■ “I was told, ‘Don’t mess around’ (laughs). Since the role doesn’t even have much to laugh about, I feel like the bar has been set very high for me.” (Kikuchi Fuma)
The drama “The Reason We Fall in Love” will be broadcast on TV Asahi’s Oshidora Saturday slot starting October 12th.
The popular comic “The Reason We Fall in Love” (serialized in ChouCream’s “OUR FEEL”) by ma2, which won the grand prize in the adult romance category at the 2nd Everyone’s Favorite Romance Manga Awards and has exceeded 30 million views on online bookstores, is being adapted for the first time into a film starring Kikuchi Fuma (timelesz) and heroine Kumagaya Rinka.
The story is set in an office and depicts the frustrating yet sweet “pure adult love” that unfolds between six men and women, including Kikuchi and Kumada.
■Kikuchi Fuma shows off a new charm in his role as a silent, cool boss who never smiles!
Kikuchi plays Kurosawa Tomoya, the manager of the sales department. He doesn’t show his emotions much and doesn’t say much, and he’s not good at roundabout ways of speaking, so when he does open his mouth, he speaks clearly, which gives him a cold impression and often scares people around him. Kurosawa had been keeping his distance from “love,” which could become a source of troublesome human relationships, but his subordinate Morita Aoi (Kumada Rinka) brings about a change.
While continuing to work at the forefront as an idol, Kikuchi is in high demand in many areas, such as showing off his comical side in variety shows. At the same time, he has steadily built his career as an actor, and in 2023, he has established a solid position by starring in three consecutive seasons of “The Man Next Door Eats Well,” “Fake Marriage,” and “Zeicho: There’s a Reason Why I Can’t Pay.”
For Kikuchi, this is his third Oshidora Saturday production, and his first lead role in a TV Asahi drama. In this production, he takes on a new role as a silent, cool boss who “doesn’t smile”, which is a completely new challenge for him. Not only will he have to forego his charming “smile”, but he will also be banned from “ad-libs”, which have made viewers chuckle in various productions.
When taking on the role of the main character Kurosawa, who “must not laugh,” Kikuchi confessed, “No… I think I’ll probably laugh (laughs).” Also, every time he meets Shota Watanabe (Snow Man), who appears in “Aoshima-kun is mean,” which is currently being broadcast in the Oshidora Saturday slot, he is worried about him and asks, “Are you okay!?”
Even so, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “The original work has many beautifully drawn heart-pounding scenes, so we hope to respect that and create many wonderful scenes as well.”
During the visual shoot with Kumada, they immediately started hugging each other from behind and leaning their faces close to each other, filling the studio with their sweet atmosphere, but at one point, Kikuchi became embarrassed and couldn’t stop laughing.
■Kumada Rinka cuts 25cm of her hair in preparation for a drama appearance!
Kumada plays Morita Aoi, a subordinate of Kurosawa, played by Kikuchi, who has been with the company for three years. She has a strong sense of responsibility, is hardworking, and is not good at complaining. Aoi has a complex about her height, lacks confidence in herself, and is timid when it comes to love, but after a certain incident, she becomes attracted to Kurosawa.
Currently an exclusive model for “non-no,” Kumada is immensely popular, especially among women of her generation. In recent years, she has also made great strides as an actress, starring in the films “Otona najimi” (2023) and “Yo ga Aketara, Ichiban ni Kimi ni Ainiiku” (2023). This will be Kumada’s first appearance in a TV Asahi drama.
In order to play the heroine Aoi, she was extremely determined to become closer to the character in the original work, and cut off 25 centimetres of her beautiful long hair. Kumada revealed, “When I was decided to play this role, the feeling that ‘I want to cut it!’ came to the forefront, and I answered immediately.”
Seeing such enthusiasm, Kikuchi was impressed and said, “It makes me more determined. If I were to cut 25 centimetres, I’d probably just shave my head…I couldn’t immediately say ‘I’m going to cut it.'” He went on to tell Kumada, “Cutting your hair makes you feel more grown-up,” and Kumada broke out into a big smile.
The two have a heartwarming exchange, but in fact, Kumada has a mission regarding Kikuchi. “I was told that ad-libs and joking around are prohibited during filming, and the staff told me, ‘If Kikuchi does joking around, please let us know.'”
When Kikuchi heard this, he was terrified and said, “Spy-like things like that!!” The two of them have become so close and have such a warm atmosphere that it is exciting to see what kind of romance they will show in the future.
Additional cast members will be announced at a later date.
■ Comment from Fuma Kikuchi (role of Tomoya Kurosawa)
Q: How did you feel when you were chosen to appear in this film?
I didn’t think I would be asked to play a love story, so I was a little surprised. I was also told, “Don’t be silly” (laughs). I don’t intend to be silly every time, but since this is a role where I don’t even laugh much, I feel like the bar is really high for me. However, I thought it would be nice to show a feeling that I’ve never had before.Q: This will be your third time appearing in the Oshidora slot, and your first lead role in a TV Asahi drama. Please tell us about your enthusiasm for this work.
I was able to appear in the first work when the Oshidora slot was created, so I have a special attachment to it. I’m grateful to be able to play the lead role there, and I feel a sense of responsibility. However, this is my first lead role with TV Asahi, so I’m nervous and can’t sleep well when I think that this will remain in my memory and I’ll be called upon whenever something happens… (laughs).Q: What did you think when you read the original work?
All the characters are so lovable that you want to root for them. They are all so kind and nice people, so I felt it was a wonderful worldview. The heart-fluttering scenes are also so beautifully drawn, so I hope we can respect that and create lots of wonderful scenes.Q: What is your impression of the character Kurosawa Tomoya that you will be playing this time?
