■ “Being next to Aoshima-kun, played by Watanabe-kun, I was able to become a very kind Yukino-san.” (Nakamura Anne)
Snow Man’s Watanabe Shota and Nakamura Anne co-star in the TV Asahi drama Saturday series “Aoshima-kun is Mean” (every Saturday from 11pm) has wrapped up filming.
In the seventh episode, which aired on August 31, Yukino (Nakamura) is more hurt than he could have imagined by Aoshima’s (Watanabe) innocent bombshell statement, “I’m not thinking about marriage at all,” and he worries about it alone. Many viewers sympathized, saying, “I’m in the same situation as Yukino, so I could really empathize,” and “I can really understand how Yukino feels, worrying about marriage and the age difference.”
Furthermore, the battle between Yukino’s ex-boyfriend Fujiwara Masaya (Takahashi Mitsuomi) and her current boyfriend Aoshima had viewers on edge, with comments such as “Aoshima’s competitive spirit is on full display,” “Good luck, Aoshima!” and “His jealousy is burning. It’s intriguing.”
Then, realizing that Aoshima had been trying to face her all this time, Yukino honestly confesses her feelings, and the two hug without caring about what others think. Just as their love deepens, Aoshima’s real mother, Sakamoto Kumi (Kimura Tae), suddenly appears. She stares at the two for a long time before dashing off, suggesting a turbulent ending, which caused a huge stir on social media, with comments such as, “The final boss has appeared?! Things were going so well, stop it!” and “Why did he appear at this timing! He seems strong!”
As the story moves towards its climax, the main cast, including Watanabe and Nakamura, have wrapped up filming one after another. In addition to the two of them, photos of fellow cast members Tozuka Junki, Akimoto Manatsu, Kobayashi Ryoko, and Aoshima’s mothers, Ito Nobuko, Yada Akiko, and Kimura Tae, have also been released.
■After overcoming various missions to get to that heart-melting scene, the two have finally wrapped up filming!!
Having finally finished all filming, Watanabe and Nakamura were surrounded by the staff and Ito, Yamada, and Kimura, who played Aoshima’s three mothers, to say their final farewells.
Watanabe pumped his fist in excitement and shouted, “I did it!!” He expressed his gratitude, saying, “I was able to get to this point thanks to all my co-stars and staff who taught me so much. And thanks to the heroine, Anne, I was able to work comfortably on set. Thank you so much.”
Nakamura also smiled and said, “I’m happy that we were able to wrap up filming safely, thanks to everyone’s incredible support. I don’t have much experience with love stories, so I was very nervous, but Watanabe-kun’s personality helped me a lot, and being next to Aoshima-kun, played by Watanabe-kun, I was able to become the very kind Yukino.”
The two of them said that they had grown closer as they communicated with each other through the course of filming, and their words were filled with trust and gratitude for each other, which warmed the staff’s hearts and created a moment filled with smiles.
Nakamura also commented on the team’s commitment to trying and testing everything in order to deliver a heart-pounding experience to viewers, saying, “I was amazed at how much love the director and the production team all put into this! I wanted to maintain an atmosphere that was just as intense.”
In response, Watanabe said, “Everyone laid the rails of love, so I got on board. I got on the train called the love rails (laughs).” Nakamura retorted, “You’re basically just joking around all the time (laughs),” and the two were in perfect sync until the end.
When the staff asked about the highlights of the film as it approaches its climax, Watanabe immediately replied, “Pay attention to Tanizaki (Tozuka Junki)! I’m a big fan of Tanizaki (laughs).” With a sidelong glance, Nakamura concluded, “It’s really a compilation of heart-pounding moments. And Yukino… pay attention to how the two of them come to a conclusion.” Watanabe joined in, saying, “That’s it! What Ann said is the highlight (laughs).” Amidst big laughs, “Aoshima-kun is Mean” was finished.
