Hayato Sano comments on the role of “Shoya Yotsugi” in the morning drama “Omusubi”. “I think it’s similar to me.”

■”Shoya is a pitcher who throws 140 km, so we practiced a lot. In the end, he was able to throw close to 120 km.” (Hayato Sano)

An interview with Hayato Sano, who plays the role of Shoya Yotsugi in the drama series “Omusubi” (NHK General and others), has been released.

Shoya plays the role of a high school baseball player who is studying baseball at Fukuoka Nishi High School. Originally from Tochigi Prefecture, he is nicknamed “Yon-sama of Fukunishi” due to his surname Yotsugi and the way he wears glasses.

This character has a practice range in Itoshima, where he sometimes runs into the main character, Yui (Kanna Hashimoto).

■Hayato Sano Interview
Q. How did you feel when you were chosen to appear?
Sano:When I do interviews, I’m often asked, “What are your dreams for the future?” and I’ve always answered that my dream as a group (M!LK) is to do a dome tour, and my dream as an individual is to appear in a morning drama. My grandparents used to watch morning dramas all the time, and I used to watch them with them when they went out to play. At that time, I always remembered that they told me, “I want you to appear in this,” so I thought it would be great if I could fulfill my filial piety to my grandparents. I have a strong desire to make my family and people close to me happy through my work. That’s why my family was so happy when I decided to appear in this role.

Q. About the role played by Shoya Yotsugi
Sano:Shoya is a truly innocent, straightforward, and lovable character that makes you want to root for him. Shoya and I have a lot in common. Shoya writes his goals in a notebook and works towards achieving them, and I have been writing my dreams and goals in my diary for years. I also wrote in my diary the goal of “I want to appear in a morning drama.” Other than that, I think she’s similar to me in that she doesn’t tell lies and people call her stupid, and she’s easily moved to tears. Shoya’s cute side is that he’s too pure and a bit off-putting, so I’m conscious of acting naturally and without forcing myself.
At first, I thought it would be difficult to learn the Tochigi language. However, when I tried it, I was really good at it! My teacher also said, “I can speak so well that you’d think I’m from Tochigi.” As expected, it’s difficult to improvise in Tochigi’s language (lol). I also practiced a lot of baseball. I was on the softball team when I was in elementary school, and my father also liked baseball, so we often went to the dome to watch games. So when I was approached, I honestly thought I could do it. However, in softball, you throw from the bottom, so when I started practicing pitching from above, it was quite difficult. Shoya is a pitcher who throws 140km/h, so he practiced a lot to throw as fast a ball as possible. In addition to being taught by my teacher, I also play catch in between other work, and in the end, I am able to throw close to 120 km.

Q. About the relationship between Yui and Shoya
Sano:For Shoya, Yui (Kanna Hashimoto) has always been “someone that I’m curious about and start thinking about.” Yui and Shoya run into each other many times, and each time Shoya is very concerned about Yui, but Shoya is quite naive and doesn’t realize that it’s love. is. I think Shoya finally fell in love with Yui when she made him lunch every day even though she injured her hand.
Yui is a “giving person”. In the scene where the two meet for the first time, Yui jumps into the sea to pick up a hat for a crying child. I can act for people. As an entertainer myself, I want to be someone who can move people and give them energy, so I think that kind of thing about Yui is wonderful. Yui says it’s a curse, but Shoya thinks he’s fallen for the Yoneda family’s curse.
This is my second time working with Hashimoto, who plays Yui. She may not be aware of it, but there is a moment when she switches from Kanna to Yui, and at that moment I feel like I’m being turned on, or rather, being pulled towards me.
Since she is a heroine, she has to film a lot every day, but she prepares her lines well and is considerate of those around her, creating a great atmosphere on set. This may seem obvious to him, but I respect the fact that he is working hard behind the scenes.

Q. Message to viewers and highlights
Sano:I personally want to value human relationships, so I think it’s wonderful that the story is about “connections” as the name “Yui” suggests. The story is easy to understand and there are many energetic and bright characters, so I think you will enjoy it from the morning.
There’s a really good line in this week’s episode where Shoya talks about his dreams. I was also encouraged by Shoya while acting. I would be happy if you could see Shoya going straight towards his dreams and think, “I’ll do my best, too.”

Program information

NHKSerial TV novel “Omusubi”
◇NHK General
Every Monday-Saturday 08:00-08:15
*Saturday is a look back at the week
others
*Please see the program website for details on broadcast times.

Written by Nemoto Nonji
Narrator: Lily Franky
Theme song: B’z “Illumination”
Cast: Kanna Hashimoto, Riisa Naka, Hayato Sano, Kumiko Aso, Yoshiko Miyazaki, Yukiya Kitamura, Ken Matsudaira, and others

M!LK OFFICIAL SITE
https://sd-milk.com/

Serial TV novel “Omusubi” program site
https://nhk.jp/omusubi