Kaku Kento: Life is only once, so keep challenging yourself and a new world will open up before you　

Actor and producer　Kento Kaku(Kakkento)

■ Profile

Born in Tokyo in 1989, he made his debut as an actor in 2007. At first, he played leading roles in films and TV dramas, but he was unable to achieve a breakthrough, so he continued to hone his skills on stage.
In 2018, he starred in the drama "From Today, It's My Turn!!" which became a huge hit. Since then, he has shown impressive acting skills in television and movies.
The theatrical version of "TOKYO MER: Running Emergency Room" will be released on April 28, 2023. In 2024, "House of Ninjas" (Netflix), for which he is the original creator, lead actor, and producer, is scheduled to be released.

He was scouted as a high school student and entered the world of entertainment. While his strengths lie in comedy and other funny roles, Kaku Kento has a wide range of talent and can easily handle serious roles as well.
We spoke to Kaku about his approach to work and his new venture as a producer.

I went to an all-boys school from elementary to high school, and my school life was dominated by basketball. I was scouted in my first year of high school. At the time, I prioritized club activities and didn't participate in acting practice very often. However, one day, I decided to go, and although I was nervous, I remember having more fun than anything.
I've always been good at impersonating others, so I felt that acting was an extension of that, and gradually started going to auditions. I made my debut in "Little DJ: A Little Love Story," but I was disappointed that I wasn't able to act the way the director told me to. I hadn't really studied acting up until then, and my desire to be more recognized grew stronger, which changed the way I approached my work as an actor.
After that, I went on to university, but in my second year I was offered a great role, which led me to decide to make a career in the entertainment industry. At that time, I told my parents how I felt: "I want to quit school because I'm serious about this job. If I don't make it by the time I'm 30, I'll quit, so please let me work hard until then." This was how I decided to quit university. I'm sure my parents were worried. But since I had said it, I resolved to work hard. Looking back, I think this was a turning point in my life. I was worried about losing the title of university student, but I chose the entertainment world with unfounded confidence and momentum.

■The stage that sparked the development of individuality

The person who changed me, who I thought had no individuality, was the playwright Yuichi Fukuda, who advised me to "create one weapon." Watching the comedians who create laughs on Fukuda's stage, I spent my days struggling and searching for something new.
Then one day, I received some advice about making people laugh from Ikeda Masashi, an actor I respect. When I followed Ikeda's advice, the audience erupted in laughter. That's when I realized that comedians don't just do funny things to make people laugh; it's a technique that makes people laugh. From then on, I began to feel that making people laugh was cool. To be honest, I was feeling anxious as I watched my fellow actors of my generation becoming increasingly popular, but I told myself that it was okay because I was doing what I wanted to do on stage, so I continued to research how to make people laugh on stage.
At the same time, I think I am where I am today because I was able to work hard without giving up on the belief that "I will definitely become popular and get more work." I worked hard on challenging stages and learned the techniques to make people laugh, and now I feel really glad.

■Work as a producer - "The House of Shinobi"

The reason I decided to make my own work was because of the impact of COVID-19. I was worried about losing my job, so I thought about it a lot and came up with the idea of ​​creating my own work. Then, I saw an actor acting as a producer in the end credits of a foreign film, and I thought, "This is it!" I spent two years building the foundation for the work, and it's now moving forward with filming.
The reason I chose ninjas as the concept for my work "House of Ninjas" is because I wanted to create a work that would allow me to talk about dreams, a hero story that anyone could enjoy and feel romantic about. One day, when I went to a ninja village with my child, I noticed that his eyes lit up with joy when he saw the ninjas. Also, seeing the foreigners excited as well made me realize that ninjas are entertainment that can be enjoyed by people all over the world, from adults to children. The conversation expanded with questions like, "What if the whole family were ninjas?" and, "What if you were the last ninja left in Japan?", and so I came up with a story about ninjas saving Japan.

■ Make the most of the present moment without regrets

I believe that being a student is a very important time, marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. It's a time when you think about life, worry, and feel depressed. I hope that you will struggle and suffer through this time, experience many things, and see it through without any regrets.
I absolutely believe that there is destiny, and that there must be a reason for everything. This is because I feel that nothing that has happened to me in my life so far has been in vain. Even if I fail, there will surely come a time when I will think that it was good that I failed. Believing in yourself will open up a path for you.

