Comments from Kaito Sakurai, who plays the lead role of Aqua in the live-action adaptation of Oshi no Ko, have been revealed. Despite feeling immense pressure, Sakurai confidently stated, "Honestly, I didn’t want anyone else to play this role," as he made the decision to take on the part. His seriousness and determination are evident in the newly released photo that shows his focused gaze.

Oshi no Ko is based on the manga by Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari, which portrays the entertainment industry from a completely new perspective (serialized in Weekly Young Jump since 2020). The series was adapted into a TV anime from April to June 2023, sparking a major boom, and Season 2 is currently airing as of July.

The live-action adaptation is a joint project by Amazon and Toei. The drama series will be exclusively streamed worldwide for Prime members on Prime Video starting November 28 at 9 PM, followed by a theatrical release distributed by Toei nationwide on December 20. The cast also includes Asuka Saito, Nagisa Saito, Nanoka Hara, Mizuki Kayashima, Ano, and Ryo Narita.

"To me, acting is about revenge." With this mindset, Sakurai threw himself into the role of Aqua, a character driven by vengeance as he infiltrates the entertainment industry in search of the truth behind the death of his mother, Ai (played by Asuka Saito). Sakurai, who has steadily built his acting career in recent hit shows like VIVANT (2023, TBS) and Ao Haru Ride Season 1 (2023, WOWOW), admitted that taking on this role came with "tremendous pressure."

"I had already been reading the original manga before I was even approached for the role, and I really loved it. When I thought, ‘If this is ever adapted into live action, I want to play Aqua,’ the offer actually came to me. Since it's a work I love dearly and has so many fans, I felt an incredible amount of pressure," Sakurai revealed.

He continued, "Despite the pressure, my desire to play Aqua was so strong that when I first spoke with the director and producers, I honestly told them, 'I don’t want anyone else to play this role.' I wanted to convey my genuine feelings." During the long filming period from November last year to March this year, Sakurai revisited the original manga and fully immersed himself in the character of Aqua.

"My primary focus was my respect for the original work. I wanted to project what Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari had created onto myself and portray it through my acting. I absolutely didn’t want to distort Aqua's image from the manga, so before every scene, I would check how Aqua was expressing himself, whether he was sitting or standing, whether his hands were in his pockets or not. I aimed to recreate these details as closely as possible," Sakurai explained, showing his deep commitment and respect for the source material.

In keeping with this commitment, Sakurai frequently visited the set on days when he wasn’t filming to communicate closely with the staff. He was observed watching other actors perform and incorporating what he learned into his own performances.

The original creators, Akasaka and Yokoyari, also visited the set several times. Sakurai recalled, "The first time I met them, I was so nervous I just stood there stiff. I later heard that even they noticed how nervous I was (laughs). That's how much I love and respect the work. But the second time we met, they approached me so casually that I was able to have a proper conversation with them without being nervous."

Despite the overwhelming pressure, Sakurai finished the filming feeling fulfilled. "Being able to play Aqua, a role I've always wanted to take on in a work I love so much, while being supported by so many people, was an incredibly valuable experience as an actor. I hope as many people as possible will watch the live-action Oshi no Ko, which we all worked together to create," he expressed with confidence.

Source : ORICON NEWS