Musician GACKT attended the Japan premiere in TOKYO for the movie Tonde Saitama, which he co-starred with Nikaido Fumi, on the 28th, and unveiled the backstory to the offer to play a high schooler, saying, “I initially immediately declined”.

This movie is a live-action movie adaptation of Maya Mineo’s popular comic. Set in a world where Saitama citizens are discriminated by Tokyo citizens, the love that defies prefectural boundaries between Dannoura Momomi, the son of the governor of Tokyo and the student council president of Tokyo’s most prestigious school, and the handsome Saitama-born transfer student returning from America, Asami Rei, unfolds. This day’s event was also attended by his co-stars Nikaido Fumi, Iseya Yusuke, Brother Tom, Shimazaki Haruka, Kato Ryo, Masuwaka Tsubasa, Nakao Akira, Kyomoto Masaki, and director Takeuchi Hideki.

GACKT, who co-stars with Nikaido, acted his role as the handsome transfer student Rei with decisive visuals, but despite that, he revealed that “When I first heard that it was a ‘high school student part’, I immediately declined the offer”. Even so, as he listened to the plot, he came to understand that both the world view of the movie and the role are special, and he gradually grew interested. He was even looking forward to it, saying, “All my co-stars’ makeup was amazing too, and the set was ornate and gorgeous. We managed to film with a good flow”.

This movie was one that had a gathering of quirky, individualistic actors, including GACKT. As she looked across the audience, Nikaido said, “They were like quirky people who gathered to represent their own planets”, adding, “I thought I was the most decent one on site”. To Nikaido’s declaration, GACKT asserted, “I, too, also thought that I was the most decent one”, and wry smiles showed up on Kyomoto’s and the other members’ faces.

With an amiable atmosphere, GACKT spoke of the occasion when he first met Kyomoto. It seemed like it was an ‘over the edge’ first meeting as he said, “I went to his dressing room to greet him, and when the door opened, Kyomoto Masaki was just standing right there as he said to me ‘We finally get to meetー. We’re the same type, aren’t we’.”. Aside from that, GACKT went on to reveal parts of the unique Kyomoto world, making the audience laugh.

One of this movie’s highlights is the intense battle between Saitama citizens and Chiba citizens. Speaking of his enthusiasm with the filming, Director Takeuchi said that he “wanted to settle it properly”, and Shimazaki, who is a native of Saitama, said, “Until now, the only thing that we’ve ever had to be proud of was Saitama Super Arena, but with this movie, there’s something else to be proud of now”. Even so, Shimazaki said, “But it’s still embarrassing (to say that I’m from Saitama) after all”, drawing laughter from the audience.

Tonde Saitama the movie releases on 22 February

Source: cinematoday.jp

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA