We interviewed Jun Kaname, who stars as Makoto Hikawa, and Toshiki Kashu, who plays Shoichi Tsugami, in "Agito - Psychic War," the latest theatrical film in the Heisei Kamen Rider series, "Kamen Rider Agito" (2001-2002), which will be released on April 29th. We asked the two, who are co-starring for the first time since "Kamen Rider Agito," about their feelings about playing Hikawa and Tsugami again after so long, and their memories of that time. (Interview, text, and photography by Masaki Endo)
◇Not just a role, but "a part of my life" and "something that will always live in my heart"
"Agito - The Psychic War" was released as a commemorative work for the 55th anniversary of Kamen Rider's birth. In a world where people are beginning to awaken to "psychic powers" one after another, it depicts the resolve of those with power who run amok and those without power who oppose them. The original cast of "Kamen Rider Agito" has reunited. Ryuta Tasaki is directing, just like in the TV series, and Toshiki Inoue is in charge of the screenplay. Rated PG12.
--When was the last time you two met?
Kashu: I think the last time we met was when Kaname came to Nippon Television's "Rajikaru!" program to promote his show. We were both in our twenties back then.
Kaname: Yes, we did! We also met at a private drinking party (laughs). That was over 20 years ago, though. We haven't had a chance to meet since then.
Kashu-san: It might feel strange if you're not playing Hikawa-san.
Kaname-san: It's kind of embarrassing, and I might not want to meet him again even if we were playing different roles.
Kashu: I certainly might not want to meet him again in a different role (laughs).
--How was it seeing each other again after so long?
Kaname: It's strange, but we instantly returned to the atmosphere of that time. It's similar to the feeling of "nothing has changed" at a class reunion, and it feels like we've instantly overcome a 25-year gap. In a good way, we're already close to family. You don't see family every day if you don't live together, but when you do meet, you can create a comfortable atmosphere without any unnecessary conversation. That's the kind of comfortable feeling you get with the "Agito" team, including the cast and staff.
--Were you able to return to Tsugami or Hikawa immediately the moment filming began?
Kashu: That's right. I was able to return to my original state once I read the script.
Kaname: It's not so much that it returns, but rather that it falls from the sky.
--So, Hikawa, Shoichi, is always in your heart.
Kashu: I think they've been living there all along. I think that's true not just for me, but for all of the original cast members.
Kaname-san: (For the scenes with Hikawa and Shoichi) We didn't rehearse at all, we just went with it (laughs). It's so ingrained in us that we can do it when the situation arises. For us, they're not characters, but "a part of our lives." We don't see them as roles. They're a part of our bodies, so we don't think, "I should act like this," or "This is how this character is." It's similar to how someone who knows how to ride a bicycle can ride without thinking about how to pedal, just mindlessly.
◇ "Kamen Rider Agito" taught me important things about being a human being.
--If you two could speak to your past selves from the TV series "Kamen Rider Agito," what would you say to them?
Kaname: I can say this now, but back then I hated going to the set (laughs). It was my debut work, so I couldn't act, and naturally, I was bombarded with criticism every day. Looking back now, it was an absolutely necessary time, but back then, being young, I felt like I was refusing to go to school (laughs). If I could say something to my younger self now, I would say, "There's an incredible reward waiting for you 25 years from now, so believe in yourself. Do your best."
Kashu: It was a tough shoot, but I guess the message is, "Once you get through that, there are plenty of easier sets out there" (laughs). As Kaname also said, I was really trained. When I was working on my debut project and didn't know anything, I was taught so many things. That's why, when I left the nest and went out into the world, if I may say so without fear of being misunderstood, I had a sense of "having more leeway in a good way."
Kaname-san: It was a really great era, wasn't it?
Kashu: It was a great time. Not only did they criticize my acting, but the staff members taught me all sorts of things like parents.
Kaname-san: And things like posture and demeanor, too.
Kashu-san: I feel like I learned important things about how to behave as a working adult.
--If you were told to go back to the set of a special effects production for another year... what would you do?
Kaname: I'd love to!
Kashu: Yeah. When you reach our age, you also feel like you want to be able to give advice to younger people who are still inexperienced.
*The character "崎" in director Ryuta Tasaki's name is the one with the standing radical (tatsusaki).
