Tori Matsuzaka - PLAYBACK +act, 2021 Feb

N-mane about Tori's mom

During the first meeting with his mother, she told N-mane:
"Tori is a "half-hearted" person, (sometimes done things not very serious). I don’t want you to make him more famous, but I hope he can be a proper person. If he had a little bit of temper or if he didn’t do it right or said something wayward, please do not hesitate to scold him.

After that, she often asked me "Did my Tori do anything wrong?"
His mother is really a serious and very detailed minded person.

I thought 2019 is the year to reap and 2020 will be the year to sow the new seed. But in the end, it becomes like "endurance."

Emergency declaration to Tokyo was to be announced while shooting Blank. So we were thinking that we would not be able to return to Tokyo since we were shooting in rural area. But in order to shoot it till the end, the director drove us to the extreme. I really remember the feeling of being chased by something big approaching. I can't even remember what kind of acting I did and what kind of scene I was doing that time. Everyone was worried and for the first time I think it was the same for all occupations. There was an indescribable tense atmosphere.

I remember receiving a call from the president a day before crank-up to come back to Tokyo due to the situation. But we were able to shoot it till the end. I think there are many people that were in my situation. It was not just about Japan.

For me, I feel like I was playing a big role in an invisible place. 

I wondered where my emotions were before. During lockdown, I'm interested in watching movies, stage performances, listening to my favourite songs etc. I think I was even feeling emotional when I ordered a new book. I think it was easier to cry than laugh during that period but I guess I had some time that I laugh. My feelings are hanging around all the time, even if I want to digest it, I couldn't. I think the lockdown was a long time. 2020 was a really long year.

What is interesting about being an actor?

Tori: I used to say that this work is very fun. Now, I have this urgent sense of pride. I want to convey to the public how beautiful and important entertainment is and how inspiring it is. Its "Power."

Not just drama, movie, music, other various forms of entertainment are very expressive. The process of viewing and experiencing can make people happy. Feelings: anger, sorrow, and joy are indispensable.

As an actor, as a component of this industry, I must not be boring. So I have to "move" and practice constantly.

His Kanji to describe 2020 is 「忍」
(meaning: endurance)

His Kanji for 2021 is 「動」
(meaning: movement, activity, trend, development, change)