Tokyo Color Sonic!! the Stage | Interview with Yamazaki Shogo, Takarada Iori's actor

[odorekijin]

Interview with Yamazaki Shogo, playing as Takarada Iori, by Animate.

Published on September 28th, 2022. (original article)

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――What were your first impressions of Tokyo Color Sonic's world, characters, and overall setting? What appealed to you in it?

Yamazaki：My first impression was that the character visuals, the costumes, and the world’s setting were very fashion-conscious and on par with the present.

It’s also refreshing to see a story in which two artists—a composer and a vocalist—are made to be buddies: in my opinion, depicting the songwriter’s feelings makes it easier to empathize with the characters and be emotionally involved with the song.

When it comes to music, the singer tends to be the highlight of the show, but here the songwriter is also put under the spotlight; the drama tracks between the buddy pairs are a key point in this franchise.

Also, I find it amazing that thousands and thousands of people even attend the eponymous festival: I think only a handful of festivals or events would actually be able to attract such a crowd, but a government-sponsored school event of all things… Just thinking about it is terrifying to me (laughs).

 

――Other than the one you play, who is your favorite character in Tokyo Color Sonic?

Yamazaki：I like that the buddy pairs come from wildly different backgrounds and have just as diverse personalities: Mirai, coming from a distinguished family, and the timid Towa are the most interesting to me.

I think that pairing characters together develops their individuality and charms far more: by learning more of the story and the characters themselves, I think I’ll find each of them fascinating in their own way. I have high expectations not only for Iori and Haruhi’s duo, but for everyone else's as well.

 

――Do you have a favorite song from Tokyo Color Sonic?

Yamazaki：I particularly like Iori’s song, measly. I don't regularly listen to music, but the dramatic chorus, the lingering, heart-wrenching melody just stuck with me. I instantly thought of the possibility of singing a song made for Iori, on stage, and how much of a difficult task it would be regardless. (laughs)

 

――How did you feel when you got cast for Tokyo Color Sonic the Stage?

Yamazaki：Honestly, my very first thought was: “so I’ll be singing, right~!?” (laughs). This stage uses songs to express passion and wants us to sing with all we’ve got, unlike musicals where we sing to tell a story. On top of that, Iori is a vocal genius, so the bar was set really high.

At the time of this interview, and even though we’re far from the first rehearsals, I still don’t know how I’m going to make my performance convincing (laughs). Thankfully, we have vocal lessons: I have worked with my singing instructor several times before, so I’m sort of relieved to know that such a nice person can help me (laughs).

 

――What were your first impressions of Iori? Did you find any differences or anything you could relate with him?

Yamazaki：Even though living off of music is difficult for Iori, who currently lives with his ill mother, I still find it amazing that he's able to balance his life around his passion and taking care of her. Iori's love for music is, without a doubt, both a driving force and his raison d’être.

Speaking of raison d’être, working for so long in the 2.5 stage industry made me realize that fans of the original franchise are not the only ones who get motivated by our performances: a plethora of people also find that missing push in their daily lives through our shows. That's why, whenever I perform, I always keep in mind what I want to convey, and the role I must carefully play for the audience.

That being said, Iori is kind and amiable to the people around him, despite this charismatic aura that follows him. However, I sense a different kind of appeal hiding within him, we just need to dig a bit deeper…

Haruhi and him may be childhood friends, I rather like to imagine what has yet to be explained in the story, like how their very first meeting happened, what did they feel when they were little.

I really hope that this play will shine a light upon Iori’s yet unveiled charms.

Incidentally, one thing Iori and I have in common is our love for sweets; also, Iori seems to be pretty bad at handling anything spicy, which I can relate to since I don’t do well with bitterness.

 

――What is your first impression of your buddy, Haruhi?

Yamazaki：It’s only my humble and personal opinion, but the more cheerful and trickster a person, the deeper the darkness they hide is (laughs). Though I do believe that their growth and development is all the more spectacular once they get to break out of their shell.

On the other hand, I think Haruhi wants to appear jovial because he doesn’t want the world to see his weaknesses: I can see great charm in him, and I’m really impatient to see him grow! I’m also awfully intrigued by their previous band, this “Gravity”, they were both in.

