transitions101 | Non no June 2012 - Ohno Satoshi & Toda Erika (Reply)

Co-starring together in the drama “Kagi no Kakatta Heya”! Ohno-kun, who portrays Enomoto, a security professional working at a security company and Erika-chan, who portrays Junko, a honest, pretty lawyer.

Ohno: Enomoto is a man who is knowledgeable in various fields: security (of course), physics, chemistry, architecture, so on. When I heard about the setting, the first thing that came to my mind was, “Seems like there will be a lot of lines.” Then, when I saw the script, I went, “I knew it. This is gonna be tough.” (laughs)

Toda: As his lines are long and he talks really quickly, it looks difficult. However, Ohno’s acting packs a punch!

Ohno: It’s the first time that I’ve had so many lines in a drama, so it’s quite novel. I had a [similar] experience in stage plays, so it brought back memories of those times. If it’s a stage play, once I’ve remembered it, I keep saying the same lines every day, right? However, once the filming is over in a drama, I don’t get to say it again. If I get through the scene without a hitch, I’m happy but it makes me feel sad. (laughs)

Toda: It’s complicated, indeed. This time, the script revolves around the tricks of a locked room, so the difficulty level is high.

Ohno: That’s right, that’s right. I keep saying, “You mean I’m only going to read this only once?” On the set, it feels like I’m understanding [the tricks] as I move along.

Toda: In this drama, I was really looking forward to being able to [act] together with Ohno-san and Sato-san, who portrays my boss. At first, I was worried like never before over how I should portray the character, Junko. However, because the two of them [Ohno and Sato] distinctively characterized their roles, I was able to find my way.

Ohno: Sure enough, Koichi-san’s acting is awesome. During the read-through*, I went “Whoa!” and I was just floored. Between myself, Erika-chan and Koichi-san, I think the exchange between the three of us will become a highlight, wouldn’t it?

Translator’s note: A read-through is a stage of film production when an organized reading around a table of the screenplay or script by the actors with speaking parts is conducted.

Toda: It would be [good] if we could show the exquisite dialogue amongst the trio in an interesting manner which may or may not establish their strong personalities. With that intention in mind, I will remember to be attuned to the [surroundings] on set. I will firmly receive the acting cues from Ohno-san and Sato-san, and work hard to respond to them.

Ohno: I’ll learn lots from Koichi-san! As we grow closer while the filming piles up, it would be good if we could create our own atmosphere and rhythm.

Toda: I also look forward to the exchanges we’ll have as we dine together during the intervals.

Ohno: When that happens, Koichi-san will treat us. (laughs)

Toda: If that happens, then we should fix the meal at a high-class restaurant, yes? (laughs)

The protagonist who takes an active role is a maniac. What kind of “maniacs” are the two like in real life?

The protagonist, Enomoto, is an unapproachable and maniacal security otaku, a new kind of hero.

Ohno: I talked to the producer and director about [Enomoto’s] background and was told that “he liked locks since he was young, and lost himself in it.” When I heard that, I thought it was something close to myself. I’m also the type who focuses on only that one thing whenever I get hooked on something. What locks are to Enomoto, drawing is to me. I even draw in my dreams sometimes.

Toda: For me, I admire people like Enomoto-san and Ohno-san who are able to immerse deeply into a world of their own.

Ohno: What’s your hobby, Erika-chan? Ah, was it cooking?

Toda: Yes. But, I only make the usual home cooked food. Since a long time ago, I was always interested in cosmetics and health-related stuff, and for a period of time I was really enthusiastic about muscle training, but it wasn’t to the extent where I could proudly talk about it… I don’t particularly have a maniacal hobby where I can say, “No one can beat me in this!” Ohno-san, so what’s the next thing you’ll be immersing yourself in?

Ohno: This drama, of course! (self-satisfied smirk)

Toda: As I’d expected! What a great comment! (laughs)

The two of them, who are starring in a drama together for the first time, reveal their impressions of each other and an unexpected side.

So the two of you are acting together for the first time. What are your impressions of each other?

Ohno: It came to my mind when I met her on a variety program previously; Erika-chan is a natural person. In a good way, that image hasn’t changed.

Toda: I thought of Ohno-san as a “mysterious person”. (laughs) There are a lot of things about him which are enigmatic, so when I came to know that he was looking into drawing and fishing, I was shocked. It seems like there’s still a side of him that remains to be seen!

Ohno: Although Erika-chan looks really levelheaded, she’s surprisingly playful. Just recently, you were making weird faces together with the make-up artist and stylist, right? (laughs)

Toda: At that time, I was on a roll and managed to create a weird face which I could never replicate again! Ohno-san, you tried so hard to imitate what I was doing, didn’t you? (laughs)

Ohno: (laughs while recalling) When I saw how Erika-chan was playing along, I felt relieved, thinking, “She seems like someone I can get along with.”

Toda: I too, for me to be able to laugh together with Ohno-san, it totally calms me down.

Please share an episode related to the drama’s keywords: Keys and Locked Rooms!

The story makes use of all sorts of crime prevention knowledge in order to close in on the truth behind the locked room, with Enomoto as its focus. It seems that in conjunction with portraying his role, Ohno-kun was taught how to pick a lock.

Ohno: When a lock or safe mentioned in the script appears before my eyes, I get all excited, thinking, “Oooh, so there’s even stuff like this!” Although I learnt how to pick a lock from a professional, I’m shocked. “So it really opens when I do this!” There’s something to be discovered and be amazed by every time. I’m sure that the people who watch this will feel the same way!

Toda: And become hooked on picking locks!? (laughs)

Ohno: I don’t dislike detailed work like that. Speaking of which, although I’ve never successfully attempted stuff like wire puzzles or Rubik’s cubes, my mom is really good at it. If I focus on practising with this drama as the impetus, it might lead to the blossoming of an unlikely talent. (laughs)

Toda: And the number of your special skills increases by one. (laughs)

Ohno: But, if I manage to learn to pick locks, I’ll keep it a secret. I mean, it’s weird, isn’t it!? I’ll test it out on my house lock, and have fun on my own. (laughs)

Toda: Ohno-san, are you the type who usually locks your house precisely? Or are you the kind who’s okay with leaving the door open?

Ohno: When I’m at home, I’m fine with either leaving the door locked or unlocked. I don’t really have anything at home which would trouble me if it were stolen, so I’m relatively indifferent.

Toda: I definitely won’t be able to do that. (laughs)

Ohno: That’s because you’re a girl. You have to be careful!

Toda: Recently, when I was brushing my teeth in the middle of the night, I suddenly heard a rattling sound, as if someone was trying to open the door to my house. It was so scary! When I quietly went to take a peep, it was just a drunk woman who was mistakenly trying to enter my house, thinking it was her own. (laughs)

Ohno: It’s good that you locked your door then. Does Erika-chan dislike “locked rooms”? I… don’t dislike it, I think. (laughs) If I were trapped in an elevator, I would tacitly figure out a way to escape.

Toda: For me… I don’t like being held immobile, so I would probably be irritated at the beginning. But when I realize that I can’t do anything about it, I think I’ll fall asleep. (laughs)

Ohno: That’s nice. If we’re together, it seems like I’ll follow along and fall asleep. If it’s the two of us, it seems that we’d spend our time at our own pace, even within a locked room. (grin)

scans: littlewinds