The character I’m playing this time, Kurosawa, is cool and good at his job, but he has a hard time taking the first step in love and is unable to be honest, which is carefully portrayed, so I think he’s adorable. Even though he doesn’t smile much and doesn’t show it on his face, I hope I can carefully portray his personality, cuteness, and lovability that oozes from inside him. The things we have in common… are… everything! Because he’s cool!Q: Your character basically doesn’t laugh and always has a sullen expression, but are you confident that you can keep from laughing?
That’s just the role! No… I think I’ll probably laugh (laughs). I’m told I’m not allowed to ad-lib, but I think I’ll be okay with that. However, Shota Watanabe, who appeared in the previous work before Oshidora, was worried and asked me, “Are you okay!?” He says that to me every time we meet, about once every two times.Q: What is your impression of Kumada-san? Also, she cut 25 centimeters of her hair for the shoot. What do you think of her enthusiasm for that?
When I first met her, I got the impression that she had both the cuteness of a younger person and the slenderness of an adult, and I felt that she was perfect for Aoi-chan. She cut her hair short and challenged me, which is really amazing. It makes me feel motivated. If I cut 25cm, it would probably be like a buzz cut…Wow, I can’t immediately say “cut it.”Q: Filming will soon begin. Is there anything you are looking forward to on set?
The story depicts the love lives of six men and women, with many different arrows pointing in different directions, but I’m looking forward to seeing how it will turn out on set. For example, I’m excited to see whether there will be a single person who is a little naive, and what kind of relationships they will build, both on and off the set of the drama.Q: Finally, please give a message to the viewers who are looking forward to the broadcast.
We would like to bring you something heart-pounding that is perfect for the long autumn nights, so we hope you all look forward to it.■ Comment from Rinka Kumagaya (role of Aoi Morita)
Q: How did you feel when you were chosen to appear in this film?
I was very happy. I haven’t played many working women before, so I thought it was a challenge for me. Filming will start soon, and I’m excited to see how it will turn out.Q: This will be your first appearance in a TV Asahi drama. Tell us about your enthusiasm for this series.
One of the things I’ve been working on is cutting about 25 centimeters of my hair. I want to keep this determination and run through to the end.Q: What did you think when you read the original work?
I felt it was very realistic, and I thought that if something like this really happened, I would be startled too. I thought that everyone would be able to empathize with the turmoil in each character’s heart, so I hope to be able to carefully portray their feelings when I act.Q: What is your impression of the character Morita Aoi that you will be playing this time?
Aoi is not modest, but can suddenly become bold, and has both a cool and cute side. I think she has many different expressions. Aoi has some complexes, but as they gradually melt away, I feel a warmth in her character and a sense of closeness. Also, since she is a tall character, I spend my time thinking to myself, “I want to grow up” (laughs).Q: How did you feel when you decided to cut 25 centimeters of your hair to appear in a drama?
When I was chosen to play this role, the feeling of “I want to cut it!” came to the forefront and I answered immediately. My manager was worried because I decided so quickly (laughs). I wanted to take on the challenge with that much enthusiasm. However, because I had just cut my hair, when I stood in front of the camera for the first time in this outfit, it felt like I wasn’t myself. I’m still not used to it, so I’m still surprised when I stand in front of the mirror (laughs).Q: What is your impression of the lead actor, Kikuchi Fuma, with whom you are acting for the first time?
Kikuchi-san was just as I imagined him to be, he was really funny and made the atmosphere very relaxed, which was very reassuring for me since I am a bit nervous. However, I heard that ad-libs and joking were prohibited when filming started, and the staff told me, “If Kikuchi-san does something, please let us know” (laughs). I’m really looking forward to seeing how Kikuchi-san will act under those circumstances.Q: Filming will soon begin. Is there anything you are looking forward to on set?
I’ve heard that there is a “no messing around” rule and “no improvisation,” so I’m looking forward to seeing whether Kikuchi and everyone else can stick to that rule and what kind of set it will be.Q: Finally, please give a message to the viewers who are looking forward to the broadcast.
I think that the “pure love between adults” between six different men and women will be a drama that many people can relate to. I will do my best to make it something you look forward to every week, so please look forward to it.■ma2 (original) Comments
I was honored that it was made into a TV drama. I would be happy if the drama would encourage more people to read the original work.
I myself was only able to grasp Kurosawa’s character after the series had already started quite some time ago, so I’m sure Kikuchi-san will also have a hard time grasping the character, but that’s why
I’m looking forward to seeing Kikuchi-san’s performance as Kurosawa. I’m also grateful to Kumada-san for cutting his hair for the role and taking on the challenge. I hope he will perform the role freely.
I’m excited about the story that will take advantage of scenes from the original work, but will also progress on a different timeline. I hope you’ll pay attention to the new charms that aren’t in the original work, such as the sense of depth and character relationships that are unique to the drama, and let’s all enjoy the warmth and pauses in dialogue that can only be experienced in the drama.
Program Information
TV Asahi Oshidora Saturday “The reason we fall in love”
Broadcast starts on October 12th! Every Saturday from 23:00 to 23:30
Cast: Fuma Kikuchi, Rinka Kumagaya and others
Original work: ma2 “The reason we fall in love” (serialized in Shucream’s “OUR FEEL”)
Screenplay: Yuri Yamada, Aya Watatane, Hisako Fujihira
Directed by: Hiroaki Yuasa, Shu Yoshino, Takeshi Matsuura
Executive Producer: Yumiko Miwa (TV Asahi)
Producers: Rio Zanma (TV Asahi), Kota Shimamoto (Storm Labels), Risa Hikita (The Fool)
Production cooperation: Zaful
Produced by: TV Asahi, Storm Labels
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