Kabuki actor/actor Onoe Masahide

In the future, I hope to become a humorous Kabuki actor who entertains audiences.

Kabuki actor/actor Onoe Mahoro

■ Profile
Born in Tokyo on September 11, 2012. He made his debut in 2017 as the fishmonger apprentice Yokichi in "Uoya Sogoro." In 2023, he made his stage debut at the Kabukiza theater in "Otogiku Masahide Young Warrior" under the name of the first Onoe Masahide. He also made his acting debut in the drama "Riding a Unicorn" (TBS) in 2022. He has since appeared in "PICU Pediatric Intensive Care Unit" (CX), the historical drama "What Will Ieyasu Do?" (NHK), and "Wind's Fukushima" (TX). "Light of the Port" was his first film appearance.

"I've been on the Kabuki stage since I was old enough to understand," says actor Onoe Masahide. He entered the world of Kabuki at the age of four, and now at 13, he continues to challenge himself while balancing his studies and work. This will be his first film appearance."Light of the Port"In this interview, he talks about the behind-the-scenes aspects of preparing for the role, the appeal of Kabuki, and his dreams for the future.

Before I knew it, I had already started my current job. I grew up watching Kabuki from a young age, and I first stood on stage when I was four years old. I don't remember much about that time, but it all started when someone asked me, "Do you want to do it?"
During his elementary school years, he enjoyed school life, joining the science club as he loved experiments and working up a sweat playing soccer. He once dreamed of becoming a soccer player, but as he became involved with Kabuki, he naturally decided to pursue a career as a Kabuki actor.
Balancing school and work can be difficult when schedules overlap. However, I prioritize my studies because I want to cherish the time I spend with friends and learning.
The charms of Kabuki are countless. The acrobatic fighting scenes are very exciting to watch, and it's also great to see characters from history textbooks and other sources appear on stage. It's also fun to paint your own face with makeup, and it feels great to hear the sound of the geta sandals when you step on the stage. Rehearsals are held once every two weeks, during which we learn the shamisen, ohayashi music, singing, and taiko drumming. I particularly enjoy playing the taiko drums, and I was very nervous when I was given the opportunity to try out a difficult piece right from the start.

■映画"Light of the Port"Challenge in

In my first film appearance, "Lights of the Port," I played a lonely, blind boy. I remember my mother being very happy when I received the offer. To prepare for the role, I visited a school for the blind, learned how to hold and use a white cane, and gradually got used to it. From then on, I spent the next one to two months thinking about what it means to be blind.
When I play a role, I read the script carefully and think about the character's personality and background while searching for the right person to portray the character. This time too, I approached the role by deeply imagining how a boy filled with loneliness and conflict spends his days.
The most difficult thing about playing a blind character was his gaze. If I moved my eyes, it would appear as if I could see, so I had to move my head when I moved my eyes, in order to make it look natural. I communicated extensively with the director and staff, and tried to carefully portray the feelings of a boy who was lonely and conflicted.
The filming took place in Noto, and I was motivated by tasting local ingredients every day. Since I grew up surrounded by adults from a young age, I had almost no anxiety on set, and in fact, I had a lot of fun interacting with so many people.
When I saw the finished work, there were some parts where I felt like I could have done better, but I think it was a great learning experience for my next challenge.

■ I want to try genres I have no experience in.

I would like to try my hand at dramas in the future. I intend to put my all into any role I'm given, but I'd also like to try my hand at genres I've never done before, such as horror.
At the same time, I want to become a kabuki actor who has a sense of humor and can entertain the audience. I have friends who come to see my plays, and I can easily find out where they are sitting. I am very happy when they tell me that it was good.
In my private life, I would like to put more effort into volleyball, which I am currently passionate about. Right now I am working on perfecting my jump serve, but once I grow taller I would like to try playing left field. I would like to grow taller, but I have mixed feelings because I have been told that it is better not to grow taller in Kabuki.

■ Message

"Light of the Port"Everything in this film is a highlight, but what I want you to see in particular is the drive of the character I play, Kota. He is bullied for being blind and ends up all alone, but an ex-yakuza man saves him, and he decides to become a police officer in the future. I played this character's drive, and it really appealed to me. Also, because it was shot on film, it has a different feel to it than digital. It's a story that doesn't exist in the modern world, and I think it will give you a nostalgic experience, so I hope many people will see it in the theater.

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on July 1, 2025 by Musashino University third-year student Akira Yoshimatsu

Kosuke Maeda, second-year student at Komazawa University; Rurika Abe, second-year student at Showa Women's University; Akira Yoshimatsu, third-year student at Musashino University

Hair & Makeup: Sachiko Omori Stylist: Natsuko Kawabe (KiKi inc.)