Former Nogizaka46 ace Asuka Saito has taken on the challenging role of Ai in the live-action adaptation of Oshi no Ko, which spans both a drama series and a film. Known as a top idol, Saito held her graduation concert at Tokyo Dome in 2023, marking the end of her career with the group. Yet, just after her departure, she was cast as Ai—a role she initially declined. In this interview’s first installment, Saito discusses what led her to accept the role and how her own idol persona influenced her decision.

Why Did You Accept the Role of Ai? “The Team’s Passion for Oshi no Ko Was Overwhelming”

—The offer for the role came as you were preparing for your Nogizaka46 graduation concert. It’s been revealed that you initially turned it down. Can you explain why?
[Saito] I was in the process of graduating from Nogizaka46 when I received the offer. It was my first time reading Oshi no Ko, although I knew it was extremely popular. At first, I felt that taking on this role would be too challenging for me, so I declined.

—What changed your mind and made you ultimately accept the role?
[Saito] After I turned it down, the production team approached me again. They came to my agency multiple times to discuss the project in depth. The biggest factor was their passion—their love and enthusiasm for Oshi no Ko were so strong. They told me directly, “We absolutely want Asuka Saito to play this role.” There was a moment during their explanation that everything clicked for me, and I started to feel like I could take on the challenge.

—What was it that “clicked” for you?
[Saito] At first, I thought Ai was a completely different person from me. I was worried that playing Ai might affect the idol image I had created as Asuka Saito. Since I had just graduated from Nogizaka46, even I felt surprised at the idea of taking on such a role.

However, as I learned more about Ai, I realized that she also has negative, darker sides. While it’s easy to describe her as “dark,” she’s an incredibly delicate and nuanced character. The production team even said I have an “air of shadow” about me [laughs], and they believed that I could embody her complexity. That’s when I felt a sense of connection with Ai and decided to give it a try.

—While you found common ground with Ai, you also mentioned earlier that her “idol image” is very different from yours. Could you elaborate?
[Saito] I think Ai and I are completely different types of idols. Ai hides her darker emotions and always smiles brightly, sparkling in front of everyone. That’s an incredible strength, but it’s also a reflection of her vulnerability—she feels the need to maintain that facade. She’s a character who carries a lot of instability.

On the other hand, I’ve never been someone who’s constantly smiling or sparkling. That’s a clear difference. I think the impression people get from Ai and me are almost polar opposites.

The Ideal Idol I Couldn’t Be: “Hoshino Ai Represents My Dream, But I Could Never Be Her”

—You’ve mentioned your own “idol image” as Asuka Saito. What kind of idol were you during your time in Nogizaka46?
[Saito] If I could, I would’ve loved to be a sparkling idol like Ai [laughs]. Honestly, Ai’s image is very close to the ideal idol I once dreamed of being. But I couldn’t achieve that. Instead, I embraced the darker sides of myself and built a character around those traits.

—When you first joined Nogizaka46, you had a catchphrase about loving strawberry milk. Was that part of your initial attempt to create an ideal idol persona?
[Saito] Oh, the strawberry milk days [laughs]. Yes, back then, I tried to aim for that kind of ideal idol. But playing Ai made me realize that I could never be like her. She’s a legendary idol, captivating fans both in the story and in real life through this work. I admire her deeply and respect what she represents.

To be continued in Part 2.

About Oshi no Ko

Oshi no Ko is a manga collaboration between Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari, serialized in Weekly Young Jump since 2020. With over 18 million copies in circulation as of August 2024, the story captivates readers with its fantastical premise: a legendary idol, Ai, and the reincarnation of her child. The series combines suspense, shocking twists, and an unflinching exploration of the entertainment industry, appealing to audiences across generations.

The live-action adaptation, a joint project by Amazon and Toei, includes a drama series streaming exclusively on Prime Video starting Thursday, November 28, at 9 PM JST for Amazon Prime members. The follow-up film, Oshi no Ko -The Final Act-, will be released in theaters nationwide on Friday, December 20, distributed by Toei.

Source : ORICON NEWS