CIA Ikumi Isaka / Ryo Kato / Kazuma Kawahara / Ryotaro Sakaguchi

The unique world of entertainment created by the CIA

■ Profile
Ikumi Isaka(Ikumi Isaka)
Born on February 3, 1996 in Nara Prefecture.
Her recent major appearances include "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day" (2023),
His work includes the stage play "Patalliro!" - Phantom and the Nanto Bank web commercial.
He will appear as Draken in the musical "Tokyo Revengers."

Ryo Kato(Ryo Kato)
Born on May 1990, 2 in Shizuoka Prefecture.
He is currently appearing in the drama "ONE DAY: Much Ado About Christmas" (Fuji TV). He will soon appear in the film "Fly Me to Saitama: With Love from Lake Biwa" and the musical "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

Kazuma Kawahara(Kawahara Kazuma)
Born on May 1990, 12 in Shizuoka Prefecture.
His recent major appearances include the Hyper Projection Theatre "Haikyu!!" series, the musical "Ringo" and the musical "Cinderella Story". He will be in charge of the composition of this SUPERLIVE.

Ryotaro Sakaguchi(Ryotaro Sakaguchi)
Born on July 1990, 8 in Hyogo Prefecture.
Her recent major works include the TV drama "Ranman" (NHK), the drama "18/40: Dreams and Love Together" (TBS), and the stage play "Kinoshita Kabuki Kanjincho." She will appear in the film "Ienai Himitsu" (Secrets that Can't Be Said), which is scheduled to be released in the summer of 24.

It was created by a group of popular young actors belonging to Cube Co., Ltd.CIAWe spoke to four members of the group, Ikumi Isaka, Ryo Kato, Kazuma Kawahara, and Ryotaro Sakaguchi, about the unique stories and charms of working in the entertainment industry, and the upcoming event to be held in December of this year."SUPER LIVE"We heard about this.

■About his student days and his entertainment career

Isaka: I feel like I was devoted to my student life. I was particularly active in baseball and the student council. Of course, I also enjoyed my youth by going to karaoke with friends after school. I had a strong desire to play high school baseball since I was a child, but an injury I sustained in my third year of junior high school forced me to give up on that dream. It was very difficult at the time, but then I saw a TV drama called "Tumbling," which really motivated me. I was deeply moved by the power of acting to change the feelings of those who watch it, and I still remember how strongly I aspired to be in this world. After that, I tried out for the "Junon Super Boy Contest" and won second place, paving the way to my long-awaited career in showbiz.

(I.e.I started attending musical school when I was five years old, and I was passionate about dancing and acting from my student days. I was already working as a child actor when I was in elementary school, but I didn't tell my school, so I was often called in by teachers. When I appeared in a morning drama, my teachers found out I was working in the entertainment industry, and they were very surprised (laughs). Having continued in this job for so long, there were times when I worried that I wasn't cut out for it. Even when I was going to university, I had conflicts with my parents, and I felt like it was time to quit. However, working in the entertainment industry was the only thing I was able to continue, and I was grateful to have been given work, so I wanted to stay in this world and am still working here today.

Dry riverbedWhen I was in elementary school, a childhood friend invited me to visit Shinnosuke Motoyama's dance school. At the time, it wasn't yet common for boys to dance, but even as an elementary school student, I was captivated by Motoyama's dancing and decided to take up dance lessons. I attended dance lessons five days a week after school, but I never felt busy and found my days fulfilling. After graduating from elementary school, I moved to Tokyo to focus more on dance. In my third year of junior high school, I auditioned for a role in the musical "The Prince of Tennis." Thankfully, I continued to enjoy the things in front of me, appearing in historical dramas and stage plays. In high school, I chose the general education department over the performing arts department. This was because I felt that if I went into performing arts, even student life would become like work. This choice allowed me to enjoy a normal student life, hanging out with friends and chatting about trivial things. Although it was sometimes difficult to balance my studies with my work in the entertainment industry, I'm glad I made the choice.