Like light and shadow, Haruhi and Iori are two similar geniuses with wildly different personalities—I don’t know who’s really the light and the shadow in that duo though (laughs).

 

――Have you ever worked with Haruhi’s actor, Takamoto Gaku-san, for private or professional means?

Yamazaki：This is the very first time we get to work together. Although we got to take pictures together for the photoshoot and already introduced ourselves, I still feel relatively shy around him (laughs).

I'm not the type to actively seek out people, but once I know the other a little better, there's no stopping me (laughs). As we’re both from Osaka and are close in age, I hope we get to become friends.

 

――A message to Takamoto-san?

Yamazaki：This stage will not only portray the bond between Haruhi and Iori, but also ours, so let's get along! But first, let’s eat somewhere together!

 

――This project has a music battle as its core. In that regard, what is a song that you like the most, one that left a strong impact on you?

Yamazaki：I began learning to do acrobatics recently, and I always scare myself because I keep thinking I’m going to fall and hit my head—that’s when I put on "Momoiro Clover Z". Whenever I hear them shout “Run!”, it brings me back on my feet instantly! When I need to build up my courage, I always give them a listen.

 

――Have you ever been to a music festival before?

Yamazaki：No, never. I’m an indoor person: I’d laze around at home all day long if I could (laughs).

I like the ocean, but I don't go out as often anymore with how the world situation has been. I also don't do well with crowds, so whenever I go out to eat with someone, it’s never with more than four people. Maybe I prefer to show someone something rather than being the one seen.

 

――Do you have any manga or anime you like or are currently into?

Yamazaki：I love anime and manga; I’ve been into a Netflix anime show lately, called “Kotaro Lives Alone”. I also read various manga, but exclusively do so on my iPad whenever I’m home.

 

――To you, what’s the appeal of 2.5 dimension stages?

Yamazaki：I believe there’s a peculiar feeling to seeing a character live through human beings, acting them out on stage in the flesh, giving them a voice. No two performances can be reproduced down to its every step: thus, each show built from this shared moment between cast and audience is all the more special.

As actors, we build habits through repeated shows, we give and receive feedback on aspects we find necessary; if we have to adjust our interpretations according to the character’s emotions, then everyone around must consequently adapt as well. For example, if Haruhi’s answer varies, then so will Iori’s—else, the dissonance would make for an unconvincing act.

Since a play is performed by real people living in a just as realistic world, there may be fluctuations from one show to another: by adjusting to these discrepancies, the play can only get better by the last, final performance.

 

――Is there any memorable role or stage you can tell us about?

Yamazaki：My debut stage performance in the musical “The Prince of Tennis, third season”, getting on stage as Haginosuke Taki for the very first time must be my most important memory. Other than that, my roles in the musicals “Hakuouki” or “Fate/Grand Order THE STAGE”, and more recently my appearance in “Touken Ranbu”‘s musical were all massive turning points for me.

I am, in my opinion, an incredibly lucky actor to have been blessed with the roles I was given: even though I only had half a page worth of lines in “Prince of Tennis”, everyone was still extremely supportive. On the other hand, I had the honor of playing Okita Souji in “Hakuouki”; I was one of the main characters in the long-running “Fate/Grand Order THE STAGE”, and was granted a role that perfectly suited me in the multiplatform “Touken Ranbu”.

I hope that Tokyo Color Sonic!! will be both the impetus I lacked and another turning point in my acting career.

――A message to the audience?

Yamazaki：Although Tokyo Color Sonic!! is still a young franchise, I sense great opportunity within its lines: needless to say, but this fascinating title is already on the road to its stage adaptation!

This very adaptation is only possible thanks to the passion and love of many: I’m glad I was able to be on its path, and I hope we’ll be able to make it grow even more—I aim to reach and answer the affection of Iori’s fans.

From now on, I shall make it an everyday endeavor to know Iori better. I want this play to be a source of power to those who simply live their everyday life, and for those who are going through their own load of issues as well: I want them to leave the theater refreshed, with a weight off their shoulders.

If you have yet to get into Tokyo Color Sonic!!, I think the music will easily move you: even for first-timers, their song will make your heart waver.