Fuma Kikuchi and Rinka Kumada take on close-up photography! “The Reason We Fall in Love” begins filming

■ “Actually, I cut my hair to look more like the character in the original” (Fuma Kikuchi)

“The Reason We Fall in Love,” starring Kikuchi Fuma and heroine Kumagaya Rinka, began airing on October 12th and has been rated C-rated.

This drama is based on the popular ma2 comic “The Reason We Fall in Love,” 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. Set in an office, the story depicts the impatient yet sweet “pure adult love” between six men and women.

Filming began with a scene that hinted at the romance between the taciturn boss Kurosawa Tomoya, played by Kikuchi, and the earnest subordinate Morita Aoi, played by Kumada. The memorable first cut was the scene at the beginning of the first volume of the original manga, where Kurosawa and Aoi get into an elevator together. In front of her taciturn boss Kurosawa, who doesn’t show his emotions on his face, the earnest Aoi feels nervous every day as she works, but this time in the elevator marks the beginning of a change in their relationship.

This is the first time Kikuchi and Kumada have acted together in a film, but on the morning of the first day they were asked to take close-up shots in an elevator, and they quickly became close. They boldly took on the famous scene that captured the hearts of fans in the original work, in which Aoi feels her first crush after being touched by Kurosawa’s casual kindness, and their love begins to move.

Kikuchi, who completed filming the important scene that becomes the catalyst for this romance, confessed that she approached filming with respect for the original, saying, “Because we were faithfully recreating the original, I felt a sense of tension.” Meanwhile, Kumada said with a bright expression, “We shot a very important scene in the original first, so it was a memorable crank-in. I’m glad we started with this scene.”

In fact, Kikuchi cut his hair to prepare for the role and appeared with a new hairstyle ahead of the filming. This was due to his desire to make the film more like the original character. “Rinka-chan cut her hair by 25 centimeters, so I’m embarrassed and can’t say it out loud (laughs),” he said blushing, but he also said strongly, “It’s a decision for me to cut my hair!” Perhaps due to his enthusiasm, Kumada expressed his gratitude, saying, “From the moment filming began, I could only see Kikuchi-san’s gaze and facial expression, and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Thanks to that, I was able to get into the story very easily as Aoi.” Kikuchi then asked for more compliments, saying, “Say more!” and the set was filled with laughter. Although this is their first time acting together, Kikuchi and Kumada have been in perfect sync since the filming began. Seeing this, expectations are rising for the “sweet love” that Kurosawa and Aoi will weave.

In addition, Ryuya Shichigosan, who plays Aoi Morita’s (Rinka Kumagaya) colleague Ryo Sakamoto, has also started filming. Shichigosan, who is active on the world stage as a member of Travis Japan, has changed his image to black hair and bangs to match his character in the original work. Filming also began with an important scene from the original work.

Comment from Fuma Kikuchi (role: Tomoya Kurosawa)
Just like the heartwarming and heart-pounding story, the atmosphere on set was very friendly on the first day of filming. At the same time, the filming progressed efficiently, and it felt like a great set! We started by filming the opening scene of the original manga, and since we were faithfully recreating the original, there was a lot of tension.
I thought Kumada-san was a very earnest person. The shooting finished a little earlier than expected, so when I asked him, “What are you going to do after this?” he said, “During the shooting period, if I have time, I will read the script at home.” I thought he was like a model actor. When I talked to him, there were many things I could point out (laughs), but he is very straightforward when it comes to acting, and I would like to learn from him.
Actually, I cut my hair to look more like the character in the original work. Since Rinka-chan cut her hair by 25 centimeters, I feel embarrassed and can’t say it out loud (laughs), but I also made the decision to cut my hair!

Comment from Rinka Kumagaya (role of Aoi Morita)
Since we shot a very important scene from the original manga first, it was a memorable start to filming. I’m glad we were able to start with this scene.
From the moment filming began, I could only see Mr. Kurosawa in Mr. Kikuchi’s gaze, facial expressions, and the feeling that I didn’t know what he was thinking. Thanks to that, it was very easy for me to get into the story as Aoi. On this filming site, Mr. Kikuchi was told that “no ad-libs” were prohibited, and I had a mission to report it if I witnessed it (laughs), but I didn’t have to worry about that and Mr. Kikuchi has been helping me out.

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 and Rinka Kumada
Ryuya Shichigosan, Nagisa Saito, Hajime Yoshihisa, Hirona Yamazaki
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

“The reason we fall in love” program site
https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/watakoi/