Actor Nina Akutsu

2023.05.25

When an opportunity arises, act honestly and seize the opportunity.

An actor　Akutsu Nina(Akutsu Nichika)

■ Profile

Born in Tochigi Prefecture in 2000. Winner of the runner-up prize at the 27th Junon Super Boy Contest. He played the lead role of Echizen Ryoma in the third season of "The Prince of Tennis Musical" for four years. His major appearances include the TV dramas "Papa to Natchan's Lunchbox" (2013), "Astro Boy's Child" (2012), "10 Count to the Future" (2012), "Mairunovitch" (2021), "Where Did My Skirt Go?" (2019), and stage productions such as "HUNTER×HUNTER THE STAGE" (2013), "Outdoor Theater Romeo and Juliet in the Playhouse" (2021), and "Musical Theater Twins in the Planetarium" (2021). He has appeared in the film "Tsunagareda Radio: Our Rainy Days" (2020), but this is his first leading role.

After winning the runner-up prize at the 27th Junon Super Boy Contest, Akutsu Ninai has been expanding his horizons as an actor, appearing in stage productions, TV dramas, films, and more, including the stage production of "The Prince of Tennis" and the film "Pecopan and the Devil," due for release in June of this year. We spoke to him about what inspired him to become an actor and what the highlights of "Pecopan and the Devil" are.

■The contest started with the feeling, "I want to be featured in a magazine!"

I didn't dream of becoming an actor from a young age. However, my parents were fans of idols and Johnny's, so I would go to their concerts and had many opportunities to come into contact with the entertainment industry. At the time, I thought it sounded like fun rather than actually wanting to enter the industry and act, but the turning point came when I tried out for the Junon Super Boy Contest. At the time, I was in my second year of junior high school and knew nothing about the entertainment industry, so my parents and older sister, who were knowledgeable about it, entered me for the contest. I didn't even know that a contest existed, so when I heard that my family had entered me, I took on the challenge with the feeling of "I can be in a magazine! Yay!"
I was by far the youngest of the participants, and the level of the other contestants was so high that at first I just thought, "I hope this will be a good memory," but as the selection process progressed and the number of contestants narrowed down, I was happy that I was still standing. I was able to win the runner-up prize thanks to the support of many people, including many fans who voted for me through my blog and my parents who accompanied me to practice. After that, I was fortunate enough to be able to join my current agency.
After taking various auditions, the first one he got was for the musical "The Prince of Tennis"^rdIt was the season. I was full of anxiety about being placed at the center of such a historic production, but thanks to the support of the fans, fellow cast members, and staff, I was able to stand there with confidence. I felt like I was really in the spotlight and had a sense of professionalism, and I decided to work hard as an actor from here on out.

■ The most rewarding part of being an actor is feeling the emotions of the fans

The most rewarding part of my job is when I can feel the feelings of my fans. It makes me really happy when I receive their thoughts in letters or on social media. When I touch the feelings of my fans who know the work and the role on a deeper level than I do, and who also watch me perform, I realize how glad I am to be an actor.
I haven't had many difficulties since entering the entertainment industry, but if I had to pick one, it would be when I go into a new project or location alone. Sometimes it feels a little tough until I get used to the set. But other than that, I'm having a lot of fun!
As an actor, I am usually conscious of looking at my own emotions from a bird's eye view. By doing so, I can realize things like, "This is how I feel happy." I try to make full use of this bird's eye view of my own emotions in my acting. I also try to be conscious of not feeling too much pressure when I'm acting. If I feel pressure, I think it will be transmitted to the other person, so I try to forget about pressure as much as possible and approach the role with a fun attitude. I believe that if I can immerse myself in the world view and the work, I can draw the audience into the work, so I try to act without being too nervous.

■ He played both modern and medieval roles.Movie "Beautiful Pekopan and the Devil"'

When I heard about this film, I didn't know anything about the original work, so at first I was surprised by the impact of the title (laughs). At the same time, I was really interested in what kind of story it was. I also heard that it would be shot using CG, but I haven't had much experience with CG filming until now, so I was excited to see how it would be done.
Filming took place in a short period of time with a relatively small number of people in a relaxed atmosphere. In this film, I played two roles, Pekopan and Hayato, and I was conscious of creating a difference between the modern and medieval atmospheres. I discussed various things with Miu-chan, who played Bouldour and Ami, and I was able to improvise naturally and freely during the date scenes in the modern part. On the other hand, the language used in the medieval scenes was difficult, so I thought about how I could break down these difficult words and act them out. Also, as the character is "handsome Pekopan," I was conscious of impressing with his strength and coolness. This film challenged me with a variety of things, including action scenes and a new challenge: horseback riding, and although it was difficult, I was able to enjoy acting in all of them.
The highlights of this film are basically everything (lol)! However, among other things, the CG is truly amazing, so I would like you to pay particular attention to it. The cast is also incredibly impressive. There are many unique characters, and there are plenty of action scenes. I think it's a film that will satisfy everyone who watches it!

■ What I want to try in my personal life in the future

I've played a lot of similar roles up until now, so I want to try out a variety of roles as an actor! I'd like to try a wide range of roles, including roles with completely different personalities from the ones I've played so far. In my private life, I'd like to try horse riding, which I tried for the first time in this film. It was refreshing and fun. I hope to be able to use horse riding in my work in the future. I want to keep trying new things and things I've done for the first time in the projects I'm involved in!

■Message to university students

If you have an opportunity or a chance, you should definitely grab it. I've always made a conscious effort to try out auditions and anything else. Then the opportunity came and I'm where I am today. I think it's important to create an opportunity yourself and act quickly. I also think it's good to listen to suggestions from those around you and act on them. Once you take action, you may realize and discover all sorts of things, such as, "It turned out to be a good fit for me after all."

Interviewed by Gakushuin Women's College sophomore Rimi Ogawa on March 14, 2023