Interview 1 from Ex-Aid Character Book Level.0
Hojo Emu is a child-friendly trainee doctor and a confident genius gamer. In order to save his patients, he chooses to fight as Kamen Rider Ex-Aid. Iijima Hiroki, who plays the role, feels it is difficult to switch between the two sides, and is doing his best to play the role of the straightforward and slightly clumsy Emu. What are the joys and difficulties of being on set for the first time?
「仮面ライダーエグゼイド」のオーディションに合格して出演が決まった一ときは、自分が置かれている状況が理解できず、「ああ、本当に合格したんだー (棒読み)」という感じでした。うれしすぎて実感がわかないってこういうことか、ということを実感したといいますか (笑)。制作発表が終わった後、地元の友人たちが喜んでくれて、連絡一がたくさんありまして。家族は「おめでとう」とは言ってくれましたが、そこまで大喜びというわけではありませんでした。たぶん僕と同じで、実感がわかなかったんだと思います (笑)。
When I passed the audition for "Kamen Rider Ex-Aid" and was chosen to appear in the show, I couldn't understand the situation I was in and felt like, "Oh, I really passed the audition (in a monotone voice)". I realized that this is what it means to be too happy to feel (laughs). After the announcement of the production, my friends in my hometown were very happy, and I received a lot of calls. My family said, "Congratulations," but they weren't that overjoyed. I guess they were like me and didn't really feel it (laughs).
オーディションでは何役かを演じましたが、キャラクターの性格的な設定一は今とほぼ同じでした。演じることになってから改めて宝生永夢の設定を聞くと、「病院の研修医」で「仕事熱心」で「仕事を離れるとゲーマー」。そのうえで「とにかく一生懸命」で「まっすぐな性格」で「あきらめない」。そして「患者を守りたい気持ちが人一倍強い人間」ということでした。
I played several roles in the audition, but the character's personality setting was almost the same as now. When I heard about the character of Hojo Emu again after I was chosen to play the role, I found out that he was a "intern doctor at a hospital" with a "strong work ethic" and a "gamer when he's not working". In addition, he is "hard working," "straightforward," and "never gives up". He also has "a strong desire to protect his patients".
永夢は16年前、8歳のときにお医者さんに命を救われて、自分も誰かを救う人間になりたいと思い、その意志を貫き通して研修医になった。まっすぐでブレがないんです。16年前のことはちらっと描かれますけど、あれから今の永夢になるまで、どんな子だったのかを想像すると…。きっと真面目に、一生懸命に勉強をしていたんでしょうね。
16 years ago, when he was 8 years old, a doctor saved his life, and he decided that he wanted to become a person who could save others, and he followed his will and became an intern. There are glimpses of what happened 16 years ago, but when I try to imagine what kind of child he was from then until he became the Emu we know today... I'm sure he studied hard and diligently.
そんな永夢を演じるにあたって、難しいのは演じ分けの部分です。永夢はゲームをプレイすると“ゲーマーモード”になって、強気で自信家の顔が前面に出てきますが、この間は「もっと余裕を持って々と演じて」と言われました。まだ切り替えが難しいんです。永夢は基本的に、仮面ライダーエグゼイドに変身しているときにゲーマーモードに切り替わります。
The most difficult part of playing Emu is to distinguish between his two different sides. When he plays a game, he goes into "gamer mode" and his strong and confident side comes out, but the other day I was told to "play it more relaxed". It's still difficult for me to switch. Basically, Emu switches to gamer mode when he transforms into Kamen Rider Ex-Aid.
エグゼイドに変身して戦っているときは余裕と、絶対クリアしてやるという負けず嫌いな気持ちが出る。人を助けたいという気持ちは常にあって、一生懸命半分、余裕半分というイメージ。正反対のキャラクターになるわけではないのが難しいんです。そして変身しているということは、アフレコでの演技になります。そもそもアフレコが初めてですから、さらに難しくて。
When he transforms into Ex-Aid and fights, he has a sense of freedom and a competitive spirit that says 'I can clear this'. He always has the desire to help others, and he's half hardworking and half relaxed. It's difficult for me not to become the exact opposite of my character. And the fact that he's transforming means that I'm acting in postrecording. It's my first time to do it, so it's even more difficult.
地声が低いので、永夢のときは少し高く出して、ゲーマーのときは素に近く、けれどテンションは高めで演技するようにしています。最初のアフレコのとき、ノリノリで演じていたら、「ガラが悪い」と注意されたんですけど (苦笑)。自信があるところを強調しすぎて“オラオラ系”にならないように気をつけないと。子どもたちが持つヒーローのイメージを裏切りたくはありませんから。
My natural voice is low, so I try to make it a little higher when I'm playing Emu, and when I'm playing gamer mode, I try to act as if I'm playing myself, but with more tension. During the first recording session, when I was playing the role with a lot of enthusiasm, I was warned not to become too ill-mannered (bitter smile). I have to be careful not to overemphasize my confidence and become an "ora ora" type. I don't want to betray the image of a hero that children have.
