Ano Toki Kiss Shite Okeba - Tori Matsuzaka

It's a luxury for me to be in a position where I can watch my seniors throw homework at each other. My role Momochi, is to catch their performances and create them by accepting them. I am watching my co-stars more than usual.

Tori: In the early stages of filming, Arata Iura copied the Tomoe, that was created by Kumiko Aso. But as the story progressed, Aso copied the Tomoe, that was created by Iura. 

Tori: I think the hardest part of this drama is Arata Iura, who has to express the image of Tomoe created by Kumiko Aso, and then create new parts of Tomoe such as growth, sadness and laughter by himself. Watching him up close is a great learning experience for me. 

Tori: In this drama, a frightening number of scenes are shot at once. In some cases, the timeline is different. I have to look at the whole schedule and work backwards to create my role, and I have to organize the story so that I don't get confused. The ability to be able to respond quickly and easily without worrying about such things "instantaneous power" is necessary for this drama. Kumiko Aso is very good at it. 

Tori: I want to take time to make a work over four seasons (like Taiga drama). I don't know for sure if that "time" is the shooting period or the preparation period. I'm curious to see how I will feel when I let my body experience it. 

CUT Magazine - Tori Matsuzaka

 CUT Introduction

One of Japan's leading actors. It is no exaggeration to say that Tori Matsuzaka is now in that position. This must be a fact that everyone knows.

However, what I felt through this interview was that he himself is never satisfied with his current situation, never gets overwhelmed, and calmly focuses on what he needs to do now. "I don't have enough experience at the moment," he said without hesitation. 

In other words, the kind of actor and character he is looking for is far beyond our imagination. I wonder if there are any actors who can give us such a thrilling experience. In recent years, he has been appearing in a number of solid films, but his next challenge is a comedy. 

Regarding COMEDY

Tori: I think it is much harder to make people laugh than to make them cry. The bar for "funny" is getting higher every year. It's hard for me to laugh with a big smile on my face. But when it comes to crying, the older you get, the more fragile you tears become, don't you think? I've been fragile since I turned 30. The other day, I almost cried when I saw the scene in Home Alone where Kevin and his mother are reunited (lol). 

What he wants to do NOW

Q: Are there any clear goals now?

Tori: One of my goals now is to create a work that depicts one's daily life carefully. But it's not interesting as a project (lol) But I want to try the fun and rigor of living, the happiness in life etc. 

FUTURE PLAN

Aside from your role as an actor, what are your future plans as Tori Matsuzaka?

Tori: I think I don't have enough experience in both my professional and personal life at the moment. In my 30's and 40's, I want to focus on building up my experience. 

Ima Koko ni Aru Kiki to Boku no Koukando ni Tsuite - Tori Matsuzaka

I want to pass on the thoughts and messages of the creator to the recipients. I am doing all the works with the hope that I can serve as a bridge between the two parties.

I believe an actor's job is to deliver the intention and essence of the work as it is. However, I feel the current trend is "playing it safe". Even in dramas, there is a principle that the direction of the work is influenced by the comments on the Internet. 

I want my work to be soothing and supportive, so I want it to be delivered without any deviation from the original. If it takes a different form by neglecting its essence, the meaning of my participation will be lost. 

For that reason, it would be great if TV dramas could be made in a format that allows the entire production to be shot in advance. I am glad that this is the first time I've been able to do this. 

Since it's a comedy, I wanted to balance with my co-stars to make the character seem funny even tho he is very serious and desperate. It was a luxury that I was allowed to play the lead role. I was able to act head-on with the perfect balance of seriousness and comicality. 

I feel Japan's entertainment industry is supported largely by popularity/ favourability tho I don't think it's right to say whatever you want by imitating overseas.

Each country has its own religion, culture and character. But, it'd be nice if there're a little bit changes in Japan. 

Recently, I have been reminded of how difficult it is to express in words. The emotions "joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure" are diverse. I would like to use images to express the nuances that cannot be conveyed in words. I think this is one of the powers of entertainment. 

