't regret it later.

Kura: I think that university is a precious time when every moment you spend each day is absolutely not wasted. There is absolutely no need to feel down thinking, "I wasted the day and didn't accomplish anything." Even if you went to a drinking party you weren't enthusiastic about, or spent the whole day sleeping at home, there will come a day when you look back on it and think it was a precious and lovely time. I hope you will cherish even the time that seems "wasted" at first glance, and enjoy your university life to the fullest, as it is a time you only get once.

Interview with Ayami Matsuyama, a first-year student at Aoyama Gakuin University, published by Student Newspaper Online on November 20, 2026

Ayami Matsuyama (2nd year, Aoyama Gakuin University) / Moe Ota (2nd year, Nihon University) / Reina Inomoto (1st year, Kyoto University of the Arts)

Photography: Seita Hirota