Actor Yuzu Aoki in the film "NEW GROUP"

Stay flexible and don't lose sight of yourself. Take on the challenge of creating a shocking work unlike anything you've ever seen.

Actor Yuzu Aoki

■ Profile
Born in 2001 in Kanagawa Prefecture. She made her film debut in 16 with "14 no Yoru" (directed by Shin Adachi). In 21, she was nominated for the Mainichi Film Awards Sponichi Grand Prix Newcomer Award for "Umibe no Onna no Ko" (co-starring/directed by Atsushi Ueda), and in 23, she won the MOOSIC AWARD Best Actor Award for "Manami 100%" (co-starring/directed by Yumeki Kawakita). Her recent major appearances include the films "Minato ni Tomoshibi ga Tomoru" (directed by Mojiri Adachi), "Tenshi no Tsukasaru Shima" (starring/directed by Ayaka Horii), and "5 Centimeters Per Second" (directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama), the NHK serial drama "Come Come Everybody" and "Ja, Anta ga Tsukutte Miro yo" (TBS), and the stage play "Peter and Alice". Upcoming projects include the films "Blue Lock" (directed by Yusuke Taki), "Magical Secret Tour" (directed by Chihiro Amano), and "Satoko is Always" (directed by Shuichi Okita).

Aoki Yuzu, an actor who has appeared in numerous acclaimed works and exudes a unique presence, plays Yu, a high school student returning from overseas, in the groundbreaking film "NEW GROUP," in which "group gymnastics" takes over. How did he portray a character who stands firm without losing himself in such an intense world? We asked him about the behind-the-scenes of the grueling filming, his beliefs as an actor, and his message to university students.

When I first received the offer for this project and read the script, my biggest reaction was surprise at how they were going to bring it to life on screen. I could understand it, but I was initially surprised that they were going to portray this unique event through my own life. However, the story itself is filled with a very straightforward message, and I was impressed by the attempt to express that message in such an innovative way as "group gymnastics attacking," so I strongly felt that I wanted to participate. I always place great importance on being able to appear in original works. I was also moved when I heard that the director's experiences growing up were projected into the work, and in addition, the fact that Anna Yamada was in the lead role was a big factor. Since this would be my first time working with Ms. Yamada, I was happy to accept the offer, as I would love to work with her in this innovative world.

■The terror and emotion of "group gymnastics" that surpassed all imagination

My honest reaction when I saw the finished film was, "It far exceeded my expectations." There were many grueling scenes during filming. For example, there were several scenes where the students, including those from Nippon Sport Science University, performed human pyramids in the cold, and we had to stop them. When I witnessed the human pyramids and group gymnastics on set, I felt "terrified." It was more powerful than I had imagined, and I was simply overwhelmed by the perfect coordination of the Nippon Sport Science University gymnastics team. It felt as if the group gymnastics were truly a living organism attacking us. I felt firsthand how deeply everyone understood the message of the film and expressed it with their whole bodies, and I was both terrified and moved. I think it was because of that intensity that we were so strongly drawn into this world. Also, the director had told us that "people get scared when they see someone looking scared," so I think we naturally ended up with intense expressions on our faces.

■The physically and mentally draining work environment and dialogue with the director

During filming, there were many scenes that were physically and mentally draining. As the story progresses, only Ai, played by Yamada, and I remain as allies, and everyone else is gradually absorbed into the group. The unique, closed-off environment of the school at night and the setting of being attacked by a group of gymnasts created a kind of fear I had never felt before. The gymnasts, in particular, had a unique atmosphere on set, thanks to the director's meticulous direction. The scene in the principal's office where Pierre Taki appears was also very shocking. Yamada and I were working hard and seriously in every scene, but in that space, a mysterious time seemed to pass by. Of course, it was genuinely scary. The character I played, Yu, doesn't have a detailed backstory depicted in the film. However, I asked the director to tell me about the parts that aren't shown, and he shared with me what kind of life Yu had been living after transferring from overseas. I deliberately didn't show that on the surface, but interpreted it within myself while acting. In scenes that touched upon Ai's family background, I had many discussions with the director about whether it was really okay for Yu to empathize so easily. Ultimately, I decided that the best approach was to trust the director's beliefs and words from the original work and follow them, and I acted accordingly.

■Live your life cherishing your own time.

Yu is a symbol of not conforming to the group. She's the only one with a different uniform, and she's also a transfer student who studied abroad. And she's someone who tries to have her own core values. I myself don't go so far as to say "figure everything out for yourself," but I do have a strong desire to not lose sight of my own feelings, so in that sense of thinking, I might be similar to Yu.
Looking back, I think my student days were a little unique. In elementary and middle school, I was an active boy who would play dodgeball outside during lunch breaks, but when I entered high school, I suddenly became the kind of student who would hang out in the corner of the classroom with a few other boys, chatting about trivial things. I would talk to anyone and I liked being with everyone, but it was a time when I wanted to cherish my own time more than anything. I would turn down invitations from friends and go straight home, spending long periods of time gazing at the scenery outside the train window, lost in thought about my future and career path. I think I was searching for my place in the world and my way of life, while worrying about various things. That feeling of cherishing time alone hasn't changed even now.

■ Trust the director and approach the project with flexibility.

As an actor, the most important thing I keep in mind is "not to think that my own opinion is absolute." We tend to think that we know the character we're playing best, but just as we don't know everything about ourselves, I think there are surprisingly many things we don't know about the character, even when we're closest to them. That's why I try to keep an open mind as much as possible on set.
In my personal life, I'd love to visit a local independent theater someday. Many of these places are filled with a love for film, so I imagine that spending time there watching my own work and various other films, perhaps combined with a trip, would be a great source of inspiration.

■Message to university students

Having graduated, I truly admire students. Maintaining one's individuality within a single environment is by no means easy. The limited time of student life, grappling with friendships, and contemplating goals and dreams, is a very fruitful experience, but it can also be stifling. There may be times when you feel depressed or almost swept away by your surroundings.
At times like these, I'd like you to take a moment to look at yourself from a different perspective. If you can even take a moment to transform negative emotions and depressing situations into something positive, thinking, "Maybe I'm actually pretty interesting right now," I believe even more enjoyable days await you. Just be sure to stay true to your honest feelings and core values, without letting it make your mind unhealthy.

Student Newspaper Online December 16, 2026 Interview by Yuina Yamamoto, 4rd year student at Keio University

The movie "NEW GROUP"

Yuna Yamamoto, 4th year student at Keio University / Haruna Shoji, 4th year student at Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences