Yuzu Aoki: Every time I face a role that is the complete opposite of myself, I feel a pang of ignorance

■ Profile

He is 20 years old and was born in 2001 in Kanagawa Prefecture. When he was in junior high school, he auditioned for "14 Nights" (released in 2016) and appeared in the main cast. His starring movie "Dawn of Darkness", released in 2018, was invited to be screened at the Jeonju Film Festival in Korea. He has appeared in dramas such as "Only on the Night I Want to Die", "I Had a Dream About Her", "AIBOU Season 19 New Year's Special", "I'm Crazy About You", and "Anonymous". He is also set to appear in a drama that starts in April. His starring movie will be released on August 20th."Girl by the Sea"is scheduled to be released.

■I've loved imitating others since I was little.

I wonder why I became an actor and not an idol (laughs). When I was little, I would grab a microphone I bought at a 100 yen shop and go to the schoolyard where my older brother went to sing and dance. I loved imitating the idols and singers I saw on TV.

When I was in elementary school, I used to collect finger puppets, assign each one a character, and play with them by making up stories. I would make the characters fight, and it would always end with a dark twist (laughs). This hobby was just a temporary passion and didn't last long, but looking back, I wonder if it has led to the work I do now.

■ The reason I started acting was because of Kato Seishiro

I came home from elementary school and was watching a TV drama called "Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge" that was being rebroadcast at the time, when I saw Kato Seishirō, who was the same age as me, appearing in it. I thought, "Amazing!" when I saw him acting alone alongside such great actors. I told my mother, "I want to do this job too," and she agreed. I don't remember how I persuaded her. But I do remember the strong feeling that "I want to do it!" I'm grateful to myself now. I'm amazed that I was able to keep going without quitting.

■ There were plenty of opportunities to quit acting

I went to a high school with a performing arts course, so I was surrounded by friends who were involved in a variety of activities. The school was very understanding, so it was easy to get by, but if I had to say something, it was disappointing that I couldn't participate in any events.

There have been many times when I wanted to quit acting, and I've had more difficult times than good times up until now. But it was my family that supported me through those times. I thought it would be good if I complained to them, and my brother, who doesn't usually say things like that, gave me some advice by saying, "There are people who want to do this job but can't." I'm very grateful to my family for guiding me on the right path.

■ In times of anxiety, the live voices of the audience supported me

Being able to meet the audience directly at stage greetings is a particularly big thing for me. In the job of an actor, no one tells you the right answer, and sometimes you get anxious about whether your acting is okay.

Last year, when I went to a stage greeting in Nagano, there were dozens of people in the audience. I saw people who had come to see the film I was in, who nodded along as I spoke, and who applauded. It made me realize that the film was reaching each and every one of them, and that there were people watching even from far away. With so many things now being done online, it was very meaningful.

■Changes in myself that have become apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic

I read interviews with various actors, and I get the sense that those active on the front lines are genuinely concerned with the importance of entertainment and the continuation of culture. I was so preoccupied with immediate matters, I realized I hadn't had enough of a desire to enliven the entire theater world.

Spending more time at home has made me realize once again the importance of entertainment. Some people say that entertainment like movies and dramas is unnecessary during these difficult times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are definitely people who need entertainment precisely because they are going through difficult times, and I think we must continue to do so for their sake. Although I am an actor, there are also times when watching movies and dramas helps me. I would like people to watch my work and be able to help them in any way I can.

■When you hit a wall, it's a chance to put it to good use!

It's easy for me to play characters that I can empathize with, but it's difficult to play characters with situations and backgrounds that are completely different from mine. Every time I face such a character, I am painfully reminded that I am still shallow-minded and know nothing.

Recently, when something happens in my daily life that makes me think, "That's difficult" or "I don't understand," I've become able to look at it from an objective perspective. I think, "Oh, maybe I can use this when I'm acting." I think I need to enrich my daily life more in order to play a role. I still have a long way to go.

■No matter what role I play, I always want it to be a culmination of my work.

My environment has changed, and I feel like I have more responsibilities than ever before. I've graduated from high school, so I feel like I'm starting from scratch.
From now on, I want to become an actor who can act flexibly, whether I'm in the center of a work or in any other position. I try my best to make each work I appear in feel like a culmination of my work, and I want that to become a great culmination when viewed as a whole in the future.

■Message

We are the only ones living in the same era as you. That's why we want to work hard together. If each and every member of the younger generation doesn't give up on being mindful of small everyday changes, I think we can live more happily than we do now. I think it's fine to start with small things like being considerate of friends.
I would like to be involved in many productions that will give people relief when they see my acting when they are at a dead end. I will do my best too!

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on February 22, 2021 by Mana Kitanohara, a third-year student at Kyoritsu Women's University