Cross Talk of Nakada Hiroki and Takenaka Ryohei for stage play "Katekyo Hitman Reborn!! the Stage ~episode of Future~"

 

 Series "Katekyo Hitman REBORN!" The Stage, which first part was made in 2018 and has been performed many times, will finally reach its final chapter this summer. We interviewed Takenaka Ryohei, who plays Sawada Tsunayoshi (Tsuna) in this work, and Nakada Hiroki, who plays Byakuran, Tsuna's direct enemy, about their feelings at the climax.

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It was a miracle that I was able to get a role that I have a connection with the development of the role itself so far (Takenaka)

---First of all, please let us know what you think about appearing in this work!

Takenaka: I haven't had many roles that have been linked to the character's growth so far, so being able to take on this role is a miracle for me. That's why I have a wish for Tsuna to end the last chapter well. And since it's all thanks to our audience that we've been able to get to where we are today, I want to express our gratitude to you.

Nakada: It's been more than 15 years since the series started, and I'm really happy to be a part of the production of the very popular original manga that is still loved by so many people. The role of Byakuran that I play, is the biggest wall to overcome from the perspective of the Vongola Family, so I am very happy to play such an important role. I could feel that I had to become the head of the Millefiore Family, which excited me in a good way. 

---The two of you acted together once in 2017, has your impression of the other changed since then?

Takenaka: My first impression was that his face was well organized and his style was also good, so I felt a bit unapproachable. However, when I worked with him, he was very passionate about his work and was a very senior-like person, he helped me a lot. 

Nakada: It has been four years.

Takenaka: Since then, we have been on stage together for almost two years. I find it a bit difficult to say, but when I see him again after a long time, he seems to have softened...

Nakada: Ahaha! Was I that tough in the past?

Takenaka: I feel like you've become tougher (lol)

Nakada: No, just let me be tough now, too (lol). I haven't thought of it myself, but when Ryohei, who knows the stories of the past, asked me about it, perhaps things became more complete (lol). But I'm glad that the image hasn't changed so much since then. At that time, I also thought Ryohei was the cool type who built a wall of separation, or had an unapproachable way of speaking. But when I tried talking to him once, he was very straightforward, humble and very easy to talk to, and in a good way it took a distance from his appearance. That made a very good impression.

Takenaka: I'm so happy. Thank you so much!!

Nakada: I'm also happy... At the time of co-starring, I was on the same team as you, but in this work, in our relationship we are enemies on the opposite side, I am looking forward to how that will change after the practice sessions. 

Takenaka: Thinking back at that time, it was really emotional.

---When playing each other's enemies, did the interaction at the practice place change?

Nakada: I often hear that people won't get along. But I think we'll continue to stay the same... Byakuran is rather friendly to Tsuna, and it doesn't feel like it's bachibachi (An attitude or appearance that is threatening to rivals or enemies) 

Takenaka: He's so mystery, that Byakuran.

Nakada: I'm still in the process of figuring out what he thinks of Tsuna, and the training is still going on, so the role will be like that in the end...right? (lol)

Takenaka: Eh!? Are you do the bachibachi? (lol)

Nakada: But if I can have that kind of enthusiasm, that would be great.

Takenaka: Yup! When the official performances start, everyone will take pictures and upload them to SNS, but I tend to leave pictures with the final boss on the last day (lol). This time I will also save 2 photos for the last day...

Nakada: If so, I can take two shots immediately in Byakuran's stance (lol). And I can take the pics like I'm saying "Tsunayoshi-kun".

Takenaka: Eh, so maybe I will stand like saying "Wait a minute" (lol).

Nakada: I'm looking forward to it being uploaded (lol).

I wanted to show the mentality of "Byakuran" and act it out on stage (Nakada)

---Is there anything you want to be careful about when you take the role?

Takenaka: I think this work is "Tuna's growing up story", so it's important to be able to bring it to the audience in an intimate way without complicating Tsuna's feelings. That's what I always value when taking on a role. I thought about it for a long time, but in "Katekyo Hitman REBORN!" the number of Tsukkomi characters is too small compared to the number of Boke characters. Tsuna is still more of a Tsukkomi type anyway, when his antenna is up he'll want to do things that are Tsukkomi-like.

Nakada: This is a work that is loved by a lot of audiences, so I think we need to make the fans of the original work love even more with "Katekyo Hitman REBORN!". While making it a top priority to portray the life of the character "Byakuran" as people imagine, I wanted to make sure to find the meaning of performing on stage and expressing his personality.

---The key word of this story is "Parallel world". If you had a completely different self in the "parallel world", what kind of person would you like to see yourself as?

Takenaka: I wonder what... A special job related to the work, right? So, since I can't imagine what it would be like if I had a family right now, I wanted to try to see myself with such a difference.

Nakada: I wanted to be a nursery teacher when I was a student, so I would like to see myself choosing the path of a nursery teacher. I don't think it's a job compatible with an actor, but I still crave a job that involves interaction with children.

---If so, actors can always do different things in parallel worlds, right?

Takenaka: You might come to the role of a nursery teacher!

Nakada: Maybe I will...

Takenaka: Who did read this? (lol)

Nakada: Then you don't need to go to a parallel world anymore (lol)

Takenaka: I got the correct answer (lol)

Nakada: By continuing to be an actor, we can still reach a parallel world, and if so, you won't want to leave this job (lol)

---Finally, please give a few words to the readers.

Nakada: There have been 4 works released so far, and we will be participating from the last chapter, which is also the 5th, but we will convey the appeal of the original and what the "RIBOSUTE" company has created far more people, firmly and deeply taking over the world of "RIBOSUTE" and conveying the excitement of the work "Katekyo Hitman REBORN!" to as many audiences as possible. In a time like now, I hope that the power of the stage will bring energy and courage to many people, please look forward to it.

Takenaka: Let's talk about Hiroki first, then with the addition of the Millefiore family from this time around, "RIBOSUTE" will be in the state of a larger family than ever before, but I think the energy will increase with that amount, so with the live stage, I hope we can convey to everyone the strong energy of each member.

-Translated by Shiro-