hsjhoshi | Inoue Mizuki x Motodaka Katsuki

Inoue Mizuki and Motodaka Katsuki co-star in the musical Loserville, which will be performed from 5 March at the Shinbashi Enbujo Theatre.

This musical, a unique collaboration between pop rock and otaku, tells the story of a group of friends who are working hard to achieve their dreams. Inoue and Motodaka, who play best friends in this production, spoke about their enthusiasm for the show.

First of all, please tell us about what was going through your mind when it was decided that you would perform in Loserville.

Inoue: I heard about it on the day of our solo arena performance "HiHi Jets Concert 2021 ~Goki Tousen~" in November 2021, before the show. When I heard that I would be taking on the lead role on stage the year after next, it didn't really hit me and I was a little hesitant about it. But I had always wanted to try my hand at musicals, so I was very happy.

Inoue, this is your first starring role, isn't it?

Inoue: This is my first time on stage as the lead actor, so there are many things I don't know. I want to create something great with the help of my co-stars and the staff. But I don't really feel like I can say I'm going to be the one leading. I just want to do my best while communicating with everyone in rehearsals.

Motodaka, how did you feel when you were cast in the musical?

Motodaka: I'm looking forward to taking on the challenge of performing in a production that depicts the world of pop-rock, as being in a musical is my long-cherished dream. The characters are all very unique and I wonder what kind of show it will be. The vocal coach is Oshima Goro, who worked with me on ROCK READING ‘The Happy Prince’ and ROCK READING 'Robin - The Adventures of Robin Hood’, and who also knows me somehow. I'm looking forward to meeting the director, Kinoshita Wally, as I've never met him before.

The roles you both play are characters who are so devoted to what they love that they are called "otaku", correct?

Inoue: I play Michael Dork, whose dream is to develop a computer that will be the first in the world. I'm not a computer nerd. I'm not very good with technology, so this role might be different to what I'm usually like.

Motodaka: That's right. I thought I was going to be playing the role of a computer otaku, but I was mistaken (laughs). The character I play, Lucas Lloyd, is a science fiction otaku. I don't have that aspect in me at all. In 7 Men Samurai, Nakamura Reia is the science fiction otaku. He likes Star Wars and stuff like that. Well, reading the script, the essence of the role has a little bit of the science fiction otaku element, but I feel it's not a role where being a science fiction otaku is important. There aren't any particular scenes where he talks passionately about science fiction, and he's not the kind of otaku who is gloomy, he's more upbeat. I feel that he is a bit different from the otaku who is withdrawn.

Inoue: That's right. Even though he is an otaku, Michael is a character with a bright side, and when he is with his friends he is not withdrawn and cheerful. The role reveals a lot of emotions as he comes face to face with all kinds of people. He has a sensitive side and a bold side, and I found him a very personable character.

Motodaka: Me too. I felt the role was very worthwhile. I thought Lucas was a bit confident, but he also has a hidden vulnerability deep down. I wonder if he's a bit of a brat? I wouldn't call him hateful, I would say the character has a certain cuteness to him. It's a role I've never played before, so I'm really looking forward to it.

Inoue: Doesn't the style seem a bit over-the-top in every way? When I read the script, I get the impression that all the reactions are loud.

Motodaka: That's right. An overreaction. It's like an American comedy drama. Something like Full House or Glee. It would be interesting if we could act in that kind of American style. American dramas are a bit contrived, aren't they? If I'm allowed to act like that, I'd like to give it a try.

Inoue: A comical touch~ I'll consult with the director and if he approves, I'd like to do it. But in terms of overreacting, that's an aspect that's the complete opposite of myself.

Motodaka: My Lucas is also a type of person who is different from myself. Of course, I think everyone has a side like that. Personally, I'm most looking forward to a scene towards the middle to end of the story where he has a bit of a broken heart. I'm looking forward to seeing how I can express that, since there's also a song.

Do you have a plan in mind for how you would like to play the role at this stage?

Motodaka: I want to rehearse without overdoing it. I think it's better for Lucas if he has a well-defined character, as there are scenes where he makes some sharp interjections (tsukkomi). If you ask me, he's an otaku, but he's a bit bossy, like a big brother. And Michael says to Lucas, "Come with me, I'll do what I can to help you". To be honest, Lucas would think something like, "You can't help me, either!" (laughs) I hope I can play Lucas's eccentricity in an interesting way.

Inoue: I see. The key point will be the pacing of the conversations with his peers. If you nail that pacing, it's interesting, but if it's off, it's not interesting at all, so it's going to be a very difficult interaction. I think it will reflect the communication we have on a daily basis, so I hope I can practise while talking with my co-stars.

Michael and Lucas, in particular, are best friends who are very close to each other. Inoue joined Johnnys in 2009 and is 22 years old, while Motodaka joined in 2011 and is 24, so although Inoue is younger, he is the senior member here.

