ORICON.JP: GACKT: "I learned how scary the entertainment industry is" after hearing Mansai Nomura's "deeply moving" ad-lib

Musician and actor GACKT (51) and Mansai Nomura (58) appeared on stage to greet viewers at the completion ceremony for the film If Ieyasu Tokugawa Were Prime Minister (released July 26th) held in Tokyo on the 16th.

The event was attended by Minami Hamabe (23), Eiji Akaso (30), Masahiro Takashima (58), Noriko Eguchi (44), Tetsuhiro Ikeda (53), Shinya Kote (50), Tan Nagai (30), Arisa Mizuki (47), Naoto Takenaka (68), and director Hideki Takeuchi (57). The cast of “Strongest Hero Cabinet” dressed in their costumes, gathered on the large red carpeted staircase that was named after a scene from the movie, and talked about episodes from the filming.

When asked what was fun during filming, he began by saying, “There’s a climax scene where I face off with Mansai, who is playing Tokugawa Ieyasu, and convey my feelings to him in a serious atmosphere.” He continued, “Mansai looked me in the eye and called me by my name…”Mitsunari-dono,” which sent the audience into a frenzy of laughter.

He continued, “So this is the way he is,” expressing his resentment, and recalled, “I didn’t know how to respond after what he said, and I realized the scary side of the entertainment world. This is a moment I’ll remember.”

When asked about the intention behind the ad-lib, Mansai explained, “I was also stunned and lost my composure. I meant to say Nobunaga, but with deep emotion I said Mitsunari. I messed it up at the climax,” he said with a wry smile.

This is the film adaptation of a business novel (author: Akihito Mabe/Sunmark Publishing) in which Tokugawa Ieyasu is resurrected by the latest AI technology, becomes prime minister and rebuilds Japan. Set in Japan in 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a cluster outbreak occurred at the Prime Minister’s official residence and the Prime Minister suddenly died, the government implements an unprecedented plan to “resurrect great historical figures using AI and create the strongest cabinet.”

Hamabe will play the main character, Nishimura Risa, a rookie reporter in the TV station’s political department who is aiming to get a scoop on the strongest cabinet, Akaso will play Chief Cabinet Secretary Sakamoto Ryoma, GACKT will play Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Oda Nobunaga, Takashima will play Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Tokugawa Yoshimune, Eguchi will play Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Hojo Masako, Ikeda will play Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, Kote will play Minister of Foreign Affairs Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, Nagai will play Minister of Justice Prince Shotoku, Mizuki will play Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Murasaki Shikibu, Takenaka will play Minister of Finance Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Mansai will play Prime Minister Tokugawa Ieyasu.