Kento Kaku look.2

Kento Kaku is a young talented actor with a full schedule. Now that’s he’s 27, he’s starting to show a more mature side, which means we can look forward to an expanded range of acting roles from him! This LOOK.2 issue focuses on his work, as we get his thoughts on acting.

── Could you tell us what got you into acting?

I’ve always been a big TV watcher, and I used to watch the drama Kisarazu Cat’s Eye. The actors in it made acting look really fun, so I started to think about doing it too. That was probably the main thing that first got me into acting.

Also, I think I’ve always wanted to be the center of attention. Recently I went to a fortune teller, who said that even in my past life I was a show-off.

── Have you ever had any new or strange things happen while working as an actor?

In this job, you have to express different feelings, right? So I’ve become able to kind of turn off that filter, which has allowed me really expand and improve my repertoire of expressions. But I never take my character with me; as soon as the shoot is finished or I step off stage, “poof,” I leave that character there and move right along (haha).

── In order to create your characters, do you do anything special, or do any research or anything?

For me, the process of “character creation” doesn’t actually happen to begin with. I’m not the kind of person who creates a persona. I think you have to take an objective view when acting, otherwise you’ll start to have mental health issues (laughs). I think those who are good at distinguishing between a fictional character and their own identity make good actors.

── Are there any actors who have influenced you in your career?

Renji Ishibashi. He’s had a long career, but he’s still very modest about his ability. I was impressed to hear him say, “I’m a terrible actor, so I’ll accommodate you in any way I can.”

And Arata Furuta, who I’m working with now. He has amazing range. He’s always like, “Feelings? Eat shit and die!” Actors are basically professional liars, so to be able to carry that feeling is really important. I think that kind of mindset is pretty interesting.

── You’re currently in Amazon Prime’s Uchu no Shigoto, right?

The basic story is that some humans are chosen to protect Earth from an alien invasion, and we’re negotiating with the aliens to return to their home planet. When it’s not clear if the negotiation is going to be successful, we consider flashing them our armpits and repelling them with the smell. The point when we’re trying to decide whether to do it is pretty funny. But there aren’t really any particular lines that stand out (laughs).

I have a good relationship with Director Yuichi Fukuda too. Actually, the first time I acted on stage was for him. It was a kind of game in which we had to make him laugh. If we made him laugh, it was like a correct answer.

── In terms of acting, is there a difference between doing dramas and being on stage?

There’s no difference in terms of mindset, but there is in terms of time. For dramas, when the director says cut, we can’t redo a scene. Whereas on stage, you keep doing a scene over and over until you get it right, so there’s a fundamental difference in terms of the length of the creation process. With dramas, you have these quick little snippets during which you can show your skills, whereas on stage, it’s live, so the reaction you get is immediate and raw, which is very educational. They both have their good points.

── What would you be doing now if you weren’t in show business?

I like vintage clothing, so I think it would be nice to have a vintage clothing shop. Also, since I’m a show-off, I’d probably be doing something to get people’s attention.

── To close things out, tell us what you’d like to do professionally in the future!

I want to do a travel show! I’m in the middle of talks for making a laidback travel program, kind of like Tabi Zaru or Complicated SUMMERS2, in which I travel around to all kinds of places with three co-hosts (haha).