■ Comment from Shota Watanabe (role of Mizuki Aoshima)
Although there are many areas where I am lacking, I think I have been able to get this far thanks to the various lessons I received from my co-stars, the production team, and the technical staff. And thanks to the heroine, Ann, I was able to work comfortably on set, which was great. The character of Yukino and Ann’s personality made the atmosphere, fun, and warm on set, and I think the communication we had during breaks led to a sense of distance throughout the film. And the results were good… I’m really grateful.
Looking back now, romantic comedies are difficult and very high-calorie. But the opinions of the staff, not only the women but also the older guys were quite important… The cameramen, lighting technicians and other technicians also studied, “Wouldn’t this angle be more appealing?” Everyone laid the rails of love, so I was able to ride the train called love rails (laughs).
The highlight of the final episode is… focus on Tanizaki! I’m a big fan of Tanizaki (laughs).■ Comment from Anne Nakamura (role of Yukino Katsuragi)
Before it started, I was really excited and anxious about what kind of work it would be, but once I got on set, I was so happy that I was able to wrap up filming without any problems, thanks to the incredible support of the production team. I don’t have much experience with love stories, so I was really nervous, but Watanabe-kun’s personality helped me out a lot, and being next to Aoshima-kun, played by Watanabe-kun, helped me become a really kind Yukino-san.
I didn’t know anything about Watanabe, but as I was creating the characters for Aoshima and Yukino through casual conversation, I felt that he was a very athletic guy and that our minds matched.
And all the staff were very considerate and created an environment where it was easy to act. I was surprised at how much love the director and the entire production team had for the project! I wanted to bring the same enthusiasm to the project.
The final episode is approaching, and it’s a truly heart-pounding culmination. And Yukino… I want you to pay attention to how the two of them come to a conclusion.
■ Episode 8 (broadcast on September 7th) Synopsis
Katsuragi Yukino (Nakamura Anne), a general affairs employee at the beverage manufacturer Cat Beverage, is more hurt than she could have imagined when her boyfriend Aoshima Mizuki (Watanabe Shota), who is nine years younger than her, tells her, “I’m not thinking about marriage at all.”
Not wanting to be a clingy woman, Yukino was unable to hear Aoshima’s true feelings, but when Aoshima told her the truth, saying, “I love you so much that I can accept all the feelings and words you say,” Yukino honestly told him that she was shaken when he said he wasn’t thinking about marriage, and she threw herself into Aoshima’s arms, saying, “As long as I can be alone with you like this, Aoshima, that’s enough for me.”
Their love has grown deeper than ever, and they are filled with happiness. As they embrace, not caring about the people around them, Kumi Sakamoto (Tae Kimura) appears. Aoshima introduces her as “the woman who gave birth to me,” and Yukino becomes nervous, asking, “Mom?!”
The next day, Yukino is worried about Kumi who left without saying anything, so she asks Aoshima about it during lunch. Aoshima reveals that Kumi, who left when he was a child and is now practically a “stranger,” suddenly showed up two years ago, and he is confused.
Then, Kumi suddenly shows up at Yukino’s house. She tells the upset Yukino that she wants to break up with Mizuki.
Meanwhile, Aoshima asks Yukino out on a date. When Yukino arrives at the meeting place, she finds Aoshima there with a gloomy expression.
Program Information
TV Asahi Oshidora Saturday“Aoshima-kun is mean”
09/07 (Sat) 23:00-23:30 *Episode 8
Original work: “Aoshima-kun is mean” by Yu Yoshii
Screenplay: Erika Seki
Cast: Watanabe Shota (Snow Man), Nakamura Anne
Junki Tozuka, Manatsu Akimoto, Ryoko Kobayashi, and others
Theme song: Snow Man “You are mine”
“Aoshima-kun is mean” program site
https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/aoshima_ijiwaru/
Snow Man OFFICIAL SITE
https://mentrecording.jp/snowman/
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