The TBS Sunday drama "GIFT," starring actor Shinichi Tsutsumi, will premiere on April 12th (Sundays at 9 PM). Tsutsumi plays a genius astrophysicist, Fumito Gotetsu, who, by chance, encounters the wheelchair rugby team "Blaze Bulls." As he works to solve the difficult problems facing the underdog team, he learns the importance of friendship and family in this story of bonds and redemption. We asked Tsutsumi about behind-the-scenes stories from filming and the highlights of this drama.
◇A lonely genius, an "exceptionally" brilliant astrophysicist
This work features a completely original story, with the script written by Tomoki Kanazawa, who has worked on Netflix dramas such as "Sanctuary" and the network's serial drama "Who saw the peacock dance in the jungle?".
--Could you tell us your initial impressions when you first read the script?
The first thing I thought when I read the script was that this story is all about wheelchair rugby. The character I play, Fumito Gotetsu, initially believes that if the team functions according to the formulas he provides, even a weak team can definitely win. However, as he becomes more deeply involved with wheelchair rugby, he realizes that there are realities that cannot be answered by formulas alone, and he begins to confront himself.
In other words, while Wu Tie is the one who provides the strategies, he is also the one who, through genuine clashes with the players, gains "realization" about what he himself was lacking the most. So, even though I am the lead actor playing Wu Tie, this time I am on set with the mindset that I am merely supporting the players.
--What were your impressions of the role of a lonely, overly brilliant astrophysicist?
I got the impression that this person lives entirely within their own mind, completing everything within their own brain, and therefore doesn't know how to interact with others, nor do they feel the need to.
Even when a colleague presents research findings, this person will immediately point out, "That's impossible," or bluntly state, "You'll never reach that conclusion, so it's pointless." They don't mean any harm, so they don't realize they're hurting others. Because of this, they naturally become isolated from those around them, but they don't seem to care at all. I thought they were quite an eccentric person.
--What aspects of playing Wu Tie do you particularly focus on, and what do you find interesting about the character?
I am very conscious of how I interact with people and the distance I maintain with them. As I mentioned briefly earlier, throughout my life, I have lived without deeply connecting with anyone, so I am very bad at interacting with people, and therefore my language is generally polite. The more politely I speak, the more distance I create.
He's not entirely devoid of humanity, but I found it fascinating to see how his relationship with the Bulls deepened, how their connection grew stronger, and how he himself changed as he was influenced by them.
◇The reliability I feel from Yuki Yamada, who plays the role of the ace player.
--What are your impressions of the actors playing the wheelchair rugby players, a role that becomes a turning point in Wu Tie's life?
They had started practicing wheelchair rugby months before filming began, so I was truly amazed when I saw their movements during filming. Just like with real players, the degree of disability differs depending on the character they are playing, so even the way they push the wheels of their rugby wheelchairs (wheelchairs specially designed for competition) varies from person to person.
Witnessing those truly magnificent movements, including the finer details, I felt the determination and extraordinary effort of everyone involved, including the instructors.
--You previously co-starred with Yuki Yamada, in the film "The Army on the Tree" (2025). Could you tell us your impressions of working with him again through this filming process?
Just like in the show, he's a leader on the team, often calling out to those around him during match scenes and ad-libbing encouraging words to motivate the team, really leading everyone.
Not only during filming, but also in the waiting room, he takes the lead in keeping everyone's spirits up, so I really rely on him and admire his strength.
--Please tell us what you personally felt about the world of wheelchair rugby, which is the setting for this film, through the filming process.
In the first episode, there's a scene where Go Tetsu is in a rugby car and confronts Ryo, the team's ace. After filming that scene, I got out of the rugby car and looked around, and I felt a sense of "discomfort" being the only one standing there.
When I think about why that is, in the world of wheelchair rugby, you don't even get the feeling that there's a "disability" or "non-disability." Wheelchair rugby is actually very strategic. The rules don't allow you to make up a team with only strong players, so people clash with each other with all their might, regardless of age, gender, or the degree of their disability.
It was only for a short time during filming, but experiencing that world firsthand was a very stimulating experience, and it was a moment when the film's perspective on wheelchair rugby really resonated with me.
--Finally, do you have a message for our viewers?
This drama centers around wheelchair rugby and depicts the relationships between parents and children, as well as the sorrows and loves of humanity. I believe it will help viewers feel that the barriers between people with and without disabilities disappear, and that "we are all the same, and we are all different." I hope you enjoy watching it.
