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By Erika Noguchi / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
The wealthy, graceful man’s name and age are unknown. Sporting a luxurious, old-fashioned tailored jacket with gold buttons, the protagonist lives an aristocratic life and likes to cooperate with police investigations. But he never works himself — his servants, instead, investigate on his behalf while their master enjoys leisurely chatting with beautiful women over a cup of tea.
The protagonist’s role is played by Masaki Aiba, a member of the super idol group Arashi of Johnny & Associates, in the drama “Kizoku Tantei” (Aristocrat detective). It is being broadcast on the Fuji TV network at 9 p.m. on Mondays.
The drama, based on a series of novels by Yutaka Maya, is the latest drama in the getsuku TV slot (also called gekku, meaning “9 p.m. on Mondays”), a high-profile slot that has aired a number of hit dramas reflective of their eras. Aiba’s latest work marks the slot’s 30th year.
Aiba is surely one of the most popular faces on TV today, attracting people of all ages with his friendly smile. In contrast, the role he plays in this mystery drama has a somewhat aloof presence.
“At first, I couldn’t imagine what living a nobleman’s life is like, because I’ve never even seen such people,” Aiba said.
To better pass himself off as a real aristocrat, Aiba took lessons on etiquette to learn how to elegantly drink tea, among other manners. As he puts his all into convincingly portraying the aristocrat, Aiba said he is enjoying filming.
“I play a man with a dignified look who has servants make tea for him,” he said. “I’m appreciating living a life with such aristocratic touches.”
Aiba tries to keep one basic philosophy in playing the born aristocrat: Even when walking, he takes great care not to spoil his image as a man of good breeding. At the same time, however, he discusses with the director various ways to act to be as playful in the role as possible.
Aiba is supported in the drama by skilled actors. Yutaka Matsushige plays the protagonist’s butler Yamamoto, Miho Nakayama plays his maid Tanaka and Kenichi Takito plays his driver Sato, all of whom inject a dose of reality into the extraordinary setting.
Other key supporting roles include private detective Aika (played by Emi Takei), who, proud of her profession, hates the protagonist’s attitude of passing his work on to his servants. He retorts: “I’m of noble birth. How dare you force me to work? How arrogant this era is!”
Chief police detective Hanagata (played by Katsuhisa Namase) is not happy about the protagonist’s indirect involvement in his investigation.
Their dialogue is also entertaining to listen to.
“The major attraction of this drama is the process of solving the mystery of a crime,” Aiba said. “A murder takes place in each episode, but the story has a light touch so as not to frighten the audience. I hope you’ll really enjoy this drama.”
A Chiba Prefecture native, the 34-year-old Aiba made his debut as a member of Arashi in 1999. He has performed in TV dramas and films, often in the lead role. He also served as emcee for the men’s team in NHK’s Kohaku Utagassen (Red and White Year-end Song Festival) on New Year’s Eve last year, becoming the first Arashi member to do that emcee role solo.
Aiba said he often goes out drinking with other members of Johnny & Associates to relax.
“I sometimes eat yakiniku or gyoza with Kazama-kun [Shunsuke Kazama] and Yoko-chan [You Yokoyama],” he said. “When we went out recently, I happened to have a pack of cards. We quietly played old maid in a private room so that we wouldn’t disturb other customers.”
Asked about what he would like to do if he were an aristocrat, Aiba said: “Horse-riding, although I don’t have to be an aristocrat to do that. I think it has a noble image, though. I want to play tennis, too, of course, elegantly. In fact, I like all sorts of sports.”
“Kizoku Tantei” has been given an important role not only in Fuji TV’s signature slot, but also for Aiba.
“I’m certain this drama will be one of the most memorable works in my career,” he said.
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0003663162
The wealthy, graceful man’s name and age are unknown. Sporting a luxurious, old-fashioned tailored jacket with gold buttons, the protagonist lives an aristocratic life and likes to cooperate with police investigations. But he never works himself — his servants, instead, investigate on his behalf while their master enjoys leisurely chatting with beautiful women over a cup of tea.
The protagonist’s role is played by Masaki Aiba, a member of the super idol group Arashi of Johnny & Associates, in the drama “Kizoku Tantei” (Aristocrat detective). It is being broadcast on the Fuji TV network at 9 p.m. on Mondays.
The drama, based on a series of novels by Yutaka Maya, is the latest drama in the getsuku TV slot (also called gekku, meaning “9 p.m. on Mondays”), a high-profile slot that has aired a number of hit dramas reflective of their eras. Aiba’s latest work marks the slot’s 30th year.
Aiba is surely one of the most popular faces on TV today, attracting people of all ages with his friendly smile. In contrast, the role he plays in this mystery drama has a somewhat aloof presence.
“At first, I couldn’t imagine what living a nobleman’s life is like, because I’ve never even seen such people,” Aiba said.
To better pass himself off as a real aristocrat, Aiba took lessons on etiquette to learn how to elegantly drink tea, among other manners. As he puts his all into convincingly portraying the aristocrat, Aiba said he is enjoying filming.
“I play a man with a dignified look who has servants make tea for him,” he said. “I’m appreciating living a life with such aristocratic touches.”
Aiba tries to keep one basic philosophy in playing the born aristocrat: Even when walking, he takes great care not to spoil his image as a man of good breeding. At the same time, however, he discusses with the director various ways to act to be as playful in the role as possible.
Aiba is supported in the drama by skilled actors. Yutaka Matsushige plays the protagonist’s butler Yamamoto, Miho Nakayama plays his maid Tanaka and Kenichi Takito plays his driver Sato, all of whom inject a dose of reality into the extraordinary setting.
Other key supporting roles include private detective Aika (played by Emi Takei), who, proud of her profession, hates the protagonist’s attitude of passing his work on to his servants. He retorts: “I’m of noble birth. How dare you force me to work? How arrogant this era is!”
Chief police detective Hanagata (played by Katsuhisa Namase) is not happy about the protagonist’s indirect involvement in his investigation.
Their dialogue is also entertaining to listen to.
“The major attraction of this drama is the process of solving the mystery of a crime,” Aiba said. “A murder takes place in each episode, but the story has a light touch so as not to frighten the audience. I hope you’ll really enjoy this drama.”
A Chiba Prefecture native, the 34-year-old Aiba made his debut as a member of Arashi in 1999. He has performed in TV dramas and films, often in the lead role. He also served as emcee for the men’s team in NHK’s Kohaku Utagassen (Red and White Year-end Song Festival) on New Year’s Eve last year, becoming the first Arashi member to do that emcee role solo.
Aiba said he often goes out drinking with other members of Johnny & Associates to relax.
“I sometimes eat yakiniku or gyoza with Kazama-kun [Shunsuke Kazama] and Yoko-chan [You Yokoyama],” he said. “When we went out recently, I happened to have a pack of cards. We quietly played old maid in a private room so that we wouldn’t disturb other customers.”
Asked about what he would like to do if he were an aristocrat, Aiba said: “Horse-riding, although I don’t have to be an aristocrat to do that. I think it has a noble image, though. I want to play tennis, too, of course, elegantly. In fact, I like all sorts of sports.”
“Kizoku Tantei” has been given an important role not only in Fuji TV’s signature slot, but also for Aiba.
“I’m certain this drama will be one of the most memorable works in my career,” he said.
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0003663162