Hero Vision Vol.17 (2005/Winter)
ft. Kamen Rider Blade Cast Members
Takayuki Tsubaki & Ryoji Morimoto Final Episode Interviews
(translations below)
Publication: February 20, 2005 (after broadcast end)
Takayuki Tsubaki (Kazuma Kenzaki)
Before anyone else, Kenzaki Kazuma had always protected Hajime, an Undead, by recognizing his human qualities. If anything should happen to him, Kenzaki is responsible for (sealing) him. And now, that time (where a certain event may happen) is finally approaching. At that time, what will Kenzaki do?
"With heart pounding anticipation, Tsubaki-kun read the tense final script in his room."
Tsubaki: I was really looking forward to it, so I took it with me when I went home to read it over carefully. Reading the script was very emotional, when I finished it, I almost cried……It's very sad. I felt like, "Ah, I don't know what I should do……"
"Of course, it's not the ending we had imagined."
Tsubaki: For me, the only thing I could think about was that it would be better if I didn't have to seal Hajime. I though if it were Kenzaki, he could manage to save the world without ever sealing him……But I liked the way it ended because it was what I wanted. I thought it was a happy ending.
"A happy end."
"If you watch the final episode with such a familiar sounding phrase in mind, you'll be shocked. I'm sure the viewers will have the same feeling when they finish seeing what was written in Tsubaki-kun's script. The story is over, and now that I have these feelings, I don't know what I should do. I think Kenzaki's feelings in the last episode are rather complex, but I wonder how you, Tsubaki-kun, feel about it."
Tsubaki: I wasn't required to do anything in particular (by the Director), so I decided to act like Kenzaki until the end. If I didn't, I wouldn't feel like it was over. I'm going to keep moving forward with the feeling of, "Making everyone happy." I don't have a problem with being the one to suffer.
"I don't have a problem with being the one to suffer"
"As Kenzaki fights a cruel fate for the sake of everyone's happiness, Tsubaki-kun says, "It's pretty manly, huh?" When I said that I wanted Kenzaki, who is always thinking about Hajime and the others, to be happy, Tsubaki-kun responded with a surprised, "Eh?! But, he's happy when everyone else is happy, that's what his happiness is." He said this, smiling, as if it was already obvious. We all understand that wishing others happiness is a good thing, but, to actually do so in this world is quite difficult. Meanwhile, Tsubaki-kun regards Kenzaki's behavior as "normal." He fully understands and identifies himself as Kenzaki. Kenzaki was in a situation where he had no friends, lost his parents, and was all alone. When I asked, "Do you feel the same way?," Tsubaki-kun does have friends, so it seems different. As for his feelings toward Hajime, he interprets it as, "I can't leave him alone," rather than being attracted towards him by the feeling of loneliness."
Tsubaki: It's like, um……with Hajime, I feel like I can't leave him alone, you know? I think Kenzaki had a strong feeling that Hajime really needs him. Moreover, Hajime also does his best to protect Amane-chan. I guess that's how they got through to each other, huh?
"Kenzaki and Tsubaki-kun aren't exactly the same. But, there's no doubt that they're in synch."
Tsubaki: Even in my daily life, when I suddenly remember one of the scripts, my excitement levels rise, and I'll tend to cause a commotion. I try to suppress the urge, because it bothers everyone (laughs). Speaking of which, things have been really weird latley. Even though I not doing anything, I often get complaints like, "It's the middle of the night! You're too noisy!" I really don't understand it. You know what I do think, it's because I read scripts at home and sometimes I may speak out loud. I also read the script before going to bed, so I'm wonder if I'm doing something while I'm sleeping……(he looks nervous).
"The script for the final episode is so emotional that you may be unconsciously shouting out loud (?). The day where you'll leave this world is drawing near."
Tsubaki: I'm sad to see it end, but I hope I can inherit Kenzaki's positive qualities and continue to grow. I've received alot of things from Kenzaki that I previously didn't have. The most important thing being strong minded. Kenzaki has the ability to believe in others and act accordingly, so I really want to learn from that.
"When the show first started, he said that he had no emotions or feelings, and that he wanted to experience them through acting. Just as he promised, since the Summer, Kenzaki's facial expressions have become much more intense, and he even seems to be able to convey subtle nuances. I wonder if Tsubaki-kun himself was able to acquire these emotional movements?"
Tsubaki: No, no, when I go home……I'm still rather quiet (laughs). I spent more time acting as Kenzaki, so I didn't really care (about myself), but once it's over (the show), I'll have to live a different life.
"Just as Kenzaki called risking his life fighting "work," when I asked Tsubaki-kun if acting was also important work he can devote his life to, he responded with a very clear, "Yes!"
