Actress Hinako Kikuchi

Acting is my calling. I want to continue to find wonderful roles.

actress 　Hinako Kikuchi(Kikuchi Hinako)

■ Profile
Hinako Kikuchi was born on February 3, 2002 in Fukuoka Prefecture.
In 2021, she appeared in the film "What Am I Fighting Against?" (directed by Lee Toshio) and the stage play "Drunken Angel" (directed by Miike Takashi), and in 2022 she won the Newcomer Award at the 46th Japan Academy Awards for her role in "The Moon's Phases" (directed by Hiroki Ryuichi).
In 2025, he has a number of upcoming releases, including the film "Kakushigoto" (released on May 30th) and the film "Nagasaki: In the Shadow of the Flash" (released nationwide on August 1st), in which he plays the lead role.

Hinako Kikuchi, an actress who has appeared in a variety of media including commercials, dramas, movies, and stage plays, and who is currently attracting attention, including winning the Newcomer of the Year award at the 46th Japan Academy Awards, has been chosen to star in the film "Nagasaki: In the Shadow of the Flash." We spoke to her about her approach to this film, her thoughts, and her resolve as a member of a generation that did not experience the war.

■Resolve as an actor

I have never been passive about this job. Sometimes I worry too much about a role and it causes me pain, but I think that this feeling is also built on the joy of "being able to do what I wanted to do." Basically, when I'm facing my work, I feel the most alive.
This may sound too cool, but I believe that acting is my calling. Even if I feel very depressed in my daily life, I can accept it by thinking, "I'm sure I can use that in a role someday." Because the more depressed I feel, the more I understand what it feels like to hit rock bottom, and I think that will be a great support for me when I play a character like that.

■Nagasaki: In the Shadow of the Flash

I've always watched a lot of war-themed movies, so I knew how much of an impact war movies can have on people. That's why when I was approached about making the film "Nagasaki: In the Shadow of the Flash," I had a strong desire to make a film that incorporated all the influences I've had up until now.
Furthermore, I was nervous about playing the lead role for the first time, so after receiving the script, I read it over and over again. In addition to the script, I also read the notes of the actual nurses who inspired the film, and spent my time preparing for filming.
In this production, I experienced being "engulfed in a role" for the first time. However, I also think that being "engaged in a role" is proof that you are seriously facing the role. From start to finish, even if it was difficult, I was prepared to continue facing this role. Of course, I was worried about whether I would be able to act the way I imagined, but I accepted those feelings as they were and I think I was able to face the role of Tanaka Sumi as I felt it.
I am playing the role without actually knowing what those who experienced the war felt. For that reason, I made sure not to assume even for a moment that I had completely become Tanaka Sumi. I didn't think that I had anything in common with Tanaka Sumi, and I decided to continue thinking about the character Tanaka Sumi, pursuing her, and acting out her role until the very moment filming ended.
Also, because I have never experienced war, I want to be sincere to those who have and those who have been affected even in the slightest by the atomic bomb. Just because I participated in this work does not mean that I have experienced war. I believe that what I can do now is to never forget this tragedy and to never stop thinking about it.
This film takes us through the events that took place in 1945 over the course of two hours. One of its highlights is that it doesn't have any particular message. I'm not asking people to think a certain way after watching it. I hope that each viewer will be able to understand and convey the meaning of war and the atomic bomb through this film from their own perspective.

■I hope you continue to have wonderful encounters

My biggest goal is to continue to find roles that I think are wonderful. I'm very grateful to have come across such wonderful roles, such as in the film "Nagasaki: In the Shadow of the Flash" and in the film "Kakushigoto." Every time I come across a wonderful role, I feel like I'm growing as a person and taking a step up.
No matter what work I appear in, I always find some point of reflection, like "I could have done better this way," so I don't think I'll ever feel like "Okay! I'm satisfied now!". I personally love watching movies, and I believe in the power of film, so I want to continue to encounter great works and great roles.
The new challenge I would like to take on is working in radio. I've always loved listening to the radio, but recently I've also started to enjoy talking about it myself. I think that working in radio might help me discover a new side of myself.

■Message to students

I entered university in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, so I didn't have many opportunities to make friends. I was enrolled in a faculty that taught specialized knowledge of mathematics, and I remember using YouTube to solve mathematical equations in my spare time on set.
What I realized while spending my days like this is that you don't necessarily have to be tied down to the set tracks of society, such as "go for an internship in your third year and get a job in your fourth year." I think there are many students who are worried about their future career paths and finding a job, but I think it might be a good idea to try to clear away those fixed ideas from your mind for once. I still have a long way to go, but if you pursue what you love, I'm sure that one day it will become your strength. And if you prioritize your own happiness, I think you'll be able to live each day in peace.

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on June 5, 2025 by Yurie Watanabe, second-year student at Josai International University

Showa Women's University, second year, Abe Rurika / Josai International University, second year, Watanabe Yurie / Toyo University, third year, Matsuoka Karin