Actor Takumi Kitamura made a surprise appearance at the fashion and music event "GirlsAward," held on April 18th at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium (Shibuya Ward, Tokyo). His appearance as a secret guest without prior announcement was met with loud cheers of "Kyaa!" from the audience.
Kitamura appeared on a special stage for the Fuji TV Getsuku drama "Canned Mackerel Goes to Space" (Mondays at 9pm). Kitamura, who plays a teacher, appeared in his character's jacket, while the other actresses Natsuki Deguchi, Kodai Kurosaki, Marin Nishimoto Marin, Natsume Touha, and Yumepote, walked the runway in their character's jerseys.
Kitamura greeted the audience by saying, "I'm Shunichi Asano, from Obama City, Fukui Prefecture!" in keeping with his character. Speaking about the cast members playing students who walked the runway in jerseys before his appearance, he said, "I was watching them with bated breath, wondering how they would walk in jerseys. I was watching them on the monitor (backstage) with my arms crossed. They were all wonderful," he said, his eyes narrowing like a real homeroom teacher.
The drama is an original coming-of-age story based on the true story of students at a fisheries high school in Fukui Prefecture who challenged themselves to achieve their big dream of "developing space food." Kitamura appealed to the audience, saying, "I think this drama will encourage everyone who is pursuing their dreams." Finally, he said, "I'm sorry for coming in an inappropriate jacket and tracksuit!" which was met with another round of cheers from the audience.
GirlsAward started in May 2010 and this will be its 29th event. Numerous models and actors will walk the runway in the latest fashions, and there will also be special stages, including one for the animated film "Sgt. Sgt. Frog Revives and Immediately Faces the Crisis of Earth's Destruction!" which will be released on June 26th.
