――How did you feel after first reading the script?
When I first read the script, it took me a while to understand it because it's an original series with a very complex storyline. But that complexity is also what captivated me. The themes are quite serious, so the series made me think a lot about the issues they're talking about.
――Please describe your first impression of your character, Saeki. What was it like actually playing this character?
Saeki truly loves Grace from the bottom of his heart. My impression hasn't changed even after playing the character. Everything he does is for her, so I was conscious of expressing his pure love for Grace in my acting.
――What were your thoughts on the character of Grace? Did you exchange any ideas with Satomi Akesaka, who played Grace?
The role of an AI is to support humans, but Saeki wants to protect Grace, and she makes him feel that he has to be strong for her. So you forget that Grace is actually an AI.
――Can you tell us about anything memorable that happened during the recording?
The final scene was very difficult. I still think, “What was the best way to approach that scene?” That ending was brought about by Saeki's love for Grace, but that scene brought up so many emotions that it's hard to put into words. It was heart-wrenching… I don’t know when it will happen, but I'm sure that there will be a time in the future when humanity and AI will be in romantic relationships, so that scene made me think about that.
――Finally, how about a message for our viewers?
First of all, thank you to everyone who watched Episodes 5 and 6. I personally think that a world where humans and AI can coexist will become a reality very soon, so it's exciting to watch this show and imagine what the future holds for us. A lot of painstaking detail has been put into creating the universe of this show, so I'm sure that all the viewers will be able to immerse themselves in it and enjoy watching the show multiple times.