転ぶのもアクションのうち
Falling down is part of the action
永夢の研修医としての日常、診察しているシーンも描かれます。小児科動務なので、患者である子どもたちに優しく対応しています。子どもにとってお医者さんは怖いイメージがあるでしょうし、白衣を見るだけで怖がる子もいますよね。だから永夢は「怖くないよ」という気持ちが周りに伝わるように振る舞っています。ただ永夢は白衣の下に派手なTシャツを着ていますが、これは注意されないんですかね？付き添いの親御さんたちに、バッと見て医者だと思ってもらえるのかな… (笑)。
It also depicts Emu's daily life as a trainee doctor, and scenes of him examining patients. Since he works in pediatrics, he treats his patients, the children, gently. For children, doctors can have a scary image, and just the sight of a white coat can scare some of them. That's why Emu behaves so that the feeling of "I'm not scary" is conveyed to the people around him. However, Emu wears a flashy t-shirt under his lab coat, but isn't this something to be careful about? I wonder if the parents accompanying him will think he's a doctor when they see him... (laughs).
永夢は研修医になれたわけですから、学業では優秀なはずですよね。その反面、やたらと転んだり、ドジっ子っぽいところがあるんです(笑)。“転ぶキャラクター”だと聞かされたときは、「そうなんですか」くらいの感想でしたけど、思っていたより転ぶシーンが多くて、「こんなに？」と思っています (笑)。
Since Emu was able to become an intern, he should have excelled in his studies, right? On the other hand, he tends to fall down a lot and he looks like a dojikko (laughs). When I was told that I was going to be a character who falls down, I was just like, "Really?" But there are more scenes where I fall down than I expected, and I'm thinking, "So many?" (laughs).
同じ転ぶのでも、痛いときとそうでないときがあるんですよ。転ぶ演技は好きですし、苦にはならないですけど。いや、決して痛いのが好きというわけではありませんが (笑)！転び方について細かい指導はないので、自分なりに考えてやっています。どうすれば自然に見えるのか、逆に派手に見えるのかとか、工夫しがいがありますね。体を動かすのは好きですし、ある程度の自信もあります。アクションは積極的に学んで、挑戦したい。
There are times when it hurts and times when it doesn't, even if it's the same fall. I like falling down, and it doesn't bother me. No, it's not that I like the pain (laughs)! I don't have any detailed instructions on how to fall, so I do it in my own way. It's fun to think about how to make it look natural, or conversely, how to make it look flashy. I like to move my body, and I have a certain amount of confidence. I want to actively learn and challenge myself in action.
転ぶのだってアクションだと思っています。他には、逃げたりかわしたりすることが多いんですが、何とかできていると信じています。特に3、4話の坂本（浩一）監督はアクションシーンを多く撮る方で、「もっとこんなふうに」と細かくリクエストしていただき、それに応えるのが楽しかったです。もっとこうすればよかったと反省点はありますが、今後も指示に応え、自分なりに工夫しながら学んでいきたいです。
I believe that even falling down is part of the action. Other than that, there's a lot of running and dodging, but I believe I'm getting there. In particular, the director of episodes 3 and 4, Sakamoto Koichi, is someone who shoots a lot of action scenes, and I enjoyed responding to his detailed requests like "do it more like this". I have some things to reflect on that I should have done better, but I would like to continue to learn by responding to instructions and devising my own ways.
撮影が進んで、永夢というキャラクターが少しずつつかめてきました。いえ、つかんだとは少し違うのかもしれません。うまく言い表せませんが、演じやすくなってきたんです。最初はどう表現すればいいのかすべてが手探りでしたけど、「こういうとき、永夢ならこう考えるな」「こんな表情をするな」ということがわかるようになってきました。僕が永夢に近づいたのか、永夢が僕に近づいたのか…一体化してきたとまではまだ言えませんけど。ロールプレイングゲームでたとえると、序盤の一番弱いモンスターに勝てるくらいにはレベルが上がったと思いますが、新しい敵が次々と出て来るので、強くなった気はしない、という感じでしょうか。
As the filming progressed, I was able to grasp the Emu's character little by little. Well, maybe grasped is not the right word. I can't really describe it, but it's getting easier to play. At first, I was groping for how to express myself, but now I can understand how Emu would think and how he would express himself. I don't know if I've gotten closer to Emu or if Emu has gotten closer to me... I can't say that we've become one yet. If I were to compare it to a role-playing game, I think my level has risen to the point where I can beat the weakest monsters in the beginning, but I don't feel like I'm getting stronger because new enemies keep popping up.
レベルの高さは気にせず、撮影を通じて学んでいくうちに、「この強いモンスターに勝てるようになっていたんだ！」と気づけるのが理想です。そのためにクリアしなければいけない課題はたくさんあります。現状でよく感じるのは“つながり”。シーンを物語の順番通り撮影するわけではないし、ひとつのシーンを途中まで撮って、次の日にその続きを撮ることもあります。気持ちのつながりをしっかりと考えて演技をしないと、不自然になってしまうんですよね。
Ideally, you shouldn't worry about the level, and as you learn through shooting, you will realize, "I was able to beat this strong monster!". There are many issues that need to be cleared in order to achieve this. What I feel most often at present is "connection". We don't always shoot scenes in the same order as the story, and sometimes we shoot a scene halfway through and then shoot the rest the next day. If you don't think about the connection between your feelings and your performance, it will become unnatural.