SakaguchiWhen I was in elementary school, I saw the Shiki Theatre Company's "Cats" and decided I wanted to enter the entertainment industry. I had complexes about things like atopic dermatitis and blushing, but I always loved to use them as jokes to entertain those around me. I spent my childhood in Kobe, where many kids were like that around me, so it was natural for us to tease each other and laugh at each other. In high school, my desire to pursue a career in the entertainment industry grew stronger, and I decided to attend high school in Kanagawa, close to Tokyo. Even in my new home, I tried to liven things up by making jokes about myself, just like I did in Kobe, but it didn't work in Kanagawa. This felt like a huge culture shock to me, and I began to long for a return to Kobe. It was during this time that I had the opportunity to audition for a play directed by Mirai Moriyama. I passed the audition and was able to perform on stage for the first time. After that, I joined my current agency in my third year of high school, and during those three years, I dedicated myself to myself and the field of expression in order to get closer to my dream.

■ What actors find rewarding about their work

Isaka: I think I felt particularly rewarded when I played the Vietnamese boy Cuong in the TV drama "Your Turn to Kill." I never thought I'd be working on a role that transcends my own nationality, so I was very surprised when I received the offer. There were times when I found it difficult to play this role, but I was happy to receive such positive feedback from those around me. I feel that through my acting, I was able to live up to the expectations that I could act beyond nationality.

(I.e.: I guess it's being able to meet lots of interesting people. Personally, I love interacting with people and having conversations. In this job, I get to work with a lot of unique people, and sometimes that work becomes a chance for us to become friends. I find it very rewarding to be able to expand my connections with these people.

Dry riverbed: First of all, I think that acting is a lot of fun and is like a dream come true for me. However, I think that the most rewarding part of working as an actor is being able to entertain the audience as well. In particular, on stage you can actually experience the audience's reaction, and a work may even have an impact on someone's life. As I have continued this job, there have been times when it has been rewarding but also difficult, but I have continued to do it because of the fun and determination.

Sakaguchi: I think the rewarding part of this job is that you get to understand the feelings of many different people through the roles you play. You can also apply what you learn there to your own life. I think being able to do these things is one of the attractions of being an actor. Also, being able to communicate with interesting people from all over the world and create works is a lot of fun and rewarding.

■ Thoughts on the Fan Appreciation Event CIA presents "SUPER LIVE"

Isaka: This live performance is also a way to send off the members who are graduating from CIA, so I want to express my gratitude and make the live performance a success. I want to create a fun live performance together with the CIA members, who all have unique personalities. I'll also be sure to liven up the solo corners! I'll do my best!!!

(I.e.: I think it's very special for actors to perform live. I do dance on variety shows, but I rarely get the chance to dance and sing in a live situation. This live performance marks my graduation from CIA, so I'm sad to think that I won't have these opportunities, as well as the interaction with the people who support me, for a while, but I want to put on a live performance that conveys my gratitude for all they've shown me so far. And because it's my very last performance, I want as many people as possible to see it.

Dry riverbed: It's been six years since CIA was formed. From the time when it was just me and Ryo as young actors, we've gradually expanded and grown to the point where we can hold live shows like this. I've been involved in directing SUPER LIVE since it first began, so I feel very strongly about it. Acting is a profession where you can't survive without a role. In other words, it's a profession where you rarely have the opportunity to stand in front of people as yourself. This SUPER LIVE is a rare opportunity for fans to see my true self up close. This time, I'll be involved in the live show as a planner, but I'd like to brainstorm ideas with the other members and make it a live show that will allow each of us to show off our individual personalities and charms!

Sakaguchi: I never thought in my life that I'd have my bromide sold and people would wave penlights at me (laughs). This SUPER LIVE was a lot of fun, and it was the only chance I had to have fun and get along with the CIA members, so I'm a little sad to think that it's gone. But I also felt like it was about time to move on. I want to pass on CIA's traditions and thoughts so that the spotlight is on the other members, not us. To begin with, it's been two years since our last live performance, so I hope everyone will pay attention to how much we've grown in that time. Anyway, I hope to spend a fun, festival-like time with everyone!

■Message to students

Isaka: Believe in yourself, don't give up on your dreams, and follow your own path. Cherish the connections you make with others!!!

(I.e.: Try various things at your own pace. I also believe that the people you meet at university, and those who have similar goals, will be valuable in your life. Cherish these encounters and connections.

Dry riverbed: I think that when you're a student, you tend to compare yourself to others. But instead of getting impatient, I think your life will be richer if you do what you can at that time and face yourself. Please enjoy the time you have now.

Sakaguchi: Throw away your shame and just do your best!

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on October 12, 2023 by Waka Watanabe, a first-year student at International Christian University

Article composition: Minami Yoshikawa, second-year student at Sophia University