#gakumon saito

[shysheeperz]

[teamtakeiemi]

ORICON’s interview with Takei Emi: “Looking back 10 years since my debut, my mind was strong even though I don’t know anything.”

Translation by @fuckyeahtakeiemi

PLEASE DO NOT REPOST. LINK THEM HERE INSTEAD. THANK YOU.

If you see any mistakes, please do send me a message. I’ll be glad to correct them. Thank you.

It’s been ten years since Takei Emi won the “All Japan National Beauty Contest” (Zen Nihon Kokuminteki Bishoujo Contest) in 2006. (The interview was done in 2016.) Popular actress Takei Emi walks dramatically in the middle of drama series, films and other entertainment scenes. She reveals her feelings towards her past and present self. The movie “Yokai Watch The Movie: Sora Tobu Kujira to Daburu Sekai no Daiboken da Nyan” is a hybrid of both animation and live-action.

STRANGE FEELINGS. I THOUGHT I WOULD BE A MONSTER. (laughs)

What did you first think about appearing in the live-action version of the movie “Yokai Watch”?

It was a strange feeling. I thought I would be a monster however, I was relieved to know that I will play the live-action role in this part anime and part live-action work. I think this is something new.

Translator’s note: The interview is very long so I hope you’ll read until the end!

Have you seen the anime of “Yokai Watch”?

I haven’t seen it yet but I know the material. I became curious because the song and dance was very popular. Also, I co-starred with Jiba-nyan in a commercial and had our photo taken! It is very popular among children so I’m thinking I will boast this to my acquaintances who have children! (laughs)

<3

You played as a ballet teacher for this movie. How was it portraying the role?

I always thought that I do ballet for a reason but in fact, I’m not really good with it. I did some lessons for a commercial and for Oscar Promotion (her entertainment agency) however, I did not do well. So, I did not think that I will play as a teacher at all. Although I did not actually dance in the movie, I made sure that my posture was good. 

A gentle expression in dancing was shown by ballet student Kanami (played by Hamabe Minami) which was very impressive.

I’ll be glad if you’ll see that! I portrayed as a teacher who pushes the back of her students like Kanami who got frustrated with ballet while being strict. I’m a teacher that will always tell you that you shouldn’t give up your dreams. I want to convey the feeling that a teacher is always by your side.

FAILURE IS ALSO IMPORTANT. I SWITCH MY MIND QUICKLY.

Have you spoken to your co-stars?

Hamabe Minami-chan was so timid but Minamide Ryoka-kun was very lively. (laughs) He was not shy at all. We talked about “Yokai Watch” in school. He was truly adorable. I did not have a scene with Yamazaki Kento-san and Saito Takumi-san. I went to see them when they had a shooting on the same day I was in. I wanted to see their costumes. (laughs) When I saw them up close, I was surprised to see that they were both realistically reproducing the anime. However, I think it was difficult to wear those costumes so I was relieved to play as a ballet teacher. (laughs)

<3

There is a theme “I will not give up my dreams even though I’m frustrated.” in the movie. Do you sympathize with this?

Yes, I do sympathize with it. However, in the first place, I’m the type who does not draw much frustration. I’m the kind that pushes you to move forward since I switch my mind quickly. There are times that my acting is not good and I become depressed. I think it is important to fail because we cannot experience happiness or sadness unless we fail.

When you talk about failures, what kind of failures is it?

I have lots. When I starred in “Taisetsu na Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta” (”I Learned All the Important Things from You”), I could not cry at all in the crying scenes. That really caused trouble and I was ashamed that I could not do it. But, I was so much pleased when I was able to do it. If you worked hard yourself, then you will be able to do it.

I WONDER IF MY DREAM HAS COME TRUE AFTER 10 YEARS SINCE DEBUT.

Ten years have passed since you entered the entertainment industry through the “All Japan National Beauty Contest”. Compared to the ten years, how is your current self right now?

I wanted to be a model at first so I couldn’t imagine at all now. However, I thought that I want to do my best so I wonder if my dream has come true. I was surprised when I first got the job as an actress. But, since I got the chance, I wanted to try it. While I was working hard one by one, I became the present “me” now. (laughs)

From the moment you debuted as an actress, how do you think about it now?

I think my mind was strong even though I do not know anything. (laughs) I may be misunderstood by saying this. I still have no confidence at that time but I guessed I have to play in that state. Even when I die during work, I want to face it without regrets. So, I desperately cheer myself up. No matter what happens, I always think that I am myself. That’s when I become strong.

It’s different now right?

Now that I understand the way of expression, the things I need to do are clearly visible. Since I can concentrate, I feel that it became easier. I want to be like myself but it’s alright to be different. I don’t have any complaints. (laughs) I wonder if I could live obediently. 

I DO NOT CONSIDER BEING AN ENTERTAINER AS PRIVATE.

* No trouble on roles and performance?

None. Of course, I think about what to express whether it’s a strong personality. I don’t have any trouble. I am really ordinary when I go home. Shopping in the market, cooking rice. I do not think being a celebrity is being private. It’s always a normal feeling.

Looking at the work you’ve done so far, you have many jobs to be familiar with in tea breaks in commercials and TV dramas. That’s a perfect image for the “national” beautiful girl, have you been conscious?

I am not conscious about myself however I think there was also a time I’ve been conscious. Before, there was a feeling that an actor / actress could not be reached. But now, there is now social media / social networking sites which makes us feel that we live in the same world with actors / actresses. I think that’s a very good thing.

* Translator’s note: Now, please make an instagram or twitter, Emi!

In contrast to the ** “simple approach” kind of work, I feel that many young actresses prefer subculture and minor roles in recent times.

I like it. I am interested. However, I think it is good whether it’s a simple approach or a minor role. It is the same. So, there’s no particular attention to genre. I feel like I want to do many things in reverse since I’m not obsessive. 

When choosing a job, do you not tell what you want to do?

I actually do. I wish I could do a lot of things while thinking about it now. Is it not interesting if you can do different things without staying in one place? Before, it was a drama about an affair. (The drama she co-starred with Tackey and Tsubasa’s Takizawa Hideaki in 2016 entitled “Seisei Suruhodo, Aishiteru.) Now, I’m doing a historical drama. (The drama she’s currently starring in entitled “Chuushingura no Koi”.) Next is a hybrid of live-action and animation. (The film she co-starred with Minamide Ryoka, Hamabe Minami, Yamazaki Kento and Saito Takumi entitled “Yokai Watch” in 2016.) I like new things so I’d like to challenge myself more with the things I haven’t done before.

Words by: Kato Megumi

Photos by: Osaka Satoshi

English translation by: @fuckyeahtakeiemi

Full interview here at Oricon News

NOTES:

* I’m actually unsure of this since I had a hard time translating this part. If you see any mistakes, please do tell me. THANK YOU!

** The kanji used was 王道 (read as oudou). According to jisho.org, it may mean “easy road”, “simple approach”, “short-cut”, “royal road”.

** Sample sentence: Gakumon oudou nashi. 

** Translation: There is no easy road in learning.

*** Again, PLEASE DO NOT REPOST. LINK THEM HERE INSTEAD. THANK YOU.

**** Translation by @fuckyeahtakeiemi

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