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odorekijinInterview with Takamoto Gaku, playing as Kaji Haruhi, by Animate.
Published on September 28th, 2022. (original article)
――What were your first impressions of Tokyo Color Sonic's world, characters, and overall setting? What appealed to you in it?
Takamoto：Each character, both composers and vocalists, get to become buddies and face off to make their way to victory in a massive festival: I find their growth through clashes, their improvements in that process, most wonderful.
As each buddy pair competes for their music in this entertainment world, battling to find what’s most important to them, it reminded me of how awesome music really was.
The main appeal of this story, in my opinion, is how it carefully depicts the characters’ troubles, the background they carry: it’s a franchise that values human drama. Also, despite the fact that it’s a story set in the near-future, it still felt really down to earth and realistic to me.
――Other than the one you play, who is your favorite character in Tokyo Color Sonic?
Takamoto：Since I'll play as Haruhi, I naturally got curious about Iori: the more I looked into him, the more interested I got, and he ended up becoming my favorite character. At first, I thought that his visuals translated into a quiet and reserved personality: in the CDs, however, Iori spoke without hesitation, and even showed some of his cuter traits.
What I also really like is his humanitarian compassion, seen through his inner conflict between caring for his sick mother and his love for music.
Although Haruhi, as his buddy, wholeheartedly supports him, they also face their own share of conflicts—as Haruhi, I hope to build a relationship with Iori from the ground up.
――Do you have a favorite song from Tokyo Color Sonic?
Takamoto：Clearly, it’s Haruhi and Iori’s measly. I like the melody, and really enjoyed the way the chorus builds up to this exciting speed and rhythm. On the other hand, I adore how the song also fits the characters, and how it portrays their inner passion and soul-stirring feelings hidden behind their cool appearance.
――How did you feel when you got cast for Tokyo Color Sonic the Stage?
Takamoto：Up until now, I hardly performed in a setting where we were to act in pairs, as "buddies": I thought that a story where partners have to grow together would make for a fun challenge.
That being said, I am a fond lover of music, as I used to be in a band myself—I believe it’s a great opportunity for me to link these past feelings and memories with the joys and struggles that these characters also feel, through my own acting. I immediately had great expectations for this play to become an interesting and moving show.
――What were your first impressions of Haruhi? Did you find any differences or anything you could relate with him?
Takamoto：Haruhi is one of the most elusive characters in Tokyo Color Sonic because he never shows his true feelings to others—but it’s the very fact that he’s so hard to pin down that makes him worth pursuing: it gives me a wide range of motion to work with.
Although he looks and sounds perfect, Haruhi does have his flaws; he’s mischievous, extremely passionate, easily moved to tears, and so on. The more you delve, the more his uniqueness shines: I see in him infinite potential, and I believe he'll be relatively mutable as I'll get to play him.
As for our differences… Well, no matter how I look at it, it seems we’ve got nothing in common: Haruhi is a prodigy and has incredible talent in music-making while being quite the schemer—I’m more of an instinct and spontaneity-driven person (laughs). However we both are around 180 centimeters tall, and play the guitar in our free time.
We also were both in a band, although I joined mine in my second year of middle school. I used to play with people around my age, I like oldies songs like The Beatles thanks to my father’s influence, and I would have sessions with chooms older than me.
However, I wasn’t really good at singing with my guitar, so I used to just play: I started with an electric guitar then moved to an acoustic. Nowadays, I sometimes get to play the acoustic at events.
――What is your first impression of your buddy, Iori?
Takamoto：I like that, despite his charismatic aura, Iori isn’t aloof or arrogant: he’s polite, sociable and kind with anyone around him. Furthermore, he kept away from the public his mother’s illness and the fact that he had to repeat a year—I find that mysteriousness appealing.
Haruhi and him must be so drawn to each other because they share something in common.
――Have you ever worked with Iori’s actor, Yamazaki Shogo-san, for private or professional means?
