Haruka Igawa is appearing in the TBS Friday drama "Takusari Brothers" (Fridays at 10 PM). She plays Haruko Ashikaga, a pawn shop owner and information broker. We asked Igawa about what she keeps in mind when playing Haruko and her impressions of her co-stars.
◇Keep in mind the type of person who can casually say even difficult things.
The drama follows Detective Makoto (Masaki Okada) and Medical Examiner Minoru (Shota Sometani) as they investigate heinous crimes that occur daily and pursue the real culprit in the murder of two parents, a case that expired just two days before the statute of limitations was abolished.
--What kind of person is Haruko?
Haruko, who was a student at the time, spent time with the young Tagasari brothers who had lost their parents, and she was like an older sister to them, despite the age difference.
She currently runs a pawn shop and has an unusual background as a former newspaper reporter. She still maintains contact with her brothers, using her connections from her time as a reporter to provide information. She is a straightforward woman with a strong sense of initiative and a personality that doesn't conform to conventional norms.
--What do you keep in mind when you're acting?
While working with the director to create the character of Haruko, there were many scenes where she inevitably felt distressed along with Makoto and Minoru, but I kept in mind that "Haruko is the kind of person who can say even difficult things without flinching."
He offers advice from a different perspective while still being supportive of the two, and collaborates with them in a way that's different from the brothers investigating the case or the First Investigation Division. You could say he has a kind of reliable quality about him that doesn't stick to any particular group.
-- How did you go about creating Haruko?
Unlike when we were children, now that we're both adults, our relationship has changed, and I hope that the distance between us can gradually change as well.
However, everyone has their own way of showing empathy, and finding the right balance in expressing those emotions is difficult. I tend to take emotions too seriously depending on the situation at the time, but I think he's someone who acts honestly according to his own will without being bound by common sense or the circumstances around him, and given that he runs such a shady, underground pawn shop, I want him to be a unique and unconventional person who deviates a little from the norm.
◇ Masaki Okada& Shota Sometani said, "We can feel the trust between them."
--Mr. Okada, what are your impressions of Mr. Someya?
Ms. Okada is very sensitive, and I was impressed by how she sensed people's feelings and subtly spoke to each person individually. Her shy and humble demeanor, along with her charming side, creates a gentle atmosphere, and as a leader, she helps to lighten the mood.
On the other hand, that deep passion is sometimes sharp and evokes a sense of melancholy, and there are times when you are struck by its unique presence. I feel that the sense of trust and dignity on set is what creates the atmosphere of this work.
Mr. Someya is an actor with a rich career and a flexible perspective, who can show a completely different side of himself in each project. Although there is an age difference between us, I respect his intelligence. In addition to his diverse charms, I also sense an artistic temperament in him, and I feel that there are some overlaps with the energy within Minoru, the character he is playing this time.
--What are your thoughts on the brotherly relationship between Makoto and Minoru, having observed it firsthand?
When the two of them are together, you can feel a sense of perfect understanding between them. Watching their interactions is heartwarming; they seem like buddies, but also like brothers who speak their minds to each other without reservation. You can sense the trust they have built over many years of knowing each other. Okada-san, in particular, looks genuinely happy when Someya-san is around.
--You also have scenes where you act alongside Takashi Yamanaka, who plays Yuki Mogi, the owner of the local Chinese restaurant "Mocchan."
Makoto, Minoru, and Haruko have a deep bond with Mocchan (Mogi), who protected them and helped them grow up, making them like family. For Haruko, the fried rice that Mocchan makes is like a nostalgic home-cooked meal that she has eaten countless times. When we filmed the same scene for the first time, I had the feeling that we had spent time together like this.
I think the atmosphere created by Yamanaka-san's sensitivity and warmth was what made it possible for us to act while sharing nostalgic memories. She portrayed Mocchan's helplessness and good nature very carefully, and I feel like I would love to act with her more.
--You all seemed to get along well in our previous interview, but what are your impressions of Ayami Nakajo, who plays Shiori Miyato?
Just having Ayami-chan on set lightens the atmosphere and makes everyone smile. She's charming like a mischievous child and has a positive aura like a sunflower. She made it easy for me, who joined the shoot later, to naturally communicate with the people around me.
In the story, Haruko becomes involved with Shiori through Makoto, but Shiori is also a character who carries her own loneliness. In that sense, there are parts of them that resonate with each other, and I feel that their relationship has become one of watching over each other from a distance, almost like that of an older sister.
--This will be the first time you've worked on a project since the Sunday drama "Gekokujo Kyuji" (aired in 2023). What are some of the characteristics of this project?
I can sense their determination to create high-quality products. They always lead by example and motivate the entire team, so I feel like I want to follow them (laughs).
And yet, the atmosphere on set is really great. He's a really thoughtful person who makes sure to check if there's anything that makes us anxious and quietly gives us his feedback. He's also frequently on set, so there's a sense of security knowing that we can talk to him anytime.
-- Do you have a message for our viewers?
A major highlight of the story is how the truth behind the unsolved case, which has reached its statute of limitations, will be revealed. We hope you'll enjoy watching with bated breath as the wounds of the brothers who have lost their family members unfold.