Junior and Senior High School Newspaper, April 1, 2023 Issue, Nihon University 4rd Year, Wada Maho

■INFORMATION

Netflix series
"House of Ninjas"
Planning: Kaku Kento
Starring: Kento Kaku, Yosuke Eguchi, Tae Kimura, Kengo Kora, Aju Makita, Nobuko Miyamoto
Distribution: 2024, worldwide exclusive distribution on Netflix

<English article>

Actor, Producer, Kento Kaku 

You only live once, a new world opens up when you keep trying 

■Profile: 

Born in 1989 in Tokyo, he debuted as an actor in 2007. He initially played leading roles in films and TV dramas but was unable to make his big break. He spent many years developing his skills in the theater and in other productions. 

In 2018, the drama in which he acted as the lead role, “Kyo Kara Ore wa!” became a big hit. Since then, he has been performing with a strong presence on TV and in films. 

The film version of TOKYO MER: Mobile Emergency Room will be released on 28 April 2023, and House of Ninjas (Netflix), for which he wrote the story, stars, and produces, is scheduled to be released in 2024. 

Scouted when he was a high school student and entered the entertainment world. Kento Kaku has a wide range of roles, with funny roles such as comedies as his strengths, and he also plays serious roles without any difficulty. 

We interviewed him about his approach to his job and his new challenge as a producer. 

I went to an all-boys school in elementary, junior high, and high school, and my school life was all about basketball. I was scouted in my first year of high school. At that time, I prioritized club activities and didn't participate in many theater practices. However, one day, I suddenly decided to go, and although I was nervous, I remember that I enjoyed it even more. 

I had always been good at mimicking people, and I felt that acting was an extension of that, so I gradually began to attend auditions. I debuted in Little DJ – A Tale of Little Love, but I was frustrated because I couldn't act as the director told me in this film. I had not studied well, and I wanted to be more recognized, which changed how I approached my acting job. 

Later, I went on to university, but in my second year, I got a great role, which made decide me to make a living in the entertainment world. Then I decided to quit university. I told my parents that I wanted to quit school because I really wanted to focus on my acting career, and if I could not succeed by 30, I would quit then. My parents must have been worried. However, I felt I had to do my best now that I had said it. When I think about it now, I believe that this was a turning point in my life. I was worried that I would lose my status as a university student, but I chose the world of entertainment with baseless confidence and energy. 

■ The stage that led to creating individuality 

I thought I had no unique personality, but the playwright Yuichi Fukuda changed that when he advised me to “create a weapon .”I spent my days searching for my identity, worrying while watching the comedic actors who created laughs on Mr Fukuda's stage. 

One day, I received advice about comedy from the actor Ikeda Shigeki, whom I respected. When I followed his advice, the audience laughed. Then I felt that comedic actors do not make people laugh by doing things just to be funny but that making people laugh is a technique. That's when I started to feel that it was very cool to make people laugh. To be honest, I was a bit nervous when I saw other actors of my generation becoming more and more successful, but I told myself it was okay because I was doing what I wanted to do on stage. Also, I continued to research how to make people laugh on stage. 

Also, I never lost the feeling that I would definitely be successful and get more work, and I think that's why I'm here now. I am happy now that I could work hard on stage, where I was challenged, and acquire the techniques to make people laugh. 

■Work as a producer – 'The House of the Ninja' 

The reason I decided to create my work was because of COVID-19. I was worried about losing my job, and after thinking about it a lot, I came up with the idea of ​​creating my work. That's when I saw an actor acting as a producer in the end roll of a foreign film. I felt it was the exact thing to do. It took two years to build up the foundations of the project, and now we are in the process of filming. 

The reason why I chose Ninja as the concept for House of Ninjas is I wanted to make a film that could talk about dreams, a heroic movie that anyone can enjoy and feel the romance of. One day, when I went to the Ninja Village with my children, they were so happy to see ninjas with shining eyes. When I saw that foreigners were also excited, I thought that ninjas were entertainment that everyone, from adults to children, from all over the world could enjoy. What if everyone in the family were a ninja?” What if we were the last Ninja left in Japan? The story of the Ninja saving Japan was created. 

■ Complete 'now' without regrets 

I believe that students are at a significant time between childhood and adulthood. They think about life, worry, and feel depressed. I hope they struggle and suffer hard during these times, experience many things, and make it through without regrets. 

I think there is destiny, and there must be a reason for everything. That is because I feel nothing in my life has been a waste of anything that has happened to me. Even if I fail, there will come a time when I will be glad that I failed. I am sure that believing in myself will open up a new world for you. 

In charge of translation：INTERNATIONAL CHISTIAN UNAIVERSITY Mai Wako

Translated by Mai Wakao, a first-year student at International Christian University

<Chinese article>

Life is only one thing, and the challenge is to advance to a new world.