周囲から学ぶことの多さ
A lot to learn from the people around you
仮面ライダーといえば、変身ポーズが大事ですよね！もともと提案していただいたポーズがあったんですが、どうしてもしっくりこない部分がありまして…。生意気ながら意見を出させていただき、自分なりにアレンジさせていただいた結果、今のものに決まりました。まずエグゼイドレベル1になるわけですが、初めて「これが、君の変身する仮面ライダーだよ」とレベル1のデザインを見せていただいたときは、かなりの衝撃でした。正直言うと「“ゆるキャラ”?」と思い… (笑)。
Speaking of Kamen Rider, the transformation pose is very important! There was a pose that was originally proposed to me, but something about it didn't quite fit… Although I was a bit cheeky, I was able to express my opinions, and after arranging it in my own way, I decided on the current one. First of all, there was Ex-Aid Level 1, and when I was first shown the design of Level 1 and told, "This is the Kamen Rider you will transform into," I was quite shocked. To be honest, I thought "A mascot character?"... (laughs).
でも現場で初めて動いている姿を見たときは、「かわいい！」のひと言。ゴツイ敵にレベル1が立ち向かう姿は、ちょっとシュールで印象に残ります。それがレベル2になるとガラっと変わって、カッコよくなるわけです。特に横顔に見惚れますよ!
But when I saw it in action for the first time on site, all I could say was, "It's so cute!". The sight of a Level 1 character facing off against a tough enemy is a bit surreal and leaves a lasting impression. But when they become Level 2, they change completely and become cool. You'll especially love the profile!
スーツアクターの方々とは、現場でよくお話をさせていただくようにしています。エグゼイドレベル2を演じてくださっている高岩さんとは、変身解除したときの気持ちのつながりとか、疲れ具合をどう表現するかとか、いろいろと確認させていただいたり。
I often talk with the suit actors on set. With Takaiwa-san, who is playing the role of Ex-Aid Level 2, I will check various things, like how he feels when he untransforms, and how to express the degree of exhaustion.
走ってきてカッコよく止まるコツも教わっています。当たり前のことを言いますが、みなさんの動きは本当にすごい！すべてが勉強になります。
I'm also being taught how to run and stop in a cool way. I know I'm stating the obvious, but everyone's moves are truly amazing! Everything is a learning experience.
キャストのみんなとも演技について話し合ったり、仲よくさせてもらっています。全員が僕にはできない演技をしていて、一緒のシーンを演じていても、外から見ていても勉強になるんです。特に松田さんは、明日那とポッピーピポパポの演技の切り替えがすごい。永夢にも二面性といえる部分があるので、参考にさせてもらっていす。
I get along well with all the cast members, discussing acting with them. All of them are doing things that I can't do, and I learn a lot from them even when I'm acting in the same scene with them or watching from the outside. In particular, Matsuda-san is amazing at switching between acting as Asuna and Poppy Pipopapo. There are two sides to Emu as well, so I'm learning a lot from her.
撮影は楽しいですけど、夏場は暑さとの闘いなんですね。衣裳の白衣が風を通さないので、暑さを増してくれちゃうんです (苦笑)。ただでさえ僕、すごい汗っかきなんですよ。集中力を落とさないためにも汗を何とかしたいんですが、止められないですし… (泣)。涼しくなるのを待って、今は我慢のときですね！と言いながら、秋や冬には寒さという問題も出てくるんでしょうけど… (苦笑)。
Filming is fun, but in the summer it's a battle against the heat. The white coats don't allow any wind to pass through, so they make it even hotter (bitter smile). I sweat a lot. I want to do something about it so that I don't lose my concentration, but I can't stop myself from sweating... (cries). Now is the time to be patient and wait for the weather to cool down! But I'm sure the problem of coldness will come up in autumn and winter... (bitter smile).
「仮面ライダーエグゼイド」は、人間が仮面ライダーに変身するだけではなく、仮面ライダーもまた変身します。姿かたちも含めて、いろいろなものがゲームのようにレベルアップしていく作品であるところが見どころだと思っています。永夢については、負けない気持ちやまっすぐな性格でもって、戦いを経て成長やレベルアップしていく姿を見守っていただきたいです。1年後にはきっと“ラスボス”を倒せるレベルになっているはずです。最終的に倒すべき相手が誰なのかは、現時点ではまったくわかりませんけど (笑)。演じる僕も、1年を通して永夢と一緒に成長していきたいです。応援、よろしくお願いします!
In "Kamen Rider Ex-Aid," not only do humans transform into Kamen Riders, but Kamen Riders also transform. I think the highlight of this show is that many things, including the form, are upgraded like in a game. As for Emu, I hope that you will watch him grow and improve through battles with his unyielding spirit and straightforward personality. I'm sure that in a year's time, I'll be at a level where I can defeat the "last boss". I have no idea at this point who the final opponent will be, though (laughs). I'd also like to grow together with Emu throughout this year. Thank you for your support!