"With Respect for the Original Work Above All" - Interview with Noritaka Hamao, Playing Jo Togame [Film "WIND BREAKER"]

——So being the organization's number two was indeed an important point in playing Togame?

Hamao: I really wanted to properly portray something like the anguish of being second-in-command, and I was very conscious of that when reading the original work, so that I could bring out his humanity.

——I heard that the role of Togame was an offer from Director Hagiwara.

Hamao: I had previously worked with Director Hagiwara on a work called "Blue Period," but at that time, it was really just a small appearance. Even so, Director Hagiwara said to me, "I really want to work with you, so please be in it."

For this work, I received an offer for a role in a rival position to the protagonist, and I worked diligently, hoping to meet the expectations of the director who chose me despite my still being inexperienced.

——I think it's a very important role in the story, but what aspects did you focus on in creating the character?

Hamao: Since both the original manga and the anime version are very popular works with many fans, I thought it was important to start from the outside, such as the way of speaking and appearance. Of course, the hair and costume, but also the visual aspect of Togame having a large body with a sharp face—I thought I had to do that properly.

I was already physically large, so while utilizing that size, I worked on making my face smaller. From there, I also practiced walking in geta, and after firmly filling in the external aspects, I finally approached it so that I could establish (Togame) properly as one human being.

——Is the aspect of reproducing and performing an original character different from your usual character creation?

Hamao: Usually, I output from a place of understanding what kind of person (the character I'm playing) is as a human being, but (this time, building from the outside) I was pursuing the opposite, making sure it all added up within myself. It's a slightly different approach than usual, but I performed with respect for the original work above all.