――How did you feel after first reading the script?
The first time I read the Vivy story was when the staff sent me a script with information about the upcoming episodes so I could understand the overall vision. The subtitle Fluorite Eye's Song had a warm feeling to it, but the opening scene was the exact opposite of that, which took me by surprise. At the same time, I wanted to understand the meaning of the title, which drew me into the story and I couldn’t stop reading.
――Please describe your first impression of your character, Kakitani. What was it like actually playing this character?
Reading my lines in the script, I often wondered, “Why is this character taking these actions here?” or “Why does he have these facial expressions here?” I had so many questions pop up in my mind, so I knew that this was going to be a difficult character to play. I wanted to be able to depict the explosive emotions he had for Vivy, so whenever I hit a wall in my acting, I reminded myself of his roots as a character.
――Was there anything you were especially conscious of when you were voicing Kakitani, or were there any challenges?
I spent a lot of time getting into my character by exploring his emotions and the spaces of time that weren’t explained in the script. It was more of an intuitive process rather than something I was conscious about, but I didn’t try to portray his emotions by just following the story. I dove into the emotions that made up Kakitani's core and expanded on them in my acting, which made his actions and lines feel natural to me.
――Tell us what you liked about the character you played, and what you could relate to.
After the accident that he was involved in with his piano teacher, he was searching for answers to his burning questions. That didn't change even after he decided to join Toak. He was trying to hide his wavering emotions by making that decision. I have moments like that so I could relate to him in that sense. His inner sadness was expressed as this incredible rage, which a lot of people can probably relate to, and I was also drawn to that.
――Can you tell us about anything memorable that happened during the recording?
Since this is an original series, you can really feel that it's being created on the spot and in the moment, which I was very happy to experience. In this story that spans one hundred years, I had to act out scenes from his childhood, youth, and his prime years. When we were recording Episodes 8 and 9, I remember getting confused and having to ask, “Which Kakitani am I playing right now?”
――What is your impression from watching the show? Tell us about your favorite scenes and if you found any lines that were particularly memorable.
The opening is so meticulously crafted that it always amazes me. The visuals are so beautiful and the music in each episode is so moving that thirty minutes goes by so quickly every week. I enjoy the show each week as a fan because when I see the episodes I notice a lot of details that I wasn't able to during the recording. There are so many scenes that I love that it's hard for me to pick a favorite, but the scene where Kakitani meets Elizabeth at the beginning of Episode 4 is especially memorable.
――What should we keep an eye on in Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song-, and what are the highlights we can look forward to in the upcoming episodes?
I obviously want everybody to follow the epic storyline, but I hope everybody notices how beautiful the voices of Vivy and the other AIs are. One of the upcoming highlights is that Kakitani's granddaughter will appear in Episode 11. I was also happy to see that Elizabeth made a comeback. I’m looking forward to how these two characters will develop.
――What is your impression of Vivy and Matsumoto? Can you share any stories of interacting with the other actors?
I admire Vivy's commitment to her mission, but at the same time I feel sorry for her, so I have mixed feelings about her. My favorite thing about Matsumoto is when he sighs loudly and says “phew!” between his lines. The microphones for the actors were separated by screens due to the pandemic, and I remember seeing Ms. Tanezaki sitting quietly at the edge of the booth. But when she played Vivy, her voice always sounded so fearless through the screen, and I was struck by that contrast.
――Finally, how about a message for our viewers?
We're getting close to the end of the one hundred-year journey! But there are still numerous mysteries to be solved. What will happen to Vivy's mission? I'm looking forward to watching the upcoming episodes each week with everyone. Please follow the story up to the grand finale.