Takamoto：Actually, the photoshoot was our very first meeting. I found him friendly and sociable, plus we had lots of fun since we could relate to each other as we’re both from Osaka.
Although we had very little time to really chat together, I could feel that he is a kind person: while I can be reserved, Yamazaki-san made the first move and was enthusiastic to talk—I think we’ll make a well-balanced duo, and I hope to get to know him better.
――A message to Yamazaki-san?
Takamoto：I’d say: ”Go easy on me” and “Let’s be friends, please?” (laughs)
――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?
Takamoto：I always like and listen to the songs we have performed on stage, or those related to the stage in question. For example, I was cast as double in "The Case Study of Vanitas" in January of this year: when I listen to its opening, it brings me right back to January.
The first time I performed in a big 2.5 stage production was in "Hetalia", as Prussia: whenever "Marukaite Sekai" played before the curtain rose or encores, I’d always panic, like: “Crap!? The stage’s about to start!”.
Something a bit similar happened when the “JOKER TRAP” and "BLOODY SHADOWS” tracks played, when I was cast in “SHINING REVUE from Uta no☆Prince-sama♪”: whenever these songs come in, something switches on in my memory, playing back the performances in my head.
That’s why I cherish the music of the stages I’ve been involved with: they’re both my favorites, and my most memorable songs.
――Have you ever been to a music festival before?
Takamoto：I went to these massive music festivals called "ROCK IN JAPAN" and "SUMMER SONIC" before. Plenty of artists and bands get to perform there, and you can even meet new people. If I ever get the chance, I would love to participate in a 2.5 stage festival someday: that sounds like a fun way to discover a whole bunch of new characters.
――Do you have any manga or anime you like or are currently into?
Takamoto：Other than the titles I worked for, I read and watch various series on a regular basis. The latest manga I got hooked on is a soccer-related story called "Blue Lock”.
It's a battle royale-like story in which high-school students, playing as forwards, are gathered from all over the country to create the next team that will lead the nation to win the World Cup: the trick is that they literally have to survive to win their spot, and somehow I can see some resemblance with Tokyo Color Sonic. I can be relatively timid and tend to care too much for others, but this manga reminded me the importance of self-assertion and expressing your own opinion.
――To you, what’s the appeal of 2.5 dimension stages?
Takamoto：Its key point lies in how we can bring the anime or manga’s world to this reality, and expand it even further.
On stage, we have to convey movement, feelings and how the characters’ emotions waver in reaction to a particular event, where the scene would naturally be cut without a line of dialogue in the original work. My joy in acting is to put into perspective, in my own way, the possibilities and worldview a character bears.
That being said, I always hope that my performances have a positive influence on my audience, and that it encourages them to keep on doing their best, each and every day. For instance, by attending the shows I’m in, I hope they can empathize with the characters and that they can find some link with them, or even change for the better—that’s why I stand on the 2.5 dimension stage.
――Is there any memorable role or stage you can tell us about?
Takamoto：All of the shows I had the chance of being cast in profoundly impacted me: from the new people I met to my changed values, they all are beyond memorable.
For example, on the opening day of "Hetalia”, my seniors truly helped me even though I still didn’t know my left and right: the audience gave us a standing ovation, and we got incredibly good reviews as well as comments once the production had come to an end. At that time, I thought that theater and the stage would never, ever betray one’s efforts.
All of the shows I have performed in made me the person I am today, and I’m deeply grateful for the chance I was given.
――A message to the audience?
Takamoto：Tokyo Color Sonic!! will be adapted to the stage for the very first time, and I am honored to be part of this adventure by playing Haruhi.
These characters grow through their music; as buddies, partners are bound to clash too, with each of them bearing their own share of conflicts. It highlights a fascinating side of humans and their relationships. I’m eager to bring that enthusiasm and passion to the stage, through every word and line: I will push myself to my limits during the rehearsals.
Both actors and staff will do their best to convey Tokyo Color Sonic!!’s message to you, the future audience, to energize and make you happy for the days to come. We all hope to see you at the theater soon.