Actor/Performer Kakubanjin

■ Introduction

Born in 1989 in Tokyo. Became an actor since 2007. Although he appeared in the video and video for the first time, he achieved a major breakthrough and was only able to develop his own skill on stage.
In 2018, the TV show "Kyo Kara Ore wa!!" in which she starred in another movie received great reviews. After this, a serious performance by a young man appeared on TV.
The video “TOKYO MER ~Running Emergency Room~” will be screened on April 28, 2023. ``House of Ninjas'' (Netflix), written by Yuta's homeroom teacher and starring Katahin, will be screened in 2024.

During his time in high school, he also explored and studied stars. There are many kinds of holes in the face of the victim, but other people's strength is there, but there is also room for other people to play the blade.
Mr. Kaku, I understand that you have chosen a different method of work, and it is a new challenge for the work system, unilaterally.

I went to elementary school, junior high school, high school, and junior high school, and started my student life by playing basketball. I finished exploring planets during my first year of high school. At that time, I was the leader of the company's activities, and I also participated in the acting practice. Of course, the first thing I decided to do was leave, but I wrote it down and added it to my account.
I am a direct pilot, and as long as I modeled another person, I will continue to play the role of another person, so I will continue to play. I came out of ``Little DJ ~A Little Love Story'', but in my current work, I was requested to perform the performance of the director, and I felt that it was a long time ago. Before I get there, I have no knowledge of how to express knowledge, but I want to be able to see more people, and I have changed my work method as well.
After that, I went to Liyo University, but when I finished my second year there, I decided to work at an exhibition business. At this time, my parents expressed their own feelings, and said: ``I thought of leaving school, because of my true thoughts, I continued to work. 30 years ago, my work continued to be held, and I joined the broadcasting and research industry.'' ``I have decided to leave. My parents are determined to take charge. However, I have decided to leave, and I have no choice, but I will do my best. As I recall, this is the turning point in my life. The title of a university student who lost his self-confidence, but I have no faith in the place I choose to stay.

■The opportunity stage for the creation of a successful personality

Since I have lost my own identity, however, I have changed my mind and am using the screenwriter Yuichi Fukuda and others to create "a certain kind of weapon". We will take care of Futian's stage performance, as well as the playful and entertaining performers.
Once upon a time, I was able to create a comical construction by Seiji Ikeda, a performer whom I respect. When I saw Mr. Ikeda's construction, I burst out laughing the first night. At that time, I realized that the actors were not happy, but due to interesting circumstances, people laughed, and other people's skills made others laugh. At that time, I started to see people laughing and laughing. The story is based on the fact that I am a self-confessed person, but I am still on stage and have no idea what I am thinking about, so how do I go about researching this topic? The people on stage were laughing out loud.
At the same time, I believe that I have the ability to achieve instant success, because of my hard work, and I have the feeling that ``I have a certain ability, but I have the ability to gain even more work.'' I am truly proud of my ability to work hard on stage to learn how to listen to people's humorous techniques.

■Individual work by one person—“Shinobi no Ie”

Due to the effects of coronary illness, this is my own work. I lost my mind, thought before thinking, and thought that I was born again. At that time, I was watching some foreign movies with single-tailed subtitles, and I thought, ``This is what I'm going to do!'' At that time, I was able to finish the work for the past two years, and I was currently in the process of completing the work.
From this point on, the selected ninja work ``House of Ninjas'' is a work concept, because some of it is my imagination, some of it is imaginary works, some of it is heroic works that people can enjoy, and some of it is works that people can enjoy. A romantic feeling unlike any other. One day, the ninja village, where I saw the ninjas, and the ninjas, and the light was released. Apart from that, I am aware of the level of interest that foreigners have, and I am aware that ninjas are the kind of activities that people from all over the world can enjoy, whether they are adults or small cities. ``Is each person in the ninja village a ninja game?'' and ``Is everyone else in Japan a ninja game?'' This is a Japanese story about the history of the ninja.

■Unrepentant land has been completed “currently” this time

I believe that this is one of the most important stages in the life of a student. My thinking life, my thoughts and feelings, my thoughts and feelings. My hope is that you have no regrets, no effort, no pain, no regrets, no regrets.
I have faith in myself, my destiny is certain, and all causes are necessary. This is because of the circumstances in which I have owned the property during my lifetime. Immediately you lost the mission, you lost the fortune of the Heavenly Society. As a result, you mutually trust yourself, and open the road meeting.

Translated by: Mio Nakayama