Ryoji Morimoto (Hajime Aikawa)
"As the final episode of Kamen Rider Blade drew near, Ryoji Morimoto-kun and Takahiro Hojo-kun were making a fuss saying, "No way, I hate this!" When the script was giving to Morimoto-kun, he said……"
Morimoto: Honestly, I wasn't sure I wanted to watch it. I thought I wouldn't watch it because it's the end, but, I'll guess I'll watch it after all (laughs). My though process is: I should watch it, actually let's not, but still, let's watch it (laughs).
"Finally, the script was opened. There was an unexpected turn of events, or rather, a shocking ending for Ryoji Morimoto, who played the role of Hajime Aikawa."
Morimoto: The ending was the complete opposite of what I had in mind. I was expecting a happy ending, a future where all the Riders could live together, but I didn't expect……that. Hajime was supposed to be a tragic hero, but in the end, Kenzaki carried the burden by himself, and it almost made me cry. I was deeply moved.
"This emotion continued to stir Morimoto-kun's heart even during filming."
Morimoto: In the final scene where I fight with Kenzaki, I was suddenly overcome with emotion while performing.
"I wonder, did Tsubaki-kun feel the same way?"
Morimoto: Tsubaki-kun……was the same as usual (laughs). He didn't really say much. Our conversations went like: "What do you think of this?," "Yeah, let's just do things as usual," "Eh?! But, this is our last time," "I know, it's alright," "Okay, well, let's do it with feeling. As we usually do." Tsubaki-kun was just his usual self. But, the feelings of Ryoji Morimoto's, "I'm sad that Blade is over" overlapped with Hajime Aikawa's feelings, which made me feel even more depressed. Tsubaki-kun only expressed his feelings to me through his performance, which made me incredibly sad. I almost cried not only during the fight scene, but during the very last scene with Kenzaki.
"The final episode is so sad because Hajime becomes more human towards the end, and because everyone had hoped that they would live happily ever after together, it'll leave viewers in shock."
Morimoto: I wanted to create a peaceful environment for Amane-chan and Haruka-san, so that they could spend their time together like a real family, all without being aware of the fact that I'm an Undead. Mutsuki may have had a barrier in that respect, and even though Hajime has become more human, he has to consider keeping the distance between himself and other humans.
"In a scene that stunned viewers, what were your thoughts on the scene where you attack Kenzaki with a lemon?"
Morimoto: I read the script and didn't feel strange about it, so I was able to do it easily. I only did it because I upset by Kenzaki doing it to me first. Well, to be honest, I was thinking of doing it in a somewhat cuter way, or saying my lines in cute way (laughs).
"Now, considering all the factors, I wonder if Morimoto-kun considers this ending as a happy ending?"
Morimoto: It's tricky……Happy end……Well, I guess for me, no matter what form I take, I'm glad that I was able to save the world.
"Speaking of Hajime, something that concerns me is Amane-chan. Amane-chan has a crush on Hajime, but Morimoto-kun used to tease Hikari-chan (Amane-chan's actress), and for awhile, she didn't like you. How are things now?"
Morimoto: Things are perfect. Hikari-chan's birthday will be soon I think. I need to buy her a present! When she gave me a present, it was T-shirt with a heart on it. I still wear it when I'm at home. By the way, Amane-chan's changed quite abit this past year, hasn't she? She used to be very childish, but recently she's become more mature (laughs). Is it all thanks to Hajime-san? I'm sure that I, Ryoji Morimoto, have become alittle more innocent thanks to Amane-chan's pure feelings.
"Looking back on the past year, how do you feel right now?"
Morimoto: My confidence as an actor has grown alittle, and my desire to be an actor has gotten even stronger. I strongly feel that there's no other profession that'll make me happier. I'm very happy when people see me perform, when they see that I'm doing my best, or when they see me being upbeat, it all makes me very happy. It may seem simple, but when I see that others are happy, I feel that I can do my best. Seeing them like that is the greatest happiness for me. I hope I can continue to attract people in the different works I do in the future.
"There's only one day left of filming. All that remains is the scene where Hajime turns into Joker. In this short scene, it's only Hajime and Joker on location.
Morimoto: I've been on the verge of tears so many times since the final episode, I'm sure you'll cry at the end too. But, being with Joker feels abit lonely. It makes me want to say something like, "I'm going back to live with my parents~" (laughs). This past year has gone by very quick. I worked incredibly hard, but I wish I had worked harder……Ah, man, I'll apply for Kamen Rider one more time next year. No, actually, let's go for Ultraman next time! (laughs).
"Although Morimoto-kun ended the interview on a cheerful note, he was abit teary eyed during most of it. I wonder what he'll do in the future……I'm personally looking forward to seeing some stage performances."
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