Director Hideaki Anno - Neon Genesis Evangelion/NHK Professional, 22/3/21

I think we live in an era where if we don't make people understand that our work is interesting to some extent, it won't do well. Fewer and fewer people are curious to things that are shrouded in mystery.

It's said for a quarter of a century, Evangelion has boasted one of the most difficult-to-understand aspects of the series, but which has also given it a great deal of depth.

NHK followed him for 4 years for 1:15hr program while he was making the new movie "Shin Evangelion". 

Mayu Matsuoka - Kiba: The Fangs of Fiction (March, 2021)

Q: What do you value as an actor?

A: It's about valuing your life. Like cooking and eating well, reading books, doing laundry, and cleaning. Sometimes I try to clean places that I haven't always cleaned ...

Mayu: I became aware of it after I started living alone, but recently I have been especially attentive to have a proper lifestyle. 

Mayu: I am the type who needs an interval between roles. Since I have only one body, I think that it is not good if I carry on many works at the same time because each performance will drop.

But I want to meet more works and many roles. I want to accept all of them.

Tori Matsuzaka - Monster Hunter Interview

1. Kirin Kiki left a great influence on me. Her way of life was the most wonderful. It's cool that she owns herself and doesn't mix her work with private life at all. She said she was cultivating the fields, and when she was contacted for work on that day, she clearly refused. I also long for such a position. But, that's only possible because she had accomplished a lot of things. If I do it now, it will be nth more than an empty imitation. 

2. Tori: My ideal is 40% at work, 60% at home. (lol)

Now is 80-20. It would be great if I can separate work and private time completely and eventually have that ratio.

I want to stay at home and do gardening. Camping is also good. I want to live in the nature.

3. Q: When do you feel depressed?

Tori: I'm basically depressed when I'm on stage (in front of camera) (lol). I just think "No matter how many times I try it, it doesn't work at all." .... 

But when the work is completed, or when I see the reaction of the audience, I sometimes feel great joy, so if it exceeds the emotions I had when it was painful, I would be more motivated. I will do my best and continue while repeating that.

Q: Are there any "enemy" or "fighting opponent" for you?

Tori: Basically, my enemy is myself. For eg, I have to memorize the script before going to bed, I have to check the scene tomorrow, but I want to sleep without doing anything or play games until morning. (Lol). I'm usually struggling with my own desires because I'm usually the one who gets in the way of what I have to face in front of me.

松坂桃李「プライベートの時間、今より4割増やしたい」田舎暮らしでガーデニング願望明かす

2009年のデビュー作『侍戦隊シンケンジャー』から始まり、ダークヒーロー、童貞から娼夫、新聞記者、アイドルヲタク役まで、常に新境地を見せてきた松坂桃李。26日に公開される映画『モンスターハンター』では、吹替でありながら日本語を一切話さないハンター役に挑戦。今年に入りすでに出演映画6作、主演ドラマ2作が発表されており、変わらず多忙を極める松坂だが、理想は“プライベート4割増”の田舎暮らしだという。デ…

https://www.oricon.co.jp/special/56054/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&ref_cd=tw

Dir. Tomohiko Ito (HELLO WORLD) and Tori Matsuzaka

 Dir. Tomohiko Ito (HELLO WORLD) offered the role to Tori Matsuzaka by writing a love letter.

"Tori: I received a letter from you. A passionate and enthusiastic message was written in it.

Director Ito: I've never written a love letter in my life. Only to Matsuzaka-san.

MC: Can you tell us a little bit about it?

Tori: I'm so embarrassed! That's embarrassing (lol). It says 'After watching 'Paddington', I realized how attractive you are... (lol). I'm embarrassed to say it myself, but... (hahahha). 

Director Ito: Paddington is an innocent character, and the adult Naomi, played by Matsuzaka, is a little wilder visually, but has that kind of innocence, so I thought it would be a great idea. They even have similar appearances."

In Those Days- Anecdotes

Let me translate this. This is the facebook post from the real-life younger brother of Taiga Nakano's "In Those Days" character.

[ I had an elder brother 3 years older. He died of cancer at 37. He was quiet and serious at home but doing silly things outside. When my seniors told me about it, I was very embarrassed and hated him. My elder bro often went to Osaka while fighting cancer where he had ppl who knew him, had close friends and been taken care of until the end. Hundreds of people from all over the country come asked me "Do you know this guy?" Then I realized that a close friend of my elder bro had made an essay about the events and made into a movie. Thank you all the people who were friends with my bro during his life time.

Thank you for making a living proof of my brother. I love him now.] 

Tori Matsuzaka - In Those Days (2021)

Q: I think it's quite difficult for you, who is left-handed, to play bass from right and master both picking and fingering.

A: Mikito-san (real) said I can mime and dub later but I actually played it. I struggled harder than expected.

Tori: The piano training of "Listen to the Universe (2019)" was also very hard. I think I need to avoid such roles that need a lot of learning if possible. (lol)

誰の人生にも少なからず存在する『あの頃。』。 松坂桃李が説く“何かに夢中になれる日々の素晴らしさ” | WHAT's IN? tokyo

“世界に響く日本のポップカルチャー”を伝えるWebメディア

https://tokyo.whatsin.jp/628377

Rikiya Imaizumi on Tori Matsuzaka

Although he is a major actor in a unique position, he can erase his aura and can become anyone. It may be difficult for others so I think his actor aura should come out a little more. But it's amazing that there's no aura in his eyes. It seems that Matsuzaka was observing and mimicing Mikito-san who came to the scene. But he can still do that even while not acting.

I'm sure he knows what he looks like and his position as an actor. But it's amazing he can live as ordinary people. I think he can do that because Matsuzaka himself doesn't care about being treated like a normal person. At the 2018 TAMA CINEMA FORUM that I attended where Matsuzaka won Best Actor Award.

Normally, actors wait in separate rooms and the film festival staff goes to explain the procedure, but Matsuzaka was in a large waiting room. There's only film staff, him and "One Cut of the Dead" team. He listened to the whole explanation with everyone. It was very impressive.

Above photo >>> Rikiya Imaizumi is at Second line right most.

松坂桃李主演『あの頃。』･･･今泉監督が描くアイドルの恋愛と卒業 » Lmaga.jp

松浦亜弥、モーニング娘。などハロー！プロジェクトの所属アイドルに青春を捧げた若者たちの物語『あの頃。』が、２月 […]

https://www.lmaga.jp/news/2021/02/222558/

[Wotopi Part2-17Feb21] Tori Matsuzaka

Q: You have a constant job offers, if there is anything you are trying to keep up.

I do my best to be needed. I feel like I'm getting stale somewhere. If you always focus on trying to get good evaluation from people, you will get stale.

Tori: In our work, there are many situations where we have to be aware of public eye and likability. Of cuz, it's important as a pro to be aware of these, but if I get too caught up in behaving only to be liked by people, I feel I will be gradually moving away from the essence.

Tori: What I value is how to properly convey my voice with the work I wanted to take. I think it is important to decide how to face each work.

wotopi.jp/archives/110629

松坂桃李さんが推したくなる人ってどんな人？　映画『あの頃。』インタビュー後編｜ウートピ

2021年2月19日公開の映画『あの頃。』（今泉力哉監督）で主演を務める松坂桃李さん。ふとしたきっかけで「ハロー！プロジェクト」（以下、ハロプロ）にハマり、遅れ…

https://wotopi.jp/archives/110629

[Sukkiri-17Feb21] Tori Matsuzaka

Q: What did you do during the month off (lockdown)?

A: I practiced pen writing. The reason was I have to my name when I announced my marriage. I practiced for that. I wrote "Matsuzaka Tori" for a whole month. I couldn't get it right at all. I'm embarrassed ... but at least I'm glad I practiced pen writing.

Q: Does your wife being an actress affect your work?

Tori: Of course. I want to work more and more so as not to be embarrassing to her. I want to do works that will be respected by her.

Tori: The work I will doing this year is really difficult for me, I still can't figure it out, I don't really know how to play this role ...

Q: It's amazing to have courage to accept it!

Tori: No no... it's really scary for me.