Inoue: In my mind, we have been working hard on parallel lines as part of the same agency. This is the first time both of us are doing something together, isn't it?

Motodaka: Yeah, it's the first time. If I had to sum up my impression of Mizuki in one word, it would be "expressive". When I watch HiHi Jets' performances, I think that the way they perform and their ability to express themselves is amazing.

Inoue: My impression of Motodaka is that he's... smart! I get the impression that he is someone who can study well.

Motodaka: Not much of an impression (laughs). To be honest, Mizuki's life is a mystery. I've asked him many times, "What do you do on your days off?" But he always says, "Sleeping".

Inoue: But I really do sleep.

Motodaka: See? I can sense the same vibe as our Konpi (Konno Taiki) (laughs).

What do you find admirable about each other?

Inoue: The fact that he has continued his studies. Motodaka has never neglected the fundamentals. It's amazing that he's doing everything at the same time as his work with Johnny's. I think he's different from me.

Motodaka: That's not the case, is it?

Inoue: No, I've learnt what I need to know, but I don't know anything about general knowledge, so I'm learning everything from Igari (Soya).

Motodaka: Igari is amazing (laughs).

Inoue: Sometimes I ask him how I should greet people in certain situations.

Motodaka: Wow! Really?

Inoue: I don't know the right way to use language either. It becomes a double honorific. So I ask him, "Is this correct?" and check each time.

Motodaka: However, I have the impression that Mizuki is good at everything. I don't get the sense that the choreographers get angry with him at all. He's always been able to dance, he's an elite dancer.

Inoue: Oh indeed, the choreographers don't get mad at me. But it's not because I'm an elite. I think it's because they think I'll go home if I get angry, so they can't get angry at me.

Motodaka: That's not true.

Inoue: No. They actually told me, "I can't get angry at you because if you get angry, I'm afraid you'll quit."

Motodaka: I see (laughs).

Inoue: I also do my best not to get angry.

Motodaka: Right! You're really good at what you do!

You both play roles with an otaku component, so what kind of otaku are you?

Motodaka: Do you have any?

Inoue: My otaku component is probably manga.

Motodaka: I'm not much of a manga reader, but I can get behind "One Piece".

Inoue: Ah, I don't know enough about “One Piece” to talk about it. I like "Slam Dunk".

Motodaka: Oh, I haven't read that (laughs). I can show my otaku component in fish and fishing.

Inoue: You like fish?

Motodaka: Recently, I cooked a really big cold yellowtail from Toyama. This is the best time of year for it, so the fat is in perfect condition. I cooked it myself and made o-toro sushi (T/N: Fat under the belly of fish) for my whole family to eat. In general, I have an otaku disposition. Depending on the time of year, there are times when I'm into fishing, or with cooking, if I'm into meat dishes, that's all I'll cook. When I'm into food, I tend to cook a lot of it.

How would you like to get closer?

Inoue: Inevitably, once we start rehearsing, we'll become closer, won't we?

Motodaka: Let's see~ Maybe we won't talk about anything serious together. It's really going to be all about the performance. In the first place, we don't have a sense of closeness where we feel we need to get to know each other better. We've known each other for a long time, but we just haven't had any contact in our private lives.

Inoue: Due to your busy university studies.

Motodaka: No, no (laughs).

How do you see each other's group?

Inoue: 7 MEN Samurai are great because they can play in a band. You can enjoy a wide range of music. I feel their music has immense power because it's easy to become emotionally involved when watching them perform. Motodaka is always playing the keyboard and rapping (laughs).

Motodaka: Yes, I discreetly play the keyboard... but I don't rap (laughs)! I like the way HiHi Jets make each and every song their own original song. I also like the way they showcase each member individually. We were all watching from backstage during 'Johnny's Countdown 2022 - 2023' at Tokyo Dome and we were like, "HiHi is so cool!

Inoue: You did? Thank you!

Finally, could you give a message to everyone who is looking forward to the musical?

Inoue: This show is going to be a long one, so I want to make it all the way to the end while taking care of my health. I thought that since this work depicts the struggles of a group of otaku, it might serve as a piece that provides affirmation about the things that you love and gives you courage, but I am happy if you can interpret this work in any way you like. I don't want my comments to be taken as the only way you can interpret the work. There is no right answer, so I hope you can enjoy it as you like.

Motodaka: I won't know for sure until we start rehearsals, but this work is more of a comedy than a piece with a strong message. I hope to convey the everyday romances and the students' efforts to achieve their goals, the kind of things that are found in everyday life. As Mizuki said, how you perceive it is up to you. It's fine if you take something away from it, and it's fine if you just end up saying, "That was really fun". I just want you to enjoy it! Also, there is a scene where the two of us sing together. This is also a new challenge for me, as we have never sung together before.

Inoue: Singing together on stage at the Shinbashi Enbujo. I feel a lot of pressure, but I'll do